The Part I Just Wrote

His green eyes look into mine, and he says. " We really need somebody to mentor the girls in our Bible study." I'm sure my eyebrows lifted and my breathing had returned to normal. He had me a little freaked out for a minute there." They could really use some one on one discipleship.It's just something for you to think about and pray about." He looks out the window to see a group of girls laughing and flirting with some guys. Cassie being among them. I notice that he looks a little more concerned than before. "I just think they need some help maturing in the faith. Another thing too, some of the girls think church is like a club and you get in get a pass and then you're set. I wish you could help them see that there's so much more to life with Jesus than that." " I understand exactly what you mean , I'm really glad you and Pastor Daily are thinking about this. But, what about the guys? Not to put the fellas down but a lot of them are pretty immature to." "You're absolutely right and yes I will working with the guys specifically." " That's great Mark, well listen I'll let you know o.k?" I say as we walk back to the front of the shop. Suddenly the door flies open, and Cassie still smiling from her conversation outside comes sweeping in. "Hi Mark." she waves sweetly. Interesting. "Hey Jenna I wanted to tell you... that the blonde out there, the one with the brown t-shirt," she says pointing out the window where several guys and girls are still talking." That's Brice, Tonie's ex-boyfriend." " You mean he broke it off totally?" I know I sound surprised because I am. "No, Tonie did." Mark sensing that he was no longer useful in this setting decided to take his leave. " Well, I 'll leave you all to your ...chitchat. Bye. Thanks Jenna." the bell finalizes his departure. "Oh,Your welcome!" I yell through the door. "Tonie called it off?." I repeat to myself. " Do you know why?" I ask. " Well, I think Mark didn't care enough to change anything. That's what she told me anyway." Cassie shruggs. "How's she handling it?" " I've actually been surprised at how well she's taking it. But anyway as you can see."gesturing to Brice who is outside laughing and talking with some other girls," He is obviously not bothered at all. It's pathetic."Cassie says looking disgusted."I shake my head "Gee... well I'm proud of Tonie anyway. I really thought Brice would come around." " Yeah, but anyway I've been trying to keep her busy. I wanted to know if you'de like to go to a movie and have dinner with us Friday night?" " I'de love to, what movie are you thinking about?" " Well, I thought we could just go to The Falls Cinema and see one of their "black and white" dollar specials. Is that o.k?" " I love those movies, that would be great." Cassie turns to go and says "Isn't Mark adorable?"I laugh and quote Jane Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, " He is everything a young man ought to be." She laughs and says "You and those Public T.V Station Movies." "Ha ha,Bye Cassie."

The Part You Were Waiting For

As the day wears on I begin to wonder about Dad and if the Lord will ever move in his life. I decide to pray about it and tell the Lord that I trust Him but I'm feeling impatient. Mavice would say " Just keep castin' your biscuits on the creek." Which was her version of Ecclesiastes 11:1 that says "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." She used to say that when she was praying about something that seemed hopeless. For instance her youngest son, Dave, who turned from everything his parents had taught him. He rebelled and pursued a life filled with everything they opposed. She told me the whole story as it unfolded. I remember it so clearly. She was crushed but not without hope. She told me she wouldn't give up praying for Dave no matter what. That was the first time I heard her biscuits in the creek theory. Mavice meant that she believed that if she continuously lifted her son up to the Lord in prayer that one day she would reap the results of faithful intercession. Miraculously enough two years later her son got in with the right crowd you might say. He was challenged by peers instead of his parents and it really shook him. He started going to bible groups, then church and he eventually accepted Christ as his Savior. How I remember the day that Mavice and Bernard got a surprise visit from Dave. ( At this point the "Unshackled organ" begins to play..JUST KIDDING!) I was at their house for dinner as I often was and in walked Dave with a beautiful young woman. He introduced us to "Lark" his girlfriend. And then...he told his Mom and Dad all that had happened to him while he was away. We laughed and cried and rejoiced together when he shared that he had come to faith in the Lord. We rejoiced again when he shared that Lark was one of his reasons for going to church and that they were actually engaged! Everyone was hugging and teary. It was one of my most amazing experiences. To this day Dave and Lark are happily married and now have two children. Dave actually leads the children's ministry at our Church. The little bell rings over the shop door and I look up. It's Mark. "Hi Jenna, sorry I didn't make it over here yesterday. I had some stuff come up." he's smiling and looking like he wants to ask a question. "That's o.k, Was there something in particular you were looking for?" "Uhmm... yeah, I need a music book." "Alright, what's the name?" I ask walking to the computer. "It's "The Guitar Chord Bible"." "O.k" I begin to type in the search bar. " Are you learning a new song for for Thursday nights?" "No I'm actually teaching some music lessons." "Oh, cool" "Here it is, I actually have this in the shop,let me grab it for you." He follows me back to the rows of shelves. As I scan the titles he stands a little closer.Then seriously he says "Actually,Jenna, I've been talking to Pastor Daily and there's something else I'd like to ask you about."

The Latter Part

I wake up on the couch. Bronx is beside me sprawled out taking up much of the space. Some weird British show I've never seen before is on t.v. I look around to find what time it is. Two o'clock,I fell asleep before I got to see dear Edward propose(my favorite part). I cant believe it! No wonder I've never seen this show. Who is watching t.v this late anyway! Oh well, I'm too tired to climb the stairs so I grab a blanket and use my dog as a pillow. "Goodnight" I tell him. He blinks in his sleep. I'm dreaming. Edward Ferris is walking towards me with a plate of lasagna. "I'll be back later." He says. Then he runs off. Odd.I'm now in a car I slam the brakes. Somebody has been hit, not by me though, somehow I know that. Mary Ann is standing beside the road crying . I cant see anything. Mark is one of the EMS guys. He puts his arm around my shoulder and says in a British accent. "Sorry I couldn't make it." I wake up with my heart racing. What on earth was that all about. Dreams are so vivid when you first wake up and I feel like I'm still in it. How weird. Obviously falling asleep while watching t.v has a strange affect on one's dreams.It's six o'clock in the morning so I get up and take a shower to clear my head. I remember as I throw a load of laundry in the wash that Mark never came to the shop yesterday like he said he would. That must be why I was thinking about him in my sleep. Later on... Nine thirty, Tuesday morning and a beautiful day again. " Thank you Lord." I say looking out my store window. I see Cassie walking down the sidewalk with a guitar over her shoulder. I didn't know she played guitar, I think to myself. She looks over at me and I wave. She waves back. I wonder at why she didn't tell me she played guitar. No matter. I remark at how pretty Cassie is . She has long blond hair big green eyes and the lightest spray of freckles. I turn around to get started with my work. It's funny how often I wave. Everyone here waves at everyone else. The mailman, the construction worker, the sheriff, the complete stranger , it doesn't matter in Canter Falls we wave to everyone and say howdy do.

The Part Post the Last Part

It's about eight thirty and I'm snuggled on the couch with the Bronx. I have a cup of tea and my water colors out. I intend to paint "Barton Cottage" because I've just tuned in to the latest PBS Jane Austen movie. This is the second half of Sense and Sensibility and even though I've read the book three times I am still in suspense. Will Mary Ann ever really be happy?! Will dear Edward call off his secret engagement to the annoying Lucy Steel?! The theme music begins to play, I always get goose bumps, and then my phone rings. No not now!! I see it's my Dad calling again, oops, I forgot to listen to his message. Blast I'm going to miss part of the show. "Oh well." I pick up,"Hello." "Hey honey,how are you?" His booming voice makes me smile. "I'm fine Daddy, how are you?" "I'm doing well, Rhonda is keeping me busy."I'm glad he cant see me roll my eyes," How is Rhonda?" I ask about my Dad's girlfriend." She's great, she's always great. Working real hard volunteering at the hospital you know." I know, it seems like all Dad does these days is whatever Rhonda wants. "Is she working at a desk or...?" I wonder. "No, she's raisng awareness and funds for the new wing they plan to add on in the next two years or so." " Oh , I see, well that's nice." Rhonda has been my Dad's girlfriend for the past two years and before her it was Debbie. Rhonda is a wealthy, very socially active, community oriented woman. She is attractive and flattering and she has my Dad wrapped around her little finger. It bugs me. I hate to admit it but I guess I'm a little jealous. After my Mom passed away four years ago I thought my Dad would get involved in community stuff. Which he has ,just not in the way I would have thought. I guess it's kind of natural for me to feel this way but I don't like it. " So, how's business?" he asks, very interested having been quite the business man before he retired. " Oh, it's going good , I have a pretty steady clientel and you know I love what I do." " Well that's terrific sweet heart." I always miss him when he calls me that! I look up at the t.v and see that Willabee has totally dissed Mary Ann. My blood boils,"that scoundrel." I say out loud not meaning to." what?" my Dad asks. " Oh nothing, sorry. Are you going to come see me soon?" I ask but know the answer already. "Well, you know I'de love to, but I'm helping Rhonda all this month with these fundraisers."his voice quiets. " oh, ok I understand." I say, hurt again but not showing it. anytime I ask him too come visit its always the same, I'de love to but ___________with Rhonda. It's always because of her. "Hey, but we'll see you for Thanksgiving right?" he tries to change the subject. "Yeah, that'll be great Dad." I'm trying to sound excited. "Rhonda went ahead and made our reservation for "PaigeHouse", you know that beautiful resteraunt on 12th Street?" " Yes, I know what you're talking about." Now I'm really upset. Mom used to always make a home cooked Thanksgiving meal, turkey and all the trimmings, now we'll probably be eating salmon and steak. This is terrible. I miss Mom. I resent Rhonda. "Well, I better let you go,I'll talk to you later sweetie." " "Bye Daddy, love you." "Love you to." Click. My Dad and Rhonda live together which I dont agree with. It makes for lots of really akward situations. It's gotten to the point where I really dont even like to visit them. Sometimes I leave early because it hurts me to see many of my mother's things replaced with Rhonda's. My Dad and I have alot in common but we also disagree about alot. Particularly our faith. It makes things really difficult. I try not to think about it too much but find myself cying right along with Mary Ann on the t.v screen. Bronx puts is head in my lap. Man's best friend.