Janet Barton - A Daughter’s Return

A few appeared skeptical but still welcomed her to the class. She wouldn’t remember all of their names right away, but hopefully she’d put names to faces before long.

As they all said good-night and went their separate ways, Rebecca realized she looked forward to the next class. Ben erased the board and then they headed back outside. It had turned even colder and she was glad when Ben drew her arm through his and took the brunt of the cold breeze as they hurried toward the trolley stop.

He stopped abruptly at a small café near the stop and looked down at her. “Want to get some hot chocolate to warm us up for the ride home?”

Rebecca hesitated only a moment. There was no need to hurry. Jenny would be fast asleep by the time they got back anyway and she was really cold. “That sounds wonderful.”

The small café felt cozy and warm—probably because it was nearly full of customers. But Ben seemed to know the proprietor and they were quickly shown to a table near the front window. Ben gave the order for two hot chocolates and smiled at her as the waiter hurried away. “At least it’s warmer in here.”

Rebecca shivered and chuckled. “It’d have to be. I hope this cold spell eases soon.”

“So do I. But I’m not ready for it to get too warm. I’m looking forward to doing some ice-skating soon.”

“Oh, that would be fun. Jenny’s been asking to learn, but I haven’t skated in a long while.”

“I’ll be glad to teach her.”

“That’s very nice of you, Ben.”

The waiter brought their drinks, and Rebecca wrapped her hands around the cup, warming them before she lifted it to her lips. She took a small sip and let the warm liquid thaw her insides. “Mmm, this is delicious. Thank you for thinking of this, Ben. I’m warmer already.”

“You’re welcome. I stop here often.” He smiled and took a sip of his own hot chocolate. “How did you like class?”

“I enjoyed it. You really are a very good teacher, Ben. Those women hung on every word. I think there might be a few students who are a little sweet on you.”

“Oh, no. I don’t think so. They are quick learners, though. I’m pleased with their progress. Do you remember any of their names?”

“I seem to recall...Sarah. I think that’s it? Blond hair.”

“Yes, that would be Sarah Jarvis. She’s one of the women I thought might benefit from getting to know you. She seems a little lost at times and I think she needs another woman to talk to.”

“She seems a little shy. But very sweet.”

Ben nodded. “Then, to her opposite, is Molly, who doesn’t have a shy bone in her. She’s very outspoken, but kind.”

Rebecca nodded. “I remember her, too. How old are they?”

“Sarah is seventeen going on eighteen and Molly is almost nineteen.”

“I thought they might be around those ages. And they are very nice. But, Ben, I’m still not sure I can help.”

“Please don’t say no until you get to know them and their situations better, Rebecca.”

The plea in his eyes had her asking, “Why is helping these women so important to you, Ben?”

He took a sip of his chocolate and leaned back in his seat. “Over half of the women I teach are living in the tenements, raising children by themselves with no man around to help support them. As you saw, several young women in class are obviously expecting babies.” Ben shrugged. “They aren’t all married and I fear any of them might give their children away if things get too hard for them. I want to help them be able to find positions that will provide a living for them, so they won’t do...what my own mother did. Drop those babies off at an orphanage.”

Rebecca’s heart seemed to shatter at his words. The very thought that Ben’s mother had abandoned him made her want to weep. She blinked to hold back tears. “I’m so sorry, Ben. I didn’t know.”

“It’s not something I talk about. But you wanted to know why I care so much and that’s it. However, I am a man and their teacher, and I must be careful in how I help. I feel my job is to teach them the skills they must have to get a decent job.”

He looked out the window for a moment before continuing. “But I believe they need to talk to a woman who has lived in similar conditions, who knows things can change for the better. They need someone to encourage them on a level I can’t. That’s why I asked you to help.”

Rebecca couldn’t resist—not after he’d opened up to her. Besides, she wanted to help others and he’d just given her an opportunity to do so. “I’ll do what I can.”

“Thank you, Rebecca. That’s all I ask.”

Wanting to comfort him, Rebecca impulsively reached over and touched his hand. “Ben, for what it’s worth, and speaking as a mother...I’m sure your mother must have thought she had no choice. And giving you up had to have been the most difficult thing she ever had to do.”

Ben’s fingers curled around hers and squeezed, sending a shot of electricity straight to her heart. “Thank you, Rebecca. Your thoughts are worth more than you realize.”

The expression in his eyes warmed her as much as the hot chocolate she’d been sipping had and she quickly slipped her fingers away from his. “I guess we’d better be going.”

“I suppose so.” He looked out the window. “I think our trolley is coming now.”

They took one more sip of their drinks before heading outside. Rebecca almost hated for the evening to end, but the sudden burst of cold air took her breath away and brought her to her senses. She couldn’t start weaving sweet moments into impossible dreams—no matter how very much she longed to.

Chapter Four

The ride back to Heaton House was quiet. Ben seemed lost in his thoughts and Rebecca didn’t know what to say. Her own thoughts were in turmoil, wondering how he must have felt all these years to know his mother gave him up, and trying to keep from thinking about how her heart had skittered at his touch.

She liked this man sitting next to her very much but she couldn’t begin to care for him in any way except as a friend. There would only be heartache to follow if she did.

She was more like those women in his class than he knew. And even though he wanted to help them all, when it came to his heart, no man wanted to court a used woman and that was a fact she’d accepted long ago. She must take care not to let herself forget it now.

“Thank you again for agreeing to help, Rebecca,” Ben said, breaking into her thoughts. “Please don’t think I expect you to fix these women’s lives. I know they are the only ones who can do that...and then only with God’s help. I’d just like them to realize they can get through it all and make a good life for themselves. But I don’t expect you to have to do any more than listen and encourage them, if they come to you. And if it becomes too much...”

The expression in his eyes was so earnest she had to reassure him. “I’ll let you know.”

Their trolley came to a stop and it was so cold out that Rebecca was relieved when he said, “Let’s make a run for it!”

“Let’s!” It was just what she wanted to do.

They took off laughing and she wondered if Ben felt as much like a child as she did. They reached Heaton House and hurried inside to the fireplace in the parlor.

“I’m so cold my teeth are chattering,” Rebecca said, proving her point.

“Gretchen is making hot chocolate. That should warm you up,” her mother said.

“We had some already and it didn’t help for long.” Ben shivered.

“It will this time,” Mrs. Heaton said. “You aren’t going back out into the cold tonight.”

“How was Jenny, Mama? Did she give you any trouble?”

“None at all. I read her a story and listened to her prayers just a little while ago. I think she was asleep before I left the room.”