Based on a true story
From Prison To Pulpit
From A Four Time Loser,
To A Lifetime Winner In Jesus Christ
By: Barbara Caywood
Published by NewBookPublishing, a division of Reliance Media, Inc. at Smashwords.
Copyright © 2011 by Barbara Caywood
This book is available in print at most online retailers.
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Dedication
I dedicate this book to my wonderful husband. He lives his life to the fullest in Jesus Christ every day, everywhere he goes. He is an inspiration to me and encourages me daily to walk in faith and use my talents for the Lord. He is a blessing in my life and I thank God that he has put us together to serve in His kingdom side by side.
Table Of Contents
He looked at the cocaine he had left. It was enough to do several more shots through the night and into tomorrow. I could put all of that dope into a syringe and shoot it all up. That would be more than enough to make me overdose and kill myself. I’ve seen people OD on less than half of that.
He mixed it with some water, drew it all up into a syringe, and shot it up. Within a few minutes he found himself slipping into utter darkness, sure he was on his way to death.
**************
For the first time in his life he felt peace. He knew that God would be his everything, and that he wouldn’t want for anything. He fell asleep with the Bible beside him, still basking in the presence of the Lord and the new experience of receiving the Holy Ghost.
Foreword
Rev. Kelly Caywood and his wife, Barbara have a special God-given gift of evangelism. Their passion for Jesus Christ is evident in their daily walk. This book is a wonderful testimony of how God can take a lost soul, turn his life around, and set his feet upon the solid rock for a lifetime of ministry.
Rev. Orlin W. McClain
Pastor Apostolic Temple,
Pasadena, TX
Preface
This book was written simply because God told me to. I wanted to have my wife write it from the different points of view, not just mine.
I truly believe that we are living in the last days. My hope and prayer is that this book finds its way into the hands of people that may not know God is real. God is truly not a respecter of persons. What He did for me, He can do for you. Whether it’s drugs, alcohol, cutting yourself, or suicidal thought, there is but one answer - simply JESUS.
Kelly Caywood
Although I have heard my husband give his testimony numerous times, I never grow tired of hearing it. It is truly a miracle that he has made it through the drug addiction lifestyle to live a life in Jesus now. What astounds me, is that God didn’t just deliver Kelly from the drugs, but He delivered him also from the whole lifestyle and way of thinking. When I see other addicts, I think, “That used to be my husband.” I can’t believe it. He is not the same man at all who he used to be.
Through the years we have had opportunities to work with people that have addictions. I did not live that lifestyle, so I do not have some of the same scars and cannot relate to them. But Kelly can. He is so transparent and real with them. Because he is real and is genuinely concerned for them, the stone walls that they have put up through the years to guard themselves start coming down. It is so amazing to see God working in their lives and the change take place. Everything they have lost all starts coming back, and then much more. God doesn’t just bring you half way out, He brings you all the way out.
Barbara Caywood
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my wife for all of her hard work, not only for this book, but also for me. She has allowed me to work through many issues and I am very thankful for that. Barbara is one of a kind, not only my wife, but also my best friend. Thank you, Babe, for believing in me when no one else would, and standing beside me through it all. I truly believe the best is yet to come.
Even though he has passed away, I owe a great thanks to Charles Mahaney. He came into my life at a time when I wasn’t really sure if I would make it. I love you Brother Mahaney and miss you tremendously.
I thank Brother Nelson for loving me when I didn’t even know how to love myself. He put up with a lot and loved me through it all. I love you, Bro. Nelson, and the church family there in Mont Belvieu, Texas.
Brother McClain has been such a God send to my wife and me. We came to him and Bishop McClain looking for guidance and leadership. What we have found surpassed our expectations and we now have a lifelong friendship. We love our pastor and church family in Pasadena, Texas.
To my mother who always believed in me and loved me with tough love, I love you with all of my heart. You are the greatest. Thank you for never giving up on me. I love you, Mom.
Crystal and David, my beloved sister and brother, I love you both more than I could ever show or tell you. I believe in you tremendously.
Finally, my family whom I have become very close to after all of this, I love you and appreciate you all very much. Greg Rice, thank you for taking a chance on me. James, thank you for being like a dad to me. I love you both. To all of my aunts – I love you all, you guys are the greatest.
Kelly Caywood
1952 – Baytown, Texas
Hi, Oma Lee. I wasn’t expecting you,” said Dorothy as she opened the door for her friend. Oma Lee lived down the road from Dorothy, so they were able to visit often, but usually Oma Lee called before she headed over.
Oma Lee walked into the house and carried the pie she held in her hands into the kitchen. “Well, I baked a couple of apple pies today for the kids. And I know how much you like my apple pies, so I thought I would bring one over. Wasn’t any trouble to make an extra.” Oma Lee was shorter than Dorothy, with dark, wavy hair, and she was always cooking and baking. It was one of her specialties, other than being a full-time mother to five girls. Since Oma Lee lived down the road from Dorothy, they were able to visit often.
“Thank you, that was nice of you. I’m always in the mood for one of your pies, no matter what kind it is.”
Oma Lee smiled, knowing her cooking was always liked and appreciated. “You’re welcome. Is your husband working this weekend?”
“Yes. Yours?”
“Yes. I hate it when they have to work weekends. But I guess we can’t complain too much. At least they have a job, and Humble is a good company to work for.”
“That is true. We’re luckier than some.”
Giving Dorothy a friendly squeeze on the shoulder, Oma Lee walked back toward the door. “Well, I can’t stay long because I’m in the middle of cooking dinner, but I wanted you to have the pie before suppertime.”
Dorothy was a little disappointed—it was lonely with her husband away. Trying to hide it, she said, “Oh, I wish we could visit, but I understand. Supper always calls.” She lightened up, adding, “I’ve been meaning to ask you if Virginia could come watch Barbara next Thursday. I have a doctor’s appointment.”
“Yes. That will be fine. How old is Barbara now? I always forget.”
“She’s four,” Dorothy said with a smile. “I forget too—it seems like just yesterday I was bringing her home from the hospital.”
“Wow. They sure do grow up fast. Even though I have five girls, you never get used to how fast they grow up. Virginia just turned nine, and another grade higher in school. My, my.” Oma Lee looked off in deep thought. “Well, I better get goin’. See ya later.”
“Thanks again for the pie,” Dorothy said as she saw Oma Lee out the door.
1965 – Champaign, Illinois
“Hey, Barbara, do you have Monday’s notes?” asked Ashley, one of Barbara’s classmates. “I missed all day of class.”
“Why did you miss Monday? Still had a hangover from the weekend?”
“Something like that. They always said the University of Illinois was great academically, but whew, they never warned us about the parties,” said Ashley exasperatedly.
“I hear ya there,” Barbara said as she handed Ashley her notes from Monday. “Speaking of parties, don’t forget about the party tomorrow at Jake’s place.”
“How could I forget! You’ve only been talking about it all week,” Ashley said sarcastically.
“Well, at least I don’t have to work this weekend.”
“I’ve noticed you don’t always make it to all of the parties. You still haven’t told me where you work.”
“Well, it’s not something to brag about, but I am good at it,” said Barbara, unsure if she should really tell Ashley her secret.
“Well?”
“I’m a high-paid prostitute.” Barbara said it reluctantly in a gush of air, as if saying it in one breath would make it better. Getting her secret off her chest was oddly liberating, but scary, too.
Ashley was shocked. This beautiful, intelligent girl making money as a prostitute? She would have never thought it, but she could see how men would be attracted to Barbara—she was gorgeous and slender, and had inherited her mother Dorothy’s dark hair, brown eyes, and olive skin. “Wow. What’s the difference between a high-paid prostitute, and just a prostitute?”
Ashamed but proud, Barbara said, “I work different conventions. I work for the men with plenty of money. They are willing to pay good money if the work is good.” Barbara now had a smirk on her face, as if she was better because of her ability.
Ashley, now sick to her stomach, said rather flippantly, “I guess if it makes you a living.”
“Yeah, it does. A pretty good one.”
Ashley got up from her desk, now ready to leave. “Thanks for Monday’s notes. I’ll see you in class for the test on Friday.”
“You’re welcome. And if you don’t mind, could you keep what I just told you between us?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Thanks,” Barbara said, as they both walked out of class. Just because she was proud of what she could do didn’t mean she wanted to share it with everyone—they wouldn’t understand. Plus, Barbara always needed more money than she had, and prostitution was an easy way to earn.
*****
“Hey, how’s it going?” Barbara put on a fake smile and asked Ashley when she got to class. Two months had passed since Barbara had told Ashley what she did for a living, and that was not long after the fall semester had started. Now they just had polite conversation and went to parties together. Barbara wished she hadn’t told Ashley about working as a prostitute, especially since she had met a new guy and quit her job soon after.
His name was William Daugherty, and he was tall, dark, and handsome. Barbara was totally infatuated with him. The only problem was, she had let her guard down with him. Now she was pregnant, and she knew it was his child. What’s he going to do when I tell him I’m pregnant? He’s in the services, and living a free life. He’s not going to want a child holding him down. What about me? What am I going to do with a child? I don’t want a child to hold me down. My mother is going to kill me. What am I going to do? These thoughts tormented her all day and night.
Barbara was deep in thought when Ashley answered her. “Pretty good. I’ve just been trying to keep up with all of these classes.” Barbara still wasn’t paying attention. “Hello! Is anyone home!”
Barbara snapped out of her thoughts and looked back at Ashley, “Oh, I’m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind.” She then began to unload on Ashley and tell her the dilemma she had put herself in; despite the fact that their friendship hadn’t been the same, Barbara needed someone to talk to. “Now it looks like I’m going to have to go back home, to Baytown, Texas, and face the consequences. I just don’t know what to do. I don’t want to drop out of school.”
Ashley wasn’t totally surprised Barbara had gotten pregnant, but she did feel a little sorry for her. “Well, now you can’t just think about you. You have someone else to think about.”
“Yeah, I guess I do.” Barbara knew that, but she didn’t like it.
Chapter One
1966 – Baytown, TX
I’ll see you when you get home this afternoon,” Virginia said to Vernon as he walked out the door to go to the police academy. He had been in the police academy for only a short period of time; before that he had worked construction, but he had gotten tired of the sporadic nature of the work and was seeking a steady paycheck. Now he and Virginia had been married for five years, and although it had been a happy marriage so far, they still had not started a family. In fact, quite a few doctors had told Virginia she wasn’t able to have kids, and therefore would never conceive. This grieved her, but she trusted in God. She knew that God would give her the desires of her heart if it was His will.
“Ok. See you later, sweetheart.” He leaned back and gave her a quick peck on the cheek before hurrying out to his car.
Virginia spent the rest of the day cleaning house—a woman’s job was never done, but it passed the time and she found fulfillment in all the small duties of running a home. As she prepared dinner that afternoon, she thought back to when she and Vernon had first gotten married. Oftentimes, Vernon would come home to a dinner of nothing more than scrambled eggs, with Virginia claiming not to be hungry. When he asked her why, she would say she had already eaten over at her mom’s, where she could get a real, home-cooked meal. Those were the days.
Now, with some help from her mom, Virginia could whip up some good, hearty dinners all on her own. She laughed aloud at herself as she thought about it. We would starve if I would’ve never learned how to cook. On tonight’s menu was fried chicken, real mashed potatoes, homemade cream gravy, and pinto beans.
Just as she was putting the last batch of chicken in to fry, the phone rang. “Oh, gatz. The phone always rings at the wrong time,” Virginia said to herself as she wiped the flour from her hands and went to answer it.
“Hello?”
“Hey, are you sitting down?” It was her mom.
“No, I’m cooking dinner. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong. You just need to be sitting down when I talk to you.”
Virginia down on the couch. “Ok. I’m sitting down.”
“Dorothy just called me. Barbara had a son a few months back, on the seventh of May. She got pregnant while she was going to college in Illinois. She isn’t with the baby’s father anymore, though. She’s living with some guy by the last name of Caywood now. But neither one of them are responsible enough to keep a child. Dorothy called me to see if you would be interested in having the baby. She knows how bad you’ve always wanted a family, and she doesn’t want to be raising a grandchild.”
There was a long pause as Virginia soaked in all the information that her mother had just told her. It sure was a good thing she was sitting down.
“Are you sure?” Virginia said, a little doubtful.
“Yes, I am sure.”
“What is the baby’s name?”
“Samuel Douglas Caywood. He’s only six months old.”
Virginia still wasn’t sure of everything. She had wanted a baby for so long, but didn’t want to get her hopes up. With some restraint, she said, “I would love to have him, but I need to talk to Vernon first. I would also need some kind of papers. I would want it to all be legal, so that we’re the rightful parents. Let me talk to Vernon. He’ll be in any moment now, and then I’ll call you back.”
“Ok. I’ll wait to hear from you before I call Dorothy back.”
As Virginia continued working on dinner, barely saving the chicken from burning, her mind raced with all the thoughts of having a baby boy. This would be a total miracle, especially knowing Dorothy and her family’s background. She had heard horror stories of some of the things they did and practiced. She knew that they would do séances with candles, and practice with tarot cards. The most gruesome was what she heard about the abortions. She had been told that they actually performed abortions, one time with a coat hanger, and would sometimes bury the fetuses in the back yard. Dorothy had always run around with all kinds of men, so of course she hadn’t taught Barbara any better. The very thought of it all made Virginia cringe. The fact that Barbara hadn’t had an abortion was a miracle in itself.
The more she thought about, the more she felt that God was giving her the baby she wanted, as well as giving the baby a chance at life—an opportunity for a loving, moral upbringing. Of course, she still had fears of everything not going through. The fear of Barbara deciding to keep the baby. The fear of years down the road, if Barbara regretted what she had done and decided she wanted Samuel back. As the doubts flooded Virginia’s mind, she knew that she had to understand that God was the One in control. And if she and Vernon were supposed to have the baby, then He would work it out.
When Vernon came in from the academy, he found Virginia deep in thought and more than a little distracted. “What’s going on?” he asked.
Virginia, just realizing he was home, said, “A lot, but I’ll talk to you about it over dinner.”
Vernon sat his things down and went to get cleaned up as Virginia finished setting the table. When they finally sat down to eat, Virginia explained to Vernon everything that her mother had just told her.
There was a silence, and then Vernon said, “We would have to make it all legal—that’s the only way I’ll do it.”
“I totally agree. And that’s what I told mother.”
“Then I say let’s get him.”
Virginia’s heart swelled with joy—she was finally going to have the child she’d always wanted.
*****
Over the next couple of days, Virginia and Vernon experienced all the excitement that goes along with preparing for the arrival of a child. She took great pains to pick out the baby bed, clothes, food, and more. All the doubts Virginia had took a back seat to the joys of having a baby.
The custody papers didn’t take long to receive. After reviewing their options, the couple realized that an actual adoption was costly and lengthy. But they could have legal custody of the baby, and this was all they needed to raise him as their own. Barbara was eighteen, and of legal age to sign
everything that was required of her. She had soon signed over all custody of Samuel.
As the day approached when they would pick up Samuel, there was much anticipation, but since Virginia had grown up knowing Dorothy and Barbara, it wasn’t too difficult or awkward a transition. When Vernon and Virginia finally received Samuel, they were overjoyed. He looked like a little Indian baby. He had dark hair, big brown eyes, and his skin was dark complected. He was the most beautiful little baby boy Virginia had ever seen.
She couldn’t stop smiling. On the way home, she said, “We left home as a family of two, and we are going home as a family of three.”
Once home, they got Samuel settled in and got used to the idea of having a baby. They also talked about renaming him. Vernon said, “I would like for him to have our own last name, Downing.”
“And I would like to choose his first name,” put in Virginia.
As they all settled in, Virginia thought again about renaming him. They had thrown a couple of names around, but nothing seemed to fit. Then it was as if the light bulb went off in her head.
She turned to her husband, “Vernon, I know what we can name him. What about Stephen Kelly?”
Vernon thought about it for a moment, and then said, “I like it. I think it fits him. But we’ll call him Kelly instead.”
Virginia picked up the baby again and said, “Hey, Kelly. I’m momma, and I’ve loved you since I knew about you.” While she played with Kelly she continued to talk to him.
*****
As the weeks and months went on, Virginia and Vernon learned more and more about their baby boy. He was as happy a baby as ever. Oh, sure, he had his tantrum times, but he was more apt to scream and laugh than he was to scream and cry.
Virginia was glowing with her newfound motherhood—Kelly felt just as much her son as he would have if he had come from her own body. She was sitting on the floor one day and playing with Kelly, as she often did, giving thanks to God for this gift: I would never have dreamed I could have this opportunity. To have a baby. A miracle baby. The more she thought about it, she couldn’t help but give God the glory, because she knew that neither she nor Vernon could’ve done this by themselves.
*****
When Kelly’s one year birthday came, they planned a big party. All of their family and friends were happy for them, and the kitchen table was piled high with cake and presents. The Downings had only had Kelly for six months, but already they could not imagine life without this bundle of joy. He had just started walking, and they knew he would soon be running like all little boys. They cherished every moment, because they knew those moments would not be regained. The months seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.
*****
When Virginia walked through the door after returning from the store, she was met by a laughing, running toddler. Kelly was no longer that little baby who could barely crawl. He was now eighteen months old, and every bit a rough-and-tumble boy. He loved to run and climb on things like every little boy did, and was fascinated by trucks and animals.
Virginia’s sister, Geneva, had been watching him while Virginia was out. Smiling a greeting, Virginia turned to Geneva and said, “Sometimes it seems like just yesterday we got him. It’s hard to imagine that it’s been a year now. They grow like weeds. He went from crawling, to walking, to running in no time. Next thing you know he’ll be trying out for the football team and bringing home his first girlfriend.”
Geneva laughed at her and said sarcastically, “Yep, they tend to be that way. They can’t stay babies forever. By the way, Barbara called and said she would be running a little late.”
Virginia sobered up when she remembered Barbara was coming. Barbara was allowed supervised visits with Kelly, as a condition of giving up legal guardianship. She also had another baby now, a little girl named Tasha. She was a newborn, but Barbara seemed to be doing okay with her so far. She normally didn’t have Tasha with her, but today Dorothy couldn’t babysit and so Barbara was bringing Tasha along.
Virginia always got nervous when Barbara was coming by. She never knew what Barbara was up to. She was so manipulative in everything she did that she could not be trusted in anything she said.
Virginia kept herself busy and visited with Geneva, trying to keep her mind off of the time when Barbara would come, and hoping she would make an excuse not to come at all. Twenty minutes later, though, a knock sounded at the door. Virginia’s wish hadn’t come true.
Barbara came in and made some small talk. She talked about anything and everything, as if she didn’t want to stop for them to have time to think about anything.
“It looks like he has grown so much even since I last saw him,” Barbara said, her tone exaggerated.
Virginia had butterflies in her stomach again. “It’s only been two weeks since you last visited, and I doubt he’s grown any in that time. Let me get some more toys here in the living room so you can play with him.” As she went to get the toys, she made eye contact with Geneva. Her eyes sent a message to her sister that said, “Watch her! I don’t trust her.” And she didn’t. Not one bit.
Everyone was sitting in the living room playing with Kelly when Virginia remembered she needed to start something for dinner. She excused herself and went into the kitchen, thankful that Geneva was there to help watch Barbara and Kelly. Virginia didn’t like leaving them alone any more than she had to.
It’s not that she thought anything would happen; it was just that she didn’t trust Barbara. Wasn’t that all she needed to feel nervous? Besides, it looked like Tasha had a little cold coming on, and she was fussy, so Barbara was having to concentrate a little more on her than on Kelly. It was good that Geneva was here to help with the children.
Virginia was in and out of the living room as she cooked dinner, and Barbara’s interactions with Kelly didn’t appear to be anything out of the ordinary. As the afternoon wore on, Barbara seemed to be a little more involved with Kelly than she had been earlier, and Geneva became more watchful. She didn’t trust Barbara, either.
A few minutes later Geneva walked into the kitchen. “I don’t feel all that comfortable in there by myself. Let me finish dinner and you can go watch them.”
Geneva’s feelings made Virginia feel more apprehensive. “Is she acting any differently to make you feel this way?”
“Not really. It’s just the way I feel. I don’t know how to explain it.”
Virginia talked to Geneva just a minute longer, told her what she was cooking, and then walked into the living room. What she saw when she got there was the shock of her life. No one was in the room—no Barbara, no Kelly, and no Tasha. Virginia stood there in shock for a minute before she screamed for Geneva. When Geneva rushed into the room, Virginia ran outside. No one was there. Barbara’s car was gone.
She cried out, “Oh, God, watch over my baby! I know that crazy woman has him. Please bring him back to me.” Virginia continued to cry out and pray to God. She felt like she had no control, but she knew the One who did, and she prayed for Him to help her.
Geneva had jumped into action while Virginia sat crying. She called Vernon, who could not believe what he was hearing. Then he reported the kidnapping to the police, and rushed to a home that now felt empty.
Chapter Two
Barbara hadn’t thought she was actually going to be able to get little Samuel. (They may have renamed him, but he was still Samuel to her.) She had never wanted to give him up in the first place—her parents had made her. Who cares if I may not be the most responsible person, he’s my son! No one can take care of him as good as I can, she thought. I should never have let my parents force me into giving him up. When Virginia and Geneva had left her alone with Samuel, she had seen the opportunity and taken it.
Barbara was no longer with her most recent boyfriend, Craig Caywood. He just wasn’t her type anymore. Instead, she had turned to her ex-boyfriend, Charles. He always gave her whatever she wanted anyway. She knew she could work him, and that he would be like putty in her hands. He didn’t have to know she had two babies right off. All he had to know was that she left Craig for him. That alone would make him feel good. Not to mention the fact that he thought she was dropping everything and running to him in Dallas.
She wasn’t lying to him about her kids; she just hadn’t told him yet. Had Charles known that she was bringing “extra baggage” with her, he may have thought she was an inconvenience. But right now, she didn’t know who else to turn to. Her parents didn’t want her to have one baby, much less two. Neither did anyone else in her family. Hopefully he would warm up to the babies once he saw that she was coming back to him.
The sad part was that Barbara herself wasn’t even sure if she wanted two babies. She just felt guilty for giving Samuel up in the first place. Through all the emotional struggles over the last year, she had finally made a choice to get Samuel back. That final choice came with the birth of her baby girl. The feel of Tasha in her arms made her long for Samuel again. It made her wonder how big he was, what his smile was like, and what his favorite toys were.
Lying in the hospital bed, she had made up her mind to get him back. It took a while to come up with a plan. She knew she couldn’t just go to the Downings and demand him back—they had legal rights to him and would never give him up. She would have to kidnap her own son. How chaotic did that sound! Kidnapping her own son! He was her son, and he belonged to her. Not with some other woman. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She blamed everyone for the pain she had been through, never realizing the consequences of her own actions.
But now she had Samuel, and she had a plan. She was headed to Dallas and leaving everyone else behind. She was torn between keeping the lifestyle she had, and being a mom. It wasn’t that she had to have Samuel with her all the time—she just wanted to be “momma” to him. Not for Virginia to be “momma.” Whenever she heard those words coming from Samuel’s sweet baby mouth, it hurt her heart. When she was lonely, she loved that feeling that only a baby could give. That sense of belonging to someone, even if it was a child. That sense that she was needed, and loved in return. Somehow, she would figure out a way to keep her lifestyle and her kids.
*****
Vernon came home to a still-frantic Virginia, who was relentlessly beating herself up for not staying in the room with Barbara. Then Geneva started feeling bad, apologizing for walking out of the living room in the first place.
After Vernon got the ladies calmed down, he tried to talk to them in a level-headed fashion. “This is no one’s fault but Barbara’s,” he said calmly. “No one knew Barbara was going to leave with Kelly—she hasn’t ever shown any indication that she wanted him back. Ya’ll couldn’t have known.”
The two women finally pulled themselves together. Vernon had told them the Baytown Police Department was coming by and that they give the authorities a full report. The sooner they made the report, the sooner Kelly would be returned to them.
When they got to the police arrived, they reported everything they knew. Since Barbara never had a place where she stayed for long periods of time, the police said it would be a little more difficult to find her. They didn’t offer much hope, but said they would put out the search.
Virginia left discouraged, not knowing what to do and feeling like her hands were tied. She couldn’t sleep that night and was a wreck all day; the house was filled with memories of Kelly, and she couldn’t be sure that Barbara was taking care of him as he should be taken care of.
The next day when Vernon got home he sat Virginia down. “I’m going to use our savings to hire a private investigator. He will look harder for Kelly than the police will because he’s getting paid.”
“Whatever it takes,” Virginia said before she broke down in tears. “I just want my son back.”
*****
Barbara
had made it to Dallas, but the welcome from Charles wasn’t as warm
as she had hoped it would be. He didn’t like kids, and didn’t
even take care of his own. He only wanted Barbara because she was
cute and fun, not because he loved her or wanted to take care of her.
He would compromise in the beginning some, but not much. He wasn’t
sure who would keep her bratty kids while they partied, but he had to
have her on his arm when he went out.
It didn’t help that
Samuel cried constantly. He would throw tantrums and fuss until he
almost made himself sick. Barbara was having a hard time dealing with
him and Tasha, who was still a newborn and required a lot of
attention. It was nine o’clock, and both kids were still awake.
Ugh, life was easier when I didn’t
have kids. I wish I knew someone I could drop them off with. I love
’em and all, but, whew, all the time with them. It’s just too
much. It has only been a week and a half, and I am having a hard
time. I need to go to a party and have a few beers. That would help
take some stress off.
As if reading her mind, Charles walked in. “Hey, do you want to go out tonight? I just want to go have a good time with you like we used to.”
“Oh, you don’t know how I wish we could, but I don’t have anyone to keep the kids,” she answered.
“What about Tammy? She’s good with kids. I am sure she would. I could ask her for you.”
Tammy was a friend of theirs who had taken a liking to Tasha and Samuel. “That would be great if she could. Samuel is getting on my last nerve.”
As Charles went to make the phone call, Barbara started getting some things together for the kids. She just knew Tammy would say yes, and she welcomed the night off. Charles came back and asked, “Are you ready? She said she would keep them.”
Excited, Barbara hurried and finished up. She was getting the night off!
*****
It had been two months since Kelly had been kidnapped. The police and the private investigator had followed every lead they received, but nothing came up. There had even been a newspaper ad in the Baytown Sun where the police were trying to find Barbara under different aliases, but all their tips had turned to dead ends. Virginia and Vernon checked with the private investigator and the Baytown Police Department every day, and each day without progress in finding Kelly left them feeling more and more discouraged.
Virginia, now alone in their house every day, was having a hard time until Vernon came home excited one afternoon. He met Virginia in the kitchen cooking dinner, his face hopeful. “We have a lead! The private investigator called and said they got a tip saying Barbara is in Illinois, where Kelly’s biological father is from. They have someone up there they’re going to send to follow-up on the lead, but I think we should go up there ourselves and see what we can find out.”
He didn’t have to say another word—Virginia was ready to go as soon as she heard him say “We have a lead.” “When can we leave?” she asked impatiently.
“Tomorrow.”
It took two days to get to Illinois. They followed up on the lead, which led to another lead, which led to another lead, which led to a dead end. When they returned home a week later, almost depleted of savings, they were exhausted and discouraged. Nothing had turned up, and they were almost out of money. When their savings were gone, they would no longer be able to keep looking for their lost son.
Now as Virginia sat at home, she wondered if she would ever see Kelly again. After two months of not having him, she was beginning to lose hope. Not knowing what else to do, she turned the whole situation over to God. She knew that He had all things in control, even when the situation looked bleak. All she knew to do now was pray. Pray for herself, to keep her sanity, and pray for Kelly, that he was safe and happy. She just knew that wherever he may be, the situation couldn’t be good. As she encouraged herself in the Lord, she went on about unpacking from the long week.
*****
Barbara looked at her two babies and gave them one last hug. It was March, and the news had come to her yesterday that the police and a private investigator were on her trail. After talking to Charles and Tammy, she decided for Tammy to keep the kids while she and Charles went somewhere else to live for a little while until the situation settled down. At least once all the commotion died off, she could see her kids again. Although, she had to admit, she sure liked the freedom of being able to come and go as she pleased. Tammy always agreed to watch the kids so Barbara could go party. Tammy didn’t take care of the kids as well as Barbara would have liked, but it was free, and Barbara knew where they were and could get them any time she wanted.
But for now, she had to leave Tasha and Samuel. She couldn’t risk being caught by the police and going to jail. The very thought of it scared her to death. And then what would happen to her kids? As Barbara left the house without much longing for the kids at the moment, she didn’t realize what the future held. In her naïve mind, she thought she would leave for a few months, then return to see the kids again, and then continue to party and come and go.
Life here with Charles was good. She got to see her kids often, had someone to help take care of them, and she got to party. Both were things she wanted, and both were things she got. What she never stopped to realize was that her lifestyle choices held consequences, some life-long.
*****
Tammy was so glad when Barbara and Charles left. She was jealous of Barbara. She had always liked Charles, but never said anything. She hated seeing them together. She was being used by both of them and knew it. Tammy knew that if she did whatever Charles wanted, even if it meant she had to endure some things she didn’t want to, that he would come running to her, because she was always there for him. He would eventually see that no one else would love him or take care of him like she would.
Tammy didn’t care about Barbara’s kids at all—they had merely been a way to get closer to Charles, to show her worth to him. Now that Barbara would be gone for a while, Tammy could treat the kids however she wanted. There was no compassion in Tammy whatsoever, especially for Charles’ girlfriend’s kids. Who else to take her jealousy of Barbara out on, except for the children?
*****
Virginia had a fun day out with her sisters shopping—it had been too long since they had a sisters’ day. It helped take her mind off of things for a short time, and they had encouraged her to keep up her hope and her spirits, just as they always did. Virginia wasn’t sure what she would have done without their support in this hard time. While unpacking her purchases from the day, she got a phone call.
“Hello?”
“Hi, may I speak with Mrs. or Mr. Downing please?”
“This is Virginia Downing.”
“This is Edward Smith, and I’m a lawyer here in Dallas. We have found your son, Samuel, who you call Kelly.”