I don't need your God

CHAPTER 5: How Does Faith work?

Dominic was speechless when she saw Josh's forlorn figure bowed in the office of the supermarket owner. When she'd received the call from Mr. Greenstone, she had immediately known something was wrong. Josh desperately looked like he needed a hug. Kaz's accusing words wrung in Dominic's ears like a siren; "Oh is the feeling mutual then? ... I see the way he looks at you."

'Josh,' Dominic threw caution to the wind and wrapped her arms around him. 'Are you all right?' she spoke softly.

'Yes,' he mumbled, not returning her hug. Dominic dropped her arms. She perceived she was not going to get a single word further, out of Josh. She turned to the owner and spoke to him in a hushed tone. Dominic shut her eyes for only a second. She could not believe it. Not Josh, something was not right. Dominic begged and pleaded with Mr. Greenstone not to press charges. He reluctantly, relented but only because he knew Dominic Shaw and Josh's parents were upstanding members of the community. She offered to pay for the magazine the owner shook his head, declining.

'Josh put your bicycle into the trunk,' Dominic spoke gently. 'Let me take you home.'

With his head still bowed, Josh glanced apologetically at Mr. Greenstone, before walking outside. He waited patiently at the passenger side of Dominic's car after putting his bicycle into the trunk, whilst Dominic was still chatting to the store owner.

Dominic got into her car and strapped her safety belt on. She smiled at Josh waiting for him to do the same. When he was strapped, she started the car and carefully rejoined the traffic as they headed home. She had hoped Josh would say something, anything, but he remained silent. What was she going to say to Pastor Ralph? What was she going to say to the principal? He would need to be informed.

'Ms. Shaw?'

'Yes Josh?'

'Will you please drive a little faster, Shanna does not like being alone.'

Dominic took her eyes of the road for a millisecond to look intently at Josh. He did not deem it fit to talk to her about his alleged theft of an adult magazine, yet he wanted her to break the rules of the road.

'I am driving at the maximum speed limit allowed, Josh,' she replied civilly.

He didn't utter another word, but patiently waited for the car to stop outside their homes. When it did, he rushed out, and removed his bicycle, after thanking Dominic for fetching him from the store.

'Josh, I'm going to have to relate what happened in the store, to Pastor Ralph.'

He looked at her pleadingly, when he saw she was not going to budge, he nodded and rushed into his home.

'Josh!' Shanna flew into her brother's arms. 'You're over an hour late. I was scared. Why are you late? I thought something happened to you,' she clung to Josh tightly.

'Sorry Shanna,' Josh held her, trying to calm her down. 'I had football practice remember.' That was the truth. 'Then I had to stop at the supermarket for bread and milk.'

'Oh,' her shoulders relaxed, she smiled at her brother.

'I see you've showered already,' Josh forced a smile. 'We're going to have chicken and pasta for dinner.'

'Do I have to make a salad again? I don't feel like salad.'

'We don't need to,' Josh allowed. 'If you're not starving, I'd like to shower and we can eat in an hour, I have just math homework tonight.'

'I have math and biology, but can I please watch a program for half an hour, pretty please.'

'You know the rules Shanna, homework first, then television.'