Chapter Three

“Mommy, why are you driving me to school today?” said Luke.

“I’m helping Miss Angie with a special edition of Holiday Time.”

Luke’s Mommy saw his eyes light up with that look that little boys get when there are puppies or dynamite nearby; and she cautioned, “Do not tell anyone when we get to school! Miss Angie wants it to be a surprise.”

“I won’t tell, I promise! Oh Boy! Did you make cup cakes? I love cup cakes! What flavor? Can I have one now? Do we have extras for after school? Is it my birthday?”

“Hmmm Let me see, Yes I made cupcakes, yes I know you love them, I made some yellow and some chocolate, no you can’t have one now, yes I have extras for later, but we have to save one for Daddy, and no it is not your birthday. WHEW! I made it all in one breath!”

Luke was smiling his sun-shiny smile now. He loved it when Mommy listened to every word he said. They held hands as they walked out to the car and got buckled in.

The bell rang and Miss Angie came outside dressed in green surgical scrubs including the cap and the mask.

“Good Morning Class!” said Miss Angie.

“Does everyone know what time it is?” she asked.

“HOLIDAY TIME!!!!” they all shouted in unison.

“That’s right! Who can tell me what holiday we are going to learn about today?”

No one answered but Luke was beginning to put it all together. Mommy helping out, the special Holiday Time, the cupcakes. He raised his hand.

“Yes Luke?”

“Is it Thanksgiving?” said Luke.

“We did that one already.” said Maria.

“I could do it again.” said Quan as he rubbed his tummy. “I really like turkey.”

“I really like turkey too.” said Miss Angie. “Let’s all go inside and see what we have planned, prepare to be amazed!” and then Miss Angie smiled her sun-shiny smile that everyone knew meant good things.

Every one sat down in the story center and Mrs. Avripas introduced Luke’s Mommy as the guest story teller. They both had sun-shiny smiles so everyone knew this was going to be a good story.

Luke’s Mommy began telling the story of a little baby with a bump on his arm that made him look like he had big muscles. The baby's Mommy was concerned, but everyone said not to worry, it would go away on its own. One day the bump got so big that the baby couldn’t bend his arm so a special doctor came to look at it. She asked a lot of questions and played with the baby. The lady Doctor said they should have some tests to be sure. When the tests came back, the doctor used the word cancer. The baby's Mommy and Daddy were very worried and so they called everyone they knew and asked them to pray for the baby. And they asked all their friends to call all of their friends and ask them to pray too. And so the baby had old people and young people, boys and girls, husbands and wives, big kids and little kids, even Nuns and many people far away that had never seen the baby or even knew the family praying for him. The baby had an operation and the bump went away with just a little boo boo left behind where the bump used to be. The boo boo went away and the Doctor said the baby was fine and there was no more cancer. The Mommy and Daddy were so happy they had a big party to thank everyone that helped make the baby better. It was a Thanksgiving party.

“Where is the baby now?” asked Lynn.

“I would pray for that baby, I love babies. I have a baby sister.” said Tori.

“If we pray for the baby, can we go to the party? I like parties. Can we have a party for the baby?” asked Tara.

“Well those are very good questions let me see…” said Luke’s Mommy. “Hmmm, thank you for offering to pray for the baby, yes, we are going to have a party today, I love babies too, you asked where the baby is now, well the baby is a big kid now and his name is Luke, and he is right here in this class. Whew! I got it all out in one breath!!” Luke’s Mommy was smiling her big sun- shiny smile but no one noticed, they were all around Luke asking a million questions.

“Did it hurt?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Were you awake or asleep?”

“Asleep, I think?”

“Do you have a scar?”

“Yep, right here.” And Luke showed everyone his arm. They had of course seen his arm many times. He had with him every day in school and the scar was always there but no one noticed.

Miss Angie said, “All great questions but I have some of my own. Who would like to say thank you to Luke’s Mommy for the story?”

“THANKYOU!!” they all said in unison.

“Now, who would like to make a hat?” said Mrs. Avripas. “As soon as hats are done we have a special lunch and desert treat planned.”

Hats!

Luke loved hats and he loved Holiday Time even more. Today’s hats were just like the ones the doctors wore with the strings down the back and a mask and everything. When the class went to the cafeteria they had a turkey dinner waiting. When everyone was finished Luke’s Mommy passed out cupcakes that looked like turkeys.

“Class we have one extra cup cake, is it alright if I give it too Luke?” asked Luke’s Mommy.

Ian stood up and said “All in favor of two turkeys for Luke say AYE!”

“AYE! AYE! AYE!” came the voices all around the room.

“Do I really get two turkeys Mommy?” asked Luke.

“This year, and every year Luke.” Luke’s Mommy had her biggest sun-shiny smile and he could see her eyes were very shiny too. He gave her his best, biggest hug and said “Thank you Mommy.”

“Thank you Luke; that was a great big hug.”

The End

©Andrew Barter 2007

Comments

[Keith Kesler]

What a great story. I'm so blessed that my children have not had to go through this sickness.

I want to go to the party!!!

[mike lu]

V. moving story. Bless you, Andy B.

[TED BARANOWSKI]

LUKE IS MY GRANDSON, SO I HAVE A PERSONAL STAKE IN HIS LIFE AND TIMES AND ALSO, THAT OF HIS PARENTS.I WAS NEVER SO PROUD,AS I WAS OF THE WAY THEY DEALT WITH LUKES ORDEAL AND AMAZED AT THE RESPONSE AND PRAYERS OF SO MANY.I LEARNED THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAITH AND HOPE,AND THAT THERE IS LOVE IN THIS WORLD. MORE THAN WE KNOW.

[andrew barter]

Nicely said Ted! Love and prayers are the two things we can never run out of, or be overwhelmed by. See you at the next TWO TURKEYS party!!