Raising Faith

by Melody Carlson

  Mom threw back her head and laughed.

  “That’s funny?”

  “No, Morgan, not funny like that. Just ironic, I suppose. Well, the truth is, I liked your beaded braids better too. In fact, I’ve been missing them.”

  “Me too,” said Morgan as they went in the house.

  “Well, if you want, you can get them back.”

  “Really?”

  Mom nodded as she took off her coat and hung it on the hook by the door. “My treat, sweetie. I’ll give Crystal a call this week.”

  Morgan hugged Mom. “Thank you! Thank you!”

  “Hello there?” called Grandma from her recliner. “Is anyone going to fill me in on the rest of the story?”

  “You go tell Grandma all the details of your latest adventure, and I’ll start dinner,” said Mom.

  So, for the second time that night, Morgan retold the harrowing story of Mr. Chambers breaking into the house, her hiding in the closet, and Mr. Greeley’s brave rescue.

  “My goodness,” said Grandma. “The good Lord was really watching out for you tonight, honey. I know I was praying my fool head off over here, stuck in this chair like this, but your mother gave me strict instructions not to set foot out of this house.”

  “And I’m glad you listened,” called Mom from the kitchen.

  “Well, I figured prayer was my best tool under the circumstances.”

  “Thanks for praying,” said Morgan. “A lot of people have been praying today. And I can tell that it’s made a difference. In fact, I should call my friends and tell them the good news. It looks like it’s safe for Emily and her family to come back now.”

  Grandma nodded. “You go and call them, honey. I think I’ll take a little nap before dinner. All this excitement has worn me out.”

  “Do you want me to help with dinner first?” Morgan asked Mom when she went into the kitchen.

  “Call your friends,” said Mom as she filled a pan with water. “Then you can help.”

  Morgan called Chelsea first, and for the third time tonight, she retold the story, slightly shortened this time.

  “Wow,” said Chelsea when she finished. “That’s incredible.”

  “I know. It was a miracle.”

  “Well, I’ve sure been praying for one,” said Chelsea. “I keep hoping that Emily will call me again.”

  “She called?”

  “Yeah.” Then Chelsea told Morgan about their quick conversation and how the lawyer was starting to research the case. “He really wants to help them.”

  “Well, he should call the police,” said Morgan. “I’m sure they can fill him in a lot about Emily’s dad and the charges against him already. Let me tell you, that guy is one scary dude.”

  “I’ll let my dad know.”

  “Guess I better call the other girls. I know everyone has been seriously worried about Emily.”

  “Thanks, Morgan. Keep me posted.”

  “You too.”

  Next Morgan called Carlie, telling her an even shorter version of the still hard-to-believe story.

  “No way!” shrieked Carlie.

  “Way!” said Morgan, laughing.

  “We wondered what was happening when we heard sirens in the mobile-home park. My dad went out to see, but since they were police cars, he wouldn’t let us go out and look. I think he was afraid we’d get shot. I had no idea you were involved in that whole thing. I can’t wait to tell my dad what was really coming down.”

  “Yeah, it was pretty weird.”

  “I’m sure glad I’ve been praying today.”

  “Yeah,” said Morgan. “It’s pretty much a miracle the way things are turning out. Anyway, I better call Amy now.” So they said good-bye and Morgan tried Amy’s house. When no one answered she tried the restaurant and got Amy on the second ring. She quickly retold the story once more. She was actually getting a tiny bit tired of it by now. Or maybe she was just tired in general.

  “That’s totally awesome,” said Amy.

  “Yeah,” said Morgan. “I know …”

  “So, does this mean we’ll still have our Christmas party at the clubhouse on Thursday?”

  “Sure, we have some really great reasons to celebrate now.”

  “And Emily gets to go on the ski trip too?”

  “I don’t see why not.”

  “Cool.”

  “Yeah,” said Morgan happily. “We are going to totally rock up there. I cannot wait!”

  “Except for one thing,” said Amy. “Uh, make that two.”

  “Huh?”

  “Well, I ran into Jeff Sanders in town today.”

  “So?”

  “So, he informed me that he and Enrico Valdez are both going on the ski trip.”

  “Why?” demanded Morgan. “They don’t even go to our church.”

  “Well, neither do Carlie or I,” Amy pointed out. “But I asked Jeff that exact same question, and it turns out that his uncle is your youth group leader, Cory What’s-His-Name.”

  “No way. Cory is Jeff’s uncle?”

  “That’s what he said.”

  “Well, that doesn’t have to spoil anything for us,” said Morgan with confidence. “Besides it’s been a long time since those guys have bullied us, Amy. And they were actually pretty nice to us last summer. Remember the sand-castle contest?”

  “And at least Derrick Smith won’t be going,” said Amy. “He’s still in juvenile detention.”

  “So, we’ll still have fun. A couple of boys can’t ruin it for us.”

  “We’ll have even more fun now that Emily is coming too. You know, Morgan, I was really praying hard for her today. I don’t normally pray that much, but today I was asking God for a real miracle.”

  “It sounds like we all were, Amy. And it looks like that’s just what we got.”

  “That is so cool — a real answer to prayer.”

  “Yeah. We have a lot to be thankful for.” Morgan noticed Mom peeling potatoes. “But right now I need to go help make dinner.”

  “And I need to get back to work. It’s starting to get busy here.”

  As Morgan hung up the phone, she decided it was time to ask God for something else. Emily and her family were still out there, still on the road and running for their lives. Morgan bowed her head and silently asked God to help the cops to find them, to turn them around, and to get them safely home. Then she went to help Mom in the kitchen.

  “Do you think the cops will find the Adams — I mean the Chambers tonight?” asked Morgan as she peeled a potato.

  “I hope so.” Mom turned and adjusted the heat on the stove. “I know I wouldn’t want to be in Lisa’s shoes right now. She must feel so frightened … so alone.”

  “Maybe we could make them something tonight,” said Morgan suddenly. “Something to put in their house to help make them feel welcome and at home again.”

  “Oh, Morgan, that’s a super idea.”

  “But what should it be?”

  “Well, I know Lisa felt bad that she hadn’t had time to make any Christmas cookies. And since Grandma’s surgery, she hasn’t been able to do much in the kitchen either. Maybe you and I could give it a try — as long as we keep it simple.”

  “I’m sure Grandma will have some good suggestions,” said Morgan.

  As it turned out, Grandma had lots of ideas. And, after dinner, the three of them — Grandma coaching from her recliner — managed to put together all sorts of wonderful things, including microwave fudge, caramel corn, Russian teacakes, and candy-cane cookies. Morgan even made a big Welcome Home sign on the computer while the cookies were baking. Then she found a spare string of colored lights that she thought would look pretty hanging up around Emily’s new front door.

  Finally, they put all their goodies together to make two yummy-looking platters that even impressed Grandma.

  “I know it’s not as good as what you would do,” said Morgan as she held one out in front of Grandma.

  “I think it’s wonderful.” Grandma smacked her lips after
taking a bite of fudge. “I may have to retire from the kitchen altogether.”

  “Please, don’t,” begged Morgan. “No one is as good a cook as you are.”

  Grandma smiled. “Well, I’m looking forward to getting back to it after the New Year.”

  “It’s getting late,” said Mom, pointing to the clock on the wall.

  “Wow,” said Morgan. “It’s almost nine.”

  “If we want the Chambers to have these tonight, we should take them over right away.”

  “We’ll need to get the key from Mr. Greeley again,” said Morgan.

  “That’s right,” said Mom as she wrapped plastic wrap over one of the trays.

  Morgan peered out the kitchen window and across the street to see that the lights on his house were still on in his house. “I think we’re in luck too. Looks like he’s still awake.”

  “We better hurry,” said Mom.

  “Hey, we should take him something too, Mom.”

  “You’re right, Morgan.” Mom opened the cupboard and reached for another platter and in no time they had it loaded up for Mr. Greeley.

  Then they put on their coats and headed across the street where Morgan happily presented Mr. Greeley with the platter. “We made it ourselves,” she told him. “Just a small token of our appreciation for saving my life tonight.” She had rehearsed that little speech in her head as they walked across the street to his house.

  He grinned and thanked them both.

  “And if you don’t mind, we’d like to leave these platters at the Chambers’ house,” said Mom.

  “Sort of a welcome home,” added Morgan, glancing across the street to see that the driveway was still empty. But at least the porch light was on. “Do you think they’ll get home tonight?”

  Mr. Greeley frowned. “I don’t rightly know, but I sure hope they get home soon — safe and sound, of course.” He handed Morgan the key.

  “We’ll bring it right back,” she promised. Then she and Mom headed across the street to Emily’s house. Mom put the goodies on the kitchen table, and Morgan taped her sign on the archway that led to the kitchen. Then, together, they hung the lights around the front door.

  “Did you check to make sure they work?” asked Mom as Morgan stooped down to plug them in.

  “Presto!” said Morgan as the colorful lights came on.

  “Lovely,” said Mom. “Now let’s get this key back to Mr. Greeley.”

  “This should be a nice welcome for them,” said Morgan as they stood in the yard and admired the string of lights.

  “I feel just like one of Santa’s elves,” said Mom as they hurried across the street again.

  “It’s going to be hard to go to sleep tonight,” said Morgan after they returned the key. She glanced back at Emily’s house. “Knowing that they’re still out there … alone … maybe still scared …”

  “Well, it should be a lot easier now that you know things are looking up for them,” said Mom. “It’s a much better scenario now than it was earlier today.”

  Morgan nodded. “Even so, I’m going to be praying extra hard until they get back.”

  “I think we all will be.”

  chapter nine

  Just when Emily felt like she couldn’t wait another second, Mom finally came back and got into the car. But then she just sat there in the driver’s seat without speaking. She stared straight ahead as if she’d just spent the last ten minutes with aliens who had sucked every thought from her head.

  “Mom?” said Emily. “What’s going on?”

  Mom said nothing.

  “Come on,” demanded Kyle. “We need to know what’s up.”

  Mom slowly shook her head. “I’m not sure.”

  “Well, spill the beans, Mom,” insisted Kyle. “What did the cop say to you?”

  “Yeah,” said Emily. “We’re pretty much freaking here.”

  “The policeman told me that your dad was in Boscoe Bay.”

  “It figures,” muttered Kyle.

  “So he wasn’t in the cop car?” asked Emily. At least that was something.

  “No …” Mom shook her head again. “The policeman said he’s in jail.”

  “In jail?” exclaimed Kyle and Emily at the same time.

  “No way,” said Kyle skeptically.

  “That was my reaction too, but the policeman said that it was true.”

  “Why?” asked Emily.

  “Apparently, he broke into our house.”

  “That loser,” said Kyle.

  “And apparently it was fortunate that we weren’t there.”

  “I guess so …” said Emily, feeling slightly sick to her stomach now.

  “But Morgan was there.”

  “Morgan?” Emily sat up straight in her seat. “Is she okay?”

  “Yes, but apparently your dad threatened her.”

  “He threatened Morgan?” yelled Kyle. “I’d like to punch —”

  “And then a man with a bat —”

  “What?” demanded Kyle.

  “The policeman said a neighbor, he said probably the manager —”

  “Mr. Greeley!” yelled Emily.

  “Yes,” said Mom. “My guess too. Apparently Mr. Greeley showed up with a baseball bat and held your dad until the police arrived. Your dad’s been charged with breaking and entering and, well, several other things too.”

  “That’s fantastic,” said Emily happily.

  “Yeah,” agreed Kyle. “I mean most kids wouldn’t throw a party if their dad got arrested, but this is totally great.”

  “So the policeman wants us to turn around and drive back to Boscoe Bay now.”

  “Yeah!” said Emily.

  “That’s a five-hour drive,” Mom pointed out. “We won’t get back until midnight.”

  “That’s okay,” said Emily. “I don’t mind staying up late.”

  “The policeman said we could stay in a motel if we were too tired to go back tonight,” said Mom. “I don’t know about you kids, but I feel exhausted.”

  “I can drive for you, Mom,” offered Kyle. “I could use the practice, you know.”

  “So you kids really want to go back — back home — tonight?”

  “Yeah!” they both cried at the same time.

  Mom sighed and started the car. “I guess we can give it a try … but no promises. It might be easier to just spend the night in the next motel and head for home in the morning.”

  “Whatever is best for you, Mom,” said Emily. As badly as she wanted to be home tonight (right this minute in fact) she knew that Mom was probably as worn out emotionally as she was physically.

  “Yeah,” said Kyle. “You make the call, Mom. We won’t complain.”

  “Well, let’s get going and see how it goes.”

  “This is gonna be great, Mom,” said Kyle hopefully. “We’ll actually be home for Christmas.”

  “I hope so …” Mom didn’t sound completely convinced as she checked for traffic and then did a U-turn on the highway and started heading north. The police car did the same, following them — this time with the flashing blue lights turned off.

  “And I need to tell you something else, Mom,” said Emily. “I wasn’t going to say anything until we stopped for the night and you could use a phone, but Chelsea’s dad got you a lawyer. It’s the guy I babysat for, Mr. Lawrence.”

  “And how did this happen?”

  “Well, I guess Morgan told my friends about our situation. Chelsea called her dad and he set it up.”

  “See,” said Kyle. “Morgan’s grandma was right. It’s better to take care of this kinda crud in a place where you’ve got friends to back you.”

  “I hope so,” said Mom in a weary voice. “I really hope so …”

  After a couple of hours, Mom actually did allow Kyle to drive. Emily wasn’t so sure about this since Kyle had only been driving for a few months now. But because it meant they didn’t have to stay in a motel, and that they’d be sleeping in their own beds tonight, she didn’t protest. But she did
pray. And eventually she fell asleep.

  “Wake up,” said Mom as she nudged Emily. “We’re home.”

  Emily sat up in the backseat and blinked into the darkness. “Home?”

  “Yes.” Mom tugged her by the hand. “It’s one in the morning, but at least you’ll be in your own bed soon. We can unpack our stuff in the morning.”

  “Look,” said Emily, pointing to the Christmas lights around their door. “Santa has been here.”

  “Yeah, right,” said Kyle as he grabbed his backpack.

  “Hopefully that doesn’t mean that someone else moved in here while we were gone,” said Mom.

  “Isn’t the rent paid up to the end of the month?” said Kyle.

  “Yes — oh, dear!” said Mom. “I don’t have a key. I gave it to Mr. Greeley.”

  “Chill, Mom,” said Kyle. “I still have mine.”

  So he let them in. And they were barely in the house when Emily noticed the Welcome Home sign. “Look, you guys!” she cried. “Someone is happy that we’re back.” She suspected, by the bright colors, that this was Morgan’s work.

  “And look here,” called Kyle from the kitchen. “Someone brought us goodies.”

  “A party!” exclaimed Emily.

  “Well, I suppose a few cookies and some milk before bed might help us to sleep,” said Mom as she opened the fridge.

  Soon they were all seated around the little table, munching sleepily on the treats that Emily suspected had come from the Evans’ house, although she knew that Grandma was still restricted from the kitchen.

  “It is nice to be home,” said Mom with a happy sigh.

  “And nice to have such good neighbors,” added Emily.

  “And nice to have our lives back,” proclaimed Kyle.

  Emily wanted to ask about Dad. So many questions were racing through her head. She wondered what would happen next — and what would they do if they let him out of jail? And what if Dad decided to stick around Boscoe Bay? How could they stop him from making their lives miserable? Would he try to force them to go back with him?

  Still, she was determined not to ask these questions. Not yet anyway. The good thing was that they were home again — and they had good friends nearby. Somehow God was going to help them sort this whole thing out. And Emily felt certain that she’d be sleeping well tonight.