~Chapter 10~ The Heartbreak

   "Why did I see Jack on the couch this morning?" Chester asked me, stuffing a mouthful of waffle into his mouth. Both Jacks looked up from their plates at the mention of their name, then looked at each other. I, from the other end of the table, saw Jack Matthew mouth the words, he means me.

   We had a small problem with the seating for breakfast. In the end, our alternative was that half of us eat in the kitchen. Me, Chester, the Jacks, Xavier, Tim, and Sebastian were eating at the table, while the rest of the party was out in the kitchen.

   "I had a bad dream, and Aunt Avé helped me fall back to sleep," answered Jack Matthew for me. I could see my brother was going to ask something and I knew what the question would be. I also knew that Jack wouldn't want to talk about it, so I leaned over to whisper in his ear that I would tell him about it later. He nodded in reply, understanding. We finished that meal with a chat about Jack Michael's and Xavier's dog, Butter, and cat, Biscotti.

   "Check," Juliano and Tim decided to play chess after breakfast. Juliano was looking for an escape from Tim's check and found it. His knight took Tim's bishop.

   "Why'd you go and do that?" Tim asked in a light-hearted manner. His rook was moved into another threat.

   "Check," I turned my head away from the battle and gazed outside to watch the kids playing in the snow. Kenna, being the only girl, convinced Hazel to go outside with her, and make a snowman. They just got the middle ball onto the first when Hazel looked up and saw me in the window. She waved, and Kenna, looking in the direction Hazel was waving, did too. I waved back and turned my attention to the boys who were throwing snowballs and chasing each other. Sebastian fell face first in the snow. I caught my breath. I watched to make sure he was alright. Then, as it turns out, he was laughing. I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding. Heidi heard my sigh and said, "He tougher then he looks," apparently she also was watching my little show. 
   I glanced at the snowman, and now the girls had his head on and were on their way inside to get the accessories for him. I looked back at the boys. Jack Matthew dashed behind one of the willow trees, laughing. A snowball smashed into the tree half a second later. The other three boys discovered that the tree made great cover and each hid behind his own. Four boys, four trees to hide behind. I heard Kenna and Hazel come inside and select a scarf and a hat for Frosty. I walked into the hall and asked, "Who chose the name Frosty?" 
   Kenna was the first to reply, "The snowman did," at my puzzled expression Hazel explained, "The snow was making our fingers frosty, so I said to Kenna that I thought he was trying to tell us something, then Kenna said he was trying to say he needed a name. We named him Frosty."

   "I see," they went back outside and I went into the living room. I saw Tim and Juliano shaking hands.

   "Who won?"

   "Tie," Destiny and Savannah said, at the same time might I add. Destiny continued and said, "Each took out the other's pawns, knights, rooks,"

   "bishops, and queens," finished Savannah. Shiloh came into the room with the coffee pot and asked if anyone wanted refills. After those who wanted got poured we all sat around and talked of whatever we grown-ups talk about.

   I was doing my favorite past-time, gazing out the window, when I saw Amy and Jason Pfleegor drive up.

   "Mom and Dad are here!" Hazel called out to no one in particular. I couldn't tear my eyes from the beautiful white wonderland. Even though it was only three-thirty the sun was setting giving the snow a warm feeling. 
   I went to the bottom of the stairs and called up to the children, "Gran and Pop's here!" Almost immediately an avalanche of kids came running down the stairs. Poor Kenna, being in the middle of everybody, tripped and slid the last five steps.

   "Are you okay?" I asked, picking her up and onto my lap as I sat on the bottom step. Trying to choke back tears, she told me that she's fine. She tried to stand up, but as her feet touched the ground she winced and plopped down on me again.

   "No, Sweetie, you're not fine. Juliano!" I called her dad. Heidi and Juliano both heard the banging, but figured someone jumped the last two steps. After hearing his name, Juliano thought something had happened and brought his wife with him.

   "Are you all right?" he asked his daughter.

   "She can't stand up," I replied for her. He picked Kenna up and carried her to the living room where my mom and dad had just greeted everybody.

   "You poor baby," Amy crooned over her grandniece. Thanks to his medical instincts, Tim got up and went to the other side of the room where Kenna was.

   "Where's it hurt?"

   "My leg," he began to examine her legs and after a minute or two he said, "She appears to have mildly sprained her ankle. Shiloh could you get some bandages? Hazel could you get some ice?" The girls went and came back with their things and Tim wrapped her ankle and set ice on it.

   "Would you like me to pray for you?" I asked Kenna. She nodded her head, so I placed my hand on her shoulder and closed my eyes and prayed for a quick recovery. When I opened them again I could see tears in Heidi's eyes.

   "She fine," I assured her. "She'll be right as rain in no time," she nodded her head, comforted by the words. 

   I was making Kenna some Hot Chocolate when Jack Matthew came into the kitchen.

   "Why did you pray for her?" he asked.

   "I prayed because I know He hears my prayers," I could understand why he might be against God. I didn't want to hear the story of how he decided his spiritual path, nor did I want to harm him further, so I didn't ask. But I was going to hear the story anyway,

   "I prayed once," he began, "When my mom was dying. I prayed for my mom to get better, I prayed that she wouldn't die. But she died," he looked at me with heartbroken eyes. And with eight words I knew what my guardian angel was talking about when he said I needed to help this boy. 

   "There is no God to hear our prayers." Jack Matthew said, then walked away.