A/N: Forgot to mention my great uncle, who died last year at 93, called everything a machine like I have Molly doing.

The Jackie Robinson reunion is the last of the plot bunnies I had in my mind to get out. I hope I did him justice – it's hard to know exactly what he would be thinking, and with possible light Asperger's I probably don't get some nonverbal stuff (I don't think it's just my low vision and hearing that prevent it) but what he said to his wife that morning is accurate, from what I've read, and how he's distracted from other thoughts by kids just being kids and hounding him for autographs seemed natural.

Chapter Four – Making Connections

"Oh, her daughter Mary gave the baby his father's name, Bennett. They got married and tried to make it work for about a year before she and David moved back home," Molly added while Annie was trying to process everything.

"David… Bennett…" Annie mind swirled. "Did he marry a Margaret?" She'd pushed aside any thought of them after she'd heard they were dead. After all, she'd just heard she was going to be adopted soon after that, so what did it matter. But, now? How much did she want to know? "That's my parents' names."

Liz, too, was amazed. "We'd have to look to make sure, but… I think you could be related." She sensed the uncertainty. "If you want us to look."

"Yeah. Yeah, I think I'd like to. Dad…" Annie said as she turned to Will. "I know I wanna stay here, but… can I go and meet them?"

"Sure; I can even fly you all out there if you'd like," Will said.

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. Liz called Molly out to the den the next da. "Grandma, look what Lucy just sent me?"

Molly moved more slowly but was still rather spry. She walked slowly out to the computer and looked at the picture and e-mail that had come with it. "Wow. You really can find anything on those machines."

"And, that's just an e-mail with whatever Lucy had. It's not even checking public records or uploading one of those YouTube videos like we interviewed you and Annie on a couple years ago," Liz said. "I can't wait to tell my student Annie. I hope she's happy. I'm sure she won't be disappointed, but it takes a while, I imagine."

"She does seem a lot like my sister Annie. She might hesitate a little more just from going from home to home, but I guess she was only in a couple others, from what she said."

"Right; I'm glad we could find good homes for them," Liz said as she called Annie on her cell phone.

Mr. Stacks would still adopt Annie, but once Annie heard, he immediately hatched plans to have some sort of visitation pattern if they wanted, too.

That was easy for him – but it still blew Annie's mind.

Annie was excited for the trip west to Ohio. On the plane, she asked, Molly and Kate, who was also still alive from the original group, "Tell me about Jackie Robinson." She really wanted to know about Lucy, but wasn't sure where to start.

.

"I've always been a tomboy; even now I keep in shape by getting down and playing with the toddlers in our church nursery," Kate said. "The family I got adopted into loved sports. There were a few exciting things going on that week, including for my older sister, July – well, she went by Miss Kathryn to honor Miss Kathy, but we all knew her as July. Anyway…"

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

July as her friends called her, came from where she'd just finished changing a toddler's diaper in Warbucks Home for Girls. She eagerly ran into Miss Kathy's arms and they exchanged a warm hug. "I told you I'd make you proud," July, now in her late 20s, exclaimed.

"I always knew you would," Kathy said. She gazed at the interior of the facility, now that her two natural teenage children and Lucy, eleven, were occupied. They were playing catch with a few of the orphans outside. Kathy and her husband had come to New York to officially adopt Lucy. "I haven't really looked around her since Mr. Warbucks rebuilt this place; wow. You'd never know it was the dreary place you were left in back in 1920."

July inhaled deeply. "We've made it such a warm, loving place. I'm even comfortable letting girls quilt if they want to, though not on a machine." She and Kathy laughed. "And, all of this great stuff is because of Annie."

"She's coming soon, I hope."

July nodded. "She's bringing a special guest, too."

"Hmmm, interesting," Kathy said with a twinkle in her eye. "My husband's doing some errands after meeting with Mr. Warbucks."

"Great. SCome on, I'll show you around," July said.

Kathy smiled as she followed. "Lucy's told me a lot about it when we've talked. Oh, look, there's her picture on the wall with the others," she said excitedly after a while. "She said it felt like a home here; as much as it could. She's excited to have a real family, though. It's great you hang their pictures on the wall and have so much good, quality, personal time, or as much as you can anyway. Still, there's nothing like having a real home."

"I know; Lucy and I talked about it a lot. Upstairs here is the memory room where the kids can put things they remember from their birth homes if they want," July said.

As the women leafed through the items in it, Annie walked in with another gentleman in his late 20s. "The kids told us you'd be here."

"Annie!" Miss Kathy and Annie hugged before Annie introduced the man next to her, Jackie Robinson. Kathy and he shook hands.

"Tomorrow's a big day for you, huh?" Kathy didn't know what else to say, but figured that was good enough. She wondered if part of the joy Annie got was surprising people by having celebrities show up. It probably caused a lot of people to become a little tongue-tied. "I hope you can stay till my husband gets back; I'm sure my kids all hounded you with questions already. Lucy's as big a baseball fan as the rest of us."

"I could tell. I hope you get a World Series win in Cleveland – as long as it's not against us," Robinson joked.

"So…" Kathy wasn't sure how to phrase this, but decided that – if she was going to ask someone – she might as well ask someone who had been through it. "I hope you don't mind my asking. One thing I worry about – well, we're in Canton now. Marion Motley, who plays football for the Browns, went to McKinley High School, which was integrated even back then. So, I'm not quite as concerned about Lucy being in school there once she gets into high school. But, well, I guess I'm a typical mom; she'll probably handle this better than I do," Kathy finished with a laugh.

"Sure; she integrated ours; she's used to putting up with that," Annie quipped as Lucy hurried up to them. "And, she probably won't face any bullies like that Hattie was when she first came. Right, Lucy?"

"She's a lot better now; but, boy, Miss Duffy and the others had their hands full," Lucy agreed. She decided not to say she was glad Jackie Robinson was still there; she figured the adults were talking and so it wouldn't be hard to keep him there.

The ballplayer explained to Kathy and Lucy that the important thing was: "We all have things different about us. You know what I'm telling my wife when I go to the ballpark tomorrow? I'm telling her she'll know who I am, because I'll be wearing number 42. We have different eye colors, different skills; some things we can change, like I can play all over the diamond, some we can't. I was telling your kids, focus on what we have in common, and if they do that and help their friends to do that, it'll all come together."

"You're not worried about opposition?" Kathy asked as a small murmur began growing in the upstairs hallway outside where they were talking.

"I know there will be." He didn't get into what Branch Rickey and he had discussed about not retaliating no matter what for a while so others would have the chance to succeed. He wanted to focus on baseball and the momentous opening day which would come tomorrow. "I can just take it out on the ball and on the basepaths, though. You can do a lot to help your team by just ruining the pitcher's concentration." Robinson looked outside at the gathering crowd. He smiled and pulled out a pen. The gathering throng had provided him with a good excuse to get off the topic of opposition, which was a lot to get through just talking with an average fan. "Annie, can you please get that sack of baseballs I brought just in case? It looks like word has spread to the boys' and girls' sections that there's a ballplayer in the building," he said with a chuckle.

"Better get used to it; you'll do a great job. After tomorrow, everyone's gonna know who you are without some kids telling them," Annie said before she left to grab the baseballs.

"Did you come up to make sure he was still here?" Kathy asked with a laugh as she put an arm around Lucy's shoulders.

"Yeah. Once we talked to him, it didn't seem fair to let the others go without it," Lucy said, a little sheepishly.

"It's okay. They do know Oliver Warbucks got everyone tickets for tomorrow, right?" Robinson asked.

"Some might not even remember that after all this excitement. Which means it'll be an even greater thrill," July said. She would be surprised how many would remember, as – except for the very young children and a couple workers who stayed behind with them – everyone went, and even had a few guests. Over 60 people took in the historic game with Warbucks' group – including all of Annie's friends from the orphanage and their familyies.

While Jackie Robinson signed baseballs and talked to all the orphans - and to a few of the adult helpers maintaining crowd control - Kathy and July went down to the office, where Daddy Warbucks and Grace were standing with Annie and Molly.

"It's not every day you get visits from a real baseball player," Kathy said.

Oliver nodded. "We've surprised the children a few times with them, just like taking them to games. One of the first things I asked when I met Annie was whether she'd like to meet one. Truthfully, I had in mind a boy who would love baseball and who I could take on a baseball extravaganza. Tours of all three big league parks, playing catch with their favorite, and so on, as well as things like the stock exchange." He chuckled. "I decided it was possible, as a girl, she still liked baseball. Little did I know Annie had never heard of the stars, but had been to the stock exchange, though she'd had no idea what it was. Just that there was a big crowd that day she snuck away and went there. And, that she hoped to find her parents there."

"I remember those papers from some stock that went out of business you brought back after looking for your parents," Kathy said. "I think we used it as coloring papers."

"Oliver's a big enough baseball fan, he even knew a few of the Negro League stars, though not many," Grace said.

"Enough the kids all believed it when your kids started spreading the word about Jackie Robinson being a real baseball player," Molly told Kathy. "AS we always say, it's a home. That means people who care and kids who get surprises like this."

"Anyway, I'm retiring, and Annie will be taking over most things. That means Grace will be spending more time with me while I still have some good years left; I'm getting into my late sixties, after all. That's why we're all here," Oliver said.

Grace looked earnestly at July. "You've done such a great job as my assistant headmistress since Miss Rose left. I thought with Miss Kathy here, this was the perfect time, now that we're all alone – goodness knows, none of the kids want to miss the chance to be near a real live ballplayer." Grace blinked back a tear. "With all you've been through, and having to be the caregiver when Miss Kathy left, you could have just walked away from taking care of others, and nobody would have blamed you. But you've stuck it out, you have a natural gift for loving others, for providing the tender, loving care these children need. So, I'd like to offer you the chance to become the official headmistress here if you want."

"Oh, yes, yes, I would love that," July said excitedly as she began to weep. "I've put so much time into these orphans, we've organized so many activities – the zoo trips are amazing." She began to think back to when Miss Kathy had left. "Miss Kathy, I know I said I'd make you proud. But I always wondered if I was doing good enough…" She didn't know what else to say. So, she just let Miss Kathy hug her tenderly. It soon turned into a group hug.

"Believe me, from all I've heard, you have done an amazing job!" Kathy said once it ended.

"And, you can go by Miss Kathryn if you want, or anything. I just know you are the kind, caring person they need," Grace said.

"And, of course, you'll have a great staff around you, and Annie and Molly will give you whatever you need. Plus, Grace and I will still be around plenty. We'll just be travelling more, taking more time off, and so on," Oliver promised.

July started hugging everyone again. She couldn't believe the turns her life had taken. She was doing something she loved, though, that was for sure. Yet without the constant drudgery and turmoil that being around Miss Hannigan had produced. "Thank you," she said breathlessly. "This has been such a wonderful journey. The girls all know the great help Annie has been. And, I'm sure they'll keep remembering her."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Back in the present, Annie Stacks kept thinking about the story as they rode to where Lucy and her husband Robert lived with their daughter, Mary. Her mind was filled with questions. She wondered if the first thing she should ask was what Lucy recalled about Jackie Robinson. Or, maybe about movies – Annie's adoptive dad, Will Stacks, had already mentioned that there was a possible movie in the works about all of this, or at least about her adoption and trying to find her parents beforehand.

Will could tell she felt a bit overwhelmed. "I'm sure you won't have to memorize a whole bunch of aunts and uncles and cousins and things all at once. They're keeping it simple for the first meeting; unless you want to." He confessed that he felt really unsure of what to say or do here – probably just like Oliver Warbucks had felt.

"He probably felt even more insecure," Molly said as they got out of the limo. "He was used to having his staff do all these little things. That helped me to cope with it at first, after all. But, he had to be the dad, and he felt nervous just knowing what I'd want as my dad. He couldn't even totally rely on what he'd done with Annie, because she was a few years older and could understand more, although it was pretty much the same stuff she got to do. At least you're used to doing it all yourself in that big, fancy house."

"That's true; I hadn't thought of it like that," Will said.

Annie still felt a little trepidation. But, as soon as she saw the warm smiles from the people there, she felt a lot more comfortable.

"Molly, Kate, it's so good to see you," Lucy said happily as they hugged. "And, you must be Annie; they've told me a lot about you."

"Yeah. I've been hearing so many stories… it's incredible," Annie said, showing her normal confidence.

She supposed that her blurting that she couldn't trust anyone just before Will dropped out of the mayoral race last year was one of those little signs that she had reservations at times, but she still quickly overcame things. This, too was one of those times. Any worries she might have had disappeared as the normal personable, spunky, and excited Annie emerged.

Still, one thing troubled her a little. "I'm sorry to hear David passed away," Annie told Mary after introductions were made. "Did… did you know? I mean…"

"We'd lost contact for a while before he passed; we didn't know for months," Mary said as tears welled up in her eyes. "And, I was fighting a huge battle myself then, too," she explained. "Thankfully, I've been cancer free for over six years now."

"Wow. I'm glad you're all better!" Annie said. She wasn't sure how else to handle that. The wave of worries about losing loved ones surfaced again for a moment, but she knew she had plenty of people she knew who cared about her. Plus, she recalled what Molly had shared at first.

"People don't usually think of looking out of state if there's no evidence of such family, and they hadn't found any. If we'd known, I'm sure there would have been plenty of aunts and uncles or cousins who could have taken you in," Robert promised.

"I… uh, well, I can always move my company headquarters here if you'd like," Will said.

Annie smiled at him. "That's okay; I have good friends back home I'd want to keep in touch with, too. Not only the ones my age, but Molly and Kate." Turning to them, she said, "I decided to make you two honorary great-grandmas."

"We'd love that," the older ladies said.

"I'm glad to see you enjoying all of this like I do," Liz added. "You're not worried anymore?" She didn't want to bring up Annie's previous concerns about losing people directly, but wanted to make sure of that.

"No. I'm not quite that close yet, though I'm starting to feel that way. Plus, I kept thinking about what you said, Molly, about forgiveness and salvation. I called on Jesus to save me from my sins like you said and make me new inside. And, He's given me more confidence." Molly and the others told Annie they were really glad for her.

"I'm sure it doesn't quite feel like we're family yet," Lucy said. "And, it would have been hard for you at any age to move hundreds of miles away to live with complete strangers, I'm sure. But, just like Annie did years ago, it sounds like you would have kept that same positive spirit that I remember Annie always having. When I knew her, and even when she was little, during those really tough times with Miss Hannigan she told me about."

"That's why we gave our daughter the middle name of Ann. It's kind of a family tradition to give kids that as a first or middle name," Robert added.

"Wait a minute. You mean…?"

Mary confirmed it. "You're named after Molly's older sister; the original Annie."

Annie was awestruck. "The stories I've heard are all so amazing; how she helped so many people afterward, and then even before when she was in that orphanage… wow!" She inhaled deeply. "It's such an honor. But also… just knowing more about where I came from, to have this kind of a connection… wow!"

"I know. I just celebrated my eightieth birthday," Robert said. "To think of all the things I've seen – I see why our friend Molly just calls everything a 'machine,'" he said with a chuckle. "My father grew up not far from where the Wright Brothers had their bicycle shop in Dayton. He celebrated his seventieth birthday by watching Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon."

Lucy agreed. "These stories, sure there are tough times. Every person goes through something rough in a lifetime," Lucy said. "I don't know if I could have made it in that place Annie and you two were in," she said to Molly and Kate. "At least someone taught Hattie to behave, and she did get a lot better once she learned how to love others. But like Annie always said, you just have to know the sun's going to come out tomorrow; however many tomorrows it takes."

Annie sat between Lucy and Molly and put her arms around them. "And, I'm glad I've got people like you in my life to tell me those stories. I don't know if Molly told you about how I'd put on dramas for my book reports. But, there's nothing more fun than hearing stories. Liz is right. I get into yours so much, it's like I'm traveling in a time machine." They hugged.

A/N:

Thanks to all for reading. While our inner city ministry will be focusing on just getting youth to cap who can't afford it now, I do still have a lot to do (and pray for as God has cleared my calendar for something, I'm just waiting on His direction) and I've used up the plot bunnies, so I am probably retiring from fanfiction for good, though keep watching my profile as I might update once every few months with new books I've written via Print On Demand or otherwise. Visit Godlife dot com slash Gospel to know about that great love and salvation, with a chance to ask volunteers questions, too. ("Explore God" and gotquestions dot org also have great stuff.)

If this is it, it's been wonderful being able to entertain for the last 22 years on this site. And I'll leave you with this, that you are only a single, sincere prayer of repentence to Jesus Christ from eternal life in God's perfect Heaven where there's no pain, no suffering, no death, no evil.

It's as simple as ABC – Admit you're a sinner, that you fall short of God's perfection, Believe Jesus Christ is God in flesh and died for your sins and rose from the dead, and Call on Jesus to save you by faith, choosing to let Him take away your sin and come into y our heart and make you new inside.

Thanks again for reading, and God bless.