Free Fire from the Rock by Sharon Draper Page A

noticed that he wore shiny black shoes instead of his favorite tennis shoes.
    â€œThey’ve asked me to let Sylvia Faye be on the list of students who might be considered to integrate Central High School,” her father told the church. “I know that some of you have been approached as well. I can’t think of anything more terrifying than sending my little girl into danger, but I’m inclined to let her try.”
    Sylvia gasped. Her mother reached over and squeezed Sylvia’s hand. Even through the thickness of her mother’s white gloves, the tingle of her touch made Sylvia squeeze back. Just when you think you’ve got your parents all figured out, they turn around and act like humans.
    Pastor Patterson opened the huge Bible in front of him. “If you look in the book of Judges, you’ll find the story of Gideon—a brave young man, but not the strongest kid in the neighborhood. He tells the Lord that he comes from the weakest tribe and that he’s the feeblest of them all. Like the Lord didn’t already know that!”
    The congregation chuckled while they searched for the passage.
    â€œBut the Lord told Gideon, ‘I’m gonna be with you, son. Don’t be afraid. You ain’t gonna die—at least not today.’” He wiped his brow.
    â€œFriends, I’ve been afraid all my life. Maybe it’s time for me to step out on faith.”
    Sylvia gazed at her father with wonder. Surely someone had taken her father away and replaced him with this man who looked just like him.
    â€œYou know, we humans tend to need proof, even when it’s the Lord who is making the promises. We’re pretty weak when it comes to faith. To prove to Gideon that he had no need to be afraid, the Lord made fire explode from a rock—it burned up everything that had been on the stone. Can you just picture it?”
    Sylvia glanced over at Reggie again. He mouthed the word “Whoosh!” and acted like he was using a fire hose. His mother smacked him on the back of his head and told him to be still. He just rolled his eyes and smiled at Sylvia once more.
    â€œWhat I’m trying to say, Church, is maybe we need to look around and make some hard decisions. I guess all that fire made Gideon a believer. Because you know what? In the battle the next day, the Lord gave him the victory!”
    Pastor Patterson kept preaching for another few minutes, but Sylvia didn’t hear much of it. She was too overwhelmed with her father’s sudden turnaround and the now very real prospect of her name going on the list.
    After church, lots of people came up to Sylvia, giving her words of encouragement or suggestions. Sister Hortense, the oldest member, hobbled over to her, leaning heavily on her cane. She used that cane as a weapon sometimes, bopping children on the head when they talked too much during service. Kids learned early to keep out of her way. She said, “Chile, you been chosen for a very special task. The Lord will bless you for it.” Sylvia thanked her, glad she was in a good mood.
    Not everyone, however, was so supportive. One woman, whose rolls of fat under her tight white suit made her look like yeast bread in the bowl, waddled over to Sylvia and said, “Stick with your own kind, girl. Mixing the races will only get you hurt. They don’t want you there. You hear?”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Sylvia replied politely.
    Another lady, Sister Simpson, wearing very high heels, tiptoed over to Sylvia and whispered in her ear, “The colored schools were good enough for me, and good enough for your parents as well. Don’t try to get uppity, little girl.”
    Again Sylvia knew nothing else to say but “Yes, ma’am.”
    Lillie Cobbs, however, who was dressed in a pale green wool suit, pushed the other woman aside and told Sylvia, “Don’t pay her no mind, child. She don’t know nothin’ about progress. If you feel like