Andrea and the 5-Day Challenge

by Cindy K. Green

  Luke’s mom sat on a cream-colored couch, eating some ice cream and watching a movie. “Luke, you’re home early.” She set the bowl down on the table next to a coffee mug and came to her feet. Mrs. Ryan was tall, with nice high cheekbones and the same dark eyes as her son’s. Dressed in a green cardigan sweater and dark gray yoga pants, she didn’t seem frumpy, but actually pretty well put together. She smiled at us, but there were tears in her eyes. She wiped a hand under each one. “You know this movie always makes me cry.”

  She came around the couch to where Luke and I were standing. “I’ve wanted to meet Luke’s friends from school. It’s nice to finally meet you, Andrea.” She shook my hand, and then looked at Luke as if confirming that I was indeed Andrea.

  Luke shifted from one foot to the other and cleared his throat. Did this mean that he’d spoken about me to his mother?

  “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Ryan.”

  “Oh, please, call me Karen. Hey, do you guys want some ice cream? I just bought some tonight. Lots of fudge and nuts and all that yummy stuff.”

  “No, thanks, Mom. We’re going to study for the Geometry test.”

  “Oh, of course. Teenagers studying on a Friday night. That’s not odd or anything.” She sat back on the couch and flipped her movie back on. “Well, I make no promises about saving you any ice cream.”

  “Noted,” Luke replied with a humorous lilt in his voice. He led me to his room and continued on to a desk with a computer on top. There were a couple boxes stacked around the room and nothing but one poster hanging on the sterile white walls.

  “Your mom seems nice.”

  “She is. Sorry about her crying. She does that a lot lately.”

  That’s when I remembered the whole middle of a divorce thing that their family was going through, and I felt like an even bigger jerk than before. “Oh, well, that movie is really sad. I watched it once with my mom and by the end it was a tear-fest.”

  “Seems like cruel and unusually punishment to me.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Although, I also knew that crying at a good, sad movie could be quite cathartic, but I wasn’t sure if Luke had been made aware of that fact, being a boy and all.

  I walked over to the poster on the wall. “So, this is Sandy Koufax.”

  “That’s him.” Luke didn’t add anything else.

  I knew under normal circumstances he would have told me a whole lot more about his favorite baseball player. It only reminded me of the strain between us. “I guess you’re still moving in.”

  “Uh, yeah.” He moved over and shut the bedroom door.

  I felt a little nervous with the door shut. Why had he shut it? What did he plan to do to me? “It’s OK for me to be in your room, isn’t it?” It seemed like a stupid question since his mother didn’t seem all that worried about us, but still I wondered. I mean, I’m not allowed to have boys in my room.

  “You know, it’s never really come up. I’ve never had a girl in my room before.” He sounded angry again, as if my question reminded him of the whole stupid situation which had brought us to fight earlier. I guess it’s not really a fight but definitely tension.

  “Well, that’s good to know.” It was a lame response, but I didn’t know what else to say.

  “What part—that it’s OK for you to be here or that I’ve never had a girl in my room?” He stepped close.

  Even though I’m unusually tall for a female, he towered over me and I felt really small. I didn’t like arguing with him. I hated confrontation and tension.

  The doorbell rang in the front of the house, but Luke didn’t seem all that interested in who it might be. Maybe his mom ordered pizza.

  “You know, Luke, why don’t you just give me that assignment and I’ll go. You don’t even have to drive me home because I’ve lived here all my life and I can get there on my own.”

  “Don’t be like that.” His voice softened.

  “I’m not being like anything.” My eyes started to mist over. “I…” But I couldn’t say anything else.

  “Andrea, please, I’m sorry...” He didn’t finish what he was going to say (and I think it would have been good because his eyes were doing that emotional swirling thing), but it was then that we heard raised voices.

  Luke’s mouth formed a square line and his expression switched from apologetic to worried in a flash. He whipped the door open and left me standing there.

  What could I do but walk to the doorway and see what the commotion was all about?

  It turned out to be his parents having a fight. His mother’s tears had multiplied, but I don’t think it had anything to do with the movie.

  “You should have told me, Karen,” Luke’s father said in a cold tone. At least, I assumed it to be his father. His dark brows inched downward on his forehead, and he stepped closer to Mrs. Ryan.

  She, in turn, inched backwards with anxiety etched into her face. “Would it have mattered?” Her voice wavered like she really felt frightened of him.

  “I’m still Luke’s father. I have a right to know where he’s going to college. I am the one who’ll have to pay the tuition bills. We agreed Luke was going to UCLA.”

  “No, Jim, you agreed. Luke should have a choice. It is his future, after all.”

  Mr. Ryan didn’t seem to like that comment—not one little bit. His cheeks reddened, and he got right in Mrs. Ryan’s face. “Don’t even try to…”

  “Dad!” Luke yelled out. “Back off. Don’t blame Mom. It’s what I wanted. If you’re going to get mad at anyone it should be me.” He stood next to his mother like a shield.

  Watching this scene play out absolutely shocked me. I had no idea it was this bad for Luke. I mean, I know divorce can be bad. I’ve seen movies and heard about it from other kids, but it’s different having it play out before your eyes.

  Luke maneuvered his parents to sit on opposite couches facing each other. The anger dropped to a lower level, and they actually started talking.

  I was eavesdropping on a private family matter. I didn’t belong here. Moving quietly out of Luke’s room, I progressed past the living room and was just about to open the front door when Luke called out my name.

  “Where are you going?” His face seemed strained in the cascade of lamplight.

  I wasn’t sure if it had to do with his parents or because I was leaving. Who was I kidding? Of course, it was his parents. I’d be a wreck if my parents were fighting like this all the time.

  “I’m going home. You have your hands full here.” I turned, and opened the door, and walked out. All of a sudden, I felt like crying. I don’t know why. I guess it must have been because of Luke. He had this colossal burden to carry, and yet I had to go and break his heart. He told me things were stressed at home, but I had no idea how bad.

  I’d just made it down the driveway when Luke called out my name again. I rotated around to see his concerned gaze, and the sight almost brought my tears to the surface. “Luke, go back to your parents. They obviously need you. I can get home fine. I’ve lived in this city all my life.”

  “Yeah, with a population of 36,000 and one of the lowest crime rates in the country.” He moved in closer. “But all it takes is one time to change that statistic. I don’t want that to be you.”

  A tear slipped down my cheek. Why did he have to be this great? I mean, I was horrible to him, and he was angry at me. He could deny it, but I knew it was true. His parents were in an awful fight and yet he was still worried about me. If I wasn’t already trying to purge him from my system, I might just kiss him because a kiss from Luke sounded really great right about now. “OK,” was all I said.

  “Come back inside. I’ll give you the homework, and you can look through it while I take a quick shower. Then I’ll drive you home.”

  Twenty minutes later, Luke escorted me back outside to his car to drive me home.

  His dad had already left and his mom had gone to bed.

  During the five minute car ride, neither one of us said a word. In fact, Luke kept his e
yes focused on the road ahead of us at all times. Not once did he deviate.

  When we neared my house, he stopped in front of the neighbors. I guess he didn’t want to get me into any more trouble. Staring out the front window, Luke started speaking. “If you’re interested, we can still study for the Geometry test. Maybe we can get a couple more kids and form a whole study group. I know you’ll be busy tomorrow, but how about Sunday after church?”

  “Uh, yeah, that should be fine.”

  “OK, good.”

  “Luke…”

  “I’m sorry about my parents. It’s just…”

  “Has it been like this the whole time?”

  “Yeah, nowadays they fight whenever they get together. They’ve been bad for a long time, but it’s gotten worse since my sister’s accident. The divorce went through right after that.” He glanced at me. “About a year ago, my sister was in a car accident and she’s been in a coma ever since. I mean, she was in a coma. She…uh…” Emotion caught in his throat as he tried to finish. “She died six months ago.”

  A slight ache pulsed at my chest. His sister had died. It wasn’t from just divorce his family suffered; it was also the loss of his sister. And then I remembered the day Josh had tried to race us, and Luke had answered so strongly that he would never endanger anybody that way. He must have been thinking about how his sister was injured.

  “My parents fight every time they see each other now,” Luke continued. “It’s the reason Mom wanted to move by her sister and start over. I don’t think she could stand to walk around our house or even drive around the city without it reminding her of Monica.” He turned to look at me and a tear clung to his eyelash, which he quickly wiped away.

  “Sounds like you’re the peacemaker around your house.”

  He glanced down to the steering wheel where his hands were tapping nervously. “I have to be.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He peered up again. “Don’t be.”

  “I mean about everything.” I touched his arm. “Nothing’s going on between Josh and me. He was just being a jerk.”

  His expression remained completely stoic. Not a glimmer of response in his dark eyes. He gave a succinct nod as if just communicating that he understood what had really happened. “Look, I have to get back.”

  “OK.” I grabbed for the door handle, the need to cry moving up inside my chest. He was still mad. I hadn’t done anything to make this any better. I hated this.

  Luke touched my left hand, and I turned to look at him. “Goodnight, Andrea.”

  “Goodnight.” A bubble of emotion choked in my throat. “Luke, if you need a friend, I’m still here.”

  He nodded and lifted his anguished gaze to me.

  I left the car and walked into my house. As I sat on the bottom step of the stairs, the tears finally came. My heart hurt, and it wasn’t just about my own immature, selfish self. My problems seemed so infinitesimal compared to his. I felt so bad for Luke. I just wished I could do something for him.

  “I didn’t hear you come in.” Mom took a seat next to me. “What’s wrong?” She put an arm around my shoulders. “Are you still upset about homecoming?”

  “No,” I croaked out. It really sounded like a croak as I tried holding back more tears. “It’s Luke. I saw him tonight at the bonfire. Afterwards, we stopped by his house because he had my Geometry homework. He thought I might need it with the test on Monday.”

  “That was thoughtful of him.”

  I assumed she said this because she didn’t realize that the “we” I referred to was Luke and I—alone.

  “Yeah, it was. That’s Luke, though. He’s always thoughtful.” A tear dripped down my nose. I wiped the moisture off the tip of my nose with a bunched up hand.

  “You really like him, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” I admitted to my mother. Was I cracked? Why had I admitted this to my mother? Oh, what did it matter now?

  “And seeing him made you cry?”

  “No, no! It’s just I saw his parents together and they were fighting. Luke had to calm them down. It’s so hard for him.”

  “Are they getting divorced?”

  “Yes. I mean, I think they are already.”

  “That’s tough. I should know.” Mom gave me a reassuring smile. She too was a product of a divorced family. “I’m sure Luke appreciates having you as a friend at this time when he really needs one.”

  “He does. He even told me that a couple days ago. He explained tonight why they moved out here and why his parents have been fighting so much. His sister died a few months ago.”

  Mom took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, as if she was trying to figure out something. “That’s horrible, Andrea.” She stroked my hair and patted my back. “Just be a friend to Luke, dear. It’s all you can do. And pray.”

  We sat together in silence for maybe three minutes.

  “Would you like us to pray for Luke and his family, Andi?”

  I nodded my head and we both sat there and prayed for the Ryan family. Only God could bring them the comfort they really needed.

  Afterwards, Mom stood from the step.

  “Well, I’m glad you’re home early. You have a big day tomorrow, and I have some sewing I need to finish.” She started up the stairs to her sewing room.

  I lingered on the step a couple minutes longer, and then thought I may as well practice. I had promised I would, but how much good would it do if all I could think about was Luke?

  20

  I blinked my heavy eyelids and made out the time on my alarm clock. 8:17 AM. I rolled over and covered my head with the comforter. I did not want to get up and face this day. Today was the day. It all came down to this: My recital with my future hanging in the balance and homecoming—which I was totally going to miss, and I guess I deserved that. I did jeopardize things with my recital and withheld information about Luke and everything. Still, I had learned from my mistakes.

  I wondered if my parents realized this. Did they really not want me to be a normal teenager and attend things like homecoming when asked by a very cute and wonderful guy? Not that he wanted anything to do with me anymore.

  All that seemed inconsequential when compared to Luke’s situation. I didn’t realize it at the time, but when Luke had said he appreciated me as a friend, he really meant it. And he hadn’t said it to Dion or Mike. No, he said it to me, and then I treated him like a doormat. Yep, I wiped my dirty, muddy feet all over him.

  I wondered how he was doing after last night. Maybe I should send him a text. I set my feet over the side of my bed and unplugged my cell phone. I didn’t have any text messages. I set it back down and sighed. It was probably too early to bother him.

  Thank the Lord, by this afternoon, it would be over…until the next time. Getting into the performing arts school would only increase the pressure. It’s a good school, and when I was a freshman, I would have given anything to get in there. Why was I so reluctant now? It wasn’t just Luke and the rest of my friends. I suppose I’d found my niche at Aubrey. Moving to another school was scary. It was just one more thing to be afraid of. Why was I such a wimp?

  I looked at the cell phone once more and decided to send Luke a text, after all. It was the least I could do. Thinking of you. Hope all’s well at home.

  I left it at that and opened my prayer journal.

  Lord, it’s Day 5 of the Challenge. I think I started this task to see what You could do for me, Lord, which was totally wrong. This was a week of embarrassment and self-assessment. I’ve learned I am selfish and completely self-absorbed, which is why I turn everything into melodrama. You’ve also taught me I need to look outside of myself and to the needs of others. I’m starting to think that the whole reason You had me start this challenge was just that: to be a good friend and learn to think about others first.

  I realize I usually come to You because I want something. Today it isn’t about me. It’s about Luke. He’s having such a hard time, and I don’t know what to do for him. A
ll I can do is pray. So today I lift up my friend Luke to You, Lord. I know You are in charge and can work in this situation. Help his parents and their difficulties. You desire for families to stay together, but we don’t always listen to You or follow Your will. In Your mighty wisdom, I know that You are in control. All of this has made me meditate over my own life. I know I’ve made some mistakes lately and I’m sure I’ll make more, but help me think of You in every choice I make and every word I say and every action I take. Thank You, Lord, for all You’ve given me. Help me be the friend Luke needs.

  Nugget of Truth: Proverbs 7:2-3 Keep my commandments and you will live; guard my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

  Before I took my shower, my phone beeped and with it my heart rate increased.

  Could it really be Luke replying? Thanks. That was all he wrote.

  I waited another minute just in case there would be more, but there wasn’t. Still, it was a good ‘thanks’. I could tell it wasn’t a sarcastic ‘thanks’ like Stephanie might throw at me with a toss of her hair.

  No, he meant it.

  And for some reason I felt so much better about everything.

  ~*~

  “Guess who’s here?”

  I turned around from where I sat in the front row with the other performers at Kelton Auditorium.

  “Amy, if you plan on sitting here for the whole performance, you have to be quiet.” I started to twist back around when she grabbed my chin and turned it so I had to look at the rear of the auditorium. “He’s here. He came. Can you believe it?” She let go of my chin.

  I continued to stare at the sight of Luke at the very back of the room.

  Amy’s words echoed inside my head: He’s Here! He Came! “Why is he here, do you think?”

  “Duh, why do you think he’s here? Have you really become that dense, Andi?” She leaned in closer to me and whispered, “He’s here for you.”