Sold Out

by Melody Carlson

  I swallowed hard. I’ve never liked being a snitch, but at the same time, I knew we must cooperate. “Marissa.”

  “Marissa what?”

  I scratched my head and turned to Allie. “You know, I don’t even know her last name. She just moved here about month or so ago. Allie, do you know?”

  Allie shook her head. “Just Marissa.”

  “Do you know where she lives?”

  “I don’t. Do you, Al?”

  She shook her head again. “I guess we don’t really know too much about her.”

  The policewoman frowned. “Maybe you should be a little more careful in how you choose your friends.”

  Laura chuckled now. “Yeah, that’s what I’d been trying to tell them.”

  “But Jesus wants us to love everyone,” said Allie.

  “Well, that’s nice,” said the policewoman. “But I’m sure Jesus doesn’t want you to get into trouble doing it.”

  “Are we in trouble?” I asked.

  She closed her book. “Not today. But let this be a lesson to you.”

  “You mean we can go?” asked Laura.

  The policewoman nodded. “We’ll check out the videotape to make sure it matches your stories. Then we’ll try to track down this mysterious Marissa chick, but for now you’re off the hook.”

  Allie sighed loudly. “Thank God!”

  Once again, I realized that she probably had the most at risk here, since she’d been caught stealing before. And for her sake I was hugely relieved.

  “Hey, are you the kids who did that concert at the festival a while back?”

  “Yeah, mostly,” I said. “Laura missed out on it.”

  “But I’ll be at the next one,” she said.

  “When’s that?” asked the policewoman.

  I grinned. “Well, these two haven’t exactly heard about this yet. But the pastor at our church wants to have sort of a memorial concert for his brother and the other kids who were shot at McFadden two years ago. He asked us to play. If all goes well, it’ll be at the park on Memorial Day.”

  “I’ll try to make it,” she said. “In the meantime, you girls stay out of trouble. Okay?”

  We promised we would do our best and then thanked her and got out of there as quickly as we could without drawing any further attention to ourselves. And I cannot even begin to explain how good it felt to get out of that stuffy old mall and breathe the clean, fresh air again.

  I’m not sure what we’ll do about Marissa. Right now I’m trying not to be too furious at her. After all, we are supposed to love our enemies—and forgive. And God did step in and rescue us at the last minute. Whew!

  FREE INDEED!

  Like those three in the fiery furnace

  we awaited our fate

  unjustly charged

  framed and persecuted

  and then You joined us there

  and You comforted us

  You brought us joy

  and hope and light

  and finally we were set free but

  freedom only comes through You

  Your life, Your truth, Your spirit

  are what set us free

  and we are free indeed!

  Thank You for showing up

  again and again and again

  amen

  Nine

  Monday, May 19

  Marissa hasn’t been at school for two days now. I wonder if she fled the country or is just waiting for us to cool off. Or maybe she’s just lying low because she thinks the police are on the lookout for her.

  “You think she’s afraid to face us?” asked Allie as we sat down to lunch at our old table.

  “Yeah, she probably thinks we’re going to beat her to death with our Bibles.” I took a sip of soda.

  “Who’re you talking about?” asked Jake.

  “Aw, nothing.” The three of us had agreed not to talk about this to anyone.

  “Are you talking about Marissa?” asked Spencer suspiciously.

  I just stuck my fork into my salad.

  “I saw her yesterday,” said Spencer, using this piece of information like a baited hook and waiting for us to bite.

  I glanced at him, trying to decide if he was telling the truth or not. “How’s she doing?” I asked nonchalantly.

  He shrugged. “I dunno. She seemed a little nervous to me.”

  “How’s that?” I focused my attention on stabbing a cherry tomato before it leaped from my plate.

  “I think she’s freaked about something.” I looked up at Spencer. “What did she say exactly?”

  “She asked if the cops have been at school looking for her.”

  “What’d you say?” asked Allie.

  He shrugged again. “Haven’t seen any cops around.”

  “So?” This came from me.

  “Then she asked if you guys had said anything about her.”

  “And?”

  “I said not that I recalled.” He narrowed his eyes. “Just what’s up with you guys anyway?”

  I tried to act dumb. “I dunno.”

  “Come on, Chloe, what gives? Are you guys in some kind of trouble?”

  Now, here’s what’s ironic, and maybe this is one way to tell a real friend from one who isn’t. But when Spencer asked if we were in trouble, it’s like his eyes lit up, and I could tell he was really hoping we were. Like that would be a really good thing. And that bugged me. “Did Marissa say we were in trouble?” I asked.

  “Not exactly. But I’m thinking you are.” He turned to Allie. “Come on, Al, you can tell me.

  What’d you good little Christian girls do to get in trouble with the law?”

  Just then Cesar joined us. He looked puzzled. “You guys are in trouble with the law now?”

  I had to laugh. “See!” I pointed my fork in the air. “This is just how rumors get started.”

  “What’s he talking about then?” asked Cesar.

  “Beats me,” I said. “Ask Spence.”

  Spencer rolled his eyes. “I give up.” He nudged Jake. “You wanna go get some fresh air?”

  But Jake shook his head. “Nah.”

  Spencer looked crushed. “Whad’ya mean?”

  “I just don’t wanna is all.”

  Spencer slammed his drink cup down and stood. “Fine! You sit here with the goody-goody kids.” Then he cussed and left.

  Jake was still looking down at his tray, not even touching his cheeseburger, which he usually devours in about four bites.

  “You okay, Jake?” I asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “You don’t sound okay,” said Allie.

  “What’s up, man?” asked Cesar.

  Jake looked up at us and sighed. “You guys wouldn’t understand.”

  “Hey, why don’t you give us a shot,” I said. “Between the three of us, we’ve been through a lot more than you think.”

  He shook his head and tugged at one of his lip rings.“You haven’t been through this.”

  “Does it have to do with your stepmom?” asked Allie.

  The way his eyes flashed, we knew she’d hit the bull’s-eye. But still he didn’t answer.

  “Is she coming on to you again?” asked Cesar in a very calm and matter-of-fact voice.

  We were all silent now. Poor Jake. I could tell he was embarrassed. But I must admit I felt kind of astonished. I mean, I’d heard him rag about his stepmom before, but I never suspected anything like this. And for the first time since I’d met him last fall, I felt really sorry for him. But who would’ve guessed that this tough-looking guy with lip rings that resemble fangs and his weird dragon tattoo—could be hurting like this?

  “She’s such a tramp,” he finally said. “I still can’t believe my dad married her right after Mom died.”

  “Your mom died?” I asked. He shrugged. “Yeah, it’s been a couple years now.”

  “Well, can’t you just tell your stepmom to bug off?” asked Allie indignantly.

  He laughed. “Sure, but then she makes my life hell.”<
br />
  Cesar turned to him. “So, are you actually—?”

  “Butt out!” snapped Jake, but his face turned as red as his hair. Then leaving his food untouched, he took off.

  “Man, I shouldn’t have said that,” said Cesar.

  “You didn’t do anything—”

  “No, it was wrong to talk about that in front of you girls. I’ll go find him.” He stood up, pausing to pick up both his and Jake’s untouched burgers. “You better be praying for us.”

  Allie and I both nodded, still somewhat stunned, and then we watched Cesar streak across the cafeteria behind Jake.

  “Sheesh.” Allie shook her head. “Guess we know how to clear a table.”

  But then we did something we’ve never done before. Right there in the midst of the noisy cafeteria, with music blaring so loudly we could barely hear ourselves, we bowed our heads and prayed for Jake and Cesar. It’s not like we said so much, but it felt very real. And it was the weirdest yet coolest thing. Really!

  Even now, I can’t exactly remember what we prayed. But then we finished and we said amen and then looked around to see if everyone was staring at us. Not that we cared too much. But no crowd had gathered to watch the amazing spectacle—headline reads: Two Girls Pray in High School Cafeteria—and so we just quietly ate our lunch.

  POUR IT DOWN

  pour it down, God

  pour down Your love

  pour it down, God

  mercy from above

  pour it down, God

  for everyone to see

  pour it down, God

  pour it down through me

  amen

  Tuesday, May 20

  After we finished practice this afternoon, we told Laura, without giving any details, that everyone needs to be praying especially hard for Jake right now. He didn’t show his face in the cafeteria today, even though Cesar said they’d had a pretty good talk yesterday.

  “And pray for Cesar too,” I reminded them. “Since he’s trying to help him.”

  “That’s so amazing,” said Laura. “In the first place, I never imagined someone like Cesar would get saved, but Jake—now he seems about the least likely of anyone.”

  “Goes to show you never know.”

  “Sounds like a song starting up there,” said Allie.

  I smiled. “Maybe so.”

  “Hey, have you guys seen Marissa around?” Laura asked suddenly.

  We both shook our heads.

  “I’ve been thinking about her,” Laura continued. “And praying for her too.”

  “Well, I’m trying to forgive her, but I’m still pretty mad at her,” confessed Allie. “I’m kind of relieved that she hasn’t been at school. I’m afraid I’d give her a big ol’ chunk of my mind.”

  “I just hope she’s okay,” said Laura. “I really want to tell her that I forgive her.”

  “Really?” I studied Laura curiously. For some reason, probably old stuff from the past, I figured Laura would be the last one to forgive Marissa.

  “Yeah. She needs to know we’ve forgiven her.”

  “You’re right,” I said. “I guess we should all tell her that—if we ever see her again, that is.”

  Allie rolled her eyes at me. “Yeah, yeah, I know you guys are totally right on, and I know that’s what we’re supposed to do. And I will, eventually. But, sheesh, I don’t get why she had to do that in the first place. What’d we ever do to her? It was just so incredibly mean, not to mention totally lame. And man, I still think about how I could’ve gotten into so much trouble if it hadn’t gotten cleared up.”

  “That’s right.” Laura shook her finger at Allie. “I forgot that you’re a repeat offender.”

  “An innocent repeat offender.”

  “Well anyway,” continued Laura, “I’ve been praying real hard that God will really use this in her life, and I believe that He will.”

  “That’s cool. I guess we should all pray for that.”

  Then we talked some more about what was going on in school, and Laura came up with the idea of starting a Bible study. “You know, so many kids have been asking me about stuff, and some of them don’t know anything about the Bible.”

  “Isn’t it illegal to do that at school?” asked Allie.

  I laughed. “That’s so hilarious, if you think about it. I mean, considering the other stuff they teach us like sex ed and philosophy and evolution. And then they won’t let us have a Bible study?”

  “I’m not sure that we can’t have a Bible study at school,” said Laura. “I’ll check it out with the counselor. But if we can’t have it on campus, maybe we could have it at my house. That’s pretty close to school.”

  “Would your parents mind?” asked Allie.

  “I’d think they’d be glad.”

  “By the way, how’s it going at your church these days?” I asked.

  “It’s been totally cool. Everyone’s so relaxed and happy again. Just like it used to be.”

  “You think some of your old congregation will come back?”

  “I hope so. I heard some of them had been going to your church during the past year.”

  “Yeah, but if things have changed, I’m sure Pastor Tony will encourage them to go back.”

  She smiled brightly. “Well, tell him things have changed!”

  “I’ll say,” agreed Allie. “But I think you’ve changed too, Laura. I mean, you’re so totally happy. You’re like Suzy Sunshine again.”

  Laura beamed. “Well, I was wondering how to tell you guys this …”

  “What?” I demanded.

  “Ryan asked me to the prom!”

  “You’re kidding?” Allie’s eyes got big. “You’re going to the prom! I am so totally jealous!”

  “When did this happen?” I asked.

  “Remember when I stayed later at the Paradiso after we finished up on Saturday night? I stayed to talk with James and Shauna, and, well, Ryan was sitting with them. And Shauna went on and on about how much fun the prom would be, and then James gave Ryan a bad time for not having a date. Then totally out of the blue he asked me!”

  “That is so cool!” I shook my head in amazement. “Do you have a dress yet?”

  “Mom and I are going shopping tonight.”

  “Talk about cutting it close,” said Allie. “Isn’t the prom on Friday?”

  “Yeah, but I felt kind of funny telling you guys since I knew you weren’t going.”

  “How do you know I’m not going,” said Allie in her sarcastic voice. “I’m certain that Taylor Russell is about to ask me any day now—in fact, I better hurry home now just in case he called.”

  I had to laugh since Taylor’s about the most popular guy in the junior class. Even if I do think he’s a complete jerk. “Yeah, sure, Allie. Just get in line with the other starry-eyed chicks like Tiffany Knight.”

  “Yeah, Tiffany wishes!” Allie glared at me.

  “Oh, Allie might have a chance with Taylor.” Laura had a twinkle in her eye. “I mean, everyone knows he takes out a new girl every week. Maybe this is Allie’s week.”

  “Well, I can see why he has his choice of girls,” Allie made a goofy face. “Like he is such a hottee!”

  I rolled my eyes. “Hey, Al, I thought you had a crush on my brother, you used to think that he was such a hottee.”

  “Yeah, but Josh is taken.”

  “Not right now,” I reminded her. “Remember I told you how they broke up.”

  She laughed. “Well, he’s really a little old for me, doncha think?”

  “Yeah. Better stick with Taylor,” said Laura. “Besides, he’s probably sitting in front of your door right now just waiting for you to get home.”

  So I’m sitting on my bed wondering if Laura is going to get all serious with Ryan now. Not that he’s a bad guy. He actually seems really nice, and he goes to their church and has known their family for years. But I’ve always appreciated that Laura’s such a sensible girl, and now she seems all romance-struck and gah-gah. I just hope she’
s not in love.

  I know it shouldn’t bug me like this, and I’m certainly not jealous. Okay maybe just a little jealous because sometimes I think it sounds pretty cool to have a boyfriend—I mean a good boyfriend, not a jerk. But the main thing that’s worrying me is that I don’t want Laura’s new “love interest” to mess up things for Redemption. Especially when it feels as though we’re about to take off. I know it’s totally selfish. It’s not as if music is my complete life, and I don’t want to be consumed by it. But it’s pretty important.

  YOUR WILL ALONE

  Your will

  not mine

  Your will

  divine

  Your will

  obey

  Your will

  today

  amen

  Ten

  Friday, May 23

  It’s prom night. Big deal. Okay, I know it’s supposed to be important, but I’d just like to know why? Why do people want to spend lots of money to dress up in stupid outfits that they’ll be embarrassed to admit they ever wore in few years? Or go to some overpriced restaurant where they pretend to have manners (or not), then briefly dance to a second-rate band before they start slipping out to get drunk or high or mess around and hopefully not end up pregnant?

  All right, I know I must sound like Miss Sour Grapes, but really I couldn’t care less about the prom. But to Laura, and half the kids at school, it’s like they’re planning some big trip to Paris or their weddings. I just wish everyone would come back to earth. Maybe it’ll all blow over by next week, when it’s nothing more than a memory. Although I’m sure Allie and I will have to hear all the details of Laura’s big night with Ryan first.

  Allie is spending the night tonight. She’s actually a little bummed that she didn’t get invited to the prom. Give me a break. But I’m pretending to care, well, sort of. Mostly I’m trying to distract her from feeling too sorry for herself and thinking she needs to find a boyfriend. Anyway, it’s really late and she actually fell asleep, which is pretty weird since she’s normally the hyped-up one and I’m usually the one who drops first. But then, she said she had to get up early this morning to help with Davie when he woke up with a nightmare. So I guess the poor girl’s zonked.