Rhys
Repentance [ree-pen-tens] n—Change that lasts forever
“I want to be baptized.”
Elder Marsden looks at me, unconvinced. “What’s changed?”
Supe nods encouragingly, and I turn to Elder Marsden. “Everything.”
Elder Marsden leans forward. So does his new companion, Elder Barnes. Neither says a word, but both wait expectantly for my answer.
“Emmy was in a car accident.”
Elder Marsden frowns, and I can tell he thinks I still want to be baptized for her.
I hold up a hand. “It’s not like that. Right before I found out she was in a car accident, I had a dream.” I shake my head. “That’s not important either. Anyway, that night, my roommate came in, told me what had happened. I went to the hospital. She was a mess. Wild. Thrashing in her bed. Nothing would calm her. But then her dad gave her a blessing, and this power filled the room. And I . . .” I choke up. “I left her.”
“You broke up?”
I nod and say again, “I knew I could never give her that, so I drove away and found myself in front of the temple. I prayed. Or yelled. I don’t know. Is cursing heaven considered a prayer?”
Elder Marsden chuckles. “Prayer can take many forms.”
I nod. “This one was angry. But then when I calmed down, I felt the same power that filled hospital room. And I think—I mean, I know I got an answer.”
Elder Marsden smiles. “What was the answer?
“That it’s true. And to call you guys.” I laugh under my breath. “No offense, but I took my time with that one and had Supe teach me the lessons. I was kinda hoping you’d get transferred, Elder Marsden.”
His companion laughs, and a smile lights Elder Marsden’s face. “No offense taken.”
“So what now?” I ask.
Elder Marsden laces his fingers in his lap. “That depends on you. Now that you have answers, what are you going to do with them?”
The answers I received were unmistakable. Mom needs more help. Thinking about putting Mom in a home fills me with dread, but it’s the right decision. Emmy is harder. There’s no way I will hurt her again. It would destroy both of us. To be able to be with her, I have to go to church. I have to read the scriptures and become the man she wants me to be. The man God wants me to be. I need to do this on my own before I can be with her.
I know what I’m going to do with my answers. “Follow them,” I say.
Elder Marsden nods his approval. “That’s good, Rhys.”
“Actually,” I clear my throat. “It’s Brother Solario.”