Reconciled in the End

Chapter 22: All told before

After that night, Thomas took the initiative to contact Lao about what happened to Siren and check into Luz’s wound status. Throughout the day, Thomas received scattered messages from what seemed like everyone. Thomas felt relief in Siren’s status updates of the day, Peter checked in with Thomas at lunch, and he got messages from Mari and Sonji too, asking about Bible questions. His head spun after the fifteenth hour on the job!

An idea churned in his head at that moment. Why not invite them all at his house for a Bible study? After Lao’s sister disappeared, Lao and Luz began to question and learned more, too. Siren led them to get saved right at the bakery. Then Mari and Sonji, they got saved right in their visit shopping, however seemed lost as to what to do after. They sorely lacked reading skills, and certainly needed direction. Peter too, he could use fellow encouragement from the group, although he was far more versed in studying.

Thomas sat back thinking when to meet with everybody. He could fit three at the kitchen counter, three on the couch, maybe open the patio door to sit two more. His place was so tight! He could even sit with Siren on the loft steps. At least they all could be together to encourage. Cringing, he messaged them a time he figured all, including himself, ought to be off. He'd order food and feed them in the late evening. But would it be safe to walk at that time? He frowned again dismally.

Siren instantly fixed his message as she offered a group chat time instead. That way, all would be safe in locked residences. She had anticipated the foreseen outcome. Had she been a manager, she’d been brilliant!

Soon the return messages all filed in acceptance. In three days on his off day, they would chat together. He figured even if he did work it in forced overtime, at least both Peter and himself ought be out at that time.

Siren sat down on the couch as Thomas positioned the screen to view them both. The evening purple glow outside was stunning. She made iced fruit tea and set some cookies out in an aesthetic way. She wanted to portray openness, together all would talk and learn.

“Hello Thomas, Siren,” Lao greeted as Luz scurried over with tea and crumpets. Siren giggled a little that all had the same idea.

Mari and Sonji kicked on too, only junk food wrappers flooded their floor. They were indeed young, and cooking was too much effort with long hours. Peter popped up innocently enough. He sat at a desk, but in casual wear hastily placed on after just finishing his shift.

Thomas greeted them all as he saw everyone else looking around their screens at the others. God’s family was quite dispersed! They all introduced themselves and explained their stories. Thomas went first.

“You all know me, I’m Thomas. I accepted Christ’s salvation at the same time as Siren. I was severely depressed when Siren was ill and almost died.”

The others remained quiet, Mari gasped as Thomas then shifted with a happier grin, “It was a trying time, but in that I found Ecclesiastes and then the whole Bible. Don't commend me though, I found it when I was being sassy and sinful. God gave a good spank to show me my horrible, cynical attitude at the time."

Siren pat his back as she introduced, “I’m Siren, Thomas’s wife. I got saved with Thomas. I became mentally unstable contemplating the purpose of life. My superiors failed me on my psyche stability exam, and without Bible, I would be dead by now. I owe my life to God first, then to the devoted actions of my loyal husband.”

Luz stared at Lao fondly as he next introduced himself, “I am Lao, owner of the Sweet Dreams bakery with my wife Luz. I recently accepted the savior along with my wife. My sister had been poking at me for years about God. I ignored her, brushed her off, called her crazy. Now she’s disappeared that same night of that trumpet, er earthquake thing. She always warned me, then Siren started the same thing. I knew it was no coincidence, but God yelling harder at me.
As one gets older, you realize you’re not as powerful and invincible as you use to believe in youth. You see your very body break down, even with the best nutrition and exercise. You become wiser and more dependent. You have no choice! Just like you, Thomas, I could battle like the best of ‘em. In my pride, I wished to be my own boss. Owning a business for years now, I realize it's impossible to be a hundred percent right all the time. I’ve made some horrible decisions, some just out of pride and partook of the consequences. I refuse now to choose a horrible eternal fate for myself, all because of my pride. And I wouldn’t want that fate even more so for Luz.
After getting saved, I feel lighter, wiser, and ready for a new, not so broken down body. Young ones, enjoy what you got now, it only gets uglier. I mean it!”