There Must Be Something More

14 | Friends

It seemed like hours now that we have not said anything to each other. She sat across from me on the floor, reading the baseball novel I had picked out. She would laugh every now and then. I would be too shy to ask her why.

We had picked out their den for our report.

The sun was going down. I noticed as a glow of orange was casted through the glass windows. Meredith had volunteered to read the book. I told her I wasn't much of a reader. She seemed to enjoy it, she did not look up ever since she had her head down to read it.

As I waited for her to finish, I looked around. I stood and checked the picture frames on top of her drawers. It was her in her childhood years. She smiled wide, an extra tooth on the side of her gums. She wore the usual cowboy hat, flannels, jeans, and boots. On other pictures, she was holding a white kitten. Another was her and her parents--a family photo.

"Where's your mom and dad?" I asked.

She did not respond. When I turned she was still on her book. I called and asked the question again.

"They're in China," she said.

"Business trip?" I asked.

"Kind of. They're missionaries."

I stared at her.

She smiled, set down her book. "That means they go to different places to spread God's Word."

I have never heard people this... devoted to God before. It's like they spent their whole lives just all about Him. It's like they live and breathe their faith.

Normally I would've freaked out or been reluctant or despise it. But the truth dawned on me and I realized I kind of admired these kinds of people. They were different. When the world flowed this way, they went another. They didn't need to adapt to the majority to feel loved or welcome or home.

They already feel loved, welcomed, and home with God.

"You miss them sometimes?" I asked.

Meredith nodded. She stretched her legs so that she looked like a doll set to sit on the floor. "Although, we take every opportunity to talk. And Grandpa doesn't fail as being a good parent. And I know God is always with us. We're all right."

I smiled. "That's... nice."

Then there was her question: "What about your parents?"

I was silent. I wanted to run away or hide or do anything just to avoid her question. Up until she told me about her family, I had not realized how disconnected I have been with mine. She always made me realize things I often overlooked.

"Well, they're here, alright. But often times I feel like they're in China," I admitted.

Meredith furrowed her eyebrows, a gesture for me to tell more.

"They're always hung up in their work. Sure, they might be around the house all the time, but it's either they're doing some extra work or sleeping. The only time we ever get to talk is around dinner, or if I'm really lucky."

"Don't they make efforts?" She asked.

I scoffed, shook my head. "Of course. But every family time gets canceled. There's always something, you know what I mean?" And then I stopped. "Who am I kidding? How could you know? Your life is... perfect."

"My life is not perfect," she said.

I scoffed. "Yeah, right. You're always, like, so happy all the time. You can't lie to me. Your family, you--everything about you doesn't seem to have any problem."

She denied it, shook her head. "I have many problems. I struggle with many things. But I know God's love never fails. I know His promises and I might not know the plan He has for me, but I know it's good. That's why the problems I face isn't going to stop me from smiling or bringing happiness to the people around me. My hope and joy is in the Lord."

I stared at her. "You make it sound so easy."

"You make it sound so hard," she said.

I paused. I stared at her. I was dumbstruck. "Okay, enough. We came here to write a report, not become dramatic or anything."

Meredith gave me that disappointed look in her eyes again. I ignored it. I reached and grabbed the book from beside her. I pretended to read, but I still felt her stare going through the pages, even through the flyleaf.

I figured she was going to insist I talk about it, but she stood up. She said, "Do you want pink lemonade?"

Smiling in relief, I looked up at her, "Yes, please."

After writing and outlining the book, we ended up watching TV just before dinner. And at dinner we and Grandpa Chuck exchanged jokes and laughs. We filled up on breadsticks right after. And then Meredith showed me her pet pig. Before I left she gave me a red sticky note. She said it was a reward for being a good friend. It said:

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. ~Proverbs 17:17

"So we're friends?" I asked.

"No one comes to my house, eats Grandpa's chili, and gets away with it!" She said.

I laughed. She did too. We could've been laughing or eating or writing book reports all night if time did not exist. I wouldn't mind spending time that long with her. It was something about her. Something I felt that I did not feel with anyone else--even my friends.

I felt accepted. Right there for who I am. I did not feel the need to compromise. I just had to be myself. I did not have to follow a certain trend or copy anyone to feel like I was a part of something.

Even though I was not a Christian like her, she made me feel like a real brother. She made me feel at home even when it was my first time to ever come to her house.

She made me feel loved.

I did not know if I really was loved, but just feeling like it made me feel good inside. I might have felt like my friends and parents really loved me--but not like this. It was something more vivid. There was undeniable peace inside me knowing that people like these exist.

It was the very first time that I was grinning and smiling like an idiot. I might have seen the world a little differently that night. It was the love and homecoming feeling I received from them that I felt like doing some loving of my own. And so when I saw a homeless old man sitting on a curb, I drove to the nearest convenience store and bought a sandwich for him.

I have never done it before--and it felt great!

Trying new things that you've seen had done good with other people isn't so bad after all. People should be more open to it.

I was smiling. And even as I got home. Too bad not everybody can be happy for you.