Something Beautiful

Chapter 3

     When Isabella went to bed the night before she had looked around and thought to herself, “This is my last night here until I return from Tennessee.” After reading about a community in Memphis she knew her trip would be just as special as Calcutta, but much closer to home. Now, as she sat on the plane beside Michael, she was glad that the flight to Memphis from Wilmington was short. Still, she was a bit nervous because her lack of knowledge of what she was getting into. She knew that her and Michael would be living in a house with some people and work to change the ghettos into God-fearing communities, but how? Nevertheless, it was an important step of faith.

    As the plane touched down Michael was relieved to learn that Isabella didn’t need anything to hold on to. They had been told not to bring much so they hadn’t and going through baggage claims was quick.

“Well let’s see,” Michael thought aloud as they walked through the airport. “We better do something awesome here, something unusual, but I don’t know what.”

“Isn’t being her enough?”

“Nah, I mean something like sky-diving in Calcutta.”

“Bah! Yeah right! Sky-diving is a one time thing.”

“I think I could find something different.”

“Michael, these kinds of things just come up, you can’t do it on purpose. But, if you do think of something what don’t you tell me ahead of time.”

“Come on, Izzy, you liked skydiving. And you’re glad I made you do it.”

“Michael, I don’t think I can honestly say that.”

“Fine, whatever you say.” Michael raised his hand to hail a taxi. Isabella had forgotten to ask for an address when on the phone, so that left them with telling the driver to go to the ghetto.

“Enjoy your visit.” The cab driver said with a sneer as he dropped the two travelers off on a curb.

“Well I do see the need around here.” Michael said as he looked around. He had no clue where to go and he had already made up his mind that he didn’t want to be wandering around here after sunset.

“Well,” Isabella said slowly, “Maybe we should ask someone if they know the people we’re looking for.”

“Yeah,” Michael eyed the few passerbies. “Ok, we can ask someone who doesn’t look like they’re holding a pistol in their pocket.” Isabella laughed despite the seriousness in Michael’s voice. She wasn’t worried, yet.

    After dragging their luggage around several blocks, some more than once, the sun had begun it’s descent below the Tennessee Mountains. More people were on the streets now, and when Michael and Isabella passed any talking or yelling paused and most people snickered.

    “Ok, that’s it we’re not getting anywhere like this, and I swear we’ve already walked down this road. The sun is setting, we need to get where we going to!” Michael seemed almost delirious. He sat down on his luggage resolutely. When he turned to face Isabella, she was walking across the street to a group of shady teens. “Wait!” He called out, but Isabella ignored him. He jumped up and jogged across the street leaving his and Isabella’s luggage behind. When he got there she was already conversing with the thugs.

    “I was wondering if you young men might be a help to us lost travelers.” She cooed in a pleading but authoritative demeanor. “You see we are visiting some folks around here, and when I called it slipped my mind to ask for an address and, silly me, I also forgot to store their number.” 

“Well, can you describe these here persons you visitin?”

“Of course, they are with an organization called the Live Like Jesus program. They are bringing the love and compassion of Jesus to people in underprivileged communities. ”