Disappointment warred with curiosity. Why would JD's sister be calling? "Hello."
"Hey, Joella. This is Glorilyn. I saved the card you gave me. You did say I could call."
The night at Mac's Burgers. "Yes, of course."
"Can we talk?"
Joella prayed the girl wouldn't mention JD. "Well, sure."
"Are you home? I can meet you somewhere."
"I'm on campus. Near the Admin Building."
"Give me fifteen minutes."
Joella opened and closed the clasp on her purse. "O … kay. I'll wait for you in front."
*****
The Administration Building loomed on the left beyond the wooden bridge spanning Little Camino Creek. The overpass arched in the middle. Joella stepped onto the bridge and paused, resting her elbows on the railing. Underneath, the brook rippled and bounced over rocks on the creek bed. A few dry leaves floated, carried along with the current. Dead. Like her relationship with JD. She couldn't deny the ache in her heart, yet surely with time, it wouldn't hurt so bad.
She gripped the railing. Whatever Glorilyn needed to say, Joella could listen with courage. God was on her side.
She spotted Glorilyn as she walked around the building near the big double doors of the Admin Building.
"Hey, Glorilyn. Over here." Joella waved, crossed the bridge, and trudged across the grass toward the young woman. She'd graduated high school in May. Did she plan on attending NCU in the fall?
Joella watched Glorilyn approach, an unexpected and uncomfortable awareness settling in the pit of her stomach. The new high school graduate held to the same cultic beliefs as the rest of her family. They’d immersed her in it from birth. Just like JD.
Glorilyn wiggled her fingers in greeting and increased her pace. "Hey. Thanks for meeting me."
Dressed modestly in a dark skirt and lighter top, she closed the distance between them. Her face glowed with…what? Peace? Contentment? She seemed settled.
"How are you? It's good to see you again," Joella said. Too bad her tone didn't matched her mood.
Glorilyn folded her hands and grinned. "I've wanted to talk to you."
Did the young Miss Neilson desire to chastise Joella? She flinched at the meaningless thought. More likely Glorilyn wanted to ask about going to college. "Are you planning on attending NCU?"
"You bet." She patted her backpack. "I picked up some information yesterday in the Education department. Teaching young children and making a difference in their lives sounds challenging."
Did she mean in hopes of proselytizing kids? But EB members weren't big into evangelism, were they? "That's great, Glorilyn. Are you going to start in the fall?"
"Yes." Her eyes blazed. "I'm also looking into some of the campus organizations—like Campus Crusade for Christ."
Joella's mouth fell open. CCC … a Christian organization. Did Glorilyn understand that? "What … why did you decide on that group?"
"That's part of the reason I wanted to talk to you."
Goose bumps traveled up Joella's body, from her ankles to her scalp. Could JD's sister possibly mean … Joy bloomed in Joella's heart. "Let's go sit on the bench over there near the trail."
Glorilyn's smile seemed to reach all the way across her face. They headed toward the concrete bench and sat side by side, sunshine sparkling on the creek's surface. "I've grown up a little since the night I met you."
The corners of Joella's mouth lifted. "Tell me more."
Glorilyn trained her gaze straight ahead to the brook. "I've changed. That night you talked about God with such confidence, how He loves us. I couldn't forget your words." She looked at Joella and back to the water. "I have another friend at school, not my drug-using friends, thank God, but a girl named Amy. All last year she asked me to go to church. She told me about her God. Then, that night when you showed up with my brother and relayed the same message, it sank in." Her face brightened. "Joella, I gave my heart to the Lord at a youth meeting I attended with Amy."
Joella clapped a hand over her mouth and yelped. "Praise God." For a second she wanted to pinch herself. But this wasn't a dream. JD's younger sister had Jesus in her life and no longer walked in the deception of EB.
A cool breeze lifted strands of hair tickling her cheek. "You will never be sorry about your decision. And one thing I know for sure, you won't ever turn back. You've found God's Truth." Joella wrapped her arms around Glorilyn. "I'm so grateful. Thank you, Lord."
She released the young woman and smiled. "I'd be happy to share anything with you and would encourage you to keep attending church with your friend."
Glorilyn gripped her fingers in her lap, and her smile faltered. "Now I see the deception my family embraces." She stuffed both hands into the deep pockets of her skirt. "That's the hard part. I go to church with Amy on Sunday evenings but attend EB in the morning. My Bible's hidden under the bed. Mom and Dad don't know yet." She gave Joella a worried glance. "And I'm so, so sorry about the way Dad treated you. Mom told me."
Joella stared at her shoes a moment. "It's okay." She patted her shoulder. "God can do all things, even bring your family to know the Savior. You'll be in my prayers." An electrical current zapped through her. Did I hear what I just said? Glorilyn's family. That included JD. If God reached his sister, He could touch him, too.
"Thank you. I need those prayers." A furrow creased Glorilyn's brow. "Mom also told me you and JD aren't seeing each other anymore. Did you know JD belonged to Exalted Brethren when you dated him?"
Joella's words caught in her throat. "No." She whisked away a tear. "Not at first. But later I began to suspect he didn't believe in the same God as me—though I didn't want to admit it." A surge of emotion welled up. "He ended our relationship." She hid her face in her hands. "I would've if he hadn't."
"I'm so sorry. I can see you're hurting."
"I love your brother, but he's headed down a dangerous path."
Glorilyn squeezed Joella's hand. "Well, I know one thing. He's got at least two people praying for him."
*****
JD reviewed the spreadsheet on the computer screen and then checked his watch. A half hour before meeting Henry at Starbucks. When his friend had called to say he was in town again, JD welcomed the chance to meet for coffee and catch up. Since visiting the house on Almond, he'd wanted to get in touch. Maybe they'd finally have the opportunity to discuss what Henry found out about the Burchett real estate deal.
Henry and his father had always amazed JD—the way Mr. Rupert use to pat Henry's shoulder. "Just relax and trust in God, Henry," he'd say though Mr. Rupert didn't understand the value in doing good deeds. Sometimes JD wished he could relax. But if he wanted to make it to heaven, he couldn't waste any more time.
The day was nice. Might as well walk to Starbucks. After shutting down the computer, JD grabbed his light summer suit coat from the rack near the door.
After pausing to turn off the lights, he massaged his forehead. Life goals had to be a priority now. Things were going well with Betty Ann. She seemed interested in him, though he felt no big attraction yet. It would come. Eventually.
So, why wasn’t there a greater sense of accomplishment? Because … besides dating Betty Ann, an EB man had to be active in community service.
JD took a few steps down the hall, his hand drifting to the small scar on his face. Pushing Joella's image away hadn't been simple at first. Focusing on Betty Ann helped, and it became easier as time passed. But the hardest moments still came in the middle of the night. Life seemed too much like unwanted static on his truck radio when all he wanted to hear was music.
Inside the elevator, JD’s hands balled into tight fists. The truth was he missed Joella. More than ever. His eyes squeezed shut in a feeble attempt to bring to life the last time they’d been together. At Smith Point. The feel of her in his arms, her long hair brushing his cheek.
The image faded a little more each day. Joella might always hold his heart, but she couldn’t get in the way of his goal—a
relationship with Betty Ann.
JD shook his head when the elevator opened with a ding at the first floor. I've got to get on with my life—got to get past the woman who occupies my every waking thought. Surely in time.
The bank's marquee displayed a clock. He'd better walk faster. At the next block, the route to Starbucks led north.
One of these days Joella would be walking down the street. A shiver careened up his back. He wouldn't mind seeing her long gorgeous legs and stunning amber eyes again, but what would they say to each other? Hopefully she hadn't decided to take an afternoon's coffee break today. He wasn't ready to run into her yet.
The day Joella had hugged that Reyes jerk at Starbucks still bore into JD's memory. Pain gouged through his gut, anger rushing at him like the bumblebees Betty Ann had fled the night of the hayride.
He pushed Starbuck’s front door open and spotted Henry at the other end, beyond the bar and cash register. Three oversized chairs grouped together around a coffee table. His friend waved and pointed to the empty chair next to him while another man, with his back to JD, sat in the other seat. "Hey Nielsen, over here. I’ve got an iced coffee waiting for you."
JD passed the racks of coffeemakers, Starbucks cups, bags of coffee beans, and boxes of tea for sale. "Hey, man. How's it going?"
Henry held out his hand while the other guy stood and smiled.
"This is the youth pastor I told you about … the one our church is bringing up to Sacramento next month for the youth rally. Dave Reyes, meet my longtime friend, JD Neilson."
JD's smile disappeared. His spine became stiff as the hard backed chair in Dad's living room.
Dave stuck his hand out, his wide grin fading as he noticed JD's lack of response. "It's nice … I mean, glad to … uh, see you again. Didn't I meet you at the sunrise service with Joella Crawford?"
Yeah. That was before she took up with you, jerk. Joella probably told her new love all about their failed relationship. Maybe they'd even laughed about it. Heat rose from his toes to the top of his head, singeing the scar that remained from the biking accident. He gripped his hands to keep from punching the guy. "Yeah, I suppose so."
Henry's voice penetrated the red haze surrounding JD. "Oh, so you guys have met? Sit down, man. Dave and I were talking about the upcoming rally, but I thought the meeting could serve a dual purpose since I was downtown. I need to express my gratitude to you."
Dave smiled at JD. "Henry told me what a good friend you are and how God used you in his life recently, though he didn't give me the details. Said he wanted to tell you first. I'm always anxious to hear a story about how the Lord is working."
JD frowned. What in the heck were these two talking about? If Reyes referred to the Burchett real-estate deal, God had nothing to do with it.
But JD could only think of one thing. Reyes in Joella's life. Where JD used to be. Did the pastor know JD still loved her? Being civil to the man was one of the hardest things he'd ever done. What he really wanted to do was sock the guy in the nose.
Henry took a sip of coffee. "Let me explain."
JD didn't trust himself to do anything but nod.
"Remember when your client, Dale Burchett, came up in conversation? Because of our chat, I checked with the county tax office and made some significant discoveries."
JD sucked in a deep breath. No matter how much he hated being here with Reyes, Henry deserved his undivided attention. Settling back in the overstuffed chair, he forced his muscles to relax.
"As you know, Burchett formed the realty company that bought my parents' property, but he never told me that. The offer he made was half the actual value of the house. Then he turned around and sold it for twice the amount. The thief didn't even put it on MLS, if you can believe it." Henry's face flamed bright red. "To make a long story short, I filed a civil malpractice claim and stand an excellent chance of recovering the loss on my parents' home. Plus a hefty compensation when the case comes up. All it took was the threat of a report to the Bar Association." Henry smirked. "Can you believe Burchett had the nerve to charge me a fee for buying and selling the house to his corporation?"
"I'm grateful the truth came out and you took action." JD pulled in a long breath trying to cool his simmering anger—now toward Burchett. "I only recently uncovered the exact figures. Once I sent you to the county tax office, I was pretty sure you'd discover the information you needed."
"I might not have learned of the deception if I hadn't talked to you." Henry slapped JD's shoulder. "I can't thank you enough, ole buddy."
JD wanted to grin but couldn't. "I wish I could take credit, but my remarks were inadvertent."
Henry smiled. "I feel like celebrating. Can I get either of you a refill?"
Dave shook his head. "No thanks, I'm good."
JD stared at the table, adsorbing all Henry said.
"JD?"
"Uh, no … thanks."
Henry tossed his empty latte cup in the trash on his way to the cash register.
His friend's good news boosted JD's outlook for a brief moment, but now what was he supposed to say to Joella's new boyfriend? He squirmed in the chair. Reyes made JD uncomfortable, no matter how many deep breaths he took. The pastor might've said God had used JD, but he knew it was only a lucky coincidence.
Reyes gave him another friendly look. "So, you're a CPA. I envy you."
JD's body became ridged. The tight rein he'd held on his emotions slipped a little. "Look, you don't have to lie. I know you don't."
Dave blinked. "What do you mean?"
JD couldn't muzzle his mouth. He only saw Joella with her arms around the creep. "Anybody who has a way with women doesn't need to envy me." JD could've booted himself in the backside, but his anger, with the force of a California earthquake, spurred him on.
Dave shrugged and raised his hands in a "what did I do" gesture. "Sorry, guy, but I have no idea what you're talking about. A way with women? I don't even have a girlfriend."
That did it. With Henry still at the cash register, JD jumped to his feet and squeezed Reyes's shoulder hard, shaking a fist in his face. "You lying no good …"
The couple at the next table gaped at them and turned to whisper to each other.
What was he doing? He'd almost pushed the Pastor out of his seat. JD's stomach twisted into a hard knot.
The shorter guy jerked away. "Hey, what's your problem?"
JD dropped back into the chair, his hands covering his face. "Oh, man. Sorry, I…I had a really bad day. Shouldn't have taken it out on you."
Would Reyes buy that? No matter how mad or envious JD felt, he couldn't behave like an animal. His Scale would suffer for it.
Dave scratched his head. "A way with women? Maybe I should be flattered. Look, I suspect there's something else going on here. Though I don't appreciate getting shoved around, I'm a good listener if you want someone to hang out with. I can tell when someone is in need of a friend." Dave reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a card.
JD ran his hand over his mouth. Though he'd roughed the guy up, Dave turned around and showed him kindness. Unbelievable. Just like Joella—what was it with these people?
Dave had built a fire of hot coals on JD's head. He stuck the card in his jacket and narrowed his eyes to slits. An odd notion played at the edges of his mind. Maybe Dave Reyes had answers he needed to hear.
In the next second, he dismissed the whole idea. Answers? What answers? Exalted Brethren gave him all the answers he needed.
*****
The walls in the cheerless condo seemed to close in on JD as he slid down on the couch. He'd said good-bye to Joella and never expected to have another conversation with her. But he had to tell her about Dale Burchett—if for no other reason than she deserved to know after the way the guy treated her. The real estate matter was public record, and though the fraud case hadn't finalized, it would soon—no danger of passing along confidential information.
Digging down into the bottom of his emotions, he discovered the
truth. Though he could've asked Reyes to deliver the information, JD wanted to hear her voice—one last time. Otherwise, he might lose his sanity. Joella. I love you so much.
He stood and paced the room. What was wrong with him? His hands shook, and he cleared the lump in his throat.
It'd be tough to talk to her. He hoped she wouldn't detect the love that remained in his heart, and she wouldn't talk about her new boyfriend. No way JD would reveal his confrontation with him.
Why would Reyes mislead him about not having a girlfriend? He couldn't imagine what the guy's motives were. Maybe Joella told him to keep it quiet for a while. No matter how jealous he felt, he had to admit Reyes possessed some singular unidentifiable quality.
JD gripped his cell. Maybe they were only friends. No. Friends didn't hug each other like that. A man didn't touch a woman's cheek and gaze into her eyes if he didn't have romance on his mind.
JD shook his head, desperate to place the call. With a shaking hand, he punched her speed dial number and tapped his toe as the ring tones seemed to drone on forever.
She picked up on the fourth jingle. "I'm … uh … surprised to hear from you."
He held the phone with one hand and massaged his forehead with the other. "I know, Joella. I hope this isn't as hard for you as it is for me."
"JD," she whispered. "Why are you calling?"
"I just need … to tell you some information I discovered today … a pending out-of-court settlement." How stupid did that sound?
"What … what are you talking about?"
Her feminine voice thrilled him all over again like it had so many times before. He opened his mouth, hoping he could push the words through his lips. "Dale Burchett had some unscrupulous dealings with a friend of mine. He's going to be forced to pay a considerable settlement." JD paused at Joella's gasps then followed up with the rest of the story. "I called because you deserve to know. Justice was served."
"I … I don't know what to say."
"His mistreatment caused you pain. That night we went to dinner, afterward, I …" JD couldn't say how he wanted to protect her and how he desired only the best for her life, even if it meant Reyes instead of him. "I miss you." The words flew from his mouth without his permission, yet he meant them.
A sound like a sob met his ear. "JD, this is so hard."