I'd like to thank Jesus Christ, my Savior. He is my reason for writing, and ulimately, my reason for living!
*Warning* This is a "religious" story. If you want to email me or give me bad reviews, I don't care.
Now on with the story.... Please read and review.... Happy Reading!
Trumpet Sounds
It was a cold dark night, and all was not calm. There was a small breeze.
The party was at Jett Andersone's house. It was planned to be only him and a few friends. They all invited girls from the Varsity Cheerleader Squad. Their plan: Make-out!
Jett's parents were away for the weekend. Jett's grandparents were devout Christians, who begged Mr. and Mrs. Andersone to get back into a church. They laughed. "We went to help raise Jett and Kenny," they'd say, "now that they are older, we don't need to go." Finally during one phone call, they ask Jett's parents to bring the family up to their big sea-side house for a weekend. Jett's parents went. Jett and his younger brother didn't.
Mr. and Mrs. Andersone were exactly what you thought were the perfect family. Mr. Andersone, a international businessman, was often gone on business, but there was always time for his family. He was the tall and silent type. Jett's mother said she feel in love with his bright smile. Mr. Andersone was very handsome.
Mrs. Andersone was a house wife. She still looks like she's in her early 30, though she's actually 43. Her curly blond hair, which she considered a pain, was what his father found most wonderful about her. Most days Mr. Andersone would walk in, kiss his wife, and run his hands through her hair. Once Jett's brother hit 10 years old, his mother started volunteer at a local teen shelter. Everyone there, staff and residents, loved Mrs. Andersone. Even the most quiet and untrusting girl, Amie, opened up and told her about her own past.
Jett's younger brother, Kenny, was something Jett was proud of. He was cool (as cool as younger brothers could be). Kenny was into sports. Unlike Jett, Kenny was good at them. Kenny, a year younger than Jett, was on all the Varsity teams, and hung with many of the same friends as Jett.
Jett was often jealous of Kenny's talent for sports at a young age, but soon forgot about it when he could start bragging about him
Jett looked like his mother, but was tall like his father. His curly hair was not beautiful like his mother. His reminded him of a rat or bird's nest. It drove him crazy. He had his mother's "cute" face, too. He didn't want to be cute, he wanted to be handsome and manly.
Jett had one particular girl in mind. Keli Swisher. The young girl was only the freshman that was a varsity cheerleader. When she walked her long blond hair that was to her butt hung gorgeously. Jett was sure it was made of gold.
Then there was her face. Now certain girls had good eyes or lips. But Keli had it ALL. Her green eyes were as bright as a cat; And her lips, as red as a rose. Then there was her nose and ears, perfect! And her cheek bones were what every girl dreamed them to be.
There was one certain problem. His name was Jason Fisher. He was captain of every sport known to man. He also had Keli. So of course, Jett was terribly jealous.
Jett, a junior, was always inferior to Jason. Jett, an average student, was constantly be out done be honor student Jason. Then there was sports (but who wasn't better than Jett in sports?), and also girls. Even when they were younger in church Jason always memorized more Bible verses than Jett.
Now, of course, Jett quit going to church. Church was for kids and old women, not him. Jason still went. Judd was sure he only stayed so he could add "Church Youth Group" to his endless list of activities for his college application.
Tonight would be Jett's night. Jason was away for some stupid concert with his youth group and wouldn't be back till after midnight. Three hours were plenty enough time to...
As the party started Jett found himself in the living room while Keli, he believed, was in the kitchen. He had to get in there. But how?
After what seemed like hours of waiting people started drifting outside. At ten o'clock, Jett finally made his way to her. She was the only person he had talk to that night that didn't have alcohol on her breath, including Jett.
*~*
Kenny squeezed his way through the crowd at his own house. It was insane. Sure, he liked to party, but this was crazy. Everyone who was at the soccer game seemed to be in his house.
"Good game, Andersone!" It had been good. Thanks to him. He could have killed Jason Fisher a week ago when he said that he couldn't come to the game. Now he was glad. I won the game! All while our star was at some concert! This was a new feeling.
Kenny got stuck in the kitchen, which was good because he loves to eat. He found a stool (that someone gave up as soon as they saw him coming) beside a pretty blond, who he thought he saw at the game.
The island in the middle of the kitchen had been turned into a bar.
He offered the blond a drink, but she refused. Kenny's attention then changed to the red head on his right. The girl, who turned out to be a huge flirt, said her name was Nanci. She accepted his offer of a drink, and soon found a can of beer for her.
When Nanci excused herself to go to the bathroom, Kenny turned back to the blond.
"So," he slurred, "What's your name?"
"I'm Keli."
"Keli, that's a nice name. I'm-"
"Kenny Andersone. I know. I was at the game tonight."
"Of course. Your the only freshman cheerleader, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well tell me about yourself Keli."
*~*
The beautiful Keli Swisher wondered if she should continue a conversation with this guy. He apparently didn't care about her life, just her body.
"There's not much to tell. I'm in ninth grade, and have lived here all my life. My boyfriend is a senior, Jason Fisher, is away for the night. I would rather be with him, but I couldn't get away from cheerleading tonight."
"Yeah. Jason said he was going to some lame concert with his church, or something."
"Our youth group went to a Christian band, Raptured, we both like."
"Christian?! Your not some kind of religious fanatic, are you?"
"I'm not religious."
"But you just said you were-"
"Yes. I am a Christian, but I'm not religious."
"So you don't like, you know. Just say that because that's what you were brought up on. The good "Love your neighbor" Christian morals."
"Not exactly. Through Christ I have a personal relationship with God. I don't consider that religion."
"A personal relationship with God? You sound like my grandmother!"
"But it's wonderful. And one day..."
"And one day, Jesus will come back and take all you perfect people to heaven in a twinkling of an eye...!"
"How did you know that?"
"I told you. You sound like my grandparents. I mean I grew up in Sunday School, but it's all a bunch of fairy tales."
"Fairy tales?"
"Yeah the whole Bible. World-wide floods, boy beating a giant, Jesus Christ, the Rapture..."
Keli was insulted. She knew Jesus was not a fairy tale. He was her Redeemer, Savior, and Best Friend. Lord, she prayed silently, please direct me in what to say to this young man. Let him see the Light.
"Jesus is not a fairy tale. Neither is Noah, David and Goliath, and the Rapture.
There all true!"
"Believe what you want."
"Would you like to come to my church sometimes?"
"Yeah right. I'm not some cultist."
"It's not a cult-"
"Yeah sure." And Kenny walked away.
*~*
Kenny stood to leave, but bumped into Nanci, the red head. He had almost forgot about her.
"Hey Nanci!" he said a little too loud.
"Hey," she replied, looking pale. It had been apparent that she had been in the bathroom puking.
"Nanci, do you know Keli. She's a preacher."
"A preacher!" And she started giggling.
"I'll be praying for you Kenny, and for your friend here." And Keli stood to leave.
"I don't need prayer!" Kenny yelled as she headed for the living room.
*~*
Jett turned the corner to go into the kitchen.
"Ouch!" he yelled.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," a voice said from the floor. Jett looked down and saw Keli sitting on the floor.
"Here, let me help you up," he said taking her hand. That's when he noticed she hadn't been drinking. "Would you like a beer or something?"
"No thanks," she said with a smile. And she walked away.
"She's bad news Bro. All religious. I tried to talk to her earlier and she attacked me with religion. She shouldn't be here."
Religious? Keli was religious?
"Your kidding right?"
"No Jett. She gave me the "you're a sinner and need forgiven" routine. Sounded just like Grandma Peterson." And he laughed.
Jett didn't think it was funny.
"What about Jason?" Jett wondered aloud.
"Apparently he's into the whole church thing."
"Great."
"You should have heard Keli's Rapture lecture. Man, that was funny. I can't believe anyone would believe one day Jesus is gonna come and snatch all of the good people from the world!"
And they both laughed.
*~*
Amie Mason shivered as she laid in her bed at the teen shelter. The heater was broken again, and it got colder and colder as the night went on.
Amie could not stand what happen to her life in the last two years. She has grown up in a good home, living in Miami, Florida. She never had to worry about money. As a child her parents were always there for her. Memories of Sunday picnics, and summer vacations to the Alps to ski. As she grew, things changed.
When she was 11, her father was constantly out of the house, "working" till all hours of the night. Her mother started drinking, and soon was an alcoholic. That's when her mother started to beat on Amie. Often she would demand money. Amie tried not to give it to her.
When Amie refused to give her money, Amie was locked in her room, and was not given dinner. Amie, only 12 at the time, had no income at all, often had no money to give. She went from 125 pounds to 90 in a matter of months.
At school her friends worried. They were convinced she was staving herself. And when she started getting bruises and not allowing anyone to come to her house, her friends told the counselor at school. She lied and said all was fine at home.
Finally the stress was too much. Amie ran. With the clothes on her back, a little money, and a backpack full of necessities, she left Miami say that she'd never return.
The only brightness in her life was Mrs. Andersone. Amie loved her. She treated her like a daughter. Amie had found Mrs. Andersone trustworthy. She knew Amie's life story, and hadn't even tried to convince her to go home.
One night Mrs. Andersone invited Amie over to her house for dinner. Amie meet and liked Mr. Andersone. Her two children, Jett and Kenny, were spoiled rich kids. They didn't even try to make Amie feel like she was welcomed.
Amie sighed and finally let sleep envelop her.
*~*
Jett left Kenny alone in the kitchen. He was still trying to follow Keli, but didn't want him to know. He glanced back to see if Kenny was looking. He wasn't.
Jett believed Kenny, but he never thought that Keli would be a Christian. It ruined all his plans. He thought ofall his dreams and fantasies. "Oh well," he muttered too himself.
Jett sat down on the couch beside Keli. "Hi."
"Hi, Um... Jett, right?"
"Yeah, that's me. So what's up with you tonight?"
"Not much."
"You look sad. Kind of depressed."
"I guess I am. I tried to- oh never mind."
"No, it's ok. Go on. I'm a great listener."
"Well Friday nights at my church are youth group meetings. We talk, eat, have fun, and learn a little something too. Last night was about witnessing to our friends, something I'm not good at. I tried it tonight. I was talking to this guy and he totally blew me off."
"Well, I admire you for trying."
"Really?"
"Yeah." Sure, Jett really didn't care, but it meant a lot to Keli.
Keli turned away, ending the conversation.
*~*
Keli heard a noise.
A trumpet sounded.
She knew.
In a blink of a eye, Keli knew everyone around her.
And she was gone.
*Warning* This is a "religious" story. If you want to email me or give me bad reviews, I don't care.
Now on with the story.... Please read and review.... Happy Reading!
Trumpet Sounds
It was a cold dark night, and all was not calm. There was a small breeze.
The party was at Jett Andersone's house. It was planned to be only him and a few friends. They all invited girls from the Varsity Cheerleader Squad. Their plan: Make-out!
Jett's parents were away for the weekend. Jett's grandparents were devout Christians, who begged Mr. and Mrs. Andersone to get back into a church. They laughed. "We went to help raise Jett and Kenny," they'd say, "now that they are older, we don't need to go." Finally during one phone call, they ask Jett's parents to bring the family up to their big sea-side house for a weekend. Jett's parents went. Jett and his younger brother didn't.
Mr. and Mrs. Andersone were exactly what you thought were the perfect family. Mr. Andersone, a international businessman, was often gone on business, but there was always time for his family. He was the tall and silent type. Jett's mother said she feel in love with his bright smile. Mr. Andersone was very handsome.
Mrs. Andersone was a house wife. She still looks like she's in her early 30, though she's actually 43. Her curly blond hair, which she considered a pain, was what his father found most wonderful about her. Most days Mr. Andersone would walk in, kiss his wife, and run his hands through her hair. Once Jett's brother hit 10 years old, his mother started volunteer at a local teen shelter. Everyone there, staff and residents, loved Mrs. Andersone. Even the most quiet and untrusting girl, Amie, opened up and told her about her own past.
Jett's younger brother, Kenny, was something Jett was proud of. He was cool (as cool as younger brothers could be). Kenny was into sports. Unlike Jett, Kenny was good at them. Kenny, a year younger than Jett, was on all the Varsity teams, and hung with many of the same friends as Jett.
Jett was often jealous of Kenny's talent for sports at a young age, but soon forgot about it when he could start bragging about him
Jett looked like his mother, but was tall like his father. His curly hair was not beautiful like his mother. His reminded him of a rat or bird's nest. It drove him crazy. He had his mother's "cute" face, too. He didn't want to be cute, he wanted to be handsome and manly.
Jett had one particular girl in mind. Keli Swisher. The young girl was only the freshman that was a varsity cheerleader. When she walked her long blond hair that was to her butt hung gorgeously. Jett was sure it was made of gold.
Then there was her face. Now certain girls had good eyes or lips. But Keli had it ALL. Her green eyes were as bright as a cat; And her lips, as red as a rose. Then there was her nose and ears, perfect! And her cheek bones were what every girl dreamed them to be.
There was one certain problem. His name was Jason Fisher. He was captain of every sport known to man. He also had Keli. So of course, Jett was terribly jealous.
Jett, a junior, was always inferior to Jason. Jett, an average student, was constantly be out done be honor student Jason. Then there was sports (but who wasn't better than Jett in sports?), and also girls. Even when they were younger in church Jason always memorized more Bible verses than Jett.
Now, of course, Jett quit going to church. Church was for kids and old women, not him. Jason still went. Judd was sure he only stayed so he could add "Church Youth Group" to his endless list of activities for his college application.
Tonight would be Jett's night. Jason was away for some stupid concert with his youth group and wouldn't be back till after midnight. Three hours were plenty enough time to...
As the party started Jett found himself in the living room while Keli, he believed, was in the kitchen. He had to get in there. But how?
After what seemed like hours of waiting people started drifting outside. At ten o'clock, Jett finally made his way to her. She was the only person he had talk to that night that didn't have alcohol on her breath, including Jett.
*~*
Kenny squeezed his way through the crowd at his own house. It was insane. Sure, he liked to party, but this was crazy. Everyone who was at the soccer game seemed to be in his house.
"Good game, Andersone!" It had been good. Thanks to him. He could have killed Jason Fisher a week ago when he said that he couldn't come to the game. Now he was glad. I won the game! All while our star was at some concert! This was a new feeling.
Kenny got stuck in the kitchen, which was good because he loves to eat. He found a stool (that someone gave up as soon as they saw him coming) beside a pretty blond, who he thought he saw at the game.
The island in the middle of the kitchen had been turned into a bar.
He offered the blond a drink, but she refused. Kenny's attention then changed to the red head on his right. The girl, who turned out to be a huge flirt, said her name was Nanci. She accepted his offer of a drink, and soon found a can of beer for her.
When Nanci excused herself to go to the bathroom, Kenny turned back to the blond.
"So," he slurred, "What's your name?"
"I'm Keli."
"Keli, that's a nice name. I'm-"
"Kenny Andersone. I know. I was at the game tonight."
"Of course. Your the only freshman cheerleader, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well tell me about yourself Keli."
*~*
The beautiful Keli Swisher wondered if she should continue a conversation with this guy. He apparently didn't care about her life, just her body.
"There's not much to tell. I'm in ninth grade, and have lived here all my life. My boyfriend is a senior, Jason Fisher, is away for the night. I would rather be with him, but I couldn't get away from cheerleading tonight."
"Yeah. Jason said he was going to some lame concert with his church, or something."
"Our youth group went to a Christian band, Raptured, we both like."
"Christian?! Your not some kind of religious fanatic, are you?"
"I'm not religious."
"But you just said you were-"
"Yes. I am a Christian, but I'm not religious."
"So you don't like, you know. Just say that because that's what you were brought up on. The good "Love your neighbor" Christian morals."
"Not exactly. Through Christ I have a personal relationship with God. I don't consider that religion."
"A personal relationship with God? You sound like my grandmother!"
"But it's wonderful. And one day..."
"And one day, Jesus will come back and take all you perfect people to heaven in a twinkling of an eye...!"
"How did you know that?"
"I told you. You sound like my grandparents. I mean I grew up in Sunday School, but it's all a bunch of fairy tales."
"Fairy tales?"
"Yeah the whole Bible. World-wide floods, boy beating a giant, Jesus Christ, the Rapture..."
Keli was insulted. She knew Jesus was not a fairy tale. He was her Redeemer, Savior, and Best Friend. Lord, she prayed silently, please direct me in what to say to this young man. Let him see the Light.
"Jesus is not a fairy tale. Neither is Noah, David and Goliath, and the Rapture.
There all true!"
"Believe what you want."
"Would you like to come to my church sometimes?"
"Yeah right. I'm not some cultist."
"It's not a cult-"
"Yeah sure." And Kenny walked away.
*~*
Kenny stood to leave, but bumped into Nanci, the red head. He had almost forgot about her.
"Hey Nanci!" he said a little too loud.
"Hey," she replied, looking pale. It had been apparent that she had been in the bathroom puking.
"Nanci, do you know Keli. She's a preacher."
"A preacher!" And she started giggling.
"I'll be praying for you Kenny, and for your friend here." And Keli stood to leave.
"I don't need prayer!" Kenny yelled as she headed for the living room.
*~*
Jett turned the corner to go into the kitchen.
"Ouch!" he yelled.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," a voice said from the floor. Jett looked down and saw Keli sitting on the floor.
"Here, let me help you up," he said taking her hand. That's when he noticed she hadn't been drinking. "Would you like a beer or something?"
"No thanks," she said with a smile. And she walked away.
"She's bad news Bro. All religious. I tried to talk to her earlier and she attacked me with religion. She shouldn't be here."
Religious? Keli was religious?
"Your kidding right?"
"No Jett. She gave me the "you're a sinner and need forgiven" routine. Sounded just like Grandma Peterson." And he laughed.
Jett didn't think it was funny.
"What about Jason?" Jett wondered aloud.
"Apparently he's into the whole church thing."
"Great."
"You should have heard Keli's Rapture lecture. Man, that was funny. I can't believe anyone would believe one day Jesus is gonna come and snatch all of the good people from the world!"
And they both laughed.
*~*
Amie Mason shivered as she laid in her bed at the teen shelter. The heater was broken again, and it got colder and colder as the night went on.
Amie could not stand what happen to her life in the last two years. She has grown up in a good home, living in Miami, Florida. She never had to worry about money. As a child her parents were always there for her. Memories of Sunday picnics, and summer vacations to the Alps to ski. As she grew, things changed.
When she was 11, her father was constantly out of the house, "working" till all hours of the night. Her mother started drinking, and soon was an alcoholic. That's when her mother started to beat on Amie. Often she would demand money. Amie tried not to give it to her.
When Amie refused to give her money, Amie was locked in her room, and was not given dinner. Amie, only 12 at the time, had no income at all, often had no money to give. She went from 125 pounds to 90 in a matter of months.
At school her friends worried. They were convinced she was staving herself. And when she started getting bruises and not allowing anyone to come to her house, her friends told the counselor at school. She lied and said all was fine at home.
Finally the stress was too much. Amie ran. With the clothes on her back, a little money, and a backpack full of necessities, she left Miami say that she'd never return.
The only brightness in her life was Mrs. Andersone. Amie loved her. She treated her like a daughter. Amie had found Mrs. Andersone trustworthy. She knew Amie's life story, and hadn't even tried to convince her to go home.
One night Mrs. Andersone invited Amie over to her house for dinner. Amie meet and liked Mr. Andersone. Her two children, Jett and Kenny, were spoiled rich kids. They didn't even try to make Amie feel like she was welcomed.
Amie sighed and finally let sleep envelop her.
*~*
Jett left Kenny alone in the kitchen. He was still trying to follow Keli, but didn't want him to know. He glanced back to see if Kenny was looking. He wasn't.
Jett believed Kenny, but he never thought that Keli would be a Christian. It ruined all his plans. He thought ofall his dreams and fantasies. "Oh well," he muttered too himself.
Jett sat down on the couch beside Keli. "Hi."
"Hi, Um... Jett, right?"
"Yeah, that's me. So what's up with you tonight?"
"Not much."
"You look sad. Kind of depressed."
"I guess I am. I tried to- oh never mind."
"No, it's ok. Go on. I'm a great listener."
"Well Friday nights at my church are youth group meetings. We talk, eat, have fun, and learn a little something too. Last night was about witnessing to our friends, something I'm not good at. I tried it tonight. I was talking to this guy and he totally blew me off."
"Well, I admire you for trying."
"Really?"
"Yeah." Sure, Jett really didn't care, but it meant a lot to Keli.
Keli turned away, ending the conversation.
*~*
Keli heard a noise.
A trumpet sounded.
She knew.
In a blink of a eye, Keli knew everyone around her.
And she was gone.
