A Boy Named Jasper {Wattpad Featured Novel}

<Jasper> A Boy Who's Life has Been Turned Around

Chapter 23

<Jasper Coven>

"Hey, Jasper," Pastor Tate smiles as I walk into the sanctuary, my guitar case in hand.

"Hey," I give him a half smile and make my way towards the stage where the rest of the worship band is setting up.

It's been almost a month since Callie took me to church with her and as promised, it changed my life. Pastor Tate and the worship band have become a regular presence in my life. Sundays belong to church and any other time I have left belongs to the two angels in my life: my mom and Callie. I smile at the thought of my beautiful girlfriend as I slip out of my jacket and unpack my acoustic guitar.

"Do you have an extra pick?" Elliot, another guitar player in the worship band, asks with a grin.

"Yeah," I reply and shuffle around the bottom of my guitar case. "Here it is."

"Thanks, man." Elliot takes the guitar pick and walks across the stage.

I bite my lip and flip through the lyrics to the songs we've decided to sing this coming Sunday.

"Which one do you wanna start with?" Elliot calls from the other side of the stage.

"Um," I rub the back of my neck and turn towards him. "In Christ alone."

"Let's go." Elliot says as he begins to play.

"In Christ alone, my hope is found, he is my light, my strength, my song." I sing in a low, raspy voice

~~~~~

It's near nine o'clock which means it's time for the band to start packing up. Elliot high fives me and drops my guitar pick back into my case.

"Sounding great, man." He grins and goes to pack up his stuff as Pastor Tate walks towards me.

He sits down on the stage and I swing my legs over the edge so I'm sitting next to him.

"I'm really glad you decided to do this, Jasper; God gave you a gift and it warms my heart to see you use it." Pastor Tate pats my shoulder, a comfortable silence ensuing.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Jasper." He turns to face me with the same kind look in his eye that I've become accustomed to.

"I wanted to start a music program here, for kids you know." I stutter and rub the back of my neck. "I feel like kids can learn a lot through music and I'd like to do anything I can to help out with that."

"You know, that's a really good idea." Pastor Tate says with a thoughtful expression. "You'd need to get some instrument donations, of course, but I don't think there'd be any problem with that in this wonderful congregation. Why don't we smooth out the kinks over dinner? Have you eaten yet?"

"No," I reply respectfully.

"Why don't we go get a burger or something and discuss this program of yours."

I nod and follow him out of the church, my guitar case still clutched tightly in my hand.

~~~~~

"Aw, Jasper, that's such a sweet idea!" Callie coos as she leans on my shoulder.

My truck's parked in the middle of my family's cornfield and Callie and I are laying in the back, staring up at the blue sky. I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her closer to me.

"Well, I'm gonna need your help with it." I say in a low whisper, placing my lips on her forehead.

She giggles a little and closes her eyes, nodding.