Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ONEROUS (03/02/17)
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TITLE: Snippets of Truth | Previous Challenge Entry
By Holly Westefeld
03/09/17 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
I look in the mirror, shake my head, and return to the closet. I really need to purge my wardrobe. It's just that we bought some of the outfits in triplicate at the mall, and I feel like I would be discarding some of our shared history. They wanted to know what I would wear this evening, but I refused to commit.
Settling on a less edgy combo, I rifle through my rainbow of makeup. Gathering the most unnatural shades, I reach for the wastebasket. I withdraw my hand, perusing the fistful of memories, then reach out again, unfurling my fingers to let them plunk in to the can. My hand shakes as I apply the complementary tones to eyes and lips.
I really do want them to meet him. This shouldn't seem so daunting, but, despite how well I know them, I am just not sure how they will react. Will they want to get to know him? I really hope they won't try to get me to choose between them. I pull my hair up in a twist, clip it, glance in the mirror, and take it down. I am finally satisfied with the third try.
I glance at the clock. Time to plunge ahead. I reach for the Bible on my desk. Not tonight. There are extras I can use.
Jennie's mom is just dropping her and Brittany off as I step on to the porch. I spot Jessica and her mom emerging next door, and wave at my friends to join me as I head that direction. "Brittany, Jennie, you remember my neighbor Jessica. This is her mom, Mrs. Wallace."
"Good evening, girls. We're glad you're joining us this evening."
My friends notice the Bibles Jess and her mom are carrying, and give me a quizzical look. I shrug as we pile in to the Wallace's van. Conversation is awkward on the short drive to Grace Community Church, Mrs. Wallace inquiring about school and siblings, eliciting only brief answers from Jenn and Britt.
As we walk in to the youth room, Jessica greets other friends, but we hang back, my friends scanning the assortment of boys. Brittany elbows me and tilts her head toward a tall red-headed guy with an impish grin. "Is that him?"
I shake my head.
Jennie focuses on a lanky blonde. "Him?"
I shake my head again.
They put their heads together, whispering. They indicate a stocky boy with mouse-brown hair and thick glasses. "Him? Is that why you wouldn't show us a pic? You should know by now that if you're happy, that's all that matters to us."
I am spared answering by the youth band starting the first song. It is one of my favorites, and I almost forget they are there as I lose myself in the words.
Brittany pokes me between songs. "Well?"
"Later," I whisper, as the band continues in to "How Deep the Father's Love." I choke up and blink quickly when we reach the line "Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers." Why is this so hard. I am not truly ashamed, just afraid--afraid that the two most important people in my life, other than my family, will reject my new love, and me along with Him.
Pastor Joe welcomes everyone and opens in prayer. Then he begins with the worst possible question. "Why are you here tonight?"
I spot a mischievous glint in Jennie's eyes and glare at her.
"Some of you are here because your parents have brought you since you were babies. Some are here because someone who loves Jesus was kind to you when others rejected you. Some may be here because a friend invited you, finding it too difficult to tell you directly about Jesus."
Jennie's and Brittany's gazes converge on me, and color warms my face. I nod. They roll their eyes, but listen.
Pastor Joe wraps up by indicating a stack of the Gospel of John on a table by the door. "If you want to know more, you can talk to me, or pick up one of these."
My friends don't say anything, but I do spot them each slipping a copy in their pocket.
*****
Fiction
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