The Greatest of These (Sequel to Kansas Summer) -- Faith

April 15, 2004

--Colin

                I close the store early in preparation for the Frisbee playoffs.  Turning the key in the lock, I give the handle one last shake to ensure that it is locked.  However, it is not the thought of theft that has me worried.  The scare earlier this week with the electrical fire prompted me to turn off the electricity before I left the store.  I whisper a quick prayer for protection for the store.  Was that allowed?  I guess it didn’t really matter; I know that God will provide for us, no matter what happens.  Still, God’s plan in my mind is to take care of what little we have, so precautions must be taken.

.               .               .

                Jenna again is outside the door as soon as I pull in the drive.  I am overwhelmed by the love that I feel for and from her as I swing her around in my arms, savoring the tinge of apple perfume that hangs around her.  I feel her body, filling in nicely from years of neglect and abuse, but the most pleasing thing about my Jenna is her face.  We touch foreheads and I have the unique privilege of staring into her eyes, those deep brown eyes once filled with fear and pain, now full of youth and wonder.  Her smile melts my heart as it too melts into a kiss.

                “Feel like some dinner?” she asks, taking my hand and leading me into the house.

                “Yes, please,” I tell her, opening the door.

                “I’ve got your suitcase all packed, darling,” Jenna tells me once we are inside.

                “Thank you very much,” I grin, giving her a kiss on the cheek.  She squeezes up happily at the touch of my lips like a schoolgirl.  “I love you,” I add softly.  Jenna’s smile again breaks my heart.

                “I know.  I love you too, Colin.”  She shrugs my hand off of her waist, walking towards the kitchen.  “I wish we could spend this weekend together, but you have somewhere to be, Mr. King.  Now, would you like a sandwich or something?”

                “I would love a sandwich, Jen.  And I wish I could spend this weekend with you too, but I have a team to coach.”

                “You’ve done an excellent job this year.  I’m proud of you.  The town is proud of you.  Nobody could have expected the turn-around that happened to the team.”

                “Well, Jen,” I confess, “It wouldn’t have been possible without you.  You taught me how to be patient.  To show compassion.  To be forgiving.  And all of that waiting, praying, hoping—it was worth it.  Before you left, I never could have imagined how difficult it was going to be to finally be where we are right now.  The lessons I learned were invaluable.  Thank you.”  With a kiss on the top of her head, I leave the kitchen and walk towards the bedroom.

                “Where are you going?” Jenna asks from the kitchen.

                “Oh, I’m just going to take a quick shower,” I reply.  Immediately, I hear the knife drop on the counter and the sound of Jenna’s feet running across the linoleum.

                “Not without me, you’re not!” she grins, running past me and beating me to our bathroom.  “I’m not going to waste any time I have with you if you’re going to be gone for three days!”

.               .               .

                I’m still grinning as I drive the aging van across the desolation that is Interstate 70 across northern Kansas.  Half of the team makes a ruckus in the back seat, but the noise doesn’t bother me.  I have other things on my mind.

                “Colin, are you nervous for this weekend?” Mr. Kenner asks from the passenger seat.

                I nod a little bit, trying not to divert my attention from Jenna, but she mostly occupies my thoughts.  “Yeah?”

                “Are you nervous for the competition?” Mr. Kenner repeats.

                “No.  Whatever happens, happens.  We will either win the whole thing, or we will lose.”

                “That’s pretty unenthusiastic coming from someone who was the 1998 MVP.”

                “Now when did I say that I didn’t have faith in them?  They’ve gotten this far, haven’t they?  Why shouldn’t they be able to go all the way?”

                Mr. Kenner chuckles.  “Now that’s the Colin King I remember.”