8

 "Ya'll had better be ready in the next five minutes!"

Jem scrambled down the stairs in a rush. 

"Yes, Mom."

She helped the rest of her little siblings into the car, and they headed for church. 

The service was long, but Jem always tried to find some form of engagement in it. If not for herself, but for God. He must know she was committed and that she would not stray from his path. Know that these gifts he bestowed on her were not going to waste on a sinner or lukewarm believer. 

Jem's attention was snagged for a moment by the silhouette of their youth pastor standing in front of the church.

"Since I have returned from my mission trip, I've decided to start back up with our after-service youth group meetings. I know it's been a while since we've done this, but I saw the great effects it had on the youth in Puerto Rico, and it saddened me that we stopped the practice here. We will meet after this service." 

He paused, uncomfortably, as if he were being forced to speak, and cleared his throat before returning back to his seat next to Misty in the front pew. 

Jem felt herself growing excited. It had been over a year since they last did this. They'd discontinued it unintentionally after random events got in the way, then formally stopped when Pastor Taylor decided that they had done enough youth events to make up for it, and it wasn't logistically practical enough to continue them. Although these things started to become few and far between, like event day, which was once monthly but stopped halfway into the new decision. The only real good thing that came from it was a new and better timeslot for the dance troupe. 

Jem stilled for a moment. What about dance troupe? If the social hall was used afterward for community bonding, and then youth prayer group, would that mean dance troupe would be pushed down to the late evening? That wasn't fair. No one would have done that if Heidi were still leading. Was it just because Jem was in charge now? Just cause she's younger? She supposed they could move it to a weekday, but that was much trickier, and of course, they could just do it later in the day, but most of the girls' families only stuck around to drive them home because it was near the service time. If they pushed it any further, how many girls would she lose?

Jem bottled down her frustrations and tried to refocus her attention on the service, but it was so difficult with these panicked emotions flooding her head. 

She shakes herself back into the present. Edmond Tike stands before the congregation, speaking to them of his sins. 

"Today, I speak to you all, a cleansed man. A few months ago, I turned away from God. I now know how lost I was, and I reject that sinful life. I ask God for His forgiveness and for yours. May I be pliable clay in the potter's hand... And permit You to shape me into the person that You would have me be."

Jem looked around at the rest of the people, seeing either faces of sympathy or judgment. Personally, she would've hated either one. Sympathy of another is just judgment wearing a saddened mask. The only difference is their honesty. She tried her best to keep her expression unchanging, to be some form of solace to him if he looked her way. He didn't, but he also didn't look anyone else in the eyes after his short speech. Instead, she prayed for him, squeezing her hands together for his discomfort.

By the end of the service, Jem had nail markings on her knuckles.

The youth all gathered in the social hall, sitting in a circle, as the rest of the congregation left. 

"I just can't believe Edmond's back." One of the boys says.

"You know what he did?" Another boy joins in, "He was watching porn on his dad's computer."

"Watching what?" Becca asked, innocently. Jem patted her arm, hearing the boys chuckle.

"I'll tell you later," she said just to her.

"He's all quiet now." They continued.

"Yeah, well, he got whupped real good there. I mean, did you see his hand?"

Jem started to feel uncomfortable wit the topic. They were in a church, this was not the right topic of discussion for a youth group, especially right before prayer. Feeling responsible, as one of the eldest of the group, she tried to change the subject to something more civilized.

"That's why you got to be so careful with technology. It's the easiest way for Satan to reach you."

"Plenty of easier ways."

She startled and looked up to see Owen Taylor walk in. If she weren't so upset about dance troupe being moved, she might have made a quip back but she just stayed silent instead. 

"Hey, bro." he patted Ben's shoulder lightly, earning a small smile from him. 

This was the first time many of the kids were given time to actually speak with him since his return so the room was filled with questions of his trip.

"Oh, man. It was incredible. Yeah, it's beautiful, and the people from my church were all amazing. Got real into farming. Got myself a little green thumb." He stuck out his thumb, making some of the group laugh. 

Jem was only reminded of their discussion in his garden a few days prior. Not just about her unclean thoughts but also the fact that he had given her the charge over dance troupe but was now complicating it. Maybe he didn't even think about it, or didn't remember it was at this same time. Somehow that just frustrated her even more. 

"So... some parts of service were a little intense, huh?"

The group all agreed with hums and nods.

"Yeah. What I ask of you guys is that...we don't judge him too harshly. Because all of us have done things that we're ashamed of, right?"

More nods and agreeing hums. Jem stayed silent and unmoving.

"I had-- I had a plan for today, but I'm thinking, let's, uh--maybe we should change it up. Let's all stand. And let's get on the ground. Move the chairs to the wall."

They all did as they were told, including Jem, though she was resistent.

"Can you spit that out, please?"

Jem just about narrowed her eyes at him but controlled herself and went to th kitchen trash without a word to spit out her gum.

"Now I want ya'll to lie down, Find a space in the circle and just lower yourself to the ground. I know it might look uncomfortable but it's just linoleum flooring, you'll be alright."

Some of the kids were reluctant.

"Yep, that's right, just like you were lying in bed."

After a moment of hesitation, the entire group was laying on the ground.

"Now close your eyes, please." he said. Jem looked at him from where she lay, still upset but trying her hardest not to let it affect her prayer, "Now put your hands on your belly. We all share this ground that God gave us. God is giving us the gift of others who can share our burdens and whose burdens we share."

Jem closed her eyes. No matter what frustrations she had toward him, she wouldn't allow them to infringe on the relationship she had built with The Lord. Not any more than he already had.

~

"What's his deal?" One kid said as they were leaving the social hall.

"Puerto Rico changed him."

"Don't forget, you guys, we're having event day this week so be ready!" he called after them.

Jem tried to catch up with the rest of the girls from the troupe but most of them were already leaving.

"Chelsea!" she called to her, "Hey, are we still doing dance practice today?"

She gave her a guilty look, "Oh, sorry, I forgot. It's just kind of late and my folks have supper planned and all. I really am sorry, Jem, I liked your ideas."

Jem smiled, "No problem, we'll just find another time."

Becca caught up with her, "No practice then?"

"No," she replied, "Hey, you okay heading home by yourself? I'm gonna try and sort out a time with pastor Taylor."

Becca just nodded, "Yeah, I'm good."

They parted ways, and Jem headed back toward the now nearly deserted church.

Owen was sitting on a counter in the kitchen when she entered, about to pull something from his pocket, but stopped when he saw her.

"Hey Jem," he said, "How'd I do?"

She was caught by surprise since she wanted their first conversation to be about the dance troupe, but she remained civil, "It was good."

He squinted, "Really? You too?"

"Me too, what?" She almost sneered.

"You clearly didn't like it."

"No, I thought it was fine."

"Well, your tone isn't very reflective of that."

"Sorry about my tone, Owen."

He just smirked, "Come sit."

"No," she crossed her arms.

He rolled his eyes with a smile, "Okay, fine. But why'd you come back? You planning on washing more dishes?"

She flushed, "No, I wasn't. And never mind, I've decided to go home instead."

She left and biked home, catching up with Becca on her way.