“I remember you from that apartment complex and judging from the look you gave me, you remember me also,” Liam said. Give me the words I need to witness to this man Lord.

  “So?” The man said without looking up from his menu.

  “I want to get to know you. Tell me your story. What do you do?” The man set his menu down and looked confusedly at Liam.

  “You just won’t leave me alone until I talk to you, will you?” The man asked.

  “Nope, I can’t… I feel like the Lord wants me to talk to you… Just like He did the day I saw you at the apartment complex.”

  “Well there isn’t much to be said. I have nobody. I had a family a few years back and we ran a church up in Ocean Shores. I had an older boy and daughter that took care of the music services and a beautiful wife that took care of the children’s church… I did the preaching and the youth group. Life was great and then everyone died, but me.” Oh my goodness… That’s so sad, Liam thought.

  “What happened?” Liam asked concerned. The man smacked his hand on the table startling Liam.

  “Know your business!” The man said in anger. Liam looked fearfully at him as he was startled by his hostility. The man recognized it and shifted back into a calmer demeanor. “I’m sorry… I just get so upset when I’m reminded of anything to do with the incident. It’s why I moved down the coast line to Lincoln City. Ocean Shores was full of memories…” He grabbed his mouth and covered it with a trembling hand. His hands were worn and weathered from age. He paused for a moment, “They were all out on a ferry boat that capsized. I should have been on that boat, but I was held up at the church that day… I should have died with them.” Liam reached over and grabbed the man’s hand.

  “Don’t say that… You have done amazing things in your life. You ran a church, you tended a flock… What’s your name?” Liam asked.

  “Harold,” He responded softly.

  “Harold, I don’t think God’s done with you,” Liam said. This man can run the youth with Derek. “I think you landed here in Lincoln City with a broken heart and I met you today officially so you could help with the great commission.”

  “Look at these hands,” Harold said holding his hands up for Liam. “They are old and battered, my time is over.” Liam shook his head.

  “You know that God is a perfect gentleman and would never force you to do anything in your life,” Harold nodded as Liam continued, “Just think about it. I need someone to run the youth group at Grace Baptist… and YOU already have done it before in Ocean Shores. You know your wife and children are in a better place… Think about helping more children get there with the time you have left on this earth,” Liam said standing up. Harold looked deep in thought and confliction as Liam gave him a hand shake.

  “I’ll think about it… but I am not making any promises,” Harold said with a staunch look. Liam nodded and went back to his table with Derek. Liam noticed a few minutes later, Harold had vanished from his booth. I sure hope he decides to do it.

  “What was that all about with the old guy?” Derek asked after waiting for a while for Liam to explain.

  “Just a guy I met when I was door knocking… He use to run a church in Ocean Shores, I’m thinking he might be a good fit for the youth group after I roll out.”

  “I keep forgetting you aren’t staying here forever…” Derek said with a bit of sadness. “It’s too bad you can’t just live here,” Derek said with hopefulness.

  “I can’t, I have a job and life back in Spokane. I can’t just drop it all to come here and run the youth group. The job doesn’t pay and I don’t have anywhere to live,” Liam said.

  “Those are just excuses, but I understand what you are saying. It’s tough to just pack up your life and start somewhere new. Where do you work in Spokane?”

  “Flip Inc., it’s a software company that develops mobile apps,” Liam said.

  “Oh wow, I had no idea. Did you get an internship there or something?”

  “Yeah, it’s a paid internship, nice experience while I work my way through college.”

  “That sounds like a good deal.”

  “Yep, it sure is. How’s the car lot treating you?”

  “It’s good. I’ve been up and down the western coast and all over the northwest picking up new cars all the time. I get a lot of foot traffic from all around here. People from as far as Vancouver Washington have even come down to check out our selection. The online inventory we got built last spring as really helped sales.”

  “That’s awesome man!” Liam said excitedly. I can’t believe this guy is making it so easily in this tiny city running a car lot. God is good!

  “It really is,” Derek said taking a drink of his water before he continued, “What are you wearing to this masquerade ball thing tonight?” Derek asked. Liam took a sip of his coke.

  “I don’t know… My grandpa does have a black church suit I can wear,” Liam said.

  “That’s what I’m wearing; Katie told me the other day they will have masks for us to wear, so I’m not going to be running out trying to figure out what the heck a Mardi Gras mask is.”

  “Yeah, I’ll probably just use one provided at the party,” Liam said. “I better get going back to my Grandpa’s to get ready for this thing.” Liam got up and shook Derek’s hand. “I’ll see you tonight.” Liam dropped a couple dollars on the table and left.

  14-Katie

  “Show time,” Katie said as her eyes brightly reflected the blue lights flickering off the waterfall next to the appetizer table. Everything is perfect. Walking over to the hall’s entrance, Katie tapped the doorman on the shoulder.

  “You can open the door, make sure people are on the list and are orderly out there. We don’t need another Stepp Gala incident.” The doorman held up his clipboard and nodded.

  Pushing his earpiece speaker button, he said in a deep tone, “It’s time.” Pushing open the door the doorman said loudly, “Stay behind the gate, each person will be allowed in once found on the list. If you push, kick, or do anything else to agitate the people around you, you will be asked to leave.” Standing at the red carpet, the doorman stood next to the bouncer. “Name?” He asked to the first man and lady in line.

  Turning around, Katie moved quickly over to the stage where the musicians were setup. She gave the conductor the nod to start the first song. The music began to play as Katie moved across the floor to Helga near the kitchen.

  “It’s perfect Katie,” Helga said smiling. The entire event hall was dimly lit with candles. Tables sat near the entrance and held the masks for guests who had forgotten or did not bring mask to wear. I hope this goes well. Glancing at the entrance as people came in, she looked for Derek and Liam. I want to talk to Liam about the board’s decision; I hope there are no ill feelings.

  Walking into the hall, Katie almost didn’t catch her sister walking in on the arm of Liam. Liam brought my sister as his plus one? She had cleaned up and her marks were not noticeable with the make-up she had put on. She had an elegant purple dress on that barely touched the floor as she walked. What’s she doing here? And with Liam? Katie peered over at her mother who spotted Elana walking in. Lisa and Katie’s eyes locked. Katie hadn’t told her mother about Elana being back in town, but she figured it wasn’t important enough to interrupt the ball. Katie assumed it’d be the same information tomorrow, so why spoil a ball today. Lisa came storming up to Katie.

  “What is your sister doing here?” Lisa asked sharply.

  “I… I don’t know… I saw her at the house but then she ran away…” Katie said with a lump in her throat. Lisa and Katie looked over towards Elana as she moved to a table and sat down with a mask over her eyes.

  “Oh my,” Lisa said cupping her mouth. “Your sister seems to have come with your guy…” Lisa said escaping through the back door into the kitchen. She’s upset. Promptly making her way to the table where her sister and Liam sat, Katie smiled.

  “Liam… Can I speak with you?” Katie asked.

  “You don’t even want to say hi to your sister?” Liam asked confused.

  “We already exchanged hellos today. Please?” Katie asked insistently. Liam nodded looking at Elana in confusion as he stood up. Following behind her, Katie led Liam into a side room and she shut the door.

  “What’s going on? Why aren’t you talking to your sister? Liam asked looking towards the door.

  “Take off that mask please,” Katie asked. Liam removed the mask. “I think she was the one who broke into my house. She was there today and she ran away again… I hadn’t talked to her since then, but now you showed up with her…” Katie said rubbing her forehead in stress. What am I going to do? Mom’s got to be freaking out right now. Liam grabbed Katie’s hands and brought them down from her forehead looking her in the eyes.

  “I think she’s okay now… You need to give her a break and the benefit of the doubt. If she said she didn’t break in, you gotta believe that if you want your sister back in your life, otherwise she’s just going to keep running.” Katie’s heart fluttered at his touch and his look into her eyes. His eyes were so soft, so gentle, and so kind. They mesmerized her and made her weak in the knees. Katie’s emotions shifted to concern when she thought back to Elana’s comment about her boyfriend being crazy. “What about Elana’s boyfriend? She was worried about him killing her Liam!”

  “Settle down Katie, I’m not worried about a crack head figuring out how to get down here from Portland. But I let the sheriff’s office know to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity,” Liam said.

  “She’s a thief Liam!” Katie snapped.

  “She’s your sister!” Liam said confidently. “You said she took off from your house and acted like she was running away, well she didn’t this time. She came here tonight. I found her and Tony talking at the arcade, when she said her name was Elana, I knew exactly who she was. I called up this lady Carla that I know and she helped get her ready for tonight. She wants to try Katie… You got to give her that chance.” Katie knew he was right. She had assumed the worse about her sister without giving her any chance at all to redeem herself. Just then, Helga opened the door.

  “Katie? Your mother is requesting you in the kitchen…” Helga said softly.

  “Thank you Helga,” Katie said. Liam looked at Helga as she shut the door and then back at Katie and smiled.

  “You didn’t fire Helga?” Liam asked.

  “No. I talked with her and worked it out… You were right about how I was treating her and you are right about my sister too. I’ll talk to her. I have to go talk to my mother right now though. Her daughter she thought was dead in Portland just showed up to the biggest event of the year for the Rothway family.” Katie kissed Liam on the cheek and headed back into the event hall, to the kitchen.

  “Mother,” Katie said grabbing her hands from her face as she balled in the empty kitchen. Lisa looked at Katie with sad and heavy eyes. “She’s home… I think she wants to make it all better. I think we should give her a chance…”

  “My Laney came back,” She said smiling as she wiped the tears from her face. “I just want to go hug her and cancel the whole ball right now so I can spend time with her…”

  “I thought you were mad…” Katie said softly.

  “Not at all… She came back, your sister came back to us Katie. She can get better and have a good life now,” Lisa said before she started heading for the doorway back into the hall. Katie stood dumbfounded by her mother’s response.

  “What if she doesn’t? What if she runs back to Portland?” Katie asked without turning around to look at her mother. Her mother stood at the swinging door that led into the event hall.

  “Then we will wait for her to come back again… It’s what you do when you love someone,” Lisa exited the kitchen. Liam entered into the kitchen after her mother had left.

  “Hey…” He said. “How did it go with your mom?” Katie turned around and embraced him with a hug. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the side of her head delicately. “I guess it went good?” he asked.

  “It did,” Katie said pulling back from the embrace with a smile. Katie could tell something was on Liam’s mind. His words didn’t indicate it, but his face said it all.

  “I have to tell you something,” Liam said softly. Katie shook her head; she didn’t want this night to be ruined.

  “No, don’t. Let’s just enjoy the evening,” She said grabbing his hand and wrapping her fingers between his, they went out of the kitchen and into the hall. A new song started as they were sitting at the table with Elana, Derek, Lisa and Tim. Liam leaned over into Katie’s ear, letting his face touch against hers.

  “Can I have this dance?” Liam asked. Katie’s face broke into a giant smile as she nodded. Leading her by the hand, Liam took her to the dance floor. Katie wrapped her arms around his neck and he put his hands on her waist. Katie felt as if for the first time in a long time, she was right where she was supposed to be. She felt safe in Liam’s embrace and never wanted to let go of the moment.

  “I’m sorry about the board…” Katie said softly. “I honestly didn’t sway it and I was almost kind of hoping your youth group and Rosie would get a building there towards the end…” Katie glanced over at Rosie at the snack table. “Those kids… they really do need guidance… Even if they leave, they could come back…” Liam twirled Katie around and then back into his arms.

  “Like your sister?” Liam asked.

  “Just like that… I had no idea she could just come back and everything would be okay,” Katie said smiling as she peered over at the table that her mother and Elana were sitting at.

  “It doesn’t always happen like that, but yeah… You never know what could happen. Especially if we lay down seeds with them… They could hit a really difficult spot and fall back to their roots.”

  “You are so smart…” Katie said laying her head against his chest. Katie saw the concern look again on his face. I don’t want to know what’s bothering him… but I should probably find out. “Just tell me what’s on your mind Liam…”

  “I’m leaving tomorrow…” Liam said. No… Dang it. I knew he was leaving, why did I forget about it? Why’d I let myself forget? Katie kept her head pressed against his chest as tears began to fall. Why? She thought as she felt a giant lump in her throat form. She was speechless, if she were to speak, she’d break down. “I know it sucks, but I have to get back to my life in Spokane.” What about your life you’ve found here? What about me? Katie thought to herself. Without a word, Katie pulled away from Liam and headed to the restroom.

  Looking in the mirror, she used a tissue to dab her eyes. She was careful not to mess up the make-up. Breathing in and out, she tried to get a hold of herself, but every time she felt okay for a moment, her eyes would begin watering again. Ugh! Life is so unfair sometimes!

  15-Liam

  Liam knew she was crying when she pulled away and left a puddle on his jacket’s shoulder. Looking down at soaked shoulder that wielded Katie’s tears, Liam glanced over at the restroom she had gone into. How can I break her like this? What kind of man am I? Seeing Derek over by the punch bowl, Liam walked up to him.

  “Some party eh?” Derek said nodding at Liam.

  “Pretty extravagant…” Liam said letting his words trail off as he kept glancing at the bathroom Katie had ran off to.

  “What’s bothering you bud?” Derek asked concerned.

  “It’s Katie… She’s upset with me,” Liam said looking down at his cup of punch he had just poured.

  “You told her I take it…” Patting him on the shoulder, Derek continued, “She’s a girl, she’ll get over it man.” I don’t want her to get over it, I don’t want to see her upset, Liam thought.

  Liam was annoyed with Derek and glanced over at the bathrooms to see she hadn’t returned. “I’m going outside for a minute,” Liam said to Derek before exiting. Standing outside, Liam called his father.

  “Hello son,” his father answered.

  “Hey dad…”

  “What’s wrong?” George asked immediately.

  “It’s that girl again… I feel so bad that I’m leaving her here,” Liam said.

  “Well, do you love her?” George asked.

  “I don’t even know her Dad… I’ve had no ‘oh my gosh, I love this girl’ or ‘wow, what an amazing woman’ type of moments… yet I feel incredibly connected to her and long to be with her deeply.”

  “Well son, is she a believer?” George asked.

  “Well yeah, she goes to Grace Baptist,” Liam said. What’s her being a believer have to do with my interest in her? If anything, I’m lusting after her.