Everybody Loves Mickey by Therese M. Travis

Author:Therese M. Travis [Travis, Therese M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: christian Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-61116-223-3
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
Published: 2012-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

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A few days later Mickey slumped against the tree closest to the schoolyard and watched his class pass around the bright blue ball, emblazoned with white letters proclaiming “Jesus Loves Me.” Each time a student caught the ball, he had to call out a Bible fact, or the whole class would shout him out of the game. It was a great way to end a session. It used up energy, reinforced the day’s lesson, and gave Mickey a few extra minutes to brood.

“And who put coal in your stocking?” Sister Mary Elizabeth approached, fists pumping and habit flapping to keep up.

“Good afternoon, Sister.” He’d been raised right, at least.

The bell rang, the student in possession of the ball tossed it to Mickey, and he dismissed them to their parents. Through it all, Sister Mary Elizaberth stood beside him and made comments to the kids, who loved attention from the little nun with the huge reputation.

When they’d all gone, she grabbed his sleeve and thwarted his escape. “Come on, now, dear. You never answered my question.”

He shrugged, wishing she didn’t make him feel like a sulky nine-year-old, caught making faces at the teacher.

“These things take time.” She tugged him toward the school office and he had to follow.

“What things?”

“I’m not saying you should give up, or even step back for a moment. Oh, no. That would not be the proper tactic for this situation.” She shook her head, frowning as though he’d suggested any such thing. As though he knew what she meant.

He followed her past the school entrance and along the row of quickly emptying classrooms.

“And I’m not saying you should work harder. I am saying,”—she poked him in the side so he yelped—”you need to work smarter.”

Now, where had he heard that before?

“Find the fastest way to her heart, and take it on like a freeway.”

Funny how he’d known all along what she’d been talking about. “How’m I supposed to do that? I can’t even find out what she wants for Christmas.” He narrowed his eyes. “And I think that was a setup, too.”

She waved a hand. “Of course it was.” She cupped her elbow with one hand and tapped her chin with the other. “She won’t say, eh? Oh, dear. Oh, dear.” With that, she stopped walking and frowned at the view of the mountains behind the school building.

“My thoughts exactly.” Well, not exactly. He’d come up with other words, and given voice to some of those, but nothing he would say in front of a nun.

“Well, like I said, we just have to work smarter. She has family, hasn’t she? And friends? Girl friends? Or perhaps she has a diary you can read. I always found my older sister’s private journal quite illuminating.” With that, she started to chuckle.

“How would I… Look, even if I could, I wouldn’t read her private stuff.” Not the least because he’d probably find it full of unsavory reflections on his own character.

“Hmm. Perhaps not. Sets a bad precedent. I do remember my dear sister’s reaction when she caught me.

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