My RA Ch. 02

When the police called the bank robber, he did not want any police around. Joy said," I will get them to leave, I can't hit all of you before you kill me."

"Captain my dog is with the kids and they are petting him just like a good pet therapist dog would do. Could you please move all your men away?" When the Captain heard Buddy was with the kids he ordered everyone out of the area.

"How did you get them to move?"

"I asked nicely and said please. By the way, I am the only one here that can let you get out of here alive. And no, I am not armed." One of the gunmen frisked Joy and confirmed that fact. One of the gunmen got tired of Joy talking so he put a bullet in her arm, it was a mistake.

"Cap. Attack, Disable." This was a far more severe command than the one she gave at the nursing home, many of them were already dead.

Molly yelled. "Go, Buddy Joy." Buddy went from a docile creature to a fierce fighter that was dislocating shoulders, arms, legs, and ankles to get the gunmen to drop their arms. During the time the children were spending with Buddy every Friday, Joy thought they could take on the responsibility to learn some special commands.

"I forgot to tell you my dog has the highest level of military training. I could have had him kill all of you, but I thought it is going to hurt like hell to reset all of those bones. I am sure the Sherriff will insist on no locals being given to you." Soon the Sheriff came and the EMTs started resetting all the dislocated bones. Screams filled the gallery.

"Let's see, separating fifteen children under the age of ten from their guardian, against their will while in the process of an attempted bank robbery. I think the DA will think that classifies as kidnapping. The bank robbery is a federal offense. Your injuries were a fait accompli. Buddy was protecting the kids as well as the adults. The person who shot Joy will face additional charges. Look on the bright side, you are all accomplices, so you face the same charge.

Joy was going to be admitted to St. Luke's. Molly asked the Sherriff, Mr. Sheriff, can use your cell phone to call Miss Mei?" She told Miss Mei that Miss Joy got shot and told her to bring Teddy. Mei was out the door in a shot, Teddy in hand. She did not take the time to say to her friends why she was leaving. They knew if Teddy was needed it was noteworthy.

God was with Joy, a quarter of an inch either way and she would have bled out within minutes. Soon Joy was hugging Teddy. A few drops of blood got on Teddy; when someone went to wash it out Joy insisted that she was to leave the blood there. Just like tears, hugs, and smiles it was something that Joy shared with Teddy, they put an invisible bandage on it to protect others.

David was in the middle of one of his classes after his cell phone vibrated for the third time he looked at the text. Joy shot, in St. Luke's!

David immediately raised his hand after being recognized, stood up and said," Excuse me, sir, I know it was improper of me to look at my phone during class. My wife has been shot and I need to go to St Luke's now." Without waiting for a reply from the professor, David was out the door as fast as he could go.

When Mei and the rest got to the hospital every child huddled around Joy's bed. Mei knew there was no way that the children would be stopped from being at Joy's bedside. The children knew it was a serious injury because Miss Joy was hooked up to several machines.

"Why don't you go to the waiting room and pick two people to see Miss Joy and they can visit for a few minutes. Miss Joy needs her rest so we can't have any more than that. Tomorrow, she might feel better." When David got to the hospital, he saw what was happening. He waited for the two children to finish visiting and then he spent his time.

The children were very afraid, they were very glad Buddy was there for them. Buddy could sense they were all were hurting. David said, "Hey kids, let Miss Joy get some rest. She needs a lot. I heard they have ice cream down in the cafeteria." A cheer arose. They all could pick out which one they wanted. "Children, Miss Joy is in good hands. Remember she was in the hospital before and she was much worse then. That was before she knew all of you would pray for her."

Molly gathered all the children together; David and Mei did not know why. Molly said, "I think there is something about this prayer thing that is important. We did it for Miss Joy before she left school, we did it when she was at that bad place and now, we are praying for her now. We need to ask our Mommies and Daddies about it. Maybe they can help us do it better." Every child nodded their head.

Mei and David did not know what was happening, every child was on the same page. Something important to them happened. David and Mei agreed that it was not their business, the children would tell them if needed. All the children of every family came to their parents and said, "We have been praying a lot for Miss Joy lately. We really don't know what prayer is. We all love Miss Joy and all her friends. I want to pray better for Miss Joy, and I want to make sure I am doing it right."

It was an awkward question, both parents looked at each other. The father said," Well how did you pray for Miss Joy today, and when she was at the nursing home? Who did you pray to? How did make sure your prayer was heard?"

"Well I prayed to God, you said He always listens to our prayers. I prayed that she would be OK. I mean I prayed the hardest I ever prayed. She has all sorts of machines on her."

"How do you think the adults prayed for her?"

"I hope they did the same thing."

The father confided," Well, I prayed the hardest ever for Miss Joy. Some say God likes to hear us pray to Him. Next time try to pray out loud, even if you are quiet. Sometimes, when you do that God will let you know He heard you." The little boy did not know what that meant.

After Joy was back at school and well again, David was getting concerned, Joy was getting too stressed out and her health was suffering. David made a call," Alkaia, this is David. I need to make an appointment with you. Joy would never admit it, so I must intercede for her. I would like all her Mistresses, the Dean of Religion, her current teacher and Joy and I to be present. I think I have found a way to help her."

Alkaia called David back, "David, it seems Saturday at 2:00 PM works for everyone."

"Thank you, both of us will be there even if I have to carry her from the library."

That Saturday, when all were assembled, David took the floor. "There is no real easy way to say this so I will just say it and get your reaction. Joy is getting worn out, I must step in to help her. She has been taking accelerated Religion 101 classes. Soon she will be taking those finals and if she passes then in theory, she can take the 201 classes. She will still be about half of a semester behind her classmates.

If she could audit the second half of the 201 classes while being tested by her teacher on the first half of the 201 classes, this would really help. During our six-week winter semester, we can have her test out of her 201 classes. We can have an understanding that any classes she does not test out for or fails the testing she will have to take. I understand that her GPA will take a hit but being a 3.8 student instead of a 4.0+ is OK by me. Her health is way more important. Anyway, we are going on our honeymoon in the springtime so I can't have her stressed out for that.

I have not thought about non-religion courses. Right now, I want her to catch up with her classmates. In theory, if she tests out, she would be a semester ahead of her classmates so that is why she could take any class she does not test out of."

Alkaia asked," What do you think dean?"

"Well, if she passes her finals for her 101 classes, which she has to do to take the 201 classes. I think auditing the second half and tying it with the first half would mean she does not have an extra load of homework, but she can get the knowledge. I have had many students who have audited classes and I have had students that have tested out of classes. I have never had a student who has done both for a class. In the end, it really comes down to the score on the sheet. If she has the knowledge to test out of a class, then she deserves to be able to continue on. I will not play favorites if anything I will grade her harsher, so we know she has the knowledge to pass the test."

"How do you feel about that Joy?"

"Well, I am stressed out. Knowing after finals my workload will decrease will be a blessing. I am sure I can test out of the classes. I am usually ahead on readings and whatnot for my classes anyway. Auditing the last half of the class will tie up a lot of loose ends.

I want to thank you all for helping me with this. I did not know what David was up to, but he knew I had to slow down. I want to thank both deans for even considering this plan. Being mostly caught up with my classmates when I go on my honeymoon will be a relief. Twenty-four credits catch up with you. I need to have more of a social life. I think I can walk to the library with my eyes closed now."

As Joy was walking past the Lodge one night; she saw Mei sitting outside. She had to ask. "Mistress, after I test out of my classes will I be considered a junior?"

Mei could not understand the question. Then the lightbulb went on. "Well Joy, your dean would say you would be doing junior work. I could be convinced to let you have monkey sex with David. Just remember some of us need sleep."

Joy went to the doctor to get a prescription for birth control pills. The next day, Joy ran to the store and bought a 16-month calendar. She got a thick red marker and turned to the beginning of February. She wrote in huge letters "SEX!" When David got back from classes she showed David. Joy was not subtle when she wanted something. "Well, I guess I have to hit the gym and eat better, I will need the stamina."

Joy barged into the Lodge that night. "Mistress, can we get The Dean on speakerphone? There is something I want to talk about with all of you."

After the Dean was connected everyone was waiting for Joy. "Anne, Mistress, Alkaia, I have talked to Mei earlier and I asked her if I tested out of all of my classes would I be a junior.

A smile came on Mistress's face.

Joy added," I have been thinking, in my major, I would be considered a junior."

Dawn said," I think it is a technicality, what do you think Alkaia?"

"Well, this school bases the curriculum in accordance with their major. She would be a junior in her major. She also has non-major courses. In theory, she just needs all of her courses finished to be allowed to graduate. We assumed that her non-major credits would go up with her major credits. We meant to have the rule set for majors, we did not say that non-major classes had to be included. It would be as if she was a part-time student in getting her non-major classes done, some here, some there. Joy I think you found a loophole in the rule."

Alkaia continued," We also made the rule so nothing bad will happen to them. Everyone within a one hundred mile radius knows how Joy handled Mei's attackers and how Buddy deals with 'Bad men.'"

Joy smiled," Well, in that case, I am going to need to have a baby shower here and maybe one in France. I do not want morning sickness on my honeymoon so we will wait until we come back. I will have to have David learn the lay of the land before then."

Anne screamed," TMI Joy! Way TMI!"

"I guess I will have preconceived baby showers. Let me know if you are interested in doing it."

Mei said," Joy, it is not a matter if we want to do it or not, it is a matter of who we are going to have to exclude."

Joy called Celeste, "Celeste, I have just been cleared to have sex once I test out of my classes. I found a loophole in the no-sex policy. Anyway, after I get home, I plan on going ahead with it. Do you know any crazy kids who might like to plan it? I want guys at the party so at least the eight of us, I will leave it to you if you think more would be better. I want to ask a favor of you, can you find out who the priest was who talked to Gail at Notre Dame. I want to talk to him before my tour starts."

Loui heard the squeal and the noise of the floorboards. He thought Marie was hurt. He rushed to her side. Mari exclaimed, "Loui my love, I just got a call from your Mom. She said Joy wanted a pre-pregnant baby shower, and they want me to plan it. I do not think presents are a good thing. We do not know her that well, and if only half the people get her a present the other half would feel terrible." With that Loui gave Marie a very long, passionate kiss.

Marie came up gasping for air. "What was that for?"

"Well, you were starting to hyperventilate because you were so excited. I had to make you take a breath of air to settle you down. I thought the kiss was the way to go, and I got Brownie Points to boot."

"I knew there was a reason I kept you around. You know you do not have to wait until I hyperventilate to do that right? Do you think I should tell Mom about it?

I think if they can get here in the early evening we can have something light to eat and send them straight to bed. That is probably all they want to do anyway. Loui, do you think it is right that we take the newlyweds out on a tour for their honeymoon?"

Loui commented "Marie, they called and asked for it and moreover asked for you. That said, it did spring from Gail's honeymoon. To tell you the truth, I want to find out what is so special that Gail and Jerry would ruin their honeymoon for her."

Mari added," Joy wants the guys so I think a group of eight would be nice. If we have a little party the night before they leave, the tour will be over, and they will be starting to unwind. It will drive me nuts waiting for two weeks.

"We should have real French food when they are here, they can get American food when they get home. For the party, I want to make several of Grandma's recipes. I just hope I can do half as well as her. I will get Mom to help, she knows some of Grandma's secrets. She made an awesome Coq au Vin.

"Loui, can I put you in charge of the booze? Specifically, the fact that France has a legal age of sixteen, not twenty-one. They would not be having under-aged drinking here, but I would rather not have wine at the table if they are not drinking it. Perhaps, if we go to a wine tasting place."

When Gail found out about the party, she made a trip to town when she knew Miss Joy would not be there. "Parents and children, can you all please come here? Children, Miss Joy is planning on starting to have a baby after she comes back from her honeymoon in the spring. There is going to be an adult-only party a little before they go.

Miss Anne, Miss Mei, and maybe Miss Zoe will plan it. When they are in France, they will have another one because she wants them to celebrate with them because they can't be here. I know you all love Miss Joy so I thought you could have a super-duper surprise party for her." All the kids nodded their heads about how they loved Miss Joy.

"This party will be after the baby is born so it is a long way away. We want the kids to plan a party for her, not now, but when your parents say it is time for you to plan. You will be older then so you can make a much better party than you can now. Parents, we all know we should not keep secrets from anyone. So we need your permission to keep this secret from everyone else. Only you will know the secret so you can't go blabbing about it to everyone. Kids, if you want a super-duper party for Miss Joy you can't tell either." All the parents nodded, every child raced to their parent to hug them because they gave their permission.

Noel showed up at the farm to do some chores. She asked Sarah," Could we go out for a little ride?" Noel used her soft, calming voice and Sarah's comfort with horses to draw Sarah out, "Is there something you want to say, but just do not know how to say it?"

"Noel, I just do not know what is going to happen when you know. "Sarah just left the sentence hanging in the air.

"Have you ever talked to your Dad about Salvation? Are you, Anne, and Zoe still doing Bible Studies? Would you like me to drive us to the Lodge tonight and pray corporately to find out what to do?"

By now they had reached the stables and were putting the horses away for the night. Sarah walked into the ranch house and screamed as she saw her Dad lying on the floor. Noel came running. She raced to the supine body. Sarah was frozen in fear. Noel screamed, "Call 911 NOW.! He still has a pulse, he is not dead!" Sarah was still frozen in fear. Noel grabbed the phone and called 911 to get an ambulance. Once done, she called Jacob and said Buck had collapsed but still alive, activate the prayer chain.

By now the ambulance had come," We will take him to St. Luke's, you can follow us."

Sarah said," Noel you said you were to activate the prayer chain when you called Jacob, what is that?"

Noel said," We just have a couple of hundred prayer warriors at our church. You could ask Anne to set up one for both schools. If you feel uncomfortable having people you do not know pray for you and your Dad, just say the word and we will take you off the list."

"I am not sure yet Noel, leave me on until I say 'No' I guess. I have a lot of stuff to process." Jacob got to the hospital not long after Noel did. "Jacob comes quick, Buck is in ICU." All three gathered around Buck's bed holding hands.

Buck addressed Jacob, "They say my heart stopped for a few beats and that a pacemaker would help, but I am too sick to have the surgery. Jacob, I have never been able to figure you out. I have never been a religious man, but I never interfered with letting my family make their own decisions on that score. You have done things that no pastor I have ever seen do. You put your words into action. I have been mulling that over the past few months sitting in the bed. I feel it is time for me to get with the program and make myself right with Him." Jacob went through every point with Buck. Buck understood and asked Christ to forgive his sins. He said he finally believed that God will purify him because he died on the cross for me. Sarah went over and kissed her Dad on the forehead," I will see you when He calls for me Daddy. I am glad you will join Mom." They all just prayed and prayed.

Buck said," Sarah you have been stuck out on that farm for too long. Make a new family, one that will stick by you. These are good people; they go beyond caring. Do what you will with the ranch. I hope it could be a moneymaker for you. If it is a millstone for you, just sell it. I rather see you happy than dreary because you are losing money or it becomes too much for you."

Sarah called Jacob to talk about a plan, he approved. Then she called Anne," Anne, I need your help. Can you and Miss Zoe come out to the farm early Sunday so we can ride to church?" Sunday arrived and all three rode into the church and tied the horses up in the back. They brought the saddlebags in with them.

Jacob asked," Sarah, could you do the reading today, please? I think it might be good for you to do it. Sarah nodded. When she mounted the stage, she was embarrassed. "Please excuse the way I am dressed, frilly dresses are not practical on a farm." Jacob nodded to Anne and Zoe. They mounted the stage and soon Anne was grasping Sarah's right hand and Zoe the left; Sarah will not go through hard times alone. After Sarah did the reading she broke down.

Sarah said through sniffles," When my Dad went to the hospital the last time, Noel called Jacob to activate the prayer chain. Dad will not be coming home to the farm, but he will be going home to see my Mom. I have never named any of my horses, I thought it would be too hard if I made attachments. Right now I need attachments. Zoe, Anne, I hope you do not mind, but I have taken the liberty of naming all of our horses. My horse is Beauty, the black one out back. The white one out back is Anne's horse named Friend, and the roan horse is Zoe's who is named Companion. I am glad I have friends. It was just me and Dad for a long while. Beauty was my Mom's horse. Anne, Zoe you have loved your horses so much you deserve to have them.