She shook her head. “John, I can’t.” She held her stomach.
Concerned, he sat beside her, rubbing her shoulder. “Are you sick? Did you catch that stomach virus that was going around awhile ago?”
She glanced at Scotty, who was already gobbling his food and guzzling soda. “My stomach gets upset when I’m worried.”
He coaxed her to eat a slice of pizza. “Don’t get that upset. It can’t be that bad. Is it life or death?” he asked in a whisper so Scotty wouldn’t hear them.
She shook her head. “No, but it is serious.”
“Well, it won’t help if you don’t eat something.” He took a paper plate and plopped some of her food on it. “Eat that and drink some soda. I’m sure you’ll feel better when you’re done.”
He sat beside her with his plate of pizza. He remained next to her until she ate. She tasted the food and drank her soda. He was even more pleased when she reached for seconds.
After dinner he placed the leftovers into the refrigerator and threw away the paper plates and napkins. Scotty asked if he could watch TV until bedtime, and she told him it was all right. After Scotty took his exit, John sat beside her, taking her hand. “Now, what’s the matter?”
Tears spilled from her eyes. “Gina wants Scotty again. I can’t give him back.” She glanced into the living room. “His life was a mess when he came here, and I’ve done so much work on teaching him about the Lord and about how important it is to do well in school.” She shrugged. “If Gina takes him back, he’ll revert to the way he was. She never instilled good values in him.”
He rubbed her shoulder. “I’m sorry. Did you pray about it?”
She raised her eyebrows, giving him an intense stare. “Yes I did. You believe in the power of prayer?” Her voice sounded hopeful.
He wiped away her tears. “No, but I know that you do. I’m still unsure what to believe about God and prayer, but I do know that it can’t hurt to pray.” She turned away as he continued to hold her hand, offering comfort. “Besides, how do you know Gina hasn’t changed in the last few months?”
She laughed. The sound was loud and grating. “My sister will need longer than a few months to change. It’ll take an utter miracle to change her.”
“Well, don’t you believe in miracles? God is capable of anything. I read it myself in my Bible.”
For a brief moment, her sadness seemed to disappear. “You’ve been reading your Bible?”
“Of course I have. That’s why I’ve been taking that class you recommended and going to church. I’m still trying to figure out this whole God thing.”
“I think you’ll figure out this ‘God thing’ in due time. Your salvation depends upon it.”
Not wanting to talk about his journey in finding out the truth about Jesus Christ, he changed the subject. “So where are you and Scotty going to spend Thanksgiving? Will you be cooking dinner?”
“No, I don’t see the need since it’s just the two of us. I usually go down to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving. What are you going to do?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure. Since my parents passed, I can’t go and see them anymore for the holiday. Sometimes I’ll spend it with a college friend of mine who lives down in Baltimore. But this year he and his family are traveling to Florida for Thanksgiving.” He was disappointed Monica and Scotty were going away for the holiday. “I’ll probably eat at a restaurant.”
“Why don’t you come with us?”
“Come with you? Why?” He tried not to sound too startled at her invite.
“I just don’t like the idea of your spending a holiday alone.”
Touched by her concern, he hoped this gesture was an indication that she would soon change her mind and allow him to date her the way he really wanted to. “Are you sure your parents wouldn’t mind?”
“Of course not. My parents would welcome you.”
“But. . .don’t you think we’d be giving them the wrong impression? You said we aren’t seeing each other. Wouldn’t they think I’m your boyfriend?”
She shook her head. “I’ve already told them you’re Scotty’s tutor. They know how grateful I am for all you’ve done for Scotty.”
“Okay.” He hesitated, still unsure of accepting her invite but intrigued by her gesture. His feelings for her during the last few months had done nothing but grow deeper, and if he spent the holiday with her, he suspected it would make his affections go over the top and make him imagine them as a couple even more.
“Hello?” She waved her hand in front of his face. “What are you thinking about?”
“About your invite. Yes, I accept.”
“Good!”
“So, what time should I get here?”
“My parents live about two and a half hours away—”
“Two and a half hours! You’re going to go only for the day?”
“Yes. I don’t think you’d want to spend the night at my parents’ house, let alone the whole Thanksgiving weekend!”
“I don’t want you to change your plans just because of me.”
She shook her head. “You’re coming, and it’s settled. My parents eat dinner around two o’clock. Scotty and I leave in the morning since I do help my mother a bit in the kitchen. Can you be here around eight o’clock?”
“I’ll be here. Did you want me to bring anything?”
“No, my parents will have plenty of food. Sometimes people from their church drop by during the day to eat their leftovers.” She leaned back into her chair, her dark eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Speaking of church, how is that class coming along?”
So much had been happening the last few weeks, he didn’t even know if he could explain it himself. He thought about the prayer he had issued after that first class session he’d taken. He still wasn’t sure about God’s existence, but he’d daily sent up a plea, asking for a sign to show that He really did exist. He hesitated.
She grabbed his hand. “You’re still struggling, aren’t you?”
He nodded, wishing he couldn’t disappoint her. “I can’t talk about it. I’m still coming to terms with a lot of things.” He wanted to tell her about his daily prayer. But he hesitated, not wanting to give her the wrong idea about his spiritual beliefs.
She shook her head. “Don’t say anything to me about it. God knows what’s in your heart, and He’ll straighten you out. You just wait and see.” Her voice was full of confidence.
He checked his watch. “Well, I see it’s getting late, so I’m going to head home.” He was pleased she had cheered up. “Try not to worry about Gina. I’m sure she was just bluffing.” Her frown returned as they stood. “I didn’t mean to make you feel bad by mentioning your sister.”
“It’s okay. She would have popped into my mind as soon as you left anyway.” She walked him to the door and said good-bye
Seven
The following Sunday, after John was finished with his class, he entered the crowded sanctuary.
Monica sat in the middle pew alone. He didn’t see Karen, but he did spot Anna sitting in the back with Dean Love. They were holding hands and she beamed, her hair bouncing as she focused on the pulpit.
Monica looked great, as usual, in her church clothes, and he noticed she again stared at the couple who sat near the back with their infant. He wondered if she was still in love with her ex-boyfriend. Her mouth drooped with sadness, and he wanted to sit beside her but at the last minute decided not to. Her charming presence would distract him during the service. He found a seat in the back, intent upon looking up the scriptures Pastor Martin had given him. While people sang and swayed in the church praising God, he pulled out his Bible, wanting to find answers to the questions he so desperately sought.
After the service was over, Monica spotted him in the foyer. Her dark eyes were curious, and he sensed s
he wondered why he hadn’t sat with her during the service. Before he could speak, Scotty entered the foyer, led by his Sunday school teacher. “Aunt Monica!”
“Hi, Scotty.” She assisted her nephew with his jacket.
John approached. “Hey,” he greeted.
“Hi, John. Until a few minutes ago, I didn’t realize you were here today,” she commented.
“I sat in the back.”
“Oh, did you arrive late? Did you not go to your class?”
He shook his head. “No, I was here on time. I just needed to be alone for a while.”
She frowned, pulling her coat from a hanger. He helped her put it on. “I’m making sandwiches for Scotty’s lunch when we get home. Why don’t you join us?”
“I have a lot on my mind, so I think I’ll be heading home.”
“Mr. John, why don’t you come with us?” Scotty whined.
He squeezed Scotty’s shoulder. “I’ll see you later this week, sport. Didn’t your aunt tell you we’re spending Thanksgiving at your grandparents’ house? I’m coming with you.”
“You are?” Scotty turned toward Monica. “Will my mom be there? Is the circus coming to Grandpa’s town for Thanksgiving?”
Sadness etched her face as she took his hand. “I don’t think so. Maybe she’ll call you soon.”
“She’ll call me on Thanksgiving?” he pressed.
She placed a hat on her head. “We’ll have to wait and see. I never know when your mother is planning to call.”
John rescued Monica and changed the subject. “I noticed Anna was with her friend Dean Love.”
“They were here? They didn’t say hello.”
“I saw them leave right after service. They were sitting in the back,” he explained. “Where’s Karen? I wanted to say hi to her.”
“She’s out of town at a beauticians’ convention in Baltimore. She’s supposed to come back tonight. Both Karen and Anna said they would drop by tomorrow evening for a visit.”
As Kevin and his family walked by, John touched her arm. “Well, you have a nice day, and I’ll see you later this week.”
He heard her mumble a good-bye as he exited the foyer.
❧
The next day at work, Monica showed her boss the Power-Point presentation she had completed for a meeting with his key executives the following day. As she moved through the motions of doing her job, she struggled to understand why John had refused to sit with her in the sanctuary the previous day. His standoffish behavior was very puzzling, and she wondered if he had found interest in another woman.
She was glad when it was time to go home. She picked up Scotty from school, and she prepared his favorite meal when they arrived home. She pulled the pan of chicken fingers and fries from the oven. “Come and eat, Scotty!”
He hurried into the kitchen, using the wall to guide himself. “You made chicken fingers and french fries?” He plopped onto a chair. “Do we have any ketchup?”
“Yes, we do.” She removed a serving of broccoli from the boiling water and added butter and salt. She placed the food in front of him.
He sniffed. “Do I have to eat the broccoli?”
“Yes, you do.” She fixed a plate of food for herself, even though she didn’t care for chicken fingers and fries. She hoped that by fixing Scotty’s favorite meal, she might cheer him up and help him forget that his mother still had not called him back.
After they said grace, they enjoyed their meal in silence. When he ate the last of his fries and fingers, he asked for more.
“You’ll get more after you eat your broccoli.”
“Aw, Aunt Monica!” He sulked but eventually ate his vegetable. She made another serving of food for him and added another puddle of ketchup to his plate. He chewed happily, humming as he munched his chicken and fries.
She finished her food and rinsed her plate, placing it in the dishwasher. When Scotty was finished, he left the table and returned to the living room. He paced the floor as if he were bored. “Can I go outside?”
She opened the blinds. Dusk was falling, and the temperature had dropped. “You can go into the backyard.” She pulled a ball from the closet and gave it to him. “You can play with this out there. But be sure to come inside when you get too cold.” He ran to the closet and got his coat, hat, and gloves, then went into the backyard, bouncing his ball.
She was about to use the time to go through her devotional since she’d overslept that morning, but before she could start, her doorbell rang. “I forgot about Karen and Anna stopping by,” she mumbled as she answered the door. They entered, bringing in a cold gust of air. They hugged her before removing their coats and laying them on the couch. She invited them to sit in the living room.
“So, how was your conference, Karen?” Monica asked.
Anna folded her thick arms. “After Karen tells you about her conference, remind me to tell you how things are progressing between Dean and me.”
Karen fingered her hair. “It’s only been a few weeks. Things couldn’t have progressed that much between you two.”
Anna chuckled. “You’d be surprised. When God allows you to find the right man, you are on His timetable, and maybe He’s telling me that Dean Love is the right man for me.” She looked at Monica. “Last time I saw, it looked like John was really smitten with you. Is he still tutoring Scotty?”
Surprised at the question, she nodded. “John and I are not in a relationship, though.”
“But you like him, that counts for something,” Anna commented.
“Of course I like him. I think I’m falling in love with him, and that’s the problem.”
Their mouths dropped open as they stared at their best friend. “You’re serious?” Karen whispered.
Monica nodded. “I can’t wait to see him again. He still hasn’t accepted Christ, which is why I won’t date him.” She recalled his cool attitude.
“What’s wrong?” asked Anna.
Monica explained his frosty attitude toward her at church the previous day.
“Well, I don’t blame him. He’s probably falling for you, too, but knows it can’t lead to anything right now.” Anna’s opinion didn’t make her feel any better.
Monica suddenly wanted to be alone, wishing her best friends had not stopped by after all. “Both of you are Christians. You know it’s wrong to be unequally yoked with nonbelievers.”
Anna leaned back into the couch. “I’m not knocking what you’re doing, because I’d be doing the same thing if I were you. I’m just saying look at it from John’s point of view. You’re falling in love with him, and he might realize that.” She flung her braided hair behind her back. “He might love you, too. And being around you is hard, knowing you two can’t be together. Instead of acting loving and affectionate toward you, he decides to act cool and calm, hoping these emotions between the two of you will dwindle a little until he decides what he wants to do about God.”
Karen gazed at Anna. “I’m assuming Dean is a Christian?”
Anna nodded. “He sure is! He was born and raised in the church. I wouldn’t be going out with him otherwise.”
Karen placed her hand on Monica’s arm. “Are you sure you’re over Kevin? I see the way you stare at him and his wife at church. Sometimes. . .”
“What?” Monica pressed.
Anna cleared her throat. “Sometimes you act like you haven’t gotten over him. You don’t talk to him unless he speaks to you first, and you’re not exactly friendly toward his wife.”
“It’s hard for me to get over things. When I see him, it’s a reminder of what I lost. Kevin is a charming, good-looking man, and he’s godly. You don’t know how much I used to fantasize about marrying him.”
Karen arched her eyebrow. “You don’t still fantasize about him, do you?”
Mon
ica shook her head. “Not anymore. But it’s still hard seeing him.”
Anna spoke. “Will you ever get over him? Two years is long enough to grieve over a lost love.”
Karen nodded. “I agree with Anna. You’ve told John about Kevin?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sure he’s seen you looking at Kevin in church. Maybe John thinks you’re still in love with him. You need to let him know that Kevin is part of your past and you’re over him for good. And stop being so obvious about your pain! Stop looking at him during service. I’m sure John finds it unnerving,” Karen said.
Anna offered to pray, and the three of them stood in a circle and joined hands as Anna’s loud, strong voice filled the living room asking God for guidance during this difficult time.
When their prayer was over, Monica gave her friends the details about recent events in her life. She told them about Gina’s phone call and John’s acceptance of her Thanksgiving invite.
Anna threw her head back, her long hair hitting the back of the couch. “Which one of these things do you want to talk about first?”
Karen focused on Monica. “Do you really think Gina will take Scotty back?”
Monica shrugged. “Who knows? Gina lies so much, it’s hard to tell when she’s telling the truth.”
“Your sister has always been jealous of you,” Anna offered. “Perhaps she’s just trying to get you upset, knowing you’ve probably bonded with Scotty. I wouldn’t put it past her to do that.” She seemed to think about it. “And you know if it was her intent to upset you, she’s succeeded. I can tell her phone call really bothers you.”
Karen looked at Anna. “Monica can’t help being upset! She loves Scotty, and she only wants what’s best for him. I’ll be sure to keep the matter on my prayer list,” she offered.
Monica regarded them with warmth. “Thanks so much for your support. If she does take Scotty away and disappear again, I don’t know how I’ll handle it. I’ll be a basket case worrying about him.”
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