Because I Got Involved - Part 2 of This 2 Part Poem

This is the ending of "Because I Got Involved" - a 2-parter because of its length - “For making sure that what you couldn’t eat didn’t go to waste, and...you’ll owe me a favor,” she continued...“ain’t that right?” The little tyke’s perception of the circumstance was priceless, and she’d been flashing little smiles twixt every sip and bite, So, like the smitten fool I was, I told her, “Absolutely...and when we’ve finished, I can call our friends in Tampa Bay, And if you’d like to meet them, we can stop and grab my wife, and run down there in no time...they’re just 20 miles away. “That can be the favor that I owe you”, I proposed. “I think my offer’s more than fair,” then added, “wha-da-ya think?” She snarfed her final burger bite while mulling my suggestion, then, reaching across the table for my pop to take a drink, “Thank you for the food,” she chirped, “now - let’s go meet your friends...if you and Connie really like them, I’m sure I will too. And if they really like me back, I’ll give them all my money...and...if they’re glad you brought me, sir...they may give some to you!” Surprised to hear her call me ‘sir’, I suddenly realized, as of then I hadn’t actually told the kid my name! “My name’s Mark --- Mark Stellinga”...I reached out to shake...“and coming close to skipping lunch, I’m really glad I came. “And your name’s - Susan Barnes - I see, according to your note...I’ll bet you go by Susie, hon...or, should I call you - Sue?” “Susie fine,” she fired back, then made my day by adding...“for choosing not to skip your meal, I’m just as ‘glad’ as you! “If you can’t be my dad,” she quipped, “how about bein’ my grandpa? Without a doubt you’re old enough, and I can tell you’re smart. Mama told me not to worry, said that - here at Nell’s - sooner or later, someone older, someone with a heart, “Would, at some point, figure out that I was all alone, and almost certainly take a shot at learning why that was, And when I saw you enter I was hoping you would spot me, and do - with any luck - what a person your age usually does “When they encounter someone who is struggling...needing help. They tend to lend a helping hand, offering what they can To ease the pain of others, and I knew, by how you looked, that you, if I was guessing right, were just that sort of man.” The little rascal had me pegged. “You’re right,” I proudly said, “and you’ll fit in with Dan and Marcy just like you were theirs! We’ll do the whole thing legal like, but - one way or the other - I’ll help you find a brand new mom and dad that truly cares, “Who’ll do their best to keep you safe, and where you’ll definitely to know where your next meal’s coming from, and where you’re going to sleep. We’ll make this work, I promise you, and this one, dear, I swear’s a vow I’m proud to offer, and will fight like hell to keep!” I phoned my friends and filled them in, fully understanding how far out my plan would leave us dangling on a limb, Never doubting they would win the heart of little Susie...and absolutely positive that she’d appeal to them! Just as we expected she was very well received, and Dan and Marcy took to her like birds take to the sky, Telling her, “We’d love to have you come and live with us”... as they and she - and me an’ Connie - all began to cry. The necessary paperwork was promptly taken care of, and now, just five months later, thanks to God - and somewhat me - Susie’s gone from being abandoned in to where a child - a young and helpless child like her - with heaven’s help, should be. The three are now inseparable and - just as we had hoped - each of their dilemmas - by adopting her - were solved. Dan and Marcy got the child they’d prayed for all this time...and Susie’s blessed with brand new folks because…...I got involved.