shrugged. “Why not?”
“Don’t get me wrong. I think what you’re doing is wonderful. I’m involved in a youth program—Cops-N-Kidz. Maybe you’ve heard of it?”
Eli nodded.
“It’s a joint venture between my church and Cops for Christ. A big warehouse downtown was donated to us, so we’ve refurbished it and made a cool place for kids to hang. You’re welcome to bring your crew by anytime.”
“I don’t think so. We’re pretty busy.” He blew off her invitation.
She studied his blue-green eyes that changed with his mood and what he wore. Today his navy T-shirt made them look totally blue, not a speck of green to be found.
“So what keeps you guys busy?” She tried to sound offhanded, uninterested, but she still wanted more information on this enigma of a man.
“How did this conversation get to be about me?” he asked.
Delanie shrugged. Even though he’d deny it, she sensed a change in Eli. “Just curious about your little gang and how you come alongside the parents. At CNK we rarely see a parent, and I’d like to change that. Thought you could offer some suggestions.”
“Still Coop the Snoop, I see.” He made the statement with a slight grin, though, so she pushed for more information.
“For a good cause,” she reminded him. “How did you get started in this endeavor? Was it hard to gain the parents’ trust?”
❧
Eli didn’t jump right in with answers but pondered her questions. He studied her earnest expression. Her petite appearance camouflaged a much tougher woman than people would guess. He’d learned that lesson and wouldn’t forget anytime soon.
As he debated how much to share, weariness settled over him. He was sick of dodging the truth, hiding the ugliness of his past, and closing up to anyone interested enough to ask. Delanie’s openness caused him to wish for the same freedom.
“I grew up much the way they are. My mother left when I was twelve, so it was just my old man and me. He was a functioning alcoholic. Now he’s no longer functioning—spends his days in an alcoholic haze. Anyway, often days would go by, and I’d never see him. He’d leave for work before I was up and stumble in long after I’d hit the sack. It was a lonely existence. So when my dad and I moved into the complex seven years ago and I saw all these young boys with the same kind of life I’d known, I decided to invest.”
Compassion filled Delanie’s expression, not pity. He appreciated that. Her crescent eyes shone with admiration, and that was enough to keep his story rolling. He’d never had a woman gaze at him with the respect he saw on her face. Man, did that make him feel ten feet tall.
“I resolved to fill whatever gaps I could in these kids’ lives. I’m their friend, their greatest fan, and their teacher. I tutor them twice a week, take them to games at the college—”
“Feed them burgers, shoot hoops with them. Sounds like you do all the things my dad did for us.”
A pang of longing hit him. “Then you were a lucky little girl.” Her childhood contrasted starkly with his.
“I was.” Her expression reflected a contentment he’d never known. “But how do you do it? I don’t even think I could remember junior high math, let alone teach someone else.”
“I couldn’t either—had to take a couple of refresher courses at the junior college in order to bring my long-forgotten skills up to speed.”
“You did that? Just for them?” She’d tipped her head to the side a bit, and her voice rang with approval, as if he’d made the greatest sacrifice of all time. “You’re the most giving person I’ve ever known.”
Her smile reached all the way to her eyes and all the way to his heart—it danced to her praise. He’d never received many accolades and had to admit it was nice.
“Maybe my motives are selfish. All I know is I’m determined to do everything in my power to keep these boys in school, out of gangs, and off drugs. It’s their only hope for a
“Don’t get me wrong. I think what you’re doing is wonderful. I’m involved in a youth program—Cops-N-Kidz. Maybe you’ve heard of it?”
Eli nodded.
“It’s a joint venture between my church and Cops for Christ. A big warehouse downtown was donated to us, so we’ve refurbished it and made a cool place for kids to hang. You’re welcome to bring your crew by anytime.”
“I don’t think so. We’re pretty busy.” He blew off her invitation.
She studied his blue-green eyes that changed with his mood and what he wore. Today his navy T-shirt made them look totally blue, not a speck of green to be found.
“So what keeps you guys busy?” She tried to sound offhanded, uninterested, but she still wanted more information on this enigma of a man.
“How did this conversation get to be about me?” he asked.
Delanie shrugged. Even though he’d deny it, she sensed a change in Eli. “Just curious about your little gang and how you come alongside the parents. At CNK we rarely see a parent, and I’d like to change that. Thought you could offer some suggestions.”
“Still Coop the Snoop, I see.” He made the statement with a slight grin, though, so she pushed for more information.
“For a good cause,” she reminded him. “How did you get started in this endeavor? Was it hard to gain the parents’ trust?”
❧
Eli didn’t jump right in with answers but pondered her questions. He studied her earnest expression. Her petite appearance camouflaged a much tougher woman than people would guess. He’d learned that lesson and wouldn’t forget anytime soon.
As he debated how much to share, weariness settled over him. He was sick of dodging the truth, hiding the ugliness of his past, and closing up to anyone interested enough to ask. Delanie’s openness caused him to wish for the same freedom.
“I grew up much the way they are. My mother left when I was twelve, so it was just my old man and me. He was a functioning alcoholic. Now he’s no longer functioning—spends his days in an alcoholic haze. Anyway, often days would go by, and I’d never see him. He’d leave for work before I was up and stumble in long after I’d hit the sack. It was a lonely existence. So when my dad and I moved into the complex seven years ago and I saw all these young boys with the same kind of life I’d known, I decided to invest.”
Compassion filled Delanie’s expression, not pity. He appreciated that. Her crescent eyes shone with admiration, and that was enough to keep his story rolling. He’d never had a woman gaze at him with the respect he saw on her face. Man, did that make him feel ten feet tall.
“I resolved to fill whatever gaps I could in these kids’ lives. I’m their friend, their greatest fan, and their teacher. I tutor them twice a week, take them to games at the college—”
“Feed them burgers, shoot hoops with them. Sounds like you do all the things my dad did for us.”
A pang of longing hit him. “Then you were a lucky little girl.” Her childhood contrasted starkly with his.
“I was.” Her expression reflected a contentment he’d never known. “But how do you do it? I don’t even think I could remember junior high math, let alone teach someone else.”
“I couldn’t either—had to take a couple of refresher courses at the junior college in order to bring my long-forgotten skills up to speed.”
“You did that? Just for them?” She’d tipped her head to the side a bit, and her voice rang with approval, as if he’d made the greatest sacrifice of all time. “You’re the most giving person I’ve ever known.”
Her smile reached all the way to her eyes and all the way to his heart—it danced to her praise. He’d never received many accolades and had to admit it was nice.
“Maybe my motives are selfish. All I know is I’m determined to do everything in my power to keep these boys in school, out of gangs, and off drugs. It’s their only hope for a
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