Page 37 of In This Moment
“Hey, I want to tell you about my plan.” She kept her voice low.
Elaine, Katy, Brooke, Kari and Ashley all stopped what they were doing and circled around.
Ashley dried her hands and set the towel down. “It sounds important.”
“It is.” Reagan’s heart had felt heavy since her husband took the business call in the middle of dinner. “Luke’s doing it again. Giving all his time to the office.”
More than anyone else, Ashley understood the situation. “I can feel it. He’s distracted.”
“Exactly.” Reagan looked over her shoulder. She needed to get to the point before Luke came back in looking for her. “I know God’s over this. He’s speaking to Luke, otherwise we wouldn’t be here today.”
Elaine put her hand on Reagan’s shoulder. “I was going to say... that’s a positive sign. That he made time for this.”
“It is. But still.” Reagan tried to condense the story. “I was praying about it the other night and God gave me an idea. Rather than feel bad and complain about what’s happening, I could find a way to show Luke how much I love him.”
Kari smiled. “I like that.”
The others agreed.
“So.” Reagan dropped her voice to a whisper. “I need your help in throwing a surprise party for Luke’s birthday. The Sunday after Thanksgiving.” She looked at Ashley. “I’d love to have it here.”
“Absolutely.” Ashley didn’t hesitate. “I’ll talk to Landon, but I’m sure it’s okay.” She stifled a laugh. “I love it! Surprise parties are the best.”
“I’ll help with the cooking.” Elaine’s eyes lit up. “And whatever else you want.”
Brooke and Ashley said the same thing, and like that Reagan had a plan. She felt a thrill run through her. “Tell the guys later, but not the kids. Not yet.”
“Reagan?” It was Luke. He had leaned into the house, breathless from his time outside. “Are we leaving?”
“Coming!” Reagan said it loud enough for him to hear. “Just helping with the dishes.” Reagan covered her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. “One minute. Really.”
The others laughed, too, but they were careful to keep quiet.
Reagan felt the thrill again. “This will be the best party ever.” She was whispering again. “Love you all! Thank you!”
She turned and hurried out of the kitchen. Luke was back outside, and as she left the house he took her hand. The kids were already buckled in as Luke and Reagan walked across the grass. He leaned his face close to hers as they approached the car. “I have the nicest wife in the world.”
Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a rush of panic. “Me?”
“Yes.” He kissed her forehead. “You helped with the dishes. I love that about you.”
Luke opened Reagan’s car door and then walked around to the driver’s side. Reagan sank into her seat, relieved. She thought for sure he knew about the party. But he’d only been talking about the dishes. A smile started at the center of her heart and worked its way to her cheeks. The weeks to come would be full of planning. Which was a good thing. Not only so Luke would know he was loved.
But so Reagan wouldn’t miss him so much when he was gone.
12
By Tuesday, everyone at school knew two things: First, Principal Quinn was being sued, and second, the lawsuit was being brought by Cami’s dad—Andy Nelson. Ever since the news broke, Cami had wanted to stay home, but her dad wouldn’t hear of it. She should be proud to take part in liberating the school from religious oppression.
That was literally what he had told her. More than once.
Cami waited outside the school until a few minutes before the first bell. That way she wouldn’t have to linger in the hallways, where people would see her and start talking. Since Monday it seemed that’s all everyone did.
As soon as they saw her coming, they would form little groups and whisper. Cami heard it all. The quiet snickers and rude words. All aimed straight at her. From students angry with her, confused by her father’s actions, and wondering if somehow she was behind them.
Those weren’t the only comments she’d gotten. Several kids had approached her with compliments. “Way to go, Cami! You finally saw the light.” Or “We knew you wouldn’t stick with that Jesus stuff forever.”
A few times, Cami had tried to explain that she wasn’t behind the actions of her father. She still supported the club. She was happy to support it. But her peers didn’t want a conversation.
