Courting the Clearwaters by Jill Penrod
Chapter 2
Spitting sand, Shawn rolled to his back and laughed. His knee hurt, but he felt too ridiculous to worry about it. He closed his eyes a moment and sighed deeply, smelling the familiar scents of the ocean.
“Great save,” Mark said, offering his hand and pulling Shawn to his feet. Shawn opened his eyes and smiled at the younger man, a freshman undecided major Alex knew well.
“It would have been, if the ball had gone over the net,” he said.
“Well, there is that.” Mark laughed. The other team had won, and the group broke up, tired from three games. Wincing, Shawn brushed sand off himself.
“You okay?” Mark asked.
“Twisted my knee, I guess.”
“How about a swim?” Mark asked.
“I’ll be there,” Shawn said, letting him go ahead. Shawn looked around for Seth, who sat at the edge of the pool with Violet, a tall, slender redhead. Shawn knew how interested his friend was in the girl and decided not to bother them. Instead, he walked down the beach to Ben and several girls who sat or lay on chairs in the sand.
“Hey, good games,” Julie said, smiling broadly.
“We lost,” Shawn said, shrugging.
“You’re limping,” Ben said, raising his eyebrow. “And bleeding.”
Shawn looked down at himself. Apparently he’d hit a rock, for blood streamed down his calf.
“Yuck,” he said.
“I’ve got the first aid kit,” Jenny said, reaching under her chair and pulling out the box. She wore a visor and dark sunglasses today, along with a bright pink one-piece suit and swim shorts, and she pushed hair out of her face as the breeze loosened it from around the visor.
“What’s going on over here?” Seth asked, approaching from behind them.
“Shawn really gets into beach volleyball,” Julie replied.
“Oh?” Seth sat on the chair across from Shawn and scowled, taking the kit out of Jenny’s hand.
“I can do it,” Shawn said as his friend pulled out peroxide and a cotton ball.
“No, it’s okay,” Seth said. “Gotta get my servant points for the day. Dare I ask if you won?”
“We lost. Pretty badly, too. Ow.”
“Sorry,” Seth said. He rubbed off the blood and put on a little antibiotic cream. “It’s not so bad now, is it? Just a scratch.”
“So, Seth, why aren’t you out there playing volleyball?” Julie asked, grinning cruelly.
“Sports and I have never quite gotten along,” Seth said.
“He isn’t kidding,” Julie agreed, wrapping an arm around the tall man. “But we love you for your other talents.”
Shawn watched them interacting, and he watched Seth caring for him so gently, and he was suddenly overcome with thankfulness. He’d never imagined being part of a group like this, and he wished the moment could last forever.
“There,” Seth said, pulling away and looking over his handiwork. “I do believe he’ll live. Care to swim, anyone? It’s hot out here.”
“Sure,” Julie said. “Jenny?”
“Sounds good to me,” she said. “Come on, Shawn.”
He followed them, realizing he’d twisted his knee more than he thought, and he tried not to limp. Leaving his shirt on, hoping nobody said anything, he slid into the water at the deep end. The cool water felt good, but he didn’t move much, hanging onto the edge and watching the group around him. Jenny and Julie splashed a while, and Seth went back to Violet’s side. Eventually Julie drifted into a large group of girls, and Jenny approached Shawn.
“Do you sunburn?” Jenny asked.
“What?”
“The T-shirt. Most guys take off their shirts the minute it’s appropriate.”
“Oh. We fair-skinned people have to be careful,” Shawn said, uneasy with her questioning.
“Are you enjoying yourself? Except for the knee?”
“It’s great,” Shawn said, relaxing. “I like the worship sections, and Ben’s teaching, and especially the food.”
Jenny laughed. She had a beautiful smile.
“So,” she said, “have you been a Christian long?”
“No. Just a few weeks. After Seth and I went for coffee, he called me and asked me to go to a concert with him. It was a Christian group, and I accepted Christ that night. I have zero background in it. Sometimes I’m overwhelmed by those of you who grew up with it.”
“We’re lucky, I know, but sometimes it takes new Christians like you, with your zeal and enthusiasm, to remind us to be the same.”
“You see me as enthusiastic?”
“Sure. I saw you listening to Ben last night, like you were hanging on his every word. The Bible is all this power and shows God’s heart, but sometimes I forget that. You reminded me of that last night, and I really paid attention to Ben’s talk.”
Shawn smiled at her, and Julie, Seth, and Violet swam over.
“I do believe, from the looks on your faces, you two are having a very serious discussion here,” Seth said. “Isn’t this playtime?”
Jenny slapped the water and splashed him, and he grinned. “If you’ll let us in on it, we’ll join you.”
“We were talking about losing and regaining perspective,” Jenny said. “We can talk about something else. Is anyone ready for finals?”
Everyone moaned, and Jenny laughed.
“I have to create an entire portfolio,” Violet said, “and I’ve hardly started. I shouldn’t have come this weekend, but it’s always so nice.”
Violet was a senior graphic artist; she’d designed several bulletins for youth and college events, which Seth had on his wall at home. She was very talented.
“I may spend all next week at the library,” Julie said. “My brothers are too noisy.”
“She has five younger brothers,” Seth explained. “I think we should trade.”
“Four sisters get to you?” Julie asked. “You’re lucky, though, to have an apartment. I know my parents and I agreed it was a good idea for me to live at home for now, but sometimes I envy you.”
“It isn’t always easy,” Seth admitted. “Remembering to pay bills and get repairs done…. Living with a roommate can be hard sometimes, too.”
“I like living at home,” Jenny said. “Of course, since I have no siblings, it’s pretty quiet. Where do you live, Shawn?”
“With my mom and brother. He’s eleven. I don’t mind it. Mom needs the company and the help, and when it gets rough I crash with Seth.”
“The best of both worlds,” Violet said, smiling at Seth.
“Exactly,” Shawn said.
When the group swam off, Shawn decided to get out. His wet T-shirt stuck to his skin uncomfortably, and his knee hurt a little. It neared dinnertime, and he thought a shower and a nap might be nice before the evening session. He pulled up on the side, but his knee didn’t hold his weight, and he sank back into the water.
“Whoa, there,” Seth said, appearing like a guardian angel. He helped Shawn out and frowned at his swollen knee. Jenny swam back over and shook her head.
“You did more than scratch it,” Seth said, gently touching a particularly red and swollen spot, and Shawn cringed and pulled away.
“I twisted it. Maybe I twisted it a lot.”
“It really hurts, doesn’t it?” Jenny asked. She hopped out of the water and walked down the beach, and Shawn watched her move. She looked strong, and he wondered if she worked out like he did. Maybe someday they’d meet up in the school gym.
“Shawn,” Seth said, grinning. “You’re staring.”
Shawn shook his head. “You really don’t see it.”
“I know she’s beautiful. Julie, too. But I don’t see it like you do. You read the article?”
Shawn shook his head. “Not for me. I can’t imagine dating like that, so formal and emotionless.”
Seth nodded and looked at Jenny in the distance. “Maybe. I don’t know if I like the idea, but that doesn’t mean anythin
g. If you’re going to stare at her all the time, maybe you need to think about…more.”
Shawn shrugged, not willing to say how much the idea scared him.
Jenny returned in a moment with Ben in tow, and Shawn winced, wishing he wasn’t getting this kind of attention.
“I think we need to take him to the doctor,” Seth said.
“I’m fine,” Shawn insisted.
“Then walk up to our room,” Seth said, smiling slightly. Shawn grimaced, realizing he couldn’t do it without limping. They were right, but he didn’t want to admit it.
“Go ahead and get it checked,” Jenny said. “If nothing else, they can give you a good painkiller until it heals.”
“Okay, okay,” Shawn said, laughing. “I surrender. I’ll go.”
Seth and Tom helped him to the car, and Seth drove him to the hospital ER, just a few minutes away.
“So, it looks like you and Violet are hitting it off.”
“I really like her. Miss Lopez seems to have eyes for you.”
“I thought she might,” Shawn said. “She’s nice, and she’s pretty, but—“
“You have thoughts of Jenny,” Seth said, laughing. “I can see you two together. You both think too much.”
“Thanks,” Shawn said dryly.
“Oh, it’s really not a bad thing,” Seth said with a wicked grin. “How’s that knee?”
“Swollen. It’s hot and tight. I wish I’d at least gotten the ball over the net.”
Seth laughed. “You athletes. Just can’t figure you out.”
“Are you sure we can’t just go home?” Shawn asked, standing uneasily at the door of the conference room.
“No, buddy. What do you think will happen in there?”
“I feel stupid,” Shawn said, leaning on the crutches. The doctor said he’d strained the knee pretty badly and should stay off it for several days and then take it easy for several weeks. He thought the crutches were a bit much, but the nurses and Seth had given him little choice.
“Come on. Quit worrying.”
The group was singing praise songs, and Shawn moved slowly to a chair in the back row. Seth pulled over another chair so he could put his leg up, and he was relieved so few people turned to watch him.
He’d not gone back to his room to get his Bible, so he just listened to Ben’s talk, hoping to remember all that was said, but he didn’t hear it as well as he normally did. He found himself distracted, a little foggy from the painkiller, watching people in the hope they’d ignore him. When the session broke up it startled him, and soon the group spread out for a time of chatting before bed.
“Hey, I guess you really do get into volleyball,” Alex said, the first one to approach. He sat down and grinned. “What’s the prognosis?”
“Seth likes to humiliate people,” Shawn answered, tapping the crutches and smiling.
“The doctor made me promise to make you use them,” Seth said defensively. “Oh, look, there’s Violet. She appreciates me.”
He left with a chuckle, and Shawn sat and accepted both sympathetic questions and teasing barbs as everyone moved through the room and worked their way back upstairs. The group had gotten too much sun, and they were tired and less rowdy than normal. When Jenny came over, with Julie at her side, he smiled. With the painkiller in his system, he wondered if it was a goofy smile.
“So, what did they say?”
“Not much. I strained it and have to take it easy for a while. No volleyball for a few weeks.”
“I’m sorry,” Jenny said. “I hope you won’t let this stop you from being part of our group. This kind of stuff doesn’t happen often.”
“You all can’t get rid of me that easily,” Shawn said, wincing as he moved his leg and picked up his crutches. “Ladies, I’m beat.”
“It hurts, doesn’t it?” Julie asked.
“Seth has the pain medicine. It works pretty well until it wears off.”
“He just left here with Violet,” Julie said. “I’ll go find him.”
“You and Seth are close,” Jenny said, sitting down in the row in front of him, resting her arms on the back of the metal chair. “Closer than he’s been with anyone in a long time. That’s nice.”
Not sure what to say to this, Shawn just shrugged, and Jenny grinned.
“Sorry. I forget guys don’t discuss things like this. Julie and I talk about friendships and relationships all the time.”
“We talk about them,” Shawn assured her, “but not all the time. Seth introduced me to Life. I suppose that’s a good foundation for a friendship.”
“One of the best,” Jenny said. “Today was nice, don’t you think? Everyone needed a chance to relax. Sometimes we have weekends like this later in the summer where we share our faith with people on the beach. Seth and Alex are always amazing in those situations. Julie and Violet, too, but I’m not bold enough.”
“Seth didn’t say anything to me about God the first couple times we met. When he finally did, he managed to say everything without making me feel like…I don’t know. I felt he told me because he cared what happened to me. I didn’t think Christians were like that. I had some image of you all like headhunters collecting scalps. Maybe you got brownie points for bringing others to church.”
She laughed, her dark eyes sparkling in the fluorescent lights of the room.
“I’m glad Seth changed your opinion. He’s the most consistently driven person I’ve ever known. He decided when he was ten he would someday be a missionary to Spanish-speaking peoples, and he has never strayed from that plan.”
“My ears are burning,” Seth’s voice said from the doorway. “Somebody must be talking about me, and when you deep thinkers get together, it can’t be good. Miss Lopez here says I need to drug my roommate and get him to bed. Sounds a little harsh to me.”
Julie came in behind him and rolled her eyes. When Seth got closer, he nodded at Shawn, the teasing gone from his eyes.
“Pain medicine wore off?”
“Very much.”
“Okay, my friend, let’s get you to our room. Ladies, we’ll see you in the morning.”
He gave Shawn a hand, and in moments they were upstairs. While Seth was in the bathroom, Shawn slipped into another shirt and climbed into bed. Since Seth had seen it, he supposed it didn’t matter if he saw the scars again, but he was used to hiding it. Anyway, he wanted his friend to forget about it. It was a nightmare from another life, and he didn’t want it to come up in his new life. Being on crutches was embarrassing enough.
He lay in the dark a few moments listening to the surf and thinking about Jenny and Julie, Alex, Seth, and all he’d learned this weekend. He was looking forward to the summer, when he’d have no studying and more time to be with this group, more time to read his Bible and learn about this God, maybe catch up in areas where he felt so behind.
Life was changing for him in ways he never could have imagined, and he looked forward to the things to come, something he hadn’t really dared for a long time. With those thoughts in mind, he fell asleep and never even heard Seth come out of the bathroom.
Spitting sand, Shawn rolled to his back and laughed. His knee hurt, but he felt too ridiculous to worry about it. He closed his eyes a moment and sighed deeply, smelling the familiar scents of the ocean.
“Great save,” Mark said, offering his hand and pulling Shawn to his feet. Shawn opened his eyes and smiled at the younger man, a freshman undecided major Alex knew well.
“It would have been, if the ball had gone over the net,” he said.
“Well, there is that.” Mark laughed. The other team had won, and the group broke up, tired from three games. Wincing, Shawn brushed sand off himself.
“You okay?” Mark asked.
“Twisted my knee, I guess.”
“How about a swim?” Mark asked.
“I’ll be there,” Shawn said, letting him go ahead. Shawn looked around for Seth, who sat at the edge of the pool with Violet, a tall, slender redhead. Shawn knew how interested his friend was in the girl and decided not to bother them. Instead, he walked down the beach to Ben and several girls who sat or lay on chairs in the sand.
“Hey, good games,” Julie said, smiling broadly.
“We lost,” Shawn said, shrugging.
“You’re limping,” Ben said, raising his eyebrow. “And bleeding.”
Shawn looked down at himself. Apparently he’d hit a rock, for blood streamed down his calf.
“Yuck,” he said.
“I’ve got the first aid kit,” Jenny said, reaching under her chair and pulling out the box. She wore a visor and dark sunglasses today, along with a bright pink one-piece suit and swim shorts, and she pushed hair out of her face as the breeze loosened it from around the visor.
“What’s going on over here?” Seth asked, approaching from behind them.
“Shawn really gets into beach volleyball,” Julie replied.
“Oh?” Seth sat on the chair across from Shawn and scowled, taking the kit out of Jenny’s hand.
“I can do it,” Shawn said as his friend pulled out peroxide and a cotton ball.
“No, it’s okay,” Seth said. “Gotta get my servant points for the day. Dare I ask if you won?”
“We lost. Pretty badly, too. Ow.”
“Sorry,” Seth said. He rubbed off the blood and put on a little antibiotic cream. “It’s not so bad now, is it? Just a scratch.”
“So, Seth, why aren’t you out there playing volleyball?” Julie asked, grinning cruelly.
“Sports and I have never quite gotten along,” Seth said.
“He isn’t kidding,” Julie agreed, wrapping an arm around the tall man. “But we love you for your other talents.”
Shawn watched them interacting, and he watched Seth caring for him so gently, and he was suddenly overcome with thankfulness. He’d never imagined being part of a group like this, and he wished the moment could last forever.
“There,” Seth said, pulling away and looking over his handiwork. “I do believe he’ll live. Care to swim, anyone? It’s hot out here.”
“Sure,” Julie said. “Jenny?”
“Sounds good to me,” she said. “Come on, Shawn.”
He followed them, realizing he’d twisted his knee more than he thought, and he tried not to limp. Leaving his shirt on, hoping nobody said anything, he slid into the water at the deep end. The cool water felt good, but he didn’t move much, hanging onto the edge and watching the group around him. Jenny and Julie splashed a while, and Seth went back to Violet’s side. Eventually Julie drifted into a large group of girls, and Jenny approached Shawn.
“Do you sunburn?” Jenny asked.
“What?”
“The T-shirt. Most guys take off their shirts the minute it’s appropriate.”
“Oh. We fair-skinned people have to be careful,” Shawn said, uneasy with her questioning.
“Are you enjoying yourself? Except for the knee?”
“It’s great,” Shawn said, relaxing. “I like the worship sections, and Ben’s teaching, and especially the food.”
Jenny laughed. She had a beautiful smile.
“So,” she said, “have you been a Christian long?”
“No. Just a few weeks. After Seth and I went for coffee, he called me and asked me to go to a concert with him. It was a Christian group, and I accepted Christ that night. I have zero background in it. Sometimes I’m overwhelmed by those of you who grew up with it.”
“We’re lucky, I know, but sometimes it takes new Christians like you, with your zeal and enthusiasm, to remind us to be the same.”
“You see me as enthusiastic?”
“Sure. I saw you listening to Ben last night, like you were hanging on his every word. The Bible is all this power and shows God’s heart, but sometimes I forget that. You reminded me of that last night, and I really paid attention to Ben’s talk.”
Shawn smiled at her, and Julie, Seth, and Violet swam over.
“I do believe, from the looks on your faces, you two are having a very serious discussion here,” Seth said. “Isn’t this playtime?”
Jenny slapped the water and splashed him, and he grinned. “If you’ll let us in on it, we’ll join you.”
“We were talking about losing and regaining perspective,” Jenny said. “We can talk about something else. Is anyone ready for finals?”
Everyone moaned, and Jenny laughed.
“I have to create an entire portfolio,” Violet said, “and I’ve hardly started. I shouldn’t have come this weekend, but it’s always so nice.”
Violet was a senior graphic artist; she’d designed several bulletins for youth and college events, which Seth had on his wall at home. She was very talented.
“I may spend all next week at the library,” Julie said. “My brothers are too noisy.”
“She has five younger brothers,” Seth explained. “I think we should trade.”
“Four sisters get to you?” Julie asked. “You’re lucky, though, to have an apartment. I know my parents and I agreed it was a good idea for me to live at home for now, but sometimes I envy you.”
“It isn’t always easy,” Seth admitted. “Remembering to pay bills and get repairs done…. Living with a roommate can be hard sometimes, too.”
“I like living at home,” Jenny said. “Of course, since I have no siblings, it’s pretty quiet. Where do you live, Shawn?”
“With my mom and brother. He’s eleven. I don’t mind it. Mom needs the company and the help, and when it gets rough I crash with Seth.”
“The best of both worlds,” Violet said, smiling at Seth.
“Exactly,” Shawn said.
When the group swam off, Shawn decided to get out. His wet T-shirt stuck to his skin uncomfortably, and his knee hurt a little. It neared dinnertime, and he thought a shower and a nap might be nice before the evening session. He pulled up on the side, but his knee didn’t hold his weight, and he sank back into the water.
“Whoa, there,” Seth said, appearing like a guardian angel. He helped Shawn out and frowned at his swollen knee. Jenny swam back over and shook her head.
“You did more than scratch it,” Seth said, gently touching a particularly red and swollen spot, and Shawn cringed and pulled away.
“I twisted it. Maybe I twisted it a lot.”
“It really hurts, doesn’t it?” Jenny asked. She hopped out of the water and walked down the beach, and Shawn watched her move. She looked strong, and he wondered if she worked out like he did. Maybe someday they’d meet up in the school gym.
“Shawn,” Seth said, grinning. “You’re staring.”
Shawn shook his head. “You really don’t see it.”
“I know she’s beautiful. Julie, too. But I don’t see it like you do. You read the article?”
Shawn shook his head. “Not for me. I can’t imagine dating like that, so formal and emotionless.”
Seth nodded and looked at Jenny in the distance. “Maybe. I don’t know if I like the idea, but that doesn’t mean anythin
Shawn shrugged, not willing to say how much the idea scared him.
Jenny returned in a moment with Ben in tow, and Shawn winced, wishing he wasn’t getting this kind of attention.
“I think we need to take him to the doctor,” Seth said.
“I’m fine,” Shawn insisted.
“Then walk up to our room,” Seth said, smiling slightly. Shawn grimaced, realizing he couldn’t do it without limping. They were right, but he didn’t want to admit it.
“Go ahead and get it checked,” Jenny said. “If nothing else, they can give you a good painkiller until it heals.”
“Okay, okay,” Shawn said, laughing. “I surrender. I’ll go.”
Seth and Tom helped him to the car, and Seth drove him to the hospital ER, just a few minutes away.
“So, it looks like you and Violet are hitting it off.”
“I really like her. Miss Lopez seems to have eyes for you.”
“I thought she might,” Shawn said. “She’s nice, and she’s pretty, but—“
“You have thoughts of Jenny,” Seth said, laughing. “I can see you two together. You both think too much.”
“Thanks,” Shawn said dryly.
“Oh, it’s really not a bad thing,” Seth said with a wicked grin. “How’s that knee?”
“Swollen. It’s hot and tight. I wish I’d at least gotten the ball over the net.”
Seth laughed. “You athletes. Just can’t figure you out.”
“Are you sure we can’t just go home?” Shawn asked, standing uneasily at the door of the conference room.
“No, buddy. What do you think will happen in there?”
“I feel stupid,” Shawn said, leaning on the crutches. The doctor said he’d strained the knee pretty badly and should stay off it for several days and then take it easy for several weeks. He thought the crutches were a bit much, but the nurses and Seth had given him little choice.
“Come on. Quit worrying.”
The group was singing praise songs, and Shawn moved slowly to a chair in the back row. Seth pulled over another chair so he could put his leg up, and he was relieved so few people turned to watch him.
He’d not gone back to his room to get his Bible, so he just listened to Ben’s talk, hoping to remember all that was said, but he didn’t hear it as well as he normally did. He found himself distracted, a little foggy from the painkiller, watching people in the hope they’d ignore him. When the session broke up it startled him, and soon the group spread out for a time of chatting before bed.
“Hey, I guess you really do get into volleyball,” Alex said, the first one to approach. He sat down and grinned. “What’s the prognosis?”
“Seth likes to humiliate people,” Shawn answered, tapping the crutches and smiling.
“The doctor made me promise to make you use them,” Seth said defensively. “Oh, look, there’s Violet. She appreciates me.”
He left with a chuckle, and Shawn sat and accepted both sympathetic questions and teasing barbs as everyone moved through the room and worked their way back upstairs. The group had gotten too much sun, and they were tired and less rowdy than normal. When Jenny came over, with Julie at her side, he smiled. With the painkiller in his system, he wondered if it was a goofy smile.
“So, what did they say?”
“Not much. I strained it and have to take it easy for a while. No volleyball for a few weeks.”
“I’m sorry,” Jenny said. “I hope you won’t let this stop you from being part of our group. This kind of stuff doesn’t happen often.”
“You all can’t get rid of me that easily,” Shawn said, wincing as he moved his leg and picked up his crutches. “Ladies, I’m beat.”
“It hurts, doesn’t it?” Julie asked.
“Seth has the pain medicine. It works pretty well until it wears off.”
“He just left here with Violet,” Julie said. “I’ll go find him.”
“You and Seth are close,” Jenny said, sitting down in the row in front of him, resting her arms on the back of the metal chair. “Closer than he’s been with anyone in a long time. That’s nice.”
Not sure what to say to this, Shawn just shrugged, and Jenny grinned.
“Sorry. I forget guys don’t discuss things like this. Julie and I talk about friendships and relationships all the time.”
“We talk about them,” Shawn assured her, “but not all the time. Seth introduced me to Life. I suppose that’s a good foundation for a friendship.”
“One of the best,” Jenny said. “Today was nice, don’t you think? Everyone needed a chance to relax. Sometimes we have weekends like this later in the summer where we share our faith with people on the beach. Seth and Alex are always amazing in those situations. Julie and Violet, too, but I’m not bold enough.”
“Seth didn’t say anything to me about God the first couple times we met. When he finally did, he managed to say everything without making me feel like…I don’t know. I felt he told me because he cared what happened to me. I didn’t think Christians were like that. I had some image of you all like headhunters collecting scalps. Maybe you got brownie points for bringing others to church.”
She laughed, her dark eyes sparkling in the fluorescent lights of the room.
“I’m glad Seth changed your opinion. He’s the most consistently driven person I’ve ever known. He decided when he was ten he would someday be a missionary to Spanish-speaking peoples, and he has never strayed from that plan.”
“My ears are burning,” Seth’s voice said from the doorway. “Somebody must be talking about me, and when you deep thinkers get together, it can’t be good. Miss Lopez here says I need to drug my roommate and get him to bed. Sounds a little harsh to me.”
Julie came in behind him and rolled her eyes. When Seth got closer, he nodded at Shawn, the teasing gone from his eyes.
“Pain medicine wore off?”
“Very much.”
“Okay, my friend, let’s get you to our room. Ladies, we’ll see you in the morning.”
He gave Shawn a hand, and in moments they were upstairs. While Seth was in the bathroom, Shawn slipped into another shirt and climbed into bed. Since Seth had seen it, he supposed it didn’t matter if he saw the scars again, but he was used to hiding it. Anyway, he wanted his friend to forget about it. It was a nightmare from another life, and he didn’t want it to come up in his new life. Being on crutches was embarrassing enough.
He lay in the dark a few moments listening to the surf and thinking about Jenny and Julie, Alex, Seth, and all he’d learned this weekend. He was looking forward to the summer, when he’d have no studying and more time to be with this group, more time to read his Bible and learn about this God, maybe catch up in areas where he felt so behind.
Life was changing for him in ways he never could have imagined, and he looked forward to the things to come, something he hadn’t really dared for a long time. With those thoughts in mind, he fell asleep and never even heard Seth come out of the bathroom.