Young Whit and the Phantasmic Confabulator by Phil Lollar & Dave Arnold

Author:Phil Lollar & Dave Arnold [Lollar, Phil & Arnold, Dave]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUVENILE FICTION / Readers / Chapter Books, JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Action & Adventure
ISBN: 9781684284641
Publisher: Focus on the Family
Published: 2023-08-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

After barely touching his supper and a fitful night’s sleep, Johnny found himself knocking on Lisa’s front door early Saturday morning. She answered it, and he thought she looked adorable even though she hadn’t—as she put it—“made myself presentable yet.”

She came outside, and they sat beside each other on her porch swing. “It’s chilly,” she said, her lashes fluttering. She inched closer to him.

Johnny felt every ounce of resolve drain out of his body. Somehow, he managed to rally himself, and before her lashes flapped one more time, he blurted it out: “Lisa, I know this is not something you want to hear, but I can’t take you to the dance.”

At first she said nothing, as though she hadn’t heard or understood what he had said. Then her lovely eyes narrowed, and she smiled her beautiful smile. She pushed him playfully. “You’re such a teaser!”

He shook his head slightly, apologetic. “I’m not teasing.”

Her smile faded and was replaced by a look of concern. “But why? Is everything all right?”

“No,” he replied as evenly as he could. “Everything’s not all right.”

“What is it? Tell me and we’ll fix it!”

“There’s only one way to fix it, and I think it may be more than you’re willing to do.”

“What, John? Whatever it is, I’ll do it!”

He prayed for courage. “Believe in God. Become a Christian.”

She blinked several times, searching his face, hoping, he knew, to see some sign that this was all just one big put-on. “You’re serious?” she said.

He nodded. “Very.”

“I—I don’t understand.” Her eyes filled with tears, and it tore at his heart.

“I know,” he replied, “and that’s the problem.” He took a deep breath. “I like being with you, Lisa. A lot. You’re a really wonderful person. You make me happy.”

“You make me happy too!”

“Thanks, but it’s not enough. I’m a Christian, Lisa. My faith is important to me. In fact, it’s the most important thing in my life. More important than my parents or my friends. More important than my happiness.”

“More important than me,” she whispered.

He felt a lump in his throat. “Yes,” Johnny said.

“So, this isn’t just about the dance.” Lisa’s voice quavered. “This is about us.” Johnny looked down, and she went on. “You’re breaking up with me?”

He lowered his head, and his shoulders slumped. “Yes.”

Lisa closed her eyes, and the tears came.

Johnny peeked up at her. Even crying, she looks pretty, he thought. He wanted to hug her and tell her he was only kidding. But he wasn’t kidding. “Lisa, I’m—”

She held up a hand and backed away from him. “Don’t you dare say you’re sorry! If this is your God and your Christianity, you can have them!” She stood, turned, and ran back into her house.

Johnny felt as if his insides had been pulled out and stomped on. Life had, once again, changed its course.

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