Broken Things (Faded Photograph Series) (23 page)

Hearing her stepsister’s voice, she smiled. “Well, hi. I’m glad you called. I’ve been feeling a little bad about what happened last Saturday night.”

“Me, too. What’s more, Brenda wants to apologize. You wouldn’t believe what happened. I had to call you right way and tell you.”

A frown weighed on her brow as she sat down behind her desk. “I hope it’s nothing serious.”

“Oh, no.” Colleen laughed. “In a way, it’s sort of funny. Jack pulled her over while she was on her way home from work a couple of hours ago. Lights and sirens―the whole bit. Brenda forgot to turn her blinker on when she made a left turn. Jack gave her a citation and then proceeded to chew her out for being so rude on Saturday night.”

Allie grimaced. “Oh, dear…”

“Well, Brenda deserved it―citation and all. I lectured her on the way home Saturday night, but coming from Jack today, I guess it really hit home. She called to tell me to invite you to dinner. Brenda said she’ll come too, and we can put last Saturday and everything else behind us and start all over.”

“A wonderful idea!”Allie’s heart soared.
Thank You, Lord, for answering my prayers!

“I told Brenda that’s what you’d say, but she was so broken up over Jack’s tongue lashing that she was afraid you’d give her another one.”

“Listen, I’m rejoicing at this turn of events.” Leaning forward, Allie dug through her briefcase and found her planner. “When would you like to get together?”

“How ‘bout Friday night? Can you come about six o’clock?”

Allie didn’t have any plans. “Sure.” She penciled in the time.

“Hey, um…should I invite Jack, too?”

She grinned at the conspiratorial tone in Colleen’s voice. “Sure, go ahead and ask him.”

“Are you two―”

“Friends? We’re working on it.” Smiling, Allie picked up an ink pen and doodled as the memory of being in Jack’s arms flitted across her mind. She hoped they were friends. She wanted to be friends…

“Hm…okay. Well we’ll see you Friday night.”

“Sounds good. Thanks for calling, Colleen.”

Allie hung up and allowed herself a moment to reflect on the conversation. Then she glanced at her wristwatch. Almost six o’clock. She wanted to go up and see Mrs. Matlock before she left. Yesterday, the poor woman had been confused and she rambled on about all sorts of nonsense. Maybe today she’d be more coherent.

Leaving her belongings on the desk, Allie walked out of her office. Locking the door behind her, she headed for the elevator, praying for another chance to share Christ with a dying soul.

* * *

Logan stood in the back of what was fondly referred to as Youth Group Hall. He and the kids and the four volunteers had just finished praying for Susan, the young lady who had been struck by a car, and now it was time for tonight’s skit. It always amazed Logan what the teenagers came up with. Sometimes the short dramas were serious, other times they were comical acts, but the messages were always poignant and a source of help for those kids struggling with various issues.

Tonight the skit began on the humorous side―at least it was supposed to be. The kids up on the makeshift stage were doing their impression of Logan proposing to Marilee. It was interesting to see how the teens’ imagined that night. According to their reenactment, he’d taken Marilee out to a classy restaurant for dinner, but instead of pouring out a proposal, he spilled his glass of grape soda in her lap.

Logan wagged his head at their antics. Next the actor portraying him cut into his New York strip. While doing so, he knocked his salad onto the floor. Finally, when he got down on his knee to pop the question, he had steak sauce on his hands and got it all over the actress playing Marilee who was wearing a pale yellow dress.

Grinning, Logan rolled his eyes before scanning the room for real-life fiancée, but she still hadn’t shown up. Unusual for her. Marilee always arrived before the Teen Scene began each Wednesday night. Upstairs in the auditorium, the rest of the congregation listened to Pastor Warren’s midweek message, which would be followed up with a time of prayer. Logan could only assume that something happened with one of Marilee’s students. What else could have detained her?

The kids wrapped up their skit. The Logan on stage got a shaving cream pie in the face after the waiter tripped. Then, with their clothes soiled and the white tablecloth discolored from spills, the couple exclaimed that God had a perfect plan for everyone’s life and that it included a soul-mate. No need to worry about the future. God had everything under control. The drama ended after the actor playing Logan said, “It took a really long time. I’m pretty old. But God worked it all out and now I’m finally getting married.”

The couple on stage gave each other feigned looks of adoration, and the skit ended.

Logan snorted while the teenage audience clapped with enthusiasm. Even his niece Veronica smiled. So to humor them, he did his best old man interpretation. Hunching his back, he shuffled up to the front.

“All right now, boys and girls.” His lips covered his teeth to infer that he had none, “it’s time for our nap.”

Giggles and groans emanated from the group.

Smiling, Logan straightened to his full height. “Okay, fun’s over.” He clapped his hands to get their attention. “Time to get serious.”

“So how did you really propose?” A freckled-faced, red-haired girl wanted to know. Logan didn’t recognize her as one of his youth group’s regulars. But her question sparked the others to ask and in moments there was a veritable uproar.

“All right, all right. Settle down.” Logan waited for the kids to quiet before he continued. He hated to confess that he’d ask Marilee to be his wife in a lousy parking lot while she was half freezing to death.

“I believe I saw roses on my parents’ baby grand piano.” A delicate voice wafted through the hall.

Looking toward the doorway, Logan grinned seeing Marilee standing there, arms folded as she leaned against the metal frame.

“It was quite the romantic setting,” she continued. “I couldn’t have
imagined
anything better.”

Logan’s smile grew.
Imagined indeed!
He swept his gaze over the youth group. “Everyone satisfied?”

“Did you say ‘yes’ right away?” Debbie Kilgers looked at Marilee. “Or did you make him squirm a little?”

“I accepted immediately.”

Marilee gave Logan an adoring look and he knew it wasn’t just for show. He suddenly thought he knew the meaning of “warm and fuzzy” because that’s what his insides felt like.

“You should have made him squirm, Miss Domotor,” another girl said.

More giggles and a lot more groans broke out, the loudest emanating from his cousin Ricky.

“You shoulda said ‘no,’ Miss Domotor,” the stocky lad called, his hands on either side of his mouth. “You don’t know what you’re getting into.”

Logan narrowed his gaze and pointed at Ricky. “I’ll take care of you later.”

The kid just laughed.

Logan chuckled as he imagined all kinds of things he’d like to do to his little cousin. Cayenne pepper in his next glass of cola…hmm, that idea had possibilities.

“Miss Domotor couldn’t string him along,” Veronica stood. “She didn’t want him to change his mind!” When noise settled she looked right at Logan, adding, “Took him long enough to ask!”

“I love you too, Ronnie.” Logan thought of her as more of a baby sister than a cousin.

She replied with an uninterested little shrug and sat back down.

A lively debate broke out between the guys and the girls―to make him squirm or not to make him squirm―until Logan put his forefinger and thumb in his mouth and let out a piercing whistle that hushed the teens in seconds.

“Simmer down, you guys.” He didn’t say more until they quieted. “Okay, I’ll tell you what. Since you’re all so interested in marriage, let’s see what God’s Word has to say about it. Take your Bibles and turn to Ephesians chapter five.” The rustling sound of pages being turned filled the room. “I’ve studied this subject in great detail, and it’s my opinion that the Lord gave men some tall orders. That’s why it’s important not to run headlong into marriage. You’ve got to think it through. Pray about it. And, not just the guys, but the girls too.”

Logan read verses twenty-two through twenty-five, emphasizing the word “sacrifice.” He went on to explain how God’s idea differed from the world’s self-centered, “what’s in it for me” view of marriage. Then he wrapped it up by challenging the teens to prepare for their future roles as husbands and wives, should the Lord desire them to be married, by putting others first in their lives now. And to those who might remain single, he added that such a fate was not worse than death―especially if it’s God’s perfect will.

“Think about it. Singleness has its blessings. There are a lot of ministries a person can’t be involved in if he or she has a spouse and family.”

Feeling like he might be talking himself into some trouble, Logan glanced at Marilee and sent her a sheepish smile. “Except this ministry. It’s been pointed out to me numerous times that I need a helpmeet.” He cleared his throat, glad to see she laughed along with some of the kids.

“But whether you end up single or married,” he continued, “our faith demands our time, talents…our lives. So next time, instead of doing what you want,” Logan suggested, “try doing what your parents and teachers ask. Instead of insisting on having your way, let your friend have his or her way. And, most importantly, let God have His way in your lives. You might think you’re giving up your rights, but you’re not. You’re opening yourself up to blessings.” He closed his Bible. “Let’s pray…”

* * *

Marilee bowed her head and prayed along with Logan. It still seemed as though she walked on rainbows, her head in the clouds. The man she loved had finally asked her to marry him. They were engaged and he’d given her the diamond ring of her dreams. Marilee could hardly wait until she got it back from the jewelers. What’s more, Logan had agreed to give her some time to plan the sort of wedding that she and her mother fantasize about when Marilee was a girl. She and her mom had always been close, while her sister Joy had been the ultimate “daddy’s girl.” Even so, Joy’s wedding had been gorgeous, and Marilee wanted nothing less.

When Logan finished praying, he dismissed the kids. Several girls crowded Marilee and interrogated her about the wedding plans. Marilee divulged the few decisions she’d made in only four short days since Logan proposed. She’d selected two of her colors―teal and ivory―and she bought her wedding dress, all satin, pearls and lace. She had actually purchased it years ago while shopping in New York with her mother, but she didn’t tell the girls that. She didn’t even want Logan to know that she’d had the gown and all she’d needed was the guy. But the truth of the matter was, when she first met Logan Callahan, she knew in a heartbeat that he was the one for her.

The girls chattered on like magpies until another of Logan’s infamous shrills put an end to their conversation.“If you ladies don’t have anything to do, we could use some help cleaning up.”

“I gotta go,” one gal said. “My parents are waiting.”

Several more agreed, and left. Only two girls stayed with Marilee and volunteered to help.

Youth Group Hall emptied and Marilee watched with disappointment as Veronica Callahan slipped quietly out the door. They would be family soon, and Marilee wanted to be close to Logan’s cousin.

Maybe she’d ask Ronnie to stand up in the wedding. Though, that would make six bride’s maids. Too many? Marilee mulled it over.

“I hope he’s not going to whistle for you like that after you’re married.” Joan Oliver’s hazel eyes twinkled with amusement.

“What?” Marilee shook herself from her musings.

“I can see it now,” the girl said. “Pastor Callahan will be like the captain in
The Sound of Music
just after Maria arrives on the scene. He had certain whistles for each of his kids―and for her too.”

Marilee smiled, recalling that part of the story. “Like Maria, I’ll have to put an end to all of Pastor Callahan’s bad habits.”

Logan frowned. “I don’t have any bad habits.”

“That you know of,” Melissa Chandler quipped. “My brother and my dad don’t think they have bad habits either, but they do. They don’t put the cap back on the toothpaste, and they leave their smelly shoes in the middle of the living room.”

“My dad sleeps on the couch all the time,” Mark Pershing, a rail-thin, freshman, divulged. “My mom gets really mad cuz he rumples everything up and makes the couch sag.”

Logan chuckled. “Hey, now, a man’s home is his castle and he can sleep wherever he wants and he can leave his shoes wherever he wants.”

“That’s what my dad says too,” Joan replied as she and Marilee began folding up chairs and stacking them against the wall, opposite the doorway. “But my mother says she’s like Queen Esther and she can sweet talk
the king
into anything.”

Marilee laughed and watched Logan. He stood on the platform wearing black pants and blue shirt. His tie was askew from moving furniture and his chestnut-brown hair was slightly mussed. Placing his hands on his waist, he pursed his lips, furrowed his brows, and after a wink in her direction, Marilee anticipated a smart aleck remark.

He didn’t disappoint her. “Queen Esther, huh? So that’s what it’s all about. Marilee, I think I’m finally beginning to understand the male-female thing. And it took a bunch of teens to help me figure it out.”

“He’s just figuring it out now?” Melissa looked at him with wide, sarcastic eyes.

“Anything else you need help with, Pastor, just ask.” Jason Edwards wore a mischievous grin. A stocky young man with thick glasses, it was apparent that he adored Logan and would try to lasso the moon for him. Being raised by a single mom, Jason appeared to crave the role model Logan provided.

“I was kidding, okay?” Logan gave the teenager a playful shove. “Wise guy.”

Jason hiked up his glasses while his shoulders shook with laughter.

Marilee smiled at the scene. She had to admit, the clowning around made the cleaning up rather enjoyable. Should Jason also stand up in their wedding? Wouldn’t that encourage the young man? Or perhaps he could be the ring bearer…