“You're famous.” Caitlin held up the newspaper as I sat across from her with my mocha. “I thought you might like an extra copy.”

  “Thanks.” I folded the paper and slid it into my bag, then shook my head. “I don't think I want to be famous.”

  She chuckled. “Maybe you should've thought of that sooner.”

  I frowned.

  “Don't worry,” she said quickly. “I doubt too many people read that section of the paper.”

  “That's what I was hoping.”

  “Although that ‘Just Ask Jamie’ advice column is pretty popular.”

  To change the subject, I told Caitlin that I had a question about dating. Suddenly she was all ears. So I told her about Dominic and how we've gone out a couple of times.

  “He is such a great guy,” she said. “I really respect him.”

  I nodded. “Yes.”

  “So what's your question, Maya?”

  I told her about the fireworks…and kissing. I could feel my cheeks getting hot as I said this. I even glanced around the coffee-house to make sure no one was listening.

  Caitlin just smiled and nodded. “And…you said you had a specific question?”

  “Well, afterward…it just seemed so awkward. And I felt uncomfortable. We didn't talk at all. And I just wondered…”

  “You wondered if something was wrong?”

  “Yes.”

  Caitlin's expression was thoughtful now. “Has Kim or anyone told you about my personal convictions?”

  I shook my head. “No, what do you mean?”

  She chuckled. “Well, I have kind of a reputation.”

  “A reputation?” Somehow this did not seem like the Caitlin I knew.

  “For being anti-dating.”

  “Anti-dating?”

  “Yes. When I was in high school, I did the dating thing too. But it just didn't work for me. Dating made me feel that I was being compromised as a Christian. Like the relationships got carried away. Guys always wanted to go farther than I wanted. It was out of my comfort zone.”

  “So you became anti-dating?”

  “I did.”

  “Wasn't that hard?”

  “For me it was easier. It allowed me to be friends with guys without the pressure of getting too physically intimate. And now that I know a little more about guys, I realize that too much intimacy isn't good for them either.” She shook her head. “The stories I could tell.”

  “So is kissing wrong?”

  “I can't really say what's right or wrong for you, Maya. I mean, in regard to kissing. But it was wrong for me.”

  “Then how do I know what's right or wrong? For me.”

  “You have to ask God to lead you. But I can give you some pointers if you want.”

  “Sure.” I got out my notebook.

  “Well, to begin with, God speaks to us with a quiet voice. The Bible calls it a still, small voice. It's like your conscience. The trick is that we have to listen. We have to stay tuned in.”

  “How?”

  “Like I've told you. We need to spend time in God's Word, reading the Bible. And we need to spend time in prayer. And we also need to spend time with other Christians.” She looked intently at me now. “We need to be in fellowship, Maya, like youth group and church.”

  “Meaning I've blown it by skipping youth group?”

  “I can't say, but you should ask God about it. That's the tricky thing about being a Christian. God speaks to us individually. That puts the responsibility on us to listen. And if you feel uncomfortable about where things are going with Dominic, well, that might be God speaking to you.”

  I nodded. I sort of understood. Not completely, but sort of.

  “Is Dominic your first boyfriend?”

  I wanted to say no, but that would have been a lie. I just nodded again.

  “Have you thought about where you stand in regard to sex? I mean, sex outside of marriage?”

  I'm sure I looked uncomfortable.

  “Do you mind if I speak candidly, Maya?”

  “No, that's why I asked you.”

  “Well, God's best plan for us is to wait until we're married to have sex. How do you feel about that?”

  “I think I agree.”

  She smiled. “But you haven't really thought about it?”

  “Oh, sort of. But the opportunity never really presented itself.” I shrugged. “Not that it has now. I mean, no way were we going there, Caitlin. We were just kissing.”

  “I know. But that's always the way it starts. I'm saying this from personal experience. You think it's just about kissing. And maybe it is for you. But guys are wired differently, Maya. Especially at this age. It's like their hormones are totally raging, and sometimes they can barely control themselves.”

  I glanced around again, worried that someone might be listening. But everyone seemed intent in their own conversations.

  “Sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable.”

  “It's okay. I need to hear this stuff.”

  She laughed. “You'd be surprised how many girls I've had this exact same conversation with.”

  “You mean those immature girls?” Suddenly I wished I hadn't brought this up. I liked it better when Caitlin thought I was mature for my age.

  “No, I didn't mean that at all. It's an important conversation to have. I'm just saying that I'm kind of used to it now, and I don't mind being honest. That is, if you don't mind.”

  “No, I don't mind.”

  “I've seen a lot of Christian girls try to figure out the dating dilemma. What's right? How far is too far? I've seen girls make a sincere commitment to abstain from sex until marriage. And I've seen them blow it. They get caught up in a moment, they feel pressure, they rationalize that they're in love, and suddenly the commitment is tossed by the wayside.” She paused to sip her coffee. “And then the girl gets hurt.”

  “Hurt?”

  “Oh, some girls act like it's okay, but I don't buy that. The first thing that gets hurt is their walk with God. And then they usually get hurt by the guy moving on—and that's almost always the case. Then they suffer self-esteem issues. And I've even seen girls who end up pregnant.”

  “Pregnant?” Okay, by that time I was wishing we weren't having this conversation at all. I mean, I have no intention of getting pregnant.

  “You look surprised, but it's a fact of life. What I've seen happen with good Christian girls is that they do not plan to have sex. So then when it happens, they are totally unprepared.”

  “Meaning birth control?”

  “Exactly. Now I'm not saying that they should have a condom in their purse, but on the other hand, they shouldn't think that God will protect them from pregnancy.”

  “Of course not.”

  She smiled. “Am I going too far?”

  I kind of shrugged.

  “I'm only saying all this to point out that it all starts with having a steady boyfriend, Maya. And then kissing. And then the envelope gets pushed a little further. And some couples get carried away. Not all of them. But if you let nature takes its course, well, it usually leads to intercourse.”

  Still, as she said this, I was thinking that I am different. And Dominic is different. Finally I said as much.

  “Everyone is different, Maya. But I doubt that you and Dominic are immune to this. Although I do think it's great that you're considering these things early in your relationship. See, that just shows that you are mature. Sex is something every teenage girl needs to think about and come to grips with. God has a great plan for you, but He can't bring it about if you don't cooperate with Him.”

  “I want to cooperate.”

  “Well, dating is probably the number-one way teens get derailed in their relationship with God. There's just no easy way to say it except to say it's a fact.”

  “So these girls—the ones who blow their commitment not to have sex—do they lose their relationships with God as a result?”

  “Some do temporarily. But God is always there, waiting to forgive and to heal. Still, He wants to save us from senseless suffering.”

  I was sitting there, trying to take this in. I really had a hard time thinking that any of that could happen to me. I'm a sensible person. I don't think I'd let things get that carried away.

  “Remember my best friend? The one I told you about last week?”

  “Sure. The designer in New York.”

  “Yes. Beanie Jacobs. She's given me permission to share her story with the girls I counsel. When we were in high school, Beanie and I both made a vow to abstain from sex before marriage. But Beanie started dating this guy, also a Christian, and they got carried away. She broke her vow.”

  Now this disappointed me. “Beanie?”

  “She thought she was in love. And I think because she didn't have a dad, well, she was really looking for a guy to love her in a special way.”

  “And he did?”

  Caitlin sighed. “Not exactly. When Beanie discovered she was pregnant, her boyfriend, Zach, was totally derailed. They broke up. Beanie got her heart broken, and Zach got involved in drugs. It was really sad.”

  “Oh…” I shook my head. “Beanie got pregnant?”

  “She ended up losing the baby. Even that was pretty tragic.”

  “But she's okay now?”

  “Yes, she's doing great, thanks to God's grace.” Caitlin smiled. “The only reason I'm telling you about her is because back then I never dreamed that Beanie would do something like that. She was mature in so many ways. I felt totally blindsided by it.”

  “Are you telling me this because you think it could happen to me?”

  “All I'm saying is it can happen to anyone, Maya. And it does.”

  I looked down at my empty coffee mug.

  “Okay, how about we talk about something else?”

  I nodded hopefully.

  “I'm organizing a benefit concert to raise money to help school kids. It's called the Back-to-School Backpack Project, and the plan is to purchase and fill backpacks for underprivileged kids so they'll feel more confident when they go back to school in September.”

  “That's very cool.”

  “Anyway, I'm looking for helpers. I know you're pretty busy, but if you're interested in being on the committee, I'd appreciate it.”

  So I agreed, and Caitlin explained that the concert will be in early August. And Chloe has agreed to bring Redemption, her band, to play for the event. In the meantime we'll try to get some things donated from various vendors, like door prizes and the printing of tickets and fliers.

  “It sounds like a great event,” I told Caitlin as we went to our cars.

  “I hope so.” Caitlin lowered her voice. “And I hope I didn't make you too uncomfortable with my little sex talk, Maya.”

  “No…I mean, yeah, it was a little uncomfortable. But you've given me a lot to think about.”

  “Now do you get what I meant when I said I have a reputation?”

  I had to laugh. “Maybe so.”

  I have to admit that Caitlin made some good points. And although I don't think it really applies so much to me, it's nice that she cares. But seriously, I don't think I'd ever let things get that carried away with Dominic. I really don't.

  Maya's Green Tip for the Day

  I used to live in a drought area. And although it's not the case now, I have an old habit that's hard to break. You know how you turn the shower on and run it awhile to get the right water temperature? Well, I keep a watering can handy so I can collect this water, which would otherwise be going down the drain. After my shower I use it to water the potted plants on the patio or porch.

  July 10

  I didn't work today. Jackie has decided that Thursdays and Sundays will be my official days off. Anyway, I figured it was time to pay Brooke a visit. If I didn't have a private conversation with her, it would continue to be difficult for me to make it to youth group. And like both Caitlin and Dominic have been saying, I need fellowship.

  So while puttering around the garden and praying for Brooke this morning (something that Caitlin has recommended I do more often), I decided to pick her a bouquet of flowers—they are at their best right now—and drive over and attempt to have a Christian-to-Christian conversation with her. To say I was nervous is a huge understatement. But the bouquet was gorgeous, and I cleaned myself up and was ready to go and tell her how sorry I was that she'd been injured but also to point out that I didn't think it was really my fault. What could it hurt?

  To boost my confidence, I prayed as I drove across town. She lives in an upscale neighborhood on a hill that overlooks the town and the lake. And her house is one of the nicest and nearly on the top of the hill. Still, it probably isn't that much nicer than my parents' home in Beverly Hills. Not that it matters. But I was trying not to feel intimidated as I parked in the circular driveway and walked up to the large brick house. I rang the doorbell and waited, but no one answered. At that point I decided to go back to my car and write a quick note to leave with the flowers. Okay, maybe it was the chicken way out, but there didn't seem to be anyone home. Plus I thought my peace offering might make it easier to have a conversation with Brooke later, perhaps at youth group.

  But as I was walking to my car, I heard a screeching yell and a splash from around back—almost as if someone had fallen into a pool. Imagining that Brooke had stumbled with her walker, plunged into a backyard pool, and was now drowning, I dropped the bouquet and sprinted around the side of the house, got a side gate open, and breathlessly ran around to where, sure enough, there was a backyard pool. But to my stunned surprise, Brooke was in a bikini, bouncing on the diving board, and she executed a nearly flawless one-and-a-half flip as she dove into the water.

  At the shallow end of the pool was Amanda, gasping with her mouth open and eyes wide as she stared at me walking toward them. I must've looked equally shocked as I stood at the edge of the pool, waiting for Brooke to emerge, which she did, smiling victoriously as she looked at Amanda.

  “I think that was a ten—” Then she must've realized Amanda's expression was odd, and she turned around to see me standing there, watching them.

  “What is going on here?” I demanded.

  “What are you doing here?” Brooke shot back at me. “Breaking and entering?”

  “No,” I said calmly. “I heard a scream and a splash, and I thought perhaps you'd stumbled with your walker and fallen into the pool. I came back here to help.”

  “Yeah, right.” She shook her head. “You're spying on me.”

  “Apparently, you need to be spied on.” I glanced over to where her walker and braces were on a nearby lounge chair. “Is this some kind of physical therapy?”

  “It's none of your business.” Brooke climbed out of the pool. “And if you tell anyone, I'll deny it.”

  “How about you?” I asked Amanda. She still looked shocked. “Would you lie for Brooke? In court?”

  Amanda didn't say anything, and as Brooke turned to look at her friend, I slipped my hand into my bag and retrieved my phone. Fortunately it was on. And although I've only taken a couple of photos with it, I somehow managed to aim it and snap a shot as Brooke turned around, glaring at me with hands on hips, dripping wet in her hot pink bikini.

  “Give me that.” She charged at me.

  But I just snapped another one, an action shot, before I quickly made my way out of there.

  “You'll be sorry,” she screamed. “I'll call the police and tell them you broke in here.”

  “Go ahead,” I shouted back as I retraced my steps through the side yard and out the gate. I scooped up the dropped bouquet. No way was I wasting my beautiful flowers on that liar! I hopped into my car. My heart was pounding hard as I started the engine. I drove directly to the newspaper building, where I found Uncle Allen in his office and showed him the photos, quickly explaining my surprise visit.

  “Well, I'll be!” He shook his head as he looked at the pictures. “Who knew you were a private detective, Maya.”

  “It was totally accidental. I actually thought she'd fallen into her pool and was drowning. But when I got back there, she was doing a nearly perfect one-and-a-half dive into the pool. She's really good.”

  He laughed. “What timing!”

  I considered this. “You know, I'd been praying all morning, just trying to work up the nerve.” Then I told him about the flowers.

  “Seems like you did the right thing,” he said. “Now let's get these pictures downloaded onto my computer, and I'll shoot them over to Robert Bernard to use as evidence.” He chuckled. “I can't wait to hear his reaction.”

  Before long Uncle Allen had Mr. Bernard on the phone, telling him to check his e-mail. He waited for a bit, grinning at me as he thumped his pencil impatiently. “That's right, Robert. The calendar and clock are accurate. Maya took them less than an hour ago.” He nodded. “Yep, right there in the Marshalls' backyard. Caught the two girls completely by surprise.” He laughed. “That's what I told Maya. Guess we should start calling her P.I. Stark.”

  “So can he use them?” I asked after my uncle hung up. “In court?”

  Uncle Allen waved his hand. “Oh, I don't think this will be going to court, Maya.”

  “Brooke said she was going to call the police on me. She accused me of breaking and entering. But I only went back there because I thought she was in trouble.”

  “I'll let Robert know about that too, but I doubt it will be much of a problem. Not with these photos.” He looked back at his computer screen, then shook his head. “These are pretty incriminating.”

  I looked at the photo and let out an exasperated sigh. “You know, I should be relieved, but this really makes me mad.”

  “That's understandable.”

  “I mean, I can't believe she was faking it!”