Chapter Fourteen
Redemption
Max arrives the next morning, sharply dressed with a three piece suit and tie. His hair looks freshly cut, his face is shaved clean, and he is wearing cologne that makes both Tammie’s mother and grandmother smile. They drink in his presence with gusto, an acutely different reception compared to their first meeting. Tammie smiles too when she sees him. Max attends most services in jeans and a clean t-shirt.
“Ready to go?” he smiles at Tammie. She nods, kissing her mother and grandmother on the way out.
“You look nice,” Tammie comments as she puts on her jacket.
“It’s a special occasion,” Max replies. His stomach is turning flips; he hadn’t been able to find his bible this morning, and the excitement of the moment is exhilarating. He is actually going to give his life to Christ; well, he already had. He thought he had to go to church to do it, but after speaking with Mr. Kent, he learned he could do it right in the living room. At the service he will be proclaiming it, officially. He isn’t running from God anymore.
“My mom and my grandmother are coming to church today, but they’re coming after Sunday School,” Tammie tells him as they both get in the car. “I spoke with my mom last night about the baby.”
“What did she say?” Max asks as he pulls off.
“She was calm. Stunned, at first, but mostly understanding.” Tammie recalls their conversation. “She wasn’t at all the way I imagined. She held me and kissed me and told me she loved me.” Tammie’s voice catches, and she grabs a tissue from her purse.
“I spoke with my grandmother this morning, and I told them you were taking me to church. That’s when they all agreed to come, too. My brothers and sisters will be with them.” Tammie looks at Max. “You were right, you know. I should have told her a long time ago. I just didn’t think…”
“Hey, it’s okay,” Max interrupts. “It’s in the past now. We’re moving on, right?”
Tammie sniffs, nodding her head in agreement. “Today seems so different from the way these past few months have been. It’s like I have hope again. And faith.”
“Speaking of faith,” Max looks at her and smiles. “I’m proclaiming mine today.”
Tammie drops her tissue. “Max, are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
Max nods, grinning wide as he speaks. “If you think I’m saying that I gave my life to Christ last night, and I’m officially joining the ranks this morning, then yes, I am absolutely saying what you think I’m saying.”
“Oh, my God,” Tammie cries. “Max, this is wonderful.”
“What will be more wonderful is when the both of us walk down together,” Max grabs her hand and squeezes it.
Tammie stares at his hand and looks out the window. “I don’t think I can do that, Max.”
He frowns. “Why? You just said you have your faith back-”
“But I don’t want people staring at me,” Tammie interrupts him. “They’ll know that I’ve done something wrong, and-”
“And what, Tammie?” Max sighs. “The church loves you. And everyone does something wrong. No one in their right mind will judge you. They’ll be happy for you. For both of us.”
“No, it’s different for you, Max,” Tammie shakes her head. “You’re just coming into the faith. Me, I’m a hypocrite. I’ve been a Christian since I was ten, and I messed up. I shamed Christ.”
Max frowns. “So, this is a one shot deal? If I screw up one time, I can’t be a Christian anymore?”
Tammie pauses. “Well, no, that’s not exactly it, Max.”
“Then tell me, what are you talking about?” Max demands. “If we’re saved through grace, and not by anything we do, even with all of our sinfulness, then why would God condemn us and refuse us for making one mistake?”
“Because I made the same mistake over and over, Max,” Tammie responds. “I knew what I was doing was wrong, and I could have said no, but I didn’t. I chose wrong. You can’t help your sinful nature before Christ because it’s your nature. Once you give your life to Christ, your nature is no longer sin but the Holy Spirit. You’re no longer a slave to your flesh. Christ freed me from sin, and I willfully went back to it. What kind of Christian does that?”
“I understand where you’re coming from, Tammie,” Max nods as they pull into the church parking lot. “But what about 1 John 1:9? ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us all our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ Your specific sin may be more visible than others, but it’s no different than lying or stealing or cheating.”
“How come you know all this stuff?” Tammie sniffs.
“I’ve been paying attention in Bible study,” Max smirks. “And I’m hoping that we’ll be going together from now on? At least until my dad gets out of rehab?”
Tammie nods. “I’d like that, Max.”
Max opens her door for her and they head inside the church.
•••
At the end of his sermon the Senior Pastor gives an altar call. Max stands up and starts down the aisle, hesitant at first, then with confidence as several members of the congregation stand and clap. He stops mid-aisle and looks behind him. Tammie is standing and nervously makes her way down the aisle. Max goes to her side and grabs her hand and they walk down together. Tammie begins to cry the moment she makes it to the altar. A loving hand caresses her back, and she turns. Jennifer smiles at her and kisses her on the cheek. Tammie embraces her tightly.
“I’m glad you’re back,” Jennifer cries.
“Me too,” Tammie responds in kind.
Max feels a hand on his shoulder and turns to see who it is. Martin stands behind him and nods reassuringly. Max nods back and glances briefly at Tammie and Jennifer, who are both still locked in an embrace. He faces the altar and the pastor and smiles. No more running. He is home.
Epilogue
Max makes his way to his bedroom, still pumped from the Sunday service. It’s been two weeks since his conversion, and he’s enjoyed every moment. He can hear Mr. Kent’s footsteps in the garage. He’d left the church before Max, telling him he had some work to do. Max tears at his tie and flings off his suit jacket. He kicks off his shoes and socks and puts on his house slippers. He heads to the garage, stopping by the long mirror to admire the cut Mr. Kent had done earlier that morning.
“O.K., you did a great job on my curly locks!” he jokes. When he walks into the garage, Mr. Kent is on the phone, pacing back and forth.
“Hey, thanks for letting me use your cologne,” Max smiles. “Everyone thought I smelled delicious!” Mr. Kent holds up a finger, signaling for Max to hush.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” is all Max hears of the conversation before Mr. Kent hangs up the phone.
“Who was that?” Max asks.
“That was my sister,” Mr. Kent replies somberly. “My mother had a bad fall, and she’s in the hospital.”
“Is she going to be okay?” Max asks anxiously.
“Yes, she’ll be okay, but when she gets out she’s going to need constant care. No one lives near enough to take care of her. My sister and her husband were visiting from another state when it happened.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” Max offers his condolence. “Are you going to go see her?”
“Yeah,” Mr. Kent speaks slowly. “I’m actually… you see I’m the only one who can take care of her, Max. My sister and her husband have kids, and they live on the other side of the country. I’m the only one who isn’t tied down. I’ve got to move.”
A sharp pain hits Max in the chest. Mr. Kent is moving? “Okay. How soon?”
“I’m selling this place, and I’ll be putting in a transfer request for the Clearwater Police Department first thing Monday morning.”
“Clearwater? Is that far from here?” Max asks with dread.
“It’s about a twenty hour drive from here,” Mr. Kent nods. “My sister is staying while her husband and kids go back home. I told my sister I ne
ed to stay here as long as your father is in rehab, but when he gets out, I’m going to have to go.”
Max feels his heart, which had come alive so joyously the past few weeks, rip in half.
“You can’t,” Max shakes his head rebelliously. “This can’t be good. I mean, who’s going to be my probation officer? And who’s going to help me in my new faith, and look out for me, and make sure I’m keeping up my grades and not skipping school?”
“You have your father,” Mr. Kent offers. “And you’ll get another probe officer; I promise you he’ll be just as good as me.”
“That’s impossible,” Max rasps. “No one would do what you’ve done for me.” Max is on the verge of a meltdown. Mr. Kent has been his anchor since his mother died, holding him in place and keeping him from drifting.
“You’ve taken me in, O.K., and you’re like a father to me. No one can replace you.” Max wipes a tear from his face and frowns.
“Max, I would love nothing more than to stay and be here for you. My life’s purpose is tied to what’s happened to you in the past few months. I have seen such a great transformation in you, and you have made me so proud.”
“But you’re still leaving,” Max cries. Max swipes at his face, fighting hard not to cry like a baby. He watches the emotional turmoil playing out in Mr. Kent’s face and is shocked as he begins to cry as well. He’s never seen Mr. Kent cry, yet here he is, shedding one tear after another.
“Max,” Mr. Kent’s voice cracks, but only briefly. “I love you as if you were my own son, and I would never abandon you. But I have to take care of my mother. She needs me more than you do, and I need to honor her. You understand?”
Max nods. He wishes he had done the same for his mother. “I understand. And I know this is something you have to do. I just wish it didn’t have to be so soon. I mean, I’m finally on the right path; now I feel like my light is being taken away.”
“Hey,” Mr. Kent places his hands on Max’s shoulders. “Christ is your light. Follow Him.” Max nods, keeping his head low to hide his tears.
“Everything will be okay. Your dad will get out soon, and both of you can stay here until the broker sells the house. And if you need me, you can call me.”
Max sucks in his breath and nods, wiping his face on his sleeve. “You promise to visit?”
“Of course,” Mr. Kent dries his face as well.
“And if I need you, I can call you?” Max questions.
“Any time of the day or night,” Mr. Kent nods emphatically. “No matter what it is. If you need me, you call me.”
“Even if it’s about a girl?” Max asks.
Mr. Kent chuckles. “Especially if it’s about a girl.”
Max laughs. “Okay.”
“Hey, we’ve got at least a week before anything happens, Max.” Mr. Kent steps over to his weight set and hands him two 10 lb bars. “Let’s see how much muscle tone we can acquire between now and then, huh?”
Max laughs and looks at the weights. It will be an interesting week.
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Love Me Page 14
