Free She Never Knew by CJ Simpson Page A

the
main entrance.
    “Stay strong,
okay? I’m here for you.” Pastor Cullen encouraged. He held Kat’s hands briefly
before saying good bye.
    When Kat drove
away, Pastor Cullen returned to his office and swiveled in his chair for a long
time, stunned by what Kat had confided to him. He reflected on her amazing
ability to remain strong and courageous, especially where her child was
concerned. She had been through so much yet she was always willing to help
others.
    Finally, Pastor Cullen
turned off his computer, straightened the papers on his desk, and decided to
call it a day. He needed to go to the sanctuary to pray for Kat before he
headed home.

Chapter 9
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Kat looked at
the clock in her kitchen. She had one hour before she and Tyler had to be at
vacation bible school. Tonight was the first night and she was excited. “Tyler,
dinner’s ready,” she called.
    “Okay, Mommy.”
Tyler yelled from his room.
    Kat had just
finished setting her kitchen table with silverware when her cell phone rang.
She crossed the kitchen to where her phone lay in the charger. The caller ID
revealed that it was Dottie from the Black Belt Academy calling.
    “Hello?” she
answered.
    “Kat? Dottie Rodriguez.”
    “Hi Dottie, how
are you?”
    “Just dandy.
Listen up,” she boomed. “I’ve got a big group signed up for the self-defense class.
I’m just calling to see if you can make it tomorrow morning. Saturday’s out. I
can’t get anybody to cover for me at my other job and I’ve got other
commitments for the rest of this month.”
    “Wow. Uh—I guess
I—actually, I can make it.”
    Dottie said,
“It’ll be from ten to twelve. I’m sorry about the short notice, but this works
for the other ladies.”
    “Not a problem.
It works for me too.” Mentally, she reminded herself to call Rhonda to see if
she would be available to watch Tyler.
    “Good deal. You
can pay when you get here, okay?” She paused for a moment as if she remembered
she had something else to add. “Oh, and wear loose fitting clothes, like a tee
shirt and sweatpants.”
    “Okay, will do.”
Kat promised.
    “And another
thing. I won’t be teaching the Tiny Tigers class this week as we’re short
staffed at my other job, but Mr. Henley will be there, okay?”
    “Oh, that
reminds me! Tyler has vacation bible school this week. So does Eli. The boys
won’t be in class this week.” Kat said.
    “No problem. You
got any questions, give me a call. Otherwise, I’ll see you in the morning.”
    “Sounds like a
plan.”
    As Kat replaced
the phone into the charger, Tyler came bounding into the kitchen. “Who was on
the phone, Mommy?”
    “That was Miss Dottie.”
She answered.
    “Oh. What did
she say?”
    “She called to
tell me about a class for mommies.”
    “A class for
mommies?” Tyler giggled. “That’s silly!”
    Kat tousled
Tyler’s hair and motioned for him to take his seat at the dinner table. When
they were both seated, Kat decided she would try something new. She took
Tyler’s hand into her own and told him to close his eyes.
    “Dear God, thank
you for this food that we are about to eat tonight. Thank you for the loving
people we have in our lives. Thank you for the all of the children we will see
tonight and thank you for giving me such a wonderful little boy. Amen.”
    Tyler looked at
his mother. “Why did you do that, Mommy?”
    “I thought it
would be nice to thank God for everything we have.”
    “That’s a good
idea, Mommy.” Tyler smiled at her. Kat looked at her handsome little boy and
was reminded again of how lucky she was to have him in her life.
    After they
finished eating, Tyler helped Kat clear the table. When he went off to brush
his teeth, Kat did the same and changed her clothes. All team leaders and their
helpers were given themed t-shirts at orientation to wear to class during the
week. The vacation bible school theme this year was The Big Apple Adventure,
‘Where Faith and Life