Redirecting Billy

by JR Thompson

  “Aww… Come on, Mr. Bones! Really?”

  “Yes, sir. I’m glad you like it when I’m hard on you.”

  25

  Tamara answered the door, looking like she had just woke up. “What you tryin’ to do here, Mr. Bones? Steal my son away from me?”

  “Excuse me?” Mr. Bones asked. “Billy said I could come by and pick him up for church.”

  “He’s right, Momma,” Billy said, walking up behind her.

  “Boy, you stay out of this!” Tamara yelled. “Mr. Bones, my boy ain’t goin’ to church with you or nobody else tonight. He’s stayin’ here with me!”

  “Momma, that ain’t right!” Billy shouted back at her.

  “Billy,” Mr. Bones scolded, “she’s your mother and—”

  Tamara waved her finger in the probation officer’s face, “Don’t you start on my son! He’s my son, Mr. Bones, you got me? He don’t belong to the likes of you!”

  “She’s drunk out of her head, Mr. Bones—”

  “I ain’t drunk! You just get yourself back to your car and off of my property! You hear me?”

  “I’m going with him, Momma!” Billy said, pushing his way past her.

  “No, Billy,” Mr. Bones interjected. “You need to mind your mother.”

  Tamara stood on her tip toes and got nose to nose with Mr. Bones. “Are you still ordering my boy around?” Turning to her son, she added, “Billy, you can do whatever you want! You ain’t gotta listen to this man!”

  “Fine!” Billy yelled, winking at his probation officer. “If I get to decide… I’m going with you, Mr. Bones, whether you like it or not!”

  Tamara scowled at Mr. Bones, “How you like crunching on them peanuts?”

  Mr. Bones had never heard that phrase before, but he knew what she meant. “I don’t know… You told him—”

  “I told him he can do whatever he wants to do. Now, don’t you try to stop him none!”

  “Okay, okay.” The probation officer shrugged, “I give up... Who am I to stop him from coming to church. I guess you can come, Billy.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought!” Tamara shouted, leaning against the doorpost for support.

  Before she could change her mind again, Mr. Bones and Billy headed to the car. “Your mom get plastered like this very often?”

  “Happens more and more all the time.”

  “And you’ve never told me about it before?”

  “Didn’t see the point. So, what? You gonna report this to Social Services now?”

  “No, Billy. If your mother’s not abusing or neglecting you, there’s nothing to report.”

  “Well, she ain’t. So, I guess that’s settled.”

  The ride to church was spent discussing the dangers of alcohol and any substances that control the way a person thinks or behaves.

  Upon arrival, Mr. Bones had a quick word with Pastor Jahmal, telling him about his invitation to preach at Freedom Baptist.

  “I know all about that. Danny and I have been friends for years. He called me up and asked if any of the men in my church might be able to help him out.”

  “So, you’re okay with it?”

  “I’m more than okay with it! I’m ecstatic! God didn’t save you just to set you on a shelf somewhere, Philip. He wants to use you!”

  Billy placed a hand on his probation officer’s shoulder, “I’m proud of you too, Mr. Bones.”

  After church that evening, Mr. Bones drove Billy back to his house, “You wait in the car while I go in and have a word with your mother.”

  “Please don’t, Mr. Bones. It’ll only make things worse. Momma already thinks you be triflin’.”

  “She thinks what?”

  “Triflin’, man… You know, puttin’ your nose where it ain’t belong.”

  “Your mother said that? She’s the one who insisted I work with you!”

  “I know, but that’s Momma for you.”

  “I’m going to talk to her. You sit tight.”

  Mr. Bones went to the door and knocked. It took her a while, but Tamara eventually staggered across the floor to answer it. “What you want? Billy’s already in bed.”

  “No, ma’am. Your son is in my car.”

  “In your car? Why ain’t that boy in bed?”

  “You insisted I take him to church this evening.”

  “I did no such thing!”

  “Tamara, I was hoping you had sobered up a bit by now.”

  “I ain’t had but two beers all night! What you talkin’ ‘bout?”

  “Billy’s coming home with me this evening.”

  “I ain’t givin’ my permission for no such thing.”

  “You don’t have to give me permission, ma’am. He’s not safe staying here tonight. If you want to report me to the authorities, you go right ahead and do that. They’ll take a probation officer’s word over a drunken welfare bum’s any day. You might even wind up losing custody of your son. Have a good night.”

  “You can’t—”

  “Good night, ma’am,” Mr. Bones said firmly, shutting the door in her face.

  The probation officer attempted to calm down as he walked back to the car. As soon as he opened the door, Billy asked what his momma had to say.

  “You’re sleeping at my place tonight,” Mr. Bones told him.

  “Why?”

  “Your mother’s too wasted to keep an eye on you.”

  “She’s okay with this?”

  “She will be. Let’s get out of here.”

  Mr. Bones knew he was taking a huge chance by removing Billy from the house against Tamara’s will, but he didn’t want her accusing the boy of stealing something and then lighting into him over nothing. Nor did the man want Billy to get away with doing anything he pleased if his momma passed out. What choice did he have?

  Just before bedtime, Billy came in and sat next to his probation officer. “Can I ask you somethin’?”

  “Yeah, man. What’s that?”

  “Why you be goin’ to church so much?”

  “Why do die-hard football fans never miss a game?”

  “You sayin’ you into church as much as some people be into football?”

  Mr. Bones crossed his arms, “I’m a Christian, Billy.”

  “Don’t laugh when I ask this question, but what exactly is a Christian?”

  “A Christian is no different than a non-Christian,” Mr. Bones replied. “They were born into sin and deserved to spend an eternity in Hell. But they accepted Jesus into their hearts, and as a result of doing that, they’ll get to spend an eternity in Heaven with Him.”

  “Don’t Christians got a lot of rules they gotta follow?”

  “Don’t non-Christians?”

  “Yeah, but that ain’t what I’m sayin’. I mean, why would somebody want to be a Christian? You know, to always have somebody preaching at you that this is wrong and that’s wrong?”

  Mr. Bones grinned. At least, if nothing else, he knew the young man was thinking on spiritual matters. “The Lord has made a tremendous change in my heart, Billy. He’s helped me realize there’s a lot more to this life than I ever knew existed.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like being a blessing to others.”

  Billy got quiet for a moment. “Wait! You sayin’ the reason you be helpin’ me is ‘cause you got to for the sake of your Christianity?”

  “No, sir. I’m doing so because God extended His love to me and now I want to extend my love to you.”

  “Hmm…,” Billy said, “interesting.”

  An opportunity had arisen. It was time to put the rubber to the road. “So, Billy… from what I’m hearing, you’re not a Christian. Am I right?”

  Billy nodded slowly.

  “Would you like to be?”

  “I don’t know ‘bout all that now.”

  Mr. Bones watched the young man’s eyes. He couldn’t tell where Billy’s mind was. “There’s no pressure, man. I’m not going to twist your arm and try to force you into anything. But if you ever fee
l the desire to get saved, talk to me. I’d love to show you how.”

  Billy slumped down on the couch. “What if we do this, then, Mr. Bones? How ‘bout you go ahead and show me the scriptures ‘bout being saved. I ain’t gonna do it right now. I just wanna know how. Then, someday, when I’m ready, I can do it on my own.”

  “I’d be happy to show you,” Mr. Bones said. “Let me get my Bible. I’ll be right back.”

  Mr. Bones was excited for an opportunity to share the gospel. There was a reason Billy came to his house that night. He just knew it. Less than a minute later, he opened his Bible and showed Billy God’s plan of salvation.

  “And that’s all there is to it? Just believin’ and callin’ on His name?” Billy asked.

  “That’s it. I mean, you might want to apologize to Him for all of the sins you’ve committed and tell Him you’re ready to change and start serving Him. But that thief on the cross didn’t have to do anything but say he believed and Jesus told that man he would see him in Paradise that very same day.”

  “You know what?” Billy said. “If it’s that easy, I want to go ahead and accept Jesus into my heart. I ain’t never truly prayed before though. I’ve listened to you but I ain’t done it myself. Can you tell me how?”

  “It’s pretty simple, bud. You don’t have to use any fancy words. All you have to do is speak your heart. I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you let me pray and then you can pray after I finish? How does that sound?”

  “Do I gots to pray out loud?”

  “You don’t have to, but I would appreciate it if you did.”

  “Okay… I can do that.”

  “Alright, let’s get down here on our knees.”

  The two knelt on the floor in front of the couch. “Heavenly Father, we know you can work all things for the good of those who love you. I was annoyed earlier today with some of the things that went on at this young man’s house. But now I understand it all. It was for Your divine purpose. Father, I thank You for working on Billy’s heart, and I ask You to make this milestone of his life one that he will never forget. I pray that You will give him the right words to speak, that You will soften his heart, and that You will save his wretched soul. I ask all of this in Jesus’s name, Amen.”

  Mr. Bones tapped Billy’s back, “Your turn, my man.”

  The fourteen-year-old tensed up, took a deep breath and began his prayer. “Dear God, I know I been sinnin’ and sinnin’ my whole life.” A tear trickled down his cheek. “I done went and ignored Your rules. I done terrible things. I done told lies and stole a bunch of stuff. I talk back to my momma all the time. I be skippin’ school and doin’ drugs. Lord, I’ve made a mess out of my life.” With more tears pouring down his face, Billy sniffled a few times. “I now realize You created me. I guess I’ve always known that part. But I never understood about how You gave Jesus up to die for me. Honest, Lord… I didn’t get it. But I’m thankful You gave up Your son for me and that You loved me even through all of the wicked things I be doin’. God, I’m sorry for the ways I been livin’. Will you forgive me and save me? I want to be in Your family.”

  Billy turned and looked at his probation officer.

  “Are you finished?” Mr. Bones asked.

  The boy nodded.

  “Just say, ‘I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.”

  Billy repeated him before giving Mr. Bones an enormous bear hug.

  “Billy, you and I are now a part of the same family — the family of God.”

  26

  After dropping Billy off at school, Mr. Bones stopped in to see Tamara. She didn’t remember a thing from the night before.

  “I think Billy must’ve run off again. Ain’t seen him since yesterday afternoon,” she said.

  It wasn’t going to be an easy conversation, but she needed to hear the truth. “Tamara, would you mind having a seat? I think we need to talk.”

  Tamara appeared concerned, “Is Billy okay?”

  “Your son’s fine.”

  Tamara plopped down on the couch, and Mr. Bones took a seat across from her. “Tamara, I love Billy to death. You know that, right?”

  “I know you care about him... So do I.”

  “Tamara, let me tell you about yesterday. You’re going to have to listen with an open mind.”

  Tamara seemed suspicious, “Okay?” she said, dragging out the word for effect.

  The probation officer told her about Billy’s strong desire to go to church and about how she behaved when he came by to pick up her son.

  Tamara seemed shocked, “I don’t remember any of that,” she said.

  “That’s what alcohol does. The Bible says strong drink has the ability to deceive. Tamara, sometimes people drink so much that they lose control of who they are, they hurt people, and have no memory of doing anything wrong. I’m a probation officer; I work in the courthouse and see and hear stories all of the time about people who go to prison for murder without even remembering committing the crime.”

  “I ain’t like those people,” Tamara said in a soft-spoken voice.

  “That’s the problem with alcoholics,” Mr. Bones told her. “They fail to realize they have a problem until it’s too late… Tamara, I came over here because I care about Billy and I’m concerned about his future.”

  Tamara went on the defensive, “I take good care of my son.”

  “Ma’am,” Mr. Bones corrected her, “when I brought Billy back from church last night, you thought he was already sleeping. When I arrived here today, you thought you hadn’t seen him since yesterday afternoon. I believe you love him, but you need to admit to yourself that the alcohol is driving a wedge between you and your son.”

  Tamara shook her head. “This ain’t the first time I’ve heard a lecture like this... I know I drink too much and I’ve tried to stop, Mr. Bones… but I can’t do it.”

  “What have you done to try to quit?”

  “I’ve poured it all down the toilet, quit buyin’ it, asked friends to keep me accountable — but nothin’ works!”

  At least Tamara recognized her addiction — that was the first step on the road to recovery. “What if I told you Billy’s future depends on it? Would you try harder?”

  “What you mean?”

  “If you look at statistics, you’ll see that boys who grow up without father-figures in their lives are extremely likely to get involved in criminal activity. Those who get into alcohol are even more likely. The other night, you told me you saw nothing wrong with Billy sneaking out and drinking past curfew. That’s because you do it yourself and don’t want to feel like a hypocrite for telling him not to, am I right?”

  Tamara nodded her head, “I ain’t gonna lie about it.”

  “Good... Billy is following in your footsteps. You’re his momma. He’s going to do what he sees you doing. Show him you’re strong enough to put that bottle down… Can you do that?”

  “I told you, Mr. Bones, I would if I could. But it ain’t as easy as it sounds.”

  “If I get you some information on a local support group, would you at least give them a call and consider attending meetings?”

  “I’ll think about it but I ain’t promisin’ nothin’.”

  “That’s all I ask,” Mr. Bones said.

  The front door suddenly burst open. It was Billy, “What you doin’ here, Mr. Bones?”

  “I’m talking to your mother. Why are you not in school?”

  “Didn’t feel like stickin’ around there.”

  Mr. Bones stood to his feet, “That doesn’t cut it with me, Billy!”

  “Oh?... Would it be better if I told you there was a bomb threat and they let us out early?”

  “If it’s true.”

  “It is,” Billy said with a smile. “You can call the school to check. It might even be on the news… You didn’t tell Momma ‘bout last night, did you?”

  Mr. Bones shook his head.

  “Tell me what?” Tamara asked.

  “Momma…” Billy’s smile grew immensely
, “I gave my heart to Jesus!”

  Tamara leaned forward, “You did what?”

  “I asked Jesus into my heart, and He saved me!... Momma, is you saved?”

  Tamara shook her head. “I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout bein’ saved, boy. I ain’t the church-type. You know that.”

  Billy turned his attention to his probation officer, “Mr. Bones, will you save my momma too?”

  Mr. Bones chuckled, “I can’t save anybody, Billy. That’s something only God can do.”

  “You know what I mean… can you tell Momma how to get saved?”

  “A person has to have a desire to get saved, Billy. We can’t just force it on anybody.”

  “Momma,” Billy said, squatting down in front of her. “Momma… look. If I had died yesterday, I would have gone to Hell. But I ain’t got to worry ‘bout that no more. If I die now, I’ll go to Heaven. If something happens to you, I want you to go there with me. Please, Momma… Please get saved like I did. Will you let this man show you how?”

  A tear formed in Tamara’s eye. “Billy, I’ve never seen you so passionate about anything in your life.”

  “I love you, Momma. Please, please do this… It ain’t hard. Is it, Mr. B?”

  “Mr. Bones,” the probation officer corrected him.

  “It ain’t hard. Is it, Mr. Bones?”

  “No. Not at all.”

  Tamara wiped the tear from her eye. “If it’s that easy and you already got saved, why does Mr. Bones have to tell me how to do it? Why can’t you tell me?”

  Billy shot his probation officer a questioning, pleading look.

  “You can do it, Billy. Tell your momma what you did to get saved. You don’t have to remember all of the scriptures we looked at. Just tell her what you did and what God did.”

  Billy took his time and told Tamara everything that had taken place the night before. Before Mr. Bones knew what happened, all three of them were on their knees, and Tamara was giving her life to the Lord. Immediately afterward, she said, “Billy, I’ve been giving this some thought. I’m going to get sober and I’m gonna stay that way.”

  “Really, Momma?... Is that what Mr. Bones was here for?”

  “He did bring up the subject, but I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, son.”