Finding Faith
Page 38
“What’s going on?” Andrew asked as the counselor parked behind the police vehicles.
“You two should stay in the car while I find out.”
As he stepped outside and rounded the vehicle, Angela pointed to the front door of the house. “Look.”
Andrew watched with her as two officers in black uniforms escorted Uncle Billy out of the house. His hands were cuffed behind his back, his clothes were stained with food and drink, and his face was flushed.
“You can’t do this to me,” their uncle shouted as he struggled to break free from the officers.
The policemen held him firmly and encouraged him to remain silent as they guided him towards one police car. As they opened the back door and started putting him inside, he yelled drunkenly, “You are making a big mistake. I’ll have your badges for this.”
After Billy was secured in the police car, Counselor Robertson walked over to one of the cops and began talking with him. As Andrew tried to overhear the conversation, he felt his sister’s hand tap his shoulder. When he glanced at her, he followed her gaze back towards the door of the house where an older man and woman were coming out onto the porch.
Andrew and Angela opened the car doors and ran across the lawn to reach the couple near the stairs. As they approached, Angela called out in surprise, “Grandma and Grandpa, what are you guys doing here?”
“I’m sorry you have to see all this.” Their grandmother shook her head sadly as she gave them both reassuring hugs. “It wasn’t easy coming out here, especially with your grandpa’s health conditions. But, he’s doing better now, and we really needed to talk to your uncle.”
“That’s right.” Their grandfather was very thin and faint sounding. “We have been trying to call you two for months now, but each time we either couldn’t get through or Billy answered and said you both were too busy to talk to us. And after we heard that you were in a public school, not a Catholic one, we needed to know the reason why.”
“You didn’t know we were in a public school?” Andrew asked in confusion. “How did you find out?”
“I called them,” Counselor Robertson said as he walked up the stairs and joined them on the front porch. “You see, Andrew, when you told me that your uncle had been getting money from nowhere and spending it wastefully, I wanted to get a hold of your next closest relatives besides Uncle Billy, your grandparents. I had to contact your old school to get their phone number.”
“When we spoke to your counselor,” their grandmother continued softly, “he told us that you attend Grove Public High School. This of course didn’t make any sense to us at all. You see, your parents’ will said that there was a bank account set up for your schooling. It specifically stated that in the event of their deaths, whoever was your legal guardian could only use that money for your Catholic education.”
Their grandfather nodded glumly, “Your uncle Billy had access to that account, but what we learned through a private investigation was that your uncle had sent you to a public school so that he could siphon the money from the bank account for himself.”
The new sofa, television, sound bar, Andrew thought as he shook his head. And taking out his girlfriend to fancy restaurants too. I was right, but I had no idea he was stealing the money from us.
At the same moment, Angela thought about all the trouble they had gotten into at their school. “All this time we’ve been stuck in a public high school when we should have been in a Catholic one?”
“Yes.” Their grandmother gazed sorrowfully at them. “We confronted Billy with the evidence to give him the option of paying back the money. Unfortunately, he had been drinking. He became irate, started cursing and even threatening us. We were forced to call the police and we officially pressed charges.”
“So what’s going to happen now?” Angela felt overwhelmed. “With Billy being taken away, who’s going to watch over us?”
For an awkward moment, the grandparents looked silently at the counselor. Their grandmother then said, “That’s something we have been discussing recently. We are so sorry for the way Billy has treated you. We wish that we could somehow take care of you, but our situation hasn’t changed. Since we‘re in assisted living, we cannot.”
“However,” their grandfather gazed at them both carefully assessing their reactions. “We have determined that there is someone who would be more than willing and able to look after you.”
Counselor Robertson took a step closer. He suddenly seemed almost timid. “I know that this is all very sudden for you. You have both gone through so much and have grown in so many ways. If you are willing, I’d like to provide a home for you, and mentor you both until you are able to be on your own. There may be other options, but I did want to make this offer. Of course, you don’t need to decide tonight.”
“We have a hotel you can stay at for a few days,” their grandmother said, “while we’re in town for the trial. Our lawyer is working to get the money back that Billy stole from the account. There should be enough for you, Andrew, to go to college, and you, Angela, to spend the next three years in a Catholic high school.”
“Even if the money is tied up in a long trial,” the counselor continued kindly, “I’d be financially able to support you and your schooling.”
“Wow, I’m not sure what to say.” Angela stated as she looked at brother, clearly overwhelmed.
“That’s a really great offer,” Andrew said barely able to contain his excitement. “I’d love that.” As he glanced towards his sister, he noticed her uncertainty, then added, “but we’ll definitely have to talk it over.”
Counselor Robertson nodded. “That’s fine, take your time and pray about it too.” He then peered at the grandparents. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Thank you. Thank you for everything.” The grandmother shook his hand warmly.
As he left, Andrew and Angela went inside the house to grab their things.
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“God, I thank you for Andrew and Angela,” Jeff prayed, “for this time that we may share together, for the opportunities before us, and for each new day that we may strive to be closer to you.”
“Thank you for Counselor… I mean, Jeff,” Andrew said, smiling in embarrassment, “for taking us in and providing a real home for us, and for all his support and encouragement.”
Angela grinned. “Please guide our new family and help us to always be thankful for the many gifts you have given us.”
Together they said, “Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.”
As they concluded their ritual night prayer, Jeff gave them both comforting hugs, “God bless you both and goodnight.” He then retired to his room, while Andrew and Angela headed outside.
Standing on the back deck beneath the night sky and countless stars, Andrew reflected upon the past several weeks. After he had a deep heart to heart with Angela regarding their counselor’s offer, they had agreed that he was truly genuine and very generous. They accepted his proposal and moved into his spacious home only days later. It was some time before they heard the verdict in Uncle Billy’s trial. They were relieved to find out that although he had initially denied the claims against him, when the evidence was presented, he admitted to being guilty to avoid time in jail. And, he had agreed to pay back the stolen money.
Angela looked away from the stars back at her brother. “Everything seems so different here. The house is nicer, the neighborhood is safer, and even the night sky seems clearer.”
“Being in a real home with a strong spiritual leader and a father figure again makes such a huge difference.” Andrew said with feeling.
“I still really miss mom and dad.”
“So do I,” Andrew replied. “But, seeing the beautiful stars above makes me think of our parents in Heaven right now, looking down and smiling at us. I think they’d be really proud of us and the way we are embracing our faith and encoura
ging others.”
“Yeah, I really love the Purity Club. It’s too bad though that you’ll be graduating soon. I mean, the Purity Club just began, and it has so much potential to help a lot of people. Now I’m worried that it’s all going to end and be forgotten.”
“Next year, you’ll be starting at a Catholic high school and I’ll be at college. We may be headed down separate paths in life, but I believe that is part of God’s plan. He is spreading us out in the world so we can touch new people’s lives wherever we go.”
Angela’s frown changed into a smile as her eyes lit up. “I bet Jeff can find another person to continue the Purity Club at Grove High. And, we can always start new Purity Clubs at our next schools.”
“Yes, we can.” Andrew stared up at the bright stars. He could feel God’s presence totally surrounding him. He had never felt more at peace. “God has amazing plans for us. We just need to have faith.”
About the Author
Anthony Lampe holds a BA in Media Communications from Webster University. He is also the author of interactive adventure books. He lives in southern California with his wife and children. Find him online at www.anthonymlampe.wix.com/home
Interactive Adventure Books by Anthony Lampe
Once Human
The Sword of Vanquish
Beauty and the Beast: A Twisted Tale
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