Page 8 of Love for a Lifetime

Man, he could be hanging around here for a while if the kid didn’t trust him. Friendliness usually helped forge bonds, but fear sometimes trumped bravery.

This was one of those times he wished Olivia was around. People trusted her. They opened up to her like a faucet. Their secrets spilled out over phone calls and messages. If only people trusted Dawson like they trusted Olivia. His job would be so much easier.

Thoughts of Olivia brought back her crippling sadness when he pulled her over. He’d texted her before bed last night and this morning before his shift. She said she was okay, but he couldn’t push the memory of her tears from his mind. It knotted his stomach regularly.

Dawson watched Braxton clinging to the tree. What would Olivia do in this situation?

“Hey, do you know Jesus?” Dawson asked.

Braxton looked up with wide eyes as if they’d just realized they had a mutual friend. “Yeah.”

Bingo.

“Then I think we should ask Him for some bravery,” Dawson said.

Braxton glanced down, then back up at Dawson. “Yeah. Okay.”

Dawson bowed his head and prayed. “Hey, Jesus. I know I just talked to You about an hour ago, but it’s me again. I’m here with Braxton, and he’s gotten himself into a little bit of a tight spot. I know You told us in the Bible that You’ll always be with us, so we’d like to ask You to keep us safe while You’re going down this ladder with us.”

Dawson peeked one eye open to find Braxton with his head down and eyes closed. His shoulders trembled, but he seemed calm otherwise.

“And maybe hang around for a while after we get down. I know Braxton is worried about what his mom is gonna say. Oh, and thanks for loving us, Jesus. You’re awesome, and we love You.”

Braxton giggled and squirmed on the branch. That was a hundred times better than tears.

“Amen.” Dawson lifted his head and reached his hand out to Braxton. “So, are you with me?”

Braxton took the offered hand, sliding his clammy palm against Dawson’s. “Yeah. I think I can do it.”

Dawson slowly guided the boy until his feet were in the right places on the rungs of the ladder. “You know, this isn’t my first time on a ladder.”

Braxton looked over his shoulder and up at Dawson. “Good because I’m trying really hard not to be scared right now.”

Dawson chuckled and placed his hands over Braxton’s on the sides of the ladder. “One step at a time.”

They slowly descended, until Dawson stepped to the ground and Braxton jumped off the third rung.

Braxton’s mom stood by Jennifer, waiting to wrap her son in her arms.

“Mom! I did it!”

His mom smothered him in her embrace. “You did, and I’ve never been so upset and relieved at the same time in my entire life!”

Braxton’s mom didn’t let him out of her arms while Dawson and Jennifer completed the reports. The mom wrapped Jennifer in a big hug, and Braxton looked at Dawson.

Dawson extended his fist, then opened his arms. “Fist bump or a hug?” he asked.

Braxton launched himself at Dawson, who barely had time to bend down to the kid’s level. With the little arms around his neck, Dawson gave the hug everything he had. “You be good for your mom, okay?”

“I will. Thanks for helping me be brave,” Braxton whispered.

Aw, man. The little boy was determined to make Dawson’s heart melt. Calls involving kids were either the worst or the best. This was one of the good ones–the kind that reaffirmed his decision to be a part of a force that served and protected.

“Don’t forget who helped us,” Dawson said, pointing up.

“Jesus. I know,” Braxton said quickly.

Mom and son were safely back inside the house ten minutes later. Dawson walked back to the front yard next to Jennifer and playfully shoved her shoulder. “Don’t you feel like a real-life hero?”

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