She was an old lady, retired from the Salvation Army. She had a modest house on the East Side, not far from the river. There, she lived an austere lif..., seldom straying from her living room. But it was known among a select few of the transients that she had half a dozen cots in her basement and no one in need of shelter for the night was turned away. G2 stood quietly at her door, waiting and dripping water on the steps. The door opened a crack and the General looked out. Then it was flung open. I had been meaning to ask Rich if I could get the locks replaced. The lock always seemed to stick on me. Just as I unlocked the door and stepped in a strong hand closed over my mouth. The powerful scent of male teased my nose as he pushed us deeper into the house. The door shut behind us and he locked it. His hand grabbed the straps to my book bag and pulled them off. He dumped the bag where I normally put it."Don't scream and don't turn around." The Stranger said deeply in my ear. I thought. "Because you'd let her burn down the house if she asked," laughed hismother. "Just sit Allie, and I figured I'd flat iron you hair while wetalk." And ruin all those beautiful curls already?" interrupted Nana. "Can'tyou fix them and let her enjoy them a little?" We have to leave in twenty five minutes mom, and it's not like you haveall these soft curls we can tame for church," said Holly, shaking herhead. "It's her school, so she needs to be appropriate, plus don't youneed to try on her uniform. "It always makes me happy to knowthat I am right," she laughed. "You are going to be a wonderful littlesissy toy for me to play with," she said. "But your knees must be verysore from kneeling so long this first time," She pointed out. And onlythen did I realize she was right."Turn to the side and lay down, flat on your back," I was instructed.Not understanding why, but knowing I had to obey this angel from heaven,I did as she told me."This first night has required a lot of courage from you.