What Happened To Teddy? - (A Dramatic Story In Verse)

CHAPTER ONE

Teddy rang, for the fifth time that day,

"These servants of mine, think they'll get away

With ignoring my calls, they better pray

I don't tell my daddy, to hold their pay."

"Do you need something, Miss Teddy?" the servant said,

"You know I do!" Teddy yelled, her face was all red,

"I thought only, to hold your pay

But better to fire you, as of today."

"That's how it happened sir, I swear to you,"

The maid said that, I thought, "Now what do I do?"

"You were last to see Teddy, before she disappeared

I need to go find her, and bring her back here."

I tried to think, where would she go?

Not back to her mama, that much I know...

I remembered when I first met her, all ribbons and curls

And how she would play, like all other girls,

Her mother said to me, "There's something, that I gotta do

Teddy's got a play, 'The Princess Review,'

I gotta go see, a man 'bout a job

An' buy me a dress, 'cause I look like a slob

An' there's no way to do both, you see?

Could you do me a favor, an' go there for me?"

I should have seen it, even back then

The excuses, behavior, all the strange men,

But why should I suspect, my sister of that?

I made a swipe, with my foot at the cat.

I am naive, just a dumb Christian guy

If I'd just paid attention, don't even know why

I didn't, now Teddy is gone

I can still hear her singing, that little girl song,

"I'm a fairy princess, and I will give to you

Three little wishes, and a smile brand new!"

If I had just given, but one single thought

Then I wouldn't, in a million years, have bought,

My sister's story, of her little girl's dad

And how she came up, with the money she had,

Or why the dad, had nothing to do

With a little girl's wishes, or her smile brand new.

I gritted my teeth, I was so mad

Remembering the talk, with Teddy's "sweet" dad,

"Teddy's gone? Good riddance! Bye bye!

I've had it up to here, with that brat, and I

Have paid for knocking her up mom, in spades

The things that were broken, the hiring of new maids,

That's what I get, for doin' a whore

I would have done my ol' lady, but she's just a bore!"

Then he laughed, a cold-hearted laugh

(That's when I tried, to break him in half),

"She's your daughter, you jerk, don't you care?"

"If you find her, you keep her, now isn't that fair?"

It started off bad, when she lived with her mom

Then the courts stepped in, and exploded a bomb,

Teddy was placed, "for her good" with her dad

But everything in her life, for her turned out bad,

Over the years, Teddy went into a shell

And started down a road, that leads off to hell,

Teddy was spoiled, and had money galore

No matter how much, she wanted some more,

In truth what she wanted, her dad wouldn't give

But just gave her money, and a place she could live.

I have to find her to tell her, that she can be loved

I have to show her a Savior, that calls her beloved,

Maybe she's scared, or alone, or she's hurt

Maybe she's around others, that'll treat her like dirt,

Maybe she's hungry, and needs food or water

I need to tell her I'd love her, to be my own daughter.

CHAPTER TWO

All the way home, I worried a lot

Had to regroup, to see the options I got,

Where do I start, she's only fifteen?

Even though she's wild, even though she's quite mean,

I loved her anyway, not many did

Even when she, was only a kid,

I unlocked the door, and slumped on the couch

A fork under my butt, caused me to say "ouch"-

I tried to clear my head, so I could think

I need to wash the dishes, piled there in the sink,

Jenny will be home, in just under a week

When Jenny is here, the world isn't so bleak

Bet she'd have an idea, of where Teddy would go

Need to get my head together, how much do I know?

"Please Lord Jesus, help me to see

What I can do, and where she could be..."

So I took a couple hours, to set the house aright

When my attention was drawn, by the red blinking light

Man! should've checked my messages, when I came home!

I pushed the button to see, who'd called on the phone.

Message 1: "Hi honey, sorry that you're not at home

I miss you so badly, and feel all alone.

The convention gets over, in only two days

But without you my mind, is all in a haze,

If you talk to Teddy, hug her once for me

Oww! Just banged the heck, outta my knee!

Well gotta go now, kisses and hugs

And don't be bitten, by any bed bugs.

I love you honey, see you real soon

Should be at the airport, Friday at noon.

Hey, I bought something slinky, it'll be a surprise

Friday night I know, you'll bug out your eyes!"

Leave it to Jenny, to fill up my head

With smiles and love, and the things that she said,

With everything she remembered, her cell phone's right here

But just hearing her voice, made her feel near.

Beep! Message 2: "Uncle Tony! Uncle Tony! are you there?"

It was Teddy's voice calling, and she sounded scared,

"Uncle Tony, I'm sorry, I ran away from home

These guys are chasing me, and I got to this phone,

These two quarters, were all that I had

I'm sorry everything, I've done is so bad,

Don't know where I am, or how I got here

I'm trying to be brave, and not show any fear,

But I feel like a little girl again, all sad and alone

Please come and find me, so I can come home..."

I kept staring at the phone, expecting some more

In the background the sound of a police siren roar

But she wasn't there, she had let the phone drop

My heart beating fast, I thought it would stop.

"Hold on honey, be smart, take care

I'm coming to find you, I'll look everywhere,

Then you come and stay with Jenny and me

Then you'll know what love is and how family can be.

CHAPTER THREE

I looked at my list, there in my hand

I had checked off my sister, that I hardly could stand

Seeing how her life, had taken its toll

From being a beauty, to resembling a troll,

She'd lost teeth from crack, that I know that she smokes

And had sores on her skin, from sex with those blokes,

She at first did not, even recognize me

And not a shadow of worry, over her daughter Teddy,

"I haven't heard a word from Teddy, in over a year

The last time she called, I had a date with me here,

So I couldn't talk, and I said to call back."

And that's when I lost it: "It's all that crack

That you smoke! and the whoring you do!

You push Teddy away when she reaches for you?

Forget it! I'll just keep on praying for you

I'm leaving before I tear you in two!"

There weren't any clues, until to her house I went

To look through her things, and to get a sense

Of where her head was before disappearing

And any voices in her head, that she had to be hearing,

I looked at the history, on her computer

I saw a bunches and bunches, of emails to her,

One email said:

"The people that are here, never listen to me

I feel like I'll never, really get to be

My own person, and a woman grown

To be able to decide, things on my own."

I felt the lump growing, I swallowed hard

The person she was talking to, then played his card,

"Then why not come, and go away with me

I'll treat you like a grown up, just you wait and see,

Meet me at the corner, of eighty-eighth and Main

You can get there very easily, if you take the train."

A little more digging, I saw his name was "Jim"

Lord better help him, if I ever get to him,

So I called the police, to see about help

"Yeah, we talked to her dad," he said with a yelp

"There's 48 hours, then we'll list her as missing."

"It's been two days already! I know her dad's wishing

She'd stay gone! Forget it! I'll find her myself

The answer is on her computer, there on the shelf!"

I slammed the phone down, mad at her dad, the police, and me

I needed to slow down, to pray, to be less angry

"Lord, guide me with wisdom, lead me with love

Lend me your angels, sent from above

If it is your will, I want Teddy to be

Our daughter always, with Jenny and me."

"Follow me," she said, slinking like a cat

And I felt so dirty, even doing that,

She led me to a room, down a hall, upstairs

All the way there, I said my prayers.

"A hundred dollars, is what you said

So that your precious niece, doesn't wind up dead?"

I handed her two crisp, fifty dollar bills

And wondered how guys, could ever get their thrills

By sex without love, commitment, or heart

Without both people involved, or doing their part.

"Listen, Jimmy would kill me, if he ever knew

I even talked, to the likes of you,

But I never had a dad, who really cares

Or a momma, that my problems would share,

Jimmy took her to the showroom, I'll tell you where-

He can get a good price, for your niece there."

I tearfully thanked her, and gave her fifty bucks more

She wiped her eyes, "Now what'd you go, and do that for?

You want a freebee? it's on the house, you're sure?"

"I would never use you like that, and just hurt you more."

Tears in her eyes, showed her sincere

I had to stay focused, on why I was here.

"Listen my family goes to a church, on Newcomb and Main

Come visit sometime, so I can see you again."

CHAPTER FOUR

I followed directions, I took the lefts and the rights

I tried not to imagine, what moved in the night

That might mean danger, for my Teddy to bear

I had wished for so long, for her parents to care,

But they couldn't be bothered, while living their lives

I looked out over, the bars and the dives,

I couldn't help seeing, the loitering souls

Meandering around, their hearts full of holes,

Ladies of the evening, bent over the cars

This all happening, under the beautiful stars,

I felt the pulse of the city, a million souls

Each living their lives, all paying high tolls

For the decisions they made, and the deeds they had done

This was going to be risky, and not a bit fun.

Should I have waited, for the stupid police?

No! I can't let Teddy, be among the deceased

Or the girls that become, some rich pervert's toy

Or a live punching bag, of some pimp that's annoyed.

The "showroom" was just a rib house, used as a front

But like predators stalking, their prey in a hunt

Buyers would sit at a table, where they'd chat and dine

While being served their ribs, and their expensive red wine,

To all appearances, they were upstanding men

That were just there to get together again,

A social club, for the morally depraved

As they sharpened their appetites for the innocence they craved,

To devour lost children, as they would a steak

When in reality each one was a slithering snake,

That should be made to crawl on its belly on the floor

And their lives snatched away, to be theirs no more.

Like the girl had said, the back door was ajar

'Cause the dishwasher took his break, cross the street in a bar,"

I got in, and through to the stairs, like she said

And I saw the room, with the door that was red,

I listened at the door for what seemed a long time

And heard a voice inside, "You have a body divine!

Somebody will pay a great deal for you

Now turn around once now I think that will do,

A hint of the adult, a touch of the child

Now that'll drive the old geezers wild,

Now soon Jim will send someone to fetch you my dear

So I can get paid and get the hell out of here,

This place gives me the creeps, but Jimmy pays good

So I keep coming back, and he knew that I would."

Suddenly it became clear, what I must do

I banged hard with my fist, "It's you know who!

It's time for the kid, I'm takin' her down."

A bruiser of a lady, opened the door with a frown,

"I thought he'd send Joe or Tom, who are you?"

"None 'yer business, is she ready? are ya through?"

"Yeah, you can take her, she's ready to show

Tell Jimmy to pay me, so that I can go."

"Tell him yourself, do I look like yer slave?

Talk to me like that 'gin, you'll go to yer grave!"

"Okay, okay, it's all in good fun

Here take her and go, you can see that I'm done."

Teddy's eyes were wide, and wild with fear

I gave a sly wink (your uncle Tony is here),

"Listen girly," I said, "You'll do as I say

Or you'll learn very quickly, I can ruin yer day."

Teddy pretended, and kept her eyes down

We went down the stairs, toward the kitchen and out,

To the door but it was no longer ajar

With a man standing guard, "Well, you didn't get far,

We'll just see what ol' Jimmy has to say

To the man that was taking his treasure away!"

CHAPTER FIVE

Now you know I never, even owned a gun

Much less my being, targeted with one,

The plan had seemed, so flawless to me

Slip in there quietly, and then set her free,

Now we were being marched, to see the boss

And into a chair, we both were tossed,

"How did you think, you could steal from me ?"

"Steal Teddy from you? she's my family!"

"Shutup! Joe get this trash, and take him out!"

"Freeze! Police! You two get down!" came a shout -

We hit the floor and I, covered Teddy up

We closed our eyes, I heard, plates and cups

Crashing and breaking, all around our heads

"Lord," I thought, "It'll be a miracle, if we don't wind up dead!"

One shot, two, three, four,

And then I lost count, there were so many more,

Teddy screamed, and I felt her go limp

I opened my eyes, and with quivering lips,

I Cried.

"Teddy honey, please don't die!

I want you to be my daughter, I don't even know why

I didn't do more, to make you our own

And bring you out, to a new happy home,

I'm so sorry Teddy, please forgive me!"

And then I felt an officer, pull me to my feet.

I pulled at the officer, and tried to get back down

To my baby Teddy, lying there on the ground.

Then an officer said, " Call 911!, gunshot, loss of blood!"

Water from my eyes, gushed forth like a flood,

I looked up to heaven, with tears in my eyes

I had thought her dead, but I was surprised

Despite so much blood, that from her had flowed

The ambulance took her, and I watched her go.

She was critical, and so I couldn't ride

So I ran to my car, to go to her side,

The operation took hours, and hours on end

Then the doctor said, "She's safe now my friend."

It took two days, until Teddy woke up

She just smiled at me and said, "What's up?"

I couldn't help it, I started smiling, and crying again

"Thank God it's a miracle, that you're on the mend,"

"Did I hear you say that, I could live with you?"

"Yes, yes you can, if you really want to."

"Uncle Tony I love you, so don't be so sad

I think life with you, won't be half bad."

I smiled and hugged her, a sweet daddy hug

"You know you've turned into, a nice lady bug."

"Pass me the hymnal, please," Jenny said with a wink

Last Friday night in memory, my cheeks went all pink,

"Thank you she said, "Teddy, want to share mine?"

"Sure Auntie," she said, it was a good sign,

Teddy had struggled a while, to really fit in

So much to overcome, for her life to begin.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound"

I had given my love, and felt love abound,

"Excuse me, do you mind, if I sit down with you?"

I looked up into eyes, I was sure that I knew

Then it hit me, it was the girl I had paid!

That gave me the info, that led to the raid

On Jimmy's place, where Teddy was held

Where Teddy was shot, and all the crooks felled.

"You're always welcome my friend," I smiled and saw

A smile and a tear, and I remembered the call,

It turned out the cop, that I called up that day

Checked out the computer, then found a way

To break in and to cover up my mistake

I'll have to call him, and thank him, and ask him to make

A visit to my house, to eat a good meal

And to see how God chose, this wound to heal,

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below,"

Amen I thought, as I looked at my life

I reached over and squeezed, the hand of my wife.

THE END

To The Reader of this story: I want to thank you for reading this story about a runaway girl and her trial and her happy ending. There is no happy ending for so many kids who run away. They find out too soon that the world can be a big terrible place and that their lives are dispensable to the evil out there that would harm them. This girl was loved by her uncle but more than that, she was loved by God who led this man safely to his niece and allowed all to come home virtually unharmed. Living with her uncle she will know that she is loved and she will learn what was done for her.

I know this feeling because I know the love that God has for me. I too, was rescued from an evil world that sought to destroy me. I learned that Jesus came to earth to die for me and to pay for my sin and that He came to save the whole world. I wonder, have have you come to a place in your life that you know if you died you would go to heaven?

I want to tell you that it is not just a nice story. Jesus, God the Son, put on human flesh for you so that He could pay for your sin and mine. We don't have to die and pay for the sin that dwells inside of us. We can call on Him and He promises that all who call on the name of the Son of God will be saved. All it takes is a little faith, the size of a mustard seed. First a person has to realize something about themselves. A person that wants to get saved must first know that he needs saving. Once he knows he is a sinner and can't save himself, then he can call on Jesus to save him.

Do you believe that Jesus came to earth in human flesh to shed His blood on the cross for you? Do you believe that He died, was buried in the tomb and in three days He rose from the dead? Are you willing to turn from your sin to following Jesus as the only way of salvation? If you are pray this prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I know that my sin will keep me from heaven. I believe You came to earth and was nailed to a wooden cross to spill Your blood for me. I believe in the Gospel which is the death burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus please forgive me of my sin and save me. I turn to You now and away from the way I was living. I trust You with my eternal soul. Thank You for hearing me and saving me. I pray this in Jesus' holy name. Amen.