Joshua's Mission

by Vannetta Chapman

  “We would do well to understand that the character of God is one of incomprehensible forgiveness and mercy and grace.” The older man stood at the front of the room wearing jeans and a starched white shirt.

  Jim had warned them that the service was a “contemporary one,” meaning a full-fledged band led the song service and most of those in attendance wore blue jeans. Folks were friendly, coffee and donuts were served, and the little group from Cody’s Creek were made to feel quite comfortable. It was another very different worship experience for them.

  The message, though? It was something Joshua might have heard at home. The words wound through the walls of bitterness and anger he had erected around his feelings. The Scripture moved powerfully and found its way to the very center of Joshua’s heart.

  “The prophet Micah praises Jehovah when he cries, ‘Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.’ ”

  Delight to show mercy.

  Joshua realized as he bowed his head to pray that the key to his situation was in those final four words. It wasn’t enough to forgive his brother or to be more patient. Micah was clear—God delighted in showing mercy to them, and as a Christian he was called to be as Christlike as possible.

  Sweet peace flowed through his soul as he released years of pent-up bitterness. The time of prayer ended, and Joshua glanced around, wondering if the message had deeply affected those around him. But the service proceeded as if nothing had happened. As if God hadn’t moved heaven and earth to soften his heart.

  After the minister announced the blessing, folks began to gather their things together. Alton stretched as if he had been having trouble staying awake.

  Joshua blinked, trying to reconcile everyday activities with the spiritual awakening he had just experienced. The words had been meant for him. He couldn’t tell who else had been blessed by them, just as they couldn’t tell that he had been cleansed from the inside.

  Joshua glanced again at his brother, who was covering a yawn with his hand. More than likely he was exhausted. Though the rest of the group was home from the dolphin tour by nine that evening, Alton had said he’d catch up with them later and hitched a ride to the beach. It was in the wee hours of the morning when he’d collapsed on top of his covers, not even bothering to remove his clothes.

  “I’m glad you came today,” Joshua said.

  Alton raised one eyebrow, waiting—no doubt—for the barb which usually punctuated every sentence. Joshua shook his head. He didn’t want to be that person anymore. So instead of adding anything, he slapped Alton on the back and turned to speak with Becca.

  The church was having a luncheon after the service, which they stayed to enjoy. Jim explained that while it wasn’t Amish cooking, it was good, wholesome, Southern food.

  “This fried chicken may be better than my mamm’s,” Becca admitted.

  “Wait until you taste the macaroni casserole.” Sarah smiled around a forkful, and something passed between her and Becca. Joshua didn’t know what that was about. He probably didn’t need to. What mattered was that it was a new day, and he’d finally learned to forgive and accept his brother.

  Only… something wasn’t quite right yet. There was something he still needed to do. With a sigh, he pushed his plate away, realizing that the sooner begun, the sooner done—wasn’t that what his mammi used to say?

  “Problem with the ham?” Nancy asked.

  “Nein. It’s only that I need to speak with Alton.”

  Alton, it turned out, was already outside playing basketball. When he saw Joshua, he passed the ball to a gangly teen and walked over.

  “Need something?” he asked.

  “Only to apologize.”

  Alton waited, and Joshua finally said, “I’ve treated you unfairly and unkindly, and I want your forgiveness.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes.”

  Alton looked to Joshua’s right and then his left, as if searching for a clue to this change of events.

  “It’s not a joke. I’m serious.”

  “I was just wondering if someone had stolen my brother and maybe replaced him with a look-alike.”

  “Nein. It’s still me. Smart, good looking—”

  “I’m more accustomed to old and cranky.”

  Instead of rising to the bait, Joshua only nodded in agreement.

  “See? The Joshua I know and love would never have taken that.”

  “But you’re right. I have been old and cranky.”

  Alton turned in a circle, as if he was still waiting for someone to jump out of the bushes and yell “Surprise!”

  Then he stepped closer and pulled Joshua into a man-hug. “Forgiveness granted.”

  Tears clouded Joshua’s eyes at the same time a giant smile spread across his face.

  “Now let’s see if you’re any good with a basketball.”

  The afternoon passed quickly. They played two games, enjoyed a return trip to the food tables, and when the time of fellowship was over, they rode back to the trailers in the van. The day slowed as each person drifted off to their own restful activity, which for the Kline brothers meant an afternoon snooze—Joshua on the patio and Alton on the couch.

  Then it was five o’clock, and Becca and Sarah were knocking on their door.

  “We’re going to look for shells. Want to come?”

  “Of course.” Joshua snatched up his hat, and then he thought to add some drinks to his backpack.

  Alton yawned, excused himself to splash water on his face, and went with them, dressed in his swim trunks and a T-shirt. Joshua knew by the way he looked at his watch that he had other plans later.

  For once it didn’t bother him. His little brother might have made a few Englisch friends, and perhaps they were people that Joshua would have kept at a distance. But he wasn’t Alton. He didn’t need to judge what his brother did.

  Delight to show mercy.

  Joshua’s heart was lighter and his energy was back because he wasn’t spending hours arguing with Alton in his mind.

  That was a blessing, a benefit he hadn’t expected.

  And he hoped, he prayed, that he could hold on to it should trouble find them again.

  CHAPTER 46

  Trouble did find them again—and with amazing speed.

  They had caught the bus, ridden to the beach, and walked down the shoreline. Becca and Sarah were obviously enjoying the afternoon. Alton kept checking his watch.

  Joshua finally decided to end his brother’s misery. “Need to be somewhere?”

  “Ya. I told the guys… but I don’t want to desert you with the girls.”

  “It’s no hardship.” Joshua laughed. “Go. Do what you had planned.”

  Alton seemed to hesitate, as if waiting for Joshua’s usual refrain of caution and reprimand. Hearing none, he called out to the girls, waved goodbye, and jogged off in the opposite direction—toward the parking area.

  Joshua walked with Sarah and Becca up and down the beach. There was a sand castle competition going on, and they were delighted to find elaborate edifices, full-sized mermaids, and even a dragon. The details created by the artists were incredible, and Becca quickly pulled out her notebook and began jotting down notes.

  When they had seen enough and returned to walking down the beach, Sarah suggested they find Alton and watch him surf.

  “I think he’s getting pretty good. At least he told me he isn’t pitched as often.”

  “Pitched?” Becca transferred her bag of shells from her left hand to her right. “What is pitched?”

  “Thrown off, I imagine.”

  “All right. It might be gut to see what my bruder has learned in the last week.”

  And it was good to see.

  They had no trouble locating Alton and his motley group of friends. They had left their shirts, towels, and various backpacks in a pile on the beach. Spreading their blanket next to the pile, Joshua, Becca, an
d Sarah sat and watched. They cheered when Alton rode the waves, and they covered their eyes and groaned when he crashed.

  “It does look fun,” Becca admitted.

  “So you’d like to try it?” Joshua had once again been covering her toes with sand. He stopped, brushed off his hands, and acted as if he was about to stand. “I imagine we could rent you a board. Sarah probably has a few bucks on her and will help pay for it.”

  “I do and I will.”

  “And we’ll see if the ocean pitches you.”

  Becca began giggling and shaking her head. The sun spread purple, orange, and red colors across the sky. Joshua realized that he was happy, truly happy for the first time in a long time.

  And then the bark of a dog captured his attention.

  The man with the dog was wearing khaki pants, a dark shirt, and a ball cap with letters on it. As he drew closer, Joshua could make out the letters ATF. The dog was a German shepherd and wore a vest with the same letters.

  Sarah and Becca stared at the dog and the man, and then they glanced at each other and finally at Joshua.

  He stood, brushed off his hands, and asked, “Can we help you?”

  It was obvious that the dog was interested in something near them. He was on point, nose high and body visibly quivering. He barked once and then sat, waiting on the officer.

  “I’m Officer Mendez. Are these your things, sir?”

  “Some of it is.” Joshua indicated the blanket they sat on, his backpack, and Becca’s bag of shells.

  “What about those things?”

  Joshua glanced at the stack left by his brother’s friends.

  “Nein. Those aren’t ours.”

  “Do you know who this stuff belongs to?”

  He didn’t. Alton’s shirt was discarded in the middle of the pile, but Joshua didn’t know which pack belonged to whom. Was he supposed to turn them in? Would his brother be in trouble? And what had the dog smelled?

  Before he had any answers, Spider hurried up, carrying his board.

  Water dripped from his dreadlocks, and if anything the setting sun only highlighted his maze of tattoos. “Is there a problem?”

  “Are those your packs, sir?”

  Spider shrugged.

  “Are they your packs?” The officer stood with perfect posture, his feet six inches apart and planted firmly in the sand and his hands at his side.

  The dog waited patiently next to him.

  Spider stepped closer and pointed at a pack with a black widow stenciled on it. “That one is.”

  “And the rest?”

  “Friends’.”

  “Are those friends here?”

  Alton picked that moment to join them. He also hurried up to the group, shaking off water as he walked with his surfboard clutched under his arm.

  “What’s the problem?”

  Becca and Sarah were now standing next to Joshua. Their group was beginning to draw curious stares from other folks on the beach.

  “Do any of these items belong to you?” Mendez asked.

  “Only the T-shirt.”

  “All right.” The officer looked around to see if anyone else was approaching, but the onlookers kept a healthy distance, and Alton’s other two surfing buddies had disappeared.

  “My dog has alerted on something in this pile. According to Texas law, I have probable cause to search these bags.”

  “Search for what?” Alton asked.

  “Drugs. He’s looking for drugs, and the dog caught the scent of something, which gives him the legal right to search through the bags.” Spider’s tone was matter-of-fact. He gestured to the pile of bags and said, “Go ahead.”

  He made to pick up his bag, but the officer stopped him.

  “Please take a step back, sir.”

  Spider’s hands went up in a surrender gesture. “I’ve nothing illegal in my bag.”

  After another pointed look from the officer, he folded his arms across his chest and did as he was told. Alton stood between Spider and Joshua. He glanced at his brother and shook his head as if to say, “I’ve got nothing.”

  The dog immediately went to a black pack on the far side of the pile. Again he barked once and sat.

  Officer Mendez angled slightly away from them and said something into the radio clipped to his shoulder. When he turned back to the group, he addressed them. “I’ve called for backup. I’d like you all to sit in a line there in front of me.”

  Joshua’s head was swimming. Was it just this morning he’d had a revelation of forgiveness and grace and mercy? And now he was being told not to flee a scene because a drug dog had alerted on something in his brother’s possession? That wasn’t right, though. He knew Alton and was certain he didn’t mess with drugs. Yes, he’d had the one instance with alcohol, but he’d promised that was in his past and Joshua believed him.

  No, Alton’s guilt in this scenario was in being naive enough to associate with disreputable guys, socialize with them, and think they were his friends. The absence of the other two surfers seemed glaringly obvious to him. The offending bag belonged to either Zach or Dax. After having met them, Joshua would bet it belonged to glass-eyed Dax, and for all he knew Spider was in on it as well.

  It took twenty minutes for the backup officer to arrive. No one was surprised when Officer Mendez opened the black backpack and found a rather large baggie of marijuana.

  “Is that… ” Becca leaned forward, but Sarah pulled her back.

  Joshua had an insane urge to laugh. Officer Mendez was explaining to Spider and Alton that they would have to go down to the station. He turned to Joshua and the girls and said, “You’re free to go.”

  Had he simply believed them when they said the items weren’t theirs?

  Or was he quick to believe their innocence because of their Plain clothing?

  And what of Alton, who was dressed like an Englischer? Even now he was placing his hands behind his back, being handcuffed, and then walking off to the police cruiser waiting at the end of the stretch of beach.

  The real miracle of the situation was that Joshua wasn’t angry with Alton. No, he’d left his anger back in the church pew, and he was done with it. But he did feel an overwhelming sadness. They had traveled a long way to immerse themselves in the rebuilding of Port Aransas homes and to do God’s work, and now they were involved in the middle of a drug bust.

  CHAPTER 47

  How did you get the surfboards back here?” Nancy asked.

  She’d taken the details of the afternoon’s events better than Becca would have thought. But then perhaps she’d seen a lot of strange happenings over the years. Certainly, Alton wasn’t the first one to be involved in such a misunderstanding.

  It was a misunderstanding.

  “The officers allowed us to bring them home.” Sarah fiddled with a cup of tea, not drinking it but rather turning the cup in her hands—perhaps drawing some comfort from its warmth.

  “After the dog checked out Spider’s truck,” Becca added.

  They were all once again sitting on the patio of their trailer. Nancy leaned forward to see past Becca. The large black truck was still parked at the curb.

  “Joshua has a driver’s license,” Nancy said, as if explaining the truck’s presence to herself.

  “I do.” Joshua stepped out onto the patio, pulling a chair from the dining room with him.

  Becca and Sarah scooted their chairs closer to Nancy to make room for him. It was a tight fit, but Becca didn’t mind. She wanted her friends close. She wanted and needed their strength and perspective. Back in Cody’s Creek, she’d grown up accustomed to being alone except for her parents. Now she realized that she enjoyed being with her friends. She liked having them nearby to share her burdens, and Alton weighed heavily on her heart.

  “That driver’s license has come in handy more than once with my bruder.”

  Nancy surprised them all by chuckling. “I remember when the topic first came up about your obtaining your license. Levi wasn’t sure that the rest of
the church leadership would go along with it.”

  “It helps that we’re in Oklahoma and not Pennsylvania,” Joshua said.

  “Ya, for sure and for certain. Some of the more conservative communities would never allow it, but we’d had a drought-plagued year. Most crops didn’t produce and families were scrambling to make ends meet. The job you took helped to provide food for your family, and now that same license has allowed you to help your bruder twice.” She picked up her cup of tea and sipped it. “I suppose God had a plan even in that.”

  “Hopefully, God also has a plan to keep Alton out of jail.”

  “Worry ends where faith begins,” Nancy said.

  “Maybe that’s why I’m not worried.” When they all looked at him curiously, Joshua went on to explain what had happened that morning at the church service. He ended with, “I don’t mean to say I’m perfect now. I still slip into my old frame of mind, and more than once today I wanted to either give him a nice long lecture or shake him into his senses. But those moments are fewer and they pass rather quickly. I don’t know how this will end, but I do believe God has a plan and it will work out.”

  “I was wondering why you didn’t holler at him when we were at the beach.” As soon as she said it, Becca wished she could snatch her words back. They sounded so uncharitable.

  But Joshua didn’t seem perturbed. He merely sat back in his chair, laced his fingers together behind his head, and said, “Yesterday I would have.”

  The quiet of the evening was broken by an approaching car, which turned out to be Jim’s van. They all watched as Alton and Spider jumped out.

  Joshua had left the keys in the truck as planned. Spider called out, “Thanks!” as he walked to his truck and drove away.

  Alton turned back to the van and said something to Jim. They could hear the sound of Jim’s solid, calm voice, but Becca couldn’t make out what they were discussing. Then the van drove off, and Alton made his way toward their building. When he noticed them all sitting outside, he walked to the patio and hopped over the waist high railing.

  “That was an interesting experience.”