Note: I'm quite happy about the way this chapter turned out. Please PLEASE tell me your thoughts. Your views and opinions are important to me! The Newsies Summer Mailing List Awards are going on right now, and voting has commenced. I would be so honored if you would vote for me! The link is on my profile. Many MANY thanks. And also, the NYNA is back! The link is also posted on my profile. Once again I would love to be nominated. Thanks so all who are in charge of these contests for their hard work.
Place to Believe Chapter 7 - Sinner
Megan sneezed, attempting to smack the dust out of the cleaning rag she currently held. The girl left it outside, to return to the now furnished front room. Lillith was fingering the cloth back of one of the sofas, and Melody had a smile fairly dancing on her lips.
"It looks good in here," Megan offered, patting Lillith on the arm companionably. The latter turned, sparkling tear drops caught among her dark eyelashes.
"Why are you crying?" Megan exclaimed. Melody's face displayed similar concern. Suddenly, unexpectedly, Lillith's face split into a large smile, and a laugh rang jubilantly from her lips. Melody collapsed into a fit of giggles, actually seating herself on the wooden floorboards.
Megan scratched her head. "Uh, can someone please tell me what's going on?" she asked as a smile tried to stretch her own lips at their highly contagious laughter.
"I'm just so happy," Lillith gasped, calming a bit. She waved her arms about the furnished room, before walking to the large wooden desk where a lodging book already sat. "It seems as if everything is falling into place," she said, rubbing the grain of the wood. "It couldn't be going smoother."
Melody, now wearing a sober expression walked up beside Lillith. "Things aren't always as they seem," she said sadly, her mind replaying images of an angry blue-eyed boy from Brooklyn. "Bad things can still happen."
"Yes," Megan said, walking between the other girls, and squeezing their hands, "But the Lord can get us through bad times. We just have to trust and believe."
"Believe," Melody repeated softly. "Yes, we must."
X-X-X
Rhoda ran, her heart already pumping erratically. Sucking in breaths of air, the girl glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was following her. She had managed to pass all the posted sentries, but she was certain Con would not be pleased if he returned to find she had defied him once again.
Rhoda felt the tip of her shoe catch the edge of a cobblestone, and before she could stop herself, she was on the ground, her hands and knees scraping the rough stones. Tears pricked her eyelids, but she blinked them back. Now was not the time to break down.
"Hey, are you okay?" a voice asked in concern. She glanced up to see a boy with a stack of newspapers under one arm, and a little girl, giggling happily and kicking her legs, under the other.
"Yes," she said shortly, glancing away from the pretty child. She sat back and surveyed the scrapes running up her hands.
"Those look pretty bad," the newsboy observed, laying down his papers, and holding out his hand courteously. "Lemme help ya up."
"I'm fine!" she snapped, pushing herself up and attaining a standing position. She briskly brushed off her black, well-patched skirt. The boy was unperturbed by her attitude.
"We was behind ya, and when I saw ya trip, I told Ruthie here I shoulda saw it comin' and helped ya out."
"Forget it," Rhoda replied, evading the gaze of the little girl that was now centered on her. Rhoda turned, walking swiftly down the street. She grimaced when she heard loud footfalls behind her. She glanced back to confirm that, once again the newsboy was persisting. "What do you want?" she questioned bluntly, not slowing her pace.
"I was wonderin' if I could help ya with anything," he explained.
"No. I'm fine."
"Well, do ya need directions?"
"No."
"Somebody to walk ya somewheres?"
"I can walk alone, thank you."
The boy scratched his head, apparently confused. "Well have a nice day," he said weakly.
"Thanks."
As Rhoda continued walking, she found herself wishing she hadn't been quite so rude. After all, the boy was just trying to be nice. But.. she had known too many young men. Now, almost all made her nervous. And that little girl's gaze.. Rhoda felt more tears welling up. Such a sweet kid.. I wonder if..
No. It was better not to imagine what might have been.
X-X-X
Jumper ran into the front room, a bright smile displayed on his face. "Miss Megan," he said quickly, "Someone's here to see ya." The boy took off running up the stairs, probably wanting to get another look at the home before girls swarmed it. It had almost become his playhouse, after all.
Megan glanced towards the doorway curiously. Why would someone be looking for her? She looked at Lillith, who was busy yelling at Jumper for running on the staircase again. She caught a look from Melody that urged her to see what was going on.
As Megan made her way towards the door, a pale, timid face peeked in. "Rhoda," Megan said pleasantly, taking the older girl by the arm. "I didn't expect to see you quite so soon."
Rhoda looked at her from under dark eyelashes, her eyes guarded. "I wanted to talk to you."
"I'm all ears," Megan responded cheerfully. "Why don't we sit down?" She motioned to the porch steps, and Rhoda, looking uncomfortable, sat down awkwardly. Megan plopped down beside her. "Now, how can I help ya?"
Rhoda twisted her long skirt in her hands. An uneasy cloud hung in the air. She glanced at Megan, her blue eyes troubles and confused. "I have some questions," she said slowly, dragging out the words as if hesitant to say them.
Megan tried not to look too excited. "About the Bible? Jesus?" Rhoda nodded. "Just a minute," Megan said, and dashed from the steps, leaving a surprised Rhoda, and heading next door to the Newsboy's Lodging House. A moment later she returned, a large black leather bound King James in one hand, and a shiny golden apple in the other. "Hungry?" she asked, offering the apple while returning to her original seat.
"No thank you," Rhoda said, folding her hands.
Megan looked at the thin girl skeptically. "You need to eat," she insisted, taking Rhoda's hands, and wrapping them around the apple. "And this one's a golden delicious."
Rhoda managed a slight smile. "Thank you."
The girl continued to hold the apple tightly as Megan lifted the black book she carried, and rested it on her knee. Rhoda glanced at the engraved letters on the front, announcing to the world how important it was. The Holy Bible. Rhoda had never actually seen the well-read book the other girl held so dear, she had only heard quotes and sayings- mostly from Megan- Megan who was now watching her, waiting to see what would happen next.
"Were you-?" Rhoda uttered the two words, but left them dangling, as if not sure how to continue.
"Oh!" came Megan's exclamation. She opened her Bible, and began to carefully flip the worn pages, her eyes searching for a certain passage. Finally, a smile broke out on her face, and she tapped an area of a page lightly with her index finger. "You've probably heard this one before."
"Go on."
"It's in the book of John. Chapter 3, verse 16. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." She glanced up at Rhoda who nodded again.
"I have heard it before."
"Do you understand it?"
"Yes, I suppose. And.. no." A tear slipped from her eye. "I've heard your stories about God and His love, and I do believe He is real.. but.. this everlasting life.. this love.." Her voice choked for a moment, but she realized she was speaking more freely then she ever had with Megan. "It's not for me."
Megan didn't appear too surprised as she asked, "And why is that?"
Rhoda's breath hitched as she glanced up to see dark clouds gathering in the sky. "I'm a sinner."
Megan grabbed one of her hands, pulling it away from the apple, and leaving a slight depression in the fruit. "The Bible says in Romans: But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. It also says, For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We all have been guilty of sin at one time or other."
"You don't understand!" Rhoda cried out as rain began to sprinkle. "I'm different," she said more quietly. "I'm the worst sinner."
"Everyone feels that way. Sin is evil. We all have had evil hearts, but that is the wonderful thing about God's grace, and forgiveness. It washes all that sin away."
"But that grace isn't for me."
"Yes it is."
"No.. God could never love someone like me."
"What makes you so certain of this? God forgives all if you come to Him." Rhoda wept, and sobs racked her body. "Nothing you could have done would take away God's love for you.
Rhoda gave a short, harsh laugh. "Do you know what I've done?"'
"What is that?" Megan said gently, placing a comforting hand on her back.
"I have become a sinful woman," she cried, "Allowing a man to.. to use me. And I am a murderer." The skies opened, and the rain mixed with her tears.