Chapter Thirteen
Sunday morning, Sheila and Natalie drove over to Paul’s before church to put up signs directing people to the chapel house. Paul’s property had been off-limits to this town for so long. Now that it would be opened up, Natalie wanted to be sure people still gave Paul his privacy.
“Paul has been so gracious, but I don’t want people to overwhelm him either. He’s really used to his solitude,” Natalie said.
“I can understand that.” Sheila held the sign that read WELCOME, JACOB FAMILY with an arrow to the turnoff to the gravel road.
They pushed the sign into the hard, dry ground, then rode up the driveway and set out two more. “I think that should do it?” Natalie straightened the sign.
“I’m sure people will respect his privacy,” Sheila said. “This should help, though.”
Randy arrived with a huge artificial Christmas tree in the back of his truck. “I hope it’s okay that I brought this over. It was an old one at the sheriff’s office.”
“A fake tree? I thought those were taboo in this town,” Sheila said.
“They are, sort of, but after what just happened to their house, I’m thinking eliminating any chance of a fire might be comforting,” Randy explained.
“That’s a really good point,” Natalie said. “How tall is that tree?”
“Apparently, the old offices had really tall ceilings. They can’t get but a six-footer in there now, so this one was in a closet in two pieces collecting dust.”
“Doesn’t matter. We have plenty of room for any size with the cathedral ceiling,” Natalie said.
“It’s pre-lit, so it won’t take as long to decorate either. Fake trees are my thing,” Sheila said. “I’ll fluff it out so pretty no one will even be able to tell the difference.”
“We can put it up right after church,” Natalie said. “We were just on our way to pick up Paul now.”
“I didn’t want to add more to your plate,” Randy said. “A couple of the deputies offered to come help me decorate. Y’all go on to church. We’ll be done by the time you get back.”
“You sure?” Natalie asked.
“Positive. You’re not the only ones that want to help this family,” he said.
“You’re right, honey.” She walked over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, you sweet man.”
“I’d do anything for you.”
“You’re the best.” She turned and Sheila walked outside with her to go get Paul. When they drove up, he was already sitting out front on the bench by his front door, dressed in a suit and bright red holiday tie.
“He is always early,” Natalie said to Sheila.
“No wonder you two get along so well. You’re the same person.”
“No,” Natalie said. “He’s even earlier than me. The first week I was driving for him, before I knew he was Jeremy’s grandfather, he was waiting on me every time I came. It became like a battle of the wits for me to get here before he was outside waiting on me.”
“That’s hysterical, and you’re so competitive. I bet it drove you nuts.”
“It did.” Natalie got out of the car to help Paul in.
“Have you been crying?” Paul asked Natalie.
She patted her fingers beneath her eyes. “It’s okay. They were thankful tears.”
“I suppose those are okay, then.” He leaned on his cane and stood, still slightly stooped. They walked toward the Tesla, and Sheila hit the button for the falcon-wing back doors to lift.
“Oh my!” Paul bent forward, peering in the side window at Sheila. “Haven’t seen a car with these doors in a while. You might not know, but I represented Clark Gable in Hollywood a lifetime ago. He drove a Mercedes with gull-wings, but I’m sure these have come a long way since then. This car is sexy as all get-out. If I were about forty years younger…”
Sheila burst out laughing. There was something about an old man talking about a sexy car that just absolutely tickled her funny bone. “Well, hop on in, superstar. I’m your chauffeur today.”
He climbed in and Natalie hopped into the passenger seat. Sheila hit the button and all the doors closed themselves around them.
“Here we go, Pops!” Sheila pressed the accelerator, and they were off.
“Never have been in an electric car. I guess this is the new generation.”
“Enjoy it while I’m here. I don’t plan to keep it long. I only bought it because it was a good deal and I knew I could turn it into a profit.”
“Well, done, Sheila. I respect sharp business minds.”
“Thanks, Pops.”
His face brightened. She had a feeling he liked the nickname. Which was good because she felt weird calling him Paul, even though that’s what Natalie called him.
The church was decorated with fresh garlands on the railings and wreaths on the doors. Inside, each pew was decorated with a sprig of pine with a red poinsettia and bow. Sheila slid into the pew next to Natalie, who was nudging her before they even got seated.
“What?”
Natalie nodded toward the fifth pew from the front.
Sheila followed Natalie’s line of sight, and there sat the entire Jacob family. Jack Jacob on the outside, Diane, all those kids, and Betty Jo on the other end. Jack’s arms were bandaged, and so was the left side of his neck, but it was so good to see that Jack was recovering well enough to be out and about.
During the service, the pastor included prayers for the Jacob family and their recent loss, and following the offering they passed a coffee can around for extra donations for the family.
“It’s the third Sunday of Advent, and we see that despite troubles, God has not deserted us and we are still blessed. I’m going to speak from Matthew 11, verses 2 to 11, today, but we’ve seen how, despite a terrible catastrophe, the Jacob family losing their home and everything in it, they were blessed. Jack is back on his feet and here with his family, and this community, you’ve come together to be the feet and hands, helping your neighbor. A blessing indeed.”
A Christmas miracle.
After the service, they were getting into the car when Jack Jacob walked over. “Sir,” he said to Paul. “I can’t thank you enough for opening up your property to accommodate my family.”
“Yes, you can. You just did.” Paul took a stuttering step turn. “Thank these ladies. It was their idea. A very good one. They’ve worked tirelessly to make it quite wonderful for you. As have many others in this town. Good folks.”
“Yes, sir.”
He lifted a knobby finger. “I didn’t realize you were the family in need. I’ve watched your family grow. Child by child. You don’t see so many big families these days. I’m glad I could help you.”
“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for your generosity, but I will. You can count on it, sir.”
“You take care of your family. The rest, well, it has a way of all working out.”
“Well, I just wanted to thank you. When they told us…” Diane had slipped under his arm, her eyes full of tears, but smiling as her husband spoke. “We couldn’t believe it. Thank you.”
“Yes, sir,” Diane added. “Thank you so very much.” She turned to Sheila and smiled.
Sheila felt like a schmuck driving the fancy car, embarrassed by the frivolity of it.
“And you, Sheila, you don’t even know us. You have no idea how your support the night of the fire helped me through it all.”
“’Tis the season, and treating your neighbor like family— well, that took on a lot more meaning being there.” Sheila felt a lump in her throat. “The news, television, it all desensitizes us to the true impacts the calamity has on people. At the core, we’re all people, struggling to do what is right.”
“We look forward to welcoming you tomorrow morning,” Paul said. “Nelle told me she plans to have a big family breakfast ready for you all.”
“I plan to go back to work,” Jack said, “but Diane will be sure to save me some.”
“You can count on it, honey.”
Paul clapped a hand on Jack’s back. “It heats up just fine. I know because Nelle seems to always be trying to fatten me up. I always have enough for another meal.”
“That’s good news.” Jack extended his hand. “Well, I don’t mean to keep you. I just wanted you to know how grateful we are and we’re going to do our part around there. You let me know what I can do for you.”
Paul looked a little embarrassed, waving to Diane and Jack as he ducked beneath the falcon-wing door and lowered himself into the back seat.
On the way home, Paul was quiet. Natalie flashed a concerned look, but Sheila wasn’t sure it was a bad quiet. She’d been touched by the events since that night, and she sensed Paul was feeling the same way. She couldn’t explain it herself, but she felt it to her core. “You’re sort of a hero there, Pops.”
“Nothing like that.”
But she could see his eyes were a little glassy. Then he spoke up. “I was just thinking how profound it is that God can give you a second chance in life to make good on things maybe you didn’t do so good the first time. I’m really happy.” The pause was long, but finally Paul said, “I’m grateful I have the resources to share.”
“I know exactly how you feel.” Sheila sighed. There were a lot more important things in life she wasn’t giving the appropriate attention to right now.
She felt a New Year’s resolution coming on.