Chat Freak

by Terry Brown

  “I said sit on the floor! ”

  Suddenly Morgan swung in the direction of the voice. Beneath the pounding of her heart, something else had registered. She had the uncanny sensation that she’d heard that voice somewhere before. But where?

  Then she knew.

  Whipping around, she flipped on the overhead lights. “What are you doing here, Tyler?” Morgan’s voice shook with fear and anger. “Talk fast. This had better be good, or I’m calling 911.”

  “Morgan!” Jamie cried. “What are you doing?”

  “Meet Tyler, one-third of my biology group for the Save the Seals project.” For the first time, Morgan saw what was on the table, too. “Hey! Give me that money! You can’t have that!”

  Ty snorted. “Why? It’s for some cancer victim? Get real.”

  “It is for a cancer victim, not that you’d care. Now give it back.”

  “Finders keepers, stupid.” Ty pushed her away. Chuckling to himself, he stuffed handfuls of bills from the donation box into his jacket pockets. “This will spend nicely on those California beaches, or maybe up in the mountains while my dear mama takes me for a ride.”

  Morgan’s mouth fell open. What had he just said? California beaches? Rides in the mountains? Morgan felt sick as the pieces fell heavily into place. “You’re last_wish,” she finally said, the breath going out of her like a punctured balloon.

  “Bingo! We have a winner.”

  Jamie came around in front of the counter, looking from Ty to Morgan and back to Ty. “This is last_wish?” she asked, horror mixed with unbelief.

  Morgan stared at the wad of bills in Ty’s hand. “I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it.” Nothing—absolutely nothing—she’d tried to do to help anyone had turned out right.

  Ty moved to step around Morgan. Morgan considered tackling him, then thought better of it. He was six inches taller and probably twice her weight. She didn’t stand a chance.

  “Say, didn’t you mention some restaurant money hidden here, too? Let’s go find it.”

  Jamie wore a stunned expression. “You told this guy we had money hidden here?”

  “No, I didn’t tell this guy!” Morgan stung at the accusation. “I told some kid in California dying from cancer.” Morgan looked with disgust at the gangly boy. “What’s the matter with you?” she demanded.

  “I need this money every bit as much as old last_wish does.” His voice was suddenly bitter. “Even in Edgewood there are families without dads who need cash.”

  “That’s no excuse to steal.” Morgan’s eyes narrowed. “Say, did you take that money I couldn’t find, the money for the Adopt-A-Seal program?”

  Ty laughed aloud. “Oh, you noticed? Careless of you to stick it in your book that way.”

  Morgan pointed an accusing finger at him. “You were in here with Jared the day our tip money disappeared, too!”

  “You should pay better attention. You have no security! Heck, you people don’t even lock the front door!” Ty laughed outright then. “I just walked in and turned the bolt from the inside. So, you can’t even get me for breaking and entering. Or stealing either, since I’m last_wish and these cards even have my name on them!”

  Morgan gasped. He couldn’t get away with this, could he? “I can’t believe you fooled me. I really believed you.”

  “That’s the trick of the Internet, Jellybean. You can only know what the other person chooses to tell you.”

  “Well you’re trespassing, Ty, and you impersonated some dying kid, which I’m sure is against the law. You won’t get away with this.” Morgan stepped closer to the phone.

  At that, Ty stopped short. For the first time, doubt flickered over his face. “You’re really calling 911?”

  “Well, not if you hand over the money and leave. Now.”

  “What about you?” he demanded, turning to Jamie. She stood silent with her eyes closed. “Hey! Wake up! I’m talking to you!”

  Jamie jumped. “I—I’m praying.”

  Ty sniffed. “Like you really believe that God stuff, like He really listens to you?”

  Jamie nodded. “I know He listens. And if you prayed, He’d listen to you, too. Jesus loves all of us, Tyler.”

  Right then Morgan wished with all her heart that she could pray. What a mess she’d made of everything! But would God really listen to her? She bet God wouldn’t hear a liar who had put so many people in so many different types of danger. She knew they were incredibly lucky that their “burglar” was just a dork and not a real gun-carrying criminal.

  Ty snorted and threw the donation money and cards back down on the table. “I’m outta here. I didn’t come for any Jesus revival.” With that, he slammed out the front door. Morgan jumped up, and with shaking hands, twisted the deadbolt. With knees wobbling so they’d barely support her, Morgan slid down the front of the counter to the floor next to Jamie. They sat in stunned silence.

  “Oh, Jamie, I don’t know what to say.” Morgan shuddered. “I’m so sorry about putting you in danger. He could have been a real burglar!”

  “Hey, it’s over now. God was protecting us. Ty did give us a good scare, though.” Jamie turned and looked at her friend. “I hope you see now the Internet’s power over you lately. It’s made you blind to things.”

  Morgan nodded slowly. The mountain of evidence—the harm she’d done to her friends especially—made it impossible to deny. “I keep trying to do better because I want to do better. I try to control the time I spend online, but I can’t seem to keep my promises, even to myself.”

  “In other words, you really don’t have power over the sin in your life?”

  Morgan leaned her head to one side. “I didn’t think of it like that, but no, I sure don’t.”

  “Well, remember what our pastor said last night?” Jamie asked. “He said accepting Jesus as your Savior would give you that power.”

  “You mean what he called being ‘born again’? Then I’d have power to control this addiction, or whatever it is?” Morgan wanted desperately to believe that, but how could she? Besides, sometimes she was so lonely that being online was the only thing that helped her feel better.

  “Jesus wants to give you more than that,” Jamie said. “More than just power to control this thing, even though that’s very important. He wants to heal the hurt inside you. Remember what you told me and Mom about Thursday night—that makes you do kinda crazy things just to be online?” Jamie’s voice softened.

  “Jesus wants to be your best Friend, always with you. Then you’ll find that empty hole getting smaller and smaller till you won’t need to constantly be online anymore. He can fill that place inside you, Morgan. He’s the only One who can.”

  Morgan’s throat felt so tight she couldn’t swallow. Jamie didn’t talk about her faith very often, but Morgan knew that, like Amber, Jamie believed and prayed. And right then Morgan would give anything to be like that.

  Raindrops fell gently against the window, adding their rhythm to Jamie’s words as she continued, “Last night Mr. Holsey said that Jesus bridges the gap between God and us. He came here so that we could have God’s forgiveness for our sins. He died to give us new life in Him. And we’re all just the same, Morgan.

  “Back when Dad walked out on us, I wanted to die. How could he do that? You didn’t know me then, but my life was a real mess. I did some stuff—wrong stuff—to get people’s attention, but accepting Christ into my heart has given me a real peace and finally healed that loneliness. He’ll do that for you, too,” she added quietly. “No matter what you’ve done, Jesus takes us as we are and meets us where we’re at. If you want to, you can talk to Him.”

  Morgan swallowed hard, aching for the peace that Jamie described. Morgan glanced up at Jamie. Her eyes were shut.

  Then, sitting right there on the floor of the restaurant, Morgan made her decision. She closed her eyes and prayed silently. “God, I’m so sorry for all the problems I’ve caused. Thank You for sending Your Son to die for me. I want You living in my he
art. I want to give my life to You and start over again. Thank You. Amen.”

  She opened her eyes and waited, trying to make out how she felt. She hadn’t sprouted wings or anything, but a feeling of peace had settled inside her. “I did it,” she said to Jamie.

  Jamie hugged her friend. “Just remember, Jesus will be your best Friend, your Comforter, and the best listener. From now on, you’ll never be alone.”

  “That sounds so good.” Morgan smiled, stretched, and stood up. The rain had quit, and street lamps at the corner spilled their light across the wet pavement. She scooped up the cards and donation money. “How about if we donate this to a real terminally ill child, like at the hospital here in town?”

  “Great idea.” Jamie’s mouth opened in a wide yawn, then she grinned and shook her head. “I don’t know about you, but I need my beauty sleep. Ready?”

  Morgan thought for a brief second about running to the office for her laptop. But only for a brief second. It could wait till the next day when they stopped after church. She turned to her friend. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

  epilogue

  Hey, Morgan! Chat time!” Maya called from her bedroom. “Get on in the kitchen!”

  Morgan got a Coke from the refrigerator, shuddering at the tofu and bean sprouts rotting in there. Ugh. She moved her microwave popcorn and crunchy M&M’s next to where her laptop was plugged into the family phone line. Even though she was grounded from being on the Internet, her mom had made an exception with the TodaysGirls.com nightly chat. Afterward she had to get right off. She logged on to see chat already scrolling down.

  jellybean: hello girlz!

  TX2step: itz about time

  rembrandt: i was just finishing the story, M. anyway, my mom realized we weren’t home & freaked out. she called coach & said we were missing. he came barging in @ the Gnosh.

  faithful1: so what’s up w/ ty?

  jellybean: we didn’t call the police because he didn’t break & enter. it was unlocked.

  rembrandt: but he was trespassing

  jellybean: coach called the principal. i don’t know what will happen 2 him.

  TX2step: so how much trouble are U guys in?

  rembrandt: i’m grounded 4 sneaking out & scaring mom 2 death, but just for a couple days.

  jellybean: i’m major grounded

  nycbutterfly: swim practice will B M’s social life 4 a while. i leave 4 a week and look @ all that happens!

  TX2step: U ought 2 leave more often

  nycbutterfly: just wait till i go 2 school. THEN U’ll miss me

  TX2step: believe it or not, i missed all U guyz last week. good 2 B back.

  faithful1: hope UR still glad tomorrow. coach called an early morning practice. wait till Bren hears. she flies in after midnight.

  TX2step: ACK!

  nycbutterfly: just hope lil sis gets her time back up.

  jellybean: no prob. i’m staying off the Net & going 2 bed early!

  Before Morgan knew it, the clock in the corner of her monitor showed that a half-hour had passed. She typed “Happy Easter, girls” and logged off, then leaned back against the wall. She grabbed another handful of popcorn, letting it dribble through her fingers back into the bowl. As she looked around the kitchen, Morgan felt the peace and joy she’d felt that morning at the sunrise Easter service slowly evaporate. Had it been real? Was Jesus truly living in her heart? Suddenly, Morgan felt no different than before her midnight encounter in the restaurant.

  She was still alone.

  Alex was obviously back in town, but she hadn’t called when she got home. Morgan would have gladly met her bus. Jacob wasn’t due back till almost midnight, and her parents were still gone, too. Her dad was checking the restaurant and depositing all that money. Her mom had finally called and connected with the gallery owner, but never got to meet him. However, he’d finally agreed to look at her art if she sent him copies on disk. Morgan’s mom was out getting it scanned right then. Oh well, at least they weren’t moving to New York, Morgan thought. She’d been so relieved to learn that she’d misunderstood their conversation. Maya was home, though. Maybe she’d want to do something with her.

  Halfway up the stairs, however, Morgan could hear her big sister on the phone. Morgan leaned her head to one side and listened. Must be Darryl, she decided, relieved that he’d accepted her apology when she’d called him after dinner. Morgan retraced her steps to the kitchen, peered into the refrigerator again, then turned and eyed her computer.

  Her parents wouldn’t be home for at least an hour, Morgan would be on the phone that long, and Jacob would be even later. She could use the family line and click into GlobalBuddies.com without anyone knowing. She didn’t want her online friends to think she’d abandoned them. Being abandoned felt rotten, and she didn’t want anyone feeling that way because of her.

  Still, Morgan knew she was grounded and she’d agreed to abide by her parents’ rules. If only she didn’t feel so lonely . . .

  As she sat in the dark kitchen, lit only by the tiny light over the stove, Jamie’s words from the night before slowly came back to her. Jesus wanted to be her Friend, Jamie had said. He would meet Morgan where she was.

  “Well, where I’m at is lonely,” Morgan whispered. “Lord, please help me. If You’re really living inside me, please be my Friend now.”

  Closing her eyes, Morgan breathed deeply and waited. Slowly the squeezing sensation in her chest eased, and the tears that had been welling up in her eyes dried. A warm layer of peace settled down over her like a flannel blanket.

  Smiling slowly, Morgan whispered, “Thank You.” Then she unhooked her laptop from the phone jack and carried it into the den with her. In no time, she found herself engrossed in rewriting her Save the Seals report. She ended it with an appeal for the class to join them in adopting a seal and donating money to apply toward their medical needs. She was just finishing when she heard a knock on the back door.

  After typing her last few words, Morgan ran to the kitchen. After peeking through the curtain, she flipped on the porch light, spotted Alex, and grinned. She threw open the door.

  “Got time for a friend?” Alex asked. “Or are you grounded from having company, too?”

  “Nope! Real live friends are still allowed.” She stepped back as Alex came inside, then gave her a quick hug. “Boy, do you look tan! You’ll have to tell me everything. I missed you!”

  But before Alex could open her mouth, there was another knock. “What is this, Grand Central Station?” Alex asked.

  Morgan shrugged and opened the door again. On the back step was a huge poster with feet and legs protruding below. “Is this the Save the Seals Headquarters?” came a muffled voice from behind the poster.

  Morgan laughed, turned the poster around, and whistled. “This is great, Jared!” she said. “I just finished my report, and it’ll be perfect with this.”

  Jared shut the door behind him and smiled. “I aim to please.” His grin faded. “I have Tyler’s notes and the overhead he made, but he won’t be in school tomorrow. He’s really embarrassed about the whole thing.”

  “He should be! I still can’t believe he was last_wish.”

  Just then the headlights of her dad’s classic ’55 Chevy swept into the driveway. Maya’s familiar footsteps came skipping down the stairs, and from the sound of her singing, the phone call from Darryl had been a success. Maya waltzed into the kitchen at the same moment her parents opened the kitchen door.

  Morgan gazed from her friends to her family, suddenly overwhelmed by her good fortune to have so much love surrounding her. The people she met online were friendly and interesting, but these people were real. Now she knew that, even when none of them were around, she always had the very best Friend a person could have, a Friend that would never leave her.

  “Looks like it’s time for a welcome home party,” Morgan said, throwing open the refrigerator door. “Tofu and sprouts, anyone?”

  Net Ready, Set, Go!

  I hope my words and t
houghts please you.

  Psalm 19:14

  The characters of TodaysGirls.com chat online in the safest—and maybe most fun—of all chat rooms! They’ve created their own private Web site and room! Many Christian teen sites allow you to create your own private chat rooms, and there are other safe options.

  Work with your parents to develop a list of safe, appropriate chat rooms. Earn Internet freedom by showing them you can make the right choices. Honor your father and your mother (Deuteronomy 5:16).

  Before entering a chat room, you’ll select a user name. Although you can use your real name, a nickname is safer. Most people choose one that says something about who they are, like Amber’s name, faithful1. Don’t be discouraged if the name you select is already taken. You can use a similar one by adding a number at its end.

  No one will notice your grammar in a chat room. Don’t worry if you spell something wrong or forget to capitalize. Some people even misspell words on purpose. You might see a sentence like How R U?

  But sometimes it’s important to be accurate. Web site and e-mail addresses must be exact. Pay close attention to whether letters are upper- or lowercase. Remember that Web site addresses don’t use some punctuation marks, such as hyphens and apostrophes. (That’s why the “Today’s” in TodaysGirls.com has no apostrophe!) And instead of spaces between words, underlines are used to_make_a_space. And sometimes words just run together like onebigword.

  When you’re in a chat room, remember that real people are typing the words that appear on your screen. Treat them with the same respect you expect from them. Don’t say anything you wouldn’t want repeated in Sunday school. Do for other people what you want them to do for you (Luke 6:31).

  Sometimes people say mean, hurtful things—things that make us angry. This can happen in chat rooms, too. In some chat rooms, you can highlight a rude person’s name and click a button that says, “ignore,” which will make his or her comments disappear from your screen. You always have the option to switch rooms or sign off. If a particular person becomes a continual problem, or if someone says something especially vicious, you should report this problem user to the chat service. Ask God to bless those who say bad things to you. Pray for those who are cruel (Luke 6:28-29).