Page 31 of In This Moment
Normally Cami would’ve stepped into the conversation and asked them how practice was going. She would’ve said something about the Friday night football game. But this morning she was too afraid to do anything but stand there. Silent. Waiting.
Jordy walked up to her and searched her expression. “Cami?” His smile faded. “What’s wrong?”
She wanted to tell him, wanted to share every horrible thing about her father and last night. But class was about to start and besides... what if nothing came of it? Maybe this morning the reporter would forget he or she had ever talked to Cami’s father. “Nothing.” She tried to smile, but it felt flat.
“That’s not true.” He squinted at her, angling his head like he was trying to see past her words. “You look scared to death.”
“No.” A single laugh escaped her lips. But it sounded forced. “We have that history test.” She nodded to the classroom down the hall. “Remember?”
“You’ve aced every history test you’ve ever taken.” He lowered his brow, still clearly confused. “Something’s wrong, Cami.”
“No. Everything’s fine.”For now,she told herself.It was fine for now. Her blond hair was pulled back in a single long braid, the way she liked it these days. She smoothed out the ends and suddenly she did something she hadn’t planned on doing. She reached for his hand. Everything was going to change after this. Jordy would hate her for what was about to happen. For her father’s decision. She took a step away from him. “Come on. We can’t be late.”
The feeling between them was electric. This was the first time their hands had touched this way.
Their fingers locked together as they hurried down the hall toward history class. And Cami had a very distinct, very sickening thought. If the reporter acted on what her father had said, if Principal Quinn was arrested later today, then this might be the last time she and Jordy would ever be so close.
In fact it might be the last time they ever spoke. Because after today Jordy wouldn’t merely be finished being her friend.
He would hate her.
•••
THE BAD FEELINGstayed with Wendell as he arrived at his office and long after the first bell rang. He couldn’t figure out just what was causing it, but the uneasiness was there.
Wendell spent the first hour walking the halls of Hamilton High, checking into each classroom. All seemed well. As was the trend recently, most desks were filled with students. The teachers seemed happy, and in each room a productive lesson was under way.
So what was the problem?
He returned to his office, sat at his desk and tried to grab a full breath. But his chest muscles felt too tight.God, give me peace today. Something isn’t right. Go before me, please.
It occurred to him then, that he hadn’t had time to read his Bible this morning. He had spent the time remembering Joanna. And thinking about Alicia. Yes, he’d talked to God. That was a constant every day for Wendell. But he hadn’t opened the Bible. That had to be it. The bad feeling was simply him missing the Word of God today.
Wendell kept a Bible on his desk and he opened it up to 2 Chronicles. It was a chapter he’d read and loved before. Much of it was highlighted and underlined.
He felt himself drawn into the text. Chapter twenty was about a battle the Israelites were in, but it was the last part that captured Wendell’s attention. He read verse 17 twice over.You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you.... Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.
The deliverance of the Lord.
A truth Wendell always tried to remember. He had scribbled something in the margin next to the text. A date—first day of school a year ago. Back then the words had meant something very clear to Wendell. His students had been under siege from the culture. Gang killings, crime, suicide, depression. A lack of achievement and desire to excel. God’s Word had literally provided the answer then. The students were winning now, Wendell, too.
So what was this feeling inside him? And how come the message in 2 Chronicles seemed almost cryptic? Like he ought to again pay particular attention to the words? Wendell closed his Bible just as the phone in his office buzzed. He answered it on the second ring. “Principal Quinn. How can I help you?”
There was the slightest hesitation on the other end. “Is this Wendell Quinn?” The voice belonged to a woman. Her words came in a sharp staccato. She sounded fierce.
“Yes.” Wendell leaned forward in his chair. “This is he.” The three presentation folders were on his desk. He glanced at his Bible.
The woman drew a sharp breath. “I’m a reporter fromThe Indianapolis Star. Last night we received a call from the parent of one of your students, telling us about a Bible club that meets at your school two days a week.” She barely paused. “Is this true?”
Wendell stood and paced to his office door and back. His mind raced. “The club is voluntary. The students choose whether to attend or not.”
She seemed to ignore that. “Our understanding is that you run the club, is that right, Mr. Quinn?”
“I run it, yes.” His heart beat hard against his chest. He was ready for this. But that didn’t make the moment any easier. “Again, it’s voluntary.”
“How many students would you say attend the club, Mr. Quinn?” She barely gave him time to finish his sentence before firing the next question.
“It varies.” He returned to his desk and pulled out his presentation folder. His hands shook as he looked at it.In This Moment.His coach’s words came back to him.What good can you do in this moment?He tried to grab a full breath.
