Saved for Ben: A Living Faith

By Jacquelyn B. Smith

This is the seventh book in the series. It has been 12 years since Ben started to discover those things God had ordained for him. This includes people who he was destined to meet, provisions he was designed to have, and places God had for him to go. The Davis family flourishes as they continue to live a

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jacquelyn B Smith
• Release date: Apr 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9781964097138

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Copyright ©2024 by Jacquelyn B Smith.

ISBN 978-1-964097-12-1 (softcover)

ISBN 978-1-964097-13-8 (ebook)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual locales, events, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Printed in the United States of America.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. A Blast from the Past

Chapter 2. Let’s Move Forward

Chapter 3. Old Letters

Chapter 4. Love Is in the Air

Chapter 5. Training Always Pays Off

Chapter 6. Celebrations

Chapter 7. The Ups Really Do Outweigh the Downs

Chapter 8. Bad News

Chapter 9. Designer’s Favor

Chapter 10. After This!

Chapter 11. Hear the Bell Ring

Chapter 12. Water Balloons and Wedding Bells

Chapter 1

A Blast from the Past

After a wonderful night of bringing in the new year, the Davis’s family was up early getting ready for church. January 1, 1984, was a beautiful, cold Sunday morning. Ben was preparing French toast, sausage, and eggs for breakfast. Right on cue, little Ben ran in the dining area as fast as his little legs could take him.

Little Ben said, Good morning, Daddy! I cook!

Ben laughed and said, Good morning, Ben! You’re still too small to cook, but you can stir the eggs.

Little Ben ran to the step stool that was next to the table, so he could stand near the table to stir the eggs.

As his son stirred the eggs, Ben said, Happy New Year, Ben! Today is January 1. It’s the beginning of a new year.

Little Ben asked, What a year?

Ben laughed and replied, It’s a time of growth, but after several days, we start a new year. This year when your birthday comes in July, you’ll be three years old. You won’t be two anymore.

Little Ben said, I like it!

Ben laughed as he cracked another egg in the bowl while his son stirred.

Little Ben said, I like eggs!

Ben said, I know. What are your chores after breakfast today?

Little Ben said loudly, I wash dishes. I make bed!

Ben said, Yes, then we’ll get ready for church. When we come home, you can ride your Big Wheel outside.

Little Ben smiled.

Ben’s beautiful wife, Wanda, greeted, Good morning to my wonderful family!

Little Ben laughed.

Wanda placed Faith in the high chair then returned to the nursery to get Charity from her crib. Ben placed some baby applesauce in two bowls for the twins. Wanda returned with Charity. Breakfast was ready, Wanda said grace and everyone enjoyed breakfast.

Wanda had already breastfed the babies, but they would be encouraged to eat some applesauce. The twins were now six months old and could tolerate some soft foods. Ben fed Charity and Wanda fed Faith. The girls enjoyed their applesauce.

Little Ben said, I want some.

Earlier, Wanda had told Ben that little Ben would want applesauce if the girls had some. Wanda looked at Ben and smiled as she stood up to get her son some applesauce.

Ben asked, Ben, now that the girls can eat soft foods, are you always going to want what they have?

Little Ben answered, Yes, Daddy.

Wanda said, You may have some, but you have to always eat your big boy foods too. Soon they will be able to eat what you eat.

Little Ben smiled as he ate his applesauce.

After breakfast, the family got dressed for church with no incidents. As they arrived at church, Ben noticed his mother talking to a man that he did not know. The man was nice-looking, about five feet, ten inches tall, some gray hair around his temples and his hair was cut very low. He appeared to be in good shape to be so much older. He wore glasses, was well dressed, and had a big smile on his face.

Wanda asked, Who is that man talking to Mom?

As Ben parked the van, he said, I don’t know. I’ve never seen him before.

David and Dee helped Ben and Wanda get the children out of the van.

Ben asked, Who’s that man talking to Mom?

Ben’s sister-in-law Dee answered, We just met him. His name is Anthony Freeman.

Ben’s brother, David, said, He and Mom went to high school together. He’s retiring from the Navy in a few months.

Bewildered, Ben said, I haven’t seen Mom smile like that ever!

Wanda laughed and said, You’re right.

Dee suggested, We better get inside!

Mom introduced Anthony Freeman to her children before they took their seats for Sunday school. Ben was trying not to be concerned, but he was very protective of his mother. He noticed that Mr. Freeman was always looking at Mom. He could not stop smiling when he watched her. He was very respectful toward her, but you could tell he was also very attracted to her.

After church service, when all the family was standing together, Mom said, Dinner will be ready at 2:00 p.m. Is that a good time for everyone?

Everyone agreed.

Ben’s sister, Mary, asked, Mr. Freeman, would you like to join us for dinner today?

Anthony Freeman smiled brightly and replied, I would love to join you.

Mary said, Mom was up early this morning cooking, so there’s more than enough food.

Mom smiled and said, Anthony, I live near the middle school, that would be our old, black high school, 625 Washington Street. You’re welcome to follow us home or you can meet us at 2:00 p.m.

Anthony smiled and said, I want to run an errand first, but I’ll be there. I’m excited about this dinner.

Everyone laughed including Ben!

The plan was for everyone to go home, change clothes, and return to Mom’s for dinner. After they arrived home, little Ben ran to his room to change clothes.

As Wanda was changing the girl’s diapers, she said, I noticed you kept watching Mr. Freeman.

Ben laughed and said, I was trying not to be obvious.

Wanda smiled and said, It was not obvious, but I know you!

Ben said, Of course, he seems like a nice man. I trust my mother’s judgment. I’m just not used to a man being interested in her. I was ten years old when my dad died. After that, she has dedicated all her energy to taking care of her children.

Wanda replied, I know, but you’re all grown now. She’s a beautiful woman with so much to give. Do you want to deny her a second chance for love?

Ben whined, Of course not, but I don’t want anyone to take advantage of her either.

Wanda said, Mom is not desperate. She is full of wisdom. You said that you trust her judgment.

Ben laughed and said, I did say that, didn’t I?

Wanda smiled and encouraged. Let’s keep an open mind. We don’t know what his intentions are. Remember the affirmation Mom declared last night! She said that I will make a great partner for my relationships. She will, let’s not deny her that!

Ben said, You’re right. Dad has been dead almost seventeen years!

Little Ben ran in the room and said, Ready!

Wanda looked at her son, trying her best not to laugh. She complimented, Ben, you did a great job. Your socks and Velcro sneakers are on correctly. However, your pants are pulled up to your chest. Let me pull them down.

Wanda smiled as she adjusted the pants to little Ben’s waistline.

Wanda said, You tucked your shirt in very good. However, it’s on backwards. Let me help you.

Little Ben said, No, Mommy, I do it!

Wanda laughed and continued to change the twins’ clothing.

***

Finally, everyone was in the minivan. It was a short drive to Mom’s house. When Ben parked the minivan, Mr. Freeman parked his truck behind him. He drove a blue 1982 Chevrolet Silverado. As Ben was getting the portable playpen, Mr. Freeman walked up and offered to help. He was holding a flower arrangement. No store in town sold fresh flowers. Ben knew he had driven to the A&P Grocery store in Harrisburg to get the arrangement.

Ben smiled and said, Thanks for offering! I can get it. Those are beautiful flowers.

Mr. Freeman smiled and said, I wanted to bring something to the table. I remembered your mom’s favorite flower is daisy. I was happy that the A&P had some. They must have been grown in a greenhouse. Daisies aren’t in bloom until late summer.

Ben laughed and said, That was very thoughtful! I’m sure she will enjoy them!

Wanda asked, How long will you be in town?

Mr. Freeman replied, My original plan was just for the day. I drove down from Atlanta this morning for church.

Wanda exclaimed, Really!

Mr. Freeman said, My son lives in Atlanta. I’ll be selling my home in Norfolk, Virginia, and I plan to relocate to Georgia. I don’t have any relatives left here in Fairville. However, I had this thought to go to my old church just to see if there was anyone there I knew. I was pleasantly surprised to see your mother this morning.

As they walked up the steps into the house, Ben asked, Do you plan to drive back to Atlanta tonight?

Perplexed, Mr. Freeman smiled and said, I’m not sure!

Wanda said, You mentioned your son. Are you married?

Mr. Freeman replied, My wife passed away about seven years ago. She was in a car accident. We had taken care of my mother for the last twenty-two years. She passed away two years ago.

Ben said, I’m sorry for your loss! I’m sure it was hard to lose both in five years.

Mr. Freeman said, It was very challenging. God has kept me.

Wanda entered the house with the stroller. Little Ben ran to his auntie Mary. Mom met everyone at the door with a hug.

Mom said, I see you found the house.

Mr. Freeman replied, Yes, your home is beautiful!

Mom said, Thanks. My sons renovated it for me a few months ago. I’m very comfortable now!

Mr. Freeman extended the flower arrangement and said, This is for the table. I didn’t want to show up empty-handed.

Mom said, They’re beautiful! Daisies are my favorite!

Mr. Freeman said, I remember, and blue is your favorite color!

Mom smiled and said, That’s right! Dinner is ready. We can sit at the table.

Ben’s sister Bobbie took the flowers and put them in a vase for the table. All the family enjoyed dinner. Mom prepared roasted chicken, black-eyed peas, collards, corn, corn bread dressing, and mashed potatoes. David brought a pound cake for dessert. There was a total of fourteen people around the table: Mom, Mr. Freeman, Ben, Wanda and their children, David and Dee, Mary and Jeremy, Bobbie, Uncle Robert, and Auntie Charlene. Everyone did a great job of not bombarding Mr. Freeman with questions. He was very open with his answers.

Bobbie asked, Mr. Freeman, how long have you been in the Navy?

Mr. Freeman said, Before I answer you, Bobbie, Phyllis, dinner is delicious. You’re a great cook.

Mom smiled.

Mr. Freeman continued, Bobbie, I’m two years older than your mother. I joined the Navy in 1954 after high school. During the fifties, not many ratings were open for blacks in the Navy. I wanted to be a storekeeper, but only the ratings of cook and boatswain were available.

Bobbie asked, What’s a boatswain?

Mr. Freeman replied, It’s someone who is in charge of ship deck equipment and crew, all the ropes, movement, and storage of the ship. It’s a lot of manual labor of cleaning, painting, and maintaining the ship. My plan was that even if I entered as a boatswain mate, maybe I could make a lateral change.

David asked, "Were you able to?

Mr. Freeman said, No, not like I wanted. Many doors were closed. I worked hard. The Navy promotion system for enlisted personnel is based on exams. If you pass the exam with a certain score, you’re eligible for promotion. It doesn’t matter the color of your skin. That was one of the reasons I chose the Navy. I worked hard to master my rating and learn everything I could.

Wanda’s uncle, Uncle Robert, said, Education is something no one can take from you!

Mr. Freeman said, I believed the same thing. There were always correspondence courses available, collateral duties, and eventually, I earned my associate degree. After about twelve years, I was eligible to apply for an enlisted officer program. I applied to become a chief warrant officer. Unfortunately, only a few warrant officers are selected each year, and only a certain number of blacks. I didn’t let that deter me. I continued to improve myself and excel at all that I could. I was accepted into the chief warrant officer program during my seventeenth year in the Navy. God has allowed me to be promoted through all the ranks.

Mary said, Mom said that you’re retiring this year. That means you’ve been in the Navy for almost thirty years.

Mr. Freeman laughed and said, Yes. It hasn’t all been easy, but it has been worth it. I endured my share of discrimination and mistreatment, but I kept trying to learn all that I could. I will be retiring as a chief warrant officer 4. I always felt that if I excelled in my knowledge, no one could deny me promotion or opportunities.

Mary’s boyfriend, Jeremy, said, Congratulations on your retirement! Do you think your plan worked?

Mr. Freeman smiled and answered, It worked, but it was slower than I wanted. But I didn’t deviate from the plan. I was tenacious. I met my wife during my second tour in Norfolk, Virginia. We have one son. About twenty-two years ago, after my father died, I moved my mother in with us. My wife, Lillie, was very supportive, and it worked out great. I served on many deployments that took me away from home for sometimes nine months at a time. However, Lillie and my mother kept everything going.

Dee asked, You only have one son?

Mr. Freeman replied, "Yes. We tried, but other pregnancies did not go to term. We accepted God’s gift and was thankful for our one child. Tony is now twenty-six years old, an electrical engineer, and works in Atlanta. He has