Free Pierced by Love by Laura L. Walker

up tents and cook outdoors but how a real father-and-son relationship worked as well. They’d given him a sense of purpose, direction, and love. At times, Pierce had felt closer to the Levingtons than his own family. In fact, it was John Levington who had ordained Pierce to the priesthood because his dad had become inactive by then.
    “I’ll see you later,” he told Kurt, slapping his back. He thanked Brother and Sister Ingleson and drove home, thinking about all of the things he needed to do the following morning. Tonight, however, there was someone he needed to call. He pulled his cell phone out and dialed her number.

SEVEN

    H ELLO?”
    “Hi, Mom.”
    “Pierce.” He could hear the smile in her voice as she greeted him. “How’s my handsome ‘middle son’ doing?”
    Pierce recalled a time when he was about seven or eight years old and he was feeling overlooked by being the middle child. A mild complaint to his mom had prompted her loving embrace and the tender words that were whispered in his ear. “How could I ever forget my middle son? He’s my ray of sunshine when my clouds are gray.”
    A laugh escaped his lips. “You don’t have to call me that anymore, Mom. I’m over it. How’s life going for you?”
    “Couldn’t be better. I’m keeping busy with my job and my calling with the Young Women.” His mom was the Young Women president in her ward. “What about you, Pierce? How are your classes going?”
    He sighed. “Okay, I guess. I’m already sick of this semester. I just want to finish and graduate.”
    “All in good time,” she answered cheerfully. “Pierce, honey, I know you’re getting anxious because it feels like everything is on hold right now. But you need to leave it in the Lord’s hands.”
    “So you’re telling me to stop whining and be patient?”
    “And trust in the Lord. We are always told that ‘faith without works is dead.’ But waiting on the Lord is just as important. Maybe there’s a reason you need to be there now that you aren’t aware of yet.”
    “Hmm. Maybe.” He rolled that idea around in his head for a moment.
    “Are you meeting any pretty girls up there?”
    Suddenly, Pierce’s chest felt tight. This topic of conversation never lasted too long with his mom, mostly because Pierce never felt comfortable discussing it. “Uh, yeah. There are a lot of beautiful girls here.”
    “I’m sure. Any special one catch your eye yet?” she asked meaningfully.
    “No, Mom.” But if that were true, then why did his mind conjure Noelle Jensen’s face at her question? Deciding to turn the topic on her, he countered, “But I hear you’re dating someone.”
    “Have you been talking to Craig or Gage?”
    “Both, actually.”
    He heard his mom sigh. “Craig met Eric last month and, as far as I can tell, he thinks that Eric is good for me. Gage is a little distrustful of him.”
    Which made sense, Pierce knew, because his older brother was still active in the Church and his younger brother was not.
    “We’re all grown men, Mom, so don’t worry about what any of us think of him. If he makes you happy, that’s all that matters. As long as he’s a member of the Church, which I assume he is.”
    “He is,” she affirmed. “His wife died about two years ago. His children are mostly grown except a daughter who will graduate from high school soon. He has a son on a mission now.”
    Suddenly, Pierce broke out into a cold sweat. “What will happen if you the two of you get married while he’s still on his mission?”
    Neither of them spoke for a moment. Pierce knew this wasn’t like his situation, but in his mind, he couldn’t stop the horrible memory from slamming in. His mission president calling him in and explaining the situation. Handing the phone over to Pierce and allowing him to call his parents. The shameful tears afterward. President Dryer gently enfolding Pierce into his arms. His companion’s helpless expression as they rode back to their apartment. And