John's Quest (Truly Yours Digital Editions)

by Cecelia Dowdy

  Her mother’s dark eyes were shadowed with concern as she pulled Monica’s hands into hers. “Baby, you sure do look thin.” She pulled Monica closer and whispered in her ear. “Don’t let Scotty run you ragged. Gina makes me so angry!”

  “Mom—”

  “I just don’t understand how Gina could turn out so messed up and you turned out so well. We raised you both the same. . . .” She looked away as if still trying to find answers to her questions.

  “Grandpa, when are we leaving?” Scotty demanded, pulling on the old man’s hand.

  He chuckled. “We’ll be leaving soon.” He placed his hand on Scotty’s shoulder. “Why don’t you run upstairs and get your suitcase. We want to talk to Monica for a second.”

  Scotty bounded up the stairs.

  Her father hugged her. “Monica, you’re so thin! Don’t you ever eat a decent meal?”

  Her mother grunted. “That’s what I was trying to tell her. She needs to take better care of herself. She can’t allow Scotty’s behavior to put her own health at risk.”

  Monica gritted her teeth, not wanting to hear their reprimands. “I promise I’ll try to take better care of myself. The two of you are helping me out a lot just by taking him for the next few days.”

  Her father spoke. “That’s what we wanted to talk to you about. Is keeping Scotty too much for you? Did you want us to start keeping him all the time? Since we’re both retired, we have more time to devote to his needs.”

  Her mother nodded. “Yes, we were talking about it on the way up here. We’re just concerned that once we take him in, we’ll find that we can’t handle him as well as we thought we could.”

  Monica shook her head. “No, Scotty has to stay with me. Besides, he’s learning to adjust to his new school, he’s making new friends, and I’ve gotten him involved at the Sunday school at church. He even has a new tutor who can help him with his math and reading.” She took a deep breath, thinking of another way they could help her out. “But you can continue to take him sometimes when he’s out of school. It’s been hard for me to adjust to having him around and trying to teach him not to swear and to learn to lean on God. . .” She paused. “Well, I know I’m doing what needs to be done, but it’s a struggle, and at the end of the week I feel like I need a break.”

  Her parents agreed to take Scotty more often during his school breaks. They talked about it before Scotty came down the stairs again, struggling with a heavy suitcase. Monica hurried toward him, prying the suitcase from his hand. “Scotty, you’re only going to be gone for a few nights. You don’t need this many clothes.” She opened the suitcase, extracting a few items.

  “Why don’t you let him take all the clothes he wants?” her father said. “It would be easier for Scotty to visit us more often if he had a few changes of clothes at the house.”

  Monica nodded. “Okay, you can take those.”

  Her mother took her aside into the kitchen as Scotty continued to chat with his grandfather in the living room. “Your father and I also wanted to talk about keeping Scotty for a week during Christmas break. I think he might enjoy that. We can talk about it later in the year, though.”

  Monica nodded, glad they were agreeing to help care for their grandson. Before they left, she pulled Scotty into her arms, running her fingers through his dusty-colored hair. “You take care of yourself and mind Grandma and Grandpa. And remember, no cussing.” She pulled his chin between her fingers and looked into his unseeing eyes. “Understood?”

  “Yes,” he grumbled, squirming out of her tight embrace. She waved at them from the doorway until they were out of sight.

  They had not been gone for five minutes before she started to miss Scotty. “Oh Lord, what in the world is wrong with me,” she mumbled to herself.

  She entered the kitchen and cleaned up the breakfast dishes. Afterward she got dressed and drove to Karen’s hair shop.

  A few hours later, she left the salon enjoying her freshly permed hair. She’d had a chance to speak with Karen about John’s agnostic views. Monica had also mentioned that her attraction to John bothered her because she knew it was wrong to be unequally yoked with a nonbeliever. Karen promised to keep John in her prayers.

  When Monica returned to her house, she was surprised to see the message light blinking on her answering machine. She replayed the message, wondering who could be calling her. She listened to John’s deep voice. It looked like he was coming to church the next day.

  Four

  That night Monica tossed and turned, praying about John’s decision to attend class. She got out of bed and made a cup of tea. As she sipped the brew, she turned on her favorite Christian radio station and sat in her living room, listening to the music.

  She was tempted to call Scotty and see how he was doing, but she resisted, knowing he would be asleep since it was 2:00 a.m.

  Instead, she cradled the warm mug in her hands, eagerly anticipating seeing John the following day. Sauntering to her answering machine, she played his message again, relishing the sound of his voice.

  With his mellow tones still filling her mind, she yawned and trudged back to bed. Monica awakened hours later and prepared for church as butterflies danced in her stomach. She scanned her wardrobe wondering what to wear.

  She chose a black skirt and a white silk blouse. The light-colored garment was adorned with tiny black flowers. After she dressed, she took special care in curling her short hair and applying her makeup.

  Later, as she led her women’s Bible study class, she desperately tried to pay attention as the ladies discussed women’s roles within the traditional Christian church, but she found her mind wandering a lot. She kept daydreaming about John, hoping she could catch him before the service started.

  After they ended their study with a prayer, she rushed from the room, going down the hallway to where she hoped John was also being dismissed from his class. She eagerly watched people filing from the room. A few people greeted her, some stopping for short conversations. The last person to exit the room was Pastor Martin.

  Confused, she approached the minister.

  He greeted her with a warm hug. “How’s my favorite women’s Bible study teacher?”

  “Fine.” She still wondered what had happened to John. “Pastor, I’m anxious to know if my friend John made it to your class.”

  They made their way back up the stairs. “I’m sorry, Monica. I didn’t see anyone new today.”

  Disappointment washed over her, just like the waves crashing on the sands of Ocean City. “But he called me yesterday and said he was coming. I wonder if anything happened to him, like maybe he was in an accident or something.”

  He squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it too much. I’ve found when people are seeking religion and God they have to do it on their own timetable. They sometimes get cold feet at the last minute, and it may take a while for them to find the courage to make it to church and search for the truth.” The sound of her high-heeled shoes echoed on the wooden steps as she listened to the pastor’s words of advice.

  As she entered the sanctuary, her disappointment consumed her. The Lord knew she’d been disappointed in men before, so she should be used to their behavior.

  Holy music filled the room, and she took a seat in the pew and tried to sway to the rhythm as Anna and Karen joined her. She was determined to worship Jesus, even though it seemed as if John was determined not to.

  ❧

  Two weeks later, John pulled into the parking lot of Monica’s church. The sun warmed the day, and as he left his car he noticed a few dry leaves littering the sidewalk. He clutched his recently purchased Bible as he neared the building.

  He thought about the phone call he’d made to Monica a couple of weeks ago and wished he hadn’t broken his promise to attend the class at the church.

  As he’d tutored Scot
ty over the last few weeks and enjoyed Monica’s home cooking, she had said little about his agnostic views, but her disappointment in his cancellation of their church date was evident. Her dark, pretty eyes were full of unasked questions. . .questions he wasn’t even sure he had the answers to. He had originally planned on coming to the class that morning, but again, he’d hesitated. He finally worked up the courage to come and listen to the sermon, hoping he’d find the courage to make it to class the following week.

  He climbed up the steps of the white building. A cross sat atop the steeple, and as he entered the vestibule, people approached shaking his hand, introducing themselves. The warm welcome washed over him, almost making him glad he’d decided to come to church.

  “John!” Monica walked toward him, her eyes sparkling. “You didn’t tell me you were coming today.” As she reached toward him, he took her hand. The scent of her perfume enveloped him, and he longed to kiss her, right here in the church foyer. She stepped back, and he released her hand.

  He didn’t realize he was staring until a warm blush covered her brown cheeks. “I didn’t decide to come until this morning. I hope it’s all right.”

  She chuckled. “Of course it’s all right. I’m glad you’re here.”

  “I know I was supposed to come a couple of weeks ago, but at the last minute, I just didn’t have the courage.” He gazed into her eyes. “I’m surprised you didn’t ask why I never showed up when you saw me during Scotty’s tutoring sessions.”

  She shook her head. “I figured it was a personal matter for you, and I didn’t want to bring it up until you did. Anna, Karen, and I have been praying for you to come here.”

  “You told Anna and Karen about. . .about what I told you?” He’d never met her best friends, but she’d mentioned them often.

  Her grin faded as he dropped her hands. “Yes, I hope that was okay.” People continued to bustle around them in the foyer while children scampered upstairs to the Sunday school classes. “I just finished teaching my women’s Bible study class.”

  “Really? What did you study today?”

  She brightened as she spoke of her class. “We read the book of Ruth aloud and discussed it.”

  “Did you enjoy the discussion?” he asked.

  “Oh, so much. You know, it’s a powerful love story.” She pointed to his Bible. “You should read it sometime. I have a study guide to use with my class, but sometimes things go off on a tangent and we get into a deep biblical discussion. It’s so refreshing!”

  Her dark eyes shone with warmth. “There’re still a few minutes before service begins. If you want, I’ll explain why I told Anna and Karen about you.”

  “Okay.” As they entered the sanctuary, a few people looked at them with curiosity and some waved at Monica. Parishioners spoke in hushed tones as the small band tuned their instruments. Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, illuminating the place of worship with warmth.

  She sat beside him. “I told Anna and Karen about you because when we became friends we made a pact.”

  “What kind of a pact?”

  “Well, all three of us are sisters in Christ—”

  “Sisters in Christ?”

  She sighed. “Yes, all three of us are Christians, we share a deep faith in the Lord, and I’m close to them since our faith binds us together. So if something is bothering one of us, we promised to tell each other so we can pray about it together until God works everything out.”

  “Really?” Although he still doubted the power of prayer, he was impressed by their devotion to one another. “Does it usually work?”

  She shrugged. “God always answers prayers. Sometimes it just might not be the answer we’re looking for.”

  Unsure how to comment on her last statement, he looked around the now crowded sanctuary. “Where’s Scotty?”

  “He’s in his Sunday school class. We won’t be seeing him until the end of the service.”

  As if on cue, the band started playing. Sweet notes filled the air as people stood and sang praises to God. John glanced around the sanctuary as people’s voices lifted in harmony. Some were stoic, seeming to merely mouth the words to the popular Christian song. However, others like Monica swayed to the music, raising their hands toward the ceiling as they sang with emotion. A few of the parishioners had tears slipping from their eyes as they praised their God. After a half hour of worship music, the preacher approached the pulpit. John barely listened to the sermon about forgiveness—he was still so awed by the emotion showed by the parishioners as they praised the Lord.

  During the service, John noticed Monica glance to the pew a few rows away near the exit. Her eyes became sad as she watched a man and woman with a small baby, obviously a married couple. The woman glanced at Monica. When their eyes locked, Monica hurriedly looked away, as if ashamed to be caught staring.

  After the service was over, Monica led him back into the foyer as she waited for her nephew. Scotty entered, led by the Sunday school teacher. “Aunt Monica?”

  “Hey, Scotty. Guess who’s here?”

  “Hey, sport.” John rubbed Scotty’s shoulder.

  Scotty giggled. “Mr. John, I’m surprised you’re here since you don’t know if you believe in God.”

  The startled expression on Monica’s face spoke volumes as she pulled Scotty aside, gently reprimanding him in a corner.

  “You must be John.”

  John stopped staring at Monica and Scotty, still huddled in a corner, and focused on the woman who’d just approached. She easily weighed over two hundred pounds, but her dark eyes sparkled with warmth. “Yes, I’m John and you are. . . ?”

  Another woman approached. She was petite, thin, and wore a dark suit. Her hair was swept up into an elegant style. “Hi, John, I’m Karen and this is Anna. Monica told us you were Scotty’s new tutor.”

  Monica approached, holding Scotty’s hand. “Hi, you two. I see you’ve already met John.”

  John watched the two friends with amusement. “Well, I’m glad to have met both of you.”

  He wasn’t ready for the day to end but didn’t want to invite himself to Monica’s house.

  Karen saved the day. “We sometimes go to the Bayside Skillet for brunch after church. Did you want to go with us?”

  He wondered what Monica thought about the invitation. Did she want him to come?

  Monica hesitated. “Yes, John, why don’t you come with us?”

  After some discussion, Anna decided that everybody should ride with her to the restaurant in her minivan. Monica climbed into the large vehicle, following Karen, Scotty, and John. “Anna, what’s a single woman like you doing with a minivan?” he asked.

  She placed a gospel CD into her player, chuckling as she revved the engine. “I guess Monica told you I’m a baker, but I’m also a cook.” She continued to grin as she pulled out of the parking lot. “I purchased this van because sometimes I do some catering events on the side, and I can remove the seats and store all my food and equipment in here.”

  Anna dominated the conversation on the ride to the restaurant, telling John how she’d started her own business while Monica stared silently out the window.

  “Are you okay?” he asked Monica.

  She nodded. “I’m just a little tired. I had a little bit of trouble falling asleep last night.”

  They pulled into a parking space. As he exited the car, the wind from the ocean blew toward them. The sun warmed the air, and they commented on the nice weather as they walked into the restaurant.

  A server approached, wearing a black-and-white uniform. His muscles bulged as he removed menus from a receptacle. “Where would you like to sit?”

  Karen spoke up. “Can you give us a large table with a view of the ocean?”

  He nodded, beckoning them to the table, then left them with their
menus. John helped Scotty into the seat before he held out Monica’s chair for her.

  Anna stared at the waiter, whistling softly. “Isn’t he the finest chocolate-brown man I’ve seen in months? Mm, mm, mmm.”

  Karen leaned in her seat, whispering to Anna. “You know your voice carries. He might hear you.”

  “I don’t care if he does hear me!” Her boisterous laugh rang throughout the room, and Karen playfully swatted Anna’s arm.

  Anna chuckled as they opened their menus while admiring the view of the ocean. The picture window gave a relaxing view of the large white waves as they tumbled over the beach. A few people ran along the edge of the shore, but the ocean was devoid of swimmers.

  Monica quietly read Scotty the options from the children’s menu.

  The server returned minutes later. “What would you all like to order?” He spoke to all of them, but his warm brown eyes remained fixed on Anna.

  Anna batted her eyelashes, staring at the waiter. “What do you recommend?”

  He chuckled, winking at her. “The seafood frittata and the banana royale crepes are good. Our cook is a local, and he makes the best breakfast you’ve ever tasted.”

  Anna laughed. “Don’t you need a pad and pen to write it down? I wouldn’t want you to forget our orders.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. . .uh. . .what’s your name?”

  Anna put her menu aside, her complete attention focused on the waiter. “My name is Anna Gray.”

  “I’m Dean Love.”

  “Your last name is not Love.”

  He chuckled. “It sure is. Maybe later I’ll prove it to you.”

  “What?”

  He shrugged his broad shoulders. “I was talking about showing you my driver’s license.”

  “Oh, okay.” She glanced at her menu. “I’ll have the banana royale crepes and the seafood omelet, an order of bacon, and a coffee and an orange juice.” She closed her menu and gave it back to the waiter.