Risky Business (31 page)

“Ha-ha, you’re real funny, Mark.” She looked at P.J., who had a cord wrapped around his hands, trying to set up the microphones, and Gabe, off to the side hooking up amplifiers. “How about you guys? Do you mind if I join you?” They stopped everything, shifted their weight, and didn’t look at her. They certainly didn’t look thrilled at the prospect of her joining the band. “Okay, let me have it, you guys. What’s going on?”

“Well …” P.J. looked down at his shoe as he kicked at a piece of bright yellow tape on the stage. “It’s just that we’re concerned about you and aren’t sure if it’s a good time for you to do something like this. It’s, well, it’s a ministry …,” he trailed off and looked to Gabe.

“Kate, how are you doing with everything you have going on?” Gabe looked uncomfortable, too. “How do we know if you’re … um … over everything?”

Ah, that’s what they needed to know. “You’re asking me whether or not I’m back on the straight and narrow?”

“Pretty much. I mean, it’s kind of important,” P.J. said, now behind the drums.

“Sure it is. The best way I can explain myself is to tell you what a wise soul said to me yesterday on the phone.” Kate winked at Mark. “I’m like Peter. I screwed up. I didn’t stand up for my faith, I didn’t share it with anyone, and then I made a really bad decision.” Kate walked up onto the stage and looked at each of them. “But also like Peter, Jesus not only forgives me for it, but He knew it would happen. He has guided me through it, healed my relationships, and taught me a lot of things because of it. So, yes, He and I are cool.”

“Works for me.” Gabe turned back to the sound equipment, satisfied to drop the subject.

“That’s all I wanted to know.” P.J. smiled and let out a sigh of relief.

“So, in other news, Mark and I have a proposition for you guys.” Kate baited them.

“What’s going on?” Gabe looked confused.

“Well, we’ve been rustling up the Christians we know from school, and we already talked to Pastor Rick. We want to start a little Bible study/prayer group before school on Tuesdaymornings.” As usual, Kate’s words tumbled over each other when she got excited.

Mark jumped in. “Yeah, we’re feeling like we need a boost to our faith, kind of like an encouragement to live it at school. It’s too easy to separate church and school.”

“What a great idea.” P.J. thumped the bass drum. “Count me in.”

“Me, too. I’m all for it.” Gabe looked excited. “Maybe we could take turns leading it or something.”

“That’s the spirit. I’m really excited, you guys.” Kate beamed. “It starts this coming Tuesday at seven thirty.”

“Now, if there’s nothing else, we have some music to play.” Mark hopped up onto the stage.

“Well,” P.J. said, “there
is
one other thing I want to know. What’s the deal with you two already?” He pointed at Mark and Kate.

They both laughed and gazed at each other with the deep love of friendship. “Should we tell them?” Kate asked, batting her eyelashes at Mark.

“Yeah, I think it’s time to break their hearts. Let ‘em down easy, Kate.”

“P.J., Mark and I are great friends. We’ve decided that we’re just going to keep it that way for a while.”

P.J. pretended to pull a knife out of his heart.

“We just don’t want to ruin a great friendship by rushing, and we don’t want to find ourselves in another situation we aren’t prepared for…. Everything in His time is better anyway, right?”

Mark didn’t take his eyes off Kate and added, “All in
His
time.”

I,
(include your name here)
, have read the story of Kate Walker and have learned from the choices she made and the consequences she faced. I promise to think before I act and, in all things, to choose God’s will over mine.

Additionally,

• I will never take any substance—even a legal one—that is offered to me by anyone other than a trusted adult.
  
• I will never take illegal drugs.
  
• I will guard my heart closely and not jump into a dating relationship before God says I’m ready.
  
• I will never be afraid to share my faith with others.
  

Please pray the following prayer:

Father God, I know that I am a blank slate. Please let the lessons that I learned as I read about Kate imprint on the slate of my heart
.

Help me to honor my parents by making right choices and avoiding questionable situations. I want to commit to You now that I’ll avoid any use of illegal drugs—please help me do that when the time comes and I’m feeling the pressure
.

Also, please forgive me for the times when I haven’t shared my faith with others. Help me to have the strength to do it even when it’s difficult
.

I know that You have everything under control, so I submit to Your will. Amen
.

Congratulations on your decision!
Please sign this contract signifying your commitment. Have someone you trust, like a parent or a pastor, witness your choice.

Signed____________________________________________

Witnessed by________________________________________

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Nicole O’Dell on the Web:

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