Page 15 of Vespertine
“You didn’t see any of them at the time of the shoot?”
“No. That whole photoshoot is blur. I can’t really remembermuch about it, but I can’t imagine I did anything inappropriate.”
Thomas sighed. “Let’s just say they drew the exact kind ofattention from higher up I’ve been telling you to avoid.”
“Attention? What kind of attention? The archbishop said yesto the whole idea of the article. He thought it would be good publicity for theCatholic Church and show how they’re adjusting to the times. Standing up forthe rights of all God’s children, although I have my own thoughts on hismotivations. I’m not going to hide—”
“No, I know that,” Thomas interrupted. “And I would neverask you to. But you know you’ve gotten away with this much because Blue Oasishas always flown under the radar, so to speak. And now the whole country iswatching. And offering opinions.”
“So that’s what it’s about.” Jasper gritted his teeth andvery carefully didn’t think any uncharitable thoughts. It wasn’t Thomas’sfault.
“Listen, maybe you and I could talk about this face-to-facesometime soon. Does Irena still make those amazing whoopie pies?”
Jasper brightened. “Does she ever. I’m free this morning.Eleven o’clock? I’ll have that tea ready you like so much.”
“And I’ll stop by Irena’s to get the pies. See you later,Jasper. The Lord be with you.”
Jasper ducked his head and smiled. Over fifteen years they’dknown each other now and not once had Thomas dropped the formal goodbye. “Andwith you,” he softly said and ended the call. It wasn’t good news that BlueOasis found itself in the scrutinizing eye of the archbishop, but Jasper wasn’tgoing to worry about that. Right now Lizzie needed him and he was going to bethere for her.
The social worker who accompanied Lizzie was someone Jasperhadn’t worked with before. The guy looked in his fifties, overworked andunderfed. He held the door for Lizzie and then walked up to Jasper’s desk toshake hands.
“Father Hendricks, it’s nice to finally meet you. I’mBrendan Jones from the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services.I hear you’ve met Lizzie already.” He let go of Jasper’s hand and gestured herforward. She was wearing a different baggy sweater with a pair of faded jeansthat were ripped at the knees—and not the kind of rips meant as a fashionstatement.
A small bag trailed behind her and Jasper’s heart ached likeit always did. These kids never came with a lot of possessions. In foster care,loving things only meant they’d be used as ammunition for bullying.
Working her hand free of her sweater, Lizzie reached to takeJasper’s and smiled shyly. She had very short, curly hair and wide eyes withirises almost as brown as her skin.
“How did it go with Lucas yesterday, Lizzie?”
She ducked her head and grinned a little bashfully. “It wasfun. I’m going again next Sunday. He’s nice.”
Oh dear. “I’m glad to hear it. Whydon’t you two take a seat while we go over everything. Mrs. Wells will be herein half an hour to show you around, Lizzie.” And then he’d talk privately withBrendan while they were out of earshot.
Jasper signed all the necessary paperwork while Lizzie triednot to look bored. He always felt bad during this part of the process, as ifthe kids were a possession handed over from one pair of hands to the next. Hehoped this would be her last stop.
Brendan must’ve been thinking along the same lines becausehe asked, “What happens when she turns eighteen?”
“Well, hopefully we’ll be job hunting and house hunting, orapplying to different colleges by then. It depends on what Lizzie wants to do.”Jasper smiled at her but she looked unsure. He knew it didn’t always work outthat way, but Jasper had to hope. Sometimes it was all he had. “And I actuallyhave a proposal ready to send to the archbishop. I’m hoping to expand BlueOasis so the kids have somewhere to stay after they turn eighteen. Cheaphousing in case they want to go to the community college, or at least a fixedaddress during the job application process.”
Brendan was nodding. “That would be enormously helpful. It’dsave a lot of trouble.” And prevent undoing some of the work that took years toaccomplish. He didn’t have to say it. Jasper knew all too well.
A shadow appeared at the frosted glass door and a firm,rapid knock betrayed who it was. Jasper winked at Lizzie. Rising to his feet, hecalled, “Come in, Mrs. Wells.” He reached the door as she stepped inside. Mrs.Wells was a good foot shorter than him and yet she always gave him thatI-forgot-my-homework feeling for a minute whenever he saw her. She was heavieraround the hips than shoulders, and wore her hair in a tight bun at the nape ofher neck. He remembered the thick curls used to be a rich brown color, but they’dgone dark and grey over the years.
“Lizzie, this is Mrs. Wells. She’s the one who’s really incharge of Blue Oasis.” He grinned at her. “And she used to be my teacher. Mrs.Wells lives on the premises, so she’ll show you to your room, explain the rulesof the house, and help you get settled.”
“Do you teach the kids here, Mrs. Wells?” Brendan asked ashe shook her hand.
“I’ve homeschooled a few, but most of them attend localschools once they get settled in. I’ll do an assessment with Lizzie when shefeels a little more at home. Once the new school year begins, we can decidewhat she’d like to do.”
“I just want to go to school like normal,” Lizzie said, herchin lifting for the first time since she walked in.
“That’s a very good start,” Mrs. Wells said, placing a handon Lizzie’s shoulder. She looked at Jasper. “Are you done here, FatherHendricks? Or do you need her a little longer?”
“No, I can always talk to her later if I need to. We’restill on for Bible study this afternoon?”
Lizzie wrinkled her nose before she could stop herself. “Biblestudy?”
Jasper suppressed a laugh. “We still call it that, althoughwe don’t really study the Bible anymore. It’s more of a group session to geteveryone together, and we either talk or play games, or do something else alongthose lines. I try to join whenever I can, but usually it’s Mrs. Wells andAndrew, the deacon, who run it.”
