Cindy's Answer

 

CINDY’S ANSWER

By

Esther A. Provencher

 

 

 

DEDICATED: 

To my daughter, Susan, my first child.

 

 

STORY:

"OK Cindy, I think you'd better go home now. Your mom is looking for you."

 

"Oh, do I have to;​ Katie and I are having so much fun."

 

"Yes dear, your mom just phoned, she wants you to go straight home."

 

"OK."

 

Katie's mom watched thoughtfully as Cindy walked slowly towards home. "Maybe, I should phone
her mom and see if there's something wrong," she thought out loud. Yes, I must do that later, and got busy making beds and all the other things that a mother usually does.

 

Meanwhile Cindy trudged down the block to her house.

 

What did her mother want now? Probably wants me to baby sit again, while she watches TV. Her mom seemed to be doing that more and more lately.

 

Cindy had never made friends before; mom didn't like it. She liked her home so she could help with
the supper and other things.

 

Katie was an exception though. She had taken Cindy to Sunday school, the last three weeks. And Cindy enjoyed it.

 

Mom didn't like it too much but since dad was home she didn't complain too much because dad wanted her to have fun with friends.

 

Her mom had divorced Cindy's dad and had married a very nice man three years ago but he traveled all week on business. So whenever her mom started to feel sorry for herself she went into her bedroom and closed the door.

 

Cindy didn't know what she was doing in there, but she was must enjoy it. She was usually pretty
quiet, and you could hear the TV. She loved her 'soaps.' Mom talked about them as if they were real people. Even Cindy knew they weren't, they were only pretending.

 

One thing though, Cindy didn't like to bring any one home, well she could bring them but she never had time to play and sometimes mom got pretty cross.

 

Cindy always had to baby-sit or wash dishes or get supper ready or something. It was really
embarrassing.

 

It seemed like mom didn't care who was visiting with Cindy either, she would just yell at her from
her bedroom, and if she weren’t quick enough, mom would call her ugly names.

 

Cindy wished her stepfather were around more often, it was better then. Her mom would be
cheerful and pleasant. But her step-dad was a traveling salesman gone most of the week and it was always the same when he was gone.

 

I guess I'd better hurry, or I'll get in trouble, she thought to herself.

 

As she came up to the front door she heard screaming from inside the house. What was going on, as she pushed open the door? It sounded like the baby, Julie.

 

Where is mom, why doesn't she look after the baby for a change? After all it is her baby not
mine. Oh well, I'd better see what's happening, as she rushed in the door.

 

When she got inside, she couldn't believe the sight, everything was upside down, books and papers
all over the floor. Chairs were on their backs. It was as if a cyclone had passed through on its way someplace else. And she could hear her mom sobbing from the other side of the room.

 

"Mom… mom, what’s happening?" as she picked up Julie. Her diaper was soaked through. As
Cindy went to find a dry one, she saw her mother on the floor blood running from a cut in her forehead.

 

“Where were you, you should have come sooner. I couldn't get Julie to stop crying, I phoned the
number you left. Why?"

 

Cindy rushed to her side and shaking her arm cried, "Mom. Mom, are you all right."

 

Her mother opened her eyes slowly. "Call the doctor, call 911' Get somebody here quick. I'm so
dizzy. I hit my head on the coffee table."

 

Cindy picked up the phone and dialed '911' a calm voice answered into the phone, and Cindy rushed
to explain about her mother.

 

"Just take it easy," the voice on the other end said calmly. "I'm here to help you. Now can you tell me your address, and what happened, slowly?"

 

So Cindy went over what she knew. "Is there something wrong with the baby, is it a boy or girl?”
the voice asked.

 

"Girl. Julie. No, I don't think so. She just needs her diaper changed and she's probably
hungry."

 

"You go get her, I'll wait," the calm voice said.

 

Cindy went to the baby, picking up Julie's bottle on the way. The baby stopped crying and pulled the
bottle into her mouth, sucking loudly.

 

Cindy picked up the phone. "How is your mother," the voice asked.

 

"She looks like she's sleeping."

 

"Do you want to check, someone should be there shortly."

 

"Sure, just a minute. Mom, mom, are you OK." Her mom just groaned and mumbled and held
her head.

 

"She looks awfully white. And she's still bleeding. Should I do something?" Cindy was shaking
all over.

 

"Maybe wet a cloth with cold water and put it on the cut. It sounds like she probably has a bad headache.
Don't worry someone will be there soon."

 

Just then Cindy heard the siren and started breathing easier. Soon there was a knock on the door
and a man and a woman came in. Cindy decided she'd better change the baby, who was still sucking on the bottle.

 

The man and woman saw the mess and looking around spotted mom lying on the floor, she was moaning softly, holding the wet cloth to her head.

 

"What happened, can you talk," to the woman?

 

She looked at them, "The baby wouldn't stop screaming, I couldn't get her to stop. She just wouldn't stop. I tried everything I knew. She's spoiled Cindy and her father has spoiled her; she just wants to be picked up all the time..."

 

"No she's not, she's a good baby. She just wants some love." Looking at the baby, "Don't you Julie?"

 

"We'll have to get in touch with your father; do you know where he is?"     

 

"I'm not sure. But mom will know. Mom where's dad, we have to call him."

 

"I don't know where he is, somewhere on his route. He never tells me where he is. He's said
he was going to phone later today."

 

"Where does he work?"  the man asked.

 

"Cindy, you know the name of his company. Get the man the phone number. You know where it
is."

 

"It's an easy number 555-5656."

 

"Thank you Cindy. You're a pretty smart girl. What grade are you in school?"

 

"I'm in grade four. I really like school. All the kids think I'm strange. But I don't care."

 

"We'll phone someone to come and stay with you until your dad gets home."

 

"No, I don't need anyone. I often look after Julie, and I know how to clean up. We'll be
OK."

 

"Oh no, dear, you can't stay here by yourself. You need an adult with you."

 

"Why? I know what to do."

 

"I'm sure you do dear, but we can't leave you. You have to have an adult here. That's the
law."  

 

"Maybe I can stay at Katie’s, no there's Julie, Katie's mom works, maybe Dad will phone soon.
I'll ask God to get him to phone."

 

"Sure, you ask God," in a condescending, voice.

 

“I will, and he'll answer too."

 

"If you believe that dear."

 

As she went about picking up clothes, and magazines and dishes, Cindy prayed, "Dear God, you
know this isn't looking very good, but Miss Gold, our Sunday school teacher said, if we were to ask you to help us you would. She said we were supposed to believe you and you would answer our prayers. So God I'm asking you to help me. Have dad call us right now, in Jesus name. Thank you Lord."  

 

As the adults were talking about calling the Children's Services and what the best solution would
be, Cindy prayed quietly to God.

 

Suddenly, the phone rang. Cindy was nearest to it and picked it up. "Hello, oh hi dad, I knew
you'd phone. I prayed for you to phone."

 

She listened to the phone not realizing the adults had stopped speaking and were listening with
open mouths.

 

"Well dad, mom hashad an accident and the ambulance is here, she hurt her head and they're taking
her to the hospital."

 

Listening again.

 

"I don't know what happened, I was playing with Katie, and when I came home, she was laying on the floor so I called 911 and the ambulance came."

 

They Listened and nodded.

 

"Sure dad," to the adults "He wants to talk to one of you."

 

As the man came to the phone, he smiled at Cindy.

 

"Hello, Mr. James." As he talked Cindy went to pick up her sister who was starting to fuss. Her diaper needed to be changed.

 

The ambulance driver came over to where Cindy and the baby were.

 

“Your dad is only an hour or so from home, he’s coming right away, you can come to the hospital with us and he'll pick you up there. How does that sound?"

 

"Sure, let me get Julie ready."

 

“Let me help." The lady from the ambulance offered.

 

"Ok. I'll get her clothes."

 

As they were going out the door, the ambulance driver said. "You know Cindy that was great that
your dad called. He said he felt he should come home today instead of later in the week. "

 

"See I told you, God answers prayers. Miss Gold said so. And now I know it's true."

 

-- The End –

 

NOTES: (from husband, Richard)

 

My wife, Esther, is an encourager to me as I deal with continuing limitations from a previous stroke. Her words of advice on cooking, marriage and raising children for family and neighbours are also an
everyday pastime. She is a bookkeeping volunteer for our place of worship --  Abundant Life Victory. She also leads our weekly Bible Study at home. Another outreach for her is completing annual Income Tax forms for those unable to pay the commercial price. Her positive attitude, love for our four children and grandchildren is so precious. We were married in Sarnia, Ontario on March 27, 1975 and moved to Truro, Nova Scotia in 1986, where we still live.

 

© 2014-17 Esther & Richard Provencher