I decide to go outside and help while mom and dad talk. I can't help but shake my head when I see our suitcases in piles. "Andrew, this is why you're supposed to load up the personal stuff first." I laugh.
He glares at me; he knows I'm messing with him. "Everyone told me we were going to the hotel first."
"I know, I'm just teasing. No one knew for sure-it was top secret-so we took a chance."
I grab the box of costumes he hands me and grunt; its heavier than I expected. I get it inside and then drop it a few feet out of the way of the door. I'll let one of the guys get it later.
I turn to go back outside, but instead I find myself face to chest with someone a head taller than me. When I look up to see a pair of familiar green eyes, I can't stop the scream of surprise.
He laughs and picks me up, twirling me until I throw my head back and laugh.
"Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes!" He laughs as he sets me back on my feet.
I don't have time to say anything before I hear footsteps and see Mom and Dad running down the hallway, Liza and Mark close behind them. "What happened?" Liza asked.
I grin and grab his hand, pulling him a few steps towards them. "This crazy person nearly gave me a heart attack!" The joy in my voice doesn't mix with the fear that still sits in my heart, yet somehow I feel safer with his hand in mine.
"Mom, Dad, this is Jason Watters. Jason, thee are my parents, William and Charlotte Tucker, and my sister and her husband. Liza and Mark, this is Jason.
Charlottes POV
"It's so nice to meet you." Jason smiles as he shakes my hand. "Angeline has told me so much about you all in her letters."
What?
"You've written him Angie?" Isn't there a rule about that? I can't remember.
She smiles, "Only once every month for the past four years. I know that I probably wasn't supposed to, but...Jason saved me.I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him and his family. I didn't want to lose him as a friend." Her smile looks almost sad. I'm about to ask what she means, but before I can Krystal walks in with a box that is clearly too heavy for her. Anxiety strikes, and I feel silly knowing that it's only over the light inside that box
Mark rushes over to help her, "Careful" He instructs as he helps her put it down. "I think I'd be disowned as a son-in-law if we broke this."
I roll my eyes, with all that we've been through this morning, teasing is something that I really do not want to deal with. "Where are the others?"
"Andrew and the boys are outside unloading the trailer, and Clair is on her phone trying to find a place to eat around here. She and I are starved." She pulls her hair up off her neck and her eyes fall on Jason as she secures it with a scrunchie. "Oh hi, I'm Krystal. You work here?"
He smiles, "Yes, I'm Jason. And I think I can solve your lunch problem. My step-dad owns a pizza place just down the street, and he wanted to provide lunch for your team when you got in today."
"Scooters!" Angie's eyes light up again. After seeing her so scared just a few minutes ago, I'm surprised that anything could have brought that light back. Her blue eyes gleam behind her glasses, and I know that I'm not going to have a choice but to say yes when she asks "Oh mom, please?" How can I even think of saying no?
I smile and shake my head. Maybe a while of normalcy is just what she needs. "I don't see why not, but I would like to get the trailer unloaded first. We need to make sure that nothing is in the way tonight."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jason convinces us to walk to the pizza shop, saying that it's only half a block away. I'm surprised at how different it feels to walk down the street in the little town after living in the city for so long. I want to focus on the surroundings, see the place where Angie grew up, but my thoughts don't wander far from her and Jason's intertwined hands. Childish, and yet not so, it leaves me wondering as we walk into the pizza shop and arcade. Thinking of Angie escaping here to play as a child makes me smile, until I start to wonder what or who she had to escape from.
She smiles and turns to Jason. "Where are your parents? I can't wait to see them."
"I have an idea, come with me." He leads her into the arcade and pulls back the curtain of a new looking photo booth. She laughs as she steps inside.
"You're nuts." She says as he lets the curtain fall. A card slid through the reader on the outside starts the countdown before he calls back into the dining room.
"Hey Mom, Scooter, there are some people out here I think you'd like to meet."
Clair, John, and Martin look at me as if asking permission to use the game cards Jason had given them. I nod, because I honestly don't know that going to happen next and I'd like a chance to talk with someone that knew Angie as a child. They disperse, scattering to a few of the games, as a woman walks in. Her red hair is short, curled on top of her head, and she's wiping her hands on a yellow apron that's tied around her waist.
"Hello, my name is Dr. Watters, but please call me Cassandra. Are you the His Servants drama team?" The way she holds her hands, grasping the middle fingers of her left hand and twisting her wedding ring, it's so similar to the way I would see Angie twist her ring when we first met. I wonder how much time Angie spent with Cassandra.
William steps forward while I'm lost in thought, "Yes ma'am we are. My name is William Tucker, and this is my wife Charlotte. Our daughter Liza and her husband Mark Rhods, Krystal and Andrew, and then the teens are off playing, but there is Clair, John, and Martin."
"So nice to meet you all." She smiles as she shakes our hands, but shakes her head when she sees Jason's grin. "Oh Jason, what's got you grinning? You look like you're about to explode."
"Nope, I just want to show you the test shots for the new photo booth. I had the Tuckers daughter try it out."
He hands her the photo strip and she shakes her head, "Now is really not the time Ja-" I recognize the look in her eye as she looks from the picture, to Liza, to Jason. It's hope, and the fear to be feeling it. "Jason. . .this looks like Angeline."
He moves, motioning her towards the booth, and she takes several steps in that direction. "Come out." Jason says.
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Angie's POV
I step out of the photo booth as Jason's call, and the second I see Cassandra I become more acutely aware of my fear. She's always been the one to hold me when I was scared or hurt. After all, she was the one my mom brought me to every time. And now she holds me like she can't believe I'm here. "I'm not going to evaporate Doc." I laugh, finally breaking the embrace after several moments.
We both wipe tears from behind our glasses, "Oh hon, don't call me that anymore. It's Cassandra-or better yet Cass-ok? My word, you look so grown up."
I nod and let out a small laugh, "Alright Cass" the name feels foreign on my tongue. "Where-where's Scooter?"
"Oh Scooter! Jason, go get him will you? He was in the freezer and I don't think he heard you call."
Jason disapears and I turn to face my parents. "Cassandra, these are my parents. Mom, Dad, this is Doctor Cassandra Watters. She was one of my closest friends when I lived here."
Before they could say anything, Jason and Scooter walked in. I smiled at him, and he stopped in his tracks. "Oh my" He said, "Oh my, this can't be my little lady! She's far too grown up!" He wraps me in a hug, and even so many years later the mingling scents of pizza and aftershave seems so familiar. "Oh, but she's even more beautiful."
He steps back and takes my hands in his. "Angeline, today I have seen the answer to a prayer I've prayed every day for nearly 7 years. It wasn't answered how we wanted, but God knew what He was dong didn't He?"
After a moment he turns around and Jason and Dad start making introductions again. I step away and just watch, completely dumbfounded at the events of the morning. I don't even notice when Clair comes over and stands beside me. "Hey girl, you alright? You're shaking."
I shake my head and half laugh. "I don't know Clair. My world is. . .completely upside down right now. I feel like I'm dreaming. I never in a million years thought that today would come." My shaking hands become too much for me to control, and I shove them into my back pockets. I feel like I need to sit down, but my shaking legs wont listen. "I love that Mom and Dad are meeting the Watters, but what about-Clair what about later?" It's a challenge just to get the words out past the lump in my throat. My breathing is shallow, and now I really want to sit down. "I'm not supposed to be here. I never thought" a shaky breath, "I never" another, "I think I'm going to be sick." My stomach lurches and I run out of the arcade, through the dining room, and into the bathroom.
I'd forgotten just how much it sucked to throw up.
Just as I start to feel able to go back out, both Mom and Cassandra walk in. "Baby are you ok?" Mom rushes to wrap me in a hug.
"Charlotte, I think maybe you should give her some space. Let her breathe." Cassandra says as she wets a paper towel in the sink.
"Excuse me? Angie is my daughter. I think I know when she needs her space and when she needs my arms." Mom takes the towel and rubs it along my forehead and neck.
"I didn't mean anything by it, I was simply suggesting that-"
"Simply suggesting that because you knew Angie when she was younger you know better what she needs. Well, I am her mother, and quite frankly I have no idea who you are or how you are connected to her, and I will not stand here and have you tell me how to calm her. I have done just fine for the past three years now."
I have never heard my mother yell at a stranger before. "Mom, it's ok." I say. "I'm alright now."
She sighs, and I can see all the anger leave her, replaced with clear exhaustion. "You're right. Cassandra, I am so sorry. I know you were only trying to help, I just don't know what to think right now, and I am so worried. I have no idea what happened here to leave Angie so terrified."
I cringe as Cassandra takes my hand. "Angeline, you haven't told her?"
I shake my head, "She's so much like you. I saw the pain in your eyes when you learned the truth; I didn't want that for her too. I thought I would never have to tell." Neither of them speak for several moments, and I am at a loss. I don't know what to do or say to get myself out of this.
"Not knowing" Cassandra finally says, "hurts more than you will ever be able to understand. I watched you and your mother walk home every night, never knowing is you would be back in the morning. Finding out what happened behind those closed doors. . .It broke my heart. But by then I knew you were safe, and that is all that mattered."
Before I can say anything they both have their arms around me. "Please baby girl, just tell me." Mom whispers.
I clench my eyes closed and try to think. I can't right now, I'm not ready. I haven't had time to "Tonight" think. Tonight? Tell them all tonight? "Let me tonight." I say again, finally understanding the idea. "When a couple of us are supposed to."
I risk a glance at both of them. They look surprised, but not opposed. "Are you sure that's what you want?" Mom asks.
I nod, "I'm sure.
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Charlotte's POV
Angie tells everyone that she just got sick from the car ride and the shock of so many unexpected emotions. They all seem to know that it's not the whole truth, but they don't say anything. And after a while, she seems to be alright. She's laughing, playing games, and eating pizza-I don't think I've seen her so happy in a long time. I just pray that it's real.
We spend almost two hours at Scooters, and as crazy as it sounds, I spend most of that time asking Cassandra anything I can think to ask about Angie's medical history. From all she tells me, I get I sickening feeling that I know what Angie will talk about tonight.
Finally, just before 3:30, William breaks up the party. "Alright guys, I don't know about you, but I'd like to get to the hotel. I want to get unpacked and relax for a while before service tonight."
"Actually sir" Jason interrupts, "you'll be staying at the parsonage. We've turned it into a type of missions apartment, but it's able to house a huge family and sleep 12 comfortably. There are two bedrooms, a sitting room with two pull outs, and two bathrooms. The living room was too nice to put a pull out in, but I've rigged up a nice little alarm"
"Jason!" Mark nearly falls out of his seat when he yells. "Let's keep that to ourselves for now, ok?"
Jason just laughs, "Whatever you say. Anyway, we thought it would be more comfortable for you than a hotel."
"Thank you Jason," I say, "That sounds wonderful."
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Liza's P.O.V.
4pm Wednesday afternoon
Unpacking was the least confusing part of the day, while working out rooming seemed to be the main complication. One bedroom was a master, beautifully designed, and it was imediately agreed that Mom and Dad would take that room for the first two nights, and Mark and I would get it the last two. The other bedroom held three sets of bunk beds.The girls wanted the room with the bunk beds because it would mean more privacy, but the boys wanted it because they didn't want to have to share a bed. After 20 minutes of arguing, finally ending in a coin toss, the boys got the room with the bunks and us girls got the sitting room.
Clair is pinning a bedsheet she found in the closet over the entryway when I sit down beside Krystal. She asked me to explain everything to her at Scooters, but I hadn't been able to put my thoughts together. Now, however, they were practically flying out of my mouth before I could stop them.
"Holy crap! Is your sister alright? does she realize that her dad has changed? Gosh, it's no wonder she flipped out like she did.
That's when it hits me. Mom doesn't know why we are here, she wouldn't have been able to explain to Angie when they were alone earlier. No wonder Angie lost it at Scooters! "Shoot. Do you know where she is? I haven't seen her since the coin toss."
"She said something about having to talk to your mom."
"Thanks." I run past Clair and down the hall to the master bedroom where I find mom sitting on the bed, brushing out her hair. "Do you know where Angie is? I have to tell her something before tonight."
"You too? Jason was just in here and asked her to take a walk with him. He wanted to explain something before tonight too." She shakes her head and sets the brush down beside her. "I'm getting a headache trying to sort out all that's happened today-and why."
I pause, and with chargrin I realize that explaining to Angie will have to wait. "Dad hasn't explained yet, has he."
"When would he? We haven't had more than a moment alone since we got here, and when we were alone he was talking nonsense, saying that he wasn't Angie's father. I didn't get a chance to question him, because right then Angie screamed because of Jason showing up."
I sigh and sit on the bed beside her. "Mark told me everything, that's why I dragged him into the sanctuary earlier. Angie's dad. . .whoever he is. . .he's not who he was before. He really wants a chance to talk to Angie, to ask her forgiveness. And while normally I would tell him to, well. . .take a trip down south. But mom, he's dying. From what Mark told me, it doesn't sound like he has a lot of time left, and that's why Jason concocted this scheme to get her here."
Her eyes widen, "Jason came up with this plan? Dear Lord, Liza she might kill him if she finds out."
I can't stop the small laugh at her reaction. "Maybe that's what he wanted to talk to her about. But there is a chance that her dad will be there tonight, and if we don't give her some kind of warning. . .I don't know how she might react."
She shakes her head, "Go, find her. I have got to find your father. We really need to talk."
"Well, since that sounds completely non-threatening, I'll leave you to it. But remember. . .he only did what he thought would be best for Angie. No matter what happens this week, we will get through, as a family. Alright?"
"I know Liza, I know."
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It tames me a half hour to find Angie, and that's only after searching everywhere from Scooters to the church. Finally I remember the clubhouse above that giant plastic tree where I found her earlier. Sure enough, I hear them talking before I make it there. And I don't like what I hear. "Jason, I don't want to hear this right now." Angie is climbing down the ladder by the time I make it to the tree.
"Angeline, but you need to know that you dad-"
"No! Jason, I don't want to hear anything about my dad, ok? And would you just stop with the Angeline? My name is Angie. As far as I'm concerned, Angeline Leland died along with her mother. And as for you, I thought you were my friend! I can't count the number of times that I told you I never want to come back here, and yet here we are. Because of you I had my first flashback in a year and a half." She turns to walk away, but I grab her arm.
"Hey, where are you going?"
She jerks away, "I need to think. If I'm going to speak tonight I'm not going to speak as some scared little girl. Those people" she points to the church, "they are finally going to understand what they did to my mother."
Before I can get her to explain, she takes off. Jason joins me on the ground and punches the tree. "That did not go well."
"No kidding lover boy." I sigh.
I don't see Angie in the hours leading up to the service. I know she comes in to get ready, but I don't see her until she walks into the sanctuary with Mom, five minutes before service starts. She visits with people politely, but I can tell that she is still fuming inside. She sits with mom and dad in the front, while the rest of us claim a row in the back/
Jason introduces them after the song service; it's almost relaxing to hear them tell their stories. Stories I've been hearing since I was eleven years old.
Dad talks about growing up a preachers kid, coming to Christ at an early age, and meeting mom in college.
Mom talks about growing up in a Christian home, coming to Christ at age seventeen, and then falling away when she started college. She tells how God led her back and into dad's path. And then she tells the story of the team.
She started His Servants because she wanted to show people that theatre could be used to bring glory to God, and not just to the world. And 14 years later, we still are.
Finally, Angie steps up to the podium. Mom grabs her hand for a moment, and I see the burst of courage that goes through her.
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Charlotte's POV
I grab Angie's hand and squeeze it as she steps to the podium. The speakers screech as she starts to speak. Quietly at first, but stronger with every word. "Hi, my name is Angie Tucker and I've been a part of His Servants since William and Charlotte took me in at age thirteen. Most of you probably wonder why you recognize me, and maybe hearing my first name will jog your memory. My birth name is Angeline Leland, and this is my Story."
Mark rushes over to help her, "Careful" He instructs as he helps her put it down. "I think I'd be disowned as a son-in-law if we broke this."
I roll my eyes, with all that we've been through this morning, teasing is something that I really do not want to deal with. "Where are the others?"
"Andrew and the boys are outside unloading the trailer, and Clair is on her phone trying to find a place to eat around here. She and I are starved." She pulls her hair up off her neck and her eyes fall on Jason as she secures it with a scrunchie. "Oh hi, I'm Krystal. You work here?"
He smiles, "Yes, I'm Jason. And I think I can solve your lunch problem. My step-dad owns a pizza place just down the street, and he wanted to provide lunch for your team when you got in today."
"Scooters!" Angie's eyes light up again. After seeing her so scared just a few minutes ago, I'm surprised that anything could have brought that light back. Her blue eyes gleam behind her glasses, and I know that I'm not going to have a choice but to say yes when she asks "Oh mom, please?" How can I even think of saying no?
I smile and shake my head. Maybe a while of normalcy is just what she needs. "I don't see why not, but I would like to get the trailer unloaded first. We need to make sure that nothing is in the way tonight."
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Jason convinces us to walk to the pizza shop, saying that it's only half a block away. I'm surprised at how different it feels to walk down the street in the little town after living in the city for so long. I want to focus on the surroundings, see the place where Angie grew up, but my thoughts don't wander far from her and Jason's intertwined hands. Childish, and yet not so, it leaves me wondering as we walk into the pizza shop and arcade. Thinking of Angie escaping here to play as a child makes me smile, until I start to wonder what or who she had to escape from.
She smiles and turns to Jason. "Where are your parents? I can't wait to see them."
"I have an idea, come with me." He leads her into the arcade and pulls back the curtain of a new looking photo booth. She laughs as she steps inside.
"You're nuts." She says as he lets the curtain fall. A card slid through the reader on the outside starts the countdown before he calls back into the dining room.
"Hey Mom, Scooter, there are some people out here I think you'd like to meet."
Clair, John, and Martin look at me as if asking permission to use the game cards Jason had given them. I nod, because I honestly don't know that going to happen next and I'd like a chance to talk with someone that knew Angie as a child. They disperse, scattering to a few of the games, as a woman walks in. Her red hair is short, curled on top of her head, and she's wiping her hands on a yellow apron that's tied around her waist.
"Hello, my name is Dr. Watters, but please call me Cassandra. Are you the His Servants drama team?" The way she holds her hands, grasping the middle fingers of her left hand and twisting her wedding ring, it's so similar to the way I would see Angie twist her ring when we first met. I wonder how much time Angie spent with Cassandra.
William steps forward while I'm lost in thought, "Yes ma'am we are. My name is William Tucker, and this is my wife Charlotte. Our daughter Liza and her husband Mark Rhods, Krystal and Andrew, and then the teens are off playing, but there is Clair, John, and Martin."
"So nice to meet you all." She smiles as she shakes our hands, but shakes her head when she sees Jason's grin. "Oh Jason, what's got you grinning? You look like you're about to explode."
"Nope, I just want to show you the test shots for the new photo booth. I had the Tuckers daughter try it out."
He hands her the photo strip and she shakes her head, "Now is really not the time Ja-" I recognize the look in her eye as she looks from the picture, to Liza, to Jason. It's hope, and the fear to be feeling it. "Jason. . .this looks like Angeline."
He moves, motioning her towards the booth, and she takes several steps in that direction. "Come out." Jason says.
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Angie's POV
I step out of the photo booth as Jason's call, and the second I see Cassandra I become more acutely aware of my fear. She's always been the one to hold me when I was scared or hurt. After all, she was the one my mom brought me to every time. And now she holds me like she can't believe I'm here. "I'm not going to evaporate Doc." I laugh, finally breaking the embrace after several moments.
We both wipe tears from behind our glasses, "Oh hon, don't call me that anymore. It's Cassandra-or better yet Cass-ok? My word, you look so grown up."
I nod and let out a small laugh, "Alright Cass" the name feels foreign on my tongue. "Where-where's Scooter?"
"Oh Scooter! Jason, go get him will you? He was in the freezer and I don't think he heard you call."
Jason disapears and I turn to face my parents. "Cassandra, these are my parents. Mom, Dad, this is Doctor Cassandra Watters. She was one of my closest friends when I lived here."
Before they could say anything, Jason and Scooter walked in. I smiled at him, and he stopped in his tracks. "Oh my" He said, "Oh my, this can't be my little lady! She's far too grown up!" He wraps me in a hug, and even so many years later the mingling scents of pizza and aftershave seems so familiar. "Oh, but she's even more beautiful."
He steps back and takes my hands in his. "Angeline, today I have seen the answer to a prayer I've prayed every day for nearly 7 years. It wasn't answered how we wanted, but God knew what He was dong didn't He?"
After a moment he turns around and Jason and Dad start making introductions again. I step away and just watch, completely dumbfounded at the events of the morning. I don't even notice when Clair comes over and stands beside me. "Hey girl, you alright? You're shaking."
I shake my head and half laugh. "I don't know Clair. My world is. . .completely upside down right now. I feel like I'm dreaming. I never in a million years thought that today would come." My shaking hands become too much for me to control, and I shove them into my back pockets. I feel like I need to sit down, but my shaking legs wont listen. "I love that Mom and Dad are meeting the Watters, but what about-Clair what about later?" It's a challenge just to get the words out past the lump in my throat. My breathing is shallow, and now I really want to sit down. "I'm not supposed to be here. I never thought" a shaky breath, "I never" another, "I think I'm going to be sick." My stomach lurches and I run out of the arcade, through the dining room, and into the bathroom.
I'd forgotten just how much it sucked to throw up.
Just as I start to feel able to go back out, both Mom and Cassandra walk in. "Baby are you ok?" Mom rushes to wrap me in a hug.
"Charlotte, I think maybe you should give her some space. Let her breathe." Cassandra says as she wets a paper towel in the sink.
"Excuse me? Angie is my daughter. I think I know when she needs her space and when she needs my arms." Mom takes the towel and rubs it along my forehead and neck.
"I didn't mean anything by it, I was simply suggesting that-"
"Simply suggesting that because you knew Angie when she was younger you know better what she needs. Well, I am her mother, and quite frankly I have no idea who you are or how you are connected to her, and I will not stand here and have you tell me how to calm her. I have done just fine for the past three years now."
I have never heard my mother yell at a stranger before. "Mom, it's ok." I say. "I'm alright now."
She sighs, and I can see all the anger leave her, replaced with clear exhaustion. "You're right. Cassandra, I am so sorry. I know you were only trying to help, I just don't know what to think right now, and I am so worried. I have no idea what happened here to leave Angie so terrified."
I cringe as Cassandra takes my hand. "Angeline, you haven't told her?"
I shake my head, "She's so much like you. I saw the pain in your eyes when you learned the truth; I didn't want that for her too. I thought I would never have to tell." Neither of them speak for several moments, and I am at a loss. I don't know what to do or say to get myself out of this.
"Not knowing" Cassandra finally says, "hurts more than you will ever be able to understand. I watched you and your mother walk home every night, never knowing is you would be back in the morning. Finding out what happened behind those closed doors. . .It broke my heart. But by then I knew you were safe, and that is all that mattered."
Before I can say anything they both have their arms around me. "Please baby girl, just tell me." Mom whispers.
I clench my eyes closed and try to think. I can't right now, I'm not ready. I haven't had time to "Tonight" think. Tonight? Tell them all tonight? "Let me tonight." I say again, finally understanding the idea. "When a couple of us are supposed to."
I risk a glance at both of them. They look surprised, but not opposed. "Are you sure that's what you want?" Mom asks.
I nod, "I'm sure.
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Charlotte's POV
Angie tells everyone that she just got sick from the car ride and the shock of so many unexpected emotions. They all seem to know that it's not the whole truth, but they don't say anything. And after a while, she seems to be alright. She's laughing, playing games, and eating pizza-I don't think I've seen her so happy in a long time. I just pray that it's real.
We spend almost two hours at Scooters, and as crazy as it sounds, I spend most of that time asking Cassandra anything I can think to ask about Angie's medical history. From all she tells me, I get I sickening feeling that I know what Angie will talk about tonight.
Finally, just before 3:30, William breaks up the party. "Alright guys, I don't know about you, but I'd like to get to the hotel. I want to get unpacked and relax for a while before service tonight."
"Actually sir" Jason interrupts, "you'll be staying at the parsonage. We've turned it into a type of missions apartment, but it's able to house a huge family and sleep 12 comfortably. There are two bedrooms, a sitting room with two pull outs, and two bathrooms. The living room was too nice to put a pull out in, but I've rigged up a nice little alarm"
"Jason!" Mark nearly falls out of his seat when he yells. "Let's keep that to ourselves for now, ok?"
Jason just laughs, "Whatever you say. Anyway, we thought it would be more comfortable for you than a hotel."
"Thank you Jason," I say, "That sounds wonderful."
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Liza's P.O.V.
4pm Wednesday afternoon
Unpacking was the least confusing part of the day, while working out rooming seemed to be the main complication. One bedroom was a master, beautifully designed, and it was imediately agreed that Mom and Dad would take that room for the first two nights, and Mark and I would get it the last two. The other bedroom held three sets of bunk beds.The girls wanted the room with the bunk beds because it would mean more privacy, but the boys wanted it because they didn't want to have to share a bed. After 20 minutes of arguing, finally ending in a coin toss, the boys got the room with the bunks and us girls got the sitting room.
Clair is pinning a bedsheet she found in the closet over the entryway when I sit down beside Krystal. She asked me to explain everything to her at Scooters, but I hadn't been able to put my thoughts together. Now, however, they were practically flying out of my mouth before I could stop them.
"Holy crap! Is your sister alright? does she realize that her dad has changed? Gosh, it's no wonder she flipped out like she did.
That's when it hits me. Mom doesn't know why we are here, she wouldn't have been able to explain to Angie when they were alone earlier. No wonder Angie lost it at Scooters! "Shoot. Do you know where she is? I haven't seen her since the coin toss."
"She said something about having to talk to your mom."
"Thanks." I run past Clair and down the hall to the master bedroom where I find mom sitting on the bed, brushing out her hair. "Do you know where Angie is? I have to tell her something before tonight."
"You too? Jason was just in here and asked her to take a walk with him. He wanted to explain something before tonight too." She shakes her head and sets the brush down beside her. "I'm getting a headache trying to sort out all that's happened today-and why."
I pause, and with chargrin I realize that explaining to Angie will have to wait. "Dad hasn't explained yet, has he."
"When would he? We haven't had more than a moment alone since we got here, and when we were alone he was talking nonsense, saying that he wasn't Angie's father. I didn't get a chance to question him, because right then Angie screamed because of Jason showing up."
I sigh and sit on the bed beside her. "Mark told me everything, that's why I dragged him into the sanctuary earlier. Angie's dad. . .whoever he is. . .he's not who he was before. He really wants a chance to talk to Angie, to ask her forgiveness. And while normally I would tell him to, well. . .take a trip down south. But mom, he's dying. From what Mark told me, it doesn't sound like he has a lot of time left, and that's why Jason concocted this scheme to get her here."
Her eyes widen, "Jason came up with this plan? Dear Lord, Liza she might kill him if she finds out."
I can't stop the small laugh at her reaction. "Maybe that's what he wanted to talk to her about. But there is a chance that her dad will be there tonight, and if we don't give her some kind of warning. . .I don't know how she might react."
She shakes her head, "Go, find her. I have got to find your father. We really need to talk."
"Well, since that sounds completely non-threatening, I'll leave you to it. But remember. . .he only did what he thought would be best for Angie. No matter what happens this week, we will get through, as a family. Alright?"
"I know Liza, I know."
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It tames me a half hour to find Angie, and that's only after searching everywhere from Scooters to the church. Finally I remember the clubhouse above that giant plastic tree where I found her earlier. Sure enough, I hear them talking before I make it there. And I don't like what I hear. "Jason, I don't want to hear this right now." Angie is climbing down the ladder by the time I make it to the tree.
"Angeline, but you need to know that you dad-"
"No! Jason, I don't want to hear anything about my dad, ok? And would you just stop with the Angeline? My name is Angie. As far as I'm concerned, Angeline Leland died along with her mother. And as for you, I thought you were my friend! I can't count the number of times that I told you I never want to come back here, and yet here we are. Because of you I had my first flashback in a year and a half." She turns to walk away, but I grab her arm.
"Hey, where are you going?"
She jerks away, "I need to think. If I'm going to speak tonight I'm not going to speak as some scared little girl. Those people" she points to the church, "they are finally going to understand what they did to my mother."
Before I can get her to explain, she takes off. Jason joins me on the ground and punches the tree. "That did not go well."
"No kidding lover boy." I sigh.
I don't see Angie in the hours leading up to the service. I know she comes in to get ready, but I don't see her until she walks into the sanctuary with Mom, five minutes before service starts. She visits with people politely, but I can tell that she is still fuming inside. She sits with mom and dad in the front, while the rest of us claim a row in the back/
Jason introduces them after the song service; it's almost relaxing to hear them tell their stories. Stories I've been hearing since I was eleven years old.
Dad talks about growing up a preachers kid, coming to Christ at an early age, and meeting mom in college.
Mom talks about growing up in a Christian home, coming to Christ at age seventeen, and then falling away when she started college. She tells how God led her back and into dad's path. And then she tells the story of the team.
She started His Servants because she wanted to show people that theatre could be used to bring glory to God, and not just to the world. And 14 years later, we still are.
Finally, Angie steps up to the podium. Mom grabs her hand for a moment, and I see the burst of courage that goes through her.
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Charlotte's POV
I grab Angie's hand and squeeze it as she steps to the podium. The speakers screech as she starts to speak. Quietly at first, but stronger with every word. "Hi, my name is Angie Tucker and I've been a part of His Servants since William and Charlotte took me in at age thirteen. Most of you probably wonder why you recognize me, and maybe hearing my first name will jog your memory. My birth name is Angeline Leland, and this is my Story."
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