29

Nia walked into her dorm room.

Tanya’s bed was clear, but there were boxes filled haphazardly with Nia’s clothes. Tanya’s closet was empty.

Tanya was eighteen and had a right to do what she wanted. But she probably wouldn’t have been invited to stay with Sunny if it wasn’t for Nia. That made it Nia’s fault—responsibility—whatever one called it. But then again, Tanya had been the one to take Nia to Helping Hands in the first place.

“God, tell me what to do.” She waited. Only silence. Maybe she’d been mistaken at the puzzle store. Maybe it hadn’t been a message from God but lack of food. She’d overreacted to the whole situation. Maybe she’d make a mistake not moving in with Sunny and her friends. Sunny’s angry face flashed before her. No. It hadn’t been a mistake. Sunny had proven that when she’d grabbed Nia and tried to force the issue. Not quitting school was the exact right thing to do. Nia picked up her phone and hit Cooper’s number.

He answered on the first ring. “Hey, Nia. I’m so glad to hear your voice. I wasn’t sure if I would ever hear from you again.”

“Yeah, I can understand that. I have a lot to tell you, but first I have a question.”

“Shoot.”

“I was in the mall and saw a puzzle of Puzzle House. Or at least I think it’s Puzzle House.”

He laughed. “I can’t believe you came across one of those. It probably is Puzzle House. The company we use to make our puzzles approached me and asked if they could distribute our puzzles on a wider scale. They were very generous with the financial terms, so it made it hard to turn down.”

“I think that puzzle saved my life.”

There was silence for a moment and then Cooper said, “Do tell.”

She told him about Sunny and Helping Hands. She could picture Cooper closing his eyes, asking for God’s guidance.

“That may not have been a face-to-face with Jesus, but it sure sounds like a face-to-face with the Holy Spirit. I agree with you. I think God protected you today.”

“That’s what it felt like to me, too. But I’m not sure what He protected me from. Sunny was always nice. I never sensed that she was dangerous. Until today.”

“False doctrine is always a dangerous thing, Nia.”

False doctrine. Those were the same words Dr. Danforth had used. And now that she thought about it, Sunny had said Jesus was a great teacher but hadn’t said much when Nia had said he was the Son of God. Why hadn’t Nia noticed that before? “I guess you’re right.” Her gaze fell on the crystal sitting on her desktop. More false doctrine. What had she been thinking?

“So will I see you this summer?”

Nia smiled. “I have to think about—no pray about it. But even if I don’t spend the summer, I will come visit you.”

“You promise?”

“Yes, I promise.”

“So how’s the food at St. John’s? Need some of my cookies?”

She laughed.

“I’ve missed hearing that laugh.”

“So have I, Cooper. I think I’ve been taking myself way too seriously lately.”

After saying good-bye to Cooper, she picked up the crystal and tossed it into the trashcan. By the time she was finished putting all her clothes away, she knew what to do. Tanya’s parents needed to know what Tanya was up to. And Dr. Danforth would know how to get hold of them. She found the card Dr. Danforth had given her.

The door opened. Tanya walked in with her duffel bag.

“Oh, Tanya. I’m so glad you’re back.” The relief in Nia’s heart was almost overwhelming. “I was worried about you.”

Tanya stalked past her. “Well, I’m not glad about it. It seems the invitation was for both of us and since you changed your mind, my invitation was rescinded. Thanks a lot.” She glared at Nia. “I really hate having you as a roommate, and if I’m here next year, you can be sure we won’t be roommates again.”

Nia shrugged off the stinging words. “Well, sorry about that, but I really think it’s better this way.”

“Better for who? Not for me. You have no idea how hard it is living with a saint.”

“I’m not a saint, Tanya. But there’s something way off about Sunny and Helping Hands. I didn’t see it before, but you should have seen how she acted when I told her I wasn’t living with them.

Tanya flopped down on her bed. “One thing’s for sure. I’m not doing any more of my volunteer hours there. They don’t want me so that’s that. I’m never going back there. Ever.”

“Neither am I. There’s something very wrong there. Let’s go eat dinner.”

“Dinner? What? Now you think we’re buddies? Well, we aren’t. In fact, let’s just pretend as if we both live alone. OK?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean don’t talk to me. Now or ever. Just leave me alone. That shouldn’t be all that hard to do since you mostly ignore me anyway. Especially when we’re out of this room.”

Nia wanted to protest, but Tanya was right. She hadn’t tried very hard to be friends with the girl. In fact, she’d pretty much done the opposite. “Tanya—”

“I said don’t talk to me.” She held up a hand. “I’ve never been so insulted in my life. I can’t believe they didn’t want me. And after all she said on the phone about me being so special. Having gifts.”

“I’m sure you do. God gives everyone gifts. You just haven’t found yours. Yet. But you will one of these days.”

She glared at Nia. “Shut up and stop talking to me. Jesus freak.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not doing that. We live in the same room so we have to talk with each other. So let’s go eat.”

“No. Leave me alone. Sunny did say if I could talk you into coming back then I could stay too. So if you want me to talk with you then tell me you’ll change your mind, and we’ll both go back to Helping Hands.”

“Well, I’m definitely not going back.”

Tanya’s feelings were obviously hurt by Sunny’s rejection.

Nia sat down on the bed. “But Sunny doesn’t know what she missed. You really are special.”

“You really think so?”

The Bible assured that everyone had a gift and was special in the eyes of the Lord. Nia nodded. “I’m sure God has great plans for you.”

Tanya rolled her eyes. “You know you really are a Jesus freak.” But she smiled a little as she said the words.

Nia touched her arm. “Can we be friends again?”

“I don’t know. I’ll think about it.”

“Good. I’ll see you later. Unless you want to go eat with me?”

Tanya shook her head.

Nia left, but she wasn’t really hungry for food. She was hungry for God. When she entered the chapel, it was quiet. She moved to the front and knelt down at the altar. “Please forgive me. I…I am sorry.” Tears trickled down her cheeks. “For believing Sunny’s words instead of Yours. I know I have no power apart from You. You are Jehovah Rapha, the Lord Who heals. Your power. Not mine. I’m so sorry.” For a long time, she had no words. Instead she let God bathe her in His healing love. Finally, she found her voice once again. “Thank You, God, for Your protection every day but especially today. I’m not exactly sure what would have happened but I do know that it wouldn’t have been good. But I still don’t understand what You want me to do.”

My ways are not your ways.

Nia couldn’t disagree with that.