War Cry - December, 2012 Page 26

aside to reveal a skinny girl in jeans and an olive drab
parka that came down to her knees. Dragging a black
duffle bag nearly as big as she was, the girl kept her
eyes on the fast whitening ground.

"This is Shannon," Lexi said, drawing her forward.
Lara stepped back and studied the diminutive

teen whose dark eyes, heavy with mascara, made
brief contact. Her mouth was a tight little line, and
beneath a knit hood flame red hair stuck up in spikes.
She might be on fire, Lara mused, and ushered them
inside with a laconic sweep of her arm.

All too quickly Lexi was gone and Lara was alone

with her charge. Kira had been such a good girl--warm
hearted, an honor student. Everyone loved her. How
did one relate to a child like this? Thirteen going on 23!

"This is Beau," she said. "He won't bite, but he's

getting old and tired." Beau greeted the newcomer
with a dutiful lick and headed off toward the kitchen.

"Let's hang up your jacket, Shannon," she said,

gathering her wits. Like it or not she was committed.
God knew the world was full of children who needed
shelter. Surely she could dredge up a bit of kindness
for this lonely girl. "I bet you could use some lunch,"
she offered with a cheerfulness she didn't feel. "Then
I'll show you your room, okay?"

The ubiquitous shrug. Teen speak. Shannon shiv-

ered and folded her arms over her black t�shirt, re-
vealing a budding figure boys would be attracted to.
Not an asset, Lara thought gloomily. She watched
Shannon twist a ring around and around on one of
her thin fingers. All five, including the thumb, boasted
rings of various descriptions. As Shannon pulled out
an electronic gadget, fiddling with it, Lara studied the
chapped hands. They were like fragile fluttering birds,
confused by some sudden turn of wind.

omething caught in Lara's heart. She re-

membered another set of hands--Kira's,
torn and bleeding after she had freed a
racoon caught in a barbed wire fence. She
had cried along with Kira as she bathed

her daughter's wounded hands. Now she suppressed
an urge to reach out and touch the hurt little girl
who stood nervously by the fire.

The moment surprised Lara. For so long she had

repressed all feeling. It was just too painful. Now...
Well, she wasn't quite sure what was going on inside
her. "Why don't you just warm up by the fire while I
get lunch," she said, unnerved. "I hope you're hungry."

Shannon would have to be very clever, Lara

thought as they ate quietly, to survive in the world

Lexi had worked as a counselor for the child

placement organization for a number of years. Bold�
hearted, single minded, undaunted. That was Lexi.

"I'm not like you," Lara said bluntly. "I'm no good

with juvenile delinquents."

Her sister waited only long enough to make Lara

feel guilty before saying that the girl in question had
lost both her parents in a tragic accident two years
before, and that she was frightened and alone--even
if she did act like she was bored with the world. She'd
gotten into some trouble--minor things, acting out.
Her first placement had been unsuccessful; she'd
been returned and added to Lexi's already burgeon-
ing caseload. "It's Christmas, and she's only 13."

"But I don't even have the tree up yet."
"She could help."
"But..."
"I'll bring her by tomorrow."
Now tomorrow was today. Lara drew in her breath

as her sister's burgundy SUV rattled up the driveway.
Beau joined her at the door, all perky ears and wagging
tail, but barking was something he considered beyond

his dignity. Or perhaps like his mistress he had

grown a bit morose in recent months.

Lexi greeted her with a
cheery "Hi, Sis" and a

lemon�scented bear

hug. Then she stood

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