“Don’t worry. I know this is a lot to absorb. Let’s get together next Saturday, and we’ll work out the details.” Lisa seemed to know Nora was listening, so she maneuvered Eloise to the other side of the market. “I don’t want Nora to hear us, but I’d like you to think about handgun training. We could do it together—think about it.”

Nora didn’t pursue them. She’d heard enough.

Eloise followed up on Lisa’s suggestions. She had two bank accounts, one for checking and another one for savings. Faithfully she deposited each paycheck with a portion going to her savings account. She got a raise but never told Sam about it. Several Saturdays, while Sam worked, Eloise went to Lisa’s with clothes and other items she and Nora would need if they had to leave in a hurry.

But as time passed, Sam began to backslide into his bad ways. Nora couldn’t forget the horrific Saturday last September as memories flooded back into her mind.

***

Previous Year, September 1969

The first Saturday of September Nora and Eloise were busy gathering items to fill the car. “I think this is all for the time being.” Eloise closed the trunk lid. There were also boxes in the backseat stacked up high.

“Hop in. Let’s go.” Eloise didn’t want to get back too late. She had cut it too close last Saturday.

“I’m coming.” Nora put a bag in the back seat. As they backed out and started down the alley, they saw Sam’s truck coming, bouncing over the gravel. Eloise froze. Nora jumped forward in her seat.

“Mama, look!”

“I see.”

Sam’s truck blocked their car in the narrow lane. He stared at them before opening the door and sliding out. With his hands on his hips, he strode up to their car.

“What’s going on?” Sam leaned into Eloise’s window.

“We’re taking some of our old clothes to St. Joseph’s Mission. They’ve been on the radio all week, requesting listeners to give whatever they can spare for the needy. Haven’t you heard them?”

“No.” He stepped back and pulled open the back door and reached for the last bag Nora had thrown in. He peered in—whatever he saw seemed to satisfy him. “You should save them. I almost got fired today, but my boss needs me, so I’m not worried.”

“Oh Sam, I’m sorry to hear you had a bad day,” Eloise softly responded. “Do you want us to come back to the house with you? Don’t worry about these old clothes; they aren’t worth keeping. We can deliver them another day.”

“Go on. I’ll manage. Don’t be long—I want an early dinner.” Sam returned to his truck, backed up, and let them pass.

“Mama, you’re a genius. How did you think of St. Joseph’s Mission?”