"Along the Road" PART TWO
"Well, that about wraps up our very first class." Tommy Malloy unbuckled the velcro clasp of his protection padding from his chest and removed it before tossing it to Katheryn who stood waiting by the window to put it in Trent's old duffle. Ten minutes had passed since the final lady of the class had left the H.O.P.E. center satisfied with their start to learning self-defense.
Katheryn caught the item with an exchange of smiles. "Yep. Good turnout too. I wasn't sure how many women would show up. But Alex was certain that the ladies were eager. She was right."
Tommy nodded and tossed another piece of equipment across the room. "Yeah," he chuckled. "Mrs. Williams is especially good at knee kicks. I bet I've got a bruise the size of Dallas on my chest."
Katheryn held back a laugh as she thought back to the moment Mrs. Williams enthusiastically took every instruction that Tommy gave seriously and barreled forward with her first attempt. It was the reason Tommy wore padding for the rest of the class. "She did apologize though."
"Still," Tommy sighed and groaned a bit, massaging at his chest. "I wish I would have made it clear that we were just practicing the skill of the motion not actually kicking our partner."
Katheryn finally let a laugh out just as Laurie Maston rounded the corner into the room, her face pale as she read some piece of paper that was nearly ruined by her grip as she stopped in front of them, lifting her eyes with a gapping mouth. "I can't believe this!"
"What is it, Laurie?" Katheryn set the duffle bag aside and crossed to Laurie, putting her hand on the girl's shoulder.
Tommy also stopped his task and ambled over next to Katheryn.
Laurie scoffed as she let her hand fall to her side, lifting her eyes to the ceiling and back down again to Katheryn. "My ex-boyfriend—my little girl's father—found out I live in Dallas again. He's filed for full custody of my daughter! I can't believe this! And just after I finally may have landed a good job interview thanks to Miss Cahill!" She took a deep breath and lifted the paper to hand it to Katheryn.
Katheryn read over the apparent legal document with interest, glancing over to Tommy doubtfully before handing it back to Laurie. "You definitely need to speak with Miss Cahill about this. She can represent you in court if need be."
Laurie lifted a hand to her head and sighed again. "I suppose."
"Laurie." Katheryn squeezed the girl's shoulder gently. "Miss Cahill is the best. She'll be able to help you."
"I hope so."
"Surely your ex-boyfriend doesn't have the wherewithal to simply snatch your daughter away."
"That's just the thing." Laurie looked into Katheryn's eyes woefully. "He's a rich man now. Owns tons of properties and has made a name for himself ever since he came into his father's inheritance in college. He can hire the best lawyers and prove he's a more decent father than I am a mother. Can you believe that?! He'll win. I just know it. See what it looks like? A single mother still looking for a job to support herself while he owns half of Dallas. The judge will make it an open and shut case!"
"Laurie," Katheryn almost felt like she was echoing herself in an attempt to convince the young woman. "Talk to Miss Cahill. Trust me. She didn't let you down before, did she?"
Laurie sank into her thoughts for a moment, remembering those heartbreaking days that she thought she'd never live to see her little girl again. Katheryn was right. Miss Cahill and the Rangers had not let her down before. Why should they now?
"I'll talk to Miss Cahill first chance I get. Now go home and be with your little girl. I'm sure she misses you."
Laurie's gentle smile slowly returned. "You're right. I should at least cherish what moments I have left with her."
"Hey," Katheryn reasoned, "Don't you be talking like that." She smiled broadly and gave Laurie's hand a brief squeeze.
"Okay," Laurie reached for a quick thank you hug before turning to leave, feeling a bit better about her situation now that she had somewhat of a solution.
Tommy turned back to the karate equipment on the floor, waiting until Laurie was out of earshot before speaking up. "Do you really think she has a chance?"
"You're not doubting Miss Cahill too are you?"
"Of course not," Tommy scoffed amid his sly smile. "But to a judge will it make a difference?"
"I don't know," Katheryn finally admitted a trace of doubt. She exhaled sharply as she zipped up the duffle bag and hoisted it upward to transfer it across the room to its home by the wall. "I just hope the judge takes into consideration the fact that Laurie has been the mother she could have under the circumstances. Besides, she's nurtured and loved that little one for almost six years. Doesn't that count for anything?"
"I sure hope so." Tommy agreed with his lip turned slightly upward before he glanced at the clock. "Hey, we better get going. Mom said she'd be putting dinner on early."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Rats. I was supposed to tell you earlier. Roscoe called mom earlier and told her he's setting up a vigil for Trent tonight at the church."
Katheryn smiled gently as the twosome started down the hall towards the exit. "That's a great idea. I hope Carlos and the Rangers can come."
"Mom said that she'd help Roscoe call most of the congregation."
"That's wonderful. We'll go pick up Molly and be over at your house within the hour."
"Sounds good to me." Tommy grinned as they stepped out into the refreshing spring winds of the evening, ambling straight for Kath's candy-apple red Stingray Corvette.
##
The House of God was filled with melodious harmonies of the First Christian Church of Dallas' choir as the Malloy family along with Katheryn and Molly made their way up the center aisle of the sanctuary. Mrs. Malloy tipped her head gently with a tight-lipped smile to Roscoe who sat at the far end of the altar as she ushered her brood into the third row on the left behind Carlos and Miss Cahill, leaning forward with hushed greetings as the twosome turned to welcome them.
Katie smiled as she paused to scan the congregation. The many faces before her stood in praise to God on such a random night all because of her son who had made an impact on so many of their lives. Many of the congregant's hands were filled with candles held steadily in reverence of the evening as they lifted their voices in song with the choir. As the song neared its end, Katie continued to smile despite the overwhelming grief she had stood strong against for her children's sake. Yet one could be strong for only so long. It was a comfort to see so many people sacrifice a moment out of their hectic schedules to pray and support a young man who was dedicated to the well-being of everyone he met…and now lay fighting for his life.
As the song ended, Roscoe stood to his feet and crossed to the pulpit, softly raising his hands as a signal to the congregation to be seated.
"I'm glad you could make it." Katheryn briefly whispered to Carlos as the sound of shuffling in the pews covered her quick greeting before she took her seat.
Carlos issued her a smile before turning back to take his own seat as he returned his eyes to Reverend Jones.
An eerie quiet settled over the darkened sanctuary as all eyes stayed fastened on their minister at the pulpit. Roscoe's hands grasped the edges of the wooden structure as he bowed his head, almost as if in silent prayer for strength before he finally raised his eyes to glance over his own sheep.
"About one—two years ago, Trent Malloy stood in this very spot to speak to you all. I was at my wits end. I was through. I was done with the hate, the violence, the stress of it all. I was ready to give up. And then a young man half my age has the courage to offer one last plea for you all to stand in the gap and keep the faith. He didn't have to do that. He could have let the enemy run right over me. He could have stayed quiet and let me resign my pulpit. But for what? To let evil rule? To let darkness have its hold? No! No, he did not. Instead, he didn't hesitate to take the pulpit that day and prove that hope still exists. That hope is there when we need it…if only we have the strength to look for it.
"As I stand here before you, Trent Malloy lies in a hospital bed fighting for his life." Roscoe narrowed his eyes and raised a clenched fist in gesture. "Evil," he shook his fist softly, "took a toll on the young man. Powers of darkness took it upon itself to end the life of a young man far from ever needing to see it."
Roscoe lowered his fist back down to the pulpit's edge. "Only by the grace of God did he not lose his life at the hands of such a man intent upon taking his life. But the fight isn't over.
"Many of you sitting here in God's house tonight have been affected by the legacy of Thunder Malloy who built this very church we worship in today. With his heart and vision, he saw this body of believers through many a trial and many a test. When Thunder's son came home shortly after Thunder went to be with the Lord, God directed him on a different path. With his talents and his big heart, the Lord has had him working wonders on the streets of our cities. Through Trent Malloy, the legacy of Thunder continues. No, he may not be in this pulpit speaking to you every week as I do, but he impacts your lives in much the same way. He's the action behind the words that I speak. He's an example to those looking for a way out or a way in to a better day. And I truly believe the Lord isn't done with him yet. Yes, I know the Lord has a plan. His will shall be done. But we will not let evil have its way."
"No we won't, Pastor Jones!"
"You can count me in!"
"That's right!"
"Brothers and sisters," Roscoe outstretched his hands. "Pray with me. Pray that the man who did this evil deed will be brought to justice. Pray that Trent will get well and return to what God has called him to do. Pray that the entire Malloy family is given the comfort that can only come from above. And most importantly, pray that the glory could only ever be given to our Lord and Savior."
Roscoe paused and exhaled before taking one last look over the congregation. "I ask one more thing of you all. Do something. It may be small or insignificant to you. But to the Lord, he sees your deeds. Perhaps you can volunteer a few minutes at Miss Cahill's H.O.P.E. center. Or maybe there's a neighbor down the street who you've been meaning to visit and ask if they need help. Then maybe you can offer to help sweep the trash off the steps of Trent's dojo. All I ask is that you sow a seed of action. Let the Malloy's know you are with them in more ways than talk. Talk is only viable with action. Trent was about helping people. He would want nothing less than to see people getting the help they need as he takes time healing from such an ordeal. Now...let's pray."