MARIEL

29~ A Little More Time to Find Christ ~

Chicago, IL

August 17th, 1976

"Hi, buddy. You didn't want to play with the other kids?"

It was 84 degrees. The sun was bright and furious. It cast hot, orange rays down upon the daycare playground, where the children played with excited vigor.

Well, everyone except the Caravan boy.

Lazily, three year old Will Caravan rocked upon the white horse spring at the center of the play area. When he heard the voice of his favorite daycare teacher, Mrs. Spears, he looked up from the large blade of grass he'd been fidgeting with.

There, in black flats, she stood in a blue, white-flowered dress that came down to her knees. Her light brown skin nearly shimmered in the sun. So did her thick dark hair that she always kept in a large, neat bun on her head.

Will liked her. She was always smiling, and she always paid attention to him. He wondered if he was her favorite too.

Will's eyes darted around the playground. Swing sets creaked. Footsteps thudded across the large, wooden playset, and shoes squeaked against ladders and slides. Other children shrieked and laughed. His eyes settled on a dark haired girl swinging up and down. She had a large, lopsided bow in her hair. It was pink.

"Will? You okay, buddy?" Mrs. Spears asked.

He looked up again. "Head hurt." Nodding, he rocked on the horse spring again.

"Your dad will be here soon to get you," Mrs. Spears said, and touched his nose with the tip of her finger. "You excited to go home?"

Will stopped rocking and outstretched his arms. He wanted Mrs. Spears to carry him. "No," he responded, flatly. He wasn't certain why. In fact, when Mrs. Spears mentioned his dad, he felt discomforted.

Mrs. Spears looked sad for a moment, looking at him, and then she picked him up. "You aren't excited to see anyone at home? Your brother? Your mom?"

Will leaned his head against her shoulder. "Mom. And, Todd."

Quietly, Mrs. Spears held him momentarily before speaking again. "You know, have I ever told you how awesome you are?" She pulled him from her shoulder and set him down before kneeling. "I want a son just like you one day."

That made Will feel happy. He smiled. "Like me?"

"Of course. I can get him toy soldiers, and tanks, and G.I Joe's, just like you have, hmm?" Mrs. Spears winked.

"Don't have." Will looked at the ground.

"What? No soldiers?"

"Todd have."

"Your brother? Why don't you, buddy? Have you asked for some for your birthday?"

Will shook his head. His dad liked his older brother more. He wasn't sure why. His mom got him toys though. She loved him and Todd the same.

"Hmm." Mrs. Spears sighed. "Maybe we can dig up some old toys that my brother used to have. He kept on to some because he's determined to have a nephew to give them to."

She spoke a lot of words, and Will didn't quite understand everything she said, but he simply liked to hear her voice. "Have a brother?"

"Yes, sir. You'd like him. I want to name my future son after him." Brightly, Mrs. Spears smiled.

"What name? Will?"

Mrs. Spears pinched his cheek. "No. His name is Kaemon. But, you know what, my husband likes the name William. Maybe that can be a middle name?"