Chapter Three

David's friend asks him to help Stella

Wednesday January 27, 2010

Mark Johnson stood at the lectern, motioning with his hands for everyone to settle down.

“You’ve heard from Bernadette and Colleen. Now you will hear from David Cole, a good friend of mine and a recent graduate of San Jose State University�"“

“Not that recent,” David corrected playfully. “Don’t lie. You’re a pastor.”

Everyone laughed. It was Wednesday, youth group night for the high school ministry at David and Mark’s church. About fifty students had come and they gathered in the large classroom on the second floor of the building.

“Oh my mistake,” Mark said in a mock preppy tone. He and David had been best friends for several years, so this playful banter came naturally. “And of course David speaks to other churches, youth groups, and high schools about his experience. Like you, he’s seen how God has worked in his life �" even in the most miraculous way. David, take it from here.”

The teens clapped. Most of them were regulars in Mark’s high school ministry, but there were some new faces as well. David had attended the large church here for several years, first with Nick, now by himself. He often helped Mark with the high school students several times a month, even at some of their functions, and he loved it.

“I'm David Cole, and I wanted to thank you for letting me, and the others, tell our testimonies again.”

Already Bernadette had told them about surviving an early diagnosis of breast cancer at age 28, and Colleen had revealed how God helped her with a lifelong speech disability. Now the students focused on him.

“So some of you may know my story, which begins in college. I got my party on then.” Some kids laughed at that and he continued. “I was in the fraternity, didn't care much about studying. I’d go out drinking every weekend, and I’d hook up with various girls. I was living the life, but I was empty….”

Goodness, that was horrible! Didn't he say those exact words before?

“In 2004, I got a wake up call from God �" and it changed my life. I was with relatives, vacationing in Thailand, when the tsunami waves hit. People around us were killed or injured. Families were separated, and many lost their loved ones. I suffered cracked ribs, a concussion, and a broken wrist and fingers. It could've been worse. But it was God who saved me. I was making bad choices before �" but that changed. When you almost die - when you come this close - it changes you.” He paused. “Close your eyes for a moment.”

The students did and he continued. “Picture the last mistake, the last bad thing you did. This is between you and God. Maybe you cheated on a test. Maybe you yelled at your mom, had sex, smoked pot, whatever. Imagine that’s the last thing you did before something happens and you die.” he let silence loomed so that it would sink in for them. He could hear students shifting uncomfortably or moaning. Good. They got the message. “That’s what it was like for me. I realized I came that close, and what could I show for it? Now, imagine those very things you thought of, and someone wiping them away, erasing it, until nothing remains, but a clean slate.”

Some students seemed to relax.

“That is what God did for me, and that’s what He did for you.” Some people clapped.

“He loves you and He gives you that chance to turn around and start over. If you fail - even if you fail everyday - you can get back up again.”

He felt exhilarated after this, but kept it to himself and smiled. “Knowing what God did for me, I gave my life to Jesus Christ.” Some students interrupted him with cheers and claps. After a moment, David continued. “Listen, God is real, and no matter what’s going on, He’ll help you. Don't listen to those people who try to steer you the wrong way. Trust me on this. God will help you.”

They clapped and David nodded emphatically.

He loved to tell them about trusting God.

So why did he feel like a hypocrite?

David forced himself to smile, which drew more cheers from the teens.

Students gave him high fives when he sat down.

A skinny Asian kid shook his hand.

“I liked what you said.”

“Thanks.” David whispered now, as another person stood up to give a testimony.

“You must have a strong relationship with God,” the young man whispered back. “Wish I had that.”

David faked another smile. “You can. What’s your name?”

“Bennie.”

“Hey Bennie, nice to meet ya.”

David made a note to try to talk to Bennie later. After the service, David walked over to Mark and Jeannette and tapped his fist on top of Mark’s.

“Good turnout,” Mark whispered. “Sharon really likes to hear from you,” he motioned to the brown-haired teenage girl by the refreshments. “I know she's still shy about talking about her brother and his death, but this helps. And I see you met Bennie Chiang.” He pointed to Bennie, who now had his black, ear-length hair pushed to the side. “He’s sixteen.”

David admired Pastor Mark. He was thirty years old, a former drug addict-turned college graduate, pastor, men's accountability group facilitator. Mark and his wife, Jeannette, pastored the high school ministry together and they devoted their time to speaking to the teens, like now. David himself began chatting with Sharon and Jason, two sophomores in high school.

“Did you see Avatar yet?” Jason asked. “The special effects were sick! Especially in 3-D, it’s crazy!The movie had to be about three hours.”

“Three hours?” David asked. He actually hadn’t seen new James Cameron film yet. “Dude, that is long.”

“Yeah it was, but it was good,” Sharon said.

“Maybe I’ll name one of my kids after the Na’vi characters,” Jason chuckled and Sharon shoved him playfully. “I'm just kidding.” Mark now came up behind them.

“Mark, you ever think about playing forward for the Sacramento Kings?” Jason joked. Mark stood tall at 6/4 and he could easily pass for Denzel Washington.

“They offered but I turned them down,” Mark gloated playfully. Now he turned to David. “Hey , I talk to you a minute?”

“No problem,” David said. Sharon and Jason gave Mark quick hugs before they gathered their jackets and left the room. David and Mark made their way across the room out of earshot of everyone else.

“So what’s up?” David asked.

“I'm doing good. Missed you Tuesday.” Mark held his accountability group twice a month on Tuesdays.

David nodded and shuffled his feet. “Yeah I know, I had to work late. We're helping some of our clients at the credit union with applying for home loan modifcations, and I'm acting sort of as their representative with the lenders. And I have some other speaking engagements coming up. One at Campus Crusade for Christ in San Francisco. And hopefully I can book something for the Evangelical Conference in May.”

“Hey, if you speak at that one, you’ll go national!”

The Evangelical Conference was an annual, three-day event held in Denver. Similar to InterVarsity’s Urbana conference, The EC challenged college students to make a difference in the world through their faithsupporting social justice issues, finding ways to serve others on campus, or being a better role model through their own spiritual walk. This year the conference would highlight anti-human trafficking organizations and, specifically, testimonies of young people who were helping others after overcoming or surviving trials. David already submitted a resume about his testimony and his work with human trafficking awareness to the board of directors,.

Mark interrupted his thoughts. “How’s Nick?”

David looked down.. “Same thing.”

“I miss seeing him come.”

“I know,” David shifted in the chair.

“Listen, I want you to see a friend of mine, talk to them.”

David relaxed. “Who?”

“Remember I told you about Max and Carla Rollins?”

David paused. “You and Max were in a homeless ministry together.”

Mark nodded. “They live in San Jose and have two daughters in college. The younger daughter, Stella, was at the University of Sacramento in 2008 when that shooting happened,” David took in a breath and Mark nodded slowly. “Yeah. It know. Remember the student killed? That was her best friend.” Mark frowned and dropped his shoulders. “She’s having a hard time. Maybe you can talk to her, open up about what you went through.”

David looked down now and rubbed his hair nervously.

“Is that OK, David?”

“Yeah of course. Uh, yeah, OK.”

****************

Saturday, Jan 30, 2010

Breathe in, breathe out. The roar of the treadmill whirled under his feet as David pushed himself to his limits. He pressed a few more buttons and the speed accelerated. His chest began to burn. He ran hard and fast , his mind developing tunnel vision. Then he quickly slowed the treadmill down to a brisk walk. Nice workout. He’d been on this thing for 50 minutes. It was a good way to end a Saturday afternoon.

The sounds of Skillet blurred in his ears as he began his cool down. Soon the treadmill beeped, signifying his workout’s end. After wiping down the equipment, David gathered his things and headed home.

He reflected on the week as he turned onto El Camino Real and headed north. It was quite busy at work with two of his clients going through a loan modification. Thankfully, tonight he was joining Mark and Dewayne to watch a live basketball game.

As David waited at a red light, he reflected on the e-mail exchange he had with Max and Carla about meeting Stella. The last e-mail he sent involved setting up a time to meet her. It was a matter of them responding back, which he hope they would not.

No, don't think tht way, he thought as the light turned green. David drove another mile before turning down two streets to his two-bedroom apartment in Palo Alto. He walked in, threw his gym bag on the coffee table, tossed his sweats on the floor and took a long shower. In their last email, the Rollins said Stella seemingly lost her faith in God. Interesting. David’s own life seemed to revolve around Jesus. He was busy with student ministry, homeless ministry, book signings and speaking engagements. His iPod consisted mostly of Christian music, especially bands like Pillar and Skillet. He donated money to several Christian-based nonprofits that advocated against human trafficking. He even volunteered time to them. He dreamed of acting as a liaison between businesses and anti-human trafficking organizations. Maybe she wasn't as active. Is that why they considered her as “losing” her faith? Or did it go deeper that that?

After showering, he searched through his dresser drawer for clean underwear and clothes. Mental note: don’t forget to do laundry…later. Of course it went deeper than doing church activities. Stella had lost her faith.

And just how would he help?

After dressing in jeans and long-sleeved hoodie shirt, he headed for the kitchen, and began making turkey sphaghetti.

He prayed for those young people he spoke to, and always inside there was this drive, this urgency, to make them understand the importance of not wasting their life, the importance of taking responsibility. That's how he could help, right?

He let out of defeated sigh.

Sometimes he wondered why he did all that, and did he really do that for God?

He stared at the simmering meat, remembering that thirst he once had to just sit in silence with the Bible, allowing its words to speak to him, and the thrill of learning something new and exciting about God. He hadn’t experienced that in awhile.

Still, Stella needed help. Mark had asked him to do this. No questions asked. Maybe, if he helped Stella, God would bring Nick back. David smiled at the idea.

Or maybe God would disappoint him again.

As David finished cooking the meat and pasta he glimpsed at his right thumb, now curved into a permanent “S.” His forefinger and ring finger were bent slightly inward - remnants of December 26, 2004. It had forced him to learn the use his left hand and now he was ambidextrous.

You mean they’re not with you? Robert and Nick, they went looking for you on the beach….

David shook his head. Not going there. Why did Mark want him to open up to Stella about that?

No, maybe he could find a way to help her without doing that. He smiled at that..

Finally, the turkey spaghetti was ready. He loaded some onto his plate and went into his living room to eat. His apartment could stand a little cleaning. A lot, actually. Some dishes remained piled in the sink after three days. Several clothing articles lay scattered on the couch, and his shoes remained tossed on the floor near the door. One day he hoped he’d meet a woman he could marry and share his place with --- maybe she could clean up.

Or maybe you need to better clean yourself.

Yeah, you’re right Father God. I do. he thought.

That’s what David did -- talk to God in his mind about things, and referred to Him as Father God. Even though he hadn’t been talking to God as much lately, he still did think of God as his Father. He was certainly easier to talk to than David’s real father.

Then why are you angry with Him?

David did want to marry though, and not for the cleaning. He thought about it sometimes at night, and he liked the idea of waking up to a woman who loved him -- for him. Oh, he knew it would take work and good communication. It wouldn't be easy, but he hoped to be married one day �" if he let someone get that close.

Maybe Nick could be his best man.

Nicolas. Maybe I should call him to see if he’s OK. He’d dropped him off at Nick’s place, but hadn’t heard from him since. But then, Nicolas could go for days without contacting anyone. He dialed Nick's number on his Blackberry. Disconnected.

He decided to check his e-mail. So Max and Carla had responded to him after all. They indicated Monday evening would work for them. He felt his heart drop.

Reluctantly, he e-mailed them back, stating that Monday would work for him also.

I don't want to help, but OK, I will.

What if this ends up helping you? A voice said.

Author's Note

I''m not sure if the formatting is OK. There may be typos. Again, feel free to give your comments on the context, the characters, whether you're still driven to read the story, etc.

Reviews

[MJReed]

Not bad. I think it's awesome that you're expressing your faith through this story. It might be a true story (The events in the story, that is...) , it might be fiction, but its fairly well written.
Keep it up, Joanna.

[Joanna Johnson]

Thank you so much! Do you see the hypocrisy playing out in the character? He is a Christian yes, but he is also disillusioned at the moment....

[MJReed]

i did, yes.