Cassie crumpled the paper in her fist. The eviction notice was the last straw. How could this have happened? Slumping down against the dirty, peeling wallpaper, she weighed her options. Crawling back to her parents was out of the question. Her father made that quite clear when she ran off with “that no good loser.” Turns out, her dad was right. Ace turned tail and ran when she told him about the baby. Two weeks later the cramping and bleeding began. Even the baby was smart enough not to stick with her. She was utterly alone in this world.

Needing to get out of this place, she pulled on her faded hoodie and jammed her fists in her pockets. They came out with two crumpled bills, a handful of change, and a pack of old gum. That’s what she amounted to these days.

She pulled open the apartment door and slunk down the hallway, head down. The last thing she needed was to run into the landlord. The chill November wind whipped her hair against her face as she headed outside. Trash scattered across her path. It didn’t matter where she went. Anywhere had to be better than here. She plodded aimlessly for several blocks. When the chill forced its way underneath her thin sweatshirt, she looked for a place to take refuge. She found herself standing in front of a 50’s style diner. Funny, she had never noticed this place before. She opened the door, and a jingling bell announced her presence. She was soon surrounded by warmth and smells that reminded her of her childhood.

A plump older woman called out to her. “Find a seat, dear, I’ll be with you in a minute.”

What she was doing here? She couldn’t buy anything for $2.42. Still, her feet moved her with a will of their own and deposited her into the nearest booth. Slouched against the fake leather seat, she stared down at the table. A minute later, a beautiful china cup and matching saucer was set before her. The cup was filled with dark steaming liquid, inviting Cassie to take a drink and warm up from the inside out.

Cassie looked up, startled. “I didn’t order anything…”

The waitress gazed at her, smiling. “I know, dear, but you looked like you could use a cup of tea. It’s on the house.”

Cassie stared at her. The woman looked so much like her grandmother it was uncanny. Even the teacup looked like her grandmother’s. What kind of diner served tea in a china cup? As the waitress smiled at Cassie with a twinkle in her deep gray eyes, Cassie cradled the cup in her hands and took a long deep sip. The warm liquid traveled down her throat and ignited memories she thought were long buried. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a cup of tea, but she’d never forget the first time.

She was six years old. Her grandmother served her tea and cookies. When Grandma presented Cassie with her very own cup and saucer, Cassie felt so grown up. Never mind the fact she loaded her cup with so much milk and sugar you couldn’t tell there was tea in there, she was still drinking it. Her grandma trusted her with a fancy fragile cup. A single tear trailed down Cassie’s face as she longed for those simpler times. Grandma was different. She always believed in her. How could Cassie have forgotten? Sipping her tea, she realized the cup held more than just a beverage. It gave her something she hadn’t had in a long time. Hope. Remembering the way things used to be gave her hope that someday she could get there again. She looked up at the waitress who patiently held out a tissue.

“If there’s anything else I can get you tonight, honey, it’s on the house.”

Cassie blotted her eyes. “Thank you. You’ve given me exactly what I needed already. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go call my grandma.”

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11