If It Be Your Will

You don't find love. Love find you.

                                  If it be your will

I saw her sitting alone with a small child. Pretty auburn hair and hazel eyes. Soft tears were falling her eyes and I went to her.  I asked,  are you okay? Pretty young woman tried to cover her tears with tender hands and she told me. I'm okay. Just a hard day. I asked her. Is the child her daughter? She is as pretty as her. She tried to smile and told me, thank you.

I went to a safe distance. I read my book of Jack London "When gods laugh" and I watched the sea dance upon the morning shore. I notice the woman hadn't moved. Little girl wanted ice cream and lunch. I heard the woman told her. We must wait. I'm thinking honey. I went to her. I told her. I was a lonely soldier and need some company. I would appreciate some company and I know where there is a place with a 100 choices of ice cream. Little girl feet were dancing with hope and poor woman looking fearful told me . I can't.  I give her my biggest Michigan smile and I told her. Young lady. It is okay to accept help. We are in a public place and you and daughter will be safe. My name is Johnnie. We will cross the street and I will buy you a sandwich and a soup. Pretty woman looked at the sea and turned to me, told me. "Okay."

We sat on the patio. The Pier was in view. Monterey was perfect. On the bay and the weather perfect. The woman make-up had ran down her face and she requested to clean her face. Her and child left for the bathroom and he was left with his thoughts.  They returned and she raised out her hand and told him. "My name is Angela and my daughter name Shelly. It is good to meet you. You are being very kind." I told her. It was my pleasure to help. All of us need some help."

I asked her where was she from? She told him. "I'm from Ohio. I left home hoping for chance and opportunity. California isn't easy. No jobs here and money is running out. I have $500 and no place to go and I don't know anyone."  I told her. Maybe I can help. I do a lot of poetry readings. My friend Jerry is looking for someone to work. He own the Monterey Bookstore. If he doesn't work out. I know someone who owned a few businesses in Pacific Grove."

The little girls asked. "Why don't  you have no hair? And can I have ice cream still?" The woman told the child. "Please don't ask for so much. He had done enough." She turned to him and asked. "Can $500 get a place to live? Monterey is very costly." Johnnie smiled and told her. I have a friend who had a open studio apartment. Not too costly or too big. About 400 square feet." 

They go to the Monterey coffee shop. Angela filled out the application. I give the application to Jerry. I told Jerry. Angela was a old friend who needed a job badly. He called her references and came back. He asked her. "When can you start?  Angela looked surprised and told him as soon as possible. I need to get settled. Jerry slapped my back and he told her. I will see you at 8 am.

Angela looked scared and she asked me. "Where do I live?"  Little Shelly was wandering the bookstore and left them alone. I told her. Up the hill. My friend is a older woman with a huge house. She divided it up to pay her bills. She is very kind. I believe her daughter had a daycare." Angela begin to cry and I reached out and held her hands. She asked me. "You haven't asked any questions Johnnie. I like this but I must tell you. I'm escaping a bad relationship. I wasn't safe and I needed safe place for me and my child. I bought a ticket for Monterey without proper plan. I wanted new place and the sea." I smiled and I told her. I have six sisters and I know bad place and situation. Where is your luggage?"

I took her in my old Dodge truck to the Greyhound station. I helped her load her four suitcases. I took her to my friend Cindy house. Cindy was one of my fans of my poetry and we have became great friends. I did minor work on her house for free. Cindy was waiting for us. Jerry had called her and he set it up for me. She greeted Angela with a hug and hugged the child Shelly. After the introductions. Cindy took her to a side apartment. Angela was surprised. Was more roomy than she expected. In California. No room is wasted. The apartment had a small kitchen. A small bed and a pull-out couch. Cindy asked was this okay. Angela begin to cry and she asked her. "Can I afford this Cindy." Cindy smiled and told her. You will get family discount. $400 a month. You can pay $100 weekly. It this okay."Angela agreed and paid her a $100.

After Cindy left. Angela told me, she had a teaching degree and now she can look for work. She heard Monterey was growing and there was jobs for teachers.  I smiled and I told her. Time for some shopping. Need milk and Captain Crunch for baby girl. Angela was buying little and I knew she was budgeting her money. I told her. I will assist. Please buy what you need. I started taking the needed items for her. Sugar, honey, box product and some can goods. She wasn't content. I liked her angry face over her sad one. I paid the $150 and I told her. I told you already. All of us need some help sometime. She looked pissed off and told me. "I don't take charity." I reached over and hugged her and I whispered. You owe me nothing. I want to help.

I helped unload the truck and I helped put the food away.  I was leaving and she called me back and asked. "Where are you going Johnnie. Please stay with me. Maybe I can cook a meal and we can take a walk?" I smiled and I told her.  If It be your will , I would love to stay with you Angela. Angela came to me and she lay her head upon my shoulder and she whispered. It is my will dear Johnnie.  You are the first kind words and kindness I have known in so long.
                            Coyote/John Castellenas

Author's Note

A new story. I hope you like.

Reviews

[Emunah June.]

That was absolutely gorgeous!! Love is so tender and so sweet, and can bloom even without you trying to make it so. If you try too hard to find love, you'll only get a cheap duplication. Absolutely stunning visuals with a clear focus that captivated me until the end. 100/100!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you. I appreciate you reading my work. Years ago. A publisher told me. If I lived 500 years ago. I would be famous. People don't read epic poetry or story.

[Emunah June.]

Well, then they're seriously missing out.

[Coyote Poetry]

This year I will get published. Before I get too old. Thank you for the kind words.

[Nadia Gerassimenko]

What an amazing story! You are such a caring and generous heart full of abundant love. You spread love wherever you go, you ingrain love in those who thought they'd never find it again. Very uplifting and inspiring!

[Coyote Poetry]

All of us need help. When I was a kid. Poor mother was very poor. She did her best. Every Friday a woman with a bag of groceries showed up and gave us basic food. Took me year to track her down after I left Basic training from the Army. She was surprised I remembered her. I told her I wanted to give her something. She told me no. Her reward was I did okay and requested conversation. She told me. She was taught. Give without reward. People like her taught me. We must lead with kindness. Thank you Nadia for reading my poetry.

[Dark Tower]

Beautifully written indeed my friend. Sounds generic but I don't think anything I say ever do it justice.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. Real life allowed us to write real story if we pay attention.

[Valentine]

Reaching out a helping hand can be so much help to one in need. I really loved helping out at the battered woman's shelter. Not many want to freely give. Sad really. Valentine

[Coyote Poetry]

This is sad. My mother was helped often in the late sixties. I believe we fell backward in human concern and care. All women need a safe place. Thank you Valentine for reading and the comment.

[Valentine]

Yes, and these shelters are every where. They run from abuse with nothing. Shelters need tooth brushes, tooth paste, clothing for moms and all size children. Food, and safety. Kathie

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. This is why they need money and help.

[Willard Wells]

Very touching store and since I have spent so much time around Monterey it held more meaning to me. I look forward to a continuation, but I enjoyed it as it is also. Thanks

[Coyote Poetry]

I lived in Monterey from 1992-1994. The kind writers, surfers and Musicians gave me reasons to keep writing. Next year I will go back to Monterey. Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[~Sarah~ Idríel T..]

By the way I loved the title. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

A very good title. Cohen borrowed the line from Donne. Cohen song gave me reasons to write.

[~Sarah~ Idríel T..]

I loved every small part of the story. If all do the same the world would be a much better place. Such a tenderness.

[Mirjana Ilic]

Well written and a touching story line... Well done :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Mirjana for reading and the comment.