It's My Life (7 page)

And all that friction of the girlfriend triangle just seemed to disappear. But you know what the best part was? I think Beanie was having the absolute time of her life. I mean it! She just sparkled like a diamond. And I think Andrea was impressed with her. I mean, before today, I think she always thought Beanie was kind of a loser chick. And I admit, Beanie did look quite a bit like a loser. But today I think Andrea could finally see what it is I so love about Beanie. And I think that made Beanie feel pretty good too. And when you've had things as hard as she has, feeling good's not such a bad thing! Not at all!

Today I'm at work,
about to take my lunch break (which is only thirty minutes since I'm just part-time) and suddenly Aunt Steph shows up with this funny look on her face, and I'm thinking, oh no, something must be wrong! But she tells me nothing's wrong; she just wants to talk to me. And so, like a couple of regular working women, we go and have lunch (and Rita, the main receptionist, says I can take extra time since I hardly ever take my breaks anyway).

So, we sit down to lunch at this cool little deli down the street and I ask her what's going on. And then she tells me something I really don't want to hear. “Now, you can't tell anyone this,” she begins. “But Beanie has given her Mexico scholarship to Zach–”

”
What
?” I demand. “She can't do that. That was for her–”

“I know, honey. Tony told me all about it. He was hoping we might come up with a way to work this out. But I
wanted to let you know before you heard it from someone else.”

Well, now I'm feeling just like someone reached over and popped my pretty balloon. (Yes, another overly used metaphor, but I'm in no mood for creativity at the moment.) “But I
really, really
want Beanie to go,” I complain, knowing I sound just like a spoiled brat. “I mean, I worked so hard to get her to go and everything.” Whine, whine, whine.

Steph pats my hand and smiles. “I know you did, honey, and it was so good of you. But don't you think it's awfully kind of Beanie to give up her trip for Zach? I mean, she's told me all about his recent changes and everything, but considering what he did to her before–the way he treated her–well, I just think it's really gracious and generous on her part. And I'm really proud of her.”

Yeah
,
sure
, I'm thinking, still not convinced this is such a good idea, but hating to sound all negative. “It's not that I don't want Zach to go,” I try I to explain. “I just
really
,
really
want Beanie to come.”

“Well, there may be a way for them to
both
go.” She pauses as if deciding whether or not to tell me. “Tony asked me not to say anything just yet, but I can see how upsetting this is for you. So, if you promise not to tell…”

I hold up my hand like a good girl scout (which I never was). “I promise.”

“Okay. There's a slim chance they might both get to go. Tony's checking on something right now. He should know
before you guys have your first meeting tonight.”

Now I'm slightly relieved. “Oh, I sure hope so. And you know I could probably contribute some more money too. Heck, I really don't need any school clothes–”

Now Steph is laughing. “No, I think you've given enough. Let someone else help out. You know that it really is more blessed to give than to receive. Let's allow someone else this blessing.”

I grin at her. “You know, Steph, I think you'd make a great pastor's wife.”

I can see her blushing, but she gives me this sort of sly look that tells me I might not be too far off the mark, then says, “You just better keep those thoughts to yourself. You know how rumors can get started at a small church like ours.”

Now I laugh. “Get started? You better open your ears, Sister Steph, they've been circulating for some time now!”

So anyway, we finished eating lunch, and she promised to call me as soon as she heard anything, one way or another. “And don't forget to pray,” she said as we both went our separate ways.

Now, when I got back to work, I suddenly remembered something. Back when I first applied for this job I told Rita how I needed time off in August for this missions trip, and she had mentioned that the corporation sometimes donated to worthy causes and might even contribute to the Mexico trip. But because of my birthday present from my parents, working at fund-raisers, and my job, I'd never needed to ask. So, I decided, why not ask today?
And so I told Rita the whole story, swearing her to secrecy about Beanie and Zach. And she smiled and said she'd see what she could do. Then I sent my dad a quick e-mail note, telling him about the whole thing too, hoping he might have a little clout he could use to help out. And he e-mailed right back saying he'd do whatever he could and had a meeting with one of the bigwigs in a few minutes anyway.

Well, by the end of the day, Rita marched triumphantly over to the little desk I use to help her stick labels on envelopes and things like that, and she said, “We did it!” And I just jumped up and hugged her so tight I knocked her glasses right off her nose.

“Oh, thank you, thank you, Rita!” I cried. “You don't know how much this will mean to everyone.”

“Just one thing, the big boss says you have to bring back lots of photos and make a poster or some kind of display to put up in the lunchroom so everyone can see what you kids did while you were down there. Is that a problem?”

I laughed. “Not at all. I think it's a great idea!”

Then she looked at her watch. “Well, your day's almost over. Why don't you just take off. I'm sure you'd like to tell your friends the good news.”

“Thanks so much, Rita! You're just like the fairy godmother!”

She pretended to wave her wand. “Well, then off with you!”

But instead of leaving, I went straight up to my dad's
office. Of course, he'd already heard the good news, but he let me use his phone to call Pastor Tony and Steph. And they both agreed to handle everything (which I liked–it feels better to remain sort of anonymous in these things, and I think that's how God likes us to be anyway). Then I drove over to Steph's apartment where I found Beanie and Oliver watching
Sesame Street
together.

“Sheesh, Bean, I think you're getting a little old for this,” I said as I flopped down on the couch with them and immediately started making fun of Big Bird (whom I used to totally adore as a child), but I was just trying to conceal my pleasure of this latest bit of good news.

“Hey, don't knock it. It's a pretty good show, and I never got to watch it as a kid. Oliver and I've learned all kinds of things from these puppet guys.”

I could tell she was trying to cover for feeling down, and suddenly I felt guilty for not telling her the good news right then and there, but at the same time was still a little irked that she'd almost given away (albeit unwittingly) the gift
I'd
given specially to her. “So, you want to grab some burgers before the missions meeting tonight?” I suggested without looking her in the eye.

“Uh, that's right,” she said slowly, focusing her attention on Oliver's curly hair. “Uh, I almost forgot to tell you. I can't go on the trip.”

“You
can't
go?” I jumped up from the couch, acting pretty upset (you know how Beanie loves drama, or used to anyway). “What do you mean you can't go? Why can't
you go? I thought it was all settled and everything.”

“Well, I just can't go, that's all. I'm sorry. But I know you'll have a great time. And Andrea will be there for you to hang with–”

“Beanie! Andrea is
not
you! Now, don't you remember you promised me you'd come? We had a deal.
Remember
?”

Her dark eyes got really big. “Oh, Cate, I forgot all about that. Oh, I'm so sorry.”

To my huge relief, Steph walked in right then. And I turned toward her and, with a wink, said, “I can't believe her, Steph! Beanie's telling me she can't go on the Mexico missions trip now, and she promised me–”

Beanie came up from behind. “Oh, I'm so sorry, Caitlin!” I could hear a sob in her voice and I turned around to see great big tears streaming down her cheeks. And let me tell you, I felt like a total crud bucket about then.

“Hang on a minute, everyone,” called Steph as she swooped up Oliver who was watching us both with that typical toddler, wide-eyed curiosity. “Beanie,” said Steph, “I just spoke to Tony, and it's all worked out. You
can
go! The problem is solved. And Zach can go too.”

Beanie just seemed to melt in relief about then, and feeling like an absolute lowlife slimeball, I threw my arms around her. “Oh, I'm so glad you're coming! I really wanted you to come.”

She wiped her nose on her baggy sweatshirt sleeve. “I wanted to come too. I really did.”

“Well, you better go change then, unless you want to
go to the missions meeting looking like the baby-sitter queen. And if you hurry, we'll still have time to grab a burger before it starts.”

She dashed off and I rolled my eyes at Steph. “I can't believe what an idiot I can be sometimes,” I said quietly as I poured myself a glass of water. “I was just trying to be dramatic.”

Steph laughed. “Well, maybe Beanie's had enough drama to last her a while.”

I nodded. “No doubt.”

“And good job on
blessing
that corporation,” she whispered as Beanie came out looking fresh and pretty in a sundress and sandals.

“Gosh,” said Beanie as she pecked little Oliver on the cheek. “I feel just like Cinderella, getting to go to the ball after I'd given up all hope.”

I laughed but wisely didn't mention that Rita at work had just been playing fairy godmother.

After a whirlwind week of working and missions meetings and Spanish tapes and packing and repacking (we can only take one big suitcase and one small bag), we finally loaded all twenty-seven of us onto a big bus this morning (after a quick prayer meeting where half the congregation came to show their support). And now we're off!
Ariba
!
Ariba
! (which means “hurry up”). But as a consequence of this incredibly hectic week, I've missed writing in my diary, but now plan to keep careful notes (and take lots
of photos) during the entire trip.

And I do want to take a moment to note here how we've dedicated this whole trip to Clay Berringer's memory. We all feel if it hadn't been for him, we wouldn't even be going now. And while Pastor Tony was praying for us this morning, it was almost as if we could feel Clay's presence with us. And all week long, while we've been going to meetings and struggling with our Spanish, or whatever challenges, we've all started this habit of raising a victorious fist and saying “For Clay!” So I guess that's the motto for our trip–
For Clay
! And of course, we know it's for Jesus (we're not stupid or starting some cult or anything), but it's because of the way that Jesus used Clay's life to touch ours that we think maybe our lives can be used to touch those people in the village where we're heading.

We've been praying for some of these people all week. We even have a list of names to pray for–not everyone, but quite a few. A local pastor wrote them down for us so we could pray for real names like Juanita and Miguel and Hernando and Maria. Our main mission is to help at an orphanage, to build and repair some buildings, and work with the orphan kids and stuff. And just last night, Greg (our fearless leader) gave us this little speech about how we need to be prepared for anything and everything and how this trip wasn't for the faint of heart. As if we were thinking we were heading off to Club Med for some fun in the sun! But we all soberly reassured him that we were up to the task. No slackers here!

And right now everyone on the bus is singing real loud,
so (not wanting to appear unenthusiastic, especially at the onset of this important mission) I'll have to sign off and join the group!
Adios
,
amigos
!

After many not and
grueling hours of travel (just barely out of town, our old Greyhound totally blew its air-conditioning unit!), we have actually crossed the border into Mexico!
Ole
! We went through Tijuana about an hour ago, stopping for a late lunch at a church that was expecting us and threw quite a grand little fiesta with all kinds of fantastic Mexican food. And they had a guitar and brass band, and then we sang a couple songs for them and they all gathered around us and prayed for our mission. Really sweet people. It's amazing how you can meet someone you've never seen before; you don't even speak the same language (well, just barely); and you'll probably never see them again (at least this side of eternity); but somehow you just instantly bond with them, like your hearts just totally understand each other. Well, only God can do that!

Now the bus is all quiet (and hot) and most of the kids are snoozing. We slept in sleeping bags on a church floor last night, and I don't think anyone got a whole lot of
rest. But for some reason I'm wide awake. Too excited, I guess. And, to be honest, a little cranky.

Here's why. Well, we start out this trip and Beanie and Andrea and I are all hanging together. Not that we're ignoring others, but we're kind of like the three amigos (or so I think). But last night after we had a potluck at the church, we got to go play at a water park to cool off (okay, so going on a Mexico mission isn't all hard work and sacrifice), but anyway, Andrea (who
did
bring her Hawaiian bikini) seemed to be flirting with Josh (who despite his earlier judgments did seem to appreciate that bikini after all–meanwhile ol’ Cate's wearing her sensible one-piece!). Anyway, before the night's over, it seems like Andrea and Josh are kind of pairing off. Okay, there was no touching or kissing or anything like that going on, but today on the bus they're sitting together, and right now she's sleeping with her head on his shoulder.
Now, why does this make me so grumped out
? Maybe I'm just hot and tired. I'll try to get some sleep. And now it seems that Andrea has been replaced by Zach (who's being very sweet, by the way), so I guess maybe it'll be Beanie and Zach and me (the new three amigos).