Hello everyone! I think I am going to stop doing Across the Sea, since it had many errors and in my opinion it wasn't very interesting anyway. I have recently started a novel called Healer of Pain. I am very far into it and I thought since this is a very long story, it would be good to post a chapter every week.
That's all! Enjoy your day! Without farther ado, I present...
Healer of Pain—
B I R D O F H O P E
T h e S t o r y o f Ca l e b P e t e r s
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I
am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
—The Bible
Caleb stood up and made his way out of the rows of benches. He went down the hall to the bathroom when he stopped and heard a familiar voice.
“It sounds amazing. When is it? That soon…I wonder what it will be like…” The voice trailed off and Caleb recognized who it was instantly. It was his friend Marion. They had known each other practically all their life, since they went to the same church.
The other man in the room, suddenly noticed Caleb through the crack of the door.
Caleb went to leave, but the man inside waved his arms and motioned for him to come in and sit down.
“Is there something wrong?” Caleb asked nervously. He was very shy and quiet and wondered why someone would call him in.
“No, not at all.” The man was the Pastor of the Church of Truth. Mr. Riley Davis. Mr. Riley cleared his throat and began: “I’ve been thinking about Marion’s brother, Arther. He left those long ten years ago, when he went to Peru to teach, and I was so unbearably upset when I heard of his death. But nevertheless, I think his going was very special and important.”
Caleb nodded, “Of course.”
The middle-aged man emerged from his chair and stretched. “I was wondering…how would you like to go on a mission?”
The words stunned Caleb.
Marion giggled. “I think it will be good for you.”
Caleb stammered, “I—I don’t think I could…go all the way across the world?”
Mr. Riley laughed. “Oh no, Caleb. Not that far, not yet. We were thinking somewhere between North Carolina and South Carolina. I’ve asked many people but most have declined. What say you, Caleb?”
Caleb was still very surprised. This is what he’d always wanted to do. Ever since Arther stood up on stage that morning and told the church he was going to the South Coast, and Caleb just watched with admiring eyes. Caleb was only ten years at that time. And he had never been sadder than when they heard of Arther’s death.
Caleb was lost in thought and Marion elbowed him. “Oh, sorry.” Caleb adjusted his sleeve buttons and asked, “Does my mom know?”
Mr. Riley nodded his head. “I had a talk with her yesterday evening. She was very fine of your going. But you are not forced.”
“Do it, Caleb. Me and Andrew are going.”
Caleb turned to Marion who spoke. “What if I decline…” His voice trailed off and he glanced out the window.
“I’ll persuade you.” Marion smiled.
Caleb looked at Marion and then at Mr. Riley. “I’ll go.” He decided.
Mr. Riley shook his hands and smiled happily. “I am glad you chose this, Caleb. It will do you some good.”
That day, Caleb walked home from church alone. He thought about his decision. Was it right to do this? Caleb was scared of his own shadow up until he was six. And he never went to big social things. He liked quiet and peace. That was how it always was.
Someone ran up to him. They patted him on the back and laughed. “Hey, just who I wanted to see! This is going to be great!” The friendly, childish voice was Andrew, Caleb’s lifelong friend.
“You think so?” Caleb asked honestly.
“I know so. Me, you, Marion—It’ll be a blast. And maybe one day we’ll actually get to go to a foreign country like real missionaries.”
Caleb sighed. “But what if I don’t know what to say? Or how to say it?”
Andrew rested his arm on Caleb’s shoulders. “Relax. I’m sure the words will just come to you.”
The weeks slipped by slowly. Caleb sorted his disordered thoughts. Going to a different state to bring revival sounded terrifying. At least he had his friends to keep his sanity. Marion had a good way with words and she was rather poetic, and Andrew seemed to never have a fear or care in the world. He just took life as it is and did everything laid back and easy-going.
Caleb arrived at his home and fell asleep on his bed, journal in hand. When he was in his bed, eyes closed, everything seemed to be just right. But just as he shut his eyes, it felt like only a second before they shot back open, hours later. He heard his mother’s voice. She was on the phone. But with who?
Caleb groggily slumped out of bed and into the livingroom.
His mother noticed him and put a finger to her lips. Finally she was finished.
“Who was that?” Caleb waited patiently for an answer. Though he had many faults, something he did not lack was patience. That was something he grew to achieve by his quiet nature.
“That was…that was your uncle.” Mother looked surprised.
“Dad’s brother?” Caleb came closer.
“Y—yes. After all these years, he’s really visiting. And he’s bringing his son.”
“His what?” Caleb blurted out. “When?”
“Tomorrow evening. He would to stay a few days if it is okay. Of course you’ll have to give up your bed and such, but…” Mother put down the phone that was attached to the black wire hanging down the side of the coffee table.
“Mom…I’m leaving in a week.”
“I know that, but he hasn’t seen us in years. And you’ve never even met your cousin. And I’m sure they’ll be gone before the end of the week.”
Caleb nodded and inhaled a deep breath.
The house was quiet.
Caleb decided to go back to his room.
He plopped on his bed. “Why me? Why now?” He wondered and then wrote his thoughts in his journal and laid in bed once more. But he couldn’t get the butterflies out of his stomach. Uncle Lawrence had never been there for his family. He never called or visited or sent money when his family needed it most. As years went on, they soon just forgot about him altogether. And another thing: Uncle Lawrence was a cold, stubborn, atheist. He shunned Dad for two whole years when Dad first got baptized. And Caleb was next to be as well. And his son? Caleb didn’t even know he had a son. Who was this mysterious cousin?
Caleb reached for his pillow. He buried his face and tried to forget all of his troubles.
Beep, beep, beep, beep…
Caleb felt like smashing the alarm clock with a hammer. He forgot today was Monday. He was completely unprepared. Today was the last Monday of Collage before graduation.
Caleb dressed and brushed his teeth, and went to dash out the door when Mom stopped him and gave him some lunch. “Make sure you are all the ready when school’s finished. I don’t know how early your uncle could arrive.”
Caleb nodded and hopping on his bicycle, peddled fast as a jet through the quiet streets. His two friends caught up with him on their rides.
“What’s new?” Andrew called from behind him.
“Come up here and I’ll tell you.” Caleb slowed down while Andrew peddled faster to ride along side him.
“You look different. What’s upsetting you?” Marion asked.
“My uncle’s visiting. He, uh…” Caleb hesitated.
“He’s what?” Andrew moved closer. “C’mon, you can tell us.”
“Well, you see…he’s not exactly a Christian or anything…”
“I thought none of your relatives were Christians,” Marion said.
“Yeah, none of ours are either. You know what my dad’s like.” Andrew glanced away.
Caleb continued, “Well, I know that. But Uncle Lawrence, he’s—he’s different. I mean, he’s been in and out of jail, and he…there’s constantly rumors about him. He’s an atheist. And he never cared a bit for our family. I thought the few remaining days would be easy for me. But it looks like going to Carolina will be easier.” Caleb looked at his watch. “We’d better hurry. School’s hard as it is.”
“Yeah,” Marion agreed. “I wonder what it would be like to attend one of those private Christian Collages.”
“It seems nice,” Caleb thought about how enjoyable it would be there, at Ivy Springs, instead of what poor school they attended now: Jabeth Collage. One of the worst places on earth. Caleb had no choice, if he wanted an education. He lived in a poor neighborhood with not a lot of money. They all did, except for Marion. She was fairly rich, but chose to stay with her friends rather than attend the private school by herself. They needed one another. The three friends formed a chain that couldn’t be broken. Each link grabbed ahold of the other. It had always been that way. And they were sure that is how it would stay.
The chattering stopped when they reached their dreaded destination. They parked their bikes and shivered in the fall wind. They looked at the clock. Exactly ten minutes before class began.
“We’re early!” Andrew sighed a dramatic sigh of relief. “Let us treasure these few precious moments before the winds of agony carry us into the classroom.” His dramatic talk made Marion giggle.
They sat in the hallway on fold up chairs and watched as the students entered and ran to meet their friend and started up a conversation. They seemed like bees buzzing around so noisily.
Just then a hand fell on Caleb’s shoulder.
“Caleb! Long time no see.”
Caleb groaned. “Not really, Matthew.” He gently shoved the hand off his shoulder.
“We would’ve seen you earlier if you hadn’t been sent home so early on Friday. Or if you would come to church, once in awhile.” Andrew commented.
Matthew sighed and sat next to him. “I like spending my weekends wisely, not sitting in a stuffy building singing and listening to long, long, yacking.”
“Preaching.” Andrew corrected.
Matthew grinned and chuckled. “You are so funny. You and Marion both. Always defending Caleb as his little sidekick. You know he can’t process most things in his itsy bitsy brain.”
Andrew stood up, angry now. “Leave.”
Caleb gave him a warning glance. He hated being the cause of arguments. “Andrew, sit down.” He mumbled, trying not to let Matthew hear. But he did.
“See, even your master tells you to be quiet, and you always want to obey your master, don’t you? Isn’t that what the Bible says?” He said in a mocking tone.
“What on earth are you talking about? Master? Really? Just leave.” The red was growing in Andrew’s steaming face. Everyone knew Andrew had an anger problem. And you didn’t want to be in the way when he lost his temper.
Finally, afraid it would get worse, Caleb stepped in. As he went to talk, the school bell rung. It was time for class. The long tortuous day had begun.
“Looks like you’re too late, friend.” Matthew spoke quietly as he shoved past them.
Andrew glared at Matthew’s despised back until he went through the door and disappeared into the classroom.
“We got to go. You shouldn’t have said anything.” Caleb objected.
“I resent that.”
“Andrew!” Marion scolded. “You know what it says in the Bible. Now let’s go.”
The three walked into class and kept their thoughts to themselves...
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