a nice person."
"He really seems to have changed."
"Excuse ~ Michael poked his head in the doorway.
"Oh, I am sorry. I did not know you were eating."
"No. It's okay. I'm just finishing up. Come in and sit
down, Michael. I haven't had a chance to talk to you for a
while, and I've been wondering how you are doing. Are you
staying warm enough these days?"
He smiled. "I am finally getting adjusted." Then his dark
eyes registered concern. "But I am worried that I may have
mixed things up for you, Maggie. Is everything all right? Jed
said that Leah must come stay with him and that I must stay
here. Is that what you want too?"
Maggie nodded. "Sure, I'm happy to have you come stay
with us, Michael." She wondered how to explain this com-
plicated scenario, and finally decided just to tell it like it was.
"You see, Jed was worried about Leah's welfare because I
invited Gavin to stay here at my house. I guess I never con-
sidered that it could present a problem. I felt sorry that
Gavin had no place to stay and...and I think you'll under-
stand this, Michael, because it's what you said about how
when we do things for people who are in need, we're doing
them for Jesus. Well, it just seemed right to offer Gavin a
place to stay until he's able to get a place of his own. Does
that make any sense?" She knew she was probably telling
him way too much, but he was such a good listener; so easy
Looking for You All My Life185
to talk to, and before she finished his eyes lit with under-
standing.
"I think you have done exactly the right thing, Maggie.
Already Gavin has told me about how much of his life has
been wasted. And he told me about how he is changing. You
have helped him. That is a very good thing."
She smiled weakly. "Really? You think so?"
He nodded with enthusiasm. "Yes! The Bible says that
when we give someone help, or food, or a place to sleep, or
any other kindness, it is like we are giving itto Jesus. That is
a very good thing."
She sighed. "Yes. That's what I thought too. I'm just sorry
that the whole thing upset Leah. But I'm glad you get to stay
with us, Michael. I hope you'll make yourself at home."
Michae l's words were a real comfort, and yet she still felt
sadly deflated as she prepared for bed. She checked her
email, only to confirm her certainty that Jed hadn't answered
her latest heartfelt message-oh, how she wished she could
retrieve it back from cyberspace! She couldn't even
remember exactly what she'd written, she'd been so tired at
the time. Perhaps after what happened today, he wouldn't be
checking his email so regularly anymore.