Arms of an Angel Read Online Free PDF Page B

she harbored the pain of her father’s rejection.
He’d tried to be a positive male role model in her life. But a
father’s love and approval, or lack thereof, was hard, if not
impossible to replace.
    “ And last night?” Joe
prodded gently.
    Claire smiled. “I’d planned to end it all.
Instead I went out for a final meal and met my own angel… I don’t
know how it will all end, Joe. I don’t even know him. All I know is
that I didn’t do what I’d planned… and I got up this morning and
painted, then came to see you.” They stared at each other then
laughed. Old Joe handed her the tea and hugged her again.
    “ I’m so glad you
did.”
    “ Me too.” She nodded. “Me
too.”
     
    They talked for over two hours with little
interruption before a group came in that Joe knew would require his
full attention.
    “ You know, Claire, I’ve got
a couple of kids I’d like you to meet. They come by every now and
again…live just down the street. They remind me of another little
girl I used to know,” he told her as she helped him clear their
dishes.
    Claire was quiet as she rinsed the glasses.
Joe couldn’t tell what she was thinking but he knew he’d piqued her
curiosity.
    “ There are others who, to
those looking in, seem to have it all. But, they’re eaten up with
self-doubt and hurt. Sometimes all they need is someone to help
them learn to believe in themselves. You rich kids…nobody ever
seems to think you have a care. And, even if they did know, nobody
knows how to help.”
    “ What can I do, Joe?” she
asked, her voice quiet, thoughtful.
    Joe shrugged. “Look inside, Angel. What could
have helped you make that turn before last night?”
    Claire seemed distant. She was wondering
whether it would have made a difference for someone within her own
ranks to have told her that her dreams mattered, that what she
wanted to pursue was all right. She’d had Joe. But her dad didn’t
respect him. Would it have mattered?
    “ Think on it,” Joe whispered
as he steered her toward the front of the shop and changed the
subject. “Can I expect more paintings then, my dear? I’d like to
take the sold sign off those three up there. The gentleman in the
dark blue has been after them for a while now.”
    Claire was hesitant. “I’ll try Joe. I may
have lost my touch along with my heart. What say we let him have
two? Keep the one with the little girl. I’d forgotten all about
her, but for some reason, I don’t want to let her go.”
    “ Artist’s whimsy,” Joe
chuckled and motioned for her to go before him. The group eyed them
as he hugged her at the front door. “When do you see him again?” he
whispered.
    “ Who?” Claire asked. She was
watching the group admiring her painting, though the gentleman in
blue was openly admiring her. She smiled at him which, of course,
he returned.
    “ Flirt!” Joe teased. “Shall
I introduce you? No, no. You’re to meet your angel.
When?”
    “ How did you know?” she
asked, the surprise causing her to step back.
    ‘ It’s Old Joe,
Claire.”
    She hugged him tightly. “10:30 tomorrow.
Sunday brunch.”
    “ Come see me soon,
angel.”
    Claire nodded and left. She saw Old Joe
removing the sold tag from her paintings and knew he must have told
the group she was the artist because they all turned to stare at
her through the window. She kept walking. She’d return in a few
days to give Old Joe her phone number. He’d surprise her with a
request for new pieces at a rather healthy price. She wondered if
Old Joe remembered their deal. Half to him and half to the
childrens’ center. He’d remember. He was Old Joe.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Sunday morning found Claire unusually nervous
as she watched the clock, waiting for the minute hand to tell her
it was time to go down to the lobby. She’d actually done a little
more painting after she’d left Old Joe the day before. Her artwork
seemed different to her now. Something had changed. It lacked the
lightness of her younger