David Years

by Duncan, Lillian;

  “Sorry.”

  “Well, I’m still going.” Her tone was defiant.

  “Don’t do that. I know you don’t like school, but your parents already paid for the year. You might as well finish it and then decide whether you want to come back next year or not.”

  There was silence for a moment and then, “I’m staying with Sunny, and don’t tell anyone where I went. The last thing I need is my parents looking for me. I’m eighteen. I can do what I want.”

  “Tanya, please stay at the dorm until I get back. Then we can talk about it.”

  No response. She’d hung up.

  Nia bought two cookies and then hurried out to the bus stop. She needed to get back to school before Tanya made a big mistake with quitting college. It would be ten minutes before her bus came. As she took out one of her oversized peanut butter cookies, someone call her name.

  Sunny half-walked, half-jogged up to her. “Tanya just called me. In tears, I might add. She said you changed your mind. That can’t be true.”

  “Very true. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I’m not quitting school.”

  “But why? I know this is the best place for you. It will allow you to—”

  Nia held up a hand. “Just stop. I’m not moving in with you, and I’m not coming back for any more sessions. I’m done with all of it.”

  “I don’t understand. You were all excited when I suggested it. What’s the problem?”

  “There’s no problem, and I wasn’t all that excited. I decided it wasn’t the right thing for me to do. God has me on a path, and I trust Him enough to take it. Even if I don’t understand it. I can’t quit school.”

  “I am your path, Nia. Can’t you see that? God put us together for a reason. I’m the path he wants you to take. I know it.”

  Nia flashed back to the puzzle store. That had been real. “I don’t think so.”

  “At least, come and stay for a few days. Then you’ll see it’s the right place for you. I’m absolutely sure of it.”

  Nia gripped the puzzle in her hand. “No.”

  Sunny’s eyes flashed, and her face turned red. “I’ve invested a lot of time in you. What about that? You can’t just quit.”

  “I didn’t ask you to.”

  Sunny grabbed her arm. “I’m not letting you ruin everything. We could have made a lot of money. Don’t you want to be rich?”

  Her gift wasn’t about money.

  “Let’s talk about this some more.” She stood up pulling Nia with her. “Back at Helping Hands.”

  Nia pulled away, but Sunny held on tight.

  “Let go of me.”

  “No. I just want to talk to you some more. Let’s go.” Sunny tightened her grip and pulled Nia toward Helping Hands.

  “Is there a problem here?” A security guard walked up to them.

  Sunny released her. “Not at all. I just wanted my friend to come back with me. I needed to talk to her.”

  Nia tried to steady her breathing. “But I really don’t have time. I told you I’m not going back there. Ever.”

  “But—”

  “That’s my bus.” She pointed at the bus making its way to the stop. “Gotta go.”

  “Nia, wait—”

  “Do you want me to call the police, miss?”

  “No. I’m fine. I just don’t want to miss my bus.” Nia walked to the stop and then turned back. “Thanks, Sunny. You’ve helped me more than you know.”

  29

  Nia walked into her dorm room.

  Tanya’s bed was clear, but there were boxes filled haphazardly with Nia’s clothes. Tanya’s closet was empty.

  Tanya was eighteen and had a right to do what she wanted. But she probably wouldn’t have been invited to stay with Sunny if it wasn’t for Nia. That made it Nia’s fault—responsibility—whatever one called it. But then again, Tanya had been the one to take Nia to Helping Hands in the first place.

  “God, tell me what to do.” She waited. Only silence. Maybe she’d been mistaken at the puzzle store. Maybe it hadn’t been a message from God but lack of food. She’d overreacted to the whole situation. Maybe she’d make a mistake not moving in with Sunny and her friends. Sunny’s angry face flashed before her. No. It hadn’t been a mistake. Sunny had proven that when she’d grabbed Nia and tried to force the issue. Not quitting school was the exact right thing to do. Nia picked up her phone and hit Cooper’s number.

  He answered on the first ring. “Hey, Nia. I’m so glad to hear your voice. I wasn’t sure if I would ever hear from you again.”

  “Yeah, I can understand that. I have a lot to tell you, but first I have a question.”

  “Shoot.”

  “I was in the mall and saw a puzzle of Puzzle House. Or at least I think it’s Puzzle House.”

  He laughed. “I can’t believe you came across one of those. It probably is Puzzle House. The company we use to make our puzzles approached me and asked if they could distribute our puzzles on a wider scale. They were very generous with the financial terms, so it made it hard to turn down.”

  “I think that puzzle saved my life.”

  There was silence for a moment and then Cooper said, “Do tell.”

  She told him about Sunny and Helping Hands. She could picture Cooper closing his eyes, asking for God’s guidance.

  “That may not have been a face-to-face with Jesus, but it sure sounds like a face-to-face with the Holy Spirit. I agree with you. I think God protected you today.”

  “That’s what it felt like to me, too. But I’m not sure what He protected me from. Sunny was always nice. I never sensed that she was dangerous. Until today.”

  “False doctrine is always a dangerous thing, Nia.”

  False doctrine. Those were the same words Dr. Danforth had used. And now that she thought about it, Sunny had said Jesus was a great teacher but hadn’t said much when Nia had said he was the Son of God. Why hadn’t Nia noticed that before? “I guess you’re right.” Her gaze fell on the crystal sitting on her desktop. More false doctrine. What had she been thinking?

  “So will I see you this summer?”

  Nia smiled. “I have to think about—no pray about it. But even if I don’t spend the summer, I will come visit you.”

  “You promise?”

  “Yes, I promise.”

  “So how’s the food at St. John’s? Need some of my cookies?”

  She laughed.

  “I’ve missed hearing that laugh.”

  “So have I, Cooper. I think I’ve been taking myself way too seriously lately.”

  After saying good-bye to Cooper, she picked up the crystal and tossed it into the trashcan. By the time she was finished putting all her clothes away, she knew what to do. Tanya’s parents needed to know what Tanya was up to. And Dr. Danforth would know how to get hold of them. She found the card Dr. Danforth had given her.

  The door opened. Tanya walked in with her duffel bag.

  “Oh, Tanya. I’m so glad you’re back.” The relief in Nia’s heart was almost overwhelming. “I was worried about you.”

  Tanya stalked past her. “Well, I’m not glad about it. It seems the invitation was for both of us and since you changed your mind, my invitation was rescinded. Thanks a lot.” She glared at Nia. “I really hate having you as a roommate, and if I’m here next year, you can be sure we won’t be roommates again.”

  Nia shrugged off the stinging words. “Well, sorry about that, but I really think it’s better this way.”

  “Better for who? Not for me. You have no idea how hard it is living with a saint.”

  “I’m not a saint, Tanya. But there’s something way off about Sunny and Helping Hands. I didn’t see it before, but you should have seen how she acted when I told her I wasn’t living with them.

  Tanya flopped down on her bed. “One thing’s for sure. I’m not doing any more of my volunteer hours there. They don’t want me so that’s that. I’m never going back there. Ever.”

  “Neither am I. There’s something very wro
ng there. Let’s go eat dinner.”

  “Dinner? What? Now you think we’re buddies? Well, we aren’t. In fact, let’s just pretend as if we both live alone. OK?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean don’t talk to me. Now or ever. Just leave me alone. That shouldn’t be all that hard to do since you mostly ignore me anyway. Especially when we’re out of this room.”

  Nia wanted to protest, but Tanya was right. She hadn’t tried very hard to be friends with the girl. In fact, she’d pretty much done the opposite. “Tanya—”

  “I said don’t talk to me.” She held up a hand. “I’ve never been so insulted in my life. I can’t believe they didn’t want me. And after all she said on the phone about me being so special. Having gifts.”

  “I’m sure you do. God gives everyone gifts. You just haven’t found yours. Yet. But you will one of these days.”

  She glared at Nia. “Shut up and stop talking to me. Jesus freak.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not doing that. We live in the same room so we have to talk with each other. So let’s go eat.”

  “No. Leave me alone. Sunny did say if I could talk you into coming back then I could stay too. So if you want me to talk with you then tell me you’ll change your mind, and we’ll both go back to Helping Hands.”

  “Well, I’m definitely not going back.”

  Tanya’s feelings were obviously hurt by Sunny’s rejection.

  Nia sat down on the bed. “But Sunny doesn’t know what she missed. You really are special.”

  “You really think so?”

  The Bible assured that everyone had a gift and was special in the eyes of the Lord. Nia nodded. “I’m sure God has great plans for you.”

  Tanya rolled her eyes. “You know you really are a Jesus freak.” But she smiled a little as she said the words.

  Nia touched her arm. “Can we be friends again?”

  “I don’t know. I’ll think about it.”

  “Good. I’ll see you later. Unless you want to go eat with me?”

  Tanya shook her head.

  Nia left, but she wasn’t really hungry for food. She was hungry for God. When she entered the chapel, it was quiet. She moved to the front and knelt down at the altar. “Please forgive me. I…I am sorry.” Tears trickled down her cheeks. “For believing Sunny’s words instead of Yours. I know I have no power apart from You. You are Jehovah Rapha, the Lord Who heals. Your power. Not mine. I’m so sorry.” For a long time, she had no words. Instead she let God bathe her in His healing love. Finally, she found her voice once again. “Thank You, God, for Your protection every day but especially today. I’m not exactly sure what would have happened but I do know that it wouldn’t have been good. But I still don’t understand what You want me to do.”

  My ways are not your ways.

  Nia couldn’t disagree with that.

  30

  When Nia got back to the room, Tanya was gone.

  The other girl stumbled into the room in the early hours of the morning reeking of alcohol. That became a weekend pattern—and some nights during the week.

  Nia tried to talk to her about it.

  “Jesus freak,” Tanya said as she glared and then turned away.

  The rest of the time, they had an uneasy truce.

  With no Sunny or Bart to distract her, Nia focused on her studies. She was way behind but soon caught up. Her Freshman project about David was her biggest worry. Nia stretched at her desk. Should she take a break? The cafeteria had peanut butter cookies.

  Her cell phone rang.

  “Hey, Auntie.”

  “How are you, sweetie?”

  “Good. Just working on my David project.”

  “I called to tell you about Keisha.”

  Nia’s stomach twisted. “She came home?”

  “Not exactly. But she did call her mother. Keisha had the baby. A little girl.”

  “Are they OK?”

  “Yes and no.”

  That didn’t sound good. “What’s wrong?”

  “They’re both alive, but the baby was born addicted.”

  “That’s horrible. Addicted to what?”

  “Heroin and crack.”

  Nia couldn’t believe it. How could Keisha be that stupid? “Keisha’s using heroin?”

  “Apparently so.”

  “That is so…just awful.”

  “It is, but remember it’s not our place to judge.”

  “It’s a little hard not to.”

  “Hate the sin and love the sinner, sweetie.”

  Auntie was right, but that was an area she was weak in. Why didn’t people make better choices in their life? Especially when it came to drugs. But then, she’d made bad choices, too. Look at her debacle at Helping Hands. “Where are they?”

  “They’re in a hospital in Daytona Beach.”

  “In Florida. How’d she get there?”

  “I have no idea.”

  Tanya walked into the dorm room and gave a half-hearted wave.

  Nia waved back but kept her attention on the phone conversation. “What will happen to the baby?”

  “There are protocols in place when a baby is born addicted to a substance. Keisha has a choice. Go to rehab or lose custody of the baby.”

  “Did she say what she’ll do?”

  “She went to rehab yesterday. And when the baby’s released in a few weeks, Keisha’s mom will have temporary custody until Keisha can prove she can take care of the baby.”

  “Can I call her or go see her?”

  “I don’t think so. Basically, she’s under house arrest but at the rehab clinic. They aren’t letting her talk to anyone other than her mother.”

  Nia hung up and closed her eyes to pray.

  “That sounded serious.”

  Nia opened her eyes. “It was. A friend of mine had her baby, but the little girl was born addicted to heroin.”

  “Oh…that’s bad.”

  “It’s more than bad; it’s horrible. And that poor little baby.”

  “Is she gonna be OK?”

  “My auntie seemed to think so. She’s a nurse so she knows about these things. And I know you don’t want to hear what I’m about to say, but I’ll say it anyway.”

  “Save your breath, Nia. I don’t do drugs, and I’m not stupid enough to get pregnant.”

  “Alcohol is a drug. And every bit as dangerous as other drugs.” Since the incident with Sunny, Tanya spent every weekend getting drunk—and some weeknights.

  Tanya held up a hand. “I’m fine. I’m just having fun. I’m going to classes now and passing, I might add. So what if I have a little fun on the weekend? I’m not a Jesus freak like you. I’m allowed to have fun.”

  “I don’t know why you call me that.”

  “Really? Every moment you’re not in class, you spend reading the Bible or going to those worship meetings. And you don’t think you’re a Jesus freak?”

  “I’m a Christian who wants to please God.”

  “Well good for you. I just want to please myself right now. I’ll worry about God later.”

  “Tanya, what if you die before you have a chance to do that? Don’t you want to go to heaven?”

  “Oh, please, spare me that fairy tale. And don’t even act like you’re worried about me. You never worry about anyone except yourself.”

  Tanya’s words stung. “That’s not true.”

  “Of course it’s true. You pretend like you care, but the truth is you only care about yourself. If you thought about someone else for a change you might have figured out why Boyfriend Bart broke up with you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You are so clueless.” Tanya shook her head and walked out.

  Clueless about what? Did Tanya know something about Bart? Something Nia needed to know? But Bart had made it clear he wasn’t interested in her so…no point in pursuing that relationship.

  31

  These days, Bart didn’t talk to people unless he absolutely had to. If he kept his
head down and walked fast, people usually left him alone. His only goal was to get through this semester—his final one—and graduate. After that, he planned to find an entry level position with a social service agency. Just because God had deserted him didn’t mean that Bart didn’t want to still help people. But it would be his job, not a ministry. The thought didn’t fill him with excitement or happiness. But he was an adult and expected to take care of himself now. He rounded the corner of the building and slammed into another body.

  “Owww.”

  He looked down at Nia on the ground.

  “I’m so sorry, Nia. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

  She grinned at him from her spot on the ground. “That’s OK. I wasn’t watching where I was going either.”

  He held out a hand. She grasped it. Bart could feel the warmth in her touch. A part of him wanted to pull her to him and just hold her. He missed her so much. But she was serious about her relationship with God, and he didn’t want to mess that up. He dropped her hand. “I haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?”

  “Hanging in there. How about you?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “We really miss you at the worship meetings. All of us. Not just me. Why don’t you come by and say hi to everyone?”

  No reason to argue with her. “Yeah, I’ll try to do that. One of these days.”

  She grinned. “That sounds like a definite maybe.”

  He couldn’t help but smile back. “Who knows?”

  “Bart…”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you…well I’m not exactly sure how to say this.”

  “Just say it, Nia.”

  “Tanya said something strange to me the other day and…”

  “Well, it was Tanya, so what do you expect?” He smiled. “Just kidding. She’s not all that bad.”

  “Yeah, I know but it sounded as if she knew something about you that maybe I should know.” Her brown eyes peered into his with real concern and caring. “Is there something I should know? About you?”

  He wanted to pour out his heart to her—tell her about the pain and the loneliness. Not just because of his mom’s death or their breakup but because of his severed relationship with God. He took a deep breath but then shook his head. “Not that I can think of.”