Society of the L.A.M.B.

by DuCharme, Judy;

  The marina was terribly rundown. Several of the docks had rotted and were missing planks. Seaweed floated heavily between the piers. “Man,” said Zach, “this was one of my main jobs, using a pitchfork to get all that seaweed out. It was worse early in the summer, so the fact that it’s still here and stinking proves there’s not much oversight here.”

  Just then a vehicle pulling a bass boat drove in. Three guys got out, removed trailer straps, and double-checked their lines. Quickly, they backed up and launched the boat. Zach and Josiah walked over as two of them climbed in, and one started the boat as they waited for their friend to park the trailer.

  Zach looked admiringly at the boat. “How’s the fishing?”

  “They’ve been biting. Yesterday was great. Hoping today is better. You going out?” The boat captain looked around as if to see if Zach already had his boat docked.

  “No, I’m actually looking for a boat. Do you know if there are any for sale here at the marina or around?”

  “Sorry, man, don’t keep up on the sales much. Well, gotta go.” The third man returned from parking the trailer, untied the lines, and hopped in, and they backed out of the launch area and proceeded with no wake until they were out in the open water. The boat captain gunned it, and, bow up, they sped out into the water.

  “Man, I love watching boats.” Zach grinned as he and Josiah walked out on the farthest dock lined with huge stones that provided a break wall for the marina. “This place brings back so many memories. A lot of work, but so much fun. Our favorite thing was watching people launch their boats. So many did not know how to back up and would zigzag. Then they’d yell at their kids or spouse for not directing them or directing them incorrectly. Once in a while, they would forget to put the plug in, and then they’d have to tear back in here before their boat sank. Or they wouldn’t take the trailer straps off, so when they were trying to get the boat to slide off the trailer, it wouldn’t go and they would get so upset. It was funny, probably a little mean, but it was great entertainment.” Zach chuckled, staring off into space remembering.

  “Well, let’s get over to Noah’s place. I really thought there would be more action here, but it’s so rundown and dead. First, let’s see if any of the boats here have a For Sale sign.”

  Zach and Josiah walked all the docks and did not find one boat with any indication of being for sale.

  Zach then led Josiah out on the rocks that made up the break wall. At one end of the marina, the rocks touched a small beach. They climbed down and walked along the sandy area. At one point, they ran into a bushy section that pushed out into the water. Zach pulled back the brush, and they tiptoed quickly around the bushes, avoiding getting their shoes too wet as the water lapped gently against the shore. To the right, they saw the cove curve around to the left, definitely giving it the appearance of being a small canal. Bushes and trees hugged the banks of the cove, but there was a narrow path along the shore, allowing Zach and Josiah to travel easily.

  A few cottages lined the cove, but most were boarded up. “My uncle used to rent these out in the summer. Too bad everything is in such poor shape.”

  “Is your uncle still around?” Josiah asked as he picked his way along the path.

  “Good question. I have no idea.” Zach looked up. “This must be the place.” Sitting back from the cove about fifty feet was a house made of rounded logs. A huge window looked out toward the bay. Josiah turned around to see what the view would be. He was surprised that the bay was visible from this vantage point, but with all the trees around, the log building was secluded. Just like Grandfather’s.

  “Zach, Josiah, this is the place.” Amber and Brad walked out.

  Behind them stood a couple—obviously Noah and Madeline. Noah was a bit older and sported a short beard with a salt-and-pepper look. He was large-framed without being much taller than Brad. His high cheekbones made his eyes look deep and a bit sinister, but his smile was welcoming. Madeline had a slight build but stood very stately, commanding respect. Her shoulder-length hair was brown, hanging very straight with a slight turn-under at the ends. Her smile made the young men feel welcome.

  “We’ll follow protocol,” the man said solemnly in a rather deep voice, perhaps a singing voice. He drew three concentric circles in the sandy soil. Josiah walked forward and drew a smiley face, scuffed it out, and grasped hands with Noah. “So good to meet you,” Noah boomed. “I do believe this is a planned meeting set up by Jajireh.”

  “We do as well.” Josiah turned to Madeline and gave her a slight hug. He turned to see Zach staring at Noah. Noah returned the stare with a slight tilt of the head, as if trying to figure something out.

  Zach seemed to come to himself. “I’m sorry, sir. You just really make me think of my Uncle Charlie.”

  Noah slapped his leg. “You’re Charlie’s nephew? Zach? I should have known. This is wonderful. Come here, boy.” He walked to Zach and embraced him with a huge bear hug. “Charlie’s wife was my sister, and everybody thought Charlie and I looked more like siblings than my sister and me. Are your folks okay?”

  “As far as I know. They went further south when things got tough. Jajireh is using them there. I’m living a bit north from here. We know King Glory is in charge.”

  “Praise Jajireh! When your folks left, Charlie insisted on staying. We had just come to visit. He didn’t think anyone would detect him, but, as you know, Charlie didn’t back down from anyone. As soon as the OGs rule with the shades went into effect, they arrested him. I’d be surprised if he’s still alive, but then he always was a survivor. Anyway, we moved in and became a LAMBer safe house, just like your grandfather.” He turned to Josiah, Brad, and Amber.

  “Noah,” Madeline tugged his arm, “let’s get our guests inside.”

  “Indeed. Forgive me.”

  The spaciousness was what struck Josiah first. Bare floors with a few rugs, walls covered with quilts and paintings of boats, ships, oceans, and bays.

  “Wow, this is like coming home. I was not expecting this. I spent so many hours here.” Zach turned in a full circle, taking it all in.

  “This is still Charlie’s home. We didn’t want to change it,” said Madeline. “Besides, we loved it this way. Please sit and tell us why Jajireh has blessed us with your visit.”

  Each found a seat on a leather couch or chair while Madeline went to the kitchen and returned with coffee cups and a pot of fresh coffee. “Lunch isn’t too far away. We hope you’ll stay. In fact, you may stay the night. We have a LAMBer meeting tonight and plenty of room for everyone to sleep.”

  Zach and Josiah shared the stories of rescues, angels, and the boat crash, along with the prison break. Noah and Madeline listened with great interest and had many questions.

  “So now you need a new boat?” Noah asked with a twinkle in his eye.

  “We do. I was hoping there might be some available at the marina, but that place is so rundown, and nothing is available there. Perhaps you have some connections that will help us.”

  “Zach, did you know I taught your Uncle Charlie everything he knew about boats?”

  “I did not. He knew everything there was to know, it seemed. Does that mean you have some connections for us?”

  Noah smiled. “Come back outside.” He led them around to the side of the house and walked over to the cove that snaked like a river alongside the house. Several tarps were spread over the edge of the water, and Noah began to pull them back. “Give me a hand, men.”

  Zach, Brad, and Josiah grabbed hold and helped Noah uncover five boats.

  Zach shook his head and raised his arms to the heavens. “Jajireh, You are amazing. I’ll never quite get used to Your surprises.” He looked at Noah. “How do they run?”

  Noah pretended to slap Zach’s head. “Zach! I told you I taught your uncle everything he knew, and he was the local expert on all types of boats and their engines. I work on these all the time, maintaining them. Take your pick.”

  “Excuse me.” Zach looked from Noah t
o Josiah. “Josiah, did he just tell us to take our pick?”

  “I think I heard that, Zach. Do you think he meant it?”

  Josiah and Zach walked over to view the boats. Two of them were whaler types—wide open, few seats, twenty-seven feet long. One had a cabin below the cockpit. It could seat ten comfortably outside and eight in the cabin. It was a thirty-footer. The last two were about twenty-five feet in length with open bow and the ability to seat sixteen. All were inboard/outboard and 250 horsepower.

  “The twenty-five-footers both have a deep V hull. That makes them handle the rougher water better.”

  “Those are the ones I’m looking at. Josiah, what do you think?”

  “I agree. I think the shorter length will be better, but you can still seat plenty. Just can’t protect them from the weather like a cabin could.”

  “Ah, I’ve rigged up a canvas cover just to protect LAMBers from the weather, and maybe from the watchers.”

  “Well, that would seal it,” said Zach. “Just one more question. How much?” He reached in his pocket for Grandfather’s money.

  Noah looked at him. “How much what? One has a gas tank that will hold forty gallons. The other…”

  Zach interrupted. “Money. How much money?”

  Noah grabbed at his heart. “Oh, you wound me, my almost nephew. Jajireh has had me keep these boats up for just this moment. You are not the only LAMBers who will ever need a boat. This is part of my mission, my calling. I will not take money, but I will give boats, and I will pray and shout that Jajireh will protect you and anoint you to perform many rescues and missions with this boat. It’s yours, Zach.”

  “Wait until Grandfather hears about this,” Josiah said, brimming with excitement. “Wait until he sees it. I’m blown away. Thank you for letting King Glory use you. You have no idea what an incredible blessing this is. Just to know that you are here mentoring like Grandfather is amazing.”

  “How long will it take to get her ready to go, Noah?” Zach climbed on, checked every hatch, and lifted the engine cover to take a look. “You know, Uncle Charlie taught me everything I know about boats. I can see she’s in excellent condition. Clean as a whistle, too.”

  “She’s ready to go right now, Zach. The last few days, I felt like I needed to make them occupant ready. Obviously, Jajireh knew and prompted your grandfather to send you here. When I first came back around the time they arrested Charlie, I met your grandfather. He’s a fine man.”

  “That he is, but he didn’t send us here,” Josiah clarified. “King Glory did. Grandfather knew we had to go get a boat, and all he knew was that Zach and I were to go. I was impressed to stop at Brad and Amber’s, and Zach was impressed to check out the marina. Then when we found out you were their messengers a while ago to send them to us, we knew you might be the connection we needed. This is too easy.”

  “No, son, it’s not easy. Life right now holds many dangers. But obeying the Voice within and serving King Glory are the keys to a good life. And whether we live or die, it’s a good life.”

  Madeline came out. “I have lunch ready. Please join us.”

  “You kids go. I’ll cover up the other boats and be right in.”

  Madeline had grilled cheese and ham sandwiches and a nice salad. Orange wedges and iced tea were also ready. “Simple but sufficient,” she said.

  “That’s what Grandma always said,” replied Josiah, Brad, and Amber together. They grinned at each other.

  “Thank you, Madeline. May Jajireh greatly bless you for this.” Zach picked up a sandwich and began eating. “Delicious.”

  Noah came in a few minutes later and, instead of eating, opened up a navigational map. “Now, Zach, you may remember the area, but take a look to refresh your mind. This marina doesn’t have much happening anymore, but the watchers have a number of boats between here and where you need to go. Make sure you act like outer men if anyone stops you. Try not to sink this one.” He slapped Zach on the back. “We’ll be praying and shouting that Jajireh keeps you safe.”

  Noah sat at the table. “In fact, let’s pray right now. Jajireh, place Your angels in charge of these young men. Make watcher eyes blind. We don’t want them to even see this boat or take notice of it at all.” He paused. “I sense you need to leave now.”

  “I sense the same thing.” Zach walked over to the map and ran his finger over the route he needed.

  “Be easy on the shifting, and keep her tuned up,” Noah suggested. “She’ll treat you well. She’s had a lot of prayer. Enjoy her.”

  “We will. I am still amazed at all of this. May King Glory bless you with abundance and strong ministry. Thank you so much.”

  Everyone embraced, one by one. Amber placed a small kiss on Josiah’s cheek. “Give that to Grandfather.”

  “I will, Cousin. Do not fear. King Glory is with you wherever you go.”

  Zach had already started the boat. “Whew, purrs like a kitten. Nice and quiet.”

  Noah nodded. “She’ll stay that way as long as you take care of her.”

  “I will.”

  “Zach, keep the prop up most of the way until you’re out of the cove. When you get out of the no-wake zone, drop her full.”

  Josiah jumped aboard and loosened the lines. Noah and Brad shoved the boat off and helped turn the bow forward. Soon they were out of the cove and traveling through the no-wake channel. Zach spotted the fishing boat from the morning returning to the marina. “Look the other way, Josiah. I don’t want them to recognize or remember either of us.”

  Zach began dropping the prop and went hard right out of the no-wake channel, speeding quickly to the north to keep the other boat from taking notice of the occupants. Zach traveled near the shore for a mile or two and then turned west toward the middle of the bay. He wanted to be far away from watcher boats. “Please, Jajireh, no encounters. Well, unless You have some rescues in mind.”

  “Zach, I think we are supposed to get home as quickly as possible. Don’t know why—just feel it strongly.”

  “Me too.”

  Both sat quietly and soberly as they traveled over the choppy waters to Grandfather’s. It wasn’t long until they were in familiar territory, but they still felt they should waste no time. They thought it unusual that they saw fewer boats than normal.

  “I think we’ll be back in time for dinner.”

  As they pulled into the cove and beached the boat, Grandfather, Lily, Timmy, and Lijah waited.

  “You were right, Grandfather,” Lijah yelled. “They’re here. They’re here.”

  “So good to see you, boys.” Grandfather helped tie up and secure the beach anchors. “Jajireh has provided. We’ll want to hear all about it, but we heard an announcement on the radio that all watercraft had to be off the bay for the next few hours. They’re having a training exercise for the watcher boats. We have been praying that you would either stay put or get back before the deadline. All praise to King Glory, you are safe.”

  As they walked up the path to the cabin, Zach and Josiah related the details of how Jajireh led them so clearly.

  “Yes, I remember your Uncle Charlie and his brother-in-law, Noah,” Grandfather responded when Zach told about being at his home. “What good news that they have a LAMBer safe place. That’s good for Brad and Amber too.”

  Zach reached in his pocket as they walked into the house, taking out the money Grandfather had given him. “Here’s your money, sir. Noah provides boats at Jajireh’s direction.”

  Grandfather sat down with a thump. “I will never cease to be amazed.” He hung his head. “Thank You, Jajireh.” He looked up with joyful eyes. “That boat looks perfect.”

  “It is.”

  * * *

  The very next night, Josiah felt compelled to visit the colony alone. Somehow he knew Teleos was nearby. As he walked through the woods in the late afternoon, he recalled the time years before when he fell flat on his face while walking Grandfather’s faithful lab, Sadie. She was the best dog.

  Everywhere in the
se woods, roots rose out of the ground like gnarled fingers and rock surfaces like gray fingernails. Josiah knew that one could clear an area just six to eight inches down and would have enough good-sized rocks to build a rock fence, and rock fences were numerous in the fields and along the roads. It seemed this ground grew rocks. Like icebergs, only a small portion of the rock was visible. The sea of ground below what the eye beheld abounded in rocks of all shapes and sizes. And they protruded everywhere.

  As he walked with Sadie that day so long ago, he was lost in thought. When he considered the event, he could not recall a single sensation or memory of tripping or his foot striking a rock or root. Many times, he stumbled over one or the other and would stutter step, jerk his body up, and regain his balance. It was a common occurrence. This particular time, though, all he remembered was the tip of his nose bending gently against the soil. No pain, just complete surprise that he was flat on the earth with his face in the dirt and Sadie sniffing his head as if to ask, “Whatever are you doing?”

  Covered with dirt, he walked stiffly back to Grandfather’s. Everyone’s eyes grew big when he walked in the door. It was then he discovered he had scrapes and bruises and sore ribs. He later talked about it with Grandfather.

  “Grandfather, there was no pain, no realization I was falling, no attempt to catch myself.”

  “Did a branch fall and strike your head? Did you fall asleep?” Grandfather chuckled.

  “It was weird. I sure have felt my foot strike a rock or root before. They’re everywhere. I trip on them often. But this time, I felt nothing. No awareness even that I was falling until I was flat.”

  Grandfather smiled. They had been sitting on the screened-in porch watching the clouds gather for an impending storm. The air smelled damp, and the wind picked up. “Perhaps, Josiah, an angel jumped in there or laid his wing under you to cushion your fall. The Logos says that Jajireh will hold you up so you don’t dash your foot against a stone.”

  I didn’t believe in angels in those days. But maybe they have always been around to assist me.