PERCY OFFERS TO HELP

I’m offering you a warm place to sleep. This rain is cold and wet. I don’t think it is going to stop soon.

Smiling and laughing, even in her current state. “She said “ No thank you kind sir. I shall proceed on my way as soon as the rain stops.

“I know she said, I’ve been standing here waiting for it to stop so I could walk home.”

“Why didn’t you just walk anyway? You are soaked. It couldn’t have been any worst if you had walked.”

“I have ten blocks from here to go!”

“Can I offer you a lift then?”

“That I would appreciated.”

She got into the back seat of the cab.

I said,”Where to miss?”

“ Take me to 3238 w Jackson Blvd.

Near Kedzie, right?

“A block east of Homan. It’s a white building on the left side of the street.”

I didn’t know her name, but I had been seeing her every week in the movie theater for over six months. Late at night she was the candy counter girl. I had spoken to her when I purchased snacks before the movie. We had never spoken beyond that. When I saw her standing in the rain naturally I offered her shelter. It seemed to be the friendly thing to do.

Going to the trunk, I searched through my bags, until I found a clean towel. Handing it to her I said, “You can dry off a little while I take you home!”

“Thanks, I am a little wet.”, she responded.

I made a point of not looking in my rear view mirror while she got herself together. The towel helped her dry off, but she wasn’t smiling anymore. I thought she might have realized her situation and regretted accepting the ride.

The rain had slowed as we rode toward her house. I could see she was tired, sleepy, and feeling uncomfortable in her wet clothes.

It was early in the morning when we arrived at her building. An ambulance was just pulling off from the parking lot. I saw some children in the lobby.

As she climbed out of the car, they rushed toward her, yelling “Mommy, Mommy!”

“Hey babies, what are you doing up at this time? Where is Mrs. Grundy?”

One girl shouted, “She is having the baby!”

The other one said, “The ambulance people said “’we couldn’t go with her!”

A tall heavyset man rushed up from inside the building lobby.

“Well, well look who finally shows up. I have been waiting for you since 10:00 P.M. ,when you were supposed to be home!”

“Mr. Wallace what is happening here?, their mother said.

“I will tell what is going to happen. You and your children will have to leave this building. I see now the three of you have been living in Mrs. Grundy’s apartment. The leases for these apartments require occupancy by no more than two people. It also stipulates that no children are allowed. I am requesting that you and your children leave, now.”

“Mr. Wallace we need our things.”

“ I can’t help you there. Just be glad I am not pressing charges for illegal trespass in this building. Good night! Now I can get me some sleep. It is against the law for you to be living in her apartment, under the current lease., the building manager shouted. “I don’t want children in my building, so please leave right away!”

I watched the manager throw the woman and her children out in the rain. I could not help doing what I did. You are still welcome to the shelter I offered you, earlier,” I said. She looked at me, then at her children. I knew she wanted to say No! It was early in the morning. She had not gotten any rest from working. She needed a place to take her children for the night. Reluctantly, she took the children to the cab. Opening the back door she put them in the back seat.

“Before I say yes, what am I agreeing to do for this shelter, Mr. uh who?. What is your name.?”, she asked.

PERCY! My name is Percy.

Okay, Percy?, what are you offering me and the children?” she asked with an emphasis on my name.

A clean dry place to sleep, tonight. I have got a feeling that I may be making a mistake, but I will stand by my offer of shelter. I don’t know your name either.

My name is Beth. I thank you for your offer, but you have not specified what it entails.”

“My home has three bed rooms. You and your children sleep in one and I sleep in the other.”

She began to question me further. “Where do you live? How far from here?”

“I live further west on Adams Street. In the 4800 block about twenty minutes from here. The children can be in bed within the hour. But if you don’t trust me or my motives, then we can let this offer go. I only offered on the spur of the moment.” I don’t know if I thought this out thoroughly.”

“I didn’t mean to berate your offer, Mr. Percy. I am only concerned about the safety of the children. I did not mean to accuse you of anything underhanded. I am just being cautious about what I may be getting myself into.”

“Okay! I guess you have to be careful about things with children being involved. I replied. Are you satisfied enough to allow me to take you and the children to my home?”

“Yes! Thank you for your help.” She turned to cab and climbed into the back with the children.

From the back I heard “Mommy who is that man?”

“Ellie, he is Mr. Percy. He is going to take us to a place with a nice warm bed, so that we can get a good night sleep.” Beth told the little girl.

Billy asked, “What about Mrs. Grundy? Is she going to be okay?”

“Billy, she is in the hospital. It is time for the baby to be born. She will be taken care of by the hospital. We will go to visit her on another day.” Beth told him.

Percy said, “It looks like the rain is letting up. We should be at the house in a few minutes.”

Percy started the car up and drove two blocks east. He turned on to Damen and headed north to the expressway entrance. He took the ramp westbound on the Eisenhower until he reached the exit ramp at Laramie Ave.

“Will we be staying at Mr. Percy’s house from now on?, Ellie asked .

“I don’t know, but we can’t go back to Mrs. Grundy’s apartment, anymore”. Beth said to the children.

“Why?” Billy asked her.

“The manager found out she was letting us live with her. He doesn’t allow that to happen in his building. Since he just found out we were using Mrs. Grundy apartment as our home. He’s not going to let us get our things out tonight.

I pulled up in front of the house . As I turned off the lights Beth stepped out opening the umbrella I had given her. I rushed up to the front door and threw it open to allow them to get in quickly. The children looked around . Ellie asked to go to the bathroom. I directed them to the bathroom on the first floor near the bedroom. Beth and I looked at each other. She asked” Where do I sleep?” “There are two bedrooms on the first floor. This room has two twin beds and the other one has a full size bed. Make your choice before the children. You are welcome to both rooms.”

Billy and Ellie came back from the bathroom. They choose to take the twin beds.

“Are you guys hungry?” I asked. Ellie and Billy looked at their mother. Beth said, “Mr. Percy asked if you were hungry. Are you? They both yelled “YES”!

I turned to Beth. “I have some leftover Kentucky Fried chicken in the refrigerator. Help yourselves to the chicken, macaroni and cheese , and the biscuits. I hope that will be enough for the kids and you.”

“Thank you! I didn’t want to be a bother. I knew the children were hungry. They didn’t get any dinner because Mrs. Grundy went into labor at 7:00 P.M. Billy get some food for a your sister.” Beth said

As Billy was seaching for the food in the fridge, he noticed a large bottle of apple juice. “Mr. Percy can we have some apple juice, too?”, he shouted

“Sure Billy anything you want is fine with me. “Yeah sure you can. Let me get you some things to eat with. Beth lets get you into some dry clothes.

I think I have got something you can wear in the laundry room” Beth watched him as he walked across the hall. Percy looked into a dryer that was in the laundry room across from the dining room.

“I remember having some things in my last wash that may fit you, Percy said, as he pulled out a pair of women’s blue jeans. While looking into a dryer that sat in the room opposite. He pulled out the jeans, an over-sided shirt and a pair of socks. Try these on.

Beth, beth Are you okay? You seemed to blank out there for a moment.”

Beth was lost in thought, “What’s happening here, this man had only offered to take her home for one night and here he is feeding the children. I have got to be careful. This man may do this all the time. I think I fell into a trap.

“Hey Beth why don’t you get changed while we are getting the food together? They looked small when Beth first saw them. She didn’t know if they would fit. Along with them Percy handed her an oversized shirt that was loose and multicolored. She wondered where he got these items, but they were clean.

Being soaked down to her skin. Beth needed to get out of her wet clothes. “ Thanks, I will try these on

Walking down to one of the bedrooms, she tried on the clothes. How could he know her size? The pants were a stretchy material which fit very nicely and the shirt allowed her to go braless without being revealing. The shirt reached from her shoulder past her waist. They were comfortable, warm and allowed her to get out of her wet clothes.

Coming out of the bedroom Beth heard the voices coming from the kitchen. She put her wet clothes in the washer and joined Percy and the children. “Billy, check the microwave; I think the chicken is ready, Percy said. “Now Ellie you give everyone a fork next to their plates.”

“Okay, Mr. Percy”, Ellie said.

Billy shouted “Mr. Percy the chicken is hot!”

“Take this pot holder and bring it to the table, Billy.”

Then I will put the macaroni cheese and the biscuits in the microwave.

By the time everything was ready to eat, Ellie looked around for Beth. Where is Mom-ma!”. she said.

“Here I am baby. Beth said As she came back into the kitchen wearing the dry clothing Percy had given her.

“I went to change clothes.” she told them.

“Yeah, sure. Let me get you some plates, knives and forks. , Percy said. “We will eat at the table in the dining room. Beth will you help me get things together.” Beth was lost in thought, “What’s happening here, this man had only offered to take her home for one night and here he is feeding the children. Thank you Lord for this blessing and I no longer feel the need to be fearful of him.

“Hey! Beth, “Percy said, help me get the table set for the kids to eat. Are you okay? You seemed to blank out there for a moment.” Percy handed the plates and some napkins to Beth. He went back for the food from the oven and microwave. The chicken was warm in the oven and the macaroni and cheese was in the microwave. As everyone moved to the dining room, the children were getting excited.

Percy said “ Guys you should wash your hands first.”

He could tell they were really hungry by the way they rushed to wash their hands and get back to the table. Beth was apprehensive, but she knew the children should have something to eat. They would not be hungry during the night.

Percy was smiling as he filled the plates of his guests for the night. There seemed to be enough food to fill everyone’s plate. He looked into the pan to see what was left for him. There lay his favorite piece of chicken, some macaroni and cheese and two biscuits. More than he expected to find.

Raising his hands, he said a loud,” May You continue to bless us Oh Lord. We thank You for these Thy gifts which we are about to receive thru Christ our Lord. Amen!!” No one said anything after that, they were too busy eating.

Beth looked at the man who was praying. She couldn’t believe what was happening. Billy had his glass of apple juice. The children were happy and getting full. When they had enough to eat, they started to fall asleep at the table. Ellie almost fell off her chair. Billy slowly let his head slip to the table top.

“I guess it time for the children to go to their room to sleep. Beth, let me help you to take them to the bedroom.” Percy picked up Billy and carried him to the room with the two beds.

“I will clean up the dishes. You need to help them get comfortable. If you need anything else, just call me, I will be in the kitchen.” Percy said

Where had all that food come from? I don’t remember buying that much food last night. I truly thank You Lord, I am so glad I had enough to share. Percy thought to himself as he washed the dishes. The children had eaten everything on their plates and it looked like Beth was full, too!! He was feeling pretty good about his actions for the night. He was usually someone who stayed out of other people’s business. This time he couldn’t let that woman and her children get put out in the rain. He was amazed that he had the nerve to speak up and follow through with his offer. Only God could be the driving force that allowed him to get Beth to come home with him.

Beth looked around the room that the children were occupying. It was clean and neat. The room had two dressers and a nice little closet. It could have been a child’s room. With all the hassle and the strange start to this situation, it was very nice of Percy to offer shelter for the night. Billy and Ellie were sleeping soundly. They did not put up any fuss when she had put them to bed. They were exhausted.

Working the night shift at the hotel seemed to be a good thing. Mrs. Grady had been a nice woman in need of cash. She had agreed to keep the children after school until Beth made it home. Sharing the rent made it possible for Mrs. Grady to save money for the baby. The baby’s coming was premature. They had made plans for the baby’s birth and shared baby sitting. Mrs. Grady wanted to start working again.

Now she had to find another place to live and had no baby sitter. Only one day to get things straightened out. Oh, well, the morning is soon enough to start working out the details. Her shift didn’t start until 6:00 P.M. She was drained and needed to rest.

The other bedroom was just across the hall. The bed looked so inviting. The whole bed to herself. After sharing the bed with both the children in Mrs. Grady’s apartment, she knew sleeping alone would be heaven. Beth sat on the bed, then laid down (just for a second).

Percy was checking on the children on his way to bed. He saw Beth laying on the bed in the other room. She seemed to be asleep, already. She still had her shoes on. Tipping into the room, he removed her shoes and pulled the covers over her. Then turned off the light as he closed the door.

Barely three hours of sleep left him groggy. Need to pick-up some breakfast foods. His list included : Pancake mix, syrup, eggs, cereal and milk. Percy wasn’t sure what the kids liked to eat for breakfast. He knew something was better than nothing. The cupboard was empty, so he had to get something to eat. Having company in the morning was new to him. I mean sometimes a lady might visit him, but they never stayed until morning. This was different. Children need to be fed in the morning. They seemed to be better behaved with a full stomaches. The local Wal-Mart opened at 6:00 a.m. This gave him a whole hour to shop by 7:00 o’clock.

“Hey, Percy! what are you doing up at this time of morning? I thought you pulled the ten p.m. to two a.m. with your Uber service, “Shouted Mike.

“That’s right, Mike! But I got some special needs this morning. I have a couple of young people visiting me. I needed to pick up some food for breakfast.”, Percy replied. Can you tell me where the cereal is located?”

” I think cereal is located in aisle 6.” Mike said

Thanks Mike. He replied.

Percy found the cereal, milk, pancake mix and the things that he had wanted to pickup for the children. Rushing back to the house, he noticed how quiet it was at this time of morning. He was usually sleeping at this time. No one was awake when he reached the house. He put away all the supplies and went to check on his company. They were still sleeping like logs.

Percy decided to go back to bed. No one was up and he was dead tired.

Percy awoke at 12 noon. The noise from downstairs, was just enough to bring him out of a light sleep. it was time for him to get up anyway. Percy was thinking about the night to come, when he remembered that he now had company. Does she need to stay with me for a long period of time? Did I make a mistake letting her and the children stay overnight? I was so tired last night, I did not think beyond giving her a hand.

“Hey Beth, what are we going to do, now?” Percy walked into the kitchen calling her name. She was running around in just her bra and panties, trying to hide. He was standing between her and the bedroom. She looked at him, unable to say a word with a show of dread in her eyes. “Percy what are you doing here, I thought you were gone.” Where had he been? was her next thought.

Percy walked toward her. Took off the robe he was wearing and handed it to her. “I think we should sit down to talk about what is going to happen.” You can’t be prancing around my house with no clothes on. If “little Percy” saw you like this, he might get the wrong idea. You and the children were invited as my guests, but not for his pleasure. Please!! Go get dressed.”

Beth put on the robe. Pulled it tightly around her. She whispered “Thanks!” as she walked past him to her bedroom.

We were hanging out in the front, when Ray-Ray pulled up to the house. We thought he was mad, but he only wanted to see the kids. He didn’t hold a grudge about what had happened. Billy and Ellie didn’t recognize him at first, because he came at them growling. When they saw who he was they ran to him hugging and kissing him. You could tell they loved their Uncle Ray He has always been good to and with the children. He never raised his voice in anger around them. Laughing and shouting they called to Beth to come out of the house.

“Mommy! Mommy! Come see who came to see us! It’s Uncle Raymond. He said he has been looking for us. Beth was shocked to see him, but he never said a harsh word about her sudden disappearance. Giving her a strange look he seemed to be glad she had found a safe place to stay.

Beth introduced me to Ray. She told him what I had done for her and the kids. He reached out and shook my hand.

“I hope you don’t try to pull anything strange with Beth and the kids. Ray whispered.

I was driving my livery home when I saw her standing out in the rain. She seemed to be out of it, so I offered to take her home. When we got the apartment building, she saw the kids standing outside. The lady they had been staying with was taken to the hospital. I offered her shelter for the night and that was a month ago.