Past Forward- A Serial Novel: Episode 15 (12 page)

“
Ok, ok
.”
It was now or never.
“
I wonder, how often have you read Hebrews?
”

“
Several times a year for most of my life
.”

With a deep breath, he plunged forward.
“
So what do you make of the verse that says not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together?
”

“
Well, obviously that Chris
—”
she paused.
“
Wait a minute.
Are you saying that you think I am wrong not to go to church every week?
”

Chad stammered.
The word every pounded in his brain.
Had she left out every, he could have easily answered yes.
Now if he qualified it, he
’
d look like he was waffling.
“
I
’
m
just
wondering what value you place on assembling with God
’
s people
.”

“
Well, if I show up on
semi-regular basis, how on earth can that be evidence of forsaking?
”

“
It isn
’
t.
I was just asking
—”
He knew he was being a coward.
Chad took a deep breath.
“
What about Acts?
”

“
What about it?
”
Willow
’
s curiosity kept her from feeling attacked much to Chad
’
s relief.

“
Well, the Christians met from house to house daily.
They had the Lord
’
s S
upper weekly.
It might not be commanded, but doesn
’
t it look implied?
”

Willow shook her head as though to clear it.
“
I don
’
t understand what you
’
re saying, Chad.
I think you want something from me
,
but every time I try to ask, you divert the question
.”

“
I just think that
,
scripturally speaking, there is strong evidence for making gathering with other Christians on a regular basis a priority in our lives
.”

“
So, you think that whenever you
’
re off of work we should be there?
” She nodded.
“
I
’
m good with that
.”

“
I
’
d like,
”
he added hesitantly
,
“
to know that whatever part of our family can be there, will be there, every week
.”

“
You want
me
to commit to going every week?
”

He nodded.
“
For the most part, yes.
I think it
’
s important
.”

She didn’t answer for over a minute.
Just as he started to ask her to pray about it, she sighed.
“
Ok.
I don
’
t make promises when it
’
s raining or freezing out
,
though
.”

“
You could learn to drive
—”

“
No thanks
.”
If there was one thing that Willow held no interest in, it was driving.
It made no sense to Chad
,
but he accepted it
—
usually.

Several minutes passed with little more than the clinking of silverware on plates to fill the quiet of the kitchen.
“
Chad?
”

“
Mmm hmm?
”

“
Why didn
’
t you just tell me you wanted me to go?
Why all the questions and hemming
and the hawing
,
or whatever you call it
.
I don
’
t get it
.
”

“
Well, I didn
’
t want to ruin my first night home after going back to work
,
but tomorrow is Sunday
…
”

“
But, still, I don
’
t understand.
Why the hoops?
Why not just ask or tell me?
”

He took a deep breath.
Kicking himself for not realizing she
’
d notice
h
is discomfort, Chad shrugged.
“
It’s just that
when people suggest that
consider doing
something different than you
’
ve always done
,
or worse, imply that you could be wrong
—
well, you don
’
t take it very well.
I didn
’
t want an argument
.”

“
Ouch
.”

Chad grabbed his plate and went to refill it with more chicken.
“
This is really good.
More tender than the last ones
.”

“
It
’
s younger.
I waited too long to kill the other ones
.”
She smiled up at him as he sat down again.
“
Chad, I
’
d rather have an argument than
to
know you want to say something but don
’
t think I
’
ll like it
.”

“
And I
’
d rather avoid arguments all together.
You don
’
t mind the conflict as long as it
’
s resolved.
I hate it.
I hate conflict
.”
He sighed.
“
Willow, I just don
’
t like to bring up subjects that
’
ll make things awkward between us.
I like it when everything is right
,
and I hate it when we
’
re out of sorts
.”

“
Am I really that bad?
”
She smiled at him again but it didn
’
t reach her eyes.

“
Willow, the last time we had a discussion about something we didn
’
t like, you were ready to call off the wedding
.”

“
I guess I am,
”
she admitted, her tone a little terse.
“
I wasn
’
t trying to be difficult that time.
I was trying to
—”

He sighed.
“
That was a low blow.
Sorry.
That one was completely my fault
,
and I had no business using it as an example.
How about
‘
no kids if I
have to educate them like this?
’
”

“
I guess you
’
re right.
Mother and I must have agreed on more than we thought.
We never
—”
Her eyes grew wide.
“
Oh
,
Chad.
I did that to Mother too!
When I didn
’
t get what I wanted, I stabbed her in the heart
.”
Tears filled her eyes and she jumped from her chair.
Chad started to follow
,
but she waved him back.
“
I need a few minutes
.”

He watched confused as she left the house and strolled across the fields toward the stream.
“
Lord, what just happened?
”