Free Blue Ribbon Champ by Marsha Hubler

the goalie?” The girls all laughed.
    “Too cool.” Skye laughed too. “But first, I need to help get stuff ready here. I’ll join you when I’m finished.”
    “Catch you later then,” Melissa said, hurrying away with the girls.
    Skye turned toward the horseshoe pits where Chad was laughing up a storm. For once, she didn’t mind missing out on her friends’ idea of fun. I’d rather just watch him, she told herself as she scooped more cups of ice.
    Like a hub in the center of a spinning wheel, Skye stood amid the happenings of an exciting time. From the girls in the gazebo to the boys playing horseshoes to Melissa and her soccer team, the picnic exploded with fun.
    But suddenly Skye found herself in a moment of deep thought as she studied Mr. Chambers busy at the grill, Morgan folding napkins, and Mrs. Chambers rushing into the back of the house. What a family! All they want to do is help. They’re always thinking of others. I just think of me.
    Skye flipped back her long hair and turned again toward Chad. He is so cool too. He even likes to help Joey! All I’ve ever wanted to do is get away from the kid.
    “Skye!”
    As though miles away, Skye barely heard her name called out. “Huh?”
    “What are you doing?” Morgan howled with laughter. “We’re not feeding the whole church! Just the youth group. You have half the table covered with cups. You go, girl!”
    “Oops.” Skye started dumping ice back in the chest. “I guess—”
    “Never mind.” Morgan giggled. “I can see your brain is focused somewhere else.”
    “You have no idea,” Skye said as she headed toward the open field.
    Plates mounded with food, intense horseshoe games, and one repulsive soccer ball later, the teens all gathered at the pavilion before going home. Standing at the head of the long table, Mr. Chambers presented a challenge from the book of First John. The topic just happened to be “Loving God and Loving Others.”
    With Chad on one side and Joey on the other, Skye listened intently to Mr. Chambers. Studying this very subject of love for weeks, she yearned to know more. When Mr. Chambers finished with a question-and-answer time, Skye was into it 100 percent.
    “So, kids,” Mr. Chambers said, “we’ve decided that a good way to show your love for God is by going to church, reading the Bible, and praying. But what else can we do?”
    Bobby stuck his hand in the air and punched his glasses back on his nose. “We can shape up at home so our parents don’t go bonkers!”
    Everyone roared with laughter.
    “You should know, Bobby!” Mr. Chambers laughed with everyone again.
    “I think it’s important to invite other kids to church so they can know the truth about Christ,” Chad said sincerely.
    Kids like Hannah Gilbert? With bent elbows on the table, Skye rested her head between two clenched fists to cover her scowl.
    Morgan raised her hand. “We can listen when we’re in church and not act lame.”
    “Good point,” Mr. Chambers said. “Anyone else?”
    “Ooh, ooh, Mr. Chambers!” Joey waved his hand.
    “Yes, Joey.”
    “We can be nice to everybody, especially to my girlfriend, Cloud.” Without even looking, Skye knew Joey was gawking at her with puppy-dog eyes. She felt her face start to redden as she stared at a knot in the table.
    Everyone giggled.
    “And you are nice to everybody.” Across the table, Mrs. Chambers tried to direct attention away from Skye. “Joey, that’s a very good way to show that you love God.”
    Skye took a quick glance at Joey, whose jubilant smile glowed, once again inviting her into his world.
    Strangely, Skye found herself staring deep into the eyes of this special boy. But unlike before, the heat of shame did not surge through her body like poison. Now, for the first time, she saw Joey Klingerman as just another kid who needed help. Her help.
    “That’s cool,” Skye said. From the depths of her heart, an exuberant smile erupted and splashed across her face.

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