Page 26 of In This Moment
Everything was going so well for both of them. A gust of concern made its way over the otherwise calm landscape of her soul. So long as her father didn’t come to the parents’ meeting tonight.
Practice ended and Cami left for the library. Principal Quinn had told all of them to be there a few minutes before Parents’ Night began. Cami had homework first. Her heart pounded as she walked across campus. What if her daddidshow up? She tried not to think about it.
The meeting,she told herself.Think about that.The last time they got together, Principal Quinn had explained that he was going to talk about the Raise the Bar program with the parents. He had been waiting for statistics on the improvements. But he already knew how dramatically the lives of Hamilton High students had changed for the better. That’s when Principal Quinn had asked Cami to share how the club had helped her. She was happy to talk to the parents about the changes in her own life.
Unless her dad showed up.
Cami swallowed her fear. It wasn’t likely. Her dad probably didn’t even know about Parents’ Night. Of course, other moms and dads would be there and any of them could have a problem with the club. Which was why every student in the program was praying for the coming hours.
Cami’s dad wouldn’t come, though. Of course not. For most of the last year, he had come home from work and downed a six-pack before thinking about dinner or whether the girls had homework. There was no reason to expect he’d remember a meeting tonight at Hamilton High. But if he did... if he heard what Principal Quinn was doing, if he heard what Cami was planning to share...
Cami didn’t have to wonder what her father would do.
He’d be through the roof livid. As her dad liked to say, heads would roll. And the first head would be that of Principal Quinn.
Cami shuddered at the thought.Please, God... keep him out of this school tonight. Let him go straight home.But if not...
She found a table in the library and waited for Jordy. As soon as he arrived, Cami pulled her history book from her backpack. They were using a new text this year, a decision made by Principal Quinn and the History Department. Jordy had explained the situation to her at the beginning of the semester.
“Lots of schools teach what’s called revisionist history.” Jordy always had the inside scoop. Principal Quinn was his father, after all. “What that means is that some people have rewritten history to remove God from the text.”
Now they were using a textbook that drew its information from original letters and documents written by the founding fathers.
“I found this quote.” Cami opened her history book and lifted her eyes to Jordy. “It’s one of my favorites.” The quote was from Alexander Hamilton, the school’s namesake. Hamilton said,There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.
Cami smiled. “That’s what your dad did for us.” She looked at the quote in the history book again. “For the sake of liberty, your dad started the Raise the Bar program. So that we might know God.”
“I never thought about it that way.” Jordy’s eyes softened. “Like what he did for us has been an act of bravery. Heroism, even.”
“Exactly.” Cami loved this, the way she felt being with Jordy. The way they had so much in common now.
One hour blended into another and the two of them finished their homework. The whole time Cami tried not to think about her dad. But occasionally her fear won out. What if he’d learned about Parents’ Night? What if the school had emailed him and this time he read the letter?
“You’re worried.” Jordy looked at her.
“A little.” She glanced at him. “Not about my talk. But whether my dad will show up.”
“I knew you were thinking about that.” He closed his book and stared deep into her eyes. “Whether he comes tonight or not, Cami, you’ll give your talk, and you’ll be amazing.”
She smiled again. “Thanks.”
Finally, they made their way to the auditorium, where the meeting was about to start. They entered behind the stage and moved to the wings, where the other students were gathered—the ones from other groups who would speak tonight. Cami tried to scan the audience. Was he there? She couldn’t see every seat, but he didn’t seem to be in the room. She felt a fresh rush of peace.Thank You, God.... Thanks for protecting this program.
“He’s not here,” Jordy whispered. He gave her a side hug. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
Principal Quinn started the evening. He took the podium with a presence that was kind and confident. Cami watched and thought that this was how Jesus Himself might’ve talked to the crowd.
“Thank you for coming tonight.” Principal Quinn smiled at the parents. “I have wonderful news to share with you. A reason to celebrate.” He went on to explain the Raise the Bar club.
“Some have asked me,” their principal paused, “why I would share openly about the benefits of an after-school Bible study program. As if it might be illegal to have such a club.” He looked around. “The reason is very simple: It’s not illegal. And what God is doing at Hamilton High is too great to hide.”
So true.Cami felt chills run down her arms. She scanned the audience again. The place was full, the parents definitely listening. Some looked puzzled, others nodded. A few even smiled. The main thing was that Cami’s dad wasn’t there.Good.She felt herself relax. Everything was going to be okay.
She turned her attention to the front of the room again. Principal Quinn was sharing about the tremendous changes that had happened in the past year. The statistics and personal stories. The more he talked, the better Cami felt. She was so thankful for the club. And because of her new faith, she wasn’t angry anymore. Principal Quinn was the best.
No one cared for Hamilton High’s students more than he did.
When the time came for the students to share, Cami followed Jordy. As she took the stage and approached the mic, she checked once more. Still no signs of her father.Help me, Lord.
