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Rachel
Rachel watched her longtime friend hang up the phone. “Send who to you? What’s going on?”
“Zoe. My granddaughter. She’s in trouble, I think.” Esther sounded scared. This wasn’t like her. If she was ever fearful, she hid it well.
“How old is she now?” She added the word “now” as if she had any idea how old the child was. Time flew so fast, the kid could be thirty for all she knew.
“Sixteen.”
Rachel whistled. “That’s a tough one.”
Esther looked defensive. “That’s a bunch of malarkey. The teen numbers are the same as any other number. A human doesn’t get to lose their mind when they’re thirteen.”
“I didn’t say that—”
“It’s like our world convinces teenagers that they have a right, no more than that, a duty to be a punk until they turn twenty. But that’s a lie. Back in my day, teenagers were respectful, responsible young adults.”
Rachel held up one hand to stop the sermon. “I’m on your side, Esther. I wasn’t arguing with you. Nor was I trying to speak some sort of chaos over Zoe’s life.”
Esther closed her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m a little overwhelmed right now. I found Derek sitting on the front steps. He should be back any minute.”
Rachel didn’t want to be done talking about the girl. “Forget the big lie that teens are automatically punks. I’m trying to make a separate point. I’m saying that since the Lord invented hormones, being a teenage girl isn’t easy.”
Esther laughed. “I guess I’ve forgotten. But menopause was no picnic.”
Rachel joined her in her laughter. “True. But back to Zoe. So her parents get divorced, and then her mother moves her halfway across the country.” She held up a hand to stave off another defensive tirade. “I’m not blaming Christy for anything. I’m only recounting the facts. So Zoe is in a new place with a new stepfather and a new baby sister, and she just started a new school year. There could be jerks in her class. Or maybe she’s all gaga over some boy. Probably some boy broke her heart. So she’s acting out. What did Christy say, exactly?” Was that prying? “If you don’t mind me asking.”
Esther took a deep breath. “I think it’s more than that unless Christy is exaggerating. She’s drinking—”
“Which could very well be due to the boys.”
“And maybe using drugs.”
Uh-oh. That wasn’t good.
“And she’s skipping school—”
“Which fits perfectly with my theory.”
Esther scowled at her. “And according to Christy, she’s hanging out with criminals.”
Double uh-oh. “I see. So you have invited her to come here?”
Esther looked around the sanctuary. “I panicked. They are thinking about sending her to some home for wayward juveniles.”
A pain stabbed Rachel’s chest. Esther was right. She had to interfere. “Will your building let her stay with you?”
“I think so. Why wouldn’t they? It’s not a nursing home.”
Oops, Rachel hadn’t meant to offend.
Esther gave her a crooked smile that told her she wasn’t hurt. “Just because it’s a building full of lonely old people doesn’t mean it doesn’t allow teenagers.” She chuckled dryly.
“And can you afford to take care of her? Food? Clothing? Stuff she’ll need for school?”
Esther slowly shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.”
Rachel patted her knee. “Don’t worry. We’ll help you with that.”
Esther snickered. “We bought a church! Now we’re all broke!”
Rachel laughed too. “I know, I know. But we’ll figure it out. Neither of you will go hungry.” She leaned back against the pew and looked up at the wooden cross. “You were right. At first I thought you were a little crazy to be making the offer, but I don’t see as you had any other choice. And this will probably be the opportunity of a lifetime.”
“I hope so. I want what’s best for Zoe.”
“Well, yeah. That too. But I meant the opportunity of a lifetime for you.”
A hopeful smile spread across Esther’s face, and the sight of it made Rachel’s heart warm.
The church door opened, and they both turned to look.
Vicky stepped into the sanctuary. “Why is that criminal camped out on our front steps, and who raked the lawn?”
