Chapter 2
Cody sat in his room.
How could she do this to me? he thought, I thought we were meant to be! First the breakup in Paris, now this! I thought our differences didn't matter. Why is God so important to her? Who needs God anyway? I'm a man of science and reason. God doesn't fit with intellect. Maybe this is just a phase. She'll welcome me back within the next month, and we'll compromise about faith issues.
Cody felt he was too smart for God. How could someone, let alone the girl he dated for over two years, believe in a Being that was no longer relevant to society, the stuff of children's fables? He had studied the works of Darwin, Dawkins, and Voltaire and came to the conclusion that God doesn't exist. Why was the woman he loved suddenly so passionate about a fairy tale?
As Cody pondered this, Bailey was in her room on her knees in prayer.
"Heavenly Father," she cried, "I know I haven't been living for You lately. Thank you for leading me back to You. You know I still love Cody, but I love You more. Help me to honor You even if that means breaking the relationship because I know it will do me good in the long-run. Lord, I pray for Cody, that You would stir his heart and reveal Yourself to him and that would experience the joy that comes from a relationship with You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen."
Meanwhile, after the conference had finished for the night, Zack, Marcus, Woody, and Bob walked out the door.
"So guys, what'd you think?" Marcus asked.
"Man," Woody said, "I never saw someone leave that quickly like Bailey did. Either something really touched her, or she just really had to go the bathroom."
"It was kinda interesting," Zack said, "The preacher had a powerful story, but who's he to tell me how to do my relationships?"
A girl walked by.
"Hey sweet thang!" Zack said, "Do you want a crack at the Zack?"
She promptly walked away.
"See?" Marcus said, "You wanna hit on the ladies but you can't just go after a girl just because she's beautiful. Don't you want appreciate what else she has to offer? Her intellect, values, ambitions?"
Zack and Woody stared at each other for a moment then laughed.
"Good one, man!" Woody said.
"I'm serious guys!" Marcus said.
"Hey, weren't you the one hitting on Maddie earlier?" Zack asked. "She was supposed to be MY girlfriend, but it never worked out."
"Gee, I wonder why?" Marcus asked sarcastically, "And no, I wasn't hitting on her, I admire her beauty yes, as I do London, but really it's what's on the heart that lasts in a relationship."
"Well, if her heart's anything like her body then she's very sexy…and compassionate." Zack said with a smirk.
Marcus rolled his eyes, "You'll never get it, will you, man?"
Meanwhile, Cody came up to Mr. Moseby's desk.
"Cody, what can I do for you?" Moseby asked.
"Mr. Moseby, I need to leave for a bit." Cody said.
"What?" Moseby said, "This late? What would your mother say? Besides, you've got to manage the dining area with Chef Paolo in the morning!"
"I know," Cody said, "But he can take care of it. I just need to get away. Bailey and I aren't on good terms right now."
"Might I inquire as to what's wrong?" Moseby asked.
"Well, Bailey went to that conference and she doesn't feel like she should be with me because I don't share her beliefs." Cody said.
"Well," Moseby said, "Sometimes in a relationship, you just have to let the other person be. Not everything turns out the way we expect. Take Emma and I for instance…"
"You and Ms. Tutwiler, I mean, Mrs. Moseby?" Cody asked.
"Yes," Moseby said, "She and I still love each other, but we're giving each other our space. We both need to grow as individuals, apart from each other, so that we can be stronger together. Give Bailey her space and consider compromises both you and her may have to make if you want to continue your relationship."
"What, you mean destroy her faith?" Cody asked, "She'd never want me after that. And I'm not about to embrace Jesus."
"No, you find things you two have in common, and embrace that." Moseby said. "Over time, she may tone down her faith a bit, or you might even come to faith."
"Thanks Moseby," Cody said, "I'll consider what you've said. But I'm still taking the next train out of here!"
Later, as Bailey walked slowly down the hall, contemplating her thoughts, she ran into London and Maddie.
"Hey Bailey!" London exclaimed, "Where you headed? Back to Kettlekorn for your Mulch Festival?"
"No, London," Bailey said, "I'm going down to see Cody. I have to speak with him. Besides, the Mulch Festival isn't until next month!"
"Oh no!" Maddie said, "Are you guys gonna break up?"
"Oh no!" London said, "I have to be around you for another month?"
Bailey rolled her eyes as she turned to Bailey, "I honestly don't know where our relationship is headed right now, but I feel a strong conviction that I need a break."
"Well, good luck," Maddie said, as she embraced Bailey in a hug.
"Thanks Maddie," Bailey said. She then headed toward the elevator.
"Crush his lying, lowdown, cheating heart!" London called. She then turned to Maddie, "You know they broke up in Paris on top of the Eiffel Tower right?"
"Guess they won't always have Paris." Maddie said. "I hope things work out for them though."
Down in the lobby, Bailey came over to Mr. Moseby's desk.
"Mr. Moseby," she said. "I was looking for Cody. Have you seen him? I need to speak with him."
"Uh-oh," Moseby said.
"What do you mean?" Bailey asked nervously.
"Well," Moseby said, "I don't know how to tell you this, but Cody just left and is headed for the nearest train station."
"What?" Bailey asked in disbelief, "Did he say where he was going?"
"No," Moseby said, "Just that he needed to leave town for a while to collect his thoughts."
"I need to go after him!" Bailey said.
"Shall I call you a cab?" Moseby asked.
"Yes, thanks." Bailey said. She walked over and sat down on a couch in the lobby.
"Ah, young love." Moseby sighed. As Moseby was calling a taxi, Bailey tried to call Cody on her phone.
"C'mon, Cody, answer!" she yelled. It went to voice mail. "Hi, Cody, I know you're mad, but when you get this message please call me back. I still love you, but we need to talk and set things straight." She hung up the phone and slunk down in despair. Placing her face in her palms, she started crying.
"Hey, are you ok?" Madison asked as she walked by.
"No, I'm not." Bailey said.
"Wanna talk about it?" Madison asked. "I'm Madison, by the way. I'm staying here for the conference this weekend. I think I saw you earlier."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Bailey. It's just that I'm going through a rough time with my boyfriend right now."
"Aw, I'm sorry," she said, placing her hand gently on Bailey's shoulder. "May I sit down?"
Bailey shifted her position on the couch to make room for her. "Pastor Paul's sermon really moved and convicted me," Bailey said. "I was raised in a Christian home. We went to Sunday school, read the Bible, but over the years I kind just drifted away from church life and God. The passage about being 'unequally yoked' really stuck with me, and I felt God speaking to me, that I needed to end my relationship with Cody. It's hard because I really love him, but I know if we continue this, and get married, having two different belief systems and worldviews could often create conflict and I don't want to be at odds with my husband over what's really important to me."
"I understand," Madison said, "I get it. A year ago I was in an abusive relationship. I didn't want to leave him at first, but finally something he did helped me see it was time to end it before it was too late. It was then that I found Jesus. Since then, I'm trying to live for Christ and I want to glorify Him in my relationships. If he can't see your passion for the Lord, then I'm sorry, honey, but he's not worth your time."
"It's just that Cody and I have been through a lot together, and I don't want to make him feel like I don't care about him." Bailey said.
"Do you want me to pray with you?" Madison asked.
"Would you?" Bailey asked.
"Of course." she replied. She grabbed Bailey's hand as they both bowed their heads and shut their eyes. "Lord, I pray for my sister Bailey, right now. I pray that You help her find the right relationship that You have planned for her. Help her to continue to follow Your calling for her life. I pray also for her boyfriend Cody. I pray that You would stir his heart. Reveal Yourself to him in a way that will allow him to recognize You and realize Bailey's passion for You and the amazing plans and promises You have for the both of them. God, I pray Your Spirit would move throughout this place and transform the lives of the students at the conference, including our own. Help us to radiate Your compassion for the lost and the broken, and that they would see Your love through us. Help us to remember that no matter what happens, You are always good and always in control. Amen!"
"Amen," Bailey quietly repeated.
"Bailey, your taxi's here!" Moseby called.
"Thanks Mr. Moseby!" Bailey said, "And thank you so much, Madison! Your prayers mean a lot."
"No problem, girl!" Madison said, "God is with you! Godspeed!" Bailey got into the taxi.
As soon as she left, Pastor Paul Roberts came up to Mr. Moseby.
"Hello!" Moseby said, "How are you enjoying your stay at the Tipton so far, Mr. Roberts?" Moseby asked.
"Please, call me Paul," he said, "And I really like it here. Thank you for allowing us to use this venue for our students."
"Think nothing of it," Moseby said.
"How are things going tonight?" he asked.
"Fine," Moseby said, "Especially since I don't have those hooligans running around causing trouble! I see you, Zack, Woody, and Marcus!" Zack, Woody, and Marcus came out from behind a tall plant.
"Looks like the jig is up!" Woody said.
"Don't worry, Mr. Moseby," Zack said. "We were just…"
"…Going down to the buffet!" Woody said.
"That buffet is for paying guests only! You live/work here so you don't count!" Moseby said.
"That's ok, Mr. Moseby," Roberts said, "They can use my buffet pass! I won't need it!"
"Really?" Woody asked with excitement.
"Sweet!" Zack exclaimed, "You rock, dude!"
They ran off towards the buffet.
"You didn't have to do that," Moseby said.
"Oh that's ok," Paul said, "It's no problem. I love helping people out."
"You don't understand," Moseby said, "Those kids will eat the whole buffet now!"
"Well, at least you won't have to worry about throwing anything away!" Paul laughed, "On another note, I don't mean to pry but I heard there was a girl here earlier who left and she seemed troubled. I was just wondering if there was anything I could do."
"Oh, you must mean Bailey," Moseby said, "She went after her boyfriend who left earlier."
"Oh, I'll be praying for them," Paul said, "Relationships can be tough."
Meanwhile, at the buffet, Zack, Woody, and Marcus were getting food when they heard a familiar voice.
"…So in this passage, Jesus is saying that in order for us to follow Him, we need to trust Him completely."
"Bob?" Zack asked, "Is that you?"
"Yeah," Bob said, turning around in his seat, "I'm leading Bible study tonight. Wanna join us?"
"No thanks," Zack said. "Wait, you're leading a Bible study? But you're dyslexic!"
"Thanks for pointing that out, Zack!" Bob said sarcastically, "I just felt God calling me to lead it and He's helping conquer my insecurities and realize I don't have to let my dyslexia hold me back. Are you sure you don't want to join us?"
"That's ok," Zack said.
"Yeah, there's a vat of baked chicken just waiting for us!" Woody said, "And prime rib too!"
"C'mon guys," Marcus said, "You haven't seen Bob in years, Zack, give it a chance!"
"OK, fine!" Zack said, "But only if we can hang out later and play video games!"
"Deal!" Bob said.
"So what're you guys studying?" Marcus asked.
"Well, we're examining the passage of Jesus walking on water." Bob said, as a couple other students handed Zack, Marcus, and Woody some Bibles. "You guys were on a boat for a few years, right?"
"Yeah," Woody said, "One time we got stranded on a desert island and another time we were sinking to the bottom of the sea in a submarine."
"Glad I wasn't there either time." Marcus said.
"Well, anyway, this passage talks of how Peter had enough faith to get out of the boat and go to Jesus, but once he talk his eyes off Christ, he started to sink." Bob said.
"So you're saying that if we had prayed, we would've got off that island or got that sub to the surface quicker?" Zack asked.
"Maybe," Bob said, "People who have faith and trust in God can do things they never thought possible. God doesn't always take us out of storms, but He always gives us the strength to get through them. In Mark chapter 14, the disciples are afraid when they first see Jesus out on the water, but He calms their fears, and Peter goes out to meet Him but gets scared again. Even though Peter let fear get the better of him, his act of courage to get out of the boat, caused the other disciples to believe. So, do you need to step out of the boat today in faith? Do you feel Jesus is calling you? Are you receptive to His voice?"
"I don't know," Zack said, "I'll have to think it over. I've never really considered this before."
"Right now, the only thing I'm receptive to are the jelly doughnuts over on the dessert tray!" Woody said.
Marcus rolled his eyes. Meanwhile, Cody had just received his train ticket and was about to board a train to another unknown destination. Bailey had just arrived in her taxi.
C'mon Cody, she thought, Please be here! I need to talk with you! She heard a train whistle and someone shouted, "All aboard!" Cody got on the train. Bailey went up to the ticket booth at the station.
"Excuse me," she asked the woman behind the counter, pulling out a photo of her and Cody, "Did you see a boy who looks like this board this train?"
"I'm sorry, miss, but we're not allowed to give out that information." she said.
"But he's my friend and I need to talk with him!" Bailey said.
"I'm sorry, miss, but there's nothing I can do." she said.
Bailey rushed outside. The train started moving when she saw Cody reading a book through one of the windows. She started waving frantically at him but he didn't even look up. She hung her head in despair.
What do I do now, Lord? she prayed.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Have faith, Cailey shippers! They won't be apart forever! Stayed tuned for the conclusion.
