Salvaged (47 page)

"Thanks again for the date, Riley. I had a great time."

She turned to go down the slide, but I grabbed her hand and
turned her back to me.

"I didn't say we were leaving right now. I just said we needed to
go soon. We've got about thirty minutes or so."

She looked up at me through her eyelashes and smirked. "What
did you have in mind to pass the time?"

"Aren't you quite the tease? Be careful with me, Charlie."

Her face turned serious. "Sorry. I'll be as morose as possible. I
wouldn't want you to-"

I pulled her to me and gently kissed her before she could finish
her sentence. Her lips were soft and warm against mine.

She pulled slightly away from me.

"Riley," she whispered.

"Yes?"

"Kiss me."

I laughed. "I just was."

"No." She shook her head. "Really kiss me. Kiss me the way
you've wanted to all summer."

My legs felt slightly shaky, so I leaned back against the wall. Attie's eyes were on fire as she walked toward me. Leaning into me,
she ran her fingers through my hair and then grasping it in her hands
gave my head a teasing tug.

"Good grief, Riley, freakin' kiss me already."

Ignoring my pounding heart, I placed my left hand on the back
of her neck as my right found its home in the small of her back
and forcefully pressed her more closely to me. Casting off as much
restraint as I safely could, I allowed myself to kiss her as passionately
as I'd craved. Attie responded fervently, and within moments all my
inhibitions melted away.

(Attie)

I peeked around from behind the curtain and noticed that the
church was completely full. I saw Gramps and the Bennetts sitting on the front row. Anne, Tammy, Tess, and Jen were sitting just
behind them.

I was panicking but then felt Nicole squeeze my hand, and my
uneasiness dissolved.

"You're going to do great, Attie. There won't be a dry eye in the
place."

She winked at me and squeezed my hand again.

I teasingly scowled at her. "And that's a good thing?"

"Yes, Attie, sometimes crying is a good thing. A very good thing."

Pastor Rick finished his sermon and told everyone they were
about to get a special treat and then passed the microphone on to
Joshua.

"A year ago Attie Reed was involved in a tragic accident that
killed her mother and best friend. Someone nobody could ever identify magically pulled her from the car. Although she was critically
injured, she lived. Attie stayed in a hospital for over two months, and
she was left to heal and grieve alone. She remembers having a dream
while she was unconscious. Attie was walking with Jesus, and he had
invited her to join him on a journey. Lucky for all of us, she agreed.
After she woke up, she could hear the Lord speaking to her. He was praying with her, comforting her, and encouraging her to stay faithful. `You're not alone, Attie,' Jesus would tell her. `I'm here.'

"Today, Attie is going to share with you a love song that she
sings to the Lord. It is a song by Meredith Andrews called `You're
Not Alone.'

"Attie?" He turned to me as I walked on stage. Handing me the
microphone, he gave me a kiss on the cheek and then left me alone
on stage.

The room was hushed, and I didn't look up to see the audience.
This song was to the Lord. My Lord, who had never left my side.
The audience was being allowed to witness my song of gratitude.

I heard the piano begin, and I brought the microphone to my
mouth. Looking down, I began to sing.

Standing in the doorway of the church, I watched as people left,
many still crying. Some hugged me or told me that the song was
beautiful. I wasn't enjoying all the compliments, but I welcomed
their appreciation just the same. All of my friends were huddled
over by the youth building fooling around and enjoying each other's
company.

I'd started to go join them when out of the corner of my eye
I saw Jesus waiting for me back inside the sanctuary. I went to
join him.

As I walked up behind him, he spoke softly, "That was beautiful."

"It was for you. I meant every word."

"I know you did. Thank you."

He gave me a half bow.

"Why you're welcome." I returned a slight curtsey. "Everything
I sang was true. You've never left me. I know that."

"I never will."

"I know that too." We were silent for a few moments before I
spoke again. "I wouldn't have survived without you."

"That's the point."

"Yes, I guess coming to that realization really is the point."

I was proud of myself for figuring it out.

"Attie, I have loved you your whole life. Even before you were
born, I loved you. That will never change."

He patted the altar next to him, inviting me to join him.

I sat down next to him. "I know."

"Nobody will ever love you like I do. My love is unconditional,
perfect. My love will never disappoint you."

He spoke so softly, and I strained to hear him.

"Thank you, Lord. Thank you for that."

"There's nothing that you did to earn my love, and there's nothing you can do to lose it."

I turned to look at him, "This isn't you dumping me, is it?" I
asked sarcastically. "The whole `you're a great girl but' routine?"

He laughed. "Nope. I'm not going anywhere."

"Thank God." I realized what I'd said and rolled my eyes. "I
mean, thank you ... both of you, well all of you. You know what
I mean."

He smiled and nudged my shoulder with his. "To end this
relationship you would have to walk away-but even then I'd
find you."

"The shepherd and his sheep?"

"I won't lose one. Not one."

We sat in silence for several minutes before he spoke again.
"What was it about that song that made you choose it?"

"It perfectly explained our time together since the accident. The
story of hearing your voice tell me I wasn't alone, that you were there
with me. That you'd loved me all my life and always would."

"Yes, it perfectly describes all of that." He paused again. "Why
else do you think you chose that particular song over any other?
Many, many songs could tell me the same thing."

"I don't understand. What are you asking me?"

"Attie, if I only wanted you to have a relationship with me, I'd
have you become a hermit. You need people or a person in your life.
A person you can share experiences with. A person who can show
you to a small degree what I feel for you."

I was very confused. "Okay?"

"Think of the song, Attie." He softly sang the words: "I searched
for love, when the night came and it closed in ... it was the sweetest
voice that called my name, saying... "

I pictured Riley holding me that second night in the Bennett
home. I'd woken up from a nightmare. I could hear his voice; I could
hear his words: "You're not alone. I'm here."

My body shook.

Jesus continued, "My love, I've never left your side. I have seen
you through the darkest night."

Pictures of Riley and me sleeping on the floor in our rooms, he
was protecting me. I felt safe with him.

"And I'm the one who's loved you all your life."

It was as if hundreds of childhood memories with Riley flooded
into my mind.

"All your life," Jesus ended.

I was stunned. I turned to Jesus and stared at him in disbelief. As
my heart pounded through my chest, I whispered, "Riley?"

Jesus smiled. "Your Mr. Darcy." He winked.

"Riley?"
"Riley?"

I was motionless until I heard it, that sweet voice.

"Charlie?"

My eyes turned to find the person who was saying my name.

"Riley," I whispered and then nodded.

It was Riley. He was peeking through the sanctuary door with a
large grin on his face.

"First day of school tomorrow, Charlie. How about one last
adventure before reality hits?"

I looked at Jesus. "Will you come with me?"

"I wouldn't miss it. Especially with it being a whole new adventure and all."

I turned back to Riley.

"Wanna join me on a journey?" he asked with a wink.

I smiled as I got up to go to him.

"Absolutely."