THE ROAD HOME

Chapter 14

Sean was nervous as Roy left her cell for him and Tisha to talk.
He wasn't nervous because he didn't know what to say to her. He was nervous because as he stood near her, he feared that the moment they were left alone he would be tempted to kiss her again, maybe even go a little extra.

You'll be fine.

"Sean, how are you?" Tisha asked.
He smiled and sat down on the bed next to her.

"I'm nervous. How are you?"

"I don't know. What are you nervous about?" she asked.

"Being tempted to kiss you again. I shouldn't have before" he replied.

Well, that's bold.

She smiled slightly.

"I'm sorry. I know you're not comfortable with that kind of stuff. I have to ask though, is kissing a sin?"

"Not exactly. It's a form of expression of different things, different feelings but 90% of the time it leads to sex, which is a sin outside marriage so...better to be safe than sorry."

"True that. I didn't regret it though. Did you?"

"I didn't either. You're the first girl I have ever kissed...but it can't happen again. I hope you understand?"

She nodded. He noticed the change in her countenance and regretted sounding so harsh.

"Look, Tisha I didn't mean to sound like that. It's just that, if I decide to go against everything I have and loose my self control, God won't be happy with me. I've never really spent much time with any girl before and I've certainly never stayed long enough to start developing feelings for one so..."

"You have feelings for me?"

"Yeah, I do. I don't want you to take this the wrong way okay? You're an amazing person"

She smiled.
"I'm going to die in a few days Sean. I don't have time to take anything anyway".

They were quiet for a while.
"Sean?"
"Yeah?"
"Can God really forgive me?"

Now you can begin.

Sean began to explain to her the wonders of God's love. He told her of the real reason behind the death of Christ, to save. He made her understand that no one was beyond saving and that if God could use Paul of Tarsus, who murdered Christians in large numbers to evangelize to thousands and thousands of people and bring them to him, he could save her. Three hours later, Tisha was on her knees, in tears, asking for God's forgiveness.

Roy watched from the window as Sean held Tisha's hands and was praying for her. She wrapped herself with her arms, a feeling of happiness mixed with grief rising from her stomach all the way to her chest and piercing her heart.
God had a plan, she knew. Why Tisha had to die in the course of the plan, she could not understand. She went out into the courtyard and sat on one of the broken plastic chairs to pray. She begged God to spare the girl.
She pleaded with Him to change His mind and change his plan so that she could live. The girl had a chance to live a life worthy of admiration.

Roy, my dear child, why is your heart so heavy? Why do you pray with so much sadness?

You know why my heart is heavy father. You know what I think before I think it.

Tell me.

She told him her thoughts concerning His plan for Tisha's life. She told him that Tosha should be given a second chance. She talked and talked for a long time, quoting numerous Bible passages to convince God that Tisha deserved to live.

My love, do you know what your purpose is in this world? You were created to serve me, to bring thousands of people to my kingdom. Some people are born into this world to die for others. Some are born to help others fulfil their own purpose. Every martyr of the faith gets to be a witness to the beautiful fruits of their sacrifice. Tisha's death is not for a meaningless cause. Her time in this world is ending. Her death is to herald one of the most powerful and most effective vessels I will ever create. That is why I sent Sean to bring her back to me. I will not have her go to hell. I know it may be pain and you may not yet grasp this, but trust in me my dear, because a crucial part of your destiny is intertwined with hers.

Roy sighed and put her head in her hands. She hoped God would give her the bravery to bear the grief of Tisha's death.
Her throat was parched. She went into the dining hall to get a drink when she saw him.
Spiky hair.
Shiny stubborn eyes.
That feminine pose.
She didn't want to jump to conclusions but that young man looked exactly like Andrey, her little brother.