Love From the Ashes by Cheryl Persons Page A

looked.”
    Frankie shrugged.  “It looked pretty good.”
    It was too much for Rebecca she started to giggle.  “Is that before or after you glued it onto the paper?”
    Frankie seemed to take that into consideration.  “Yeah, you’re probably right.  It’s a good thing Mrs. Jones told us to not eat the macaroni.”
    “ Where are Joey and Judy?”
    “They’re upstairs playing with Savannah; or, I should say, telling Savannah what to do.  When you put three toddlers into a small room…you’re bound to have mass confusion.  In fact, I better get back upstairs.”  They followed her up the steps and went into the playroom.  Cassie was right; Savannah was sitting in the middle of the room just watching Joey and Judy play with the blocks.  “Why isn’t Savannah playing?”  Cassie asked the 3 and 4 year old.
    “She kept knocking them down.”  Joey replied with irritation coming from his voice.  “We are trying to build a castle.”
    Cassie stooped down next to him and he turned to look at her.  “It’s not very nice that you are keeping her from playing too.  She was probably only trying to help.”
    “She was knocking it down; that wasn’t helping.”
    Cassie smiled and turned to Savannah.  “She’s only a year old.  Maybe you could cut her a little slack?”
    “What does that mean?”  He asked.
    “It means next time, let her play.”
    He groaned, but finally nodded.  “Okay; we will.”
    “Thank you.”  She hugged him and then turned to Rebecca.
    “You are really good with them.”  A frown crossed her face and she suddenly began to worry.  “Bethany, will you please keep the kids in here.  I need to talk to Cassie for just a moment.”
    “Sure thing Rebecca.”
    Rebecca hurried out into the hallway and Cassie followed.  “What’s going on Rebecca?”
    “I think that maybe I made a mistake.  After all, I have never watched this many kids before.  I don’t know that I can do it.”  Cassie just stood gawking at her.  “What’s that look for?”
    “Rebecca you take care of 24 kids every day.  You surely can handle 5 children at a time.  Besides, Bethany is going to be there.  She is a huge help; rely on her.”
    “The 24 kids I take care of are easy.  I have a curriculum that we follow; everything is done in a timely form.”
    “I know, but that can happen at your house too.  You can figure out a plan that they can follow.  It’s not all night; just remember that.”
    Rebecca knew she was being silly.  It wasn’t like she should be afraid of 5 children that were 12 years old and younger.  “ You’re right; I am just being crazy.  I guess the nerves have gotten the best of me.”  She let out a slow breath.  “It’s going to be fine.”
    Cassie smiled.  “Are you trying to convince me, or you?”
    “Maybe a little bit of both.”
    Cassie nodded.  “I figured so.”
    Rebecca sighed.  “At least I’m honest.”  She groaned and headed back to the room.  She plastered a smile on her face.  “Are you ready to leave?”
    “Look, the castle’s done.”  Joey proudly spoke up.
    “Wow, you did an awesome job.”  A thought came to her and she turned to Cassie.  “I don’t have any toys;” she whispered.  “What will they play with?”
    Cassie grabbed a bag and threw in some toys.  She handed it to Rebecca and smiled.  “This should get you by, but you’re a very intelligent woman and I am sure you would have figured something to do to pass the time.”
    “Thank you!”  She grabbed the bag and followed everyone out of the room.  Cassie picked up Savannah and followed them down the stairs.  “I need the car seats and if there’s anything else they have.”  Cassie helped her carry everything out to the car and then load up the children.  “Thanks for your help Cassie.”
    “You’re welcome.  Call me if you need anything.”
    “I will; thanks.”  They waved goodbye as she got in the van and drove away.  She was sure