Dad bragged that he had been investigated twelve times in the past four years by the children’s services division and was able to keep his kids every time, “They found nothing worth taking the kids.” He is currently technically homeless. He will leave next week for Florida to “hopefully” take a job working in a warehouse. I visited the home where dad’s sister lives and where the children will stay while dad is in Florida. We were not allowed to enter because “they weren’t dressed yet.” It was 10AM and the distinctive blue-green haze of marijuana smoke rolled out of the partially opened front door.

I spoke to “dad” about his kids being hungry. He knew it was an issue, but he said they were picky eaters. He said, “At least Julia is a picky eater.” Then he said that he would wait for an hour or so after the kids complained of being hungry so that they would eat whatever he prepared. Then he said that neither of them had grown at all in the last year. I told dad that they were malnourished if they had not grown. I talked to dad about Julia’s eyes, her dull hair, and her lethargy. He said he was doing the best he could.

I asked Dad if Julia had been treated for her head lice. He said that he needed to take her to the doctor today, that he would get a special “one-time” lice treatment that would bypass all the combing and shampooing that Rid™ or Nix™ require. Julia coughed: one of those deep rattling coughs that accompany a respiratory infection. I looked at dad, he was unaffected. Diana offered to get Julia some cough medicine. Dad said, “No,” that he was going to take her to the doctor today and would get something there.

I talked to dad about his spiritual history. He had a long church background, but had stopped attending years ago. I asked him why he didn’t return. He said he really wasn’t interested, but that he would send the kids “on the bus.” I told him that wasn’t good enough. Cheap church babysitting doesn’t do anyone any good. If he really cared about the spiritual life of his children he had to be present with them. He said that he knew what I said was true, but he was honest enough to not give the slightest indication that he was ready to stop doing whatever seemed right to him at present and to submit his life to the Lordship of Jesus.

Later that day, James and Julia showed up at the Boys and Girls Club. James was allowed to stay. Julia was turned away since she had not been treated for her head lice. They were with a woman. Dad was nowhere in sight. The woman was asked about Julia.

She said she was going to take Julia to the doctor today.