Shattered

Chapter 19

I put on my sneakers and a proper flannel. I quickly brushed my hair and I hear a beep in the distance.

"I'm going, I'm going!" I scream as I grab my purse and run past Paul who is about to yell at me on account of the beeping outside.

The guys sit in the beat-up van and take off the minute I get in.

"Hey, almost on time today. That's a new record." Rob says, giving me thumbs up.

I roll my eyes, smiling anyway. "Shut up."

We make it to the new coffee shop. It looks worn down, just as we like it. When we walk in, I see a band playing on a stand in the far back, a coffee bar on my right, and tables with chairs lying on concrete to my left.

"Do you want a coffee?" Jack asks.

"Yeah," I moved toward the bar, but he stops me.

"I'll get it."

Before I could protest, he turned his back to me and got in line. I shake my head and walk over to a table.

"You make him really happy." Fletch said to me.

"Well good, he makes me happy too."

My smile fades a bit. How would he take the news of my new beliefs? It's Jack, of course he would be okay with it, I tell myself. They all sit down as a new band begins their set. Fletch and Tom began to wrestle. My stomach twists violently as my news eats at me and I know I have to tell them now before I lose the courage to do it at all.

"Guys," I say.

None of them acknowledge me.

"Guys,"

Again, nothing.

"Guys!" More heads than I needed turned my way.

"Something wrong?" Tom asks.

"I...have to tell you guys something."

"Did you get her pregnant already? What's the matter with you?" Tom turns to Jack.

"What? No!" Jack and I both say, our cheeks turning red. The others laugh.

"Look..." They all turn to me. "I've been through a very rough time. I really thought there was no point to my life. I came here, I didn't have anyone, and I didn't want to have anyone. Thankfully Sandy and Paul helped pull me out of my grief by introducing me to you," I squeezed Jack's hand. "And then he introduced me to all of you and while I am so thankful for your friendship and all your help...But it's not enough. When I went to therapy, she mentioned committing to a religion and then my English teacher shared her story with me. I thought the whole idea was ridiculous, but...the idea was nagging at me and I decided to go to a service. And I saw then that Christ is my savior. I'm a sinner and I need Him. For forgiveness. For everything. So, I have decided to commit my life to Him."

They were quiet for a little bit.

"Okay." Rob said. He looked a little confused.

"I just wanted you guys to know that I'm going to be a little different now."

"If that's what you need then we'll support you." Jack said.

A weight lifted off my shoulders.

"Yeah, we don't have the same beliefs, but if you want this then go for it. We'll still let you hang out with us." Fletch smiled.

I smile and look at Tom. He is watching me closely and frowns. "Look, I know you don't feel like you have the love you need because your family died, but that doesn't mean you need to run to a stupid religions with a fake god in the sky."