by Nancy Moser
“Was your husband a Christian?”
Claire laughed. “He was a faithful hedonist.”
Annie felt dumb. “I'm sorry, I don't know what that means.”
“He worshipped pleasure—his own, mostly. Things made him happier than people did. We were both big into ‘accumulating.’ He still is.”
“That's what I don't get,” Annie said. “God wants a wife to submit to her husband, even if he's wrong?”
“If he lives against Gods moral or written laws, no go. But if he's just a putz? Yup. I think the hope is that the godly wife can win over the putzy husband by being an example of God's love.”
“That's a lot of pressure on the wife.”
“You're right there. But hey, we can handle it, can't we? I often think women are the stronger of the two sexes, at least in regard to places of the heart. And sometimes the roles are reversed, and the godly man is the one having to be the example.”
Annie thought of Merry and her husband. “Okay. So I'll give in on this. Just so God knows my heart—that I wanted to give.”
“You can count on it.” They turned a corner near Susan's. “By the way, you did remember we're not having Bible study today. Sim and Cassie have a soccer game so the moms will be busy.”
“I heard that.”
Claire suddenly stopped walking. “I know what you need! An afternoon shopping with the girls. I'll ask Merry, and we could go to Eldora. There's some grout I have to pick up, so I have a reason for going there anyway. We could go out to eat and—”
It sounded wonderful. Girl time had been sparse lately. “You don't have to convince me. I know Cal's plans revolve around college football, so he'll be home to take care of Avi.”
“Perfect. I'll call Merry and get back to you.”
What a wonderful coincidence, running into Claire. At seven in the morning. On a backstreet. When Claire rarely ran.
Ha.
“Wake up, kid. Breakfast.”
Jered opened his eyes. It took him a moment to remember where he was. Jinko's car. Going to Kansas City to sell the coins. He sat up and got untangled from the shoulder harness. He pushed the button that brought the passenger seat upright from a near horizontal recline. It sure beat sleeping against the window in his truck.
Jinko pulled into a Denny's and shut the car off. “Where are we?” Jered asked. The traffic on an interstate sped nearby.
“We're here. Kansas City. Thanks for the help driving, kid.”
Jered arched his back. “Sorry. I was tired.”
“Tell me about it.”
The pull in Jinko's voice brought Jered fully awake. “Like I said, I'm sorry. I'll drive all the way home.”
“Yes, you will.” He got out and stretched. They went inside the restaurant. Jinko asked for a table in the corner. They used the facilities and looked at menus.
Jered had no idea how much money he had in his pocket. A few bucks at the most. And he was hungry. Really hungry. “Can you spot me for the meal? I didn't know we were leaving town.”
“You left your wad of money at home?”
“Something like that.”
“It's on me, kid. Have at it.”
Gladly. He ordered steak and eggs and a Coke. Jinko had an omelet and coffee. Black. Jinko flirted with the waitress and she flirted back. He oozed charm and people responded—especially women. Jered wasn't sure if it was because women found him sexy (he supposed he was in a dangerous sort of way) or because he seemed full of power. And promises. Promises of what, Jered wasn't sure.
But it worked. When their meal came, the waitress winked at him, “I got the cook to make you an extra large omelet. Enjoy.”
Jinko took her hand and winked back. “Oh, I will, dear Mandy, I will.”
Jered looked at his own plate, which was covered with plenty of food. But still… “How come you get doubles?”
“Simple. I gave her what she was looking for.”
“A tip?”
“That, too.” He cut the entire omelet using sweeping strokes. “But that's not what she was looking for this early morning. Not all she was looking for.”
Jered caught the waitress looking at Jinko. They exchanged a smile. “Oh, I get it. Sex.”
“Crudely said, but essentially true. However, a more important element is involved. A more basic one. That of attention. I gave her attention. I noticed her. I used her name. That's what people want, kid. Proof of their existence by someone looking them in the eyes and using their names.”
“You always call me ‘kid.’”
Jinko stopped in midchew. “You object?”
“Not really.”
“It's a sign of affection. It goes beyond the use of your name. I like you, kid. Jered.”
Jered felt his chest swell. “Kid is fine. Really.”
“Then kid it is.” He pointed to the food. “Now eat. Our meetings in an hour.”
People were sparse in downtown Kansas City on a Saturday morning. Jinko seemed to know exactly where he was going. For some reason this made Jered think of his dad, stuck in tiny little Steadfast. Bailey Manson didn't know his way around anywhere big. Certainly not around the world. Not like Jinko. Jinko was going places—
Vasylko's broken English came to mind: “Jinko not going places. His way not right way.” The image of the cross came to mind, and Jered remembered a saying he'd heard: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Hmm. Where had that come from?
His thoughts moved from the light to the dark, to the kid who had worked for Jinko and was suddenly gone. What happened to him? Did Jinko take him on a trip to KC and—
“Here we are.” Jinko pulled into a back alley. An old tan clunker was waiting. A grandpa type got out and stood by the passenger door. Jinko parked next to him and also got out. “Stay put,” he told Jered.
No problem, though the man didn't look dangerous. Actually, he looked like the type who would be a greeter in Wal-Mart.
“Hey, Jinko. You sounded rushed on the phone.”
“I am never rushed, Sid; you know that.”
“My mistake. Whatcha got for me?”
As Jinko took out the drawstring bag, they moved close, blocking Jered's—and anyone else's—view of the coins. They lowered their voices. When they finally moved apart, Sid was closing the bag, and Jinko was folding a new wad of money into his shirt pocket.
Jinko got in his car, and Sid in his.
“That's it?” Jered asked.
“You want guns and police?”
“Of course not.”
Jinko started the car. “Crime can be quite civil if you plan it right.” They followed Sid out of the lot. “I'll get us out of KC, then you can bring us home while I sleep.”
Home sounded good. Such as it was.
Driving gave Jered time to think. Just when he'd started to get comfortable in a situation, something stirred him up again. Vasylko was to blame this time. Why couldn't the cook leave well enough alone?
It's not like Jered was dumb. He knew Jinko was a crook. He knew stealing was wrong. But Jinko was a good guy, too. He could charm the light from a lightbulb. People liked him. He was a good businessman. And he cared about people. He'd taken in Jered from the street. He'd given him a job. He'd bought him clothes, given him a place to sleep. And he was going to help him with his music— which was more than his dad had ever done.
Jered could learn a lot from Jinko. He was a master at conquering life on his own terms. Jered looked at him now, asleep in the passenger seat. He didn't snore like his dad, his mouth hanging open like an idiot. He slept with his arms crossed, his head perfectly erect, as if he was in control even in sleep.
I want that.
But what about the kid who'd disappeared?
Jered shook his head. The missing kid was probably a runaway and had simply…run away. Jered could not believe this man seated next to him would ever hurt anyone. Jered had never even seen him mad. Well, not really mad.
Vasylko's voice reentered his
head. “This wayy Jered. This way. This Man.”
Jered had to admit it was kind of fascinating to hear a man like Vasylko talk about Jesus like He was real. And he'd said Jesus had saved him from trouble in Russia. How? Was that real or just lofty la-di-da talk? Maybe, if given the chance, Jered would ask him about it. It might be a cool story.
But no. If he asked, he'd hear much more than he wanted about Jesus. He didn't want to go there.
Why not? What would it hurt?
Jered sat straighter in the car's seat, leaning against the steering wheel. He didn't need to hear about any Christ. He knew God didn't approve of his stealing. But did God want him to go hungry and have no place to stay? If God didn't want him to steal, then why didn't He give him what he needed?
So there.
When Jered shut off the car, Jinko stirred. “Were back,” Jered said.
Jinko squinted and moaned his way to sitting. “But we're not home. We're at the restaurant. Why?”
Jered hadn't been sure about the decision. “My truck's still here. I thought that might look odd.” He looked around at the other cars. “I was hoping we'd get back before people showed up for the lunch shift, but I didn't want to speed and have a cop stop us.”
Jinko flipped the passenger visor down and looked at himself in the mirror. “Good thinking all around, kid. I'm impressed. I'll go in and see how things are going.”
Jered handed him the keys. “Four hours' sleep isn't much to go on.”
“I've survived on less.”
Jered believed him. They got out and Jered fished his truck keys out of his pocket. “I'm going home to clean up. I'm supposed to be in at four.”
Jinko was already walking toward the back door, talking without looking back. “See you later then.”
Jered stood there a moment, staring at the closed door. The quiet alley. That was it? No thank-you? No “good job”? No share of the spoils? So much for giving Jered the attention he needed.
Then an odd thing happened. With his hurt feelings came the slightest hint of doubt.
But he shoved it away.
The check had been stopped, and the battlements between Cal and Annie had been lowered. As for the submission issue? Being an example? It worked, because Cal had been the one to suggest a check to Dr. Roswold's hospital in the amount of fifty dollars.
The important thing was, they were talking. And Cal was perfectly okay about taking care of Avi while she went shopping with Claire and Merry. He didn't even ask for details. That was fine with Annie.
On the way out, she passed Cal watching college football in the front room. “Bye, hon.”
He pulled his eyes from the screen. “What time will you be back?”
“I don't know. Like I said, since we're getting a late start, I think we'll grab dinner somewhere. I'll be home by seven or so. No later.”
She looked at the game. The camera scanned the cheering crowd. One man held up a sign that said: John 3:16.
3:16.
She took a step back, bumping into the couch.
Cal looked up. “What's with you?”
Annie put one hand to her chest and pointed with the other. “What's that sign mean?”
Cal looked at the screen. “‘Go Huskers'?”
The camera had moved on.
John 3:16. That had to be a Bible verse. But how odd. What could it mean?
She had to find out. She headed upstairs.
“I thought you were leaving.”
“I forgot something.” She went into the master closet, opened the door of Avis cubby, and retrieved her Bible. She listened for the game. She heard Cal exclaim over a bad call. She opened the book, found the verse, and read: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
She looked up. Why would they have that sign at a football game? Then she realized that wasn't the point.
She read the verse again. It was the essence of her faith. God loves us. God sent his Son Jesus. To have eternal life, we have to believe in Him.
She held the Bible to her chin as she thought through all the turmoil she'd experienced the past few weeks. Go to church; don't go to church. Follow Cal's wishes; follow God's. Yet through it all God had been speaking to her, trying to get her to remember the main point so well expressed in John 3:16.
She smiled and lifted her face. “Thanks. I got it now. I won't forget.”
Now she could go shopping.
Claire opened the door of the restaurant for them. “I know you two will like this place.”
“We're awfully early for dinner. It's only three,” Merry said.
“You've heard of brunch? This is…linner. Between lunch and dinner.”
“Or lupper,” Annie said. “Between lunch and supper.”
A handsome man with a ponytail greeted them. “Afternoon, ladies. Table for three?”
“You bet,” Claire said. “And hurry, we're starving.”
They were seated in a booth, and he handed them menus. “Enjoy. I'll get you some chips to stave off your hunger pangs.”
“Good man,” Annie said. They opened the menus, and Annie noted the name of the place. “Palamba's. That's an odd name.”
Cal noticed he was speeding and let up on the accelerator. He didn't have to speed. He had all the time in the world. It was a new experience. He was used to sneaking off to Eldora to see his dad and slipping back to Steadfast within a time span of sixty to ninety minutes.
When Susan had called asking if Avi wanted to come to Sims soccer game, it had been the perfect opening. Now, to have the entire afternoon… Such luxury. To celebrate, he planned to stop at his dads favorite bakery and bring him a chocolate long John.
It was a good day.
Twelve
A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who pours out lies will perish.
PROVERBS 19:9
JERED TOOK THE TRAY OF GLASSES into the eating area. He'd just come on duty, but there was always a lot to do between the lunch and dinner crowd.
He set the tray at the busser station and began setting the glasses on the shelves. But when he heard a certain laugh—
He caught the glass before it hit the counter. He whipped around and saw Merry Cavanaugh sitting at a booth with Claire Adams and Annie from the diner. What were they doing here?
Whatever the reason, he couldn't let them see him. He hurried through the rest of the glasses and was just about to head back to the kitchen when its door opened and Jinko stepped out. “Well, there you are—”
Jered rushed through the door, nearly knocking Jinko down.
“Hey, kid! Watch it.”
“Sorry.” He hurried to the dishwasher and started loading another tray of glasses. His hands were shaking.
Jinko came to his side. “Stop.”
“I got work to—”
Jinko put a hand on his shoulder. “I said stop.”
Breathe in, breathe out. Jered forced his shoulders to relax. “I saw some people I know. From Steadfast.”
“Who?”
“The three ladies in the booth. I know them. They know me. They know my father.”
Jinko took hold of his arm and pulled him toward the door. “Then introduce—”
Jered yanked his arm free. “No!”
Vasylko looked up from the stove. “Jered?”
He raised a hand to Vasy and moved back to the dishwasher. Jered kept his voice low and his eyes down. “I don't want them to see me. I can't let them see me.”
Jinko took hold of Jered's upper arm and turned him around. He glared at him. “You're eighteen. Don't you think it's about time you show them you can make your own choices?”
It hit him funny and he laughed. Jered took a step back and slapped a hand on the stainless steel of the dishwasher. “Ah yes, look at me! I'm a dishwasher. What a success. What a wonderful choice!”
Vasy looked at him, fingering his cross.
Jered
untied his apron. “I'm not feeling too good. I'm going home.” He went out the back door.
Jinko ran after him. “Running away gets you nowhere, kid.”
Exactly. Running had gotten Jered to the nowhere of where he was at.
Jered drove around. And around. Every time he got to the west side of Eldora, he was tempted to turn the wheel and head home. To his real home. Steadfast.
He'd show up at Bon Vivant, and his dad would look up from the reservation book and say, “Jered! You're home!” He'd get kind of teary and pull Jered into a hug. “I'm so glad you're back, son. I love you so much and I missed—”
Yeah right.
The reality that his dad would more likely glance up, say, “Be right with you,” kept him driving around. And around.
Yet what was keeping him in Eldora? Was the iffy life he had with Jinko any better?
Jered felt used and confused. Why had Jinko included him in the burglary at all? He could have done it on his own, easy. And as far as the trip to KC? Except for driving back, Jered hadn't contributed a thing. So why was Jinko insisting he be involved? It didn't make sense.
Sure, Jinko gave him money, gave him a place to sleep. And sure, Jinko had talked about giving him a chance with a music producer. But the big question was why?
On the east side of Eldora, another thought came to him. A third alternative. Maybe he could leave town and head in the opposite direction. Away from Eldora, Steadfast, and even Kansas City. Maybe he should go somewhere completely new and start over. If Vasy could leave an entire country, couldn't Jered leave a state? If only he knew where Vasy lived, he'd—
No. Vasy was at work. And Jinko was at work. And Merry, Claire, and Annie were at work.
He was on his own.
Jered was suddenly weary, his eyes heavy. He knew the moment he let them close, he'd be asleep. He couldn't make any decision now. He was wiped out.
Tomorrow. He'd think about it tomorrow.
Jered flipped on the light inside the garage. His shirt was over his head within seconds, his shoes flipped into the corner. Bed. He needed—
All the bedding on his cot was gone. A bare mattress remained with a note attached: uYou did good, kid. You've just earned yourself a real room. Upstairs, second door on the right. I've moved your stuff.”