Eventually Joyce did hang out with Rachel. Rachel told Joyce about her life growing up with a single mom—Joyce could relate. Joyce wanted to do something else with Rachel later in the week, but she said that she was busy, though she offered an invitation for Joyce to come to a bible study. Joyce saw it as a way to get away from Matthew so she accepted without hesitating.
There was something different about the youth pastor. He was young, and married, but he seemed like he came from a different era, or life. Rachel told Joyce that he is like that because he spent three years away at bible school down south. Joyce was curious about what they did to you at Bible College. He wore clothes that a teenager would wear, but his wife said he did that because he spends a lot of time with teenagers. His wife, who was seven months pregnant, spoke to Joyce for a bit. She commented on how pretty Joyce was, with her long sandy blond hair, her sharp face and complexion—although she was able to tell that Joyce wore contacts. She made no comment about Joyce’s smile since her face was serious most of the time, except for the few instances Rachel made her crack a smile. Rachel’s youth pastor gathered the group together and started the bible study. He spoke about becoming a good and faithful servant and giving your all for Jesus and not giving up. He spoke with a lot of passion while the rest responded by giving him their attention. One of the guys stated how he longed for the day when he would be standing before God, and how much he longed to hear Him say, “Well done, you good and faithful servant.” Oddly enough the youth pastor rebuked him and told him a story of a man who had died and was standing before God. The man had worked his whole life for God, helped translate the New Testament into a remote tribal language, and witnessed to people who would kill him for his faith. He even turned down marriage to a godly woman for the sake of the Kingdom. However, when this man had died and was standing in the presence of God, he wept and became angry, because he saw another man who had just given his life to Christ a few moments before he died, and before that this man lived a terrible sinful life. The man was angry because God and the other angels were celebrating and having a feast for this sinful man. He then told him the parable of the prodigal son, and emphasized, “It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.” Joyce pondered what all this meant.
They ended the bible study, and then Joyce hung around with Rachel at the youth pastor’s house. They ate potato chips, while some of the guys threw the potato chips at the girls. Rachel started passing a volleyball around, which became a game where the ball had to be kept off of the floor—they eventually had to stop because Joyce accidentally smashed a picture frame.
When Joyce got home it was passed midnight, and Matthew was upset. Joyce was determined that it was none of his business, and that he had no right to think he was her father. Joyce kept silent and did not say anything while he lectured:
“I told you that I didn’t want you out late again!”
Joyce kept silent.
“Don’t give me that.”
Joyce turned her head and looked at the floor.
“Fine. Have it your way. Tomorrow you’re going to stay home with me and we’re going to… we’re going to…”
Joyce could tell that Matthew had no clue of how to punish her.
“…we’re going to read the bible.”
Joyce quickly turned her head and looked up. She was surprised, and most certainly confused.
Related posts: