Rescue: a Modern Parable About Love

You might want to read Unfair first.

June 25, 5 pm. Outlaw Hideaway Bar, Texas

“Dana. Hey, Dana. You bringin’ our drinks, or what? Geez, starin’ into space like some kinda lunatic. You okay? Need to sit? Gotcha a spot right here.” Ted patted his knee, laughing.

Great. Ted and his pals. Can the day get any worse? Dana wiped her face with a bar rag, then grabbed an armful of bottles. Her high heels squick-squicked across the tacky floor.

“See, man, I told ya. She’s good. She knows what I want before I ask.”

Dana sidestepped Ted’s hand. He wasn’t grabbing for the bottle.

“When are they fixin’ the AC in this dump? It smells like a fermented trash heap in here.”

“Well, Ted, if you don’t want the place to smell like trash, maybe you should sit outside.” The words slipped out before she could stop herself.

“Oooooooh.” His buddies slapped the table and elbowed each other. A muscle jumped in Ted’s jaw.

“Uh, kidding, Ted, just kidding. Drinks on me.” She slammed the bottles down and backed away.

“Hey, wait, come back. Don’t I know you?”

Dana glanced at the man next to Ted. Greasy hair, stained shirt, hyena grin. Nope.

“I don’t think so.”

“Yeah, yeah—you’re on that commercial. The one with the girl.”

“Way to narrow it down, Mike.” Ted snorted.

“Sorry. I’ve never been in a commercial. I need to get back.” Dana skirted an empty table, heading for the bar.

“Well, not you, but your picture. You’re in the commercial about the missing girl. Is your last name Price?”

“What?” Dana pivoted back toward the men.

“Yeah, you’re missing. Right? I knew it was you!” Mike grinned like he’d won a medal.

“I’m not missing. I’ve been working here for the last three months. Tell him, Ted.” How does he know my last name?

“Oh, yeah. Day-na’s a fixture. And as you can see, nothin’s missin’ here. She’s got all her parts.” Ted’s hands mimicked curvy lines in the air. One of the other guys whistled.

Dana crossed her arms over her chest.

“Well, this has been entertaining, but I have other customers.” As she stepped away, Mike’s voice echoed above the music.

“I’m telling you, guys. She’s the one. There’s a reward and everything. I’m gonna Google it. You’ll see.”

June 26, 2 am. Outlaw Hideaway Bar, Texas

“Antonio, you just about done?” Dana slung the heavy mop across the floor, splashing sludgy water over her toes. “Gross.” Mopping in high heels wasn’t ideal, but she’d forgotten her sneakers.

“Hey, wanna hear a funny story? One time, at the center, we put on a play, and the kids used a mop head just like this one to make a wig. Esmeralda played a tiny grandmother—”

“Dana. I’ve heard that one three times. Find some new stories. Better yet, finish up so we can get out of here.” Antonio flipped a dish towel over his shoulder. “When I decided to buy this place, I thought the owner just owns the bar and the manager closes up.”

“Make me the manager, and you’ll be home every night by ten.” Dana grinned.

Antonio squinted at her.

“Thought you said you were passing through. Look, all you ever talk about is those kids. This place is a dump. You know it. I know it. Go get a real job, maybe in a school. If you love this place so much, work weekends.”

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen. I used to dream of going back to my old life, but I’ve gotten used to this place. Even the nasty floors and the sloppy Teds. It’s familiar. Maybe this sounds weird, but I feel safe. Comfortable. I used to manage an organization. I can manage a bar. Come on, ‘Tonio.”

“Well, maybe. I’ll think about—” Antonio’s attention riveted on something over her shoulder. “Thought I locked that door.”

He reached toward his sidearm. “I’m sorry, we’re closed.”

“I’ll only be a minute. I need to talk to Dana.”

Antonio’s eyes met Dana’s. He raised an eyebrow.

“Dana.”

She turned. “Forgot to leave me a tip?”

“Uh, no. I’m here to take you home.”

Dana blinked, not sure she could trust her vision.

“Josh. How did you even find me?”

“A guy named Mike called the hotline. Friend of yours?” Josh smirked, but his eyes sparkled.

“Friend? No. Definitely not. What hotline?”

“After you left LoveOthers—”

“You mean, after I was kicked out.” Dana glared at Josh.

“Dana, Dad offered you a contract and you didn’t take it. Ms. Scott was just doing her job. As far as she could tell, you weren’t part of the LoveOthers family. Which, technically, you weren’t. And as for misleading people to believe you worked for us, well, you realize we could prosecute and we’d be justified, right?”

“Yep.” Dana bristled, ready for a fight.

“But that’s not why I’m here. When Ms. Scott told us what happened, Dad sent me to find you. I’ve been searching since you ran off.”

“You’ve been searching for me. For three months?” Dana deflated.

“Night and day. We set up a missing person hotline, ran ads, contacted everyone you knew. I was so worried.”

“This is crazy. What about your job at LoveOthers? You’re, what, the vice president?”

Josh smiled. “More like co-president. Doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter. What about all the people who need you at Corporate?”

“Dana, all my employees are secure. They don’t need me right now. I came after you. You’re the one in danger.”

“I’m fine.” Dana studied the chipped nail polish on her thumbnail.

“Sure. This upstanding establishment revolves around your care and well-being.” Josh snorted. “Please tell me you don’t believe working at a bar, fending off sleazy guys, and sleeping in your vehicle fulfills your potential.”

“You’re sleeping in your car? Geez, Dana.” Antonio threw his hands in the air. “Why didn’t you tell me? You obviously know this guy. Are you going with him, or what?”

“Uh—”

“I’m here to offer you a job with LoveOthers. If you accept, you’ll work for Corporate, and I promise, we’ll take care of you.” Josh stepped toward her and held out his hand. “Come back with me.”

“But, your dad—”

“Dana, Dad loves you, and he believes in you. He always has. That’s why he offered you the position years ago. He’s just been waiting for you to reconsider. We assumed you’d ask for his help, but, I mean, you’re just a little headstrong.”

“A little.” Antonio laughed. “Do you know her? Like, for real? Man, I hope you know what you’re getting into.”

Josh nodded at Antonio. “Dad and I have known Dana all her life. Corporate can use a strong personality. We just have to help her channel it.” He looked at Dana. “Will you accept the offer to be a part of LoveOthers?”

“After all I’ve done? The lies, the fraud? What will people say if you hire me out of a bar?” Dana scraped her shoe on the floor, dislodging something sticky.

Josh rolled his eyes. “No one has to know where you’ve been.”

“It’s so much worse than you think. I’ve done things.” She tugged her sleeves down, knowing he’d already seen.

“None of that matters. Your past doesn’t matter. I’m offering you a clean slate. Come back with me. Sign the contract. Be a part of the LoveOthers family. Okay? I’ll never force you. It’s always your choice. But, please.” He grabbed her hand. “You’re breaking my heart.”

“Okay. I accept.” She clung to his hand, relief washing over her.

“Finally.” Josh wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s go home.”

“Hey!”

Startled, Dana tripped. Josh caught her, and she looked over his shoulder. Antonio stood in the middle of the room, twisting the dishtowel, his eyes pinned on Josh.

“Since you’re offering jobs, uh, do you think you could use me? I’ve never worked with kids, and most of my skills are, you know, limited to, uh. Yeah, you know what, never mind.” Antonio’s shoulders slumped. He started to turn toward the kitchen.

“Antonio.”

Antonio froze.

Josh waved toward the front door.

“Follow me. My father’s company has tons of open positions, and we’d love to have you join us. You are more valuable than you can imagine. We always have room for one more.”

^{“If you had a hundred sheep, and one wandered off, would you stay in the pen with the sheep who are safe? Of course not. You’d leave the safe, protected sheep and search for the lost sheep until you found it. And when you’d rescued it, wouldn’t you call all your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me. I found my lost sheep!’ In the same way, God searches for the lost. I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one lost soul who is found than over ninety-nine people who are already safe.” – Luke 15:3-7, Becky’s No-Nonsense Paraphrase}

Wondering if there’s room for you in God’s family? We all need to be found. You’re not alone. Not ever.