Janet Barton - A Daughter’s Return

Rebecca had a feeling Ben had helped others long before he moved to Heaton House. He was that kind of person. “I am so proud of Mother and all of you for helping others in this city the way you have,” Rebecca said. “I hope to find a way to help, too. But I’m not sure where to start.”

“Being with mother and living at Heaton House, I’m sure you’ll have many chances to do what you can,” Michael said.

“I do hope so,” Rebecca said.

“Oh, no doubt about it,” Ben said. “The opportunity to help others will come your way.”

* * *

They chatted for a while longer, until baby Marcus began to fuss, signaling it was time for company to leave. They put on their coats and Ben waited as Rebecca and Jenny gave kisses and hugs, and then the three of them hurried out into the brisk night air.

A sudden gust of wind made it even colder as they started toward the trolley, and Jenny surprised Ben by holding up her arms to him. “Will you carry me, Mr. Ben?”

“Jenny, I’ll carry you,” Rebecca said.

The child shook her head. “I want Mr. Ben to.”

“I don’t mind, Rebecca,” Ben said, bending down to lift the child into his arms.

“But—”

“Hurry, Mr. Ben. Here comes the trolley and it’s cold!” Jenny said. “Run, Mama!”

Rebecca had no choice but to keep pace with Ben as he rushed toward the trolley stop, trying to keep her child warm. They entered the streetcar and Rebecca quickly found a seat by the window and then held out her arms to Jenny. “Come on, sweetie. Mama will hold you now.”

Again, Jenny shook her head before laying it on Ben’s shoulder, turning his heart to mush as he slid into the seat by her mother. He looked down at Rebecca, who seemed taken aback by the fact that Jenny wanted him to hold her and unsure as to whether or not to pull her daughter out of his arms and into hers. “She’s fine, Rebecca. I don’t mind at all.”

Rebecca sighed and nodded her head. “All right. This time.”

He had a feeling she was as surprised as he’d been that Jenny wanted him to hold her. After only a few moments, one of the child’s arms relaxed and dropped down from around his neck. He looked at Rebecca and whispered, “I think she’s already asleep.”

Rebecca leaned over to look at her daughter. “You’re right. She is.”

Lowering his voice so as not to waken the child, he broached the subject he’d wanted to bring up. “You know...you said you’d like to help others?”

“Yes, I would. I’m just not sure—”

“I have an opportunity for you.”

“Oh?”

Ben nodded. “Remember, I mentioned how you’d be an asset to the classes I teach at the Y?”

“Yes. What are you thinking?”

Ben took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes. “Most of the women I teach have a really tough life and they could use a mentor—someone who’s come through some hard times, too, who can listen to them, give them encouragement and advice. I think you would be the perfect person.”

“Oh, Ben, I’m not sure. I—”

“You don’t need to answer just now. Wait until after you meet them and get to know them and then make your decision. Please.”

“I...all right. I’ll meet them. I’m not sure I’m the right person for this, though.”

“I’m certain you are, but the decision is yours. I won’t push.”

Rebecca nodded. “We’ll see what happens.”

“That’s all I can ask.” Jenny stirred in his arms and flung an arm tighter around his neck. This child had wormed her way into his heart in the past few weeks and he had no idea what—if anything—to do about it.

There was no getting around the fact that he liked holding Jenny and sitting next to her mother. It felt...right. He glanced down at Rebecca. He’d enjoyed the evening a great deal. Maybe too much for his own good. Having a child steal his heart was one thing. Losing it to her mother was something entirely different. He couldn’t let it happen.

* * *

By Tuesday evening, Rebecca was a bundle of nerves. Ben had assured her she would do fine and he’d help with any problems she might encounter. Still, leaving Jenny and meeting new people, some of whom Ben wanted her to mentor, had her wondering if she should have delayed taking classes for a few months.

But Jenny was excited about Granma putting her to bed—most probably because she hoped to get an extra snack—and Rebecca was sure her mother would be disappointed if she backed out.

So she did what was expected of her and was ready when Ben came up from downstairs. He helped her on with her wrap and she kissed Jenny. “You be a good girl for Granma, okay?”

“I will, Mama. I promise. Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.”

“I know. Love you.”

“Love you, too, Mama.”

Rebecca turned so no one could see the sudden rush of tears to her eyes at her four-and-a-half-year-old daughter’s reassurance. How did she know it was exactly what Rebecca needed?

She and Ben walked out into the cold night air and he took her arm as they headed toward the trolley stop. “That’s some daughter you have.”

Rebecca swallowed hard. “Yes, I know. I don’t know what I’d do without her. Sometimes she’s wise beyond her years.”

“She will be fine, you know.”

Ben’s understanding that she had mixed emotions about leaving Jenny made her feel better.

Their trolley arrived and they hurried on. It felt warmer inside but not by a lot, and Rebecca was thankful for Ben’s warm shoulder next to hers. It wasn’t nearly long enough before they arrived at the stop a couple of blocks from the Y and they stepped out into the cold once more.

Ben took her arm and pulled her close as they hurried down the walk. He led her into the building and upstairs to the third floor and into his classroom. The room was nearly filled with women, some younger than Rebecca, most about her age and a few older. They chattered amongst themselves in small groups, but the moment Ben entered, they all quieted and hurried to their seats.

There was one seat in the second row and Ben motioned for her to take it. Then he turned to smile at everyone.

“Good evening, ladies. It’s nippy out this evening, isn’t it? Glad you all could make it. You might’ve noticed there’s a new classmate with us tonight.” He motioned to Rebecca. “This is Rebecca Dickerson and she’s my landlady’s daughter. I’d like you all to meet her, so if you stay over after class, I’ll introduce you.”

Then he opened his book and went to the chalkboard where the same math problems she’d worked on earlier in the day were written out on the board. Rebecca relaxed a bit when she realized she could work them all. Maybe starting class now would be easier than she’d thought.

She loved Ben’s style of teaching. He made it fun and had them all laughing from time to time as they worked through the problems. She could tell his students all liked him...some probably more than a little. He lavished praise when one got a problem right and was encouraging when the answer was wrong.

Rebecca realized class was over only when Ben gave out the next assignments. The time had flown by. Evidently the others thought so, too, for no one seemed to be in a rush to leave, and she was pleased when a couple of them introduced themselves to her.

A young woman named Sarah came up first. She had blond hair and hazel eyes and a sweet smile. Molly introduced herself next. Her hair was brown, her eyes green and fairly sparkling with liveliness. She would probably be fun to be around. Rebecca had a feeling they wanted to know how well she and Ben knew each other, but they didn’t have a chance to ask.

Ben came up right then and introduced some others to her, explaining that Rebecca had a young daughter and wanted to be able to make a good living to support herself and her child, like many others there.