Made To Be Broken

Wherefore Art Thou, Romeo?

Romeo, save me, they're trying to tell me how to feel.
This love is difficult but it's real.
Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess.
It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes."

- Love Story, TAYLOR SWIFT

* * * *

“This is not gonna last forever

It’s that time when you must hold on.

And I won’t let you surrender,

And I’ll heal you if you’re broken.”

- I'll Be Your Strength, THE WANTED

______________________________

'Give your phone to Noble.'

Mason stared at the text message, lagging back behind Colleen and Rebecca as they entered the pastor's office. 'What are you doing, son?' He sent back. Mason waited, stalling. His cell buzzed.

'Just trying to protect my baby.' Mason's eyes stung and he blinked quickly. Another text came in. 'Let him read this.' Mason read what came after, then sighed, and sent back – 'Okay. Now stop texting – and don't worry.' His phone remained silent.

“Oh God,” he whispered. “Please let me be doing the right thing for Noble.” He entered the office. Noble sat in a cushioned chair, leaning forward, elbows on knees, gazing blankly at the floor while Rebecca, Colleen, and Pastor Rick spoke with Jack Hayden. Clearing his throat, Mason walked over to the young man and lowered to his heels beside the chair, resting his hand on the boy's back. “You okay, son?” he asked softly, quietly.

Noble didn't answer for a moment, then offered merely a slight shrug. His throat worked as a sheen formed over his eyes.

Glancing discreetly at the others, Mason opened his cell. “Here.” he murmured, handing the phone to Noble. “I was asked to let you read this.”

Noble's eyes focused and he turned his head. “By...who?”

Mason rubbed his back and smiled, then stood up without answering.

......................

Noble's hands shook as he stared at the name at the top of the text; Jonah. He shot a quick look at Rebecca and the small group then read the words Jonah had sent – bible scriptures.

'But there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ...am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?'

Noble ducked his head, laying his face in his hand, throat squeezing, choking. He scrolled up a little to a previous part of the conversation. 'What are you doing, son?' Noble stared at the reply, heart pounding, tears burning – 'Just trying to protect my baby.'

Nearly dropping the phone, Noble closed it as dizziness invaded his head. Rebecca came towards him and he stuffed the cell in his pocket. So much for being one hundred percent honest. You haven't even started the session and already you're hiding things from her.

Rebecca sat in the chair next to him and took his hand. “It's good that you decided to come here, Noble.” she said softly. “I really think Jack can help you.”

“Yeah.” Noble whispered and glanced at Jack, in conversation with Mason and the pastor, and wondered just how healed the man really was. Or if he had ever truly been in need of healing. It was becoming increasingly more difficult to see how someone could even be healed of this; how did one just simply stop feeling the way they did?