Free Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers Page A

herself watching for him. He always waited until she finished practicing before he asked if she’d heard anything from Joshua.
    “I got a letter yesterday. He said he’s discovering muscles he didn’t know he had. And he went down to Monterey again.”
    “He makes Monterey sound like a beautiful place, doesn’t he?”
    “Is he coming home after boot camp?”
    “We can hope so.”
    She hadn’t talked to Pastor Zeke this much since she was living in his house.

    Joshua loved mail call. Dad wrote frequently, but Abra was writing less and less, and her letters were brief and stilted.
Dear Joshua,
How are you? Fine, I hope. I am well and working hard.
    She wrote about homework assignments and teachers, never about Penny or her other friends.
    Tearing open Dad’s envelope, Joshua unfolded the single sheet filled with his father’s neat cursive writing.
My dearest Joshua,
May this letter find you well in body and in Spirit. I miss our long talks over morning coffee. I’m glad you’ve found buddies willing to spend time in Bible study. When two or three are gathered in His name, Christ is among you, and He will comfort and strengthen you when you need it most.
Priscilla and Peter came by the house. They are very concerned about Abra, as am I. She goes to Mitzi’s every day after school now. She hardly speaks to Penny. Priscilla thinks Abra is jealous over some boy who likes Penny. I pray that both girls will come to care for each other as sisters should. They were so close before Peter and Priscilla adopted Abra. We all hoped their friendship would grow into a true sisterly bond.
Abra has a good friend in Mitzi. She is a good woman who loves the Lord. I know she’ll do all she can to keep Abra in the boat while going down the rapids.
On a happier note, Abra is becoming a wonderful pianist. She told Mitzi she no longer feels like throwing up every time she plays in front of the congregation. Sometimes I think she wants to talk to me, and I leave my door open. Mitzi gives us space, but Abra stays silent. I broke Abra’s trust, and I can only pray and wait and hope someday she will accept my love again.

Dear Joshua,
You’ll be happy to know that Penny and I are on speaking terms again. We both liked Kent Fullerton. Remember the Adonis I told you about? He’s our star quarterback with half the girls in school pining for his attention. He showed some interest in me, until Penny decided to steal him. But easy come, easy go. Now her heart is broken because he’s going out with Charlotte. Penny said it had to do with Peter’s no-dating-until-16 rule, but I think it has to do with wanting a girl who will sit in the back row of the Swan Theater. You know what they do in the back row, don’t you? Penny is doing a passable job of acting like she doesn’t care.
I miss you, Joshua. I haven’t had a hamburger and shake since you left! But I’m mad at you, too. You invited your dad to your boot camp graduation ceremony. Why didn’t you invite me? I would have come. I wouldn’t care if I missed church for the rest of my life! And don’t tell me I should be ashamed of myself for having such a bad attitude. I hear that enough from Mitzi.
I am mad at her right now, too. She already made me learn to play every hymn in the book, but that’s not good enough for her. Now she’s making me memorize a different one every week. I was so mad I wanted to punch her. She just smiled.
I took her copy of “Maple Leaf Rag” and said I wasn’t giving it back. She came right out on her front porch and yelled loud enough for everyone in the neighborhood to hear that I’d never get the rhythm right without her. Priscilla and Peter said I can practice at the house, but I know that won’t last. There’s always the piano at church, but I don’t think your dad or the board would approve. Do you? Ha-ha.
Write soon. I love you.
Abra

    Zeke entered Bessie’s café and found the booths all full of early morning customers. He spotted Dutch on