Riven - Jerry B. Jenkins [121]
Lieutenant Dale leaned forward. “You ever heard of Hug-a-Thug?”
“No.”
“Name came out of LA County. It’s a program they have for ex-cons who really want to get their lives turned around. You got to qualify; then you join the program, live in a halfway house, work some, go to classes, study a little, and actually graduate. By that time they have found you some kind of work, and they stay in touch, keeping track of you after that.
“They’re pretty proud of their record. Listen, you know how many times you’ve been in and out of jail. Well, these guys have a good record for avoiding recidivism. Know what that is?”
“Keeping on coming back?”
“Exactly.”
“Why they call it Hug-a-Thug?”
“’Cause that’s one of the things they do. The teachers and counselors there are handpicked. They’re empathetic. They really care, really want to help people.”
“And they do a lot of hugging?”
“Can you handle that?”
“As long as I don’t have to hug back.”
Adamsville
Grace was beginning to really slow down. Her doctor’s visits became more frequent, her prescriptions stronger, her treatment more vigorous. The doctor told Thomas to start insisting that she cut her daily activity by at least half and begin a nap regimen.
It was obvious Grace found that restraining, but Thomas enlisted Ravinia in helping enforce the new rules.
“Mom,” she said one day, “I will quit bringing Summer if I don’t have your solemn promise that you’ll let Dad do most of the work, including keeping an eye on her.”
As Thomas knew she would, Grace promised anything to keep seeing Summer. She was even allowed to have a third birthday party for her, including inviting Summer’s day care friends. Everyone seemed to think it strange that the party was held at Grandma’s, but Thomas knew that Ravinia feared there might not be many more such opportunities for Grace.
It wasn’t that she was dying, but her strength was ebbing.
That Saturday party marked a new highlight in Thomas’s life. Ravinia agreed to let him invite coworkers, and six showed up, including Gladys, who became the life of the party. Summer seemed fascinated by the chocolate-skinned woman in the loud clothes, though the birthday girl kept her distance.
“Come on, little one!” Gladys said, cackling. “I know you’ve seen my color before!”
“Of course she has,” Ravinia said. “The day care center is totally cross-cultural.”
“Then where are they? You invite only your kind?” Gladys’s eyes were dancing.
Ravinia seemed troubled. “You know, I gave Mother all the names, and we really did invite everybody.”
“Maybe they’re as scared of this neighborhood as I am,” Gladys said, laughing. “What street corner are we on, anyway? Mason and Dixon?”
Thomas was amused by all the activity but had to admit it didn’t break his heart to see his friends and the toddlers and their mothers finally leave. The mothers mostly reminded him of Ravinia, and why not? They were all career women in the legal field.
But Summer, despite her friends being there and all the attention lavished on her, had stayed close to Thomas all day. It was as if she had all of a sudden gone from being Grandma’s girl to Grandpa’s. And it seemed nothing could have pleased Grace more. “I’ve been praying for this, Thomas,” she said.
“So have I. You see how she talks with me, looks at me, smiles at me? And she’s so articulate. Did you hear her say she wants to come back to Sunday school soon?”
Grace nodded. “She’s going to be a lifelong friend.”
Thomas could imagine nothing better, though it pierced him to recall that he and Ravinia had been best friends when she was Summer’s age too.
When it was about time for Ravinia and Summer to leave, the toddler fell asleep in Thomas’s arms. “Don’t go yet,” he said. “Let her sleep.”
“I don’t know, Dad. I promised Dirk he could see her on her birthday.”
Thomas shot her a double take. “You what?”
Ravinia clearly looked frustrated with herself.