Page 68 of Heart of a Hero

Mark loved the easy way that Benji greeted the other kids. He had no idea if his dad had explained the situation, but he had a feeling Benji knew that the newcomers would stay at Karen’s until their family situation could be safe.

Zannie’s eyes were wide. “Do you live here, too?”

“Nah. This is Miss Karen’s house. I live with my dad and grandpa.”

As Richard stepped closer, Mark continued with the introductions. “Dad, I’d like you to meet Zannie and Marty. This is my dad, and you can call him Mr. Robbins.”

Richard extended his hand to Marty, who reached his hand out and allowed it to be engulfed in the much larger one. “It’s nice to meet you, young man.”

Richard looked down at Zannie and smiled. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard nice things about you.”

Zannie preened, and Mark wondered how many compliments the kids had heard. Karen came down the hall fromthe kitchen and hurried into the living room. Her eyes landed first on Mark, and he smiled encouragingly.

“Hey, guys,” Karen greeted everyone. “The girls and I were just getting the food in.” She looked down at Zannie and Marty. “Are you ready to meet the rest of my family?”

Olivia bounded into the room, and Zannie’s face brightened as if she were seeing a long-lost sister. “Hi! I’m Olivia. Zannie, you and I are going to be sharing a room.” She turned to Marty. “I hope it’s not too crazy in this house with a bunch of girls. That’s why it’s nice that Benji is here.”

Olivia grinned after greeting Mark’s dad and looked back at Marty. “This is great. Tonight, it’ll be four girls and four guys, so you won’t feel alone!”

Marty stared at Olivia, and Mark wondered if the shy nine-year-old was as blown away by her enthusiastic greeting as his sister was. Shyly ducking his head, Marty said, “Thanks. That sounds really good.” Then he added quickly, “But it’s okay if sometimes I’m the only boy.”

Mark looked at Karen, who immediately knelt in front of Marty. “You don’t have to worry about being separated from Zannie. We’re thrilled to have both of you, and that’s how it will stay.”

Marty nodded, his chest quivering as he inhaled deeply. Mark stepped forward to place a comforting hand on Marty’s shoulder.

On the heels of her sister, Laura walked in. At fourteen, she was already a beautiful mini version of Karen, with a sweet smile. She waved to the newcomers. “Sorry, I was trying to get all the drinks poured. Zannie and Marty, welcome to our home. Olivia and I are really stoked to have you here.”

The announcement of food sent everybody to the kitchen table. The table had six chairs, and Karen had added two folding chairs, making a snug but accommodating fit. A fewwomen from the Auxiliary had brought over fried chicken, salad, mashed potatoes, and buttered rolls. Karen carefully orchestrated the seating so that Zannie sat between her and Olivia, and Marty was on the other side of Mark. Benji was next to Marty, while Richard rounded out the oval between Olivia and Laura.

Zannie and Marty watched Olivia and Laura, mimicking their behaviors. Seeing the girls pick up chicken legs with their fingers, they followed suit.

While Benji and Olivia kept the conversations flowing with Zannie, Mark wondered if Laura’s quiet encouragement had gotten Marty talking about his favorite subjects in school.

Glad to be beside Karen, he occasionally laid his hand on the back of her chair, squeezing her shoulder. She would glance his way and smile, but he could spy a nervous uncertainty in her eyes that she hadn’t had before. He leaned closer and said, “It’s going to be fine.”

She nodded, then her gaze returned to the others at the table. After apple pie with whipped cream for dessert, Laura and Richard volunteered to clean the kitchen while Karen showed Zannie and Marty where their rooms were. Olivia, with Zannie’s hand in hers, hurried up the stairs.

“Let’s follow them and take a look at your room,” Benji said, and Marty quickly scampered after Benji.

Karen and Mark followed, hearing Zannie's squeals of delight. While Karen entered the room, Mark peeked in just long enough to see Zannie standing in the middle of the pink, rose, and white room, her eyes wide with awe and excitement. Karen had washed the clothes the kids had brought and showed Zannie her new drawers with clean items.

Mark winked at Karen when she turned to smile at him, then pushed off the doorframe and walked across the hall. The smaller bedroom was now the perfect room for a little boy.Marty was almost frozen as he stood with one hand resting on the blue comforter and the other clutching a book on top of the bookcase near his bed.

“I have some posters I can let you have,” Benji offered as he looked around. “This is a really good room, but some sports posters will make it even better.”

“I like it just the way it is,” Marty said, his voice small as his eyes roamed the room.

His words tugged at Mark’s heart.

Soon, Richard claimed Benji. “Come on, Bud. I’ll get you home so you can finish your homework. Your dad will follow in a bit.”

Mark hugged Benji, then whispered, “I’m real proud of you, Son. You made Marty feel like he has a new friend, and that’s a very important job.”

Straightening, Mark offered a chin lift to his dad. “I’ll see you back home in just a little bit.”

With lots of goodbyes shouted out at once, Mark waved to his dad and son and then went back inside. Karen supervised Zannie’s bath time, then asked Mark to check in on Marty to make sure he had what he needed for a shower. He had brought in the toiletries for both, and with shampoo, body wash, bubble bath, and new toothbrushes for Marty and Zannie, they were soon ready for bed.

He knew Karen could handle everything but found he didn’t want to leave yet. She met him in the hall and whispered, “Can you stay until I get everyone settled? My girls are okay, but I want to make sure I take extra time with Olivia since she’s sharing a room, and of course, Zannie and Marty need some extra time from me to go over some basics.” She closed her eyes and let out a breath, dropping her head.

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