by JR Thompson
Although that was somewhat of a relief, Collin was certain he knew who the bodies belonged to — Malachi and Mrs. Crowley. They were both murdered because of the investigations Collin and his family had undertaken. Worse still was the fear that if Remington had been with Malachi and his mother at the time they were killed, where was Remington now?
Collin left work early again and drove home to tell Alayna and Brock about the news.
Brock seemed devastated, “These transgressions are all on my account. Had I not invited myself to your house, none of this would have transpired. Because of my feeble-mindedness you’ve lost your son and two homicides have occurred. Perhaps it’s time for me to withdraw my presence from your company.”
Collin and Alayna just looked at each other. They had both had that same thought many times. But they had come through too much together. They must have been getting close to solving the mystery of the disappearances. Someone knew they were getting too close and they didn’t like it.
The one thing Collin didn’t understand was why whoever it was hadn’t already killed him. Yes, they had attacked him at The Creepy Masselli Place and had left his lifeless body in the garbage, but couldn’t they have killed him at his special place of prayer? Couldn’t they have killed Brock when they had dragged him in an alleyway? Or couldn’t they have killed Alayna and Remington when they tied them up? Something wasn’t adding up.
◆◆◆
Two days later, Collin and Nikki were startled by a professional looking woman in a business suit who entered Just Right Shoes. Holding a clipboard in her hand, she paraded over to the desk. “Hi, I’m Savannah. I’m with corporate.”
Corporate? Why are they here? Collin thought. And why on earth is somebody from corporate wearing those dreadful platforms?
“Collin, let’s go in the back. We need to talk,” she said.
Once they found a place to sit down, she continued, “I’m here because rumors about you have made it all the way to our office. They say you have come under investigation about your son being missing. That your son was under investigation for possibly trying to blow up his school. That a guy staying with you was previously investigated for Cannibalism. It’s even been said that you had some connections to the mother and son whose bodies were recently found in a dumpster.”
Savannah didn’t beat around the bush at all. “We’ve been reviewing records and, quite frankly, your work is leaving a lot to be desired. You have been leaving the building sporadically, your sales totals are slipping, and Collin, when we’ve been reviewing surveillance footage, it appears you have been having some anger outbursts and taking unnecessary breaks. What do you have to say for yourself?”
Nikki had to have snitched me. Why would she do that?
“Well?” Savannah asked.
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I will be more responsible,” Collin told her.
“Glad to hear it. I have, here in my hand, a written warning for you to sign. It states that your employment is on probation for the next one hundred and eighty days. Should you miss any work, destroy anything, miss your sales quotas, take any unnecessary breaks, or upset any customers during that time frame, your employment with Just Right Shoes will be terminated.”
Collin told her he understood and he willingly signed the warning.
Seconds later, they walked back to the front desk together where Savannah told Nikki to keep up the good work.
Once Savannah was out of sight, Collin looked at Nikki and said, “You snitched on me?”
Nikki denied it to a T, “Why would I do that? I have never worked with anyone that brings so much excitement to the workplace. I wouldn’t trade you in for the world.”
Collin questioned her with his eyes. How would corporate know about all of this without an informant? he asked himself.
“Do you know why Savannah was here?” he asked her.
“I have no idea.”
Collin wanted to believe her, but he wasn’t sure if he should or not. At the same time, he needed to vent and Nikki was the only person in the building he could blab to. “Well, in case you are telling the truth, I’ll fill you in,” he said. “I’m on probation for the next six months. I’m under corporate’s microscope. I can’t miss any more work or express my emotions within the next six months or I’ll get canned.”
“That bites. You can do it though, dawg. Before Brock moved in with you, you were the most straight-laced, hardworking shoe salesman this store had ever known. Be that man again — you’ve got this.”
◆◆◆
Collin worried about corporate’s warning all the way home from work.
I’ve never been written up in my life. I’ve never been fired. I can’t get fired. I’m a good employee. I’m the master salesman for crying out loud.
Deep inside, he knew that the business could easily go on without him, just like it had gone on for years as one employee after another had left to assume other positions.
Anyone and everyone can be replaced, he reminded himself. You need to keep your job to support your family. The Bible says a man that doesn’t do that is worse than an infidel.
He wondered how Alayna was going to feel about the news or if he should just keep the information to himself. What good would it do to tell her anyway? Just to give her something else to worry about?
Then again, if things were the other way around, wouldn’t he want Alayna to tell him?
A few minutes from home, he remembered the lecture he had given Brock before about the importance of learning how to hold onto a job no matter what. What will Brock think when he hears about this?
◆◆◆
Brock greeted him on the porch. “Good evening, fine sir,” he said.
“Good evening to you,” Collin replied, pretending nothing was wrong. “How was your day?”
“Interesting. Do you remember that customer that had my employment with Clayville News terminated?”
“I remember,” Collin told him, wondering what that lady could possibly have to do with anything.
Brock couldn’t wait to fill him in. Boy, did he have a story to share, “While we were seeking Remmy today, I encountered that antique bat. I didn’t recognize her at all. When I revealed the poster and inquired if she had detected Remmy, she said, ‘Did you look under your tires? You probably parked on top of him, you big idiot!”
“Oh, no! That’s terrible. What did you say?”
Walking out the door behind him, Alayna interjected, “He didn’t have to say a word. I took things from there.”
I can only imagine, Collin thought.
He didn’t even have to ask for an explanation. Brock and Alayna both burst into laughter. “I told that lady that a human being is worth much more than a yappy little Chihuahua.”
“Alayna, you didn’t?”
“Sometimes, Collin, I just have to get rid of steam. I would go insane if I didn’t.”
“You should have shared in the experience, Collin,” Brock said. “I speculated they were going to exchange punches right there in the street. That woman said ‘Miss, I don’t know who you think you’re talking to that way, but you better watch your step.”
Alayna cut him off, “That’s when I told her she’s the one that better learn when to keep her fat mouth shut — unless she wanted to be the next one to get splattered underneath somebody’s car tire.”
“Alayna, you didn’t threaten her?”
“Oh, she most assuredly did,” Brock laughed.
“I most certainly did not. A threat is idle words, trying to intimidate someone,” Alayna said. “What I said wasn’t a threat. I meant every word of it!”
CHAPTER 33 – TAKING A TRIP
A few weeks after Remington’s disappearance, Brock asked Collin and Alayna what they thought about the idea of him getting baptized. “I was perusing my Bible last evening,” he said, “and I discovered this verse in Romans that says ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose.’ Through the midnight hour, I laid there arduously attempting to comprehend that passage.
“I mean, what good can be concluded from a kidnapping? Or what exceptional feat can arise from erroneous allegations?”
Brock paused as if he was waiting for some type of an answer from Collin or Alayna. Unfortunately, both of them were too mentally drained to even have an opinion on the matter. All they had thought about for weeks was their missing little boy.
“Well,” Brock continued, “I can’t convey thoughts for anyone but myself here, but I have been experiencing exponential spiritual growth through all of this. I have been schooled on how to pray and how to increase my faith. I have missed Remmy’s Bible stories so I have been getting in the Bible and uncovering them for myself. I guess what I’m trying to ask, is this. Would it be considered inappropriate for me to get baptized while Remmy is still at bay?”
Brock and Alayna just looked at one another. What could they say? It was never wrong to do something for God. Their world had pretty much ceased to exist outside of the idea of trying to figure out if Remmy was okay. They had completely forgotten about Brock getting saved and about his conversation with Pastor Brown about the baptism.
“I don’t have a problem with it,” Collin told him.
“Do whatever you think is right,” Alayna agreed.
Understanding the Russells were not really in the mood for a lengthy discussion on the topic, Brock took the Jeep and headed over to Pastor Brown’s.
◆◆◆
Pastor and Mrs. Brown were surprised to see Brock. He had been to their home before, but never without the Russells.
They welcomed him into their home and offered him a cup of hot coffee.
“So were you just in the neighborhood or is there something we can help you with?” the pastor asked.
When Brock brought up the subject of baptism, the pastor’s face lit up. “Brock, I would be honored to baptize you,” he said. “How about this coming Sunday after the morning service?”
Brock didn’t even have to think about it. “That would be stupendous.”
Pastor Brown volunteered to text all of the church members to give them a heads up of the baptism so they could plan on staying a little after church on Sunday.
◆◆◆
Sunday morning, Brock woke up with a lot on his mind. Today, I’m going to be getting baptized. I’m going to show the world that I am ready to follow Christ.
There was also some sadness associated with the baptism. I wish Remmy was here to see this day. He would be ecstatic.
Brock thought about his own parents and about his ex-wife and son. There were so many people he would love to share the occasion with. But, with or without them, he was ready to take another step toward living for God.
Instead of waiting for Collin to wake him up, Brock got out of bed and made his way out to the dining room. Looking out the window, he saw a beautiful sun beaming down on him. What a perfect day for this!
A short while later, Alayna walked into the room. “I’m sorry, Brock. I’m running late this morning. You can eat some cereal or Pop Tarts if you want to. I’m not going to have time to cook breakfast.”
Brock told her that was okay — he wasn’t even the least bit hungry. All he wanted to do was get to church and take that giant leap of obedience. He was so anxious, in fact, that he couldn’t even sit down. After getting dressed, he paced back and forth throughout the house up until it was time to head out the door.
When they arrived at church, Mrs. Brown was just getting out of her car. “I hope you brought some towels. It’s kind of chilly out here.”
“We brought some,” Alayna told her. “Besides, Brock’s a big boy. He can handle it.”
Brock smiled, but didn’t say a word.
Throughout the service, Brock didn’t hear a word Pastor Brown spoke. He couldn’t get his mind off of that baptism. He thought about the baptism of Jesus that he read about in the Bible. He thought about how the Spirit of God came down on Jesus in the form of a dove. He was in awe imagining God saying to Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
It reminded him of his first night at the Russells — the night when he overheard Remmy telling Collin he was proud of him. It also reminded him of the times when he used to tell Scottie he was proud of him.
He wanted God to be pleased with his life. He wanted to obey Him in everything.
“Please stand to your feet,” the pastor said at the end of the service. “Let’s have a song of invitation.”
Brock remembered the altar call, just like that one, when he had so eagerly rushed forward and asked Jesus to save his soul. It was going to be another special day for him. Another powerful, joyful day that he would never forget.
After the invitation, Pastor Brown said, “Don’t forget, church, Brock Pearson is going to be getting baptized in the river behind the church right after we dismiss. We hope you will stick around for his baptismal service.”
◆◆◆
Standing on the bank of the river, someone in the congregation began singing, “Shall We Gather At The River.”
Brock had never heard the song before, but it was music to his ears. He watched as Pastor Brown and one of the church’s deacons waded into the water.
After a minute or two, the pastor motioned for Brock to join him.
Taking a step into the water, Brock instantly realized it was colder than he thought it was going to be. It was okay. He was excited! Like Alayna had said, he was a big boy. He could handle it.
Brock took about ten steps into the water when his foot kicked a rock and he stumbled. He fell face first into the water.
This is humiliating. It could only happen to me. He stood up and looked at Pastor Brown, who was chuckling.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m good.”
Once he got out to where Pastor Brown and the deacon were standing, he was told to turn sideways so the church could see him better.
“Just so you all will know,” Pastor Brown said, “we are not going to be starting any kind of new traditions at our church. We aren’t going to have members baptizing themselves like Brock tried to do. That’s just not the Bible way.”
Everyone laughed. Brock doubted anyone had ever fallen on their way to their own baptism before. Oh well, at least it gave them something to smile about.
“Brother, I now baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,” Pastor Brown said, before taking him under the water.
When he raised up, Brock shouted, “Praise the Lord! Praise His Holy Name!”
◆◆◆
That afternoon, while Collin and Alayna were napping, Brock decided to see just how close to God he could get. He took his Bible and walked out to the shed. He wanted to be completely alone with God, hoping to pray out loud without worrying about anyone hearing him.
He knelt on the dirt floor, resting his arms on a piece of firewood. There, he thanked God for allowing him to meet the Russells and the wonderful folks at Shooting Star Baptist Church. He thanked God for saving him and for allowing him to get baptized. Then, he made a vow to God, “I will complete any assignment you direct me to, Lord. If you desire to utilize my vessel, it is available. Just enlighten me of your intended strategy and I will be in full compliance. If you desire to utilize me for something miniscule or something vast, I am willing. It doesn’t matter if it’s today, tomorrow, or a decade in the future. Whatever your timing is is okay by me.”
Without saying “Amen,” Brock opened his eyes and flipped his Bible open to the sixth chapter of Matthew. Taking his time, he read through the entire chapter. Some of the verses he read only once, while others he read over and over again.
Throughout the chapter, there was one passage he kept returning to. It said he was supposed to forgive others and that if he failed to do so, God would not forgive him.
Brock thought about the detestable allegation that had been made about him. Not only h
ad it scarred his reputation within the community, but it had caused a division in his family. It had caused him to lose the roof over his head.
How could he forgive someone who had been so cruel to him? Harder still, Brock knew Malachi had been murdered. He wasn’t even alive. He didn’t have the ability to say, “I’m sorry.”
Brock bowed his head and closed his eyes again. “God, I don’t know how to forgive someone who hasn’t even asked for my forgiveness. I know he’s just a boy. I understand that. But God, he ruined my life!”
Getting quiet for a moment, Brock remembered one of the first passages he had ever heard preached. The one where Pastor Brown talked about how God could turn trials into blessings.
If Malachi hadn’t lied about me, I would still be lost and on my way to Hell.
What a revelation! God had turned a devastating allegation into an eternal reward.
“I forgive him, God!” Brock said. “As a matter of fact, I owe him a debt of gratitude. Thank you for honoring your Word, Lord.”
Opening his eyes, Brock flipped the Bible open again. This time, he ended up at Psalm 139, which would soon become his favorite chapter in the Bible.
In essence, God told Brock he had been watching over him from the time he was conceived in his mother’s womb. God knew about the first lie he had ever told, every curse word that had ever slipped out of his mouth, and about the time when he puffed on a cigarette as a twelve-year-old boy. God had saw every move he had ever made.
Not only that, but Brock came to understand that God not only observed everything he had ever done, but He had also heard every thought that had ever gone through his mind. He knew every secret he had ever listened to and every lustful imagination of his heart.
“God, I’ve been a wicked individual,” Brock cried out. “Why were you amenable to rescuing me, knowing my every transgression?”
