Explosion at Eisenhower High

CHAPTER ONE

Walking through the unfamiliar halls of Eisenhower High on the first day of his senior

year, Trent Carson felt a mixture of excitement, fear, anticipation and dread. Had God really

sent him here to start a Bible club and influence the school for Christ? Surrounded by others

who wanted to serve Jesus and dynamite Bible teaching at the Christian training camp he’d

attended in July, Trent had sensed that God had a special purpose for him in Los Angeles. Now

feeling so alone in a strange environment, he wondered if he’d even survive himself. He hadn’t seen a friendly face anywhere. He longed for the security of the assured popularity and

basketball stardom he would have enjoyed if his parents hadn’t been forced to move from the

small Kansas town where he’d lived all his life.

Arriving at his locker near the end of a third story hall, he noticed three guys huddled in

a corner. As he deposited the books he’d been given, what he overheard shocked him into

reality.

“Listen up, dudes,” a tall, overweight student with thick glasses was saying in a low

voice. “We’re staging a walk-out in Ms. Simpson’s class. Keep pushing it until she sends us to the office.”

“That’ll be easy,” a thin, blond kid interrupted. “I had her last year and she hates my

guts.”

“Hey, when I talk, you listen. OK?” The guy with the glasses seemed very much in

charge. “Once we’re there, Sheila will run by the principal’s office with a blood-curdling scream and pretend to faint. While Mr. Purdy is investigating, I’ll put three poisonous drops in his

coffee! I researched the stuff. It’s tasteless and slow-acting. Nobody will ever know what

happened. And if anyone finds out, you’re gonna wish you were dead—understand?”

Without waiting to listen to the rest of the conversation, Trent headed straight for the

office. He sat down on the bench and tearing a sheet of paper out of his notebook, he quickly

wrote a full account of what he had just heard. Not wanting to cut into the line of students who had to resolve computer-caused schedule conflicts, Trent prayed as he hesitated a moment.

Just then, he caught sight of an attractive middle-aged secretary leaving for her lunch break.

Getting her attention, Trent instructed, “Please give this information to the principal

immediately. It’s a matter of life and death.”

The secretary looked at him curiously and Trent waited uncomfortably as he watched

the secretary open his paper to check the contents and then disappear behind an inside office

door. When he glanced at the students waiting in line, he couldn’t help but notice that a tal

red-headed girl with freckles, a large nose, and hard features which made her look over

eighteen was staring at him intently. But just then, the secretary returned with a note for Trent.

It read: “The principal has read your information. Thank you.”

Having lost valuable lunch time and pressured to locate his next class, Trent scarcely

thought about what he had just done. He downed a hamburger and rushed off to find his

college biology class. Since he hoped to become a creation scientist one day, he looked forward to taking an advanced science course that wouldn’t have been available at Plainsview High in

Kansas. Besides giving him college credit, an A in this class might help him land a good

scholarship. He barely avoided being late and took a seat near the door.

Because he was new, his name wasn’t on the computer printout and he had to show

Mr. Murphy his schedule in order to be added to the class list. Mr. Murphy, a thin balding man, gave a few introductory remarks: “I expect you to investigate a lot of things individually. Today I’m assigning topics and in two weeks I want each of you to give an excellent report of ten

minutes complete with visuals, charts, and a handout for me and each student in the class. Do

your best work. It’s an important grade. Trent,” he gave a look in his direction, “I’ll give you the first topic: ‘Evidence that Substantiates Evolution’.”

Trent was taken aback. The words of a verse he’d learned at camp flashed across his

mind: “Greater is he that is in you than he who is in the world.” He raised his hand. “Mr.

Murphy,” he said politely, “I don’t believe that evolution is a proven fact. Could I please have another topic?”

Mr. Murphy glared at him, “If you’re so brilliant that you can take on the entire scientific

community, give me five reasons for your disbelief in evolution and be sure you leave God and

the Bible out of it.”

Trent shot up a quick prayer and began. “Hmm. I-I-If evolution is able to turn a frog into

a prince, then there’s gotta be a mechanism or a provable process to bring about the changes.

The problem with mutations is that they’re harmful 1000 times more often than they’re helpful.

Plus, mutations don’t add any DNA information. I bet ya’ nobody could come up with a bunch

of mutations which are positive under all circumstances. If mutations are so great, we should

destroy the ozone layer so we can benefit from all the mutations that could cause.”

Mr. Murphy was flushed with annoyance and students were listening for all they were

worth. The tension mounted as Trent continued. “The reason we have so many kinds of dogs is

that the DNA of dogs al ows for a lot of variety. Intelligent people use selective breeding to produce different types of dogs. But no new species of anything capable of reproduction has

ever been documented. A horse and a donkey can make a mule, but male mules have never

learned to reproduce. Besides, if a living thing is a lot different from the norm, it will be less able to survive. That’s why a miniature poodle is less hardy than a mutt. And if all dogs could mate at will for a few generations, there’d be nothing but Heinz 57 puppies. There’s another…”

The students interrupted with applause and began chanting, “Go, Trent, go! Go, Trent,

go!” Although Mr. Murphy was screaming for silence, they continued.

Finally, Trent rose to his feet and motioned for them to be quiet. “I believe it’s right to

honor those in authority and I intend to respect Mr. Murphy.”

Order was restored and Mr. Murphy became even more flustered. Having a hard time

managing his anger, he growled sarcastically, “Mr. Carson, if you don’t do a report on ‘Evidence that Substantiates Evolution’, I’ll flunk you.”

Trent said nothing. He recalled what he’d heard at camp, “Remember that if Jesus didn’t

live in your heart, you’d act like the non-Christians around you. Don’t just react when you’re treated unjustly. Pray a lot for the person and ask God what you should do.”

Mr. Murphy continued assigning reports but Trent had no idea of the topics. Although

Trent tried to pray for Mr. Murphy, his mind was in turmoil. Should he transfer out of the class?

Could Mr. Murphy really flunk him for not believing in evolution? Would a report card F keep

him from getting the scholarship he so desperately needed now that the family finances were

in shambles? Finally, the bell rang and he had to think about getting to his next class.

A pretty African-American girl with a scar on her cheek approached Trent. “I’m a

Christian, too,” she smiled. “My name is Darcy. Where are you from?”

“Kansas,” Trent replied. “I’m awfully glad to meet you.” There was no time for

conversation, so Trent asked her for directions to his next class and was off.

Thankfully, math and social studies were uneventful. When the dismissal bell rang, Trent

dejectedly trudged up the steps toward his locker. Reaching the third floor, he was surprised to see Darcy and another girl running toward him.

“Trent, wait up, “Darcy called as the two approached. “Trent, this is my best friend,

Marina.”

“Hi,” Trent responded.

“Marina, this is Trent,” Darcy introduced. “He’s the Christian I met in college biology.”

Marina’s “Nice to meet you,” revealed her Spanish accent.

Darcy looked around to make sure they weren’t overheard. “Trent,” she began lowering

her voice. “Gangs are a reality here. You have to take what we tell you seriously. It’s like your life may be in danger.”

“Whatever are you talking about?” Trent wanted to know.

“I was the second student in line in the office when you came in with a message for the

principal,” Marina offered. “You said it was a matter of life or death.”

“The redhead behind Marina was Crystal, Spike’s girlfriend,” Darcy put in. “She’s so cool

and calculating, everyone calls her ‘Ice Cube’—and she’s an undercover agent for the gang.”

“But who’s Spike?” asked Trent.

“He’s the leader of the most dangerous gang in school,” Darcy explained. “The Jaguars

aren’t a street gang who fight to defend their turf; they’re the Eisenhower rebels who hate

authority. I’ve heard rumors that they are Satanists, and I believe they are. Everyone in school is afraid of them—even the teachers.”

“But what does this have to do with me?” Trent questioned.

“Our friend, Mallory, works in the office fifth hour,” Darcy continued. “She told us that

Spike, Beto, and Alden were called to the principal’s office. The school policeman and another officer just happened to be in the hall and caught them trying to put poison in Mr. Purdy’s

coffee. The cops took them to the police station.”

“But that’s not all,” Marina worried. “When our choir teacher gave us a five-minute

break, I heard Crystal whisper to her friend, ‘That new, tall, blond guy with the Kansas accent warned the principal or it would have worked perfectly.’ How did you find out?”

“While I was at my locker, a guy was explaining the plot to two others. I was quite sure

that they had no idea I heard them. My Mom used to say that my hearing was as good as Fido’s.

I just automatically reacted.”

“Was he tall and overweight with dark hair, brown eyes, and thick glasses?” asked

Marina.

“I wasn’t paying that much attention, but he was a big kid with glasses,” Trent

responded.

“That’s Spike’s outward profile,” Darcy affirmed. “He’s also brilliant, power-hungry, and

a great organizer. He’s made himself the gang leader of a group of angry, discontented students of all ethnic backgrounds, male and female. In exchange for giving him absolute loyalty, they

know Spike will go to bat for them when they think they’re unfairly treated. Anyone who

messes with what they consider to be their rights must pay the price. Because they are usually politically correct, they get away with a lot. If you cross them, they aren’t afraid to resort to violence.”

“But can’t the police do something about it?” Trent wondered out loud.

“People in the U.S. are innocent until proven guilty,” Darcy reminded him. “Plus, Spike’s

uncle is a top ACLU lawyer.”

“If Spike becomes a Christian,” Trent commented, “he might turn into a second Apostle

Paul.”

“I like your faith,” Marina complimented. “We’ve been so busy avoiding him, we’ve

never thought of praying for him.”

“But right now, we have to pray for Trent’s protection and he is going to have to arrange

to never go anywhere alone,” Darcy planned. “My uncle who is in the Marines is visiting. I’ll call and have him pick us up. Even though it’s only two blocks for you, Marina, you’d better come

with us.”

They walked to the phones in front of the office. Darcy made a quick call and the three

of them waited.

“Darcy wants to be a lawyer,” Marina informed Trent. “Can’t you tell?”

“Darcy, you’re really good at thinking everything through,” Trent observed. “Maybe I

can be your first case.” He couldn’t help noticing Marina’s striking big, brown eyes shaded by long, curly lashes. “Marina, I take it that you don’t plan to be a lawyer,” he started a

conversation.

“No way,” Marina answered. “I don’t know if I’m good enough, but I’d like to be a

Christian recording artist or sing with a Christian group.”

“Just listen to her sing,” Darcy advised, “and there won’t be any doubt in your mind that

she’s good enough.”

“I want to do God’s will,” Marina said simply. “If the Lord wants it to happen, He’ll work

it out. You’re so tall, I bet you play basketball,” Marina changed the subject.

“As a matter of fact, I do,” Trent responded.

“Darcy’s a top tennis player,” Marina told him. “But I’m just not coordinated.”

“God made each of us different so we can fit into the special plan He has for us,” Trent

reminded her.

When Darcy’s uncle appeared, the well-built Marine treated his charges as though they

were passing through enemy territory during a war, but Trent was relieved to walk through the

front door of his house. His mother was having trouble coping with the move, and although she

tried to greet him cheerfully, Trent could see that she had been crying. When he asked his little twin brothers how school was, they told him that it was awful and that they were praying for a teachers’ strike.

Trent went upstairs to his room and closed the door. Al his hopes had evaporated in

one day. Instead of starting a Bible club to influence the school, he’d have to basically hide out to keep from being killed. Why hadn’t he written that the message was a matter of life and

death instead of saying it out loud? How could he ever go out for basketball if a whole gang

were trying to do him in? How could he add to family problems by explaining all this to his

parents?

It had all started when his dad suddenly lost his good job. After three months of

unemployment, his father somehow let the car insurance lapse, and his mom had a serious

accident. All the medical bills and the impossibility of finding a job in the Plainsville area had demanded drastic action. Living in one of Uncle Gary’s rental places in L.A. was the last thing that anyone in his family wanted. But his dad couldn’t turn down a job offer with free rent.

Living without a cell phone was only one of the changes that had come with the abrupt turn-

around in his family’s situation. Because of all of the financial challenges, it had been Trent’s hope that an A in college biology and other advanced courses would still give him a university scholarship, and now it seemed like he was about to receive his first F ever. He was too

discouraged even to pray.

CHAPTER TWO

Trent walked to the window of his bedroom and looked down on the main street lined

with palm trees. The constant traffic and incessant noise were an unwelcome contrast to the

peace and quiet of a Kansas town. He could see the smog in the distance and wished he could

breathe some really clean air once again. On the side street where their duplex was located,

older houses were close together and some yards were junky or not mowed. It was a trashy

neighborhood and Trent hated it. For a moment he thought he might be able to convince his

parents he needed to return to Plainsview to finish his senior year in safety. But his mother

needed him, his father couldn’t pay his room and board, and his parents wouldn’t be able to

grasp the seriousness of his situation. There was no money to pay for private school, so he was stuck with Eisenhower High.

Before attending the summer Christian leadership camp—only because his

grandparents paid his way and his friend Andy was going—Trent had been a rather wimpy

Christian. But yielding to the power of the Holy Spirit and realizing that Bible principles could be lived moment by moment had changed all that—or had it? Trent felt like a cartoon character

with the devil sitting on his shoulder whispering, “You’ve blown it big time. You won’t even get out of this alive.”

Finally, he sat down at his desk figuring that if Wednesday’s newspaper headlines read,

“New Student Saves Principal and Pays with His Life”, he should add, “Carson’s completed

physics assignment and his English theme were found in his folder.” Before attempting his

homework, he checked his e-mail.

There was a note from Darren, a guy from Detroit who had been in his tent at camp. The

verse at the beginning of the message was from Jeremiah 1:17: “Get yourself ready! Stand up

and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them or I will terrify you

before them.” Darren wrote: “The football coach has threatened to kick me off the team if I

give Jesus the credit in my next T.V. interview, but I won’t give in. Pray.”

Trent bowed his head, “Wow, Lord, You’re so good. Thank you for the reminder. Give

me courage. Please help Darren.”

The e-mail from Celina, the girl from Kansas City whom he’d met at camp, made his

heart beat a little faster. It only said, “I’m praying for you. How’s the new school?” but it was the very best part of a terrible day. They had been exchanging e-mails and text messages since July. How Trent wished he still had a cell phone and could text his friends like he used to!

Trent’s mind wandered back to the experience that had knit them together and had made him

wonder if this was real love.

He had met her at a bus depot in northern Minnesota. Stepping off the bus, Trent had

noticed Celina as they claimed their luggage. Tall and slender, her gorgeous, long, brown hair was shining in the sunlight. She was smiling and looked more like a contestant in the Miss

America contest than a girl who had just endured an all-night bus ride. When she joined Andy

and him by the guy who held the Ambassador’s Boot Camp sign, Trent had decided he was

really glad he had come. Although he had followed her, hoping to sit with her on the bus that

had come to pick them up, she sat down beside another girl. Because camp featured a lot of

small group Bible study in which boys and girls were separated, Trent didn’t see much of Celina until the last day. Needing a mental escape from reality, Trent relived it in his mind.

At the evening service on Thursday night, the recreational director had made an

announcement. “Tomorrow, you should wear tennis shoes and bathing suits, and bring plenty

of sun block if you burn easily. We’re all going to float down the river in river rat tubes. It will take about an hour and forty minutes. When you see three posts painted orange, a man will be

waiting to take your river rat tube, and you’ll board the buses for the town park. If you miss the cut off, remember that this river flows into the Mississippi and you could go all the way to New Orleans!” Everybody laughed.

The next afternoon, when they arrived at the river bank, Trent spotted Celina. Soon,

they were enjoying their conversation so much that they hardly noticed that they were last in

line, or that there were no more inner tubes. “Wait twenty minutes,” the attendant informed

them, “and the truck will bring back a load of inner tubes.”

In what seemed like a very short time, they were floating down a small river with tree-

lined banks—everything was serene and beautiful. Trent found that Celina was a fantastic

person, and that they had a lot in common. She listened to him and really cared about his

opinions. They ended up talking about everything imaginable.

“What time is it?” interrupted Celina.

“Oh no! It can’t be.”

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s 4:45!”

“Have we missed the cut off?” Celina asked in alarm.

“I think so.” Trent tried to sound confident. “But it’s just a matter of paddling with our

hands and reaching the bank.”

But the current was just too strong. They were going a lot faster and they noticed that

the river was widening significantly.

“Can you swim?” Trent ventured.

“Not a stroke,” Celina responded.

“I’m not a strong enough swimmer to save another person,” Trent admitted.

“We’re products of all those Kansas beaches,” Celina quipped.

“I bet the girls in Kansas City, Missouri aren’t as pretty as the ones in Kansas City,

Kansas,” Trent complimented, and Celina smiled back at him.

“I think we’d better pray,” Celina suggested.

They prayed, sang praise songs, talked and prayed some more. The river just kept

getting wider and the current stronger. Somehow, Celina managed to collide with a dead tree

floating downstream with them, but she took it all in stride. “I’m going to pray with my eyes

open from now on,” she declared.

Somehow, time seemed to stand still. Trent realized they were in danger, but at the

same time, he was able to really get to know the prettiest girl at camp. Finally, Trent checked his watch and it was already 8:00 p.m. Celina gasped.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think my inner tube is losing air,” she lamented.

“Don’t worry,” Trent assured. “I’ll hold your hand and if necessary, the two of us can fit

into one inner tube.”

As Trent reached out and took her hand, his heart beat faster. He squeezed it tight, and

Celina smiled through her tears. The sun was just beginning to set and it would have been so

romantic—if their lives hadn’t been at stake.

Darkness slowly fell and stars began to emerge in the velvet black night. They decided to

pray as loud as possible and sing at the top of their lungs, hoping someone would hear them.

Trent realized that it was cooling off. He hoped Celina wouldn’t get too cold.

Suddenly, Celina let out a blood-curdling scream!

“What’s the matter?”

“I see a light, and I want them to know that we are here.”

They ended up being rescued by a nice, older couple on a house boat. The camp kids

had been brought to the town park for a picnic and an evangelistic event. No one had missed

them until they had al reported to their tents at midnight.

Glancing at his school books, Trent jerked back to the present. He wrote a long e-mail to

Celina detailing the day’s events. Then he attempted his physics assignment.

“Trent, telephone!” his mother called from the bottom of the stairs.

“Hello,” Trent picked up the upstairs phone.

“Guess who this is?”

“Celina!” Trent nearly screamed with delight.

“I know your parents’ budget doesn’t include long-distance calls, so I wanted you to

hear something encouraging,” Celina said calmly. “My mom will get the prayer chain going and

we’ll all pray for you.”

They talked for about twenty-five minutes. He was very thankful for the call, but if he

were completely honest, his male ego suffered a little hearing how successful Celina and her

friends in Kansas City had been in organizing a Bible club. But then the words of his camp

counselor, Greg, came back to him, “Your only job is to obey God and be faithful. He’ll do the rest. Some schools are a lot easier than others. The obedience factor is what spells success in God’s eyes.”

He was able to get through dinner without saying anything to upset his mom and to

corner his dad to arrange rides to and from school. He had a hard time falling asleep. He

dreamed that Spike was chasing him with a butcher knife, and he woke up in a cold sweat. He

dosed off again. This time, Celina and Marina dressed as twins appeared on his mental screen,

and they were dueling over his heart.

When his dad dropped him off at school, Trent felt like he was still in a nightmare mode.

Because he was early, the halls were nearly empty. He found himself walking behind two girls,

and began eavesdropping on their conversation.

“Did you know that Spike, Beto, and Alden are in the juvenile detention center?” asked

the taller girl with unruly, curly hair.

“What did they do now?” questioned her friend.

“According to the Times…”

“You read the Los Angeles Times?”

“Only when my mother freaks out because Eisenhower High made the headlines.”

“So, what’s the scoop?”

“According to the Times,” the tall girl began, “Miss Swanson, the principal’s secretary, happened to step into the office for a report when she saw Spike pouring a yellow liquid into

Mr. Purdy’s coffee cup.”

“Poison?”

“Just listen till I finish. She screamed and the school policeman came running. They

hauled the group off to the police station. The lab tests show that the liquid was a tasteless poison which could have killed Mr. Purdy.”

“That’s because Spike can intimidate most people, but Mr. Purdy always stands his

ground,” commented the shorter girl. “I sure wouldn’t want to be in Miss Swanson’s shoes.”

“According to the papers, she resigned and took the 8:00 p.m. flight to Dal as.”

“Smart woman. Spike would have gotten even with her.”

Trent was relieved that he wasn’t in the newspaper story but uneasy with the fact that

Spike had such a reputation for revenge.

Just then, Darcy approached him. “I can’t talk because I have to hurry to finish some

homework before the bell rings, but here’s something I think you can use for college biology.”

She handed him an envelope and disappeared.

Trent opened the envelope. Inside was a copy of a secular article telling why scientist

were not doubting the traditional proofs for evolution. There was also a note which read:

“Trent, Marina and I are sworn to secrecy. Don’t tell anyone you warned the principal. The

news report looks good. DESTROY THIS PAPER.” There was no one around, so Trent carefully

shredded the note, putting the contents into two different trash cans.

The week proceeded without incident and by Friday, Trent was beginning to relax.

Maybe all this precaution was unnecessary and it had only been a false alarm. As usual, he

waited by the office door for his father to pick him up. But his dad, noted for his punctuality, was over a half an hour late. Trent began to worry. The hollow halls seemed foreboding and

rows of grey lockers appeared somewhat spooky—as though they housed unseen enemies.

Something just wasn’t right. Looking around, he spied Chen, a slight Asian guy who

Darcy had pointed out to him as a gang member. He was vacantly staring at the trophy case in

the front hall. Twenty minutes later, he was still there. When Trent peered down the opposite

hall, what he saw startled him. The tall, red-headed girl he’d seen in the office the first day was standing by the drinking fountain with a short kid who had a raging case of acne. In his mind, Trent imagined her with a witch’s costume and a broomstick—Ice Cube rides again. If only his

dad would come!

Trent tried to pray. Finally, he whispered silently, “Lord, if my dad doesn’t come by 5:00,

I’ll take the bus and trust you to protect me.” Five o’clock came, and Trent tried to hide the rising fear by walking deliberately to the bus stop. He was glad to see two other people, but the terrible trio followed him. When the first bus stopped, Trent was left alone with his shadows.

No one said anything and the tension was mounting.

Panicking, Trent boarded the next bus. To his horror, Chen and his friends were right

behind him. When he sat down by a grandmotherly-looking lady, he realized that he was on the

wrong bus. But he didn’t dare to get off. Trent didn’t know what to do next.

CHAPTER THREE

Trent only knew that his pursuers were sitting some place behind him on the city bus.

Terror welled up in his heart. Perspiring profusely, he was afraid to look back, sure they’d be able to detect his distress by the look on his face. When the bus driver turned a corner, Trent figured out that they were heading downtown. Everyone else looked tired and bored—the man

across from him had actually dozed off. Trent began to pray desperately, “Lord, what should I

do now?” He could smell the lilac perfume of the woman next to him. Opening his eyes, he

discovered that she was carrying a worn Bible. A lady in front of him commented to her

seatmate, “This year’s ladies’ prayer retreat should be the best ever.” The presence of

Christians encouraged Trent and a plan began to form in his mind.

When the ladies stood in preparation for getting off the bus, Trent rose to his feet.

Resisting his training to always be a gentleman, he followed the two ladies in front, letting the elderly lady get off behind him. As he followed them into the old, red-brick church and down

the worn, brown-carpeted steps into the basement, a glance behind revealed that his three

shadows were entering the main sanctuary.

When he reached the bottom of the stairs, Trent was surrounded by nicely dressed

women, some registering at the table on the left, and others enjoying punch and cookies served from the table in the front. Unsure of him, Trent approached the woman in the navy blue suit

who seemed to be in charge.

“Th-this is a ter-terrible emergency,” he stuttered. “Pl-please may I see the pastor right

away?”

“Of course,” she answered in a reassuring voice, “Come with me.”

The pastor had another man in the office, but his guide barged right in, taking Trent with her.

“This is urgent,” she informed him. “This young man must talk to you immediately.” And

to Trent’s relief, she closed the door when she left.

“Sit down,” Pastor Campbell invited. “What’s your name?”

“Trent Carson.”

“Glad to meet you,” the gray-haired man replied. “I’m Pastor Campbell, and this is my

friend, Jack. Please tell us the problem so we can help.”

Trent tried to explain everything as briefly as possible.

“Jack, please get Mrs. Ross,” Pastor Campbell instructed.

When he left, the pastor shared some Scriptures from the Psalms reminding how God

protected David when King Saul was trying to kill him. Then he prayed for God’s protection for Trent.

Jack finally found Mrs. Ross, who gave the pastor her son’s work phone number. He was

a police captain and promised to send two of his men to search the church.

Trent felt uncomfortable waiting in the pastor’s office, but the closed door and the

presence of other people made him feel more secure. Jack soon left, and the pastor said he had to work on his sermon. Trent pretended to do homework, but his mind was still racing: Why

had they followed him? Did they intend to murder him, or were they just trying to scare him?

Was there anything he could do to change his situation? Would he ever be safe again?

After what seemed like a very long time, an officer knocked on the study door. “We

found the three in a Sunday School room,” he reported. “Their alibi was that they had come to

pray and we found no weapons on them. My partner walked them to the bus stop and boarded

with them to make sure they leave the neighborhood. I’ve come to take the young man home.”

Trent explained things to the officer and asked what he should do.

“I wish I could tell you,” replied the officer, “but as police, we can only intervene if we

have positive proof that a crime will be committed.”

Trent’s parents met him at the door. “Trent, getting a ride home with the police was a

good idea,” his father congratulated. “I’m proud of my son.” Trent knew that he suspected

more but wanted to hide it from his mom, who still hadn’t fully recovered from the accident

and was so afraid and unhappy in Los Angeles.

His mother put her arms around him. “Trent,” she sobbed, “We were so worried about

you.”

“Seventeen-year-olds are pretty smart and able to take care of themselves,” Trent said,

trying to sound casual.

“The car broke down in rush hour traffic,” his father explained. “By the time I got it

towed and borrowed Gary’s truck, you were no longer at school. I’m sorry.”

“All’s well that ends well,” Trent managed to say.

His mom microwaved his dinner and the three of them sat down at the table together.

Fortunately, his little brothers started arguing and his parents left to arbitrate the quarrel without interrogating him. Trent ate quickly, left a thank-you note for his mom and went up to his room. He closed the door and knelt down by his bed. “Lord, this is just too much,” he prayed desperately. “I can’t take any more. What can I do?”

After a while, he got up and wrote a long e-mail to Celina and waited for her reply—but

none came. It was Friday night and maybe she was at a football game. He longed to pick up the

phone and find out. If he were in Plainsville, he’d be knocking on Andy’s door and he’d unload his problems. Trent felt completely hemmed in with no one to talk to and no hope of his school life or his family situation improving. He resorted to playing a video game he used to like when he was younger, but his heart wasn’t in it.

Saturday was terrible. He attempted to work on his college biology report and he did

find some really neat stuff on the Internet. He decided he’d start with the surprises Darwin

would find if he came back today. For a while, he got into the science research he’d always

enjoyed but a Saturday night with nothing to do caused the depression to return. Worst of all, he realized that Monday was only one day away.

On Sunday, the family visited another church where they felt strange and

uncomfortable. Trent realized that it was unrealistic to expect a small-town welcome in a big

city, but it didn’t make him feel any better. They ate dinner together and his father insisted that the whole family play a board game the twins were excited about.

Later, Trent heard his mom’s voice from the bottom of the stairs, “There’s something in

the newspaper you just have to read.” His heart sank. Had the secretary gone public with his

part in Spike’s arrest?

His mom handed him the magazine section of the paper. A smiling principal Purdy and

his wife were on the cover with the caption, “AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER”. Trent

couldn’t believe what he read:

“How can a story which begins with a suspicious wife hiring a

detective, an apparent attempt on the life of a high school principal,

and a secretary who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong

time turn out to the satisfaction of all concerned? Fiction was never

this good.

“It all started when Ralph Purdy’s lifelong friend, Donald Krump,

a multi-millionaire business tycoon, bet him $200,000.00 that he

couldn’t stick out two more years as principal once he was eligible to

retire. Randolph Purdy, never a man to run from a challenge, decided to

go for it. He didn’t tell his wife because he wanted to surprise her with

a trip around the world for their thirtieth wedding anniversary. However,

the main plot of the soap opera which Bernice Purdy always followed

and the fact that the good-looking single principal’s secretary at

Eisenhower High had also postponed her retirement made Mrs. Purdy

suspicious. Using her inheritance money, she hired a private detective

who installed a hidden video camera with a recording device in the

school office.

“While revealing absolutely no improprieties on the part of Mr.

Purdy and Miss Swanson, the video shows not only Spike Williams

putting poison in the principal’s coffee, but also the police reaction.

Since proper official procedure was not followed by the policemen making

the arrests, the case couldn’t stand up in court. Spike’s uncle, Brant

Williams, a famous ACLU trial lawyer, was able to secure the release

of his nephew and his friends, assuring everyone that it was all a boyish

prank.

“Spike has a long history of practical jokes,” Attorney Williams

told the press. “This one went too far but it was innocent. Acting on a dare,

he did poison the coffee but he planned to neutralize it immediately.”

Both the tasteless poison and the antidote were found on Spike’s

person.

“Spike had these things readily available because he had made an

A+ report on poisons and antidotes in chemistry last year. He entered

the project in the science fair and took third place.

Miss Swanson was interviewed by phone from her sister’s place

in Dallas. She said she had enjoyed her job and for this reason opted to

work another year, but that the poison incident made her long for a

less stressful lifestyle. She submitted her retirement papers that very

day and left for Dallas. Principal Purdy also has decided to retire.

“To top off a most amazing story, Bernice Purdy’s cousin who

works for a producer in Hollywood has arranged for the sale of movie

rights making the trip around the world a reality for the Purdy’s.

They are leaving for Europe on Monday.”

Trent couldn’t help marveling at the way God had protected him. He began to hope for

a normal life. The way he figured it, the Jaguars trying to harm him could make Mr. Purdy

suspect premeditated murder, and perhaps provoke a civil lawsuit. He thought that Spike would

be too smart to risk that. And he got a wonderful e-mail from Celina who had just returned

from a weekend out of town. He really felt like he could face another week.

Before school on Monday, Darcy and a tall African-American guy who was built like a

refrigerator were waiting at Trent’s locker.

“This is Omar,” Darcy introduced. “He’s also a Christian.”

“And he plays football so well, he gets interviewed on T.V.,” Trent added. “It’s not often

I get to meet celebrities!”

Omar just grinned. “I hear you play basketball. I’m also on the basketball team. As soon

as football is over, I’ll have to lose some weight to be in shape, but right now I’m pigging out.”

“I hope I’m good enough to make the team here,” Trent worried.

“The coach is a decent guy and he’ll give you a chance to prove yourself,” Omar

encouraged. “Our team…”

“Marina is going to save a lunch table by the Coke machine,” Darcy interrupted. “I

thought all the Christians should start eating together.”

“I’m there,” Trent assured her. “It’s amazing we all have first lunch.”

Before they left, Darcy handed him a paper. He read it before opening his locker: “I think

you’re off the hook. The objective was reached. It would be very dangerous to do anything to

arouse suspicion. DESTROY.”

Once again, Trent tore up the note, putting parts into two different trash cans.

When lunch time rolled around, he was very grateful not to have to take a seat at the

end of a table where he was a total outsider and where the conversation sometimes grew X-

rated.

He selected his food and headed toward the table nearest the Coke machine. Marina

was the only one already seated. Trent noticed that she had a bag lunch—and beautiful hands

with perfect fingernails painted only with a clear polish.

“It’s nice that you can join us.” Marina was cordial. “Darcy only mentioned the idea of

all of us eating together on Friday, and she has already organized everything. That’s Darcy!”

A thin, Hispanic guy with glasses approached the table. “I want you to meet my brother, Luís.”

Marina smiled.

Carrying a lunch bag, Luis quietly said, “Nice to meet you.”

Grinning, Omar approached with a tray piled high, and Darcy arrived still carrying books,

which she plopped down onto the table. “Don’t wait for me; I still have to go through the line.”

“We should pray, huh?” ventured Marina.

Trent lead in a short prayer and as soon as he said, “Amen,” Omar enthusiastically

suggested, “I say, let’s eat!” and dove into a plate of spaghetti; but soon, he was talking to Trent about basketbal .

Finally, Darcy sat down, explaining that she’d walked Mallory to the office because she

had heavy-duty family problems again. Handing Luis a paper and a pencil, Darcy pleaded, “Luís, if you don’t draw a rain drop asking a little boy to conserve water, my little brother will get an F

on his “Save the Environment” posters. He draws even worse than I do!”

Trent couldn’t believe how quickly Luís produced an absolutely fantastic picture, and

everyone teased Omar about finishing his big meal with a chocolate bar.

The bell rang, and Trent headed toward his locker to pick up his afternoon books.

Thankful for his new friends, he was amazed at how different they all were. Luís was as quiet as Omar was outgoing. Marina was sweet and encouraging, while Darcy was the intelligent, quick-thinking organizer who covered all the bases. He wondered what they thought of him.

Suddenly, he realized that five people could start a Bible club. Maybe all was not lost!

The next day at lunch, Trent told them all about the reason his family moved to L.A., the

Christian teen leadership camp he’d attended, and the feeling that God had sent him to start a Bible club at Eisenhower High. Remembering the strategy he’d been taught, he suggested that

they get together to pray.

“I have footbal practice after school,” Omar reminded everyone.

“I work at Taco Bell on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays,” Marina put in, “but Tracy

and I sometimes switch days.”

“I need to sleep until 7:26,” Luís added. Everyone laughed.

Darcy, as usual, analyzed the situation. “Since I don’t know of a Christian teacher to act

as our sponsor, we have to meet off-campus. Sorry, Luís, but I work on Saturdays, so morning is the only time. Marina, how about the laundry room of your apartment building? I doubt it’s

used at 7:00 a.m.”

Luís groaned.

“Just ring our apartment and I’ll be down to open the laundry room in the basement,”

Marina volunteered. “If you ring the doorbell for five minutes, Luis might even wake up and join us!” Everyone laughed again and Luís looked at them sheepishly.

Marina gave her address to Omar and Trent, saying, “It’s just two blocks east from the

door by the computer rooms.” They finally agreed to meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

On Thursday morning, Trent left home early and arrived at Marina’s building at 6:45. It

was rather run-down and Trent guessed that Marina and Luís brought bag lunches to save

money. His family had economic problems, but lunch money was considered a necessity. Trent

decided to wait for the others before ringing the doorbell. When Darcy came, she rang it.

Marina met them and brought them down to a rather dumpy laundry room.

“Is Luís still in bed?” asked Darcy.

“What else is new?” responded Marina.

“Omar’s a new Christian,” Darcy explained, “so he might not really realize how

important prayer is.”

They prayed for their school, for a Christian teacher to sponsor their club, that they’d

find other believers, for unsaved friends, for Spike and the gang, and for protection for Trent’s college biology report on Monday.

By Friday afternoon, Trent was beginning to have faith that God had sent him to L.A.,

that a Bible club was possible and that his senior year wouldn’t be a disaster. However, when

he stopped at his locker to collect the books he’d need for the weekend, an unsigned computer

printout had been stuffed through a locker vent. It read, “Snitches will pay.”

Trent was stunned—and terrified! Thinking he might need it for evidence, he put the

message in his folder. Now he was afraid to take the bus home. Frustration overwhelmed him.

When he tried to pray, there seemed to be a barrier between him and God. He felt abandoned

and alone.

“Lord,” he spouted, “we prayed for protection; how can this be happening? How can I

start a Bible club if my life is in danger? It’s just not fair!”

Looking around uneasily at the bus stop, Trent began reliving his nightmare. He

wondered who might be following him, and he wasn’t sure what to do next. His faith seemed to

have evaporated. He was afraid even to come to school, not to mention giving a report in Mr.

Murphy’s class. But maybe he wouldn’t even live that long.

CHAPTER FOUR

As soon as he got home, Trent e-mailed Celina, telling her about the note in his locker

which had to be from Spike’s gang. He shared his frustration and even admitted his fear. He

reminded her that his college biology report was on Monday. She e-mailed him right back,

assuring him of her prayers and telling him that her mother was calling the ladies of the prayer chain. Trent’s mom had received a call from a collection agency demanding immediate

payment for a big medical bill left over from the accident, so she was a basket case. His dad had suffered through a horrible day at work so Trent decided to keep his problems to himself.

He sensed the prayers for him as he went to work on his report. He wrote some ideas.

“Introduction: If Darwin were to come back today, he might be surprised to discover that

nowadays, intellectuals wouldn’t listen to someone like himself whose only formal studies were in theology; but that he, himself, was still a popular and controversial figure. He might be

shocked to discover that his idea, that living things could acquire characteristics like bigger muscles from exercising and pass them on to future generations or eliminate them by not using

them, had even been proven false. A guy by the name of Weismann had cut off the tails of rats

for twenty-one generations, only to find that baby mice were still born with tails. He might be interested to note how the extremely respected biologist who had taught at Harvard, Jay

Gould, had changed his theory. Gould liked Darwin’s basic idea that everything came from

natural causes but stated that no fossil evidence, no laws of mathematical probability, nor the tiny changes of mutations which subtract DNA information instead of contributing to its DNA

code support the claim that creatures slowly evolve in tiny steps. For this reason, he believes that creatures underwent giant changes. He called it ‘punctuated equilibrium’, which some

have dubbed the “happy monster theory”. Darwin would probably be shocked that other

prominent evolutionists like the late Carl Sagan and Francis Crick have made guess estimates

that the possibility of natural forces coming up with a man would be 102,000,000,000. Since

anything greater than 1050 is considered to be impossible, they argue that life came to us from outer space. I have quoted accurately from evolutionists trying to present the evidence

according to the main subgroups who believe in evolution. As you can see, there are some

differences of opinion, but all agree that chance plus time plus pre-existing matter came up

with everything we can see

around us today.”

Trent spent Saturday finding new information and carefully checking each quote making

sure that he used evolutionists themselves to cast doubt on the theory. He made an attractive

three-page handout and ran off copies for each of the 28 students in the class and Mr. Murphy.

On Sunday, Trent’s family attended a church where Trent really felt God’s presence and

the people seemed warm and caring. The sermon was on Daniel. A statement the pastor made

grabbed Trent: “If you look at the pictures of Daniel in the lions’ den, you’ll notice he’s not looking at the lions. He’s looking up to God and is totally depending on Him for protection.”

“Lord, I give you my fear and my frustration,” Trent prayed. “You’re going to have to

protect me from Spike, his gang—and Mr. Murphy.”

Monday came. At lunch, Darcy prayed for the food and asked God to use Trent’s report.

However, Mr. Murphy was in a horrible mood. He yelled at a girl who came running into

class, barely making her seat before the bell rang. After taking attendance, he announced,

“Trent Carson, your report is first.”

Trent was perspiring and he felt really nervous as he breathed a quick prayer and rose to

his feet; but as soon as he began talking, he felt as if God were taking over. He was able to

make his case clearly using visuals and charts. When he finished, the class broke into applause, shouting, “Go, Trent, go! Go, Trent, go!” They eagerly accepted his handouts and kept chanting.

“S-s-silence, p-p-please,” Trent stammered as he tried to make his voice heard. “We-we

should respect authority.” Realizing he was getting nowhere, Trent sat down and Mr. Murphy

exploded. Trent hardly heard the other reports. Now he was sure that Mr. Murphy would flunk

him.

After class, a knock-out, natural blonde with striking, blue eyes came up to him. “Your

report was fantastic,” she cooed. “And your accent is adorable. Where are you from?”

“Thanks,” Trent blushed. “I’m from Kansas.”

“I’m only taking this class in hopes of getting a full-tuition nursing scholarship,” she

informed him. “Mr. Murphy is so mean. But if he tries to flunk you, just let me know. I’m Mara Smith, and I’m a cheerleader. I have contacts with student council and my mother’s a wheel in

the P.T.A.”

“I hope it doesn’t come to that,” Trent said quietly. “It’s just that I couldn’t be a

hypocrite and tell him only what he wanted to hear.”

“We all admire you for your stand,” Mara assured him.

“Do you believe in evolution?” Trent asked.

“I did before I heard your report,” Mara answered sweetly. “Well, unfortunately I must

stop here at Mr. Watson’s English class. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Trent was flattered by the attention of such a pretty and popular girl. Plus, she seemed

so open. “Once we get the Bible club going,” he was thinking, “I could invite Mara and she

would be able to bring some influential kids with her.”

The next day in the lunch line, someone tapped him on the shoulder. Darcy was right

behind him. “Would you have given me permission to tape your college biology report?” she

queried.

“Of course.”

“Then I’ve got something for you.” She handed him a disk. “Keep it in case you need it.

Since you gave me your consent, this evidence will stand up in court—or in the principal’s

office.”

“Darcy,” Trent remarked as he put the disk in his pocket, “when you get to be a famous

trial lawyer, don’t forget that you know me.”

When everyone was seated at their lunch table, Luís asked everyone to listen up.

“This has got to be important,” Trent thought. “Luís rarely initiates a conversation.”

“I think my history teacher, Miss Wong, is a Christian,” he announced. “She said that

history doesn’t support the idea that dumb, ancient people gradually evolved into smart

people. She said that building the pyramids was so hard that engineers today would have

trouble doing it. She said that Sumerian is the oldest written language we know about, and its grammar is super-complicated. Plus, she seems to really care about us.”

“There’s only one way to find out,” Darcy declared. “Let’s go to her after school and ask

her.”

“I’ve got football practice.” It was Omar.

“How about doing it before school?” Darcy suggested. “Omar will think of something to

say even if the rest of us chicken out.”

“But I can’t even say my name in the morning and I certainly can’t introduce you all to

Miss Wong,” lamented Luís. “And she’s my teacher so I have to be there.”

“Luís doesn’t say anything until 10:00 a.m. We better go after school.” Marina defended

her brother.

So when the dismissal bell rang, the three of them gathered at Luís’s locker. The door to

her room was open and Miss Wong was seated at her desk grading papers, so they walked in.

“Miss Wong,” Luís began uncertainly, “I’d like you to meet my sister, Marina, and my

friends, Trent and Darcy.”

“I’m happy to meet all of you,” Miss Wong smiled.

“We-we-we’d like to st-start a Bible club,” Trent stuttered, “and we-we, well, we need a

sponsor.”

“We’re all Christians and we wondered if you might be one, too,” Darcy added.

“I certainly am,” Miss Wong replied. “I’ve been praying that God would use me at this

school. I’ll introduce you to Dan, Connie and Gwen. They all go to my church.”

Just then, a thin Asian girl with long, black hair walked in. There were tears in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” asked Miss Wong.

“Mr. Murphy made fun of me in front of the whole class. He saw my Ten

Commandments book cover and accused me of believing in Adam and Eve and the talking

snake. I was so embarrassed I couldn’t think of anything to say.”

Trent’s heart sank. He felt he was doomed to get an F on his report.

“Connie,” Miss Wong sympathized, “it’s not always easy to be a Christian, but the price

is worth it—and we’re not alone in this school. I’d like you to meet four more Christians— Luís, Marina, Trent, and what’s your name again?” she asked, looking at Darcy.

“Darcy Miller.”

Connie looked at Luís. “You’re in Ms. Hillman’s English class with me first hour, right?”

“Unfortunately. I’m hardly awake and I just don’t get grammar.”

“I’d be glad to help you if you have trouble,” Connie offered. “English is my best subject.

It’s biology that worries me.”

“Thanks,” Luís answered shyly.

“You’re not the only one in trouble with Mr. Murphy,” Trent consoled. “I may flunk the

class.”

“We’d better start praying for Mr. Murphy,” Marina advised. “Maybe he has some big

personal problems.”

“You’re invited to the prayer meeting tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. in the laundry room of the

apartment building where Marina and Luís live,” Trent told Connie. “It’s just two blocks from

school.”

Marina wrote out her address and drew a map for Connie.

“I’ll do my best to help you get a room to meet in,” Miss Wong promised, “but I’m a new

teacher and I need to find out what the law says about Bible clubs in schools and talk to

someone in the office. Until then, feel free to come to me with your problems.”

“Do you have first lunch?” Darcy asked Connie.

“No.”

“Too bad! Because we’d like to have you eat with us at the table nearest the Coke

machine.”

The next morning, Connie showed up at the prayer meeting with a nice-looking Oriental

guy named Dan. Besides praying for a room to meet in at the school, their friends, and

protection from Spike’s gang, they prayed specifically for Mr. Murphy.

Trent walked the two blocks back to school with Dan, who was carrying his trumpet.

“So, you’re in the band,” Trent started the conversation.

“I’ve played trumpet since I was nine.”

“You must really be good. Do you come from a Christian home?”

“No, my parents are Buddhists,” Dan said sadly.

“How did you become a Christian?” Trent asked.

“In ninth grade, I started taking drugs and rebelling big time. I got invited to a Christian

concert. I accepted Christ and my life changed completely. My parents were so afraid I’d go

back to drugs that they let me go to church. But they still think it’s a stage I’m going through.”

“It must be hard to be the only Christian in the family,” Trent commented.

“It is.”

After going through school security, they separated. Trent realized that it was God’s

miracle that he’d already met so many Christians.

At lunch the next day, Omar asked Trent, “Can I pray that I make a lot of touchdowns?”

“Well,” Trent said thoughtfully, “You can certainly pray that God will help you to do your

best and glorify Him.”

“Are you guys coming to see me play in Friday’s game?” He talked like a little boy who

wanted to be noticed.

“We could all sit together,” organized Darcy.

“Except Dan. He plays in the band,” Marina corrected. “I’ll try hard to change my work

hours.”

“He can join us after the game,” Darcy planned.

Sitting in the stands, Trent realized how much he’d missed having some place to go with

his friends. He thanked God for this opportunity. Connie was sitting with Gwen, another

Oriental girl who was a little on the plump side. Trent noticed that she was full of life, cheering enthusiastically, and that she ate two boxes of popcorn. Darcy and Marina introduced him to

Mallory, a timid girl with fair skin, green eyes and auburn hair. Trent also got the opportunity to know Luís a little better.

“So, what do you like to do besides draw?” Trent asked.

Just then, the center hiked the ball to the quarterback, who handed off the ball to Omar.

He started plowing up the middle, fighting off defenders. Trent found himself praying that he’d make a touchdown—and he did! They all screamed their approval. As the cheerleaders swung

into action, Trent noticed how graceful and gorgeous Mara really was. He had heard guys in the locker room say that she’d be homecoming queen. Trent imagined how elegant she’d appear in

a formal.

“To answer your question,” it was Luís, “I’ve only been surfing with a board once, but it

was way cool. But at least I can go to the beach and body surf.”

“How good a swimmer do you have to be to surf?” Trent wanted to know.

“Probably pretty good,” answered Luís.

“I swim like a Kansan—and that’s not very good,” Trent lamented.

“Here you’ll have a chance to improve,” Luís encouraged.

After the game, which Eisenhower won, Dan joined them in the bleachers for their

organizational meeting. He was wearing his band uniform and carrying his trumpet case.

“Why don’t we have prayer on Tuesdays and Bible study on Thursdays?” Dan wondered

out loud. “If we can get Miss Wong’s room, that’s fine. But, if not, my dad sells carpeting so I can get old carpet squares for us to sit on in the laundry room so we can be more comfortable.”

“That’s a good idea,” Trent agreed. “I can begin by using the Bible studies from my camp

manual.”

“I also have some we can use,” Dan offered.

On Monday, Miss Wong reported that school policy stated she had to go through the

principal to become advisor for a club and since Mr. Purdy had not yet been replaced, the

assistant principal she talked to would not authorize it.

Despite this, there were eight kids at the Bible club’s first meeting in the laundry room!

The Bible study went well, and Trent was elated. Only Marina, Darcy and Dan showed up for

prayer, but still it was a good start. Besides, the church Trent’s family had continued to attend had a youth meeting on Saturday and Trent intended to go.

But on Friday, Trent got his biology report back. There was a red F on the evaluation

sheet—with the words: “Student did not stick to the topic assigned” written over the entire

sheet. Trent flushed with anger but he managed to control himself. Mara was waiting for him at the door.

“Did Mr. Murphy flunk you?” she asked.

“I’m afraid so.”

“It’s just like him. I got a D and I worked really hard. He’s so mean and unfair; maybe my

mother can get him fired.”

Trent left her at her English class and he realized that other guys were noticing, and that

being seen with Mara was adding to his popularity.

But when he got home, his mind was on the F he’d received. It wasn’t fair. He’d worked

so hard, and he had used material only from evolutionists. Now it was too late to transfer to

another class.

When he sat down at the computer to pour out his heart to Celina, he found a long

message from her. “Trent,” she had written, “You’re a fantastic guy and a great Christian. It’s a privilege to have you as a friend. But just in case you’re expecting something more, I need to level with you. Since I returned from camp, I’ve been dating our new pastor’s son. Brandon is a junior in college.”

Trent was stunned. He’d hardly admitted to himself that Celina had filled his daydreams

and how much e-mailing her and confiding in her really meant to him. And Celina had done

nothing to encourage him. Her messages had always been short and to the point. He had read

into them the feelings he hoped were there. He decided that food might help, so he headed

toward the kitchen. But somehow, he stopped in front of the hall mirror. He decided he just

might not be handsome enough for a girl as pretty as Celina. His wispy blond hair was too fine, his nose a little large and his deep-set blue eyes not big enough. His large hands were an asset on the basketball court, but he thought he’d look better if they were smaller. At least he didn’t have acne and his ears didn’t stick out. He wondered what Brandon looked like.

Should he stop e-mailing Celina? Should he just write some casual stuff, like he never

thought of more than friendship? If he remained faithful, she might break up with Brandon and

the things he dreamed about might come true. He didn’t know who to talk to, so he’d probably

try to stuff it.

He couldn’t do anything about Celina, but maybe there was a way to change his college

biology grade. He decided to talk to his father about Mr. Murphy.

CHAPTER FIVE

Almost as soon as Marina got home from working for her friend at Taco Bell on

Saturday, the phone rang. It was Darcy. She was still at work but wondered if she could stop by to talk. Marina invited her over for the enchiladas her mom was making.

“Hasta que venga Darcy,” her mom instructed, “Hay que planchar.”

“Si, mama,” replied Marina, plugging in the iron and beginning with a pile of clothes in

the basket. She wondered what Darcy’s mother had done now and hoped she could marry a

man who made enough money so she could buy things that never needed ironing.

Her mind drifted back to the day more than two years ago when she’d met Darcy.

Having moved north from a border town, Marina, then a ninth-grader, felt out of place in the

big, L.A. high school and was praying for a Christian friend. She had gone to the library to get some information for an assignment, and there she saw a girl reading her Bible! It was Darcy.

She’d introduced herself and asked Darcy if she were a Christian. Darcy was so happy to meet

her that she hugged her on the spot.

“I’m new here,” Darcy had explained. “When my grandmother died suddenly of a heart

attack, I had to move to L.A. to live with my mother, a woman I hardly know, two half-brothers, and her boyfriend. It’s so hard.”

“I’m sure it is,” Marina had sympathized. “I’m having a difficult time just with a new

school. Was your grandmother a Christian?”

“A very good one,” Darcy answered. “She taught me that if I have Jesus I have

everything I need. I try to remember that. It’s just that my mom abandoned me when I was

three. She graduated with honors from high school and got a scholarship to study nursing here

in L.A. She never returned for me, and now I’m only an obligation.”

“My family isn’t perfect,” Marina had told her, “but my mom is a wonderful Christian

who really knows how to pray and when he isn’t drunk, my dad is a very neat man. You’ll

always be welcome at my house.”

While Darcy was struggling with the grief and shock of having lost her grandmother, she

faced other issues as well. Her mother’s rejection and promiscuous lifestyle, adjusting to a big city, a rough school, and a chaotic home life made her feel vulnerable and lonely. It was then that she had met Michael, a senior footbal player.

“I can’t believe it! Michael asked me out, and I’m only a sophomore!” Darcy told Marina.

“He’s not a Christian,” Marina had reminded.

Darcy defended, “But when he called me last night, my mother interrogated him. She

was impressed and gave me the first compliment ever! She said, ‘Darcy, congratulations. It

takes class to attract a man like Michael.’”

Darcy started dating Michael and reported that he was a perfect gentleman who was

interested in knowing more about the Gospel. He even took her to a Christian concert!

Because she was innocent and new to L.A., Darcy had no idea that Michael measured

manhood by the number of girls he could seduce—and he enjoyed a real challenge. One

Saturday, he took Darcy to an elegant restaurant. When Darcy realized that date-rape was the

final thing on the menu, she fought back and screamed so loudly that passing policemen came

to her rescue and took her directly to the hospital. Darcy had been badly beaten up, and the

scar on her left cheek had remained.

Michael had bragged to the guys the day before that he planned to add another girl to

his hit list of conquests that weekend. However, when he appeared at school on Monday with a

black eye and word got out that Darcy was in the hospital, students filled in the blanks. Darcy escaped with her purity, but the guys at school scorned her and most of the girls considered her to be a prude, figuring that she should have known that having sex was part of dating a football player. During that time of physical and emotional recovery, Darcy and Marina had gotten very

close—and it stayed that way.

When Darcy rang the doorbell, Marina clicked off the iron and closed the door behind

her so they could sit in the stairway and talk.

“Darcy, what’s wrong?” Marina asked kindly.

“My mom let another man move in with her,” Darcy began desperately, as she spilled

out her heartbreak. “And I prayed so hard that it would never happen again. After Darnell

moved out, my home had become a little bit like normal. My mom got the head nurse position

so there’s more money, my brothers calmed down a little, and I even thought my mother could

become my friend.”

Darcy began to cry and Marina cradled her in her arms. “All I know,” she said softly, “is

that God is greater than any problem and we can’t ever stop praying.”

“It’s just that this man seems worse than the others,” Darcy sobbed. After crying for a

few minutes, she regained her composure. “There’s something about him that makes me recoil.

I guess I’m afraid of what he might do. I can’t figure it out; it doesn’t make sense. He always has lots of money, but he never goes to work in the morning. My mom’s smart and successful, but

she can’t live without a man and seems to always get involved with losers.”

Darcy dried her tears. The two girls sat in silence for a while. Finally, Darcy spoke.

“I guess that everything that has happened has made me afraid of men. It’s hard to

explain, but I’m really attracted to Omar. I’m also scared. He’s another football player.”

“Omar’s a neat guy,” Marina assured her. “He’s full of fun and talkative. He’s also

sincere and honest.”

“He’d find a nerd like me boring,” Darcy lamented. “And he’s still a baby Christian.”

“Darcy, you’re as sharp as they come,” Marina told her. “Besides being smart, you have

athletic talent, a neat personality, and you’re pretty.”

“But, here’s this scar on my cheek.”

“Any guy who’s worth it will value that scar as the price you paid to someday marry with

no regrets,” Marina assured her.

“You are the most understanding friend anyone could ever have,” Darcy complimented.

“Right now, I need some understanding,” Marina admitted. “Because I’ve never

accepted a date from a non-Christian, I’ve never gone out with anyone. My mom said it took

her only one date to fall madly in love with my dad—and that led to marrying an alcoholic who

will have nothing to do with her faith. I’m definitely not going to repeat her mistake. Because of my fear, I’ve never let myself fall for another guy. But now, I have a terrible crush on…” Marina hesitated.

“Trent,” Darcy finished her sentence. “I could tell.”

“Do you think it’s obvious?” worried Marina.

“Not to anyone else.”

“I don’t know how to handle it,” Marina began uncertainly. “Every time I see him, I get

butterflies in my stomach and I’m not sure what to say. I’m self-conscious about my accent and I’m afraid I’ll make a grammar mistake. I admire everything about him—the way he stutters

when he’s nervous, his walking so fast and taking such long steps I nearly have to run to keep up with him, all he knows about science and most of all, his commitment to Christ.”

“Maybe he likes your Spanish accent as much as you enjoy his Kansas accent.”

“Oh, I hope so.”

“We’re both in the same boat,” Darcy clarified. “We have to trust God and look for His

will. What He wants will be best in the long run, but sometimes it’s hard to see at the moment.

Hmm, I’d better tell you this so you don’t get your hopes up. Omar told me that Trent

exchanges e-mails with a girl in Kansas.”

“She’s probably beautiful, rich, and from a super Christian family.”

“You’re the sweetest girl on the planet,” Darcy assured her. “The guy that gets you wil

be very fortunate.”

“Thanks for the encouragement,” Marina returned. “I realize that I like Trent so much

that I may be reading something into it, but I’ve seen him in the halls with Mara several times. I really worry about that.”

“You’re not the only one,” Darcy said. “She waits for him every day after college biology.

He’s lived such a sheltered life and has no idea of Mara’s reputation. She’s downright

dangerous.”

“We have to warn him, don’t we?” asked Marina.

“But no guy will listen to a couple of girls saying that the homecoming queen candidate

is super bad news,” Darcy cautioned.

“Why don’t we talk to Miss Wong?” suggested Marina.

“Enchiladas!” called Marina’s mother.

“Marina,” Darcy thanked, “I really appreciate the way you treat me like a sister. Mexico

must be a wonderful country if other families are as friendly as yours.”

Marina smiled. When she first came to the States, she was sometimes ashamed of her

family because she wanted so badly to fit in and be American, but more and more she was

beginning to appreciate her heritage. As they walked into the apartment, her younger sisters

and six-year-old Tony greeted Darcy with hugs—a custom Darcy’s little brothers knew nothing

about.

Even though their apartment was so small, her mother always kept it orderly—

something she’d never appreciated until she visited the larger, nicer homes of her friends.

As usual, her father turned on the charm when there was a guest telling all his favorite

jokes. Her mom was as quiet as Luis so her father took charge of the conversation. When the

meal was over, her father looked at Darcy, “A señorita shouldn’t go home on the bus after dark.

We’ll drive you.”

But after dropping Darcy off and bringing Marina to the apartment, he left for the bar.

At 4:00 a.m., he came home so violent that her mother locked the boys’ bedroom and then

locked herself in with Marina and her sisters. It happened a couple of times a month so Marina just went back to sleep, but she was sure that her mother would be on her knees praying for a

good while.

On Tuesday, the only person who showed up to pray was Trent. Marina felt nervous and

self-conscious—and it was hard to really pray. Trent prayed that they’d be able to win some

really popular kids to Christ and that concerned Marina.

By the time they were to walk the two blocks to school, Marina was relieved that Luís

had joined them. Barely awake, he added nothing to the conversation.

“Sorry to hear that Mr. Murphy gave you an F on your report,” Marina ventured.

“My dad said he would talk to someone in the office,” Trent told her. “Please pray that

things can be straightened out.”

“I will.”

“I wonder why Darcy and Dan didn’t make it. Connie promised me she’d be here.”

“It’s not like Darcy not to show up,” Marina declared. “Something must have happened

at the last minute.”

Entering the door, they met Mara. She greeted Trent while ignoring Marina and Luís.

Trent didn’t seem to notice. He just said, “See you at lunch,” and walked off with Mara.

Mara was wearing an expensive new outfit and looked stunning. Marina looked down at

the used clothes she was wearing. She realized that tacos, enchiladas and refried beans would

never give her Mara’s slim figure. Most likely, Trent preferred Anglo girls with blue eyes and blonde hair. She suddenly felt second-rate.

Instinctively, she began praying, “Trent isn’t mine, Lord. He’s yours. But keep him from

bad girls like Mara.” Marina felt like crying so she took refuge in the nearest bathroom where she did some heavy-duty praying and tried to compose herself.

“I went to the black mass last night with the gang,” she overheard a girl say, “but it was

no big deal. When I complained, Ice Cube told me that they’d heard that the prayers of

Christians interfere with the spirits. She said that Spike is planning to hunt down the culprits.”

Marina felt a shiver go down her spine. Panic filled her heart, but a verse her mother

always quoted when she prayed came to her mind. “I have given you authority to trample on

snakes and scorpions, and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing by any means will

harm you. (Luke 10:19).”

“Lord,” she prayed, “You have all power and nothing will harm us. That’s in Your Word.”

The five-minute warning bell rang, so Marina hurried off to class. She had no idea if the

four girls who were combing their hair were the ones she’d overheard. She didn’t know any of

them.

At lunch, Darcy apologized for not making prayer meeting. “My mother’s boyfriend

yelled at my little brother for no reason and called him some terrible names. He was so upset I just couldn’t leave him until he felt a little better.”

After school, Marina and Darcy went to see Miss Wong. First they explained their

concerns about Trent. They decided to tell what Marina had heard about Spike wanting to hunt

down the Christians who were praying since it couldn’t be linked in anyone’s mind to Trent’s

first-day-of-school encounter with Spike.

“Come to my car with me,” Miss Wong invited. “We can go to my apartment and pray

together.”

The three of them prayed and afterwards Miss Wong drove Darcy home and then

Marina. She was very caring and Marina could tell that she was a woman of prayer.

On Thursday, Trent was twenty minutes late to the Bible study and at 7:07, Dan started

to give a Bible study, first explaining that he’d missed the Tuesday prayer meeting because of a before-school practice for the marching band. The Bible study he gave was excellent, but

Marina could see that Trent was upset. She started praying, “Keep Dan and Trent from

competing for the leadership of the club.”

At the end, Darcy explained what Marina had overheard and suggested they leave early,

scatter and enter the school in pairs or individually using different doors. Marina and Darcy

walked behind the building to enter from the opposite direction.

It was the first day that Gwen started eating lunch at their table in the cafeteria. Omar

brought a rubber cockroach with him and placed it on Darcy’s pizza when she had turned to

admire Gwen’s new purple blouse. Seeing the cockroach, Darcy let out a blood-curdling scream

and a full lunchroom of students turned their attention towards their table.

“Don’t worry. Now he’s dead,” comforted Omar, as he pretended to squish the

cockroach in his napkin.

“I’m not hungry,” announced Darcy.

“One fact will help you get your appetite back,” assured Omar, who was showing off.

“This here rubber cockroach was sterilized before being placed on your pizza.” And he slowly

opened his napkin.

Darcy blushed and everyone laughed.

However, Marina noticed Crystal’s cold stare and once again felt fear. Now everyone in

the gang will know who the Christians are, she thought. They’ve probably heard us pray before we eat.

She decided to keep this one to herself and just pray more. She knew that Darcy would

be happy that Omar had singled her out for special attention and she didn’t want to ruin her

day. Besides, the God who enabled David to kill Goliath could protect a group who prayed in

the laundry room of an apartment building before school and thanked God for the food they

ate.

Gwen was a delightful addition to their group. Only a ninth grader, she was almost as

outgoing as Omar and her presence made lunch time more enjoyable.

The next week was totally normal with five at Tuesday’s prayer meeting and eight at

Thursday’s Bible study. The following Tuesday, a lady was washing clothes in the laundry room.

When Marina explained what they were doing, she asked them to pray for her son, who was on

drugs.

On Wednesday night, Luís had asked little Tony to splash cold water in his face to wake

him up the next day. Tony liked the idea so much he woke up at 6:00 a.m. and brought a whole

pitcher of ice water into the bedroom. Luís jumped out of bed and the commotion served as a

family alarm clock. Luís was the first one at Bible study, making good on the free lunch Omar

had promised if he came on time and awake. Darcy, Trent, Dan, Gwen and Connie all arrived on

time and although she was ten minutes late, Mallory showed up.

When Trent stood to lead in prayer and start the Bible study, Marina’s heart skipped a

beat. Trent was her dream man; a dedicated Christian, a considerate gentleman, tall, blond and handsome with square shoulders and a ready smile. “Dear God,” she prayed silently, “Trent is

yours, not mine, but please could he like me?”

Suddenly, a window shattered as a bullet came whizzing through it!

CHAPTER SIX

“Get down!” Omar shouted amid the screams as three more shots crashed into the

laundry washing machines.

Marina put her head between her knees, too stunned to react. She finally started

praying. A couple of girls were sobbing and she heard someone rev up the motor of a car and

screech the tires for a quick get-away. In a moment, people from the apartment building burst

into the laundry room, demanding to know what had happened. Marina finally had the courage

to look around. Gwen’s face was literally white and there was terror in her eyes. Horrified,

Marina saw the bullet mark on the washing machine behind Gwen. It had missed her head by a

couple of inches.

“The guy got away in a green Camaro,” a man announced. “I only saw the back of his

head and that he was wearing a black baseball cap. Tell that to the cops. I have to go to work.”

“Is everybody okay?” It was Trent.

Marina felt like she was operating in a fog. Nothing seemed real and she remained

paralyzed by fear. Mallory was still crying and Darcy had put an arm around her.

The police arrived to mark off the crime scene and to take three squad cars of witnesses

to the police station. Marina sat between Darcy and Connie in the back seat. It all seemed like a scene from a movie. No one spoke and police two-way radio communications provided the only

noise. When they arrived at the police station, Marina decided it really was like what she’d seen on T.V. programs.

After questioning Omar and Luís, an officer interrogated Marina.

“Why were you all in the laundry room so early in the morning?”

“We were having a prayer meeting.”

“Do you live in the apartment building?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think you know who did the shooting?”

“No.”

“Did you see the get-away car or the man with the gun?”

“No, but a neighbor said he saw a green Camaro drive away.”

“Do you know of any motive for this shooting?”

“Maybe Spike’s gang at Eisenhower doesn’t like us.”

“Who’s Spike?”

“The guy who poisoned the principal’s coffee. He’s the head of a dangerous gang.”

“Do you have any specific evidence?” The look in the policeman’s blue eyes was intense.

“No, only that I overheard that Spike wanted to find out who was praying against his

black masses?”

“Who said that?”

“I heard it in the bathroom and I didn’t recognize any of the girls,” Marina answered

sincerely.

“Thank you.”

Squad cars brought them all to school late and a policeman explained to the attendance

clerk the reason for their not being on time. Marina took her excused tardy pass to history class but she didn’t hear a word the teacher said. Still in a daze, she relived the morning’s events in her mind.

At lunch, even Omar had nothing to say. Marina automatically bowed her head to pray.

“Thank you, Lord, for your protection and bless this food.” But the ‘lonche’ her mother had

packed for her didn’t even look appetizing. One by one, the others visibly thanked God for the food before starting to eat. But she wasn’t the only one who wasn’t hungry. Omar’s tray only

had a hamburger and chocolate milk.

Finally, Trent spoke. “It’s a miracle that no one got hurt. We’re going to have to pray like

mad that we get to use Miss Wong’s room.”

Marina did okay until sixth hour choir. When Mr. Baker announced that she was chosen

to sing the solo for the fall concert for which several, including Crystal, had tried out, Marina’s happiness was short-lived. Crystal was visibly upset and looked at Marina with hatred in her

eyes.

Fear welled up in Marina’s heart. She imagined that Spike and Crystal had planned the

sniper attack, that they were angry because no one had gotten hurt, and that now she’d be

singled out for harassment because she got the choir solo. She wondered if she’d even be able

to sing—maybe they’d kill her before the concert and Crystal would take her place.

“Marina, I want to see you after class,” Mr. Baker said, interrupting her anxious

thoughts.

As soon as the bell rang, she walked toward the podium.

“Marina, you have tremendous natural talent. You’ve got what it takes to win an “A”

rating in the state solo contest and to get Eisenhower High on the map. I want you to pick a

song and I’ll work with you after school on Mondays whenever I can.”

“Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. And I already know what song I want to sing.”

“What’s that?”

“Amazing Grace”

“That would never do,” Mr. Baker frowned. “It’s easy to sing and wouldn’t show off your

voice. Pick something more contemporary that the judges would like.”

Marina’s dream was to take voice lessons. Not only was Mr. Baker offering her free

help, but it was also on Mondays when she didn’t work. “Thank you, Jesus,” she whispered.

“You’re making my dreams come true. Help me to trust You to take care of me and not be

afraid.” She read four Psalms before going to bed and she slept soundly all night.

“Miss Wong wants to see all of us after school in her room,” Gwen informed them at

lunch on Friday. Marina had to work at Taco Bell, so she called Darcy as soon as she got home.

“What did Miss Wong have to say?” Marina inquired.

“She’s got permission for us to meet in her room,” Darcy responded.

“I thought that nothing could be done until we get a new principal.”

“That was just an excuse, but Miss Wong couldn’t tell us that.”

“So how did she get Mr. Bjork to change his mind?”

“Miss Wong has brains,” Darcy applauded. “She told the assistant principal about the

laundry room shooting and all the rumors about Spike’s gang. She pointed out that Mr. Purdy

and Miss Swanson may have resigned out of fear. She told them that if word got out that a

group of students met in the laundry room because, contrary to law, they were denied a

classroom, it would look bad for the administration and an investigation could be launched.”

“So Tuesday we meet in Miss Wong’s room?”

“Right!”

“We’re meeting at ten ‘til seven because the room has to be clear for all students at

twenty ‘til eight,” Darcy informed her. “Can you bring your guitar and lead us in some praise

songs before the Bible study on Thursday?”

“We go to an Hispanic church and I’m used to singing in Spanish.”

“Tomorrow we can pick out songs you know and I’ll buy some poster board to write out

the words for all to see,” Darcy offered.

“And you have to give me a copy of the words so I can practice,” Marina said. “We can

invite others to the meeting on Thursday.”

“I wonder if I can get Candy to come.”

“My dad wants me off the phone, so we’ll talk tomorrow.” Marina hung up.

When they met on Tuesday to pray, Miss Wong pulled down her shade and locked the

door before reading them a short newspaper article.

“Eisenhower High—If you talk to students at Eisenhower High, they don’t

believe the practical joke alibi of Spike Williams, who put poison in Principle

Purdy’s coffee. They say he planned to kill the principal and that the

resignations of Mr. Purdy and Miss Swanson were from fear of reprisals.

Edison students affirm that Spike Williams leads a gang of discontents

who dabble in the occult and who are out to get all who oppose them in any

way. Every student interviewed said that this gang is capable of using

violence and that they are feared by students and teachers alike.”

“This is a direct answer to prayer,” Miss Wong declared. “I feel that this newspaper

article is God’s way of protecting us. I don’t think the gang will try anything for a long time.”

After prayers of thanksgiving and interceding for the gang, Miss Wong unlocked the closed door and they continued praying.

On Thursday morning there were three new kids and Mara walked in twenty minutes

late and making sure that everyone noticed her. Trent smiled at her and continued the Bible

study. Afterwards, Mara came up to Trent, gushing out compliments. Marina couldn’t even

analyze all the emotions that competed within her. She had a feeling that Mara was a total fake and was mad at Trent for falling for her. Yet she cared for him deeply and was worried about

him. Plus, she felt guilty for thinking all of this. What if Mara were sincere? She hoped that Miss Wong would notice.

“Open Trent’s eyes,” she prayed, “and protect him.”

The following Monday, Marina brought Mr. Baker five Christian songs so he could

choose the one best suited for her voice. “Are you sure you wish to sing something so

politically incorrect?” Mr. Baker asked with displeasure. “I won’t impose my will on you and I’ll still help you, but I seriously doubt that judges will give an ‘A’ rating to anyone singing this kind of stuff.”

“But I can’t sing other songs from my heart,” Marina explained. “If I sing about my faith

in Jesus, there’s something special in my voice.”

“As I said, I won’t impose my will on you and I’ll still help you,” Mr. Baker conceded.

It’s not often I get someone with real talent.”

“Thank you very much,” Marina responded. “I’ll do my best.”

“You’re just going through a stage,” Mr. Baker commented. “Once you experience more

of life, you’ll realize that the Bible is a fairy tale and that believing in God is for those too weak to stand on their own.”

Mr. Baker picked out a song and gave her some pointers on breathing. At the end of her

practice, she asked, “Do you like Mexican empanadas? My mom makes them with apples,

pineapple, and pumpkin. If you like them, I’ll bring you some one day. Thanks for helping me.”

“As a matter of fact,” Mr. Baker answered, “I prefer apple—and secular songs.”

Marina felt sad. Seeing that Miss Wong was still in her room, Marina stopped in and

Miss Wong greeted her warmly. “You look like you could use a little encouragement.”

“Why is everything so hard?” Marina blurted out. “My dad’s drinking is getting worse.

Mr. Baker’s mad at me for choosing a Christian song for the solo contest. They might calm

down for a while, but Spike and his gang are out to kill us all. Money is so tight at my house that I only shop at the Salvation Army and ‘New to You’.”

“Marina,” Miss Wong said matter-of-factly, “God could kill the devil today if He wanted

to. Why do you think He doesn’t?”

“I’ve never thought about it.”

“Even the devil serves God’s purposes,” Miss Wong went on. “Each trial and each

temptation can make us stronger if we handle them right.”

“But why do they all have to come in bunches?” Marina queried.

“I’ve wondered that myself,” Miss Wong admitted candidly. “If there were no struggles,

there would be no victories. Don’t forget what God has already done. That no one was hit by a

bullet was God’s miracle. The publication of that newspaper article and our getting a room to

meet in was another. Heaven is made for overcomers and God is making sure we qualify.”

“I know you’re right,” Marina conceded, “but sometimes things are more than I can

take. Crystal hates me for getting the solo in the concert that she wanted. Spike might think

that I should be eliminated.”

“But God will keep you safe until His plan for you is completed,” Miss Wong returned.

“God’s given me a desire I’ve had for years—Mr. Baker is giving me free voice lessons to

prepare for the state solo contest; but if I get an ‘A’ rating and Crystal gets a ‘B’, I may pay with my life.”

“Marina, God will honor your choice to use your voice completely for Him. Your sticking

to your guns about singing a Christian song took courage. Believe me. That song will bless even the judges.”

“I hope so.”

Marina left feeling better. It was good to have an adult to talk to about school things.

She and her mom were close, but her mother had gone to school in Mexico and had only

completed sixth grade. She had no idea of the problems she faced in school. “God,” she prayed

as she left Miss Wong’s room, “I’m just going to have to trust you more.”

When she got home, Darcy called. “Marina,” she sounded frantic, “My mom’s working

nights for a whole month and I’m scared to be in the house with her boyfriend.”

“You can lock yourself in the bedroom,” Marina reminded her.

“The first thing I did when I moved here was to put a good lock on my door. But another

one wouldn’t hurt. I get paid Saturday. I even have Tommy’s old baseball bat under my bed—

just in case. I’m afraid for myself but I’m also afraid that if he tries anything, I could kill him! I can’t stand him. He’s such a wimp. He lost his job and he isn’t looking for another. He’s

extremely handsome and charming, but I think he’s nothing but a con artist. Besides, he seems

to have money even if he doesn’t work. On her days off, he’s taking my mother to Las Vegas.”

“I’ll be praying for you.”

The call was abruptly cut off and Marina figured that her mother’s live-in boyfriend had

entered the front door.

From the point of view of attendance, Thursday’s meeting was a big success. There were

ten kids present when Dan welcomed everyone and proceeded to give a terrific Bible study

using no notes. Trent walked in with Mara and another cheerleader when the meeting was

nearly over. The two cheerleaders quickly ran off to a short before-school squad meeting.

Marina and Darcy were talking with Mallory, who was distressed because her parents

had had a terrible fight, but Marina could overhear part of the conversation between Dan and

Trent.

“We can’t wait for you when you’re late,” Dan was saying. “We don’t have that much

time. Besides, you’re constantly being seen with a girl whose reputation couldn’t be worse.”

“But we’re to win the lost,” countered Trent. “Jesus associated with prostitutes and

sinners. Plus, Mara is honestly searching. She asks such intel igent questions.”

“You’d better watch out,” advised Dan, “and I think you must decide between being

leader of the Bible club and trying to win Mara.”

“A leader should also evangelize,” Trent insisted.

“When may I talk to both of you?” It was Miss Wong.

Marina had to admit that Dan was even better at giving Bible studies than Trent. She

sensed the tension between the two. She also wondered what students thought when they saw

Trent walking with Mara. Maybe Spike and his gang weren’t the biggest threats against the

Bible club, after all.

Miss Wong had informed them about a special youth rally on Saturday night. Trent said

he couldn’t go because he’d invited Mara and her friend to a youth event at his church.

However, Omar agreed to pick up Marina, Luís, and Darcy while Dan would bring Gwen,

Connie, and Mallory. Omar picked up Marina and Luís first.

“Darcy’s afraid of what her mother’s boyfriend might do, now that her mother is

working nights,” Marina worried out loud. “We really have to pray for her.”

“I have an idea,” Omar suggested. “Marina, you and Luís pray while I go to the door.”

Omar rang the doorbell. A good-looking man of medium height came to the door.

Compared to Omar, he looked small. Omar politely asked for Darcy.

When she appeared, he said, “Go to the car, Darcy, I have a matter to settle between

gentlemen.

“I’m Omar Johnson,” he introduced. “What’s your name?”

“A-Adrian Drake,” the surprised man replied.

Omar picked up the startled man and firmly pinned him against the porch wall. Then he

looked him straight in the eye and in a menacing, loud voice he snarled, “If you’re ever

disrespectful to Darcy, you’ll have to deal with me.” The terrified man proclaimed his innocence and begged for mercy. “I’m not accusing you of anything,” Omar said sternly, “but this is the

only warning you’ll ever get.”

Everyone was amazed. All Darcy could say was, “Thank you.”

Marina was quite sure that the prayers for Darcy’s safety had been answered. However,

she was very worried about Trent. Why would a girl like Mara make a play for Trent when guys

were waiting in line to date her? She thought Trent was cute, but he wasn’t super good-looking.

To Marina it was obvious that the Bible club bored Mara. Why would she pretend to like it?

Why would she bring a friend to Trent’s youth meeting, assuring that the whole school would

find out that she went to church on Saturday night? Was she in some way connected to Spike?

Was she part of some plot? Marina felt very uneasy and began to pray for Trent.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Trent glanced at the clock. It was 6:10 and the youth meeting started at 7:00. He took

one last look in the mirror, checked to make sure his fingernails were clean and absent-

mindedly picked up the newspaper which was on the table and began to thumb through it.

Then he took out his city map, studying it yet again so he was sure that he wouldn’t get lost on his way to Mara’s house. Mara had told him that Jillian was spending the weekend with her and

also wanted to come with them. He planned to leave at 6:23 so the timing would be perfect.

There was a queasy feeling in his stomach. He couldn’t deny that he was attracted to

Mara. After all, she was the most gorgeous girl he’d ever laid eyes on. In his daydreams, Mara was dramatically converted and then fell madly in love with him. He even pictured her in an

elegant wedding gown, walking slowly to the front of a candle-lit church where he was waiting

to take her arm. Just then the phone rang. It was Mara.

“Trent,” she informed him sadly, “my mom has a migraine, it’s my step-father’s bowling

night, and I’m stuck taking care of my sister’s baby. I’m so sorry. I was looking forward to

spending the evening with you. I’ll see you Monday in college biology.”

“Thanks for calling,” Trent responded, trying not to sound disappointed. “It’s too bad

you have to miss the special speaker, but they plan to tape his talk so I’ll give you a copy.”

Trent thought he heard girls laughing in the background. Dejectedly, he hung up the

phone. Was Mara just making an excuse? “But,” he told himself, “winning the lost isn’t easy and requires persistence. I won’t give up. Mara’s conversion could impact the whole school.” At

least he could relax and enjoy the youth event with no special responsibility.

On Sunday, his dad had a talk with him. “Son, I have an appointment with your

counselor tomorrow. I’ll bring the disk with me and will play it if I get the opportunity. I think we need to go the second mile on this one. I’m going to ask that you be given a chance to do a written report on another topic which will count in place of the F you received.”

“But once I start working on Saturdays, where will I get the time?” Trent worried.

“Some things are worth sacrificing for and this is one of them. It will be much easier for

Mr. Murphy to back down with an alternative assignment.”

“I know you’re right, Dad,” Trent conceded. Yet, Trent felt a little depressed. It was like

everything was against him. He dreaded facing Miss Wong the next morning.

Nevertheless, he got up early so he could talk with Miss Wong at 7:15. Obviously, Miss

Wong had overheard his conversation with Dan. He wondered what Miss Wong would tell him.

She had known Dan for three years so she’d most likely stick up for him. She’d probably want

Dan to be president of the club. Trent planned his defense; “God called me to start this club, so how can I hand it over to Dan?” He walked into her room three minutes early and sat down in

the desk closest to hers.

“Hi, Trent,” Miss Wong smiled. “It’s good to see you. I’ve been praying that Mr. Murphy

will grade you fairly in biology.”

“Thanks,” Trent replied. “What did you want to tell me?”

“Whenever we try to do something to reach out to non-Christians and strengthen those

who believe,” began Miss Wong, “the devil subtlely and actively opposes us. As I see it, Spike and his gang aren’t our worst problem.”

“You’re kidding,” Trent responded. “What could be worse than having our lives

threatened?”

“Satan knows how to set some pretty dangerous traps.”

“Like what?”

“Like sending an extremely beautiful girl to tempt a guy into making compromises and

even falling into sexual sin.”

“I’ve only talked to Mara,” Trent raised his voice defensively. “And my goal is to win her

for Christ. I…”

“I know that, Trent,” Miss Wong interrupted evenly, “but you have never been exposed

to predatory girls before. Mara has a reputation for sleeping around. Her interest in spiritual things doesn’t seem genuine.”

“How can you judge her?” Trent nearly exploded. “You’ve hardly said ‘hello’ to her. She

used to believe in evolution but now with the facts I’ve given her, she believes in creation. She asks very intelligent questions. She’s searching.”

“When I was part of a college Christian group,” Miss Wong explained, “we were given a

rule for evangelism: ‘Men evangelize men, and women evangelize women—period.’ Those with

vast experience told us, ‘If the person of the opposite sex thinks your interest is romantic when it’s really trying to bring him or her to Christ, you could cause a broken heart and drive the person further from the Gospel. And if you end up becoming romantical y involved, you could

end up dating and even marrying a non-Christian.’ Our leaders said, ‘Introduce the seeking

person to a caring, responsible person of their own sex.’”

“But Mara told me that I’m the only one she’s ever been able to talk to about religion.”

“Trent,” Miss Wong reminded him, “I’m a woman and I know how women think.

Women always use flattery to impress a man. You’re naïve and you don’t realize the kind of

trap Mara may be setting for you.”

“You talk as if being from Kansas makes me out of touch with reality and that’s not

true,” protested Trent. “Besides, you’re judging Mara before getting to know her. She told me

that a girl who didn’t make cheerleading spread ugly, false rumors about her. Just think how

many kids she could influence if she accepts Christ.”

“Trent, I’m not going to try to run your life,” Miss Wong assured him, “But I could never

live with myself if I didn’t give you this warning. Mara appears to be after you, and in her crowd, dating automatically includes having sex.”

“She’s never said anything out of place,” insisted Trent. “I’m trying to rescue her from

hell.”

“Please remember,” Miss Wong said firmly, “that God is the One who saves—not us.

Praying for Mara will be much more effective than all your strategies and answering all her

questions.”

Trent couldn’t believe that Miss Wong could feel that way about Mara. But then, his

mother had once said that women are all jealous of an exceptionally beautiful lady.

“There’s one other thing,” ventured Miss Wong. “You and Dan are both especially gifted

and solid leaders. The Enemy will try to make you compete with each other and try to cause

friction between you. Both of you have to work hard to prevent it.”

“You think Dan should be the leader,” Trent blurted out, “but God cal ed me to Los

Angeles to start this club.”

“Trent,” Miss Wong cautioned, “God has called all of us—each person has a role to fill.

God especially guided me to take the opening at this school. Dan’s parents had decided to

move to San Francisco when everything fell through at the last minute. My suggestion is that

the two of you share leadership responsibilities taking turns leading the Thursday meetings.

And I’d like both of you to come prepared to every meeting—just in case one of you can’t make

it or there’s an unavoidable delay. Meeting before school like we do, it’s not always possible even to tell anyone that you’ll be late. And Trent, I don’t want Dan to replace you.”

Trent looked at his watch uneasily.

“Think about the idea of shared leadership and I’ll talk to you together on Wednesday

morning at 7:15 a.m. Thanks for coming. I’ll see you in prayer meeting tomorrow.”

A student walked in from the hall and Trent headed towards his locker, fuming. Why

couldn’t Miss Wong appreciate all he was doing? After all, he was risking his life! He was giving his best effort. His willingness to stand up for the Bible in biology had started the ball rolling so the club could take shape. He was the one with the heart for evangelism. He would have

expected Miss Wong to be excited about his evangelizing a cheerleader. Didn’t she realize the

influence Mara had at Eisenhower? With her attitude, no wonder Mara didn’t feel at home in

the club. Why did Miss Wong criticize him and stick up for Dan? Trent stopped to open his

locker.

There was a gentle tap on his shoulder. It was Mara.

“What are you doing, big boy?” There was a twinkle in her big, clear, blue eyes as she

fluttered her long lashes.

Trent felt a surge of emotion. “Since I can’t skip and go to the beach,” he told her, “I

better get my books for English and physics.”

“Tell me about the Saturday night meeting,” Mara coaxed. “What was the speaker’s

topic?”

Trent related the main points, even giving the message of salvation.

“I’ve never heard that before,” Mara marveled, “and it’s way cool.”

They talked until the warning bell rang and Trent thought again about how mistaken

Miss Wong was.

The day was uneventful until he came to college biology. Mr. Murphy was on the

rampage. He tried hard to put Trent on the spot but Trent knew the answer to each question

and that obviously bothered his teacher. After class, Mara was waiting for him.

“Did your father talk to the counselor yet?” she asked sweetly.

“His appointment was at 8:00 this morning.”

“Well, just let me know if things don’t work out. My mother’s going in to make him

change my D and she can mention your unfair F at the same time.” Mara paused and looked up

at Trent with admiration. “I can’t believe how smart you are. May I borrow your bio notebook

for tonight? I missed some things today. I’m just trying to figure out what life’s all about.”

“If you accept Jesus as your Savior, you’ll know,” Trent declared.

“I just need a chance for a long talk with you about these things,” Mara said, fluttering

her long eyelashes. “How about going to the beach on Saturday? We could just walk along the

waterfront and talk.”

“My Saturday job doesn’t start for another week so I’m free,” Trent accepted her

invitation.

“Well, I can’t be late for Spanish.”

“See you in college biology.”

Trent was excited. He imagined himself leading Mara to Christ and her giving her

testimony to all the popular kids in school, resulting in many conversions and his leading a huge Bible club which would totally change Eisenhower High.

That evening, his father came upstairs to his room and reported to Trent. “Your

counselor immediately sent me to Mr. Bjork.”

“Oh no!” gasped Trent.

“He told me in no uncertain terms that any twelfth grader who assumed he knew more

than the world’s most eminent scientists deserved to flunk. I tried to argue for freedom of

belief, but he told me he had an urgent meeting in five minutes.” His father laid the disk on the bed. “I couldn’t even mention the recording.”

Trent felt like he did when as a ninth grader he missed the two free throws which would

have given his school the league championship. Instead of praying, believing that God could still work in the situation, he pictured himself attending the nearest junior college because he’d

flunked college biology. Absentmindedly, he placed the disk in his assignment folder.

After their Tuesday prayer meeting, Miss Wong reminded Trent and Dan of their

appointment with her the following morning. When Trent entered the room Wednesday before

school, Dan was already there. He wondered if the two of them had talked about him before he

arrived.

Miss Wong told them that they would begin with a time of prayer. After a little while,

she announced a time of silence in which they would ask God to search their hearts. Trent felt uncomfortable—like he was supposed to repent for trying to win Mara to Christ! Yet, he did

feel convicted for not having his personal devotions for a whole week; but he justified it with the fact that he had been super busy and had a lot on his mind. Finally, Miss Wong led in a

closing prayer.

“It’s a privilege to work with such great leadership potential,” Miss Wong complimented

them. “The devil will have a hard time using laziness or lack of discipline on you guys so he’ll try to foster pride and discord. I don’t want anyone to consider this ‘my club’—it’s God’s club. As I told each of you privately, I’d like to have you take turns leading and to come to each meeting fully prepared in case the other for some reason doesn’t make it or comes late. Is that okay

with you?”

“Sure,” Dan answered sincerely.

“It’s just that I have the material especially designed for a high school Bible club,” Trent

protested.

“Why don’t you both give me copies of the material you have? We can work out a plan

for the rest of the year and assign the studies each of you should teach. Can you agree to that, Trent?”

“Yes,” Trent said, feeling he had to go along with the plan.

“Trent, you’re in charge tomorrow.”

Then they did some more praying and Dan and Trent went their separate ways.

After college biology, Mara was waiting for Trent. “Did you get your grade changed?”

she asked sweetly.

“I’m afraid not,” Trent answered.

“That’s totally unfair,” Mara declared, “especially since your report was the best in the

class.”

“Maybe if my test grades are high enough, he’ll at least pass me,” Trent hoped out loud.

“It was so good,” Mara cooed, “that it made me stop believing in evolution. I wish I

could hear it all again.”

“Wish granted,” Trent grinned, as he pretended to wave a magic wand as he took the

disk out of his notebook and tossed it to Mara, who almost didn’t catch it. “Darcy taped it, so here it is.”

“I’ll listen to it twice,” Mara promised, “and,” she continued with a sudden burst of

inspiration, “maybe my mom could play it as an example of unfair grading and turn my D into at least a B.”

“What makes you think your mom will be more successful than my dad?” Trent wanted

to know.

“She’ll threaten letters to the editor and a big newspaper article on the subject. That’ll

change everything.”

“I don’t get it—who’ll write the article?”

“My stepfather is an editor at the Times. Anything my mother really wants will get in the paper. I’m not going to accept a D when I worked so hard.”

“Are you coming to Bible club tomorrow?” Trent inquired.

“I wouldn’t miss it. Meet me at my locker at 6:55 sharp.”

“I’ll be there,” Trent assured, as she turned to enter her English class.

The next morning, Trent was up early. He was well-prepared for the Bible study. It was

6:45 when he entered the school building. He went to his locker and walked down to second

floor to wait for Mara.

When his watch read 7:03 and she still hadn’t shown up, he began to pace nervously.

Marina would be leading praise and worship. Miss Wong had said that if the speaker didn’t

show up by 7:10, the other one should take over. Dan would be prepared. Trent decided to be

the martyr who gave up everything just to try to rescue one lost sheep; but by 7:15, he was

completely frustrated. Mara should keep an appointment—at least once in a while. Just as he

was becoming desperate, Mara showed up at 7:35.

Gracious and apologetic, Mara explained everything. “The reason I’m late is that I

convinced my mom to demand that your grade be changed too. But it took some arm-twisting,

so I had to ride to school with her. She has a 7:45 appointment with Mr. Bjork.”

“Thanks for going to all that bother to help me,” Trent spoke sincerely. “I wonder if it

will do any good.”

They made it to Bible club in time to catch the last sentence of Dan’s talk. And there

were three students Trent had never seen before. However, he didn’t greet anyone because

Mara said she needed help with the biology assignment. Trent walked her to her first hour class and stuck around to answer her questions.

When the warning bell rang, Mara looked at him with her big, blue eyes and pleaded,

“Please meet me at the lunch table in the far southwest corner, because I still don’t understand it.”

“I’ll be glad to help you,” Trent offered. He enjoyed his “knight in shining armor” role

and felt sorry for Mara. It couldn’t be easy, living with a stepfather and a mother who tried to control everything and everyone. His friends might criticize him, but they lacked compassion.

At lunch time, he found his way to the table where Mara was already seated. Just then,

her cell phone rang.

“Mother, you’re a doll,” Mara was saying. “Trent will be glad to hear it.” Then there was

silence as she listened to her mother. “Mom, you always find a way. I hope you told Mr.

Murphy that you always watch out for your daughter.” After a pause, Mara smiled. “Good. Bye-

bye.”

“Guess what?” Mara announced, beaming. “Mr. Murphy agreed to give me a B+, and to

change your F to an A after the tape was played for him in front of Mr. Bjork, and after my

mother threatened a newspaper story if fair grades weren’t given. My mom said Mr. Murphy

looked frightened.”

“Thank you so much!” Trent exclaimed. “God sometimes answers prayer in amazing

ways.”

“I’d like to learn more about prayer when we talk on the beach this Saturday,” Mara told

him.

They ate hurriedly and then Mara got out her biology book, her notebook and some

folders. Suddenly, an angry guy came stomping toward their table and deliberately knocked

Mara’s books on the floor. She started screaming some terrible things at him while Trent

gathered up the papers which were strewn everywhere.

Then his eyes caught a computer printout in big, bold letters which read, “If you can

seduce Trent Carson, I’ll give you $2,000.” It was signed, “Karalee”.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Trent froze. He was completely stunned. He just stared at the message, reading it

several times: “If you can seduce Trent Carson, I’ll give you $2,000. Karalee”. Meanwhile, Mara and the other guy were exchanging insults using unbelievably filthy language. Trent had never

heard a woman use so many swear words. Finally, he picked up all the papers and folders.

Placing the challenge from Karalee on top, he put them in front of Mara and walked away as

fast as he could go without running.

Trent was angry, confused and humbled all at the same time. How could Mara think of

him only as a way to make money? How could she be so immoral and so dishonest? How could

he have been so blind—and so proud? Dan had tried to warn him. Miss Wong had attempted to

alert him to the danger. But attention from such a beautiful and popular girl was something he enjoyed. Being envied by the other guys as he walked by with Mara at his side made him feel

important. He hadn’t seen the truth because he didn’t want to see it.

He had liked playing the hero and being an instant Eisenhower star. It was easy for him

to hide his true motives even from himself by fitting everything into his spiritual goals. He had rationalized so well that he actually believed he was doing the will of God. He remembered

something from his camp manual: “Jesus didn’t pick popular and most-likely-to-succeed guys

for his disciples. He chose those who would be faithful to Him; and He still does.”

Trent realized that he hadn’t even prayed about whether or not he should spend time

with Mara. The pride that made him think he was the only one who really understood Mara had

spilled over into other areas. He wanted to be the big cheese in the Bible club and resented the fact that Dan was equal y capable of leadership. He had been deceived into thinking he could

get along just fine without having daily devotions and that he knew more than Miss Wong so he

could ignore her advice.

When he nearly bumped into the girl in front of him, he realized how fast he was

walking. But he couldn’t stop thinking about what had occurred and why. Trent shuddered

when he realized what could have happened at the beach. What had he been thinking when he

accepted that invitation from Mara? God had shown him great mercy in letting him see that

offer from Karalee.

In front of his open locker, he prayed, “Thank you, Lord, for shocking me into reality.

Please forgive me. I was wrong. And help me not to take it out on Mara. She’s an unbeliever,

and I can’t expect her to act like a Christian.”

Automatically grabbing his books for his afternoon classes, he wondered about Karalee’s

motive. Karalee was also a cheerleader and a homecoming queen candidate. Mara had told him

that she had inherited a lot of money from her grandfather. Maybe Karalee thought that since

she dated Kurt Kaywood, the captain of the football team, that Mara’s being seen with a nerd

from Kansas would lose her votes in the homecoming election. Or, could Spike be behind all

this?

Nearing Room 323, he slowed his pace. College biology now meant facing two enemies.

He arrived before Mr. Murphy opened the door. Mara was right behind him. She burst into

tears.

“Trent,” she sobbed, “that paper from Karalee was just a joke. Please don’t take it

seriously.”

“This is not the kind of thing one should joke about,” Trent said firmly.

And he was never so glad to see Darcy. He motioned for her to come near.

“Mara,” Trent introduced, “I don’t think you have ever been formally introduced to

Darcy Miller. She’s a super Christian and she’d be glad to take your phone number and make an

appointment to explain real Christianity to you.”

“Mara, I’m glad to meet you,” Darcy smiled. “I’d love to talk to you whenever it’s

convenient for you.”

Mara’s anger flared. “After all I’ve done for you, Trent Carson, are you just going to

dump me? You owe me big.”

“I really appreciate what you and your mother did for me. I want to thank you again.”

Trent was sincere.

“So, you’re still going to take me to the beach on Saturday?” enquired Mara in a tense

voice.

“Mara, I’m cancelling that plan and any other to spend time alone with you,” Trent

returned. “I’m not going to be a victim in a plot so that you can win $2,000.”

“I hate you, Trent Carson, and all your phony Christianity,” spat Mara.

Darcy caught Mr. Murphy’s glare and warned, “We’ve got to take our seats now. Mr.

Murphy is mad.”

As he sat in class, Trent was glad that Mr. Murphy ignored him because his mind

certainly wasn’t on biology. The Holy Spirit was convicting him. He remembered a principle that had been drilled into them at camp: “Whenever you blow it, confess your sins to God; renounce

it and apologize directly to all who have been affected by your disobedience to God.” It would be hard, but Trent realized that he’d hurt the whole club.

In math class, the teacher gave them time at the end of class to start on their

homework. Since he sat in the back, Trent used the silence to write out his thanks and

confession to God.

He wrote, “Dear God, Thank you for showing me Mara’s motives and keeping me from

making the mistake of my life. And forgive me for not listening to Dan or even praying about

what he tried to share with me. Forgive me for judging Miss Wong, thinking I knew more than

she did and justifying my not spending time with You each day or taking my leadership

responsibility more seriously. I have to admit that I was more concerned about my image and

my success than I was about Mara’s soul. You know that I hardly prayed for her at all. Now I

intend to pray more and to listen to mature, godly counsel. Thanks again, Trent.”

When the dismissal bell rang, he made his way toward Miss Wong’s room. She certainly

deserved an apology. But there was still a civil war within his heart. One voice told him, “She’ll know you’re sorry. You don’t have to say anything.” The other said, “You need to ask her for

forgiveness.” When he got to the door, there was another student standing by her desk and

asking about the history assignment.

“Now just isn’t the right time,” he reasoned and started to walk away. But from deep

inside he heard, “Deal with it right away. How can God think your repentance is sincere if you don’t apologize to Miss Wong and to Dan, and to the whole club?” So he turned back and

waited until the other students left.

“M-M-M-Miss W-W-Wong,” he blurted out, “I-I-I’ve got ta’ talk to you.”

“Of course, sit down,” she invited.

“I-I-I’m sorry I-I-I didn’t listen. You were right. M-M-Mara only wanted to seduce me so

she could win $2,000! Please forgive me for my lousy attitude.”

“Of course. Trent,” Miss Wong comforted, “any Christian, no matter how mature, can be

deceived. The important thing now is to truly repent of the attitudes and actions which made

that deception possible, and then you receive God’s forgiveness and go on in faith. God wants

to use you in this school. Don’t let the devil talk you out of it.”

“Thanks, Miss Wong,” Trent complimented. “We’re all fortunate to have found an

advisor like you.”

He saw tears in her eyes, but she was smiling.

When he got home, Trent called Dan.

“D-D-Dan,” he began, “I-I-I owe you a big apology. First of all, I’ve considered the Bible

club to be ‘my club’ and didn’t really want to share leadership with you. I was jealous because you’re a better Bible study teacher than I am. Will you forgive me?”

“For sure,” Dan answered quickly.

“And you were right about Mara. She only wanted to seduce me to get the $2,000 that

Karalee offered her for doing the job! I’m sorry I was so rude.”

“Believe me, I understand,” Dan explained. “I learned my lesson the first year I was a

Christian. I invited a very beautiful Korean girl to my church. She was a neat person and we hit it off but I never had romance in mind. I figured I could win her to Christ. When she demanded to know where our relationship stood, I told her honestly that I considered her a good friend,

nothing more. Well, she was in love with me and started chasing me and calling me constantly. I finally had to say that we just couldn’t be friends anymore. Then she threatened to commit

suicide! She rejected all the attempts of friendship made by the girls at church. Now when

someone tells me to concentrate on evangelizing guys, I’m very willing to obey.”

“Thanks for sharing that. It helps to know that I’m not the only one who can misjudge a

girl’s motives.”

“Maybe we can share with Omar and Luis so they don’t fall into the same trap,” Dan

suggested.

“I’m just realizing that we’re all a team,” shared Trent. “God has given each of us

different gifts and all of them are needed. And really, you should do all the Bible studies

because you have a special gift of teaching. Maybe I should continue to lead the prayer

meetings…”

“Let’s talk to Miss Wong before making any decisions. I enjoy the Bible studies you

lead,” encouraged Dan.

“Let’s make a pact to never let the devil inside us.”

“Right on. We need each other,” affirmed Dan. “Right now I really need you to pray for

me. My older brother is getting into Eastern mysticism really deep. He hardly talks to me and

just quit his job so he can meditate more. But still my folks favor him because at least he isn’t a Christian. My sister’s new boyfriend is super bad news. I’m sure he’s on drugs. My parents fight by refusing to talk to each other and there’s nothing but silence around the house.”

“I’ll pray,” promised Trent—and he meant it with all his heart. “Just a minute, I want to

ask my mother something.” Trent got permission to invite Dan for Sunday dinner. “Dan, what

time do you get out of church?”

“At noon, why?”

“I’d like to invite you for Sunday dinner at my place. You might have to endure a couple

of silly board games with my little brothers, but that’s life at my house.”

“Thanks you. I’d be glad to come. Do you play chess?”

“I know how to lose, if that’s what you’re asking,” Trent replied, “but I’d like to learn.”

“I’ll bring my chess set. I’m sure you’d like it once you really understood more strategy.”

“I’ve got to go. I promised to take my mother shopping.”

“Bye.”

The next day at lunch,

Trent gulped and cleared his throat.

“I-I-I’d like to apologize to all of you for constantly being seen with Mara. I realize now that it was a terrible testimony. In my pride, I thought I could win her to Christ and didn’t listen to warnings from Dan and Miss Wong. Well, I found out that her motives were the worst.

Hopefully, I’ve learned my lesson. Thanks for your patience and your prayers.”

Trent noticed a tear in Marina’s eye.

“Now that Mara’s out of the picture,” Omar turned to Trent to say, “you can come to

the game with everyone else today and concentrate on watching me play.”

“We organized everything yesterday,” Darcy told him. “Luís and Raúl are saving seats for

all of us in the west bleachers at the 40 yard line—or as close as they can get.”

“Count me in,” responded Trent.

“Omar, I want so much to see you play,” Marina assured him, “so I’m calling Tracy in five

minutes. If she can switch hours with me, I’ll be there. If not, I’ll be at Taco Bell wishing I were at the game.”

“I hope you can come,” Omar told her. “And all of you, please pray for me. This will be

one of our toughest games. Central High was picked by one sports writer to win the city

championship.”

“We’ll yell so loud they’ll quake in their cleats!” Gwen promised—and everyone knew

she’d do her part.

“I’ve got a joke you can tell Mr. Murphy,” Omar announced. “An atheist who taught

evolution went hiking in Alaska. When he realized a bear was after him, he ran as fast as he

could. But when he felt the animal’s hot breath on his neck, he yelled, ‘God, help me!’

“A voice from heaven answered, ‘You’ve told everyone I don’t exist and that evolution is

true. Why are you asking Me for help? Are you ready to surrender your life to Me and to admit

to all of your friends that you’ve been wrong?’

“’Well, in that case,’ pleaded the atheist, ‘please make the bear a Christian.’

“Just then, the bear grabbed the man, put his paws together and prayed, ‘Thank you,

Lord, for the meal You have provided for me!”

Everyone laughed but Darcy, and Trent knew that Mr. Murphy wouldn’t find it to be

funny.

After school, Luís and his new friend, Raúl, saved seats in the bleachers for the rest.

Marina, Darcy, Gwen, and Connie were already seated when Trent arrived. Mallory came a little

late.

Trent made it a point not to watch the cheerleaders—and to get to know Raúl, who had

just started eating lunch with them and who had only attended one meeting.

“Luís, how did you and Raúl become friends?” queried Trent.

“His family just moved into our apartment building,” answered Luís.

Raúl’s English was limited, so sometimes Luís had to translate. Handsome features with

dark complexion revealed Raúl’s heritage. He had come from southern Mexico, and had lived in

the States for less than a year. However, there wasn’t much time to talk. The band began

playing the school songs, the cheerleaders led in some cheers, and Eisenhower kicked off to

Central. Since Luís was explaining football rules to Raúl in Spanish, Trent just watched; and the first two quarters were exceptionally exciting and ended in a tied score at halftime.

The band’s half-time show was fantastic. Watching Dan perform, Trent thought about

what a neat guy he really was. Intelligent, talented, and dedicated to the Lord, Dan had learned all he knew in only three years of being a Christian, while Trent had gone to church and Sunday School all of his life. How could he have ever thought that Dan should be excluded from club

leadership? Trent realized that pride and a spirit of competition could have kept him from

receiving the answer to his prayer that God would give him a good Christian friend in L.A.

When the second half got underway, Omar recovered a fumble, broke through several

defenders, and went all the way to the end zone for a touchdown. They all cheered wildly and

started yelling, “Omar, Omar, Omar, Omar!” And the crowd picked up their chant. Gwen

celebrated by buying a box of popcorn and Luís had to explain the whole thing to Raúl in Spanish.

But Eisenhower missed the point after touchdown, and Central’s players came up with seven

points on their next possession. The defense tightened on both sides and nobody was able to

score. Down by one, Eisenhower got the ball with only three minutes to play. Omar made a first down and the ball was on the nine yard line. Alex was thrown for a three yard loss but with two minutes left, Omar fought his way all twelve yards to the goal line and on into the endzone.

Again, they screamed their lungs out and lead the crowd in shouting, “Omar, Omar, Omar,

Omar!”

After the game, Darcy had an idea. “Why don’t we get Omar a decorated cake that we

can all share at lunch on Monday?”

“Great idea,” seconded Gwen.

So Darcy collected the money and planned to order the cake.

On Sunday, Dan drove up a few minutes after the Carsons returned from church. Trent’s

dad barbequed hamburgers in the back yard to go with the potato salad his mother had

prepared. The meal was topped off with homemade apple pie and ice cream.

“This is the best pie I’ve ever tasted,” declared Dan. “I’ve never known anyone who

made homemade pie.”

Trent could see that his mother was pleased with the compliment. She cleared away the

dishes so the whole family could play a couple of games of UNO with the twins before his dad

went biking with them and his mother excused herself for a nap. Dan got out his chess set and

taught Trent more in two hours than he’d learned in all his previous attempts at chess.

Trent shared with Dan the story of their moving to Los Angeles and Dan told him about

his visiting Korea the summer before. They had a fun and relaxing time.

“We really should get the guys of our club together once in a while to play basketball or

something,” Trent planned out loud.

“Maybe it should be a game where the playing field is more level,” suggested Dan.

“Nobody would want to play against two varsity players. Omar could mortally wound Luís if he

tried to block his basket.”

“You’re right,” Trent laughed. “But remember, I haven’t even made the team yet.”

Dan went with Trent’s family to the special concert at his church and Trent ful y enjoyed the

time he spent with Dan. It was almost like getting together with his old friend, Andy.

When Trent met Darcy and Marina in the hall at school on Monday, Darcy was carrying a cake

and they were headed for Marina’s locker.

“Can I see it?” asked Trent.

“No,” said Marina with mock firmness. “It’s a surprise. I’m bringing it to the lunchroom and

there it will be on display.” She had a twinkle in her eye.

For the first time, Trent really noticed what beautiful eyes she had and admired her

clear complexion. Marina used very little makeup and had a wholesome look about her.

When Trent came to put his lunch tray down at their table, he was surprised to discover

paper placemats and red napkins and that Darcy made each person take their food off their

lunch tray, even guarding them under the table so they could bring their things to the

dishwashing line window afterwards.

Like usual, Omar arrived last. Seeing the cake, his black eyes lit up. “You shouldn’t have,”

he quipped, “but I’m sure glad you did! I love chocolate cake!”

“May I have your autograph?” asked Gwen, handing him a sheet of paper on which

she’d pasted the picture of him which had appeared in the paper.

Laughing, he signed his name with the pen she provided.

“You were great on the T.V. interview,” complimented Trent. “It was so neat that you

said, ‘God gave me the ability to play football.’”

“Do you think you’ll get a full college scholarship?” asked Darcy.

“I’ve had a couple of offers,” he responded, “but I’d like to stay in California—and go to

a school where I won’t flunk out.”

Everyone laughed except Marina. “Don’t worry,” she encouraged. “You’ve got what it

takes.”

Turning to Trent, Omar explained, “There’s a bulletin board notice about basketball

physicals. Mr. Trask insists that we all go to Dr. Marchant. I don’t know if he’s a good doctor or if he’s a friend who is in need of money, but no one plays on the team without going for that

check-up.”

“Thanks, Omar,” Trent said appreciatively. “I’ll make arrangements right away.”

“We can go together,” Omar offered. “On Tuesdays, his office is open until 9:00.”

They made a big deal about cutting the cake and giving Omar an absolutely huge piece.

Omar thanked everyone and left smiling.

However, the next day he wasn’t at prayer meeting and he didn’t eat lunch with them.

Gwen had said ‘hi’ to him in the hall and he didn’t answer. Trent called his house that evening so they could go together for their basketball physicals. The girl who answered the phone told him, “He’s here, but he doesn’t wish to speak to you.” Trent couldn’t figure out what was going on. He tried to e-mail Omar, but got no reply. Trent tried to think of a way in which he’d

offended Omar but nothing came to mind. What had happened? Had football popularity gone

to his head? Had he done something he was ashamed of so he didn’t want to see any

Christians? Trent felt concerned.

When Omar wasn’t at lunch on Wednesday and Marina reported he wouldn’t return her

greeting in the hall, Trent was really worried. Marina was the last person on earth to make an enemy. He went to the band room after school and found Dan. They decided to visit Omar at

his home later that evening.

Dan rang the doorbell at 8:00. Trent and Dan prayed together and then drove to Omar’s

house. “You go to the door,” Trent instructed. “Maybe I’m the one he’s mad at.”

Omar came to the door. He obviously wasn’t happy to see Dan. “What do you want?” he

yelled.

Dan explained, “All the kids in the Bible club are worried about you, and we wanted to

know if something is wrong. If we’ve hurt you, we want to apologize.”

“Hypocrites! Go run someone else’s life—not mine!” Omar screamed.

Trent ran to the door. “Just tell me what I’ve said or done wrong and I’ll apologize,” he

pleaded.

“How can anybody be so two-faced?” Omar’s words could have come from a machine

gun. “Get off my property before I call the police.”

CHAPTER NINE

Marina got up early on Thursday morning. Realizing that she’d forgotten to do a load of

washing, she looked for something clean to wear. Actually, the “new” jeans and top she’d

purchased at the Salvation Army were her only choice. She had wanted to save them for

homecoming, but she had nothing else to wear. For a moment, she longed for a whole closet

full of clothes and the possibility of buying things when they were total y in fashion, but then she remembered her mother’s words. “La gratitud quita las quejas.” (Gratitude eliminates

complaining.) Then she started to pray, “Thank you that I found jeans that don’t look worn and a top that appears to be new for such a good price.”

After she dressed, she knocked on the boys’ room. Tony slowly came to the door. “Do

you want me to get some ice cubes to wake up Luís?” he asked sleepily.

“Threaten him—and if that doesn’t work, get the ice cubes,” Marina instructed. As

Marina styled her hair, she knew it would have turned out better if she’d been able to take a

morning shower. But with seven people and one bathroom, only her father got the luxury of a

morning shower. Meanwhile, her sisters, Alejandra and Tanya, were getting out of the bunk

bed. Marina’s thoughts about which song to sing first at the Bible club meeting were

interrupted by Tanya, who couldn’t find matching socks. Alejandra remembered that she

should have done some math problems and was trying to dress in record speed. The smell of

fried eggs and warm tortillas told her that the come-and-get-it breakfast was ready. She quickly downed a couple of eggs with tortillas, took one last look in her hand mirror as she put on some light lipstick, and called to Luís, “I’m leaving! Don’t be late!”

Marina grabbed her guitar, the song sheets, and her school books. It was as clear an

October morning as one ever sees in Los Angeles. “Why wouldn’t Omar speak to me?” worried Marina as she walked as fast as she could. Passing through the metal detectors, she made her

way up the worn stairway to second floor and entered Miss Wong’s room before any other

student arrived. Double-checking that her guitar was in tune, she sang through songs that she

felt a little unsure about.

As Trent came through the door, her heart skipped a beat and she noticed that he

looked really depressed.

“Good morning,” she smiled. “You look a little sad. Is something bothering you?”

“Big time,” Trent answered. “Dan and I went to Omar’s house last night and he wouldn’t

even talk to us. He threatened to call the police to order us off his property.”

“I can’t figure it out,” Marina said, shaking her head. “He seemed so happy that we

bought a cake for him. It doesn’t make sense.”

Of course, Omar didn’t come to the meeting, but besides the regulars, there were two

new girls and a ninth grader by the name of Chad Walinsky. Short and with unruly brown hair

and bulging, brown eyes, he talked with a lisp. He appeared to be very interested in the

meeting, yet Marina sensed something about him that was fake.

When Trent gave an opportunity to accept Christ, he raised his hand. He eagerly

accepted the invitation to eat first lunch with them.

As usual, Marina got to the lunch table before anyone else. Chad arrived next.

“Sit down,” Marina welcomed.

“Thanks,” responded Chad. “Kids usually make fun of me for the way I talk, but all of you

have accepted me.”

“We don’t want to keep the good news of Jesus’ love and His salvation to ourselves,”

Marina told him. “Who invited you to the meeting?”

“Um, er, well, nobody. When I saw there was a before school meeting, I was curious.”

“How did you know what time it started?”

“Well, um—er, I always come to school early, and, um, er, I guess I just got lucky.”

“Have you ever studied the Bible before?”

“No, my dad’s an atheist.”

“And your mother?”

“Ur, ahem, she died.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.”

Luís sat down by Chad and started a conversation. Soon the table was full and one by

one, each prayed silently before beginning to eat. When Marina opened her eyes, she noticed a

rather startled look on Chad’s face.

“I just can’t understand why Omar won’t talk to any of us anymore.” Gwen was the first

to speak. “Can’t somebody go to his house and find out what the problem is?”

“Dan and I tried that,” Trent told her. Then he related the whole disturbing episode.

Marina noticed tears in Darcy’s eyes. No one said much but everyone tried to reach out

to Chad.

“Do you meet only on Thursdays at 7:00 a.m.?” Chad wanted to know.

“We also have a prayer meeting on Tuesdays at the same time,” Trent informed him.

“You’re invited. Learning to pray about each problem and getting a correct perspective by

praising God makes life a whole lot easier.”

“Can I pray about tests and parents that fight and stuff like that?” asked Chad.

“Everything,” Chad assured him.

Marina wondered if Chad had a mean stepmother.

Darcy tapped her on the shoulder. “Let’s talk after school. I’ll meet you at your locker.”

“Sure thing,” Marina responded.

Marina’s afternoon classes went well until sixth hour choir. They were getting ready for

the fall concert and they practiced the choir background for Marina’s solo all hour. Crystal was definitely upset. She glared at Marina from across the room. Marina thought that the gang

must have it in for her—or were they out to get all the Christians? But if she backed out of the solo, Mr. Baker wouldn’t give her free voice lessons. “Lord, protect us,” Marina prayed, “and show me what to do.”

Darcy met her at her locker after school and the two girls headed for Marina’s

apartment building so they could sit in the stairway and talk. Because Marina’s family lived on the third floor and the older couple across the hal usually didn’t go anywhere, they had a lot of privacy there.

They walked in silence but as soon as they were seated, Darcy began to speak in a

trembling voice, “I-I-I met Omar in the hall and he purposely looked in the other direction.”

Then Darcy burst into tears. After getting control of herself, she continued, “I really care about him—and it hurts so much.”

Marina put her arm around Darcy. “I’m convinced that whatever is going on,” Marina

tried to comfort, “has nothing to do with you. My mom told me once that she liked a guy in her youth group. But he decided to get into some really bad stuff and he abruptly started avoiding all Christians.”

“But Omar seems so sincere,” countered Darcy. “He’s definitely not a hypocrite. He told

me that he’s seen what a life of sin has done to his older brother and that he’s going to live differently.”

“The only thing we can do is pray like crazy,” Marina commented.

“I guess I’m just discouraged all the way around,” admitted Darcy. “College biology is

total tension. I think Mr. Murphy is afraid of what Mara’s mother can do with students’ rights issues so he now grades Trent and me fairly, but he fires the hardest questions at Trent and me every day.”

“Well, you’re probably the two smartest kids in class,” Marina reminded her.

“But we’re both busy people and it’s tough to have to be completely prepared every

class period. There’s also the Mara factor. Now Jacob walks her to class every day and kisses

her good-bye before leaving. She makes sure everyone knows that he’s the quarterback of the

football team, and she has different ways of torturing Trent. She manages to pass his desk

swinging her hips and making catty remarks under her breath.”

“Poor Trent.”

“He handles it well, but I wouldn’t put it past her to plan revenge. I doubt it would

involve Mr. Murphy. Mara benefits personally if he’s afraid of her mother and her student

rights campaign.”

“But doesn’t Mara have to be on her best behavior to get elected homecoming queen?”

inquired Marina.

“She’s subtle. If I didn’t sit behind Trent, I wouldn’t notice. Plus, she never forgets to

wear her pasted-on smile.”

“Sometimes, I feel that everyone’s out to get us,” Marina confided. “If looks could kill,

I’d be dead. Crystal hates my guts. Maybe Spike could make big points with Crystal by

eliminating me! I don’t know if it’s just jealousy because I got the solo, or if I’m the target because I’m part of Trent’s Bible club.”

“Just remember that God is sovereign—even Spike’s gang is under His control.”

“I’ll try to trust more,” Marina promised, and then changed the subject. “How are things

at your house?”

“Terrible. Adrian is acting spooky,” reported Darcy. “He was very respectful after Omar

scared him, but that only lasted a couple of days. Yesterday, I put an inside chain on the door of my room. It wasn’t the neatest job and my mother was furious.”

“What do you think your mother sees in him?”

“Money—he buys her gorgeous, expensive clothes and then takes her to the finest

places. Even I have to admit that he can be perfectly charming if he chooses.”

“But he doesn’t work, right?”

“Supposedly, he goes out and gets clients for the prosperous family business.”

“Do you think he deals drugs?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised. He’s constantly talking on his cell phone.”

“We sure have a lot to pray about,” Marina decided.

“For sure.”

“Let’s pray now,” Marina suggested. They bowed their heads and spent about ten

minutes praying. Marina focused on how big God is and that shrunk her problems down to size

again.

On Friday morning, they voted for homecoming queen—and Marina made sure she

didn’t vote for Mara. Just before the dismissal bell, there was a loudspeaker announcement

naming the attendants for the homecoming court. Then in a booming voice, the assistant

principal proclaimed, “Mara Smith is Eisenhower’s homecoming queen this year!”

As she was walking to her locker, Marina overheard a couple of girls talking about Mara.

“Did you know that Mara has a small birthmark on her right shoulder?” the girl in front

of her asked her friend. “It would show if she were wearing a formal.”

“So, Miss Perfect has a flaw!” her friend gloated. “Interesting.”

“Surgery to remove it would have cost $2,000 but Mara couldn’t come up with the

dough in time.”

“Poor Mara. Now the world will know about her birthmark—unless she figures out some

way to cover it,” she said, sarcastically.

Marina realized that Karalee had a reason for offering $2,000 and wondered if

embarrassment over the birthmark might make her plan revenge against Trent—maybe against

all of them.

When she got home from working at Taco Bell, Darcy called her.

“I think Mara’s revenge has started,” Darcy announced.

“What do you mean?” Marina asked.

“One of the guys in college biology came up to Trent’s desk before class began and told

Trent, ‘I didn’t know you were gay. There’s a pink triangle meeting tonight after school in 314—

we even have an AIDS support group.’ When Trent said, ‘Thank you, but I’m not gay,’ the guy

said, ‘The whole school knows that your basketball physical revealed that you’re HIV positive—

or were you once on drugs?’”

Trent answered, “I don’t even have the results of my physical yet! But when I get them, I

will be able to prove that the rumor you heard isn’t true.”

“By then, the bell was ready to ring, so Taylor took his seat. Trent had trouble

concentrating in class and Mr. Murphy nailed him a couple of times. He left before I could say a word to him.”

“Maybe you could e-mail him and tell him that you and I are praying for him,” suggested

Marina.

“I’m trying to figure out how to stop the rumor,” Darcy informed her. “Copies of his

medical report might help.”

“But kids could think they were falsified,” Marina reminded. “Kids will probably believe

what they want to believe. It would be better to organize a special prayer meeting.”

“But,” Darcy had started to think more clearly, “if Mara only planted the idea with

Taylor, maybe no one else knows about it and we could end up spreading a lie instead of

stopping it.”

They talked about some other things—mostly about how hard Darcy’s home situation

was and prayed by telephone before hanging up.

The weekend passed quickly. Saturday was Marina’s grandmother’s birthday party at

her uncle and aunt’s place and Sunday there was a potluck dinner after church.

When she got to school on Monday morning, Chad was waiting for her by her locker.

Marina was surprised that he knew where it was. He looked nervous and unsure of himself.

“I’m new at religion,” he blurted out, “but I thought the Bible said that homosexual

behavior is wrong. How can Trent be a leader in the club?”

“Chad,” Marina said firmly, “that’s just an ugly and false rumor. Trent isn’t a homosexual

and he isn’t HIV positive. He’s got medical records to prove it.”

“W-w-well, I-I-I know I’m politically incorrect,” Chad acknowledged, “but AIDS scares

me. What desk does Trent usually sit in at prayer meeting? I’d feel better keeping my distance.”

“Usually, he sits in the front middle desk but only if a few show up. We sometimes make

a circle with the desks,” Marina responded.

“Oh,” Chad looked disappointed.

“Chad,” Marina tried to be helpful, “once you learn more about trusting Jesus, you

won’t be so fearful.”

Marina tried to take in what was happening. She was pretty sure the whole school was

receiving the misinformation. Chad didn’t seem like the kind of kid who was close to any in-

group. Senior gossip seldom filtered down to ninth graders.

With renewed force, Marina felt the loneliness of being a Christian in a very hostile

environment. She felt that visible and invisible enemies were everywhere. Again, she

wondered, “Why is being a Christian so hard?”

Lunch finally came and she looked forward to being in a group where she was

understood and accepted. Luís got to the lunch table a few seconds after she did.

“I can’t believe it,” he said angrily.

“Believe what?”

“Everyone is saying that Trent is gay.”

“Where did you hear that?”

“In gym class.”

“It’s not true. He has his health clearance for basketball and he’s fine.”

“But what if Raúl hears about it? He might stop coming.”

When Luís saw Raúl pass through the lunch line, he went to get him and escort him to

the table.

Darcy sat down next to Marina. “Everyone believes it,” she whispered. “This is terrible.”

Trent looked devastated as he slowly approached the table and a kid yelled, “So you are

the Bible banger who embraces the gay lifestyle! That’s different!”

Gwen was the only one who hadn’t heard. “What’s this all about?” she wanted to know.

Trent wasted no time. “I-I-I s-s-suppose y-y-you’ve all heard that supposedly I’m HIV

positive. It’s not true, and I’m going to make copies of my medical report to prove it,” Trent began.

“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea,” Darcy put in, “a lot of kids might think it is falsified.”

“I think this is a spiritual battle. We need a longer prayer meeting and we need to pray

like never before. Let’s start at 6:45,” Marina suggested.

“I’ll e-mail everyone who isn’t here,” Darcy offered. “Luís, inform Miss Wong.”

Everyone came to prayer the next day, except Mallory. Dan led the meeting and they

prayed their hearts out. Once the door opened and Marina looked up. A girl she’d never seen

before had a confused look on her face and quickly left. Marina guessed that she’d entered the wrong room. Her concentration broken, she noticed that Chad was drawing and writing in his

notebook—but then, he was really different.

When the prayer time ended, Dan put his arm around Trent and said, “We’re all going to

stick with you and God will cause the truth to come out.”

However, the next day, the school newspaper was handed out in sixth hour, just before

the bell rang. The whole front page featured a picture of Mara, homecoming queen for the

festivities the next Friday, and the small mark on her shoulder was barely visible. When the bel rang and she folded the paper to leave, she saw a picture of Trent in a line under a banner

which read, “Free HIV Testing”. Marina had to pull herself together so she wouldn’t be late for work.

CHAPTER TEN

Trent’s sixth hour teacher handed out the school newspapers to his students as they

filed out the door. Seeing Mara’s picture on the front page, Trent quickly folded it and without a second glance, he stuck it in his notebook.

“The gay Kansan has become a poster boy for AIDS detection,” Trent overheard. The

cruel words hit him with incredible force and he struggled to keep his anger under control.

However, he still didn’t realize why they had been spoken.

“Congratulations for making the school paper,” a snippy, vain girl quipped as she passed

him in the hall. What was going on? As he usually did when he was upset, Trent quickened his

pace, walking as fast as he could without bumping into anyone.

Arriving at his locker in record time, he looked through the school paper. When he came

to the last page, he gasped. Seeing himself in line under the huge “Free HIV Testing” banner

nearly made him sick to his stomach. He felt weak and dizzy.

Finally his brain began to kick back in, and he started to make the connections. Mara

was editor of the school paper. Her older brother was a gay activist. No doubt, she’d made sure that the fliers announcing the free testing were distributed just after planting the rumor about Trent. She had guessed correctly that Trent would want to clear himself by getting a blood test from a different source and since family finances were tight, he’d take advantage of the free

offer. Was the big banner something she had planned? Trent was starring in his very own

nightmare but he’d never wake up and realize that it was all a dream.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Dan. “I’ll give you a ride home,” he offered. The

two of them walked in silence to Dan’s beat-up red Ford Galaxy. Dan drove to Wendy’s.

“I’m buying. Let’s talk,” he offered.

Trent was so grateful for Dan’s support. If God hadn’t dealt with his pride, Trent knew

he’d still be competing with Dan. “Lord,” he prayed silently, “help me to learn whatever you want to teach me through this painful experience; and help me to live through it.”

“What would you like?” asked Dan.

“I’m not hungry,” Trent declared. “My stomach is queasy and I feel a little sick.”

“7-Up would be a good choice,” Dan recommended, “and that’s what I’ll have as well.”

They found a booth and for a moment neither of them spoke. Then Dan broke the

silence. “Is the photo real or is it photo-shopped?”

“It’s real, all right,” Trent moaned. “I thought that having two blood test slips would be

conclusive evidence to present to those willing to listen. Because Mara’s brother is a gay

activist, I’m quite sure the whole thing was a set-up.”

“The truth will come out,” assured Dan, “but right now I can see that you’re really

hurting.”

“If only I’d listened to you and Miss Wong in the first place, all of this would never have

happened,” Trent lamented. “I’m suffering the consequences of my pride and stubbornness—

and so are all of you. This could ruin our chances of evangelizing the school. I want to tell you that I’m sorry.”

“I know you are,” Dan responded. “What I like about the Bible is that it presents people

so honestly. Abraham lied about important stuff. Moses disobeyed God’s specific orders, and

David committed adultery. But these men repented, learning humility and obedience from their

mistakes. If your heart is right, God will take care of the fall-out.”

“Thanks, Dan,” Trent said earnestly. “You’re a true friend.”

When they got to the car, they spent some time praying together. Before dropping

Trent off, Dan told him, “If you feel depressed, cal me day or night.”

“I really appreciate it,” Trent responded. “Someday I hope I can help you out.”

Trent didn’t know how to explain something so complicated and so upsetting to his

parents. Besides, his mother already had enough to worry about. He was relieved to hear that

she had decided that all of them were going to see a new kids’ movie, which was highly

recommended by Focus on the Family. The excitement in the eyes of his little brothers made

him decide to sit between them and to try to be a kid again.

Saturday, Trent ended up working ten hours in his uncle’s hardware store, filling in for

an absent employee. Youth group on Saturday night was cool, but by Sunday he was dreading

returning to school.

Inevitably, he couldn’t stop time, and Monday morning rolled around. Reluctantly, Trent

entered the three-story, red brick high school which had become his spiritual battle ground.

He’d always been respected for brains, athletic ability and living a good life morally. Being

considered a phony worthy of constant ridicule was hard for him to swallow. “But,” he thought,

“gay activism probably started because those who didn’t know that Christ could set them free just got tired of being mocked and pushed around. This experience could make me more

sensitive and more compassionate for kids who suffer rejection by their peers.”

“God, help me get through this day,” Trent prayed earnestly. “I don’t know if I can take

any more.”

When he got to his locker, he found two ordinary balloons tied to its handle. One was

printed with the words, “We’re praying for you”. Only Luís could have done such professional-

looking lettering and Trent guessed that Marina had come up with the idea. After the Mara

disaster, he had tried to forget about girls. He had only e-mailed a couple of prayer requests to Celina and she hadn’t answered him. But right now, his heart was reminding him that he had

special feelings for Marina. There was something about her sweet spirit, her always suggesting that they pray, and those naturally curly, long, thick lashes which lined her big, brown eyes. The wholesomeness of Marina was a striking contrast to the shallowness of Mara. How could he

have been so blind?

His thoughts were interrupted when a guy asked loudly, “Is that the Bible-quoting gay

dude from Kansas?”

“Sure is,” replied his friend. “Look, he’s got balloons from his gay lover. How sweet!”

Somehow, he survived morning classes. Going through the lunch line, he was grateful to

be heading towards friendly territory.

When he arrived at the table, he spoke, “Thanks for the balloons. The quality of the

lettering made me suspect Luís and Marina. It was so nice of you to think of me on a Monday

morning.” Marina blushed.

Darcy suggested that they all pray silently for Trent, and he felt the power of their

prayers.”

“Is being religious praying all the time?” Chad interrupted the silence.

“You could say that,” Darcy answered. “If you really believe that God is all-powerful,

that He knows everything, and loves you unconditionally, you’ll want Him to handle all your

problems so you’ll ask Him for wisdom and strength and direction.”

“Does the meeting tomorrow start at 7:00?” queried Chad.

“It does,” Marina affirmed.

As Trent was leaving the lunchroom, Darcy came up alongside him and they walked

together to college biology. Somehow he felt like a little boy who didn’t want to face the big, bad world alone, and he felt better walking into Mr. Murphy’s classroom with Darcy.

Before the bell rang, another African-American girl asked Darcy to explain Mendel’s laws

of heredity to her and Mr. Murphy called Trent up to his desk.

In his hand, Mr. Murphy held a cartoon of himself holding a trophy labeled, “World’s

Meanest Teacher”.

“If you’re such a Jesus freak, why this hypocrisy?” snarled Mr. Murphy. “You act

respectful to my face and behind my back you draw things like this.”

“Sir,” Trent protested, “I didn’t draw that. I can’t draw that well. Believe me.”

“Whose name is on the paper?” queried his teacher.

Shocked, Trent realized that it looked like his signature. Trying to think of something, he

said, “This is on wide-lined notebook paper and all my notebooks are narrow-lined paper. I can show you,” but when he tried to retrieve his notebook off his desk, it wasn’t there. “M-m-my

notebook is gone!” reported Trent with surprise.

“You’re certainly a good actor, Mr. Carson,” Mr. Murphy said, sarcastically. “That’s a

lame excuse if I ever heard one. If you didn’t draw this, who did?”

“I-I-I certainly wouldn’t accuse anyone.” Trent tried to stay calm. “But I didn’t draw it!”

“You liar,” Mr. Murphy spat with disgust. “I found it on your desk after class on Friday.

Go sit down. If I ever catch you being disrespectful again, you’re in serious trouble.”

“I-I-I understand, sir.” Trent stuttered quietly, but inside he was boiling.

Mr. Murphy began class by re-announcing the big test for the next day. For a moment,

Trent completely panicked. Because he’d been so preoccupied, he’d forgotten to study over the

weekend. And without his notebook, what could he do? He longed to write Darcy a note to tel

her what had happened, but he didn’t dare risk another encounter with Mr. Murphy. Instead,

he forced himself to listen to Mr. Murphy’s review lecture and took everything down in his

math notebook. It was his only chance of passing.

Finally class was over. “D-D-Darcy,” he stammered, “m-m-my biology notebook is gone. I

know I brought it to class.”

“Don’t worry,” Darcy counseled. “Meet me at my locker after school and we’ll go to the

copy place so you can study for the test from my notes.”

“I’ll be there,” promised Trent. He really admired Darcy. She was such a cool head and

such a quick thinker. He hadn’t thought of any way out of his dilemma. Darcy’s notes would be

even more complete than his own, so he could study late and learn all of the material.

The fact that he’d pass the college biology test wasn’t much comfort. Somehow, he was

certain that Mara was behind that drawing and the stolen notebook. She probably had one of

the notes he’d given her, reminding her of the club meeting. His signature was not that hard to copy. He was beginning to think that Mara was a worse enemy than Spike. And Mr. Murphy had

again declared war. At least Mr. Murphy didn’t know that Mara wanted to get back at him, and

might still be afraid that her mother would defend his student rights, but that didn’t make him feel any better. He felt like returning to Kansas and never coming back.

The strange stares continued; there was more ridicule to endure. But Darcy was waiting

for him by her locker. The two of them went to the copy place after school, and Trent hurried

home to study, but his studying was often interrupted by thoughts of what Mara might do next.

He also doubted that Spike had forgotten—he was probably just biding his time.

Trent had a lot of physical stamina and going on four hours’ sleep didn’t bother him that

much. The college biology test was easier than he’d expected—or maybe he’d been scared into

studying extra-hard. When he handed in his paper, he knew he’d done well.

Wednesday was easier. The novelty of the rumor that he was gay was wearing out, and

he was just beginning to think that life might return to normal, but when he got home, Denny

and Donny were waiting for him.

“We have an important message for you,” they informed him, practically in unison.

“What’s that?” responded Trent.

“Spike says you won’t get by with it. You’re a goner,” Denny informed him.

“Who told you that?” Trent wanted to know.

“Butch. He’s the school bully,” Donny told him. “He talked really mean.”

“It’s nothing to worry about.” Trent tried to convince himself as he calmed his brothers.

“Always remember that stuff like this is for boys—it’s not women’s stuff. Don’t tell mom.”

“We couldn’t tell her,” Danny assured him. “She’s got a migraine headache.”

Trent played a little football with his brothers in the back yard, hoping they wouldn’t

sense how upset he was.

Finally, he excused himself and went to his room. Trent was really scared. If Spike knew

who his brothers were and was sneaky enough to send them a threat through another grade-

school kid so he’d never be found out, he was capable of most anything.

Trent dropped to his knees beside his bed and literally cried. When he got ahold of

himself, he prayed and prayed.

Then he called Dan. They decided to pray for Trent’s protection at their regular

Thursday meeting and to announce a very important special prayer meeting on Friday morning

at 6:45.

“I’ll e-mail or talk to each person individually to tell them what’s going on,” Dan told Trent. “I don’t think Chad should know details. As a new Christian, he may become discouraged. Raúl

still doesn’t come to prayer meeting and neither do the new girls.”

On Thursday, Dan lead a wonderful Bible study on God’s protection and lead in a prayer

asking the Lord to look out for each person present. The special Friday prayer meeting was

announced as probably the most important meeting of the year.

As usual, Chad asked, “What time, did you say?”

Afterwards, Trent was able to fill Luís in on the details, and Dan talked to Connie and

Gwen. Trent explained what was going on to Darcy en route to college biology. Tests were

handed out and Trent got a 99. He only wished he could stop thinking about Spike’s threat long enough to enjoy it.

The twins reported that Butch had been absent, so today’s recess at school had been a

lot of fun. Later that evening, Trent checked his e-mail. The only message was from Miss Wong.

It read, “There’s been an emergency. I’ll have to cancel tomorrow’s prayer meeting.”

Apparently, it had been sent to all of the regular attenders.

Trent called Dan to find out if Miss Wong was okay. Dan informed him that she wasn’t at

home and that her answering machine had been turned off. He had called Gwen and Connie,

and they had received the same message but didn’t know what was going on.

Trent decided to call the Martinez home because they didn’t have a computer. Marina

answered.

“Hola.”

“Hi! This is Trent.”

“Hello,” Marina said, changing to English. “Usually the calls are from my grandmother or

my aunt, so I answer the phone in Spanish.”

“I wish I could speak two languages,” Trent told her.

“Luís told me about the threat and I’m praying a lot for you,” Marina said in a reassuring

voice.

“Thanks, I need it,” Trent replied. “Did Darcy call you?”

“Yes, and she told me, ‘I have a feeling that the meeting at 6:45 tomorrow is absolutely

crucial. Let’s arrive early so we can pray a little in the hall before it starts.’”

“Is Darcy home now?” asked Trent.

“There’s a special meeting at her church and she took her little brothers. Her mom is

working, so she’ll be responsible for getting them to bed. Why?”

“Because Dan and Gwen, Connie and I got e-mails from Miss Wong saying that because

of an emergency, the meeting has been canceled.”

“I hope it’s nothing serious.”

“Dan tried to contact her, but she’s not home and her answering machine is turned off.”

“Thanks for calling. I’ll call Darcy because I doubt she’ll check her e-mail. She still has to study for a test in her English class.”

“I have to work, but why don’t you get together after the homecoming football game

and pray in the laundry?” suggested Marina.

“I appreciate you, Marina,” Trent said softly. “You always have good ideas.”

“Thanks for the compliment,” Marina answered.

Trent knew he was blushing. “Bye, see you tomorrow.”

“Bye,” and Marina hung up the phone.

Trent’s heart was beating a little faster. Marina was so genuine and so caring.

Trent had trouble getting to sleep. There were moments when he enjoyed the

excitement of the prospect of getting to know Marina better, and other moments of worry for

his personal safety. He woke up early and read through Exodus 20. The story of Moses leading

the Israelites through the Red Sea enabled him to concentrate on how really great God is. The

God who could pull off such a spectacular escape could certainly help him. Earnestly, he prayed for a protection miracle for himself, Trent Carson, in the twenty-first century. Since he was all ready for school, his dad offered him a ride.

Riding alone in silence, Trent thought of the day before him. Homecoming meant a

chaotic day of classes. He wished that Marina could have gotten off work to go to the football game with the Bible club. He really didn’t feel like going, but he felt obligated to his friends.

Watching the game would be a sharp reminder of Omar’s anger and their failure to reach him.

The presentation of the homecoming queen and her attendants would trigger all the miserable

Mara memories. At least he could watch Dan and the marching band without tormenting

thoughts interrupting.

His dad let him off and he walked to the door. As he passed through the metal detectors

at the front entrance, he looked at his watch. It was only 7:15. He planned to read the next

chapter in his biology book to make use of the time, but he had only passed the office and the worn stairway when he heard a terrible explosion that shook the entire building!

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Marina had gotten up early and had eaten breakfast the moment it was ready so she’d

have a little extra time in front of her hand mirror. While her sisters were eating, she had the bedroom to herself and a few moments to dream. Trent had taken the time to chat with her on

the phone. He could have just relayed the message and hung up, but he didn’t. He seemed to

admire the fact that she was bilingual. He’d actually said, ‘I appreciate you, Marina. You always have such good ideas.’ She hardly dared to hope that he was starting to like her, yet maybe it was true.

The sound of an explosion jolted her back to reality.

“Qué pasó?” It was her mother wondering what was happening.

“No te preocupas. Estamos bien,” her father said, telling her mother not to worry

because they were just fine. Soon sirens were screaming; but then, that wasn’t so unusual in

Los Angeles. Marina couldn’t do anything about it, so she tried to put it out of her mind. When she had done everything she could to look her best, she said good-bye and hurried out the

door, down the steps, and onto the street.

Looking in the direction of Eisenhower High, she realized that the explosion might have

happened at her school. As she drew nearer, she saw that the police had blocked off the whole

area. As more and more students kept arriving, the officer with the loudspeaker kept repeating,

“Stay back! Stay back!”

Glancing upward, Marina noticed that the windows in Miss Wong’s room were

shattered and there was a hole in the outside wall. There was a sick feeling in her stomach as she realized how close she and her friends had come to death. If the meeting had not been

canceled, they might have all been killed or wounded! Then panic seized her. What if someone

hadn’t gotten the message? If she had forgotten to call Darcy, it could have meant her death!

She felt dizzy and her mind was racing uncontrollably.

“Oh no,” she said to herself. Nobody had Chad’s number, and he had asked what time

the meeting began! “Dear God,” she prayed, “Please take care of anybody who waited outside the door for Miss Wong to come.” Next, she wondered if Spike had placed a bomb in Miss Wong’s room. Desperately, she pleaded, “Lord, keep us safe. Protect us.” But then she reasoned that Spike couldn’t have possibly known that they were planning a special prayer meeting for

homecoming day.

At that moment, Miss Wong squeezed in beside her. “I’m so sorry I was late,” she

apologized, “but my car wouldn’t start.”

“But you canceled the prayer meeting!” Marina told her.

“I didn’t cancel the meeting,” Miss Wong protested. “Where did you get that idea?”

“All the others got e-mails and Trent called us,” Marina informed her. “Isn’t it terrible?

We could have all been killed!”

“What are you talking about?” questioned Miss Wong.

“Look at your room!”

“It can’t be!” Miss Wong screamed, as she became aware of the reason for the presence

of the police. “Are you sure that everyone thought the meeting was cancelled?”

“I don’t know if anyone told Chad and the new girls. And Chad even asked what time the

meeting started.” Tears came to Marina’s eyes as she imagined Chad waiting at the door as the

bomb went off.

Miss Wong quickly called Dan on her cell phone. Marina could only hear Miss Wong’s

part of the conversation.

“Dan, did everyone know that the prayer meeting was canceled? … So, Connie did

phone Gwen and Karissa. … Chad told Darcy that he couldn’t give out his number because if

someone from the club called his house, he’d be in big trouble. … Are you sure Mallory checked her e-mail? … That’s good. … I’m fine and I didn’t cancel the meeting. If my car had started, I would have been blown up! … That’s what I’d like to know. Darcy and I have complete lists of

names. I don’t think anyone else does. … Bye.”

Just then, Marina spied Darcy and waved to her. As Darcy made her way toward them,

an announcement was made.

“No one was killed or seriously injured in the bomb explosion. Classes have been

cancelled for today. Teachers and students and school personnel are asked to leave the area

immediately. Listen to KTPS noon local news to find out whether or not the football game will

be played.”

As they turned to leave, she bumped into Chad.

“I’m so glad to see you!” exclaimed Marina.

“You are?” he replied nervously. Changing to a sad tone, he lamented, “Isn’t this

terrible? Who on earth would do such a thing?” He was visibly shaken and he ran away like a

scared rabbit.

“Poor Chad,” Miss Wong commented, “he’s so insecure.”

In order to leave the crime scene, Marina, Darcy, and Miss Wong started walking down

the street leading to Marina’s apartment.

“My first impression,” said Miss Wong, “was that this was the before school surprise

disaster drill which had been explained in the faculty meeting. I figured homecoming day would be a good time since students wouldn’t learn much, anyway.”

“I thought it might have been a car crash or a riot caused by the students of Armstrong

High. They’re pretty upset about the fact that we might take the city championship from them,”

Darcy put in.

“Let’s have a thanksgiving prayer meeting in my apartment,” suggested Marina. “My

mom cleans Mrs. Kelly’s house on Fridays, so nobody’s home.”

“Great idea,” Miss Wong seconded. “We have so much to be thankful for. If my car had

started, I would have been in my room when the blast went off!”

“But who sent the e-mails?” Darcy wanted to know.

“Dan and I couldn’t come up with any logical answer,” Miss Wong conceded. “Who

would have known about the meeting and had access to our e-mails?”

“Maybe an angel sent them,” Marina mused.

“Well, I don’t know about that,” Miss Wong told them, “but God certainly orchestrated

every detail. I brought my grade book home along with all the tests my students took

yesterday. The day before, I lugged home all of my books on pre-Roman history. I hardly had

anything of value in my room.”

“But how could anybody enter your room to place a bomb in the first place?” Darcy

inquired.

“I’m sure I locked it,” Miss Wong answered. “I always check it twice.”

“Janitors have keys. Maybe the janitor didn’t lock it, or was bribed or threatened, or…”

“Darcy,” Miss Wong interrupted, “”You’re going to make the world’s best lawyer.”

The three of them entered the apartment with its worn rug and very used furniture.

Marina, the perfect hostess, offered them homemade lemonade. Next, they spent some time

thanking God for miraculously saving their lives. They also prayed for future protection.

Looking at her watch, Miss Wong announced, “I’ve got to get going. I’ll use this day to

get my car fixed.”

After she left, Darcy looked Marina in the eye. “Marina Martinez, this is the day you’re

going to learn to play tennis. We’ve talked about it for two years. It’s time I started teaching you. It would be a shame to stay inside on such a gorgeous day.”

“Okay,” responded Marina. “I just need to change into shorts and a T-shirt.”

The girls walked to the bus stop and took public transportation to Darcy’s street. About

three houses away, they could hear the hard rock music with horrible lyrics blaring from

Adrian’s stereo. Marina was sure that the tennis lesson was Darcy’s way of escaping for the day.

As they were going up the steps to the door of Darcy’s house, two police cars drove up and a

couple of others rounded the corner.

“Young lady,” an officer called out, “wait a minute!” Darcy froze, and Marina was

scared.

Two officers approached them. One addressed Darcy, “Do you live here?”

“Yes, sir, I do,” Darcy answered.

He pulled out a picture. “Have you ever seen this gentleman?”

Darcy gasped. “He’s my mother’s boyfriend.”

“Is he here now?” the man in blue queried.

“Nobody else at my house listens to that kind of music.”

Marina noticed that two more officers joined them and that the others stationed

themselves in the front and back yards.

“We have a warrant for his arrest and a search warrant to check this residence for

evidence. Could you let us in?”

“Sure,” replied Darcy as she turned the key in the lock.

“You girls come with us,” another policeman instructed as they were ushered to a police

car. “These windows are bullet proof so you’ll be safe here. But don’t try to leave.” Marina

wondered if Adrian was being busted as a drug pusher, but neither of them spoke.

No shots were fired and in a short time a handcuffed Adrian, who looked pale and

shaken, was being led away by police.

Four officers invited the girls into the house and began to search the premises.

“Is this your bedroom?” a captain asked Darcy.

“Yes, sir.”

“I notice the door has a deadbolt lock and an inside chain recently installed. Were you

afraid of him?”

“Yes, sir.”

“When he was arrested, he was sitting at this computer,” the policeman said, pointing

to her computer. “Did he have permission to use it?”

“No, sir.”

“Were you aware that he had a key to your room?”

“I had suspicions. That’s why I put on the inside chain.”

“Criminals often try to use the computer of an innocent person, figuring that the

information can be hidden that way,” the officer was explaining. “We’ll have to take your

computer as evidence. But don’t worry, as soon as all the contents are analyzed, you’ll get it back. That shouldn’t take more than a week.”

Marina noticed that one officer had Adrian’s car keys and was thoroughly searching his

car. Trained dogs were brought to sniff out the car and indicated that the vehicle had hidden

compartments for drugs. Meanwhile, they were still questioning Darcy.

“How long has he lived with your mother?”

“About a month.”

“Where did they meet?”

“Probably in a night club.”

“Where does he work?”

“He doesn’t—well, he says he does promotion for his family’s prosperous business—but

if he does, it’s all by cell phone.”

“And what might that business be?”

“I’ve never asked.”

“Does he seem to have a lot of money?”

“Yes, he takes my mother to the most expensive places, and gets her everything she

wants.”

“Where does your mother work?”

“She’s a head nurse at Los Angeles General.”

When the policemen finally finished their search and their questions, they took the car

and the computer and a couple of papers they’d found in Darcy’s mother’s bedroom. Darcy

locked the door, crumpled into the nearest easy chair, and sobbed.

Marina put her hand on Darcy’s shoulder. “Hopefully, he’ll never return, and you’ll get

your house back,” Marina tried to comfort.

When Darcy got control of herself, she spoke. “I guess I’m mostly relieved but I’m also

angry. I know my mom’s not a Christian and I can’t expect much of her, but she’s guilty of

harboring a criminal and exposing my little brothers and me to real danger. We could have

been injured or killed in a shootout. His friends probably have our address. I hope she learns her lesson.”

“Maybe she will,” Marina encouraged.

“I don’t want to be here when my mother gets home,” Darcy emphasized. “I don’t trust

my temper if we end up discussing Adrian. She will probably be home soon. Let’s hurry.”

Darcy quickly changed into her tennis clothes, got out rackets and balls, and grabbed

four cans of Diet Pepsi from the refrigerator and took her radio. She dashed off a note to her mom explaining the morning’s momentous events and they were off for the park.

They walked in silence. Marina didn’t know what to say so she decided to keep quiet.

She knew Darcy was a person of action. Having something to do would help her more than

endlessly talking about what had happened.

Darcy took the task of teaching her to play tennis very seriously and gave her

professional instructions, most of which Marina couldn’t quite understand. But she decided it

would be better to start playing than to ask questions. Darcy hit her some very easy balls and soon she was returning most of them.

Marina enjoyed the exercise and fresh air. Darcy kept on encouraging her and giving her

pointers. Darcy was a born teacher and Marina remembered her telling how she had taught her

little brothers to become excellent tennis players for their ages. After over an hour of playing with a couple of soft drink breaks, Marina was sweaty and terribly hungry.

“It’s five to twelve,” Darcy called over the net. “Before I take you to McDonald’s for

something to eat, we’ll take in the KTPS news.”

The two of them sat on the park bench and listened to the announcer say, “At 7:22 this

morning, a bomb exploded at Eisenhower High School, almost completely destroying Room

207. Nobody was killed, but two students are injured. Crystal Brandt is listed in good condition at General Hospital where she was taken because an inside wall and a row of lockers collapsed, fracturing her leg in several places. Bill Simmons was released after being treated for a shoulder injury caused by flying debris.

“The homecoming football game will be played as scheduled. No one can enter the

school building, but football players will have access to the locker room facilities through the west door. The assistant principal was adamant that he wanted a return to normal conditions in order to reduce student stress and anxiety. He wants to assure students and their parents that every precaution is being taken for student safety.

“A lone suspect is in custody. An inside source is reported as saying that the police have

strong evidence against him.”

“If Crystal was injured, I doubt that Spike was behind this one,” Darcy reasoned, “unless

the thing was so secret that he didn’t even tell Crystal.”

“I wonder who the suspect is,” mused Marina.

“It’ll be interesting to find out,” Darcy responded.

“I’ve had this funny feeling about…”

“Sh-h-h-h,” interrupted Darcy.

“Derick O’Neil, a Chicago mafia operator and drug lord, was arrested in our city today,”

the radio announcer reported. “He was living with his girlfriend and using her daughter’s

computer to communicate with his Chicago cronies.”

Marina put her arm around Darcy. “Maybe that’s one problem solved.”

“I hope so,” answered Darcy uncertainly, “but maybe Mara and Spike aren’t our only

Eisenhower enemies.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Trent had just finished listening to the noon news on KTPS. He was trying to assimilate

what he’d just heard. Had Spike’s gang pulled off the explosion? But if he were the brains

behind it, then how had Crystal gotten hurt? Maybe she didn’t know about the plan. A guy

capable of sending him a threat using a sixth grader to relay the information to his little

brothers probably operated in such secrecy that no one knew how his plans were executed.

Spike had probably heard about enough court cases from his uncle to know how to avoid

getting caught. But maybe someone else was guilty. Could Mara be capable of arranging

something so terrible? He shuddered.

Trent took refuge in a kids’ video game. His radio was still on, and a talk show was

beginning. The mother of an Eisenhower student called in, asking if attending the football game would be safe.

“With the police protection we’ve been promised,” the assistant principal assured her,

“it should be the safest place in Los Angeles.” The next caller was the band director, asking the assistant principal to formally cancel the band’s performance since most band members would

not have access to their instruments. The assistant principal decided that instead the band

should perform the homecoming show for their last home game.

The telephone rang. It was Dan.

“Trent, it’s good to hear your voice,” he heard from the other end of the line.

“Everything that’s happened has made me realize how important my friends are to me. I’ve

been trying to call you.”

“The minute I got home,” Trent told him, “I tried to get ahold of you, but my mom was

desperate for someone to run errands for her. She hasn’t recovered from the accident enough

to take a city bus and my dad works such long hours that she had a whole list of things for me to do. I just got back.”

“Miss Wong cell-phoned me from outside the school building,” Dan reported. “She was

with Marina and Darcy. Connie was the only person who was home when I called. God has

saved all our lives for a purpose. It’s awesome!”

“It’s unbelievable,” Trent put in. “We have so much to be thankful for! If the meeting

hadn’t been canceled, we’d all be dead!”

“And Miss Wong didn’t cancel it!”

“You’re kidding.”

“God saved her life by giving her car trouble,” Dan told him. “And if we hadn’t received

those e-mails, we’d either be in heaven or in the hospital.”

“Heaven would be fine, but I sure wouldn’t want to spend a lot of time in a hospital,”

Trent returned.

“God obviously has important plans for us, and we’d better not give in to fear,” Dan said

thoughtfully. “How about our calling everybody so we can all go to the game together?”

“Good idea—and even though she has to work, I think we should take Marina’s

suggestion.”

“What’s that?”

“When I called the Martinez kids about the canceled prayer meeting, Marina answered

the phone, and she suggested that we meet for prayer in the laundry room after the game.”

“Let’s do it,” Dan agreed. “Since the band won’t perform, I’ll be able to be a regular

spectator. I can pick you up at your place so we can get there early and save seats for everyone as close to the fifty yard line as possible. You call Luís and tell him to bring his laundry key and to invite Raúl. I’ll try to get Darcy to invite all the girls.”

“Sure thing! Bye.”

Trent pressed the numbers in order to call the Martinez residence. His heartbeat

quickened. Maybe Marina would answer the phone.

“Hola,” he heard the voice of Marina’s mother.

“May I please speak with Luís? Inquired Trent.

“Moment, please,” she responded, with a heavy Spanish accent.

“Hello,” Luís answered.

“Luís, we’re all going to the game. There will be incredible police security so we’ll be

safe. Dan and I will be there early and we’ll save seats as close to the fifty yard line as possible.

Invite Raúl. Also, bring the laundry key. We’re going there to pray after the game.”

“Okay,” replied Luís. “I’ll see you at the game.”

Trent wondered if Marina were home, but he didn’t want to be obvious about his

interest, so he said good-bye and hung up.

Dan picked Trent up and they got there early enough to save good seats. Next Darcy and

Mallory arrived. Darcy reported that Gena and Karissa’s mothers wouldn’t let them come to the

game because they were afraid something more might happen. Darcy looked pale and shaken.

Trent wondered if she were sick or something. She just wasn’t herself. As usual, Mallory

appeared to be sad and discouraged. Trent knew her home was difficult, but it couldn’t be as

bad as Darcy’s. To Trent, Mallory seemed like a half-hearted Christian. He remembered

something he had learned at camp: “If you don’t surrender everything to God and serve Him

completely, regardless of what others say or think, you’ll never have victory in the Christian life.” Mallory seemed to have one foot in the world and the other foot in Christianity and didn’t seem to fit into either environment.

Luís and Raúl greeted everybody, took their place in the bleachers and started talking

Spanish to each other. When Gwen came on the scene, she always perked up the atmosphere.

Dressed completely in purple, she even had purple athletic shoes. Already munching on the

popcorn she’d bought, she lead the way while Connie followed like an obedient shadow.

“I think I know who the suspect is,” she announced.

“Who?” they all asked in unison.

“Chad.”

“Are you sure?” asked Darcy.

“Well, Chad’s dad owns the laundry and dry cleaning business next to the drug store on

Oak and 44th. When I got home from school, my mom took me with her to help clean my

grandmother’s house. We stopped at the drug store to fill her prescriptions on the way. Well,

the laundry was surrounded by police! When we came out of the drug store, somebody in the

crowd that had gathered commented, ‘Why would the police want to question Wolinsky’s son?’

Unless he has a brother he never told us about, he must be the suspect.”

“But how could Chad get a bomb into a locked room?” questioned Darcy.

“Maybe Miss Wong forgot to lock it,” Gwen offered.

“I doubt that,” put in Dan.

“But where would Chad get a bomb?” inquired Trent.

“Plus, he doesn’t seem like a violent kid,” Connie said in a low voice. “He’s different.

He’s insecure. He’s in my English class and it’s obvious that the other kids make fun of him and he doesn’t have any friends.”

The game was about to begin so the group shifted their attention to the field. Trent sat

between Dan and Luís. It was an exciting game. Omar made two touchdowns in the first quarter

and the score at halftime was Armstrong 14, Eisenhower 13. As he watched Omar on the

football field, Trent prayed, “Lord, help us to know what to do to reach out to Omar.”

When the homecoming queen with her attendants was presented, Trent kept his eyes

on the football field end zone. He just didn’t want to look at Mara with a crown on her head.

Dan seemed to sense his mood and started a conversation.

“I might get a music scholarship.”

“Really? What school?”

“I don’t know yet, but my counselor said that if I’m sure I want to study music, I would

have an excellent chance because I also have top academic grades. I think God does want me to

study trumpet and a scholarship would better my relationship with my parents. They want me

to get my degree in business and then go into partnership with my father. I can’t do that

because my father isn’t always completely honest in his business dealings and I’d have to go

along with whatever he did. In an Asian family, the obligation to follow the wishes of the family is super strong, but if I get a good scholarship, I can argue that one just doesn’t throw away free money.”

“I hope you get a great one,” Trent told him. “I’m also praying for a scholarship. My folks

can’t afford to send me to college.”

As the game started again, Armstrong kicked off to Eisenhower. The ball was caught by

the Eisenhower receiver, who got good blocking and returned the ball 25 yards. They were all

cheering wildly. But then a pass was intercepted and the Armstrong running back took the bal

all the way to the end zone for a touchdown. The kicker succeeded in adding the extra point,

putting the opponents ahead 20 to 14.

Then both teams dug in for a defensive duel. Trent was glad the game was exciting

because it diverted his attention from other things. With five minutes left to play, Eisenhower got the ball. By skillfully using their time outs and making first downs, they came within four yards of the goal. Then the referee signaled a touchdown when Omar crossed into the endzone.

The kick after touchdown was missed and the scoreboard showed a tie game. However, when

Armstrong got the ball, Omar’s surprise interception with less than a minute to play allowed

him to run the entire length of the field and score. The kick was good. Pandemonium broke out

as students from Eisenhower High started to stream onto the playing field. The security police had to move in to clear the field for the final 28 seconds of play. All the Bible club kids joined in the spontaneous Eisenhower celebration.

After the game, Dan and Trent invited everybody to pray in the laundry room. Mallory

had a date and Raúl told them he needed to get right home.

As they walked the two blocks to the apartment building, Trent did some thinking.

“How is it that we can sometimes get more excited about a football game than about

things that will last for all eternity?”

Fortunately, the laundry room was vacant. They spent time thanking God for His

miraculous protection. Next, they prayed for their future safety. Then, they made a circle. Each took his or her turn in the center as they prayed specifically for the protection of that person.

Trent got home just in time to rush off to a special movie for the youth of his church.

On Sunday afternoon, his mother called up to his room. “Trent, there’s an article in the

Sunday paper that mentions Omar Johnson, the Eisenhower football player that used to go to

your Bible club.”

When Trent picked up the paper, he was surprised to see that the headline read,

“Chicago Mafia Boss Jailed in Los Angeles”. He looked at his mother quizzically.

“Read this section,” she instructed, pointing a few paragraphs down the page. Trent

read,

“Dereck O’Neil, whose Los Angeles alias was Adrian Drake, had been

using the computer of his live-in girlfriend’s daughter, an Eisenhower student,

to communicate with a Chicago crime ring. Only the communiqués which he had

sent the day of his arrest remained undeleted. Computer experts were able to

retrieve all of the deleted material. Besides the homework of the owner, the

hard disk contained curious hate e-mails sent to Eisenhower football star, Omar

Johnson, using the e-mail addresses of the computer owner and her friends, and

a bogus message from an Eisenhower teacher canceling an important club

meeting in Room 207 on Friday morning. Since the club members would have

been in the classroom when the bomb exploded had not the meeting been

canceled, there is a possibility that O’Neil had prior knowledge of the bombing.

Besides charges of drug possession, money laundering, and theft, inside

sources say that O’Neil is also considered to be a suspect in the Eisenhower

school bombing. For that reason, the school will not open again until Tuesday.

Trent’s mind was swimming! So Dereck O’Neil was Darcy’s mother’s live-in boyfriend.

He might have found her list of club members and sent the fake e-mails. But what possible

motive would he have for setting off a bomb in Room 207? Why would he send hate e-mails to

Omar?

Trent immediately called Dan. “Listen to this newspaper article,” Trent exclaimed. “I’ll

read it to you.”

Dan and Trent decided to go to a drugstore with a copy machine and get enlarged

copies of the section of the article mentioning Omar’s name so they could show him the article.

When Dan and Trent rang the doorbell, Omar’s mother opened the door. She was an

attractive, tall woman elaborately dressed for a social event.

“Could we talk with Omar?” asked Dan politely.

“I’ll call him,” his mother answered. “I’m just on my way out, so you’ll have to excuse

me.”

They said good-bye to his mom as Omar came to the door. “Come in,” he invited. “I’m

sorry about the mix-up. Last night I was interviewed by a police detective. I found out that the horrible e-mails I thought all of you were sending me really came from the creep that lived at Darcy’s house!”

“I still can’t believe that jailed criminal really was Darcy’s mother’s boyfriend,” Trent

commented.

“But what did he have against you?” asked Dan.

“Remember the night we went to the youth rally?” queried Omar.

“Sure,” replied Dan.

“I missed it because I was still mesmerized by Mara,” moaned Trent.

“Well, I picked up the Martinez kids and Marina told me that Darcy was afraid of the

creep, so I sort of picked him up and pinned him against the wall in a firm sort of way and told him he’d better treat Darcy with respect. Well, the creep didn’t like it so he stole all your e-mail addresses and sent me horrible stuff using your names.”

“I can sure understand why you felt the way you did,” Dan sympathized. “Anybody hates

hypocrites.”

“The devil always likes to divide Christians and this time he used a professional criminal

to do it. This certainly wasn’t your fault,” added Trent.

“We really want to be your friends and help you in any way we can,” Dan assured.

“Guys,” Omar said sadly, “I’ve gone back to my old friends and have been drinking and

shoplifting and going to bad parties.”

“But you can repent and get right with God this very minute,” Trent encouraged.

“I really am sorry and I was never happy doing bad stuff, but I felt so hurt and I just

didn’t know where to turn,” Omar confessed.

“We understand,” Dan told him, “and so does God.”

“You’re not the only one who’s failed God,” Trent reminded him. “When I was running

around with Mara, I was a terrible advertisement for Christianity.”

“Remember,” Dan instructed, “that we Christians aren’t putting on a show. Christianity

has to do with the reality that Jesus is changing our lives from the inside out. When we fail, God faithfully gives us the opportunity to admit our sin and start over. Don’t you want to pray for forgiveness?”

“Sure thing,” replied Omar.

First, Dan prayed for Omar and then Omar prayed a tearful prayer of repentance. When

he opened his eyes, Omar asked, “Do I have to return the stuff I stole?”

“Yes, you do,” Dan said evenly. “Was it a lot?”

“Not too much,” Omar answered. “I can take back the clothes I haven’t worn yet and

that leaves me with a debt of about $300.”

“Here’s forty bucks to help get you started,” Dan offered. “And we’ll go with you if you

want company talking to the store managers.”

“I’ll ask my uncle if I can work on Monday so I can contribute something as well,”

promised Trent.

“Wow! You guys really care about me,” Omar exclaimed. “You’re my real friends. I’ll be

back at the Bible club. And I just found out for sure that Tim Whitener is also a Christian. He’s so quiet but I suspected him since the August practices. By the time I knew for sure, I didn’t want to have anything to do with Christians.”

The three of them went for milk shakes and had a good time talking with each other.

When Trent got home, he tackled his homework. Realizing the biology reading was harder than

he had expected, he went downstairs to rob the refrigerator for some extra energy.

His parents were watching the local evening news. He was shocked to see the Martinez

apartment building on the screen. The announcer was saying, “A homeless man was arrested

for shooting into the laundry rooms of a series of apartments from which he has been evicted.

As a welder who can earn a good income when sober, he has a history of getting a job and

being able to rent a place and then falling back into alcoholism, losing his job, failing to pay the rent, and therefore getting evicted. It seems to be a revenge scenario. Although no one was

killed or injured when shots were fired into the building shown on the screen, a full

investigation followed because bullets narrowly missed people who were in the laundry room

at the time. Forensic tests have proved that the same weapon was used in all of the shootings, but this is the first time he has been caught.”

Trent was amazed. He had been so sure that somehow Spike was behind the laundry

shooting! Maybe Spike was just good at bluffing and no one ever called his bluff. Perhaps Spike just knew how to manipulate people in order to inspire fear and had built his whole reputation on rumor. Possibly he wasn’t as dangerous and powerful as Eisenhower students thought he

was. But if he wasn’t behind the bombing, then who was?

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

After working eight hours on Monday, Trent looked at the money his uncle had given

him. He stared at the twenty dollar bill he had intended to give to Omar. He thought of the

things he wanted to buy and there was an inner struggle. He hadn’t told Omar how much to

count on so five or ten bucks would fulfill his promise. But then he thought of eternity—helping Omar get right with God would count a lot more than owning the really stylish shirt he’d seen

on sale. He decided to part with the money.

An e-mail from Miss Wong which contained an inside club joke—maybe that was her

way of signaling that the message really was from her—put Tuesday morning’s prayer meeting

back in the laundry room. Miss Wong explained that she’d been called by the assistant

principal, who told her that she’d been assigned to teach in a different room each period until Room 207 was completely repaired. First hour, she’d be in Mr. Murphy’s room! Within two

weeks, things would be back to normal.

Trent was the first to arrive for prayer meeting on Tuesday morning. Marina was sitting

on the steps ready to open the door to the apartment building.

“Good morning,” Trent smiled, trying not to sound nervous. “Too bad you missed the

game. It really was exciting.”

“Luís told me,” she returned. “He said the prayer meeting was pretty awesome, too.”

“It was.” Trent paused, trying to think of the right thing to say. Just then, Dan appeared

and continuing the conversation became a lot easier.

Omar and Darcy walked up the sidewalk together. Both of them looked really happy.

Trent wondered if a romantic interest might develop between them some day. Omar was too

easy-going and fun-loving to study hard, but his dedication to football showed he had

determination. Darcy was usually serious, but she knew how to have a good time.

Trent started the meeting with the five of them. Luís arrived late, but Gwen and Connie

never made it. After the “Amen”, Trent took Omar aside and slipped him the twenty dollar bill.

It felt good to give.

“I’ll pay you back as soon as I can,” Omar whispered.

“No,” Trent said firmly, “it’s a gift.”

When they got to school, they saw that the hallway by Room 207 had already been

repaired. A sign hung over the opening for what would be a door, instructing homeroom

students to report to Room 323 and listing the room numbers for each of Miss Wong’s history

classes. Chad was absent from school, and rumor had it that he was in the juvenile detention

center.

No one talked about anything except the explosion and who might be behind it. Trent

decided that there was nothing like a bomb to explode past false rumors. It appeared that no

one was the least bit interested in whether he was HIV positive or not. He passed through the

halls unnoticed. Maybe his life could return to normal.

When Trent arrived at the lunch table, everything was decorated and there was a

special cake for Omar. Trent knew the girls had arranged all this. Trent sat down next to Luís and Raúl and they saved a seat for Omar. With a smile on his face and a tray piled high with

food, Omar took his place.

“Thanks for the cake,” he said. “You’d think it was my birthday or something!”

“The something is your being voted high school athlete of the week,” Darcy told him,

smiling.

“I gotta start losing a little weight for the basketball season,” he thought aloud, “but

that can wait until tomorrow.”

Gwen and Omar kept them laughing all through lunch. Actually they all acted like little

kids on the last day of school. Trent decided that after so much pressure and danger, they

needed to let off steam.

Trent walked Darcy to college biology. “How’s your mother taking the news about

O’Neil?” he asked.

“She’ll never admit she’s wrong, so we don’t discuss it, but my little brothers are

themselves again and I don’t have nightmares anymore,” Darcy told him.

“God’s using that despicable man to save our lives is one of His most amazing miracles,”

Trent affirmed.

“I agree.”

They both noticed that Mara arrived alone and exchanged knowing glances. Trent

wondered if dating the football quarterback had only been the campaign strategy for being

elected homecoming queen.

When class started, Mr. Murphy looked rather subdued. Actually, he lectured all hour

without asking anyone a question.

Because the fifth hour teacher was absent, they had a young substitute, who was sure

that students needed to vent their feelings about the explosion. After a few kids described their emotion, an Hispanic guy asked for information on who did it.

“My father’s friend is the maintenance engineer at this school,” an attractive brunette

told everyone. “The janitor who cleans Room 207 lost his keys. Actually, he forgot to take them out of his pocket when he sent his janitorial uniforms to be cleaned at Wolinsky’s laundry and dry cleaners.”

“So Chad could have easily picked up the marked keys, entered the locked room, and set

off the bomb in order to make a name for himself,” suggested a curly-headed guy with glasses

who continued thinking out loud. “Unless the janitor made up that story to cover his own

tracks, the keys were found by someone who worked there and sold them to a person who is

mad at Miss Wong, or they were lost before the clothes got to the laundry, or someone bribed

the janitor to leave the room open and the key was dropped outside the door as a decoy, or…”

“You should be a detective!” put in his girlfriend admiringly.

“You’re forgetting about the bomb,” reminded a chunky guy with auburn hair and

freckles. “Not everyone has access to a bomb and the news report described the weapon as

sophisticated.”

Suddenly, an idea came to Trent’s mind. He remembered a big poster they’d made in

Sunday School when he was nine. It read, “Love your enemies”. Chad might be their enemy—or

he might be innocent. Whether he was innocent or guilty, Trent was sure that there would be

no one to care about him. They should visit him in the detention center; but how would they

get in to see him? A plan formed in his mind. They could contact the pastor of the red brick

church, where he’d taken refuge when he thought Crystal and Chen were following him. He

would know Captain Ross’s number and possibly he could arrange for them to meet with Chad.

By the time he tuned into the conversation again, a student was talking about the O’Neil

connection. “Trent,” she said pointedly, “you’re part of that religious group that meets in Miss Wong’s room. How did you find out the scheduled meeting was canceled?”

“I got an e-mail,” Trent replied. “It appeared to be from Miss Wong, but she didn’t send

it! The e-mail addresses were right by the computer so O’Neil could easily contact us.”

“But why?” asked an Asian girl.

“Darcy assumes that he overheard her on the telephone saying that the meeting was

super-important and just wanted to get back at her,” Trent informed them. “If another girl

hadn’t called her, Darcy could have been waiting at the door.”

“What did O’Neil have against Darcy?” queried and African-American girl.

“My guess is that he felt uncomfortable around someone so smart and perceptive,”

Trent answered.

The bell rang and Trent for the first time wondered if O’Neil was guilty of the crime in an

attempt to kill Darcy.

The next day at lunch, Omar came barging toward the table as if he had forgotten he

wasn’t on the football field. “Trent, you’re off the hook,” he announced.

“What do you mean?” Trent asked, looking puzzled.

“I got the rundown after football practice,” Omar began. “It seems that two college guys

closed in on Mara and Karalee after the football game. The girls kept Jacob and Kurt during the homecoming dance, but when Jacob stopped by Mara’s house on Monday afternoon before

football practice, he found Mara and Karalee in the living room, making out with the college

guys. Before all this, each had to take the side of his girl in the girls’ rivalry, but now Kurt and Jacob are best buddies.”

“So? What’s that got to do with Trent?” asked Gwen.

“I’m getting to that,” Omar continued. “Kurt told Jacob that Karalee had offered Mara

$2,000 if she could seduce you, because that’s how much the plastic surgery to remove the

little birthmark on her shoulder would have cost. She thought that Mara’s being seen with ‘the Kansas kid’ would ruin her image and make her lose votes, enabling Karalee who was dating the

captain of the football team to become homecoming queen.”

“This is a good story,” quipped Luís. “Maybe we can sell the movie rights and get rich!”

“Well, Karalee is also on the school paper,” Omar went on. “Kurt told Jacob that at the

last minute on the day the advisor was absent, Mara as editor rejected the story Karalee had

worked so hard on, and put the AIDS prevention story with your picture on the back page

instead. Jacob is really mad at Mara, so he went to the basketball coach to find out if you are really HIV positive. Now he knows the truth, and is telling everyone that Mara made up the

story because you wouldn’t co-operate in helping her to win $2,000.”

“Wow!” exclaimed Trent. “Got really does work fast. Instead of finishing reading

Proverbs, chapter 26 and praying in my devotions this morning, I memorized verse 2 and asked

God to bring it about in my life.”

“What does Proverbs 26:2 say?” inquired Marina.

“’Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserving curse does not come to

rest’,” quoted Trent. He added, “Because of my pride and foolishness, I walked into this mess, but God still bailed me out.”

“We’re all happy for you,” commented Darcy, “but changing the subject completely, I’m

still wondering if Chad might be taking the rap of the person really guilty of setting off that bomb. It’s so…”

“Why don’t we visit him and ask him?” Trent broke in.

“But who’d let us into the juvenile detention center?” Gwen asked.

Trent explained his plan, and they all approved. He called Dan and they decided to get

some advice from Miss Wong.

On Thursday, the laundry room was full. Even Gena and Karissa showed up. Dan gave

one of his best Bible studies. He ended with, “Live for Jesus today; tomorrow may never come,”

and no one thought he was being overly dramatic.

After school, Omar had football practice and Marina had to work, but the others found

their way to the room where Miss Wong taught 6th hour. Trent outlined the plan to visit Chad.

Miss Wong thought it was a good idea, and promised to accompany them. Trent’s description

of the church enabled Dan to identify it; so when he got home, Trent looked up the number in

the phone book and called Pastor Campbell.

“Hello, this is Trent Carson, the high school senior who waited in your office for Captain

Ross the day I was being followed.”

“I remember you. How is everything going now?”

“It’s been exciting and dangerous, and the kid who may have set off the bomb at

Eisenhower High has attended our Bible club, and we want to visit him at the juvenile detention center. Do you think Captain Ross could set it up?”

“I’ll help you work on that,” Pastor Campbell promised. “As a minister, I’ll try to get to

see him first and then we can arrange a general meeting. What is his name?”

“Chad Wolinsky.”

Pastor Campbell did get to see him, and worked with Captain Ross to arrange a meeting

with the club members in the presence of a police officer, Miss Wong, and himself.

Before piling into the church mini-bus with Pastor Campbell, they prayed together,

asking God to give them a love for Chad, to erase all resentment they might still have against him, and give them the right words to say. They rode in silence and Trent felt nervous as they parked and entered the detention center. They were all searched before entering the high

security area. There was an eerie silence and a coldness, as though the vibrancy and enjoyment of life couldn’t pass beyond the big, metal door. They were led by a police officer to a small room with folding chairs. Chad was brought in to see them. He looked pale and afraid.

Dan spoke first. “We’re still praying for you and we care about you. If you’re guilty, we

forgive you. If not, maybe we can help.”

“I didn’t do it!” Chad shot back crisply. “Why don’t you all just leave?”

“We will, if that’s what you really want,” Marina soothed, “but nobody can be happy

without knowing that their sins are forgiven and that they are on the way to heaven. We want

you to know that we care about you as a person, and want you to know what being a Christian

really means.”

“God forgives all kinds of stuff,” Trent went on. “He’ll forgive you and make you into a

new person, if that’s what you want.”

Chad stared at them for a few moments when time seemed to stand still. Then he broke

down into sobs. “I-I just about k-k-killed you all. Th-that was my intention—the whole reason I attended the club.”

“We still love you and care about you,” Marina affirmed.

“Was it really your idea in the first place?” inquired Darcy.

“No,” Chad said, seeming a little calmer. “I-I-I went to a black mass just out of curiosity,

and all the gang kids were there. A few days later, what I thought was an older woman found

me in the park. She had a lot of makeup and a gray wig, but her voice was that of a girl. She told me that Spike had noticed my outstanding leadership potential, and would offer me $1,000 a

month for five years, or $15,000 in one payment, if I could wipe out the Bible club. He also

guaranteed to make me commander of the ninth grade club members if I succeeded.”

Trent’s blood was beginning to boil as he realized how smart and how cruel Spike really

was. He only looked for defenseless operators who wouldn’t easily be linked to himself. He

started listening to Chad again.

“She told me I’d have two weeks to think it over and arranged another meeting in the

park so I could give my answer. Then she threatened me that if I ever mentioned these top

secret plans to anyone, they would arrange my death.

“Well, a couple of days later, the Eisenhower janitor left his uniforms to be washed and I

found his ring of keys, including the key for 207, in his pocket. Because of where my locker is, I realized you guys met in 207. I assumed getting the key meant it was my destiny to earn the

$15,000 and lead all the ninth graders. Finally, somebody would respect me! So I started

attending the club.”

Trent had somehow felt uneasy about Chad all along, but he never even let himself

think about it before. He listened to the rest of the story.

“I told the girl who came to the park that all I needed was a time bomb that wouldn’t

make any noise, surgical gloves, and a $400 advance for a family emergency. I made that story

up, but I wanted to see if they’d really give me the dough.

“Three days later, the same girl in her old lady costume told me to wear a Halloween

mask that looked realistic. I was to go to the parking lot of the apartments at 522 Maple, and I’d find a square, blue box by the dumpster with the money, the bomb, and the instructions. I was

told to destroy the box.

“I carefully studied everything. On Friday morning, I set the time for 7:22 a.m., put the

bomb in my backpack, and prepared to enter the building well before 7:00 a.m. I knew that the

metal detector wasn’t working because I had carefully observed for the last two weeks. I had no trouble entering the building. When I got to second floor, I looked both ways and the coast was clear, so I quickly put on my surgical gloves, opened the door to Room 207, and placed the

bomb under the desk where Trent usually sits. Then I relocked the door.”

“So it’s true!” thought Trent, “Spike really is out to get me.”

“I put the key in one pocket and my gloves in the other, and concentrated in getting

home as quickly as I possibly could, to crawl into bed to pretend to be sick and stay home from school.

“However, I had only gone a couple of blocks when I realized that my pocket had a hole

in it, and the key was gone! I totally panicked. First, I started running back to school, but I realized I had the gloves in my pocket. So I tried to find the best dumpster to trash the gloves in. Well, the dumpster I chose was a recycle bin, and a lady saw me throw the gloves into it. She thought I looked afraid and suspicious, so she called the police who asked her to bring in the gloves. So the police could link me easily to the gloves.

“When I tried to enter the school again, there were a lot of kids in the front hall and I

didn’t know what do to. After waiting awhile, I entered the building, but seeing a few students on second floor, I decided to leave. As I was on my way out, the bomb exploded. I decided that the normal thing would be to be curious, so I stuck around and ran into Darcy, Marina and Miss Wong.

“The police found the key, connected that to the rubber gloves, and got a good

description of me from a secretary who saw me leaving the school in a panic at 6:45. She was

there that early because her car was in the shop and her husband dropped her off on his way to work. There’s no hope for me now.”

“Yes, there is,” Darcy assured him. “Christ can change any life and He has even

transformed hardened criminals into people who serve Him and help others. Please know that

we forgive you. Don’t you want God to forgive you too? Don’t you want to give your whole life

to Jesus?

Chad was thoughtful. “I’ve never known what it was to have anyone really care for me. I

just assumed that you guys would turn on me sooner or later, but now I see you are real. I want what you have.”

“If you’re really serious about getting right with God,” Dan advised, “you have to hate

your sin and turn from it. You’l have to confess not only the bomb episode to God, but al

you’ve done against Him. You’ll also have to be honest with the police, and everyone else.”

“Being honest with the police isn’t a big deal, because they already know everything

anyway,” Chad told them. “They just haven’t made it public yet, because they’re checking into

some other things.”

“The neat part is,” Dan continued, “that God really does forgive if you decide to make

Him the boss of your life and to live within you.”

“I don’t have much of a life left,” Chad moaned.

“Without Jesus, that’s true,” Marina explained, “but Jesus changes everything.”

Chad did pray to receive Christ and it was an unforgettable moment.

Trent was filled with awe. Chad literally looked like a different person as he finished

praying. The police officer looked stunned. Miss Wong suggested that they all pray for Chad.

Pastor Campbell presented him with a New Testament in modern English, which he had

brought with him. Then the guard indicated that their time was up.

“We’ll be back to see you,” Trent promised as they were leaving. Then they filed out of

the detention center into an autumn late afternoon. No one spoke.

Trent was deep in thought. He doubted that the police would be able to pin anything on

Spike, so his future would probably still be filled with danger, but his faith in a God who does miracles and protects from death was so much stronger. “With God all things are possible”

weren’t any longer just words on a poster in his room; he really believed them. And in a world filled with tension, terror, and uncertainty, it was what he needed most.

Trent realized that he was walking beside Marina. She looked up at him, her beautiful,

brown eyes glistening with tears.

“Chad will be in heaven because of our Bible club,” she said softly.

“Yes,” Trent replied. “Today we’ve seen what my summer camp counselor always told

us: ‘Every miracle begins with a problem.’”

“Or,” Marina finished the idea, “with nearly getting killed.”

“Our future might have as many problems as the past,” Trent said, looking into her eyes,

“but the God who does miracles will always be there for us.”

Document Outline

portada-explosion

Explosion at Eisenhower High

“How can a story which begins with a suspicious wife hiring a

detective, an apparent attempt on the life of a high school principal,

and a secretary who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong

time turn out to the satisfaction of all concerned? Fiction was never

this good.

“It all started when Ralph Purdy’s lifelong friend, Donald Krump,

a multi-millionaire business tycoon, bet him $200,000.00 that he

couldn’t stick out two more years as principal once he was eligible to

retire. Randolph Purdy, never a man to run from a challenge, decided to

go for it. He didn’t tell his wife because he wanted to surprise her with

a trip around the world for their thirtieth wedding anniversary. However,

the main plot of the soap opera which Bernice Purdy always followed

and the fact that the good-looking single principal’s secretary at

Eisenhower High had also postponed her retirement made Mrs. Purdy

suspicious. Using her inheritance money, she hired a private detective

who installed a hidden video camera with a recording device in the

school office.

“While revealing absolutely no improprieties on the part of Mr.

Purdy and Miss Swanson, the video shows not only Spike Williams

putting poison in the principal’s coffee, but also the police reaction.

Since proper official procedure was not followed by the policemen making

the arrests, the case couldn’t stand up in court. Spike’s uncle, Brant

Williams, a famous ACLU trial lawyer, was able to secure the release

of his nephew and his friends, assuring everyone that it was all a boyish

prank.

“Spike has a long history of practical jokes,” Attorney Williams

told the press. “This one went too far but it was innocent. Acting on a dare,

he did poison the coffee but he planned to neutralize it immediately.”

Both the tasteless poison and the antidote were found on Spike’s

person.

“Spike had these things readily available because he had made an

A+ report on poisons and antidotes in chemistry last year. He entered

the project in the science fair and took third place.

Miss Swanson was interviewed by phone from her sister’s place

in Dallas. She said she had enjoyed her job and for this reason opted to

work another year, but that the poison incident made her long for a

less stressful lifestyle. She submitted her retirement papers that very

day and left for Dallas. Principal Purdy also has decided to retire.

“To top off a most amazing story, Bernice Purdy’s cousin who

works for a producer in Hollywood has arranged for the sale of movie

rights making the trip around the world a reality for the Purdy’s.

They are leaving for Europe on Monday.”