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diff --git a/10-MakingChoicesPart1.rst b/10-MakingChoicesPart1.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000..093ebeb --- /dev/null +++ b/10-MakingChoicesPart1.rst @@ -0,0 +1,1208 @@ +Episode 3.10, Making Choices, Part 1 +------------------------------------ + +At School + +The frog jokes were almost over, but to Joan’s dismay, The Eagle was +published today. ‘Frog Terrorizes Classroom,’ catchy title, so much +for accuracy, and they just had to put in the observation that Joan +had leaped after the frog while trying to catch it. Oh well. Joan and +Adam talked before school about their planned Saturday trip to Mercer +Creek, and she keeps her mind busy anticipating Saturday. + +Luke has been in a foul mood today. Grace’s mood hasn’t been much +better, and Joan has been wondering why. Did something happen +yesterday? She has been meaning to ask, thinking that she should mind +her own business, and struggling with which one to do. + +In Government class, the teacher was discussing the 17th Amendment +and the popular election of Senators. + +Grace – “That’s pretty much like what happens with the elections here +at Arcadia High. It’s just one big popularity contest. I heard +Britney Johnson say this morning, ‘Jim Barlow is so handsome, I’m +going to vote for him’. Jim Barlow barely graduated last year. He +should be a specimen in our biology class for exploratory brain +surgery.” + +Joan – “Brian is running again. He has a ten-point plan this year. +Some of his ideas are pretty good.” + +Grace – “He doesn’t have a chance of winning. No one listens to him.” + +Teacher – “Well, I’m glad at least some of you have been paying +attention. Here is your assignment. Each of you will pick a candidate +and write an essay on why you support him or her for Student Council +President. It has to be at least two paragraphs long and no longer +than about two handwritten pages. They are due on Monday. I will turn +them over to The Eagle staff, and they will be published in a special +edition on Wednesday. Here’s your chance to tell everyone what you +think.” + +Almost everyone in class moans in unison as the bell rings. + +Grace – “So, what’s with you and Brian? You don’t even like him.” + +Joan – “He is a jerk sometimes, but sometimes he’s not. I heard how +he organized a search party when everyone thought I was kidnapped. He +didn’t have to do that.” + +Grace – “So, this is payback?” + +Joan – “No, it’s more than that. What he did showed leadership, and +he’s the only one with a plan. He’s the only one who might make a +difference.” + +Grace – “Does this mean you’ll be his campaign manager again this +year?” + +Joan – “Yeah, well, he asked me. Why don’t you get some more copies +of his plan, and we can meet at my house after school. You can read +it, we can do our homework, and then talk about our essays. If you +decide you want to vote for someone else, that’s fine.” + +Grace – “Elmer Fudd still sounds good to me.” + +Joan – “Then you’ll have no effect at all.” + +At the Police Station + +Will is in his office reading the background check he had done on +Brother Jimi. ‘James Earl Johnson, born January 7, 1976 in Arcadia, +MD, the son of James and Alma Johnson, both deceased. Enlisted in the +Army on June 5, 1994. Wounded in action November 10, 2001, honorably +discharged disabled January 25, 2002. Returned to Arcadia in February +2002. Received his ministry from the Baptist Missionary Alliance in +November 2003. He is presently the pastor at the Church of Hope on + +Broad Street +. Other activities: Manages the Arcadia Soup Kitchen (ASK) on +Walnot Street +, and teaches basketball at the YMCA twice a week. Participates in +numerous other charities.’ +Will greets brother Jimi when he arrives for their meeting, “Come in +and have a seat.” Will closes the door and returns to his seat, “I +had a background check done on you. You have had an impressive +career.” + +Brother Jimi – “Background check? I don’t know if I like the sound of +that coming from the Chief of Police.” + +Will – “I just need to know who I’m dealing with. I was handed +dealing with Hunter’s Watchdog Committee, and I want to make sure I +am making the right decision by initiating dealings with yours. The +report doesn’t indicate any problems. In fact, I was quite surprised +to learn that you were in the army.” + +Brother Jimi – “That was a lifetime ago. I did my duty to country, +now I’m doing my duty to God.” + +Will – “It says you were discharged disabled. You appear to be in +good shape. Would you mind my asking why you were discharged?” + +Brother Jimi – “There was a bullet with my name on it. I truly +believe that God was trying to tell me something. I lost a kidney, +but God willing, I’ll continue doing fine on the other one.” + +Will – “Well, thank you for your service, both then and now.” + +Brother Jimi – “I have the information that you requested.” He hands +Will a paper, “These are the proposed members of the committee. They +are all fine men and women.” + +Will – “Thank you. I’ll get back to you as soon as my investigation +is complete. Here is a background check done on me.” + +Brother Jimi looks at the report, “What was the information that has +been deleted?” + +Will – “Information about my family. I don’t feel you need to know +that.” + +Brother Jimi – “I met Joan the other day. She’s a nice girl. Is she +your daughter?” + +Will – “Yes, she told me about returning the money from the fund +raiser.” + +Brother Jimi – “Well, tell her hello for me.” + +Will and Brother Jimi shake hands and Brother Jimi departs. + +At the Newspaper + +Kevin asks Rebecca to come to his desk, “Why is this story flagged +for deletion?” + +Rebecca – “Pressure from above. Hunter feels it would be seen as +politically motivated.” + +Kevin – “Not running the story would be just as politically +motivated. We both know why he doesn’t want it published.” + +Rebecca – “He has threatened my job. It’s just one story.” + +Kevin – “And what about the next one and the one after that?” + +Rebecca – “I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I can’t risk it.” + +Kevin – “Well, we can let this one go, but if Hunter keeps it up, we +can’t continue to pander to his whim.” + +Rebecca – “I know, I have to do some more thinking.” + +Rebecca leaves and Kevin calls Henry Taschen with the Free Press. +After he received assurance of anonymity, Kevin archives a copy of +the story to CD. He will e-mail the story from home later. + +At School + +Grace – “Are you ready for the mystery meat today?” + +Joan – “No, I brought a sandwich. I’m going to eat it out on the +bleachers.” + +Grace – “Split it with me, and I’ll join you.” + +Joan – “Not today, I kind of want to be alone. Besides, you need to +find Brian and get more copies of his plan.” + +Joan leaves and begins to walk down the hall. Custodian God meets her +and hands her a shovel, “You can bring it back on Monday.” + +Joan – “I know you know my thoughts, but this is becoming too weird! +Next time, just let me come and get the shovel.” God smiles and +departs with a wave. + +Joan walks out to the bleachers and sits to eat her sandwich. She +wonders about Judith. It has been so long since she has seen her, +dead or alive. Judith told her +the\ `crocuses <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/CrocusJoanofArc.jpg>`__\ were +a Dutch hybrid. The huge white flowers were so beautiful when they +bloomed last spring, that is, until someone trampled them. That’s why +she decided to return today. + +She finishes her sandwich and walks under the bleachers. She finds +the red X she had marked under the bench, just above where the +crocuses had bloomed. She starts to dig, ‘Five bulbs, not bad! Now +I’ll take you to a good home.’ + +At the Police Station + +Toni rushes into Will’s office, “We have shots fired and possibly two +officers down in Meadow Park.” + +Will – “Do we know who they are?” + +Toni – “Not yet, it was just called in by a witness at the scene. A +unit is on the way.” + +Will – “Have Mike and Carlisle get to the scene. Have the officers +responding call me on my cell as soon as they can with an ID on the +two officers and their condition.” Toni leaves and Will calls Helen’s +cell. She doesn’t answer. He looks up the number for the school +office and makes the call. + +At School + +Grace subjected herself to the mystery meat for lunch and went to +find Brian afterward. She found him in the office, and they agreed to +go to his locker to get more copies of his plan. As they were about +to leave, news that two police officers had been shot came over the +radio. She hears over the PA, “Mrs. Girardi, please come to the +office for a phone call.” Grace assumes the worst and tells Brian to +drop off the copies in the office. She’ll pick them up later. + +She goes out and meets Joan coming back from the bleachers, “I found +five crocus bulbs. Isn’t that neat?” + +Grace – “Yeah, great, we need to go to the office. You need to sign +up as Brian’s campaign manager.” + +Joan – “Sign up, since when? It’s not like we’re a political party.” + +Grace – “Come on, don’t argue, just come with me.” + +When they arrive in the office, they see Helen finishing her call. +Helen walks over to Joan and Grace, “Hi Grace. Joan, that was your +father. He’ll be working late tonight, but he still wants me to go +ahead and meet with June. I’ll leave money for you to order pizza or +something. Will you tell Luke?” + +Joan – “Yeah, sure, where do I sign up to be campaign manager?” + +Grace interrupts, “Never mind, we need to get to class.” + +Joan hands Helen the shovel, “Can you put this in your room? I’ll +pick it up after school.” + +Helen thinks to herself, ‘I’m not going to ask,’ and simply responds, +“Sure.” + +Joan and Grace leave, and Helen calls Kevin to let him know that Will +is all right. As Grace and Joan head to class, they meet Luke +hurrying toward them, “I just heard about the two police officers +being shot. Do you know anything?” + +Grace – “Your dad is fine. He just called and said he’ll be working +late.” + +Joan stands stunned for a moment and then realizes what Grace had +done, “Thank you, Grace.” They continue to class. + +At the Police Station + +Will’s cell phone rings, “Hello Chief, this is Officer Cheney. +Officer Philips and I were the first on the scene here at Meadow +Park. The two officers involved are Officer Turner and Officer +Garcia. There were also two others involved, Anthony Rizzo and +Theodore Marks. Officers Turner and Rizzo are dead. Officer Garcia +and Theodore Marks have been taken to UMC with gunshot wounds.” + +Will – “Okay, call me back as soon as Detectives Daghlian and +Carlisle arrive.” + +Will looks up Officer Garcia’s profile on the computer, ‘Married, +wife Sophia, homemaker, three children…’ He prints out the +information. He then looks up Officer Turner’s profile, ‘Single, +parents are Luke and Cynthia Turner…” He prints out that information +as well. He pauses for a moment as he prepares himself for the tasks +he must now perform, telling Mrs. Garcia of her husband’s injuries, +and notifying Mr. and Mrs. Turner of their daughter’s death. + +At School + +Grace and Joan are heading for their last period class, “So, when are +you going to tell me what you and Ms. Keady have been up to?” + +Joan – “We are still working on it. It’s a surprise, I told you.” + +Grace – “It sure sounds clandestine! Oh, the keylogger is going in +tonight. I got it from Luke yesterday and my dad is getting it to the +guy today.” + +Joan – “Is that going to do any good? Do they even work over the +weekend?” + +Grace – “Not normally, but the cleaning guy said they are having a +big powwow this weekend, probably on account of what your dad did +this week.” + +Joan – “Okay, now we hold our breath until Monday.” + +Joan goes to the gym and begins her warm up routine. She has created +a blend of yoga, dance, and martial arts exercises. Normally, Joan +does her routine silently, but today she decides to tell Ms. Keady +about her idea, “I made up an excuse for why I am spending time with +you. I told Grace we’re working on a surprise for gym class. I was +thinking, what if we start doing the jitterbug in gym class? It’s +good exercise and it would be a lot more fun than running laps. What +do you think?” + +Ms. Keady – “I have heard of dance being used as an exercise in other +schools. I don’t dance much, just some line dancing and slow dance +from time to time. Is that something you can teach me?” + +Joan – “Yeah, I’m still learning, but I have it down pretty well. I +think it is a good idea.” + +Ms. Keady – “Okay, from now on, the last fifteen minutes of the +lesson is jitterbugging.” + +Joan finishes up her routine and pauses to find her place. While she +does, Ms. Keady circles, choosing a direction from which to make her +attack. Joan can thwart some of them, but she eventually gets caught +in a stranglehold. Ms. Keady explains what she did wrong, and they +continue. Slowly, Joan is learning not to repeat the previous +mistakes. However, this lesson ends with Ms. Keady dragging Joan +across the floor by the hair, “Ouch! Oh! I’m still not cutting my +hair!” + +Ms. Keady – “Yeah, I suppose my collection of Girardi hair is +becoming too big. Tomorrow, I’ll show you how to use pressure points. +Let’s dance.” + +After school, Joan meets her friends by her locker. They all agree to +meet at her house to finish their homework and work on their essays. + +At the Newspaper + +When Joan was in the second grade, news of several police officers +having been shot didn’t go as well. She found out by overhearing +teachers talking about it as she walked past the teachers’ lounge. +Kevin found her later, staggering down the hallway, crying +uncontrollably. He spent the rest of the afternoon holding her until +they finally received the news that their father was all right. + +There have been other incidents since then, and with each one, Joan +has been able to handle it better, but Kevin decided then that +whenever one occurred, he would make a point to be there for her. +That is why when he heard the news, he announced to Rebecca that he +would be leaving early. + +At School + +After dropping by to inform Lilly of their change in dinner plans, +Kevin went to the school. Joan was not surprised to see him parked +outside, waiting for her, “Thank you for coming. Dad’s okay. He +called and talked to Mom.” + +Kevin – “I know, but I came anyway.” + +They wait a little longer for Luke to get in, and then head for home. +On the way, Joan tells Kevin that her friends will be coming over to +study. Kevin wonders if her decision to study tonight is because she +really needs to study, or because she really needs her friends. He +decides it doesn’t matter, “Tell them to come hungry. I’m going to +order a variety of sub sandwiches from the deli.” + +When they arrive at home, Kevin asks both of them, “Would either of +you like to talk about what happened today?” + +Joan looks at Luke for his response, “No, I’m fine. I’ll be up in my +room reading.” + +After Luke leaves, Joan sits beside Kevin, “I would like to talk +about something, but not about today. I would actually prefer to talk +to Lilly first. Is she coming to dinner?” + +Kevin – “Yeah, she should be here in a little while.” + +Joan – “Good. We need to do our studying first. Can you and Lilly +wait to talk until we’re done?” + +Kevin – “We’ll be here.” + +Joan gets up and grabs her shovel and bulbs and heads out to the +garage. She takes the pot she found earlier and begins to fill it +with a mixture of potting soil and compost. She looks at her bag of +bulbs and wonders which one to plant. They all look the same, well, +almost. One has a nick on it, probably made by the shovel when she +dug it up. The cut looks like the letter J. She decides that means +‘Joan’s,’ and places it in the pot. She finishes filling it, packing +the soil as she goes. She then takes the pot into the kitchen and +adds a little water. She smiles as she adds 7-Up for luck. In her +room, she places the pot on the floor behind the stuffed chair under +the window, “There, all ready for spring.” + +She gathers up her books and heads to the dining room. She is +surprised to find Helen already sitting there, “Mom, aren’t you going +to the museum tonight?” + +Helen – “I don’t know if I should. I’m really not in the mood.” + +Joan – “You should go. Dad wants you to go. Kevin’s ordering dinner. +We’ll be fine.” + +Helen decides to take Joan’s advice. After she changes clothes, she +says goodbye and leaves for the museum. + +Joan begins with her calculus homework, “A man wants to build a +rectangular enclosure for his herd. He only has $900 to spend on the +fence and…” The best answer is to call Home Depot, but unfortunately, +that won’t do. She reads the rest of the problem. After some +struggling, she finds the correct solution. + +As she begins the next problem, she hears the doorbell ring. She goes +to the door and lets everyone into the foyer. However, when she +begins to close the door, Lilly squeezes through, “Oh, sorry.” Joan’s +eyes follow Lilly as she heads for the couch, “I’m really glad you’re +here tonight.” She pauses, wondering if Lilly has met everyone, “Have +you met Friedman and Glynis?” + +Lilly – “Yeah, we met the other day. I think you were at dance +class.” + +Joan – “Okay.” She directs her friends to the dinning room table, +“Have a seat anywhere. I’ll go get Luke.” + +Grace – “Sit tight, I’ll get him.” + +On the couch, Lilly wonders about Joan’s comment, “What did your +sister mean by, ‘I’m really glad you’re here tonight?’” + +Kevin – “Remember when you told her that if she ever needed to talk, +you would be there? Well, I think tonight’s the night.” + +Lilly – “Does she want to talk about the police shootings?” + +Kevin – “No, she heard about them at lunch. It’s something else.” + +Lilly gets a puzzled look on her face, “So, you don’t know about the +others?” + +Kevin – “What others?” + +Lilly looks around to make sure they are alone, “All hell has broken +out in Arcadia. There’s a big gun battle going on over on the west +side. Two more police officers have been shot, and it’s not over +yet.” + +Kevin thinks for a moment before responding, “Okay, no TV tonight, at +least until Dad calls. There’s no need for Joan and Luke to know.” He +leaves a message on Will’s cell to call home, then calls to order +dinner. + +At the table, Joan finishes her calculus, and the others finish +theirs. After they compare answers, Joan asks Luke to check her +homework. Luke looks over her problems and answers, “You did good. +They’re all right.” + +Joan smiles, pleased that she got them all right, but even more +pleased that Luke is now willing to check them for her without giving +her grief. They continue studying by quizzing each other on the names +and locations of arteries for biology class. + +At the Art Museum + +Helen joins June, who has finished the repair of the original +painting and is beginning to paint the copy. Helen looks over the +original painting, “You can’t even see where it was punctured!” + +June – “I really enjoy being able to restore such a beautiful +painting. Now comes the fun part.” As she begins to paint, she +explains, “I examine a part of the painting, both actual size and +magnified. Then I duplicate it on the new canvas and double check it +under magnification. If I see a problem, I make touch-ups. That’s +basically what I do, over and over again, until it is finished. +Everything else is technique, which is just in my head.” + +Helen – “Can I ask questions as you work?” + +June – “Sure, that’s why you are here.” + +At Home + +Joan begins the discussion of their essays, “I am supporting Brian +again this year. Do any of you intend to support someone else?” + +Glynis– “I was actually planning to vote for Sally Thornton. She’s +smart and says she will listen to what people have to say.” + +Joan – “Okay, if you want to support Sally, then go ahead. Is there +anyone else?” No one answers, so Joan continues, “Brian has a +ten-point plan this year. He is his worst enemy. He’s written 75 +pages. Most people are not going to read that much. There are five of +us, so if each of us takes two points, summarize them in a few +paragraphs, then all of them will be covered. People will read a few +paragraphs. All we have to decide is which of us will do what. I +would like to do the job fair, step ten. Brian wants it expanded, and +I agree. There was no one from the medical industry or any fields of +science last year, and he has mentioned several other fields. We need +to know more about what our options might be. Why don’t all of you +skim through and see if there are some that you support?” + +Joan walks out to the living room, “What are you guys doing?” + +Kevin – “Just talking. Dinner should be here soon.” + +Joan – “We’re almost done, thank…” The phone rings and Joan picks it +up, “Hello.” + +Will – “Hi, Joan. How is everything there?” + +Joan – “Mom’s at the museum, Kevin and Lilly are here, and Luke and I +are doing homework with Grace, Adam, Glynis, and Friedman. When are +you coming home?” + +Will – “It won’t be until late. Can I talk to Kevin?” + +Joan – “Yeah, I love you. I’m sorry about your police officers. +Here’s Kevin.” She hands the phone to Kevin. The doorbell rings, and +Kevin gives her the money. She answers the door and takes dinner to +the dining room table. + +Kevin – “I know you’re busy, but I just want to know that you are +okay.” + +Will – “Don’t worry, I’m fine, and if your mother calls, please tell +her I’m okay.” + +Kevin – “Can you tell me anything about what has been happening?” + +Will pauses, still trying to come to grips with what has happened. +“The second officer from this morning died, but the two from this +afternoon should be okay. I’m heading back to the hospital now. My +cell doesn’t work while I’m inside, so don’t worry when it goes into +voice mail.” + +Kevin – “Dad, I’m sorry about your officers. I’ll tell Mom you’re +okay.” + +Kevin reports his conversation with Will to Lilly, who asks, “Are you +going to tell Joan and Luke now?” + +Kevin considers it for a moment, “No, I’ll tell them after you and +Joan talk. It’s important to her.” + +Lilly – “It must be important, otherwise she wouldn’t bother. I +really would like to get closer to your sister, but I’m afraid I’m +going to blow it.” + +Kevin – “You’ll do fine.” He pauses, “But not on an empty stomach. +Why don’t you get us each a sub and something to drink?” + +At the Art Museum + +Helen – “You are doing such a marvelous job of duplicating this +painting. I can see now how you are doing it, but I’ll need to +practice your technique.” + +June stops for a minute and walks over to a nearby cabinet. She +retrieves another easel and mounts another framed canvas, “Okay, time +for you to practice.” + +Helen is thrilled. She lays the brush to the canvas and begins +duplicating the procedure that June had used. She is pleased with the +results, but she is not as skilled as June. The second duplicate +progresses. + +At Home + +They all finish skimming Brian’s proposal and making a list of those +items that they can support. Adam, of course, selects the math and +science program, which now includes art and music. They compare their +choices, and Joan is able to convince each of them to cover a +different item in their essays. + +Glynisalso skimmed the proposal and found a few items she supported, +“Tomorrow, I’m going to ask if I can support two candidates.” + +Joan – “The election is a week from tomorrow. I assume that’s the +point of the essay, to make us make an informed choice. You need to +pick one, then write your essay.” + +Glynisthinks for a moment, “I really like Sally better, but I like +Brian’s ideas. I’ll let you know in the morning.” + +Joan – “Adam, can you make some posters again?” + +Adam – “I have two from last year in my portfolio. We can just make +copies.” + +Joan – “Great.” That concludes their meeting, and Joan and Luke +escort them to the door. After they leave, Luke goes upstairs, and +Joan approaches the couch, “Lilly, can I talk to you for a few +minutes?” Kevin reaches for his wheelchair and Joan quickly adds, +“No, stay there. If you don’t mind, I would rather talk to Lilly in +my room, privately.” + +Lilly joins Joan in her room, and Joan begins, “I have a question +about having sex.” + +Lilly immediately responds, “Isn’t this something you should be +talking to your mother about?” + +Joan – “I have already had talks with mom about sex. I know how she +feels about it.” She hands Helen’s bible to Lilly, “I have heard both +of you say that this is the word of God. What does he say about +having sex?” + +Lilly looks at Joan for a long time without saying anything.Then she +leafs through until she finds the page, “There are lots of places +where the Bible talks about sex. Here is a passage, 1 Corinthians +6:18 – 20…” + +Joan interrupts, “Say that again.” As Lilly repeats it, Joan writes +it down on a piece of paper, “Okay, sorry, go ahead.” + +Lilly – “1 Corinthians 6:18 – 20, Shun fornication! Every sin that a +person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against +the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the +Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not +your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in +your body.\ ” Lilly looks up from the book, “What this is saying is +that if you have sex outside of marriage, it is a sin.” + +Joan thinks about it for a minute, “Okay, I’ve heard ‘the body is a +temple’ part before. Is there more?” + +Lilly – “There is a lot more. I have a whole list at home, but I +don’t know if this is the best way to answer your question. You want +to know about having sex before marriage, right?” + +Joan – “Yeah, I have already decided that I’m not having sex without +the white lace and promises. I was just curious what the Bible said +his almightiness wants me to do.” + +Lilly – “When you have sex with someone, you become married. Okay, +not literally, but you are forever linked with an intimacy of the +deepest kind, and it will never be erased. The two of you become one +flesh. God wants sex between a man and a woman to be both a physical +and a spiritual joining. It’s better to get married in front of +everybody, declare your commitment, and then run with your desires, +because desire is what gets you married, but it sure isn’t what will +keep you married.” + +Joan – “What keeps you married?” + +Lilly – “That’s a story for another day.” + +Joan – “So, I should wait, right?” + +Lilly – “Yes, but don’t think that not having sex will protect you. +It will, but it has its own set of problems. Whatever journey you +decide to take will have its pitfalls. It’s your call. It’s called +moral judgment, discernment, are you up to it? + +Joan – “I guess I’ll have to be. I’ve already made my choice.” + +Lilly begins to wonder, and asks, “Was this your only reason for +wanting to know what the Bible says? Would you like to join your +mother during her catechism lessons?” + +Joan – “No, thank you. I respect what you and Mom believe, but I have +my own way of relating to God. I do have another question. Is it +okay?” + +Lilly – “Sure, what is it?” + +Joan – “I talk to God a lot, but I was wondering. If God already +knows everything I’m thinking, what is the purpose of prayer?” +. +Lilly – “There are lots of reasons for prayer: people pray to discuss +a problem, to thank God, or just talk to God. God is always there for +us. The more we pray, the stronger our relationship becomes. I pray +more times than I can count in a day. I thank God or ask for wisdom. +I tell Him when I’m angry, sad, happy, or confused. God is a great +friend and wonderful listener. However, the most important thing is +that prayer is an invitation for God to become a part of your life. +Prayer does not change God, it changes us. The more he is a part of +your life, the more you will begin to think and behave as he wants. +It helps us to grow closer to God.” + +Joan – “This growing closer to God, is that like being like minded?” + +Lilly – “Yeah, that’s a good way of looking at it, and prayer helps +you to achieve that goal.” + +Joan sits quietly for a moment, now understanding what God had told +her, “Thank you, Lilly. You have been a great help. It’s good to have +a friend who knows so much about God.” + +Lilly – “I’m glad I could help, but don’t put me on a pedestal. I +make plenty of mistakes.” + +Joan – “Come on, I need to talk to Kevin.” + +Lilly – “Are you sure? I can wait here.” + +Joan – “No, I want you to come. In case you haven’t figured it out, +Kevin is in love with you. You’re family.” + +They go back down to the living room and Lilly sits beside Kevin. +Joan pushes up a chair and sits in front of them. “Kevin, I know we +have talked about my feelings for Adam before, but I never told you +why we broke up.” + +When Joan pauses briefly, Kevin interrupts, “I already know. He +cheated on you.” + +Joan – “Who told?” + +Kevin – “I forced it out of Luke.” + +Joan is disappointed that he knew, but she continues anyway, “Well, +then you know it was about sex. I wouldn’t do it and he went +elsewhere. It broke my heart.” Her eyes begin to water as she +continues, “I have had some conversations with Mom and Grace, and why +he did it isn’t as cut and dried as I thought it was. It wasn’t just +about sex. There were other reasons, and that is where it may have +been partly my fault. I will never forget what he did, but recently, +I have been able to see that he broke his own heart just as much as +he broke mine. Even with the pain this whole time, I still love him. +That has never gone away. So, I have decided to forgive him. I want +to try again. I plan to tell him on Saturday, but that’s where I’m +stuck. I don’t know how I should do it. Can you help?” + +Kevin – “What do you want to happen? Do you want to just pick up +where you left off?” + +Joan – “No, that’s not possible, and I know it’s not going to be all +hearts and bunnies. There will have to be conditions. I can’t give +him my heart back, not all of it, not until I’m more sure. But part +of my heartache is missing him. I want him back. I need him back.” + +Lilly – “Maybe you should make a list. Write down what you would like +to say to him, and what you would like to happen between you in the +future. Think about your list and then throw the list away.” + +Joan – “Throw it away?” + +Lilly – “If you tell Adam something you’ve memorized, it will sound +fake, and he’ll know it. Know what you want to say, but how you say +it must be spontaneous. It has to come from your heart.” + +Kevin – “I don’t think I could have said it better.” + +Joan smiles and gives them both a kiss on the cheek. As she begins to +leave, Kevin stops her, “Wait, I have something to tell you.” He +looks at Lilly, “Will you call Luke?” + +After Luke arrives, Kevin continues, “Dad’s okay, but there are +things you should know. You’ll find out about them anyway.” Both Joan +and Luke remember the similar line from Mrs. Polonsky at Lake +Nashman, “The second officer that was shot this morning died. There +have also been two more police shootings, but Dad thinks they will be +okay.” + +Luke – “Do you know who the police officers are?” + +Kevin – “I wish I knew more, but that’s all I know. The news will be +on soon. Would you like to watch?” + +Joan says no, but Luke decides to watch. Then Helen walks in the +door, “Hi. Joan and Luke, what are you still doing up? You should be +in bed.” + +Kevin – “Mom, there is something you should know.” He tells her what +he just told Joan and Luke. They all decide to sit and watch the news +together. + +The reporter begins by talking about the shootings from this morning, +‘Those involved in the shootings were Officer Hector Garcia, Officer +Ashley Turner, Anthony Rizzo, and Theodore Marks. Officer Turner and +Anthony Rizzo died at the scene, Theodore Marks died on the way to +the hospital, and Officer Garcia died while in surgery. Details of +the shootings are still under investigation. + +This afternoon, the police raided a warehouse at + +1213 West Gilmore Street +. An exchange of gunfire occurred and continued for several hours. +Officer Brian Walker and Officer Tyron Drake received gunshot wounds. +Officer Drake is in stable condition and Officer Walker was treated +and released. +Two suspects were killed and three were injured. Fourteen others were +arrested. Their names have not yet been released…’ + +Helen – “I don’t think I have met any of them, but this has certainly +been a terrible day for your father.” + +Joan – “Officer Garcia is the one who arrested me. I didn’t like +being arrested, but he treated me okay. I feel bad for him and his +family. And Teddy Marks hung around the high school a lot selling +drugs. He was a real slime.” + +Helen – “You knew a drug dealer?” + +Joan – “I just knew who he was. I don’t do drugs.” + +Kevin – “I’ve met Officer Turner a few times at the courthouse. She +seemed nice. And I think I’ve met Sergeant Drake a couple of times.” + +Luke – “I didn’t know any of them, either.” + +Lilly – “I knew Ashley when I was still a nun. She used to attend St. +Peter’s. I haven’t seen her in quite a while.” + +Helen – “Well, Joan and Luke, it’s late. You need to go to bed.” They +all get up, and Helen remembers something, “Oh, I’ve invited the +Goetzmann’s to dinner next Saturday. Can you and Lilly come?” + +Kevin looks at Lilly, trying to sense her response, and then looks +back to Helen, “Yeah, I think so. Wayne, Dan, Dad, and I are already +set to golf in the morning. Dinner shouldn’t be a problem.” + +Helen – “Good. Joan, Elizabeth will be coming too. You still like +her, right?” + +Joan – “Yeah, she’s okay.” + +Helen – “Okay, off to bed.” + +Lilly goes home and they all go up to their bedrooms. Kevin e-mails +the story to Henry Taschen and begins to wonder if censorship at the +newspaper is just beginning. He goes to sleep. Luke thinks about the +mess this police thing has been and falls to sleep thinking about +chaos theory. Joan says a prayer for those hurt and killed, and she +asks God to take care of them. She falls asleep. Helen lays in bed, +worrying about Will. Finally, she goes to sleep as well. + +At about one thirty, Will opens the door to Joan’s room. He walks in +and is about to lean over to give her a goodnight kiss when she says, +“Dad, I’m sorry about all of your police officers. I said a prayer +for them.” Startled to realize that Joan is awake, Will replies, +“Thank you, Joan. I’m sure it will help.” He gives her a kiss, “Go +back to sleep.” + +In the morning, the zombies arise. Not one of them has had a decent +night’s sleep. Helen makes the decision, “I think we should all call +in sick. Will and Kevin, why don’t you call in late? Then we can all +go back to bed for some well-deserved sleep.” + +At the Police Station + +Prior to coming to work, Will stopped by the hospital to say hello to +Officer Drake. Officer Drake was given the good news that he will be +released today. He will be returning to work on Monday. + +Toni’s find at Anthony Rizzo’s apartment led them to the warehouse on +the west side. The suspects were more heavily armed than they +expected, but at least now, a major drug dealer in Arcadia has been +shut down. + +Carlisle’s search of Teddy Marks’ residence brought little regarding +drugs, but he found something even more interesting. “Will, I need to +show you something.” He hands Will an envelope of photo prints, “This +is a set of double prints taken from Marks’ home. We found it wedged +between his desk and the wall. Take a look at the last three prints.” + +Will looks at the pictures and sits stunned. He looks up at Carlisle, +“Why would Teddy Marks have pictures of Judith Montgomery?” + +Carlisle– “I don’t know, but there are two prints of each picture, +but only one of Judith’s. The second copies of these prints have been +removed.” He takes the envelope back and pulls out a photo from the +pack, “Do you recognize this kid?” + +Will – “Yeah, but I can’t place him.” + +Carlisle– “He was the star quarterback on Arcadia High’s football +team last year. His name is Lars Klosterman. I’m going to talk to him +now.” + +Will – “Call me afterward. I want to know what he says.” + +At School + +Joan is pleased to see posters of Brian Beaumont all over the school. +She and Luke find everyone in the cafeteria, “Thanks everyone for +putting up the posters. Adam, they look even better than they did +last year.” + +Adam – “When I got home last night, I decided to make new copies of +them. I added some more texture. That makes them stand out more.” + +Grace – “I think we all know why you’re late today. Are you all +right?” + +Luke – “Yeah, we knew my dad was okay, but none of us could sleep +anyway.” + +Joan – “We knew some of the officers, and it’s hard when something +like this happens.” + +Glynis– “Would it make you feel a little better to know that I’m now +supporting Brian? Friedman and I are writing our essays tonight. You +want to join us?” + +Joan – “I’m glad you’re supporting Brian, but no, I want to spend +time with my dad tonight. I’ll probably write mine on Sunday.” + +Later, Grace and Joan are walking down the hall, “Adam told me about +your trip to Mercer Creek. You’ve been spending a lot of time +together lately. Are you two becoming an item again?” + +Joan – “I don’t know, I’ll find out tomorrow. Are you still going to +see Alice and Glynis?” + +Grace – “Yeah, Luke, Friedman, and I are going together.” + +Joan – “Great! You’ll know then, and we can talk on Sunday.” + +Today’s lesson on pressure points was mostly instruction, but Joan +and Ms. Keady did finish it with a practice. As a result, Joan leaves +the gym with a slight limp, but Mrs. Keady won’t be using her right +hand for some time. They decided to forgo the dance portion of the +lesson today. + +At the Police Station + +Carlisleknocks on Will’s door, “Will, do you have a minute?” + +Will – “I thought you were going to call.” + +Carlisle– “This is big; I figured we needed to talk in person. Lars +was very cooperative. Here’s what he told me. + +He and Teddy Marks were lovers. Judith took a picture of them kissing +using her cell phone. They were both upset about it, but Teddy was +really mad. Eventually, Judith agreed to delete the picture, and Lars +saw her do it. He told Teddy, and he figured that was the end of it. +Then, when Judith was murdered, Lars asked Teddy if he did it. Teddy +told Lars no, but Lars wasn’t sure if he believed him. Then when the +police said it was Joey Edwards who killed Judith, he figured Teddy +was telling the truth. They broke up last January, and they haven’t +spoken since.” + +Will – “Did anyone else know about the picture?” + +Carlisle– “Lars said he was sure no one else knew about it.” + +Will – “It sounds like Judith may have been set up. See if you can +find out what happened to Judith’s cell phone. Also, look up that +lawyer for Ryan Peters, Catherine something. I want him in here again +for questioning.” + +At Home + +After dinner, Joan invites her father to play a game of chess, “You +wanted a rematch. Come on, let’s play.” + +The game took longer than usual, but Will was finally able to +checkmate Joan’s king, “Well, it’s good to know I haven’t totally +lost my touch.” Joan gives him a hug and a kiss and congratulates him +on his victory. + +Later, Will and Helen prepare for bed, “Did you enjoy your game with +Joan?” + +Will – “Yeah, and it was great to finally win one.” + +Helen hesitates before responding, “She let you win.” + +Will – “What do you mean, I just played a better game tonight.” + +Helen – “She told me she was going to let you win before you started. +She wants you to be happy again. She knows how bad you feel about all +the shootings.” + +Will is stunned, disappointed that he didn’t actually win, but happy +that Joan would do such a thing. + +Helen – “Don’t you dare tell her that I told you.” + +At Mercer Creek + +Paxis sitting between them, with her head on Joan’s lap. Joan is +petting her and enjoying the view. The trees are a kaleidoscope of +color, just like last year. She can feel Judith, which makes missing +her a little easier. She remembers what’s over the next hill, “Are +you ready, Adam?” + +Adam – “Yeah, I remember.” + +They crest the hill and Joan sees the stable in the dell. She puts +her hand out of the window to wave, but is shocked by what she sees, +“Adam, pull over.” She looks at the horse with amazement, “It’s so +sad and wonderful at the same time. I can’t believe how beautiful he +is.” + +Adam – “Whoever restored him did an excellent job. Every detail is so +real, and the stable and the other buildings have been painted, too. +I guess we can’t call him Ole Paint anymore.” + +Joan considers Adam’s comment for a moment, “No, he will always be +Ole Paint to me.” + +When they arrive and begin to collect their things, Pax suddenly +darts off. Adam calls her, but she continues running. She heads +toward a new wooden play structure, and Joan and Adam quickly follow. +When they arrive, they find Pax has pinned down a little girl. She is +laughing and giggling as Pax relentlessly licks her face. Still +laughing, she says, “Hi, Joan, is this your dog?” + +Joan – “No, it’s Adam’s dog. What are you doing here?” + +God ignores her question, “Hi, Adam, I’m Julie. I love your dog. Can +I play with her?” + +Adam – “It looks like you already are. Her name is Pax.” Adam pauses, +trying to decide what to say next. He doesn’t want to be rude, but he +really wants to spend time alone with Joan, “Where are your parents?” + +God – “The camping area is just over there.” She picks up a stick and +throws it. Pax darts off to retrieve it. + +Joan – “Maybe we should ask them about it first.” She looks at Adam, +“Why don’t you get the picnic basket and blanket and take it to our +spot. Pax and I will meet you there in a few minutes.” + +Adam heads back to the truck, while Joan and God walk across the +field toward the camping area, “Please don’t tell me not to do this. +I really want it.” + +God – “That’s not why I’m here. Besides, it’s your choice.” + +Joan – “Yeah, but what about the like minded thing? I finally figured +out what you meant. Is it what you want for me too?” + +God – “I just want you to be happy.” + +Joan – “God, I really need to know. You said that more and more +often, I am making the same choices that you would have made for me. +That implies that sometimes I don’t make the right choice. Is this +choice the right one?” + +God – “I can’t make your choices for you. You have to follow your +heart. What do your dreams tell you?” + +Joan – “They’re confusing. I don’t know if they’re dreams or just +wishes. Are they my dreams or our dreams?” + +God takes the stick from Pax and throws it again, “Joan, you still +need to learn to have faith in yourself. What did your father tell +you the other day?” + +Joan thinks for a moment, trying to decide to what God is referring, +“Trust my instincts?” + +God – “Bingo! I love that word. You already have more guidance in +this matter than most people would have, but it has to be your +choice.” She again takes the stick from Pax and throws it, “You know, +Pax loves both Adam and you.” + +Joan – “Changing the subject, are we?” + +God ignores her, “Pax will do anything to protect you, even give up +her own life.” + +Joan – “What are you saying?” + +God – “Dogs don’t have free will like you. You may have to make +decisions for her. I have to go. Have fun today.” + +Joan – “Wait! What are you talking about?” + +God walks off with a wave, leaving Joan standing there with Pax. Joan +takes the stick from Pax and throws it in the direction of the truck. + +At the Craft Show + +Kevin, Lilly, Rebecca, and Dan meet at the craft show. It’s not long +before Lilly and Rebecca pair off, talking about the different crafts +they see. Kevin and Dan sort of tag along, talking about places they +would rather be; however, they come across a woodworking exhibit that +catches both of their interests. Lilly and Rebecca continue ahead. + +Rebecca – “Now that we’re alone, I want you to know that there’s +nothing going on between Kevin and me. That was a long time ago.” + +Lilly – “Well, I’m glad to hear that. How are you and Dan doing?” + +Rebecca – “We have only been dating a few months, but I like him a +lot.” Then she adds, “But nothing serious yet.” + +Now that they have gotten that out in the open, they actually begin +to connect with one another. + +At Mercer Creek + +When she arrives, Adam has already laid out the blanket. He has +wedged himself in Judith’s tree, and the memory pleases her. She +takes his hand and they watch leaves float down the stream for the +longest time, “I so love this spot.” + +Adam – “Me too. What happened to Julie?” + +Joan – “I convinced her parents to take her on a nature walk. I would +like to plant Judith’s crocuses now. Would you like to help?” + +Adam was hoping she would ask, but he didn’t know if she wanted to do +this alone, “Sure, let’s go.” + +They walk a little way and find an open grassy area that doesn’t +appear to be mowed. Joan sticks the shovel in the ground, “This looks +like a nice spot.” However, Pax seems to prefer another spot. She +digs a hole a few yards away. Joan decides to take Pax’s advice and +places a bulb in the hole, and then Adam covers it back up. Pax digs +another hole, and they repeat the procedure. After the fourth bulb is +planted, Pax digs yet another hole. Joan looks at Adam, “How do we +turn her off? I’m out of bulbs.” + +Adam picks up a stick and throws it toward the picnic area, “You +distract her. It’s easy to do.” Adam covers up the hole, and they +return to their spot by the creek, “What’s for lunch?” + +Joan – “I had Dad help me create these monster sandwiches: salami, +lettuce, tomato, cheese, mayonnaise, olives, and I have pickles in a +bag if you want to add them. They should be great.” + +Adam – “They sound good. Are you hungry yet?” + +Joan – “Yeah, I didn’t have much for breakfast.” + +She takes the sandwiches, sodas, and chips out of the basket, and +they quietly eat their lunch. After they are finished, they lay down +on the blanket and Pax parks herself between them. “Adam…” She +pauses, trying to get her thoughts together, “I want to talk to you +about something.” Adam doesn’t answer; he just gives her his +attention, “Last spring when you had sex with Bonnie, it really broke +my heart.” + +Adam – “I know, I was really stupid.If I could take it back, I would. +I’m so, so sorry that I hurt you.” Adam looks deep into Joan’s eyes, +“I love you.” + +Joan is pleased to have finally received a heartfelt apology, “I +know, that’s why I would like to try again.” + +Adam – “You won’t be sorry. I promise, I’ll never do anything like +that again.” Adam once again looks deep into her eyes, and she can +see that he means it. + +Joan – “There is something else that you need to know. I’m not having +sex with you! I’ll only give all of me, body and soul, to the man I +marry. You’ll have to live with that. Can you?” + +Adam – “We are talking about sex, not marriage. I love you. Sex makes +the connection.” + +Joan – “Lilly says that boys want sex and give love to get it. Girls +want love and give sex to get it. His Holiness wants sex to be both a +physical and a spiritual connection. I’m not some dog you can just +hook up with.” + +Adam – “Joan, I would never think of you like that.” + +Joan – “Then why did you hook up with Bonnie?” + +Adam is startled by her question, “Well, I guess you are right, +although I never loved Bonnie. It was just sex.” + +Joan – “Boys should be hosed down with cold water every hour.” + +Adam – “Yeah, you’re right. It almost destroyed me, and it destroyed +us.” + +Joan – “We’re destroyed?” + +Adam – “Yeah, but something new can be reborn, right?” + +Joan – “Yeah.” + +Adam – “What you’re asking is going to be really hard. Do you have +any idea how many times I have dreamed of making love to you?” + +Joan – “Adam, I know, and I have the same urges and dreams as you, +but I believe this is what God wants me to do. If we have sex, I just +know the ripples will be bad. I want only good ripples for us. This +is not going to be easy for me either. I’m going to need you to help. +You have to be with me on this.” + +Adam – “If I agree, you’ll let me have your heart?” + +Joan – “I will open my heart to you again, but you will have to earn +my trust. And I can’t promise where it will lead, only that the +opportunity will be there.” + +Adam takes a few moments to consider, “I want you to love me more +than anything in the world. I’ll try not to push the sex-thing, but +you have to remember the hose and to say no.” + +This time, Joan initiates the kiss, but they are interrupted. Pax has +been quietly lying between them, but now she begins a low growl. Joan +looks at her, “Don’t you like us kissing?” + +Paxrises up and continues to growl. She stealthily walks between them +toward the bushes a few yards away. The hair on her back begins to +stand up, and she growls and snarls even louder. Both Joan and Adam +now realize that something is very wrong. + +Joan remembers what God told her, “Adam, call her back, call her +back, now!” + +Adam decides to heed her advice, “Pax, come here.” Initially, Pax +refuses to leave the proximity of the bushes, but Adam repeats the +call until finally, she comes. + +While Adam was calling Pax, Joan was collecting their things, “Come +on, we’re leaving.” They return to the truck and head for home. + +Adam – “What do you suppose was behind the bushes?” + +Joan – “I don’t know, but I think we did the right thing by leaving.” + +Adam turns on the radio and the song “If” begins to play. He takes +her hand and they quietly hold hands the rest of the way home. |