Who You Say I Am (A Jai Courtney Fanfic)

Chapter 7-Meg

Meg

(A little earlier that day...)

We spend the morning going around visiting the patients at the hospital. The children don't want to let me go so I stay with them most of the time. Some of the younger guys come and grasp their attention—playing games and goofing off with them. I use that as my chance to move on for a little while. We'll be back and I'll definitely give them more attention then, too.
I go down to the second floor and see some people who have been staying at the hospital for an extended period of time. I enter rooms with only patients in them, knocking for permission. Everyone has a smile on their face. I hand out notebooks, books, and pencils. I spend the time talking with each sickly person—getting to know them, praying for them, and just generally sharing God's love.
I'm almost disappointed when it's time to leave.  Isabella oddly grabs me by the hand and leads me back to the bus.  She's kind of a shorter girl in her early twenties.  I think she was at a few of the youth meetings I assisted in leading before she got too old for the teens group.  She's grown a bit though—more curvy and outgoing.  She has striking green eyes that stand out against her olive colored skin.  Her black hair is wavy stopping at her mid-back.  She has me climb into the bus and sit beside her.  Valentina and Bianca are already waiting for us.  I smile and greet the other two girls.  I think they're both a little older than Isabella—closer to my age.  Valentina has short pink dyed hair that's kind of messily styled.  She's rather thin and wiry with dark brown eyes and a heart shaped face.  I wonder if her parents waited until she was born to name her since it's so incredibly fitting.  She has a bubbly personality and always smiling.  Bianca has medium length bleached hair.  She's a little heavier set and is kind of shy and quiet.  Her light brown eyes meet mine and immediately look away embarrassed. 
"Where did you ever find those stuffed animals you gave the kids?" Isabella asks me curiously. 
"You visited upstairs, too?" I inquire happily.  I didn't see the girls up there. 
"We just came down from there," Valentina tells me. 
"Oh, well... Mrs Johnson, my mom, and I made them," I explain. 
"You made them?" Isabella asks shocked. 
"Well... they made most of them.  They're in a quilting club.  I just followed the patterns they made and stitched a few together.  Mine aren't nearly as good as theirs," I admit. 
"No way, those were amazing!" Valentina says excitedly. 
I laugh bashfully.  "Thank you," I whisper. 
Everyone else files onto the bus and we're off back to the hotel for lunch.  The chatter on the bus is all about the experience of blessing the patients.  Nobody can sit still.  We're all bursting with excitement about how wonderful that was.  I'll admit that I can't stop from talking about my experiences today.  It was probably the best day of my life so far. 
We arrive back to the hotel and it'll take a little longer for the meal.  I decide to head to my room and pick up a little.  I place the additional gifts back into my duffel bag.  I put my clothes in a little dresser and closet I hadn't realized were behind the door.  I put my dirty laundry in a bag before setting it out of sight. 
I pick up my phone and see several messages.  Some from family... and a few from Spencer.  I sigh debating on whether I want to read his.  I read my family's messages. I respond to each of them. My little brother sounds really concerned about me which is unusual since he's never been very sentimental or serious for that matter. Everything had always been a joke with him—always teasing, always pestering. I tell him I'm doing good and having fun.
I see one from my dad. I open it to read:

Glad you're doing well sweetheart. We miss you. Take care and have fun!

I send a reply, glad that Dad is sending me messages.
I hold my phone debating on whether I want to see what Spencer has to say. I stare at his name for a moment. My heart hurts at the thought of him. I hear a knock on my door breaking me out of my thoughts. I put my phone in my pocket and rise to open the door. I open it to Gale.
"Hi. Lunch is just about ready. I was wondering if you wanted to go back with us to the beach again after we eat?" Gale asks.
"Um... sure. That sounds like fun," I agree.
"Okay. We'll get dressed after," she says.
I nod and step out locking up. We walk together down the hallway. "This is so fun, right?" she giggles.
"Yeah, I'm definitely rethinking my choices in life and work. I'm wishing I went into the ministry or something," I tell her grinning.
"It's never too late," she replies.
I nod thinking that I could really use a real change. I'm assuming Spencer was serious about my job...
We arrive to the dining hall. Smiling faces greet us. The two of us get in line together.  It looks like there's some sort of green lentil soup or stew with vegetables in it.  I grab a small bowl of that.  The bread looks incredible and I see some people putting a beef patty in that.  Gale and I sit down together joining several of the girls I know.  There are a few younger men sitting sporadically around with the girls. 
One of the young men smiles at me.  I smile back.  "So, I have to thank you," I say to him. 
"What for?" he asks surprised. 
"If it wasn't for you, the kids never would've let me go," I grin. 
"Yeah, you'd still be there," Pastor Ben says patting me on the back. 
I chuckle in reply and realize everyone else is, too.  We continue on our meal, smiling and joking around.  My heart feels so light and content.  I haven't had friends like this in a long time.  It had just been Spencer and me.  I had kind of grown apart from my old friendships in high school and we all changed so much.  I got really into my church and my studies.  My friends chose different paths. 
We separate after lunch and I change quickly.  I grab a bag with my Bible and notebooks before heading out to meet the girls in the lobby.  I see Gale, Valentina, Isabella, and Neveah. 
"About time," Neveah teases with her hands on her hips. 
I laugh.  They all start to head out and I follow.  I guess this is everyone for now.  We stride down the street leading downhill to the beach. 
"I'm excited for church tomorrow," Gale announces. 
"Me, too," I agree.  "I love seeing how different cultures worship the Lord."
"I hear it's very much like South," Gale says. 
"Then it'll be a lively bunch," Isabella chuckles. 
We all laugh, too. 
"So, how was it cooking breakfast this morning?" Neveah asks me. 
"It was fun learning how to make those dishes.  I love working with Sister Abigay.  I feel awful that I can't understand her but she's such a kind, spunky lady.  She even prophesied over me after the prayer," I explain. 
"Really?" Gale asks intrigued. 
I nod. 
"Did you write it down?" she questions. 
"I haven't," I admit. 
"I would if I were you," Gale advises.  "I always feel surprised when someone does that but whenever I write them down, I realize what was said always comes to pass.  Do you remember what she said?"
"I do," I tell her.  "I brought some paper.  Maybe I should do that soon."
"That's always a good idea," she smiles. 
We arrive at the beach and start walking in.  I hear my phone ring and I answer it without looking at the caller-ID.
"Hello?" I say. 
"Megan," Spencer says surprised and relieved. 
I sigh closing my eyes.  "Just a minute," I tell him. 
"I'm sorry, ladies.  Could you excuse me for a moment," I tell the girls.  They all nod and I step away.  There's a bench on the beach to the right of the street where we just came from.  It's under a canopy of trees.  I sit down and take a deep, shaky breath before I speak to him again. 
"Sorry about that," I tell him.  "What can I do for you, Spencer?"
"Megs," he breathes.  I shudder at him calling me that.  "Please come home," he pleads. 
"I can't.  I've made a commitment," I tell him. 
"Where are you anyway?  A restaurant?" he questions.  He must hear the music. 
"No," I reply. 
"Your mother said you went out of town.  Where did you go?" he asks. 
"I'm in Jamaica," I tell him. 
"What?" he questions in surprise. 
"I joined the mission trip," I explain. 
"Why would you do that?  That's such a waste of money," he says. 
"I'm having the best time of my life and making a difference," I tell him offended.  I can't believe he'd say something like that.  This is such a wonderful thing we're doing here. 
"When are you coming home?" he asks. 
"I'll be back in town in a couple weeks," I tell him. 
He sighs in relief.  "So you'll be back in time for the wedding," he says happily. 
"There isn't going to be a wedding," I tell him calmly. 
"Stop this nonsense, Megan!  You will be my wife in less than a month.  You need to stop goofing off and get home.  We have some things to discuss," he insists. 
I ask for God's help.  He's being so difficult. 
"I will not marry you, Spencer," I tell him seriously.  "What we had is over."
"How can you call yourself a Christian if you're not going to forgive me?" he asks harshly. 
"Are you even sorry?" I counter.  He stays quiet.  "Was this the only indiscretion?" I continue.  The same response.  "Are you planning on stopping?"
There is continued silence so I know my answer. 
"Spencer, are you still there?" I ask. 
"Yeah, I'm still here," he replies. 
"What are the answers to my questions?" I inquire. 
"I'm sorry.  It won't happen again," he says abruptly and irritable in tone.  He's lying.  I know he's lying. 
"Spencer?" I say.  He hums a reply.  "I forgive you for what you've done but I'm still not going to marry you."
I hear screaming and something crashes in the background.  I jump in surprise. When there's silence I hear him panting.  "How can you do this to me, Megan?!  You're making me look like a fool!" he questions harshly. 
"You made me look like a fool for trusting you, Spencer," I tell him calmly, although my heart is racing from his screaming and behavior.  "You cheated and you lied.  I'm not going to marry someone who thinks living in sin is an acceptable way of life.  I want more than what you have to offer and I'm not going to talk to you anymore about this.  Goodbye, Spencer."  I end the call and turn my phone off. 
I breath heavily.  I see the girls waiting for me and Gale speaks to them before approaching me. 
"It was Spencer, wasn't it?" she asks. 
I nod unable to voice anything after that experience.  She hugs me and I hug her back.  I cry softly and she holds me through it.  I calm down after a few minutes. 
"Can I say something without you getting upset?" she asks gently. 
I nod wiping my eyes and sniffling. 
"I think it was when you filled in for worship," she starts.  "Spencer came early with you.  You went to go practice before service.  Pastor Ben's wife was making coffee that morning and handing it out.  He asked for a cup and walked off with it toward the sanctuary.  The coffee you make at Riverview is like a coffeehouse's, ours is kind of like everywhere else.  Some people just don't have your skills.  Anyway, he took a sip and spit it out on the floor.  Then he threw the cup in the general direction of the trash can but missed entirely making a huge mess.  He grumbled about how bad he thought it was.  He also fell asleep during prayer when you were playing at the end of service and was snoring."
I actually laugh in surprise at that frowning. 
"You dodged a bullet," she tells me.  "I think he put on an act for you.  He was one way around you, then completely different at other times—like the biggest jerk I'd ever met."
"Yeah, I'm starting to see that now," I agree shakily. 
"Take some time.  Cool off.  Write down your feelings in that notebook of yours.  Write down some prayers, too.  Oh, and your prophecy.  When you're ready to join us, we'll be down there," Gale motions to the section of the beach where the others are waiting. 
"Thank you, Gale.  You're a good friend," I tell her. 
"And so are you.  You're a great person.  Don't let some cheating liar make you question a good decision.  You made the best, smartest choice by walking away.  Never feel guilty about that," she says.  She hugs me once more before rising and joining the others. 
I sit on the bench taking some calming breaths for a moment.  The lively music and gentle breeze are relaxing.  The laughter around me brings an almost smile to my face. 
I take Gale's advice, getting out my notebook and writing everything down that I'm feeling.  I write some prayers down, too.  I turn the page and add the prophecy.  I also get out my Bible and open to James 1:5 since Pastor Ben quoted it last night.  I write it down and find myself reading from James 1:1-18.  I feel like much of this is so appropriate for what I'm going through—that this is a trial.  I didn't fight back at Spencer's level.  I'm being tested in my faith and I feel like I'm enduring with grace.  Spencer has been throwing these fits of rage, and according to Gale he's always been like this.  I just wish I would've seen it earlier.  I pray about the situation and my future.  I ask God to guide me.  I feel like I ought to reread the prophecy again. 

God is going to ask something unusual of you today.  Your first reaction will be to hide or turn away. Step forward boldly and meet your fate head on. This is God's plan for you. 

I pray on this.  She was very specific—today.  I think I handled the confrontation with Spencer well.  I would normally shy away from such things.  I continue in prayer asking for God's will to be done.  I ask Him to show me what he has for me, to strengthen me to do what he asks and to know what it is. 
I open my eyes to see someone standing nearby—not even six feet away.