Free As You Wish by Robin Jones Gunn Page B

couple of weeks ago because I wanted to stick with the full class schedule I have this fall and I wanted to play baseball in the spring. I knew I couldn’t give the time that would be needed. I’m better off volunteering than being responsible for the whole program.”
    Todd threw his arm around Matt’s shoulder, hugged him from the side, and said, “I appreciate your heart, Matt.”
    Christy smiled warmly at Matt. She was trying to come up with something appropriate to say when the pager on Matt’s belt beeped.
    He jumped slightly and said, “My roommate gave me this crazy thing so he can always get ahold of me.” He pulled it off and checked the number. “I’ll be right back.”
    Christy and Todd stood alone in the youth room, and she said, “You know what? This is where you belong. You were created for this.”
    Todd ran his hand across his smooth, square jaw. “You think so?”
    Christy nodded. “Remember when we were at that Christian youth hostel in Amsterdam? You were in your element when you led the music and taught a Bible study.”
    â€œThat was only for a few nights,” Todd said.
    â€œI know. But you were at home doing that. Didn’t you think so?”
    Todd seemed to ponder his answer as he and Christy walked to the door. He remained silent all the way to the car, where they stood waiting for Matt.
    When Matt joined them a few minutes later, he said, “Would you mind dropping me off at Stereo World on Mesa Verde? Pete wants me to check out some speakers before he buys them.”
    The three of them climbed into Gus the Bus, and Todd dropped Matt off in front of Stereo World. Before he got out, Matt put his hand on Christy’s shoulder and said, “Don’t forget, you still owe me a dinner. We need to finish the conversation we started before lunch.”
    As Todd drove back to Rancho Corona, Christy remained quiet, trying to process what Matt had said and what he had meant. Todd seemed to be processing Matt’s comments, as well. He pulled into the parking lot of a city park and turned off the engine. Giving Christy a confused look, he asked, “Did you meet Matt before today?”
    At first Christy thought Todd was kidding. “We grew up together. In Wisconsin.”
    Todd’s expression told her he most certainly didn’t know that. “I thought he was friends with Wes and Sierra and that you just met him today in the lunch line.”
    Christy laughed. “No, our families have been friends since before either of us was born.”
    Todd looked out the window and then at Christy. “Did I know that?”
    â€œI thought you did. Didn’t I tell you that I saw him the other night when Katie and I were in The Java Jungle?”
    Todd shook his head.
    Christy filled Todd in on Matt being the same Matt number fourteen Katie had told them about on the train in Europe.
    Now Todd looked even more surprised. “And neither you nor Katie knew that until today?”
    â€œNo, and the worst part was that Matt didn’t remember Katie.”
    â€œOuch,” Todd said.
    â€œYeah, ouch. That’s why Katie didn’t join us for lunch.”
    â€œHe’s a great guy,” Todd said. “I appreciate his servant’s heart.”
    â€œHe is a great guy,” Christy agreed. But not the guy for me, that’s for sure.
    Todd shifted in the driver’s seat and turned toward Christy. “What did he mean about you having dinner with him?”
    Christy wondered if she should explain to Todd her crazy little jaunt to the land of if only that morning and how she had let herself wonder what would have happened if she had gone out with Matt. But it all seemed like nothing to her now, so she decided not to mention it.
    â€œMatt and I were going to meet at the cafeteria last night, but I forgot all about it. That’s why I asked you what time it was when we were having pizza with