“My name is Cameron McKenna. I own McKenna’s Frame Shop here in the Arts Center, and I’m also the guardian of my niece, Kayla Norton, who is a member of N.C.Y.T. She’s been deeply impacted by her involvement in the group, and I’ve seen how valuable this program is, not just for my niece, but for our whole community. I believe we need to support what’s happening here with N.C.Y.T., and we need to realize its success is largely due to the excellent leadership of Rachel Clark.”
Rachel’s throat grew thick, and she had to blink away her tears. No words of praise had ever sounded sweeter.
“I know there have been a lot of rumors circulating about Ms. Clark,” Cam continued, “and I want to put those to rest tonight by introducing a former student of Ms. Clark’s from Seattle.” He looked to the right and motioned toward the student section.
Rachel followed his gaze and gasped. She’d been so focused on Cam she hadn’t seen Kyle Saunders come in with the other students.
Kyle got up and walked toward the podium, his shoulders slumped and his hands stuffed in his jeans pockets. He tossed his head, flicking his long dark hair out of his eyes. His gaze connected with Rachel’s for only a split second, but it was long enough for her to see the regret pooled there.
Kyle approached the microphone. He and Cam exchanged a brief look. Cam nodded to Kyle, then guided Rachel to a seat at the end of the first row.
“Are you sure about this?” Rachel asked in a choked whisper.
“Very sure.” He settled into the chair next to her.
Kyle shifted from one foot to the other and cleared his throat. Finally, he looked up. “My name’s Kyle Saunders. I graduated from Roosevelt High last June. Ms. Clark was my drama teacher my junior year and the first few months of my senior year. She was a good teacher, the best I’ve ever had.” He stopped and looked down, obviously struggling to control his emotions.
“She really cared about me…and all the kids. She tried to help us see what’s important in life and teach us how to make good choices.” He looked down again and was silent for a few seconds. “That’s why I’m really sorry for the things I said about her.”
A hushed gasp rose from the group.
Kyle tossed his hair out of his eyes. “I got kind of messed up when my parents divorced a couple years ago. It was pretty rough for a while, and I used to talk to Ms. Clark about it. She always made time to listen to me. She tried to help me think about the future and the good things that could happen if I’d just hang on and not give up or do something stupid to ruin my life. I wasn’t a very good listener back then, but that’s no excuse for what I did to Ms. Clark.” He stopped again for few seconds, fighting to keep his emotions under control. “She never did anything wrong. I was the one that tried to make it into something more, and I’m sorry about that.”
Kyle sent Cam a pleading look, as though asking permission to sit down. Cam nodded, and Kyle took a step away from the podium.
“So you’re saying you lied. There was no romantic relationship between you and Ms. Clark?” Gail Mitchell’s harsh tone carried a heavy dose of accusation.
Kyle blinked, and his Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. “Yeah. I was scared of getting in trouble, so I lied.”
Rachel’s heart twisted. She felt no surge of triumph over her vindication. Sin had done so much damage in Kyle’s life. Her anger and fear melted into sorrow, and the first wave of true forgiveness crested over her heart.
“Could that woman make this any more difficult for him?” Cam muttered, then rose and walked toward the podium.
He placed his hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “Thanks, Kyle. We appreciate the courage it took for you to come here and talk to us.”
The students clapped for him, and some of the parents joined in. Kyle ducked his head and returned to his seat in the row behind Rachel.
Suzanne got up and joined Cam at the podium. “Thank you, Kyle. It shows real maturity to admit your mistakes and try to make them right. We appreciate that. And I agree with you, Rachel Clark is a wonderful teacher and also an excellent director for N.C.Y.T.” She shifted her focus to the parents. “I think it’s time to put this issue to rest and give Ms. Clark the assurance of our support. All those in favor of Rachel Clark remaining director of N.C.Y.T. please stand.” She stepped forward and beamed a smile at Rachel.
The students jumped up, clapping, hooting and whistling. The parents soon joined in with a hearty round of applause, relief and smiles lighting up their faces.
Tears flooded Rachel’s eyes again. She released a shuddering breath and smiled at Cam. He walked toward her. She stood and stepped into his open arms. Relief rushed through her as he held her close for a few seconds and then let her go.
The students surrounded them, showering her with encouraging words. “We love you, Ms. Clark.” “You’re the best.” “We couldn’t go on without you.”
Kayla stepped forward and hugged Rachel. “Oh, I was praying so hard.”
“Me, too.” Rachel laughed and swiped a tear from her eye.
Haley joined Kayla. “I’m sorry about my mom. She can be a little overprotective sometimes.”
“She loves you, and I’m sure she was just trying to watch out for you.”
“Thanks for hanging in there through all of this,” Haley added.
The circle of students parted for Haley’s parents.
Gary Mitchell cleared his throat. “Ms. Clark, I believe we owe you an apology.” He turned to his wife.
Gail nodded, her face flushed. “I’m afraid I jumped to the wrong conclusion. I’m sorry.” She hesitated and glanced at her daughter. “I hope Haley can still be in the show.”
Rachel smiled and nodded. “There’s no one else I’d rather see play Anne.”
Several girls squealed and joined Haley and Kayla in a group hug.
Ryan patted Rachel on the back. “Thanks, Ms. Clark. I know we missed a couple rehearsals, but we won’t let you down. We’ll work hard to get ready.”
“Good. Rehearsal is set for tomorrow at one o’clock.”
The students cheered, then happily gathered up their belongings and prepared to leave.
Cam placed his arm around her shoulder. “I think there’s one more person who wants to talk to you.” Cam nodded toward the side of the auditorium where Kyle stood by himself, his eyes downcast.
Rachel’s stomach tensed. Was she ready to face Kyle one-on-one? Thinking of all he had been through, her heart went out to him. She glanced up at Cam. “I’ll be right back.” She crossed the auditorium and walked up the aisle.
Kyle slowly lifted his head. His hair shifted, revealing his somber expression. “I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused you. I never thought you’d lose your job and have to leave. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
She prayed for the right words. “Everyone makes mistakes and does things they regret. I know I have. But I also know how great it feels to be forgiven. That’s what Jesus has done for me.” She gently touched his arm and waited until he looked her in the eyes. “I forgive you, Kyle.”
His eyes glistened. “Thanks,” he said in a hoarse whisper. “I meant what I said about you being the best teacher I ever had.”
Rachel’s heart brimmed over. “That’s a compliment I’ll always treasure.”
A hint of a smile touched his lips, then he turned and walked up the aisle.
Cam joined her. “Looks like that went well.”
Rachel nodded and looked up at him. “How did you ever find Kyle? His name was never in the paper.”
Cam chuckled. “Kayla and I drove down to Seattle last night, then first thing this morning we headed over to Roosevelt High. Not too many people work there in the summer, but we found a secretary in the office who was willing to help.”
Rachel gasped. “Roberta Kauffman?”
“That’s right. She was obviously on your side. She couldn’t give us his name or contact info, but she pulled up his record. Then she took a break and mentioned no one would know if we copied the info down
while she was out of the room.” Cam grinned and rubbed his jaw. “I called his mom, and she invited us over.
“He’s been seeing a counselor for the last several months and making good progress. The counselor encouraged him to be ready to apologize to you, if he ever had the chance. So, when I asked him to come to the meeting, he agreed. I won’t say he was eager to do it, but he was willing, and that’s what counts.”
Rachel’s heart lifted. “I can’t believe you went all the way down there and searched for him.”
Cam pulled back, looking surprised. “Well, I had to do something to make up for the way I acted yesterday.” He touched her cheek. “I’m sorry. I should’ve given you the benefit of the doubt instead of being so hardheaded.”
Warmed by his touch and apology, she smiled. “And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything sooner.”
He reached for her hand. “This has made me realize the importance of honesty and openness between us. And there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve been meeting with Sheldon, talking to him about the accident and what happened to Marie and Tyler.” He pulled in a deep breath. “Even though they’ve been gone almost five years, I’ve been stuck in the grief process because I felt responsible for what happened.”
“But a drunk driver killed your wife and son.”
“He’s the one who hit us, but I’m the one who put Marie in the driver’s seat that night. I should’ve driven. Maybe then I could’ve swerved out of the way, or at least turned the car so I could’ve taken the force of the impact instead of Tyler and Marie.”
He bowed his head, sorrow lining his face. “But I was too self-absorbed to see the danger coming and save my family.”
“Oh, Cam. It’s not your fault.”
“That’s what Sheldon said.”
“Well, he’s right. You’re not God. You don’t know if you could’ve changed anything that happened even if you were driving.” She laid her hand on his cheek. “I’m sorry you lost your wife and son, and I’m so sorry you’ve carried that burden by yourself all this time, but I’m glad He rescued you from that accident.”
He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “Thank you.” They embraced and held each other close for a few seconds. “I’ve got to go. I promised Kyle’s mom I’d bring him back tonight.”
“You have to drive all the way to Seattle?”
“Yeah. Kayla and I’ll stay over at her house. Then we’ll drive back in the morning.”
“She’ll be here for rehearsal, right?”
“Definitely.” He kissed her cheek. “Sorry I have to go.”
“Me, too.”
He pulled her close for one more hug, then turned and jogged up the aisle.
Rachel touched her cheek and smiled. Thank You, Lord. Thank You, so much!
Rachel checked her mailbox, pulled out the day’s delivery, and unlocked her front door. The sunset’s golden beams streamed through the stained-glass window as she climbed the stairs to her apartment. It had been an exhausting day, but N.C.Y.T. had survived, and she and Cam had reconnected.
Her thoughts drifted back to the meeting and all that had happened earlier that evening. It still amazed her to think of the way Kyle’s wrong choices and lies had caused so much damage and hurt so many people. But his honest confession had started a chain reaction of good overcoming evil and reconciled a lot of people.
What if she had been unwilling to forgive Kyle? What if she’d decided to hold on to her right to be angry with him for all he’d done to her? That would’ve hindered God’s plan to protect N.C.Y.T. and reunite her and Cam.
Her decision to forgive Kyle had freed them all.
She laid her purse on the kitchen table and pondered the awesome power of forgiveness. What a great lesson this had turned out to be for her and her students. They would be talking about this for a long time, and she would have plenty of opportunities to help them process what happened and see God’s hand in it all.
She closed her eyes and whispered a prayer, thanking God for preparing her heart so she could meet Kyle halfway in the forgiveness process.
Opening her eyes, she glanced across the kitchen table. A shaft of sunlight fell on the letter she had received from her father a few days earlier.
Her heart began to pound. Her father’s sinful choices had caused much greater pain than anything Kyle had ever done. But, like Kyle, he had admitted his mistakes and asked forgiveness. And he’d gone even further—searching for her, humbling himself through his confession and asking for a chance to reconnect after all these years.
Rachel pulled his letter from the envelope and ran a trembling finger over the page. Tears blurred her vision as she read his words once more.
How could she withhold forgiveness when she had been forgiven for so much?
But what if he wasn’t the man he appeared to be in this letter? What if he let her down and hurt her again? How could she live through that?
She pulled in a deep breath and blew it out slowly.
God had given her the courage and strength to face those parents today and tell the truth. He had also helped her extend His love and forgiveness to Kyle, surely He would take her hand and lead her each step of the way, if she decided to contact her father and rebuild a relationship with him. God was certainly big enough to handle that job, if only she would trust Him.
She gazed out the window at the fading colors of the sunset. “Should I call him? Is that what You’re saying?”
A strong sense of assurance filled her heart. She pulled her cell phone from her purse and smoothed out the letter on the table. With another whispered prayer on her lips, she typed in his number.
Chapter Twenty
Rachel glanced at her watch. Only five minutes remained until the curtain would rise for the final performance of N.C.Y.T.’s summer musical. “Okay, everyone, this is it. Let’s huddle up.” She clasped hands with Kayla on one side and Haley on the other. All the student actors quickly joined them, making a huge circle in the backstage classroom.
Rachel scanned their faces, and her heart felt like it would burst. They had accomplished so much in the last few weeks. Not only had they all pulled together and done an excellent job on the first four performances, they’d all agreed to give up their Labor Day weekend plans to fit in an extra benefit show to help raise funds toward the purchase of the Arts Center.
Chandra rushed into the room waving a piece of paper. “I have a preliminary count on ticket sales.” Her bright smile announced the good news before she read it aloud. “We sold 332 tickets at $35 each for a total of $11,620. Plus some people gave extra gifts, so that should bring us over our $12,000 goal!”
The students cheered, and some hooted and slapped each other on the back.
Rachel lifted her hand to quiet them. “Okay, everyone, settle down. We don’t want the audience to think there’s a fire back here.”
“We know the drill,” Ryan announced. “Keep a lid on it!”
Everyone laughed, remembering Rachel’s constant reminders to keep quiet in the hallways. But tonight she didn’t blame them for creating a ruckus. She felt like shouting, too.
Over the last three weeks, she and Cam had grown even closer as he pitched in to finish work on the backdrops and sets, made runs for fast food, and helped out wherever she needed him during the final rehearsals. Then, a little over a week ago, they’d received word that Shannon’s treatments were going so well, she and Eric were coming home September 1. Kayla was flying high from that good news.
Rachel’s throat tightened as she looked at her students. “I am so proud of every one of you. I’m sure this is N.C.Y.T.’s best show ever. Let’s take a minute to thank the Lord.”
She bowed her head, and several students spoke short prayers of thanks. She swallowed hard and added her amen, then squeezed Kayla’s hand. The squeeze traveled around the circle and back to her. “All right, go out there and give it your very best!”
With radiant smiles on their faces, the students scattered to their positions on stage and in the wings.
Chandra hooked arms with Rachel. “I can take over back here. Why don’t you go claim that seat between your two special guests?”
“Okay, thanks.” Rachel gave her friend a quick hug, then headed into the auditorium. As the house lights dimmed, she quickly made her way to her seat.
Cam put his arm around her shoulder. “Everything okay backstage?”
“Yes. They’re all ready.”
Her father leaned toward her. “Looks like you have a packed house.”
Rachel nodded and smiled at him, still amazed that he sat beside her.
She had talked to him several times in the past three weeks. A few days ago he’d surprised her by asking if he could visit over Labor Day weekend. She agreed, and they’d made plans together. Rachel asked Cam to go with her to meet him at the airport. She wanted his moral support, but more important, she wanted her father to meet the man who had such a special place in her heart and life.
When John Harding walked into the baggage claim area, she greeted him with a hug, overflowing tears and laughter. Being in her father’s arms after all these years was a gift she could hardly comprehend.
The opening prelude began to play, and she focused on the burgundy curtain.
Her father leaned closer. “I was going to wait until after the show, but maybe this will help you reach that goal.” He handed her a folded check.
Rachel opened it, squinted at the amount and gasped. “Dad! This is too much.”
“No, I’ve missed a lot of birthdays, Christmases and graduations over the years. I’d like to do this for you.”
She nodded and smiled. “Thank you. That’s very generous.”
“You’re welcome.” He grinned. “Maybe it will buy me a permanent seat at all your future performances.”
“Of course.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’ll always have one, right here, front and center.”
He took her hand. “I know a gift like that can’t make up for all I’ve missed, but I want you to know I’d be happy to cover the expenses for a wedding of your dreams.”
Carrie Turansky Page 18