"Josh and my dad, along with Chloe and Miley, are camping in the woods tonight. Maybe we could meet them tomorrow, if you like."
Maralyn laughed at Peter's story. She covered a yawn with her hand. Looking at her watch, she said, "Well, I best get to bed. Carrying all this extra weight sure makes me tired." She got up from her chair slowly and kissed Justin. "Come to bed soon, and make sure Peter finishes all his homework," she said in farewell to both of them.
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Justin kissed his wife back. "Goodnight." Before she left, he asked with a teasing smile, "So no sympathy for your poor husband who had to suffer the torture of being superglued into a chair in eighth grade?"
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Maralyn stopped and turned back with a wry smile on her face. "Only if it brought about this current mental status," she teased, implying that he was acting "crazy."
~~~
Chloe hestitated before she began again. "Is it wrong to like a married man? Not in a like like way, but in a friendship way..." She tore at the grass bside her sleeping bag, twisting it around her fingers.
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Miley asked, "Who is the married man you like in a friendship way? And no I don't think it's wrong."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The cousins looked at each other and laughed. Justin said, "Yeah it dorove me crazy."
Peter teased, "Or you were born that way."
Justin chuckled, glad to see his cousin with a sense of humor. "Maybe, but your mom is my mom's sister." Then he tickled Peter, causing Peter to let out a squeal of laughter. Peter teased, "Maralyn, help!"
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"Don't look at me. You're the one who got yourself in this fix," Maralyn teased, chuckling. "Now if all you guys are going to do is tickle each other, I'm heading to bed." She turned once more toward the hallway.
~~~
"Well, you see it is a bit different than just a friendship. I used to have a crush on him, but then he got married. So, are my feelings like a friend, or like a girl with a crush? I'm not sure anymore. And more and more often he pops into my thoughts at unexpecting moments." She sigh.
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Miley thought for a minute. "Are you talking about Brad?" Maybe she was talking about the past.
~~~~~~~~~~
Peter wriggled out of his cousin's tickles and rushed towards Maralyna dn teased, "Don't I get a hug?"
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Chloe smiled, but tears filled her eyes at the same moment. "It was so hard the first few weeks after he died that I didn't even have the emotional strength to analyze my feelings. Then everything with Justin happened, and I really didn't have time to grieve. But now it's all coming back. I start to think about things we used to do, jokes we had between each other. If I was a true friend, instead of being a silly girl with a crush, would I still think of those times? Would I already be past him?" Her voice choked up and she shook her head. "I don't know, I just so confused right now. Am I feeling what I'm supposed to be feeling?" She brushed at the tears on her cheeks.
~~~
"I guess I'd better give you one while I still can," Maralyn said as she held out her arms to Peter. "Soon this little kid is going to get too much in the way."
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While Peter was giving Maralyn a hug, Justin said, "He really is good with most little kids."
~~~~~~~~
Miley felt tears of her own. "You're fine, Chloe. I've been really busy too. But if it's any comfort, we did get sometime together when that creep was going after my brother." She looked at the ground, then at Chloe. "I wish we spent more time together. I wasn't perfect either. When Chrissa's mom said she couldnt hang out with me, Peter or Jen anymore I was crushed and didn't even remind myself that I had you." She shook her head, as the birds of the night chirped. "But I do have you and you have me." She took Chloe's hand. "I am willing to be your friend as long as you want me to be."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3 MONTHS LATER...
Peter Scrubb sat in the church pew on the sunday before his first day of highschool. He turned fifteen two days ago his voice sometimes embarrased him by cracking. Most of his dark hair returned and the back curled at mid neck while the sides curled at mid ear. He was wearing on of the latest trendy male outfits he got from The Eagle. He had a date night with Jen and they bought new clothes, including something for the first day of school.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Miley took her seat next to her cousin, excited to have him in her school this year. She was now 17 and a Junior. She had brown hair, layered to to her waist and of green pants. Her gray shirt had studs on it and was accompained by a black vest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jen was now turning fifteen and so excited about highschool. She bought new clothes, new makeup, new jewelry and wrote a list of all she hoped to acheive, including her learner's by summer. Daydreams of prom already floated about in her head. She let Peter hold her hand, excited to start it with her boyfriend. Her hazel eyes sparkled with excitement and her mid back blonde hair looked glossy as the sun from the window shone on it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Justin was seated next to Maralyn, noticing her flinching. "Are you okay?"
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Maralyn nodded to him, and squeezed his hands reassuringly "I'm fine" her quiet voice said. She had, had a contraction but sine they were normal, she didn't think much of it. Picking up her hymnal she turned to page 123 and began singing
***
Susan had slipped into the back of the Church un-seen. Feeling un-comfortable and nervous she glanced around for her brother, Justin. Seeing the back of his head in the front pew she stamp her foot, wishing he was closer. But her hand, holding a handkerchief, flew to her eyes and she wiped hinting tears away. "I'll have to wait..." she sat slowly in the back pew, hoping no one noticed her. She couldn't imagine that three months had passed.....it had seemed to fly by to her.....things had changed.
*
Chrissa also when in that church three months later, sitting three pew behind Peter and Jen. She smiled, and noted Peter's hair which had suitably began to grow back. It was almost back to it's original length, but the fact still remained that she could speak to him. Sighing, she just shook her head gazing up at her Mom and Dad, who didn't even seem to notice her eyes on them "Dad...Mom....may I ask something..." her voice was a whisper.
*
Brian awoke on a Sunday, and breathed in a large breath of clean crisp air. His second story bedroom windows were open, and flapping in the morning breeze. Nestling like a bird back into his covers he closed his eyes and looked back on the days and weeks that had passed in the course of three months. He had turned fifteen 4 weeks ago, and was looking forward to High school, and new chances. Maybe he'd make some new friends....it would be fresh school work, and harder lessons. He was sure it would be great. Springing from his bed he patted to his dresser in bare feet. Snatching a casual pair of slacks and T-shirt, he left his room and entered the bath room. He bathed brushed his hair and returned to his room where he changed into a suit and tie for church. The smell of bacon and eggs came from the kitchen where his Mother was cooking a delicious breakfast. He tip-toed down the stairs... sneaked behind her...then with a mischievous grin exclaimed "BOO!!!!"
*
Ian awoke on the sunny Sunday morning with a groan, and mumble of words. His past three months had been filled with perplexing dreams of signs, and no visitors. As desperate as jail life might seem, he was quite content...knowing that if he had survived the last three months he could survive two more. But a craving for freedom tugged at his heart and he had to push it down. Thinking instead on his dreams....they all showed different scenes and pictures...but all meant the same thing "A girl...prison....a crash...and cancer. How can all these things tie together. They don't mesh....but yet..." his stomach rumbled and he chuckled "Hungy..." his hand ran through his hair which he hadn't in long time. But to his cheer, it was growing back. It was now thick again, and grown over the top of his head, but it's length down to his shoulders was still missing "More waiting..." he sighed and got up "guard, when is breakfast coming?"
***
Abigal awoke on the bright morning, and blinked her eyes. Feeling something cold on her skin, she glanced down to see her pocket bible lying on her chest "I was reading it last night..." she heard Amanda clanking around in the kitchen. For three months she had sacrificed her time to take care of her friend, and she was eternally grateful. Aching in her legs made her grown, but the despair in her heart had vanished...and been replaced by a new question. One of Salvation and faith. "Amanda!! Amanda!" she called
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The guard came with a tray full of food and said, "Here it is. You get out of prison today."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amanda heard Abigal's cry. "Coming!" She rushed to her friend, to find her happy. Relieved, she asked, "Doing better?"
~~~~~~~~~~~
Chrissa's dad said, "You may."
~~~~~~~~~~
Justin didn't expect it today, but was concerned. "Do you want me to take you to the hospital?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brian's mom laughed. "Glad you're ready. We're almost late."
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Natasha awoke on her hard bed in the orphanage with a face staring into hers "AHHH!" she cried and shrunk away from the boy "Leave me alone.." she said and pushed him away.
"Ah come on....just having some fun!" he said and laughed returning to his own bed.
Natasha sighed and curled up on her bed. It was Sunday....three months had passed and no one had ever come to adopt her. Despair filled her heart and she wanted to cry. She wondered if anyone would every come for her....other kids had been adopted in the time....but not she.
****
Brian sighed "We are? Oh...can we at least eat breakfast first? I'm starving"
*
"I was wondering....it's been three months.....and...I was hoping that....maybe I could...talk to Peter? It's been awhile, and now he's older, and please?" she said her eyes like a puppies
"Yes. A little..." she said then looked down at her pocket bible "Are you a Christian?" she asked her eyes diverted from Amanda's face
**
"No no Justin. It's nothing serious believe me" she said a pleasant smile on her face "It could be false labor....those things happen you know" she said turning back to the hymn
******
Ian took the tray under the bars but nearly dropped it when he heard what the guard said "No way!!!" he said gaping "Is that true? Or are you just kidding me?"
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Justin tried to believe her, but kept looking at her everynow and then, praying for her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The guard said, "It's true. They're letting you out on good behavior and the fact you weren't the instigator."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chrissa's dad said, "You may."
~~~~~~~~~
Amanda said, "Yes I am. I was baptised for the forgiveness of sins and gift of Holy Spirit when I was 13. In Acts 2:38 it says to be baptised for the forgiveness of sins and gift of Holy Spirit to be saved."
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Abigal looked down "How can I be saved? What is the salvation that the bible talks about?" She sighed "To tell you the truth...I'd never read a bible before now. All this is so knew to me"
***
"Wa...I'm supposed to serve five months!" He shook his head "No, I can't believe this!"
**
"REALLY!?" Chrissa cried, she then blushed and quieted herself, slipping from the pew and moving up to the pew behind Peter. Taking a deep breath she said "Peter!" and ran a hand through his hair
*****
Maralyn forgot mostly about the contractions, feeling them only twice more through the service. It didn't worry her too much, and she hoped it didn't Justin either. she glanced back in the last pew and saw Susan. "Strange....she's never here" she thought then turned back around
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Peter felt a hand through his hair, hearing Chrissa's voice. Did this mean they could hang out again? He turned around, trying to stop his voice from doing anything weird. "Chrissa! What have you been up to?"
~~~~~~~~~~
The guard gave him a teasing smirk, "I could arrange for you to spend the whole five months if you like."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Justin noticed Maralyn looking around, then turned to see what she saw. Susan?
~~~~~~~
Miley was excited to hear her friend's voice. "Chrissa!"
~~~~~~~
Amanda said, "Jesus died and rose from teh dead for our sins. He wants a relationship with you and is the only Way to Heaven. In order to be saved to need to believe He is God and the Son of God, that he died for our sins and rose form the dead, repent of your sins and be baptised into the Kingdom of God and remain in him.."
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Chrissa smiled and came to sit next to him "I can hang out with you again!" she cried and gave him a quick hug. "Your hair has grown....and your voice is deeper!" she giggled and fingered one of his curls. "I'm sorry about all that stress I caused, I never meant for it to hurt you so much. Will you forgive me?"
**
Abigal was thoughtful for a long moment before asking "Can anyone be saved?" taking a deep breath she continued "I...I'm so sinful. I realize that now by reading this"
**
Maralyn saw that his eyes were on his older sister "Strange that she is here isn't it" she said
*****
Ian shook his head "Noooooooo thank you."
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