Free Face the Music by Melody Carlson Page B

pretty good on your violin.”
    She almost smiled now.
    “In fact,” I said suddenly remembering something. “There’s a song I’ve been working on that I really think needs a violin backup. Do you have any interest in jamming with us this weekend?”
    “Jamming?”
    “You know, just playing for fun. To see how it sounds.”
    She seemed to consider this. “Maybe.”
    “Well, we practice for most of the day on Saturday. Give me a call if you’re interested.”
    She nodded and started to go into the orchestra room.
    “And Kim,” I called out.
    She turned and looked at me with an expression that was a mixture of irritation and curiosity.
    “I just wanted to apologize for that time, back in middle school, when I acted like a jerk when you were trying to encourage me about music.”
    Now she gave me the blankest expression, as if she didn’t even remember the incident, and maybe she didn’t. Then she just shrugged. “Yeah, whatever.” She turned and went into orchestra.
    Now, if I hadn’t known Kim (or at least observed her) for a number of years, I might’ve actually thought she was being a total snob just then. But I really think that she purposely keeps to herself sometimes, probably as a protective device. Especially with people she doesn’t know or trust that well. Like me. I think it’s partially because she’s Asian (Korean, as I recall) and because she’s adopted. But I could be imagining all this. It may be that her greatestchallenge in life is the fact that she’s just really, really smart. So much so that she has been teased mercilessly over the years.
    In fact, she and I used to be in the TAG program together (Talented and Gifted). But it wasn’t long before I realized that being in TAG was like wearing a great big target that said “pick on me, I’m smart,” and so, to much parental displeasure, I dropped out. Poor Kim didn’t figure this out, or maybe her parents wouldn’t let her quit, but she remained in TAG and consequently suffered the abuse that comes with membership.
    Now, as senseless as this may sound, I feel somewhat responsible for her abuse all these years later. Don’t even ask me why. It’s not that I ever did much more than shut her down that day she tried to encourage me. But I do regret it. And maybe it’s a God-thing, but I do hope that she’ll join us to jam on Saturday. And I wasn’t making that up. I really have been wondering what some string backup would sound like with this new song I’m working on.
    No, I’m not going to invite her to join Redemption as the fourth member of our band. I think we sound just right as we are. But I may invite her to be my friend. If she’s interested, that is.
    PRAYER FOR KIM
i see the sadness in her eyes
i wonder, does she realize
how much You love, how much You care
does she know, would she dare
could she give her heart to You
live for You her whole life through?
touch her, Jesus, with Your love
with Your mercy from above
show her there’s a better way
turn her nighttime into day
amen

Twelve
Saturday, May 28
    Much to our surprise, Kim Peterson did show up to jam with us today. And after a while, she really loosened up and showed us her stuff.
    “Man,” said Allie. “You are really good, Kim.”
    She smiled. “Thanks.”
    “It makes me wish that more of our songs would work with a violin,” I said.
    Kim laughed now. “Nah, you guys have a great sound already. Sometimes when I listen to your CD, I almost forget that it’s Christian music.”
    I frowned. “Really?”
    “Hey, I mean it as a compliment. The truth is you won’t catch me listening to much Christian music. Mostly it’s too preachy and weird. It kind of gives me the heebie-jeebies.”
    “If you don’t listen to it, how do you know that?” asked Laura.
    “My mom listens to it all the time,” said Kim as she put her violin back in its case. “Ugh. I get so sick of it.”
    I nodded. “Well, maybe she listens to the wrong kind of music. Maybe if she