Page 49 of In This Moment
Principal Quinn and the school district would win if people knew what Andy had done, how in his anger he’d almost hit Cami. Andy lay back on Cami’s pillow again. He was so sorry. And again he was struck by a realization. There was only one reason Cami would spare him that sort of humiliation and punishment.
Cami didn’t hate him. She truly believed in God. Faith in Him led Cami to take the higher road. The truth grew inside Andy. His daughter wasn’t out to get him. She didn’t want to see him suffer. He covered his face with his hand. Cami only wanted to learn how to live right. Learn a little more about God.
A sick feeling grabbed at Andy’s stomach. What if Cami was right? What if there really was a God? If that were the case it wouldn’t matter what happened with the trial. Andy would lose and he would lose big. Here and in the next world.
For all eternity.
Andy climbed out of bed and walked to the hallway mirror, the one Audrey had hung when the two of them were still married. Andy stared at himself. Before Audrey left, he had been the most clean-cut mechanic at the airport. A guy who cared about shaving and keeping his hair short and neat.
Now his stringy hair hung down to his collar and his beard looked scrappier all the time. On top of that, his arm was still throbbing. The spot on his bicep where he’d gotten a new tattoo this past Saturday.
Andy turned so he could see his arm better. He had asked the tattoo artist to use an angry font. Whatever that meant. Something full of rage. Andy surveyed the guy’s work and couldn’t help but approve. The tattoo was dark, solid, one-inch block letters, and the message was as bold as the text. A message that—if there was a God—would keep Andy Nelson out of heaven for sure. The message held two words, words that defined him now.
NO GOD.
15
Reagan was folding laundry on the couch when she heard Luke at the front door. It was just after ten o’clock. With everything in her she wanted to break down, tell him the late nights he was keeping were wrong.
But every time she prayed about his hours at the office, she felt the same response from God.
Love him. Just keep loving him.
Luke walked in and she turned to him. Their eyes met, and he set his briefcase down. “I’m sorry.”
Love... just love. “It’s okay.” Reagan felt the tenderness in her smile. “You’ve got a lot of responsibility.”
“I’ve got a family.” He came to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “It’s not right, what I’ve been doing.” His voice was kind, grateful. “Staying late at the office. It’s like it was last year all over again.”
She didn’t blink, didn’t look away. “People are counting on you.”
“That’s no excuse.” He put his hands on either side of her face and kissed her. Longer than usual. With the passion they hadn’t shared in too long. “I’m sorry, Reagan. I’ll work on it. I promise.”
Tears stung her eyes. God was so faithful. She had listened to Him, and now look. “Thank you.”
“I love you.” He kissed her again, his eyes locked on hers. “More than you’ll ever know.”
“I love you, too.” Reagan had not expected this. A tear spilled onto her cheek and he caught it gently with his thumb. “Thank you.”
“Let me finish the laundry.” He stepped toward the pile of clothes. “You take a break. You deserve it.” He kissed her once more. “And thank you, beautiful. For supporting me... even when I get it wrong.”
Reagan wasn’t sure what to say, what to do. A slight laugh slipped from her lips and she went to the kitchen. A cup of tea, maybe. Yes, that was it. Chamomile tea. While she made it she kept her eyes on Luke in the next room.
Folding clothes.
Reagan’s heart soared. God had given her direction and she had taken it. And now, not only had Luke figured out that his late hours were a problem. But she was the heroine. The one who had supported Luke rather than nagging him. Everything was going to be okay now. She could feel it.
And bonus: Luke’s surprise birthday party was going to be the best time ever.
•••
THE RAISE THEBar club didn’t meet as usual that Tuesday because it was Halloween. Instead Principal Quinn had opened the auditorium for not only the club but any student who wanted to join them. A Harvest Party, he called it. Cami was glad she’d stayed, glad that several teachers were there also. They hung around the front of the room, while the students talked in small groups and shared pizza and snacks—compliments, this time, of Hobby Lobby.
That was one thing Cami was thankful for. Though most of the world seemed to hate Principal Quinn, Christians everywhere had come out in support of Raise the Bar. Businesses and parent volunteers took turns providing food for the club whenever it met. Even in her own life, she felt supported. She was still living with her teacher’s family. The woman had taken Cami by her house when her dad wasn’t home so she could get what she needed. God had taken care of Cami and the Raise the Bar club. And He would do that again.
Even today.
She saw Jordy across the room. Her feelings for him had only grown over the past few days. She kept thinking about that night at his house. The way she felt in his arms. A feeling she would remember always.
