Chapter 2
I woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs and the sounds of Christian radio mixed with my mom singing along. With this kind of wake up, I couldn’t help but be happy.
I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom. The cold water I splashed on my face helped rid my head of my dream and remind me I was no longer eight years old. I was twenty one, and currently living with my parents.
I trotted downstairs and jumped over the last two. Just like old times.
“Coop, that’s enough of that! One day you’ll break the house down!” I chuckled at my mom’s playfulness and walked into the kitchen. Her hair was turning grey but her smile was the same from when I was a kid.
I gave her a quick hug and then walked to the cabinet. “Yes, yes, I know, you’re happy to see me, breakfast is almost ready, and my very favorite...wait for it. Will I please set the table?” I laughed. I was so glad I didn’t have to keep the secrets anymore.
My mom laughed too. “Just because you can take the words right out of my mouth, doesn’t mean you should. Women like to talk and you better remember that when you’re married.” She was laughing, but there was some seriousness to her tone.
Right then, Pig came into the kitchen to greet me. I bent down and began to pet him. “Well good morning to you too, Pig! Oh, let me get the belly, let me get it!” I said in a different voice. The voice people frequently adopt when talking to animals or babies.
When we finally sat down for breakfast, I decided it was time to tell my parents. Maybe this is why my childhood memories had been at the front of my mind. Just like when I was eight years old, I needed to tell them something I knew they wouldn’t like.
My mind flashed back to when I was eight. I had gone to my parents room that night, only to hear them talking about me. How I was different, and somehow knew things I shouldn’t. My mom was certain I had known the birthday present my dad had just bought. She was angry at him for trying to force something on me they both knew I disliked. And the fact that I had flat out lied to them had freaked my mother out.
I had stood outside the door as my mother ranted about how I was never going to be myself around them if I thought they didn’t like the real me.
Eventually I barged in. My face was red from anger. I couldn’t believe I was putting them through this. They needed to know, even if it meant they thought I was crazy. At least they would KNOW.
With my hands on my hips my little eight year old self looked up at them defiantly. I scrunched my eyes closed to block out their looks of surprise and whatever else their faces would show.
Then I spoke. “I hate fishing! I love books! I want to go rock climbing! And I’m cursed!” I took a breath and then continued, keeping my eyes shut. “When people touch me I hear their thoughts in my head and feel their feelings. It scares me and I want it to go away!”
I couldn’t open my eyes. I didn’t want to see their faces. But then, my mom was hugging me and kissing my cheek.
Her thoughts flooded into my head. I couldn’t believe it. They were thoughts of confirmation! Somehow, she had begun to figure it out. Slowly I opened my eyes. My dad was standing in front of me. Confirmation showing on his face as well. I pulled away from my mom, grabbed her by the shoulders, looked her straight in the eyes and asked, “You really believe me?” I waited for her to falter, to give away the fact she thought I was crazy, but that never happened.
“I do.” She said with a smile and then she wrapped me in another hug. She was filled with joy because, in her eyes, her son had come back to her. I had no idea she had known how much I was holding back, how much I was changing. I hadn’t even realized how much I had changed! But now, I was free to be myself. And it felt good.
“Coop!” My mom pulled me back to the breakfast table. “You need to stop cooping yourself up in your brain. Geezz...what were you thinking about?”
I chuckled. “I actually have something to tell you both.” I announced.
“And what is that?” My dad asked.
“I need to know more about this gift of mine. If it is from God, which we have decided it is, then I need to know why I have it.”
“Yes, I agree with that.” My mom said.
My dad also nodded in agreement.
“Okay, I’m leaving. I want to go find out what God has to show me.”
“Where are you going?” My dad asked.
“Texas, first. Pastor John’s mother is coming for a visit in a few months. And she said I can ride back with her.”
“Where will you go after that?” My mother asked in a worried tone.
“I don’t know, only God does. I’ll hitchhike where he takes me. It sounds crazy, but I have prayed about it and have decided this is something I need to do.”
“Hmmm…” Both my parents said together.
“Guys, I’d like your blessing on this. You are wonderful parents and prepared me for this. Now it’s time to see what God has planned.”
“I can’t argue with you, Jim. I can’t hide you from God and his plans.” My mother sighed.
“Son, as a family we will fast and pray for two days. And at the end of that time, if you still believe this is what God is calling you to do, then I will support you. But if you can’t tell me with absolute certainty that this is God, then you will stay here and wait on him. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Sir.”
As I spoke, I couldn’t believe this was happening, I knew, after we fasted, my life would never be the same.