Free A Storybook Finish by Lauralee Bliss Page A

feeling
    you did. I heard you talking to Troy and Jewel in front of the
    Pilgrim painting. I knew you had to be a Christian.”
    fes to understanding Christianity but if you mean history I
    know nothing. I’m learning more on this trip than I ever did in
    four years of high school history. I wish you could have taken
    all your classes on this trip. They would have learned a lot.”
    I do too. But if the school board were to find out how I’m
    shoving religion down these students’ throats, they would
    probably throw me out.”
    “Then why are you doing it with these students in particular.
    “They all love history. Many have shown an interest in
    possibly becoming history majors in college. I’m showing
    them another version of history besides the kind I have to
    follow in the school. I want them to know that a greater
    hand lies behind all this history. During a lesson about the
    American Revolution, when I speak about a fog that suddenly
    overshadows the East River in Manhattan, allowing

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    General Washington to escape certain destruction, I don’t
    want them to think it was mere luck. I want them to see
    God’s hand in it.
    Lindsay chewed thoughtfully on her sandwich, reflecting
    on Jeff’s passion. In a strange way, they were very much alike.
    She wanted to reach out to the students as much as he did.
    What a pair they would make. She reached for the bottle of
    water to ease the tickle in her throat. JeffWheeler and her—a
    pair? Could it be? Or were they more like a sneaker paired
    with a combat boot?
    69 Jeff sensed a certain glee well up within him, though he tried
    hard not to show it. The lunch with Lindsay had turned into
    something far greater than anything he could have hoped or
    dreamed. No wonder he often heard the adage of not judging
    a book by its cover. No wonder God admonished His people
    not to leap to assumptions on a whim. He had leapt to judgments
    about her before finding out what lay buried beneath
    the tough, exterior image. He felt a certain relief in discovering
    another like-minded soul who wanted students to possess
    a knowledge of God.
    He watched Lindsay talk with Jewel during the trip. The
    two women had begun to forge a bond. The display motivated
    him to act. While on their way to the next destination, Jeff
    met up with Troy.
    “So do you have any questions about what we’ve seen so far.
    Nope.”
    Jeff raised an eyebrow at Troy’s short retort. “None? You
    mean, if I were to spring a quiz on you about the day’s events,
    you’d pass with flying colors?
    “I don’t know about that.
    Jeff could see an empty expression in the young man’s face,
    as if something troubled him. Did the lectures in the Capitol
    rattle the young man? Or were there other things at work?
    From their previous discussions, Jeff knew Troy held little
    reverence for God. The young man waved away religious

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    persuasion, claiming he had no use for some divine being
    after his drunken father abandoned his mother and younger
    brothers in their time of need. Troy refused to think God was
    in control after enduring such pain. Jeff rarely conversed with
    Troy about religion but decided to use the young man’s fascination
    for history as a vehicle for showing him the reality of
    God. Despite his efforts, Troy appeared more distant than ever.
    Lindsay now moved away from Jewel to interact with the
    other students. Like a hawk, Jeff watched Robbie swoop
    down on Jewel and engage her in conversation. When he did,
    Troy grew rigid. His face turned crimson. He left Jeff’s side
    and strode forward with determined steps toward Robbie.
    “Excuse me, but I think you’ve spent enough time talking
    to Jewel.”
    Robbie laughed. “What are you, her big brother? You are,
    aren’t you? Isn’t he, Jewel?”
    “Robbie, Troy’s very special. He’s—”
    “Sure. A brain on two legs. He’s nothing, Jewel. But if you
    want to talk to him, go right ahead. I won’t tell you who you
    can and can’t talk to.