Ayla stood in the middle of her front yard, watching as the lake invaded without premise. One could not argue with nature, as it does not willingly bend to the needs of people. However, the record-breaking rainfall threatened to force her out of the home she’d known for twenty years.

The retention pond at the back of her property threatened her backyard with hints of trickling water reaching out like fingers. October ushered in the end of the rainy season, and with luck, the water would evaporate enough to bring back a sense of normalcy.

The lake’s rising over the past two months created the proverbial black cloud over her mental and emotional state. Even so, Ayla managed to stay hopeful and find some semblance of joy in her life. One thing bothered her—the evidence of prowlers around her property.

Her thoughts dwelled on it. How can I stop them from invading my privacy? She had a fence protecting her backyard, but the front yard was open—wide open to trespassers. A gate on each side of the house led to the backyard. She found her gates open several mornings. Someone had rummaged through her property.

“I’m going to need locks on these gates,” she mumbled.

The road in front of her house was completely flooded. Why would someone slosh through two-foot deep water to get to her backyard? There was nothing except patio furniture, bird feeders, and potted plants to steel.

The day gave way to darkness. Ayla didn’t purchase the locks she wanted and worried about trespassers. Sleep didn’t come quickly—her mind whirled with thoughts of intruders. Tomorrow she’d get those locks without fail.

Ayla’s broken sleep didn’t affect her energy level the following day. She poured a cup of coffee, opened the vertical blinds to the sliding glass doors looking out over her backyard. That’s when she noticed something near the shed. She grabbed her pellet gun for protection, not that it would do much except cause initial pain and bruising.

The closer she got to the shed, the faster her heart pounded. Jutting out from the left side were a pair of feet wearing sneakers. A man slept there all night.

“So, this is who’s been creeping around my house,” she said.

She poked him with the pellet gun three times, trying to wake him. He never moved.

“Hey! Get up. I said get up,” Ayla yelled. “What the heck is wrong with you? I said get up.”

She continued to push him with the barrel of her gun and then with her hand. Still, he never moved. Finally, she realized he was either dead or dying. She ran to the house to grab her phone and dialed 911.

“911, what’s your emergency?”

“Hi, my name is Ayla Reynolds. There’s a man near my shed. I don’t know who he is, but he isn’t moving.”

“Is he breathing?”

“I’m not sure. Let me go back and check.”

Ayla slowly kneeled to check if the man was breathing. His breath softly brushed her hand through his nose.

“Oh my gosh. Yes. He’s breathing. What should I do?”

She continued to speak with the 911 operator while she waited for help.

The ambulance soon showed up to Ayla’s backyard driveway, as did the sheriff. The man eventually gained consciousness and apologized profusely for invading Ayla’s privacy. Unfortunately, he had suffered a seizure due to the lack of his medication. The ambulance drove away with the man inside, while the sheriff stayed behind to talk to her.

“What did he tell you?” Ayla asked the sheriff.

“He said that he lost his job due to the death of his boss. He was then evicted from his apartment after three months of non-payment of his rent.”

“Oh, wow. That’s sad. I don’t think he meant any harm to me. Are you going to arrest him when he gets out of the hospital?”

“No. He’s been homeless for less than a month. We’ll direct him to some government programs to help him find work and shelter.”

“Where are they taking him—what hospital?”

“I think they’re taking him to Community Hospital. Listen, I don’t think he meant any harm to you either. But, I do think you need locks on those side gates.”

“Oh, don’t worry. That’s the first thing I’m doing today.”

“I notice the lake is encroaching on yours and your neighbors’ front lawns. Three sandbag locations are still open. You might want to let your neighbors know.”

“Thank you, but the lake seems to be stabilizing. It hasn’t risen in nearly a week, and we are in the dry season now. So, I think things will be better soon, hopefully.”

“Well, alright then. Get those locks.” The officer winked at her and got in his car. Ayla motioned to the officer, and he rolled down his window.

“Can you tell me what the man’s name is?”

“Richard Campbell.”

“Thanks. Have a good day.”

After the sheriff left, Ayla decided there was no time like the present to get those locks. She also decided to stop at Community Hospital to visit Richard Campbell.

Ayla sat in the hospital parking lot for several minutes, wondering how to approach the man, Richard Campbell. She didn’t feel angry with him but felt sad for him. Ayla also remembered a time when she was weeks away from being homeless. It was a stressful time in her life, but she had people who stood by her and helped when she needed it most. She wondered how she could help Richard.

“Hi, a man named Richard Campbell was admitted earlier today. Is he allowed visitors?” she asked the receptionist.

“Let me check. You said, Richard Campbell?”

“Yes.”

“It looks like they moved him to a room. He’s in room 211.”

“Oh, thank you so much.”

Ayla took the elevator up to the second floor and found room 211. She stood outside for a few minutes, going over what she would say. Then, taking a deep breath and straightening her shirt, she entered. To her surprise, he was sitting up in his bed. His attention left the TV, and he turned his attention on Ayla.

She felt awkward but said, “Hi… I’m Ayla, the woman who found you.”

“I thought so,” he said. “I want to thank you for saving my life.”

Ayla blushed. “I thought you were dead at first, but then I realized you were still breathing. I heard what you are going through—the officer told me. I hope you don’t mind me knowing your business.”

“No. Not at all. And… I’m sorry if I scared you.”

“Can I ask you a question?” Then, without waiting for Richard’s reply, she said, “Why did you choose my yard? Two feet of water floods the road and part of my front yard. You had to wade through all of that to get to it.”

“If I tell you, you’ll think I’m crazy.”

“Go for it. I’m as open-minded as they come.”

Richard nodded his head—hesitated for a moment, and said, “I felt as though God chose your yard for me. I was drawn to it. If I hadn’t chosen your yard and shed to sleep near, you wouldn’t have been there to save me.”

“Oh. I see. You believe in God. So do I, and I don’t think you sound crazy at all.”

The two of them stared at each other, which made them both blush. Richard broke the silence. Pointing at the rolling table, he asked Ayla to grab the plastic bag with his belongings. He rummaged through and pulled out a pocket bible.

“See. I carry a pocket bible with me at all times.”

Ayla smiled. “Do you believe that we were meant to meet?”

“Yes, I do. I believe that God’s promise to provide for us is something we should always have faith in. Even though my life is at a low point, I know that I’ll be lifted up eventually.”

“Well then, Richard Campbell, is there any way I can help you?” Ayla felt a good vibe from Richard. If she could be a tool to help Richard get back on his feet, she knew she’d be doing something good.

“Nah. I appreciate the offer, but I have already spoken to a couple of organizations that will help me with lodging at a boarding house. I even have a job interview lined up.”

“Wow. That’s awesome. Then, maybe we can be good friends. How’s that sound?”

Richard grinned. “It’s a promise. I don’t have any family left, and I just moved to this town six months ago, so I do need a friend.”

Ayla wrote her phone number down on a piece of notepaper. “Give me a call when you get everything sorted out. We can go for lunch.”

“Will do.” Richard stared at her phone number before asking Ayla for a favor. “When I finally get settled at the boarding house and get that job, could you take me to get my car out of hock? It was towed after I ran out of gas, and I was broke.”

“Of course, give me a call—anytime.”  

As Ayla left the hospital, her thoughts landed on the flood outside her front yard. Even the things that seem threatening can become blessings. That flood was full of promises—a blessing in disguise.

The featured image was photographed and is owned by the Author, Jill Yoder.