Service of Love: A New Love

By Cynthia Hickey

When spoiled, wealthy, Alicia Robinson is asked by her grandmother to live as homeless and go undercover keeping an eye on a soup kitchen they own, Alicia is dumbfounded. She believes her grandmother has lost her mind, but agrees to the charade. It doesn't take her long to find out the man managing the soup kitchen, Seth Banes, is as near perfect as a man can be. She asks her grandmother to let her come clean about her identity.

 

Grandma refuses, sending Alicia on a path of self-discovery where life will never be the same.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cynthia Hickey
• Release date: Jul 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215919941

Cynthia Hickey

Multi-published and best-selling author, Cynthia Hickey, has taught writing at many conferences and small writing retreats. She and her husband run the publishing press, Winged Publications, which includes some of the CBA's best well-known authors. They live in Arizona and Arkansas, becoming snowbirds with two dogs and one cat. They have ten grandchildren who them busy and tell everyone they know that "Nana is a writer."   

Book preview

Matthew 25:40New International Version (NIV)

⁴⁰ "The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

1

What do you mean I’m homeless? Alicia Robinson’s heart plummeted. She’d been told her entire life that she would never want for anything.

Not literally, dear. Grandma patted her hand across the small patio table. I want you to pretend. To go undercover at the soup kitchen. It’s my dying wish.

You’ve had a hundred dying wishes over the years. Alicia’s heartrate returned to normal. It was nothing more than another of her grandmother’s wild ideas.

I’m eighty-five-years-old. It could very well be my dying wish. Grandma straightened and peered at Alicia over the rim of her glasses. I’ve suspected for some time that the soup kitchen is taking advantage of the poor souls who depend on it. I want you to find out if my suspicions are true.

Alicia stirred sugar into her tea. Why homeless? Can’t I volunteer to work there?

No, you’re recognizable. The Robinson’s are known two states in every direction. Besides, it won’t hurt for you to see how the lowest live.

The glint in Grandma’s eyes said there would be no changing her mind. Alicia sighed. Can I be homeless during the day and come home at night?

Grandma shook her head. What if someone follows you? We’ve put a lot of money into our shelters and soup kitchens. I won’t have someone ruin that for the people who need them.

I’ll be careful. She couldn’t be serious. No showers, bed, food. Alicia’s hand shook as she lifted her tea glass.

I’ve said my piece. Grandma stood and, leaning heavily on her cane, thumped from the porch inside, calling over her shoulder. You’ll start first thing in the morning. Pack your bags and go get dirty. I’ve left a few items on your bed. Don’t take anything but what is there.

This was such a bad idea. What did Alicia know other than comfort?

She left half her tea undrunk and headed up the curving staircase to her room. On her four-poster bed was a faded military type backpack. Next to it was two equally faded sweatshirts and a pair of jeans with more holes than fabric. Under it all was a simple blue blanket, the type you might find in a hospital.

Alicia sat on the edge of her bed and stared at what would be her only possessions for...for how long? How long did Grandma expect her to give up everything?

You need to come up with a reason you’re homeless, Grandma said as she passed the open door. People will ask.

Great. She needed a cover story.

~

Morning found Alicia scouring for a place to live. Although sheltered, she did know most of the homeless lived near the railroad tracks, some of the men riding the rails to what they hoped were greener pastures.

Keeping her head down, she shuffled between tents and cardboard appliance boxes. How would she know whether a home was unoccupied? She approached a dented overturned dumpster. It would provide protection from the elements, if she could get past the smell.

That’s mine.

She turned and stared into the dirty face of a child. Mind sharing?

Yep. The child climbed inside and glared. It’s mine.

All righty, then. What’s your name?

None of your business.

You’re kind of young to be on your own. The child couldn’t be more than ten. I’ll call you Amy and we will be friends. Ciao!

I don’t know that word.

It means so long, goodbye, adios. Alicia smiled and continued on her way, eventually finding, of all things, a rusted out van. Not the Hilton, but it did have a roof, of sorts. She climbed inside and spread out her things.

You can’t leave your stuff. Amy peered in one of the holes in the van wall. Someone will steal them. Every time you leave, you have to take your things.

Duly noted. Alicia continued turning her van into the semblance of a home. Finding a piece of cardboard and chalk on the floor, she made a sign that said, Beware of dog. She hung it on a rusty screw. That should work. She’d seen dogs in her search for shelter.

Amy nodded. You’re new. I think you need my help.

I think I do, too. In fact, Alicia needed all the help she could get.

Follow me. I know where we can get two hot meals a day.

Surely the soup kitchen didn’t feed this child and not call the authorities? If so, Alicia would definitely have a word with the person in charge. Lead the way, boss.

Amy led her to one of the soup kitchens owned by the Robinson family. Alicia eyed the peeling paint and cracked stoop. As she reached to open the front door, Amy held back.

Bring me back something.

Alicia studied the child’s dirty face. Is this how you eat?

They ask too many questions of kids who go in alone.

One question answered. But not when you’re with an adult, correct? You’re with me. Come in and sit.

Amy tilted her head. You don’t look homeless. You’re too clean.

Can’t a homeless person be clean?

We don’t waste precious water bathing. Amy’s words suggested Alicia was as ignorant as they come.

I washed in the lake. That water is free for the taking. Are you hungry or not? She held