NOTE: This is a fictional retelling of a Bible story. See the footnote at the bottom of the narrative for
the scripture passage that inspired this modern version of the biblical account.
Joycelyn Hebron and her husband, Art (short for Arthur), made a
tough decision regarding their third and youngest four month old son, Manuel (short
for Emmanuel). The Hebrons came to Bryant
County in search of a better life. The other two children were Marian (5) and Andy (3). The Hebrons did not qualify for government assistance nor did they have church, friends, or nearby family that could help them in their time of need. A double shift of work for Art at The Son of Heaven Bed Linen Factory, nor Joycelyn’s job at the Fill-It-Up Mini-mart and Gas Station could not pay all the bills; provide food for this growing family, or adequate childcare during the day. The Hebrons refused to go into debt with a multitude of credit cards either.
Joycelyn wondered how much longer she could dodge creditors on the telephone that wanted their money yesterday. The Hebrons were in complete shock when Joycelyn became pregnant with Manuel. How would they be able to feed another mouth?
Several months later at the annual Halloween Masquerade Ball at The River’s Edge, a rich socialite club by the Lacy River; the Hebrons decided to place their infant son in a basket by the front door (with an anonymous note pinned to his blanket). Someone wealthier than them could provide a better life for their baby. Their oldest daughter, Marian, would hide in the tall reed plants by the front door to make sure all went as planned.
Cleo Niles (short for Cleopatra) was the administrative assistant for her father and president of The Son of Heaven Bed Linen Factory in Lacy, Ohio. These masquerade balls and her name left her with only one option costume-wise. People wanted and expected her to be the historical Cleopatra is this uncomfortable costume and itchy long wig.
At least, she’d gotten the best of the names in her family than her sisters. She would hate to be stuck with Antoinette or Nefertiti. Lately, Cleo had been thinking about how loud her biological baby clock had been ticking. She wondered when she would meet Mr. Right and then become a mother.
From a distance, Cleo could see the large basket hidden around the front door. She wondered what was in it. Maybe party favors? Cleo was next to the blue-blanketed basket. She wondered if she was going crazy. It sounded like a baby was crying from somewhere inside the basket.
Pulling back the covers, Cleo’s heart melted as a tiny child grabbed her finger. Cleo immediately took the child and basket into the warmth of the club. It was chilly outside. Cleo unpinned the note from the baby’s blanket. It read, “We can no longer take care of our son, Manuel. Love him for us, give him a good home, and tell him one day that his parents loved him enough to give him away.”
Although Cleo searched the exterior of the club completely, no parents whom she could help financially were found. The only thing that was noticed was a young girl running from the reed plants at the front door to a car that quickly left. Her dream might finally be coming true. Cleo had to call her best friend, Hattie Childs, to talk to about all this. Would Hattie believe all this?
“Joseph
waited 13 years. Abraham waited 25
years. Moses waited 40years. Jesus waited
30 years. If God is making you wait, you’re in good company.” (DailyScrolls.com)[i]
[i] Adapted from: All
for One: The Towns of Ohio Completer Trilogy by Robert Kinker, Book One:
Chapter Two ”The River’s Edge,” Exodus
1:15-2:10, 6:20
No comments:
Post a Comment