…to go home.
“Are you okay, Bel? You look like you’ve seen a ghost!”
Bella blinked. She looked around and saw that the tower had glass windows and steel beams. Carpet, and people that dressed like she did.
“Eva, I’m okay.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.” Bella knew Eva wouldn’t understand. Her parents wouldn’t buy it either.
“Sweetheart, what happened?” Her dad sounded super concerned.
“I don’t know. I think I felt light-headed and then my legs forgot how to hold me up.”
“Okay, we’re going get you out of here and back to the hotel.”
While the Rhodes family waited for the elevator, a girl Bella’s age stared at her. Bella ignored her.
“You’re Bella, right? I’m Zee. I love writing. Your videos have inspired me to finish my first story!”
It was hard for Bella to concentrate. Her brain was flooded with memories of Babel. Where did it go? Where was Zion? Could she go back again?
“What’s your name?”
“Well, it’s Zeeamara, but I go by Zee.”
Bella heard the girl but couldn’t believe it.
Zee.
Like Zion.
I miss you, friend.
“Hi, Zee. Thanks for telling me that. I’m really glad I got to meet you.”
Bella noticed the girl was wearing a San Diego Padres ball cap with the navy interlocking SD embroidered on it.
“You’re not from San Diego, are you?” Bella asked.
“Yes, I am!”
“I saw your Padres cap and wondered.”
“I would guess that you don’t live in Chicago. I don’t think people who live here visit the top of Willis Tower often.” Zee looked at Bella like they were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years.
“We live in San Diego too!” Bella was excited.
They exchanged phone numbers and promised to keep in touch.
The Rhodes family walked outside, back into the chilly Chicago afternoon. Bella stopped and looked up at Willis Tower climbing toward heaven. It seemed impossible to think that just moments ago, she had climbed Babel. Here, back in the now, she felt different. More alive. God had shown up big time and protected her when she couldn’t protect herself.
God helped her stand up for what was right.
Bella took a deep breath. She followed her parents and sister down the street. Cold air whipped around her face and hair just like it had on the Tower of Babel.
She watched her breath blow away like smoky mist on the frigid air. As it disappeared, she couldn’t help but think of how quickly the Bible adventure at Shinar had vanished.
“Are you okay, honey?” It was her mom this time. “You seem quiet.”
Bella was thinking about her YouTube channel. She didn’t feel so anxious to check it as she did before. At least not for the same reason she had before this whole experience. She knew she’d made it her idol. The more subscribers she had, the more worthy she felt. It felt really good to have people acknowledge her.
But God just acknowledged her in a massive way!
Her heart had changed. She wanted His approval.
Bella knew right then what she had to do. She had to use her online presence to make God famous.
“I’m great!”
Bella grabbed one of her mom’s hands and one of Eva’s. She led them in skipping down the sidewalk.
“You’re weird!” Eva shouted.
“Thank you!”
It felt so good to be back with her family. Back to normal. Except it wasn’t normal, because the tower experience had opened her eyes to the love and power of God.
Bella had a random thought. She remembered that Zee mentioned finishing her story. She was curious. Bella pulled up Zee’s number and typed a quick text.
WHAT’S UR STORY ABOUT?
Bella closed her eyes and said a quick prayer. Thank You, Lord, for being with me. Thank You for loving me.
She didn’t know how all of it happened, but Bella was glad to have a new friend in Zee. God was so creative. Bella couldn’t wait to see what came next.
KIDS WHO GO BACK 2 BIBLE TIMES!
Bella almost dropped her phone. How could this be?
ZEE, UR STORY SOUNDS GREAT. I’D LUV 2 READ IT WHEN WE GET HOME.
“Stop looking at your phone,” Bella’s mom said. “We’re trying to be a family who interacts with each other on vacation.”
U SPELL MY NAME XI. LOL. THX 4 READING MY STORY.
“Okay, let me tell Xi bye.”
TTYL
A cold gust of wind blew over Bella and made her shiver. She started to put her phone in her pocket when her phone dinged. Xi was fast.
MY IST CHARACTER CLIMBS THE TOWER OF BABEL. LATER.
Bella spun around to see if Xi was still there, but she had disappeared into the crowd.