Persuasive Proof: Continuing the Haven Acres Story

By Dave Barkey

Readers of Persistent Pursuit will pick up the story of Brad and Stella Crosley after they settled into their north central Iowa wooded hideaway they call Haven Acres. Their tranquility is disrupted by the nocturnal arrival of an uninvited guest. Will their marriage survive the threat of a triangular relationship as they tackle the multiple issues of another inhabitant of Haven Acres? Will their newfound faith in Christ withstand the challenges they will face? Will Stella, who previously abandoned her husband and infant son, assume the role of faithful wife and devoted mother? Find out if the Crosleys manage to achieve persuasive proof.

I was delighted to find that Haven Acres was still very much alive in Persuasive Proof, the sequel to Dave Barkeys first novel Persistent Pursuit. The familiar and memorable personalities continue their adventures. Brad Crosley, principal of the local elementary school, and his wife Stella are in the process of making a comfortable Christian home for their son Gerald. The author beautifully and sensitively draws the reader into Brads struggles to balance his responsibilities among nurturing his family, running the elementary school, participating in church activities, and cultivating relationships in the community. The story intensifies as Brad and Stella reach out to a desperate Sally, offering shelter and hope. This new-found hope is threatened by unforeseen challenges only to realize later that God had a better plan. Thank you, Dave Barkey, for another inspiring book and Im already anticipating the next.
Dean W. Tuttle
Professor Emeritus, University of Northern Colorado

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 7, 2013
• ISBN: 9781449781026

Dave Barkey

I have been a pastor for forty-six years, having served congregations in Colorado, Minnesota, Wyoming, and New Mexico. My wife, Marge, and I also served as missionaries in Argentina. Our ministry has involved us in counseling with couples and families as well as ministry in small groups. I have also earned graduate degrees in pastoral studies from Bethel Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, and a Master of Arts in sociology from Colorado State University. We have five children, thirteen grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. I am currently serving as a pastor to seniors in Loveland, Colorado. We enjoy camping in our fifth-wheel trailer in the Rocky Mountains. We also follow our grandchildren’s activities in sports, especially soccer.

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Copyright © 2013 Dave Barkley.

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Scripture quotations marked (NIV®) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

It Took A Miracle © Copyright 1948 by John W. Peterson Music Company. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8102-6 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 1/21/2013

To my wife, Marge, who accuses me of portraying Stella Crosley to be too stellar (like Beaver Cleaver’s mother). But, Sweetheart, if I wrote about you, there would be those who would accuse me of describing you in the same way. The fact is that both you and Stella are trophies of God’s marvelous grace.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Preface

The Haven Acres Story

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Epilogue

References

About the Author

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to a great team of proofreaders, typos should be eliminated; dangling participles and incomplete sentences removed and punctuation corrected. I am grateful for the sharp eyes and critical marks of Joan Ekberg, Wendy Charles and Elsie Czenkusch. Bob McDonnell’s word-smithing skills and alertness to hackneyed phrases and clichés enriched my effort to communicate this story. Judy Yealy reviewed the galley proofs and made helpful corrections. If there is to be any glory for this book, it must go to the One who is grace, mercy and love. That’s what it’s all about.

If any one builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.

I Corinthians 3:12, 13

NIV®

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

I Corinthians 4:2

NIV®

PREFACE

One image that I recall from my childhood goes back to a tour of the Owens-Illinois Glass factory near Alton, Illinois. The fascination of watching molten glass shaped into bottles was overshadowed by something I saw at the end of a machine that was making two quart jugs. When the glass cooled, the finished products were subjected to inspection. The tester was a man with a small hammer. He held each bottle over a bin, then tapped the glass lightly with the hammer. A faulty glass was discovered when it shattered and fell into the bin. The good glass withstood the hammer’s taps and was shipped to be sold and used.

God’s design for our lives includes the taps of a hammer. Sometimes the taps feel more like blows or collisions. Yet their purpose is the same: to prove the quality of our character and our perseverance in fulfilling our Creator’s purpose. The Haven Acres Story: Persuasive Proof is the recounting of the experiences of a young couple, Brad and Stella Crosley, whose marriage was threatened by unfaithfulness and abandonment. Their unusual transformation is related in Persistent Pursuit: Introducing the Haven Acres Story. The tapping of the hammer that would prove the strength of their relationship and their perseverance in their commitment to Jesus Christ would occur without warning and from unpredictable sources. Will their lives be shattered or will they prove to be resilient in carrying out the mission for which the Lord designed them?

THE HAVEN ACRES STORY

The proud owners of Haven Acres, Brad and Stella Crosley, might never have come to acquire this beautiful, wooded property in North Central Iowa. Married scarcely one year, a good part of which was spent apart, the two could never have even dreamed that they would live in such a tranquil, hospitable place together.

Brad and Stella met when neither of them was looking for companionship. Brad had completed his first year as a high school English teacher while Stella was looking for employment after graduating from the University of Iowa with a degree in social work. Their relationship blossomed in just a few days. When Stella revealed that she was pregnant after a casual intimacy, Brad determined that he would marry her in spite of her condition. The wedding took place without any participation of their families. Stella was estranged from her parents. When Brad presented his new bride to his family, his mother suffered a stroke that left her partially paralyzed.

Shortly after Stella gave birth to Gerald, she abandoned the baby and Brad, explaining in a note that she realized that she was neither an adequate mother nor an acceptable wife. Brad determined to find a life for himself and the boy he loved as if he were his own. He accepted a position as principal in the Brunsville Consolidated Elementary School in Brunsville, Iowa. Mabel Henry, an elderly widow, rented space in her home to Brad and Gerald and provided childcare as well.

A private detective helped Brad in his search for Stella. He found her working for an escort service in Bay City, Missouri. Brad’s attempt to contact her there was unsuccessful as Stella took off toward Louisiana. When she discarded a car that she borrowed to make her escape, Brad was able to locate her in a jail where she was incarcerated for public drunkenness. Brad took a week off from his administrative duties to try to bring her back. After paying her fine and expenses, he was able to free her from jail, not knowing if she would return with him or not. When she complained of severe abdominal pain, he took her to an emergency room where she was discovered to have contracted chlamydia and pelvic inflammatory disease. Brad convinced her that his love for her was unshakeable. He loved her in spite of her promiscuous behavior and contagious condition. Brad’s faithfulness and forgiveness convinced her that his newfound faith in Christ was real and life changing.

Stella’s journey of faith was hampered by doubts and self-incriminations that were not easy to overcome. Finally, Brad’s transformed life, along with the radical changes that she saw in her parents along with the simple sermon and counsel offered by Pastor Clark Chambers, brought her to a decision to confess Jesus Christ as her Savior. When she experienced that newborn life change herself, she proposed to Brad that they get married all over again. The whole community celebrated with them.

When Brad expressed interest in finding a home for his family, J. Whitaker Black, Senior informed him that a hobby farm a few miles out of town was available. After Stella returned, Brad showed the house to her. She was delighted. But they had no cash for a down payment. The Lord provided in a totally unexpected way. Several businessmen decided to loan him the money, with the understanding that, in the case that he might sell the property in the future, the contributors would be reimbursed. After the wedding, the property was christened with the name Haven Acres.

How the property lived up to its name will be discovered in the content of this volume.

Advice to parents—Cast not your girls before swains.

The Complete Cynic

Being Bunches of Wisdom Culled from the Calendars of Oliver Herford, Ethel Watts Mumford, Addison Mizner

CHAPTER 1

Brunsville, Iowa, February 8, 1975

Brad! Someone is knocking on our door! Stella whispered as she grabbed her sleeping husband.

What? What time is it? the aroused man at her side moaned.

Stella reached for the switch on the bed lamp. It’s 2 a.m. Who could be out here at this hour?

The knocking persisted.

Some teenager must have run out of gas, Brad suggested disgustedly. He found his bathrobe in the closet and headed for the door. Just in case, he grabbed his .22 rifle from the gun cabinet. Living so far from town presented its challenges at times. He peered out of the living room window. No vehicle in sight. The visitor must have hiked up from the road through the snow that was accumulating quickly.

Who’s there? Brad shouted through the door.

No response.

Who’s out there? he shouted louder.

Stella crept up behind him, touching his back. Be careful!

Brad unlocked the door, listening for any sound that would give him a clue to the identity of their uninvited nocturnal guest. He heard a muffled groan, barely distinguishable in the sound of wind blowing against the house. With the gun in his left hand, he reached for the doorknob and slowly turned it, opening the door enough to get a glimpse of their intruder.

Who is it? whispered Stella.

I don’t see anyone. He opened the door wider. What the …? Sally, what happened?

Brad recognized the fetal-positioned form at his feet as his 20 year-old secretary, Sally Woods. Stella peeked around Brad and screamed when she saw the semi-conscious young woman, obviously suffering from hypothermia.

Help me get her inside, Brad instructed as he stepped over Sally to get a hold under her arms. Stella tied her robe tighter, braced herself for the cold wind and bent over to lift Sally’s feet. Together they half dragged and half carried the frozen woman into the mudroom and closed the door. Stella shrouded Sally’s head with her robe while Brad removed her boots and brushed the snow off of her clothes.

Sally, are you all right? Do you hear me? Stella inquired.

Sally’s eyes opened slightly. Her lips quivered. Thank you, was her barely audible reply.

We’ll get you warmed up, Sally. Stella assured her. Can we help her stand up? Let’s get her into the guest room.

With the assistance of Brad and Stella, Sally hung her arms around their shoulders as they guided her to the bedroom. They laid her gingerly on the bed.

Go heat up some water to make tea, Stella commanded. I’ll get her undressed.

Brad obediently left the room. Why would Sally come out here? How did she get here? What can we do to help her? He filled the tea kettle and put it on the stove.

Fortunately, Gerald had slept through the door knocking and subsequent movement around the house. It definitely changed his life when the family moved into this house. At Mabel Henry’s house, the little guy had his crib in the same room with them, and it didn’t take much to awaken him. Now at ten months old he had his own room across the hall from their room. His world was expanding.

The tea kettle whistled the signal that the water was hot. Brad retrieved a mug from the rack, selected a tea bag and lodged it in the mug with the tag dangling over the lip. He poured in the steaming hot water, let it steep, then removed the bag and added sugar before returning to the bedroom.

Oh good, you’re back, Stella said as she took the mug from his hand. Sally was buried under a mound of blankets. The bedding that covered her nose and mouth almost hid her closed eyes. Stella sat on the bed next to Sally’s head which she cradled with her right arm.

Here’s some hot tea, Sally. Your boss has successfully heated the water without burning it. Stella lifted Sally’s head gently and put the mug up to her lips. Careful, this is hot.

Sally’s eyes opened and made contact with Brad’s. A slight smile curled her lips as she sipped the tea.

How’re you feeling? he inquired.

I’m freezing, she shivered. She took another sip. Thank you for helping me.

Well, welcome to Haven Acres. Sorry we weren’t expecting you. We would have given you a proper greeting, if we had known you were coming.

Sally took the mug in both hands and took several sips. I’m sorry to have bothered you at this hour.

Well, you better get some sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.

Is there anything else we can do for you now? asked Stella. Would you like some soup or some more tea?

No, thank you. You both have been very kind.

The bathroom is just down the hall. You are welcome to use it. We have another one in the master bedroom.

Thank you. I’ll be fine.

Sleep well, Stella said as she and Brad left the room.

When they were out of range of Sally’s hearing, Brad queried Stella. Did she say anything about what brought her out here at this hour?

No, but it must have been something very serious.

How did she get out here? She surely didn’t walk out here all the way from town.

She told me that she drove part way up our driveway but slid off into a snow bank. She wasn’t hurt, but she couldn’t get her car back on track. She walked and crawled to get to our door. It’s a wonder that she had the strength to knock on the door.

Well, I guess we’ll have to wait until morning to find out what happened to motivate her to come out here.

The pair slipped back into bed. Stella wrapped her arms around Brad. You did a great job on that cup of tea, she chuckled.

Oh yeah. Anytime!

***

The snow continued all night with a good foot of accumulation. Brad rose at six. Gerald awoke but happily played with his toys. Stella heard the snowmobile and assumed that Brad would be looking for Sally’s car. She decided to look in on Sally. Putting on her house coat, she peeked into Gerald’s room, noting that he seemed to be unaware that anyone else was awake. She approached the guest room door and knocked lightly.

Come in.

Stella opened the door and poked her head into the room. Good morning, Sally. How are you feeling this morning?

I finally got warm. How can I ever thank you and Mr. Crosley?

We are just glad that you are all right. Are you ready for some breakfast?

Do you have some clothes I could borrow? I expect mine are still wet.

I’m sure I can find something you can wear. Why don’t you take a shower? I’ll have some warm clothes for you to get into when you’re through.

That sounds good to me. You are so kind.

The snowmobile could be heard coming up the driveway. Stella lifted Gerald out of his crib and kissed him as she carried him toward her closet to pick out some clothes for Sally. She heard Brad come in and stomp the snow off of his feet. She didn’t have to wait long for him to appear in their bedroom.

Well, how’s the weather out there?

The wind chill is probably about five below. It’s amazing that Sally made it to our door. I found her car buried in snow about a quarter of a mile down the driveway, almost to the road. She must have been driving too fast for the road conditions. It will take a tow truck to get her car out. What could have caused her to be in such a hurry to get out here? Has she given us any clues?

No. She’s taking a shower right now. She needs to borrow some clothes.

Stella handed Gerald to Brad who gladly hoisted the baby in the air to the little guy’s great delight.

I’ll change his diaper while you look after Sally. Brad heaved the child over his shoulder like a bag of sugar and skipped into the nursery with Gerald laughing all the way. Okay, little man, let’s get that soaked diaper off of you and get you dressed.

Stella selected some warm clothes for Sally and headed to the guest room to lay them out on the bed. Sally appeared with a towel wrapped around her head and wearing a robe that Stella had offered her. Sally’s wet face puzzled Stella until she realized that tears moisturized her skin. Sally sat down heavily on the bed and covered her face with her hands. Stella sat next to her and laid her hand on her shoulder.

Why did you come out here, Sally?

I was scared. Oh, Stella, I didn’t know what to do.

Was someone chasing you? Brad found your car buried in snow so deep you’re going to need a tow truck to get it out. You must have been traveling awfully fast.

Sally sobbed uncontrollably. Yes, someone chased me out here. I was afraid that he would try to kill me.

Do you know who it was?

Yes, he’s one of my dad’s customers.

Why would he be after you?

He…He raped me.

He raped you? When did this happen?

A month ago.

A month ago? Why would he be chasing you now? Did you report this to the police?

Oh, I couldn’t do that. It would hurt my dad’s business.

What? Isn’t your safety more important than your dad’s business?

Sally’s sobbing intensified as Brad entered the room carrying Gerald who loudly sucked the last drops from his bottle.

What’s going on? Is there something wrong?

Sally says that a man who raped her a month ago chased her.

Why did you wait so long to tell anyone? This guy should be in jail.

Sally continued to sob.

She says he is one of her dad’s customers. She doesn’t want to hurt his business.

What? Sally this is ridiculous!

I don’t want to hurt anyone.

What about yourself?

I’m nothing. I am nothing but trash.

Sally, why did you come to Haven Acres? asked Stella.

I…I don’t know. I hoped that I would be safe here.

We will certainly do what we can. But you need to report this to the police.

It won’t do any good. They’ll just say that I seduced the guy.

For a moment, Brad reflected on Sally’s preference for V-neck sweaters and thigh-high skirts. But quickly his mood changed to anger that some animal would act out his lust on a naïve young woman.

Why is he pursuing you now? Brad wondered.

Sally blushed and hung her head but said nothing.

Why don’t you get dressed? I’ll whip up something for breakfast. We can talk later, Stella said.

Brad and Stella left the room with Gerald, leaving Sally to think about how to satisfy the curiosity of her rescuers. Soon the aroma of frying bacon filled the house. Gerald’s face was plastered with oatmeal as Brad struggled to guide the spoon into a mouth that refused to open. Sally smiled as she witnessed the battle.

How do you like your eggs, Sally?

Sunny side up, please.

Have a seat. The coffee’s hot. The eggs will be ready in a minute.

Brad wiped Gerald’s mouth then faced Sally. How can we help you, Sally?

You have already done more than I could have ever expected, she responded as she sat down at the table. I guess I have a lot of explaining to do.

Let’s give thanks for our breakfast, and then we will hear you out. Heavenly Father, thank you for protecting Sally last night. We also thank you for providing food for us and a warm home to shelter us from the cold. Give us wisdom to support Sally in the crisis in which she finds herself. We thank you that you love us all unconditionally. Amen.

Here’s some toast. Help yourself to the butter and jelly, advised Stella as she placed the platter of bacon and eggs on the table.

Thank you. This really looks good, exclaimed Sally. After preparing her toast and taking a bite of a slice of bacon, she began her story.

My father has to work hard to get enough business at the lumber yard to support our family. A couple of months ago, he got wind of a big building project in Mason City. He determined to get the bid any way he could. He got acquainted with the general contractor and invited him to our house for dinner. He had Mom prepare a gourmet meal and bought some vintage wine in hopes of luring the man into a business deal. Dad even rented beautiful gowns for Mom and me to wear. Mine was rather revealing.

That must have been quite a show, mused Stella. That sounds like the kind of situation my parents put me through before their lives were turned around.

Well, it turned out that I became the showpiece. The man didn’t take his eyes off me the whole evening. At first, Dad seemed annoyed by his obvious fixation. But then he evidently got the idea that I might be just what he needed to win the bid.

Don’t tell us that your father actually set you up, Brad fumed.

Pretty much. He sure didn’t protect me.

So why is this man harassing you? Brad inquired.

Sally laid down her fork and looked at her plate.

I’m carrying his child. He is trying to force me to have an abortion. Sally planted her face in her hands.

Oh, my God! gasped Stella. She walked around the table and wrapped her arms around the distraught woman.

I still think that you need to go to the police, insisted Brad. I’ll even go with you. We can’t let this rogue get away with this. He has ruined your life. Now he wants to kill an innocent, unborn baby to save his neck.

No! exclaimed Sally. That would ruin my dad.

Does your dad care more about his business than he cares for you? asked Stella.

I don’t know.

What are your options? asked Brad.

I could have the abortion and be done with it.

Is that the only option you have?

I could kill myself. That would solve everything.

You can’t be serious! Stella said, as she paced the floor behind Sally.

Let’s think this through, Sally, Brad offered. If you do go to the police and blow the whistle on Don Juan, let’s see if we can anticipate what will happen. First, a warrant will be issued for his arrest. What will the impact be on him?

His wife would divorce him. His kids…

You mean he’s married and has children?

Yes.

Oh, Sally, what are we going to do? What if he finds out you are here?

That’s another good reason to go to the authorities, insisted Brad. We can’t risk having this jerk show up here. Who knows what he might do? His behavior is reckless and irresponsible. He is acting as though there are no consequences to be concerned about.

I’m so sorry I’ve gotten you all involved.

Stella put her arms around Sally again. We’ll get through this somehow.

So going to the police will ruin Mr. Casanova. How will a police report affect your dad? Brad asked.

He’ll be ruined too.

How? repeated Brad.

It’ll ruin his business. The lumber yard will go bust.

For exposing the man who raped his daughter? Stella asked incredulously.

This guy is a big shot. He’s got lots of money and influence. He’ll sue dad for every penny he’s got.

Okay. And what will happen to you? Brad asked.

Sally winced. I’ll be ruined. I am ruined. How did I ever get into such a predicament?

Stella hugged her again. I can assure you that this is not the end of the world. I know how you feel because I have been in the same situation. It’ll be tough, but we will get you through this.

All right, Brad, the problem solver continued. Let’s talk about the other alternative. What will happen if we don’t call the police? First, what will become of lover boy?

He’ll keep on harassing me until I give in to his demand to have an abortion. He might even try to kill me.

And what about your dad?

I’m sure he won’t get this guy’s business. He’ll be in the same boat as always.

So which option shall we go for?

Let’s go to the police, Sally sighed.

It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice.

Proverbs 18:5

NIV®

CHAPTER 2

The Iowaota County Jail

Jimmy Mendoza lay on his bunk watching the snowflakes drift by his cell window. Five months had passed since he and his two compatriots were arrested for kidnapping Gerald Crosley and Emily Johnson. The latter is the kindergarten teacher at the Brunsville Consolidated Elementary School. At the time of the kidnapping she was watching little Gerald, Brad and Stella Crosley’s infant son. Not a day had gone by that he did not relive the events of that Labor Day that ended with his assignment to this concrete and steel abode. Why had he agreed to attempt such a ridiculous plot against this Crosley guy? Sure, Madame Knight, enraged at the loss of two of her escorts, determined to make him pay dearly for interfering in her business. As their pimp, it made him upset as well. But, to go to such dangerous lengths as to risk the lives of two innocent people, to say nothing of his own life and those of his two co-conspirators, seemed over the limit.

Jimmy had to admit that his own carelessness brought on this chain of events. That made him feel obligated to do whatever he could to regain the confidence of the Madame. After all, she paid him well for his skillful dominance of his charges. His mistaken assumption that Crosley and his friend Jake were trying to cut in on his business with Julie Burns became a smoke screen in his mind. He had no idea that they would arrange to take her out of his web by returning her to her parents. And he had no clue that his number one prostitute, known to him as Mimi LaGrange, had another identity as Crosley’s wife.

Jimmy recalled the scene when the Madame called him into her office. The gorgeous receptionist gave him a curious look that warned him of impending doom behind that door. He opened the door slowly and saw the Madame hunched over her exquisite desk with her eyes fixed on the door that partially hid him.

Get in here and sit down, Jimmy!

Yes, Ma’am, he had responded as he slinked toward the Chesterfield chair that he hoped would have swallowed him as he sat in it.

Do you have any idea what happened to Mimi and Julie?

No. What happened to them? Are they gone?

You idiot! Yes, they’re gone! How could you let them get away?

I just saw Julie yesterday. I didn’t know anything about Mimi. Isn’t she still with Stogie Mike?

Where did you see Julie?

At the apartment where she and Mimi live. I had seen her at a restaurant with two guys. I went to have a talk with her to find out who they were and if they were trying to, uh, proposition her. She wouldn’t tell me who they were, but she insisted that they had not discussed any business with her.

What did the guys look like?

One stood six feet tall, light brown hair. Nice looking fellow. The other one was about five eight, a little paunchy, partially bald and a little older.

The Madam jumped to her feet. You idiot! she screamed. Don’t you know who they were?

I have no idea.

Gale Knight sat down. The short guy was Jake Foster, a private detective, hired by Mimi’s father-in-law. He came to see me Saturday morning to find out what I knew about Mimi. It seems that she tried to commit suicide by slashing her wrists early Friday morning when the detective approached her. The police rushed her to the hospital. But the next morning when Jake and Mimi’s husband went to the hospital to see her, she had disappeared. I made the mistake of telling Jake where Mimi lived. Now you need to find out what happened to her and get her back here. I have no idea what Mimi’s husband’s name is. You will have to find out who he is, where he is and do whatever you can to let him know that we do not take lightly the loss of business that these two girls brought to us. Do I make myself clear?

Yes Ma’am.

She opened the drawer of her desk and pulled out five one hundred dollar bills. Take this. If you run out of money, let me know. We’ve got to find these guys.

Jimmy rolled off his bunk to stretch his legs. He paced the ten steps between the wall and the grill and back again. He looked across the corridor where his two partners in crime were sleeping.

Dormilones! Wake up! he yelled.

The blankets on the bunks in the two cells moved slightly accompanied by moans.

Que pasa? groaned Manuel (Chico) Rodriguez. Their conversation proceeded in Spanish, to the consternation of the guards who assumed they were planning an escape. Actually they basked in the warmth and the three hot meals they received every day at tax-payers’ expense. They expected to be deported back to Mexico as soon as their trial would be over. The District Attorney seemed to be having difficulty finding bilingual translators.

"What time is it?’ yawned Juventud (Mosca) Espinosa rubbing his eyes.

Ten o’clock, responded Jimmy. You guys missed breakfast. Rubber eggs and burnt bacon.

You woke us up to tell us that? Chico rolled over with his face to the wall.

Why hasn’t your boss gotten us out of here yet? I think she expects us to rot in here, Chico said as he sat up with his bare legs hanging out of the covers.

Jimmy looked at the floor. I’m afraid she’s hung us out to dry. We’re on our own.

That’s great! So, how are we getting out of here?

You guys will probably be sent back to Mexico since you don’t have green cards. But I’ll likely get sent to prison for the rest of my life. I don’t expect any mercy. Madame Knight is no doubt denying that she ever heard of me, so there won’t be any help from her. I should have just walked out of her office to look for a decent job. Why did I let her rope me into this nightmare?

Yeah, and while you’re thinking about that, why did we let you rope us into this fiasco? moped Mosca.

Hey, you wetbacks. What’re you jabbering about? yelled the deputy sheriff. How many times do I have to tell you guys to talk in English?

Si, Señor, all three recited in unison, then laughed. Deputy Johanson turned on his heel and slammed the grill behind him, muttering expletives to himself.

***

Brad and Sally stepped into the police station. Chief Blosko quickly threw his Playboy magazine under the desk.

Mr. Crosley! I haven’t seen you since our Labor Day episode. And Sally. What brings you two here this morning?

Good morning, Chief, Brad responded. Sally looked at the floor. We have come to file a complaint.

Not another kidnapping, I hope.

No. I’m afraid we have a very serious matter on our hands. Do you want to tell him, Sally?

Sally slumped to a chair and began to sob. I have been raped.

You what? The chief looked at Brad hoping for an explanation.

I was raped, repeated Sally.

Who is the perpetrator? Or should I say, the alleged perpetrator?

His name is J.R. Harrington.

You’re kidding! exclaimed the lawman. That guy has deep pockets. Are you sure you want me to arrest him? He’ll have a team of lawyers that will skin you alive.

Chief, Brad interjected, We want justice to be done. Sally has been cruelly violated by this animal. In fact, she is pregnant.

When did this rape take place?

New Year’s Eve, Sally replied.

And you’re just now making a complaint?

Sally blushed. I wasn’t going to report it at all until I found out I was pregnant.

That’s easy enough to take care of. Just go have an abortion. Then we can just forget the whole thing.

That’s what J.R. wants me to do.

Chief, have you forgotten why we came here? We told you that we want justice to be done. Is abortion your best response? Are we wasting our time here? It looks like we are going to have to get a lawyer.

I, uh, I, stammered the chief, I don’t want to see Sally hurt any more than she has been already.

That is noble of you but not very helpful. You’re forgetting about the others involved. Does J.R. deserve to get away with a crime against Sally and society? Do Sally’s parents deserve to be shamed by what has happened to their daughter? Does Sally deserve to risk her own health and future by having some sawbones rip this baby out of her belly? Does the baby she is carrying deserve to be executed to save a rapist who just happens to have a lot of money?

Okay, okay. I get the picture. You two pro-lifers are on a crusade to sacrifice one of our fine citizens to advance your cause.

I beg your pardon, sir. We are not crusaders. We only want justice to be done for all concerned, including you. Now, shall we get on with filing our complaint?

Reluctantly and with much chagrin, the chief opened a drawer, removed the pad of complaint forms, and lifted a pen from his pocket which he poised ready to take down the details.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

NIV®

CHAPTER 3

Sunday morning the three Crosleys and Sally Woods arrived in the Thunderbird at the Community Chapel. Brad carried Gerald to the nursery, the baby’s favorite place away from home. He then joined Stella and Sally sitting next to Mabel Henry. Mabel had provided Brad a place to live and child care for Gerald until Stella returned and the purchase of Haven Acres finalized. Beth Chambers, the wife of Pastor Clark Chambers, sat at the piano ready to accompany the singing of the first hymn. Her husband, who stood behind the pulpit with a broad smile, announced that with Valentine’s Day coming up that week the worship service would focus on the theme of love. He invited the congregation to stand to sing Love Divine, All Loves Excelling. Beth played an introduction with gusto in a tempo that invited everyone to open their mouths in praise whether or not they were familiar with the music.

Love divine, all loves excelling,

Joy of heav’n to earth come down;

Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,

All Thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, Thou art all compassion,

Pure unbounded love Thou art;

Visit us with Thy salvation;

Enter every trembling heart.

      (Charles Wesley)

      Public domain

Pastor Chambers suggested that everyone be seated to listen to the Scripture Reading from I John 3:1-3.

How great is the love the Father has

lavished on us, that we should be

called children of God!

And that is what we are!

The reason the world does not know us

is that it did not know him.

Dear friends, now we are children of God,

and what we will be has not yet been made known.

But we know that when he appears,

we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself,

just as he is pure.

NIV®

These words inspired by God make clear the fact that God’s love for us is so extraordinary that it even changes our identity, Pastor Chambers explained… We all know each other by name. Some of us are so well known to others that they can claim that they’ve known us since we were born. They identify us as the son or daughter of our parents. Some may even tell us that they knew our grandparents. We are identified by our name and by our family relationships. I want to talk to you this morning about the new identity that God wants to have with each of us. But first let’s sing this song together: He’s Everything to Me".

Again Beth’s fingers flew across the keyboard to introduce the lively song. Brad’s foot involuntarily tapped out the beat as he listened to the voices around him sing about a God who displayed His craftsmanship in Creation and continues to demonstrate His power in nature. The lyrics intensified and the music crescendoed with the message that this God was not just out there somewhere, but had come into history as a man "to set His people free." Then the words pierced his thoughts as this God actually met him face to face. He wondered what Sally was thinking as he heard "Then I knew that He was more than

just a God who didn’t care,

who lived a way out there,

Did she catch the part about watching o’er me day by day?

The pastor continued his talk. "Are you happy with your identity? Would you prefer to be known by a different name? There may be some here this morning who are alienated from your parents. There