Page 2 of In This Moment
“I’m sorry.” Alicia trembled and her teeth chattered. “I’m just... I’m so scared.” She looked around, like she was searching for some way out of the situation. “Everything’s about to change. It’s the first day of school and I have no idea how I’m supposed to teach.”
Wendell studied her. “All because you don’t agree with my plan?” He hesitated. “That’s it?”
Alicia looked at the folder on his desk. She was the picture of professionalism, neat black skirt and white blouse, new heels. Her black hair straightened just the way she liked it. She seemed to attempt a smile, but it became a slight nod. “I mean... I know the students need help. They need something... someone.” She was clearly frustrated. “But you’re the principal. Why does it have to be you?” Anxiety darkened her beautiful wide green eyes. So much anxiety. “You could be fired, Wendell. You know that. And... I guess I’m afraid if I stand by you... I’ll be fired, too.”
“We have rights.Freedomof religion, Alicia. It’s a voluntary program.”Calm, he told himself.Stay calm. “They won’t fire us.”
“They could.” Her answer was quick. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
“I don’t, either.” He had to be honest with her. “But I trust God. This is what He wants. I’m convinced.”
For a long moment they were quiet. Then she drew a sharp breath. “I have class.” A pause and she looked deep into his eyes again. “I’ll be praying.”
“Me, too.” He opened the door and they stood together, staring at the words everyone saw when they entered Hamilton High School. The quote painted on the school wall, the one that had started this whole thing last May, the day school let out for the summer.
Those who stand for nothing... fall for anything—Alexander Hamilton.
Hamilton had spoken those words hundreds of years ago, when he was the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, and one of America’s founding fathers. The quote was emblazoned on the hallway in letters fourteen inches high. Wendell read the lines silently, the way he read them every day when he arrived at school.
Alicia angled her head, her eyes fixed on the quote. “Alexander Hamilton was a Christian.” She turned and gave Wendell a softer look. “I know... he’d be cheering you on today.”
“Maybe God will give him a front-row seat today.”
“Maybe.” Alicia hesitated for a long few seconds. “See ya, Wendell.” Her smile felt genuine. But the fear was still there. The one that would certainly remain an hour from now, when Wendell’s very risky plan would become a reality.
She gave him a final look and then turned and walked down the hall toward her classroom. First period was at eight o’clock. The assembly was at nine.
Wendell took the seat behind his desk and looked at the folder. He couldn’t blame Alicia. She had to take care of herself. Still, her pulling away from him was the most difficult part of his decision to run the Bible study.
He ran his hand over the folder. He hadn’t prepared the material inside for anyone but himself. He wanted his research all in one place. The reasons he felt justified in starting his voluntary Bible study program.
Just in case he needed to defend himself at some point.
The information was something to fall back on when that time came. And Wendell had no doubt it would. One way or another he would pay for what he was about to do. And if he paid, his four kids would pay. Alicia, too. At least she thought so.
He studied his family’s photo on his desk. His kids were the joy of his life, a constant reminder of God’s goodness. Jordy was seventeen, a junior, and Leah was a fourteen-year-old freshman who played trumpet in the school’s marching band. Alexandria was twelve and in her seventh-grade theater club, and Darrell, the youngest, was ten.
The light in their faces, the love between them warmed Wendell’s heart on the coldest of Indianapolis days. He looked at his kids one at a time. Each of them carried a part of Joanna, their mother. Jordy had her kind eyes... Leah, her pretty smile. Alexandria had Joanna’s laugh, and Darrell, her sense of adventure.
A ripple of concern tightened around his chest. Yes, they would likely all pay for what he was about to do. Wendell could be fired. People would mock his children for having a father who dared bring God into a public school. Wendell had come across a three-year-old case where a local social services agency attempted to remove children from the home of a public educator who taught an after-school Bible study.
As if teaching the Bible at school might make someone like Wendell an unfit parent.
The educator won that case. But things were changing. A growing sector of people were vehemently against anything Christian. If Wendell and his kids suffered, then Alicia believed she would suffer, too. In her mind, the events at Hamilton would be splashed across the news and no public school in the state would ever hire her or Wendell again. Yes, as far as Alicia was concerned, the whole scenario already felt like a reality. A fait accompli, as Hamilton might’ve said back in the day.
Which was why Alicia was already pulling away.
The sad thing was that she was probably right. Any attention on social media meant a tsunami of scrutiny would be on all of them. Every Christian on staff. So the first cost was almost certainly going to be his relationship with the woman he loved. Wendell’s heart already hurt over what was coming. But even so he had to follow through with his plan.
This was what God wanted of him. Wendell was sure. And God would see him through. He sighed.Lord, if only I could help Alicia trust You Really trust.
He thought back to a recent day in mid-July when he’d made his intentions known. He had grilled burgers for her and the kids and they’d spent the day swimming at the neighborhood pool. Back at his house, once the kids were in the other room watching a movie, Alicia had hugged him. The smell of her hair and perfume had filled his senses, and Wendell had known he couldn’t go another day without telling her how he felt.
He sat across from her in the living room that day and searched her eyes. “My kids love you.”
“I love them.” Her smile lit up her face. “I had the best day, Wendell.”
“The kids aren’t the only ones.Ilove you, too, Alicia.” His heart pounded in his chest. “As more than a friend.” It felt like Wendell’s brokenhearted season since losing Joanna was finally over.
