Short Stories
(This short novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, unless otherwise specified. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.)
Part I
Breezy, October, 2005; Deerfield, Illinois.
As the autumn wind touched the town, the leaves that separated from the branches followed the gentle current of air and found their way to the ground. The nature was shining with a blaze of colors, embracing the land in its golden foliage.
One morning on the FaithAction Seminary campus, Dewey Johnson sat at a desk in the library, studying. Studying? For more than fifteen minutes, he constantly dropped his glance to his book, and looked back up to the entrance, back down to his book, and then back up again. His mind was wandering, restless, like a rolling sea spreading and breaking its waves in all directions. He checked the time and directed his gaze toward the door once again. This time, his heart pounded as he saw someone with a very familiar face walking in. At that moment, the whole world around him seemed silent but his heart beat was resonating in his ears.
That particular someone in his mind was Rheanna Anderson – her hair honey-blonde, silky, long reaching to the middle torso of her body; her eyes large, sky-blue; her lips full; her jaw and nose small; her eyebrows thin and arched.
The girl just entered, glanced around, and sat four desks in front of Dewey with her back facing him.
Dewey pondered, “Should I go introduce myself right now? What if she ignores me? No, I don’t think so; she seems nice. But what if she has a boyfriend? No, I guess not because I have never seen her to be with any boys. Am I ready? Wait, what else should I talk to her? Um…homework. Yes, that should do it because we are in the same class. I think I am ready.”
After taking a deep breath, Dewey carried his backpack, left his seat, walked over to her desk, and stood in front of her. “…Hi…”
She looked up, cocked her head to her right and smiled. ‘Hi.”
Her smile was so sweet; her voice was so soft and welcoming, making him feel comfortable to go on with the conversation.
“I’m Dewey Johnson. How are you?”
“I’m Rheanna Anderson. I am doing fine, thank you. How are you?”
“I am fine. I am in the same class as you are.”
She remembered his face and nodded.
“Doing homework?” he asked.
“Mmhmm.”
“Which question are you working on?”
“Number 2.”
“Oh, the one that asks us to explain Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and to write an essay about it, correct?”
“Mmhmm.”
“I finished my homework yesterday. May I assist you in any way?”
At that moment, she understood that his offer was just a way of getting to know her and then chasing after her. A feeling of doubt flowed within her mind, causing her to race back to the unpleasant past. Gazing intently at his eyes, she started looking for deceitfulness or untrustworthiness, but she just could not find it in his eyes. Perhaps, he was just as he appeared.
She suppressed her smile. “Sure.”
He then put down his bag, pulled up a chair, sat next to her and started coaching her. His voice was tender like a love song resounding in her ears; his glances sparkling like a burning flame warming her heart; his words kind like a hymn touching her soul.
She wondered if he was just as she sensed; if he was so skillful that even she could not pierce through to see the real him. Dewey did not realize that he was being scanned. But was he innocent?
“Well, do you have any more questions?” he asked.
She shook her head.
“Great. Um…” He did not want to leave, of course. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Yeah. Thank you very much for your help.”
“You are very welcome. Have a nice day.”
“You too.”
As Dewey was leaving the library, Rheanna looked at him, thinking he was somehow different but she was not certain at that moment.
Day after day, their friendship deepened. The girl felt drawn near to him but she still held back her feelings even though she had started to like him. One rainy Friday afternoon, as Dewey was walking to the campus parking garage, he saw Rheanna leaning on a wall in a building. He went in and approached her. “Hey, how are you?”
She turned her head toward him. “Hi.”
“Are you waiting for someone?”
“No. I wanted to go home but it’s raining, and I did not bring my umbrella today.”
“May I escort you to the parking garage?”
She cocked her head and smiled. “Sure, thank you.”
On the way, the young man leaned toward the girl. “Hey, I like autumn the most because it gives me a sense of peace.”
She nodded. “Mmhmm. You see, the leaves have brilliant colors: red, gold, orange. Don’t you think the fall foliage is very beautiful?”
At that moment, they both directed their glances to each other. A strong flush of connection with him stirred up within her, causing her to blush and turn her head away. Dewey was also startled by the feeling but he kept gazing at her with a sweet smile. The rainfall seemed to be doing its work of drawing them closer.
Under such beautiful nature, he took the chance to ask her out for a date. ‘Um…there is a very good restaurant nearby my house. It is famous for pancakes and waffles. Um…may I ask you to join me for breakfast tomorrow?”
Hesitantly, she wanted to reject him, but his sincerity and kindness, as she knew him, moved her heart.
“Okay.”
With a shining smile, he said, “Great! May I pick you up at 8:00 a.m.?”
“Sure.”
Arriving at the garage, he walked with her to her car. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good evening.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
Dewey then turned to leave. Gazing at his departing back, Rheanna once again started thinking back her unpleasant past that still troubled her heart. She did not want to develop a closer relationship with him but could not help suppressing her affection any longer. Then tears welled in her eyes.
Copyright Dicky To
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 1084 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Dicky To or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 1084 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.