Sgt. Trent got up on the second day of summer in an humble mood.
“Lord, You said that we should acknowledge You in all our ways, so here I am asking for what to do this morning instead of coffee because I already know after yesterday's incident, the smell of coffee will have Melvin heaving up. And, on top of that, can we please have a quiet day today – and that goes for the Ludlows too? I feel like we really need one!”
This was a sincere prayer, since Sgt. and Mrs. Trent had three children under 12, and Capt. and Mrs. Ludlow had custody of seven grandchildren under 12.
Capt. R.E. Ludlow came out onto his porch as Sgt. Trent was praying, and then went back inside to get something.
“It's called CrioBru, Sergeant. Someone had the bright idea of preparing cocoa beans like coffee beans. Thalia loves it, and so we order by the dozen.”
The captain sprayed the bag off with rubbing alcohol, aimed, and tossed it over to the sergeant.
“Thank you – and thank You, Lord!”
Things were going so well … Velma Trent was doing some reading that day, Milton was hanging out with 21-year-old brother Melvin on the beat making brigade in Melvin's room, Vanna was studying, and Gracie was keeping her mom company while Mrs. Trent was doing her nails.
“Well, no, Gracie, you don't have to have long fingernails for them to be really pretty,” Mrs. Trent was explaining, and Gracie seemed perfectly occupied.
Sgt. Trent went on and took a nap. All was quiet.
Only that evening …
“Lord, I asked for a quiet day. I should have been more specific.”
Goldie the cat and Goody the dog all had been to the nail shop.
“But see, I only painted half a nail on them, because you know, they have to use their nails and stuff,” Gracie explained as she put her watercolors away.
“What I'm trying to understand,” Capt. Ludlow said when he heard about it, “is how those animals let her do that.”
“Gracie is gifted, Captain. We're just not ready for it.”