Chapter 4- Chloe's Rebellion and Conversions
Randi sat on the couch, waiting for her father to come down while reading the book Pastor Billings had given her for her birthday. The sound of Rayford's dress shoes on the steps and floor boards caused her to look up.
Her father still looked a little tired and afraid, but he also looked as if he had gotten some sleep. Now he looked as if he could use a shower, shave, and food.
"Dad?" Randi asked, standing up. Her father smiled at her with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He kissed her forehead gently.
"You look rested," Rayford said, sitting down at the dining room table as Randi went into the kitchen and got out a package of Ramen noodles for him.
"Thanks. So do you. You look like you need some food," Randi said, popping the creamy chicken noodle soup into the microwave.
"Sounds good. Where's Chloe?" Rayford asked as Randi sat down next to him.
"Buck Williams crashed on our couch when you came in this morning. He said that Ken Ritz could help him get to New York. Chloe drove him to the airport 4 hours ago," Randi said, looking at the clock over the stove.
"What was Chloe thinking. It's a madhouse out there," Rayford grumbled.
"Yeah. Dad, can you take me to the church?" Randi asked, changing the subject.
"Why? If what your mom and Raymie believed was true no one will be there," Rayford said.
"You believe Mom?" Randi asked, blinking tears.
"I can't believe it, but I can't disbelieve it either, Randi. I don't know what to believe," Rayford said as Randi took the soup out of the microwave.
"Maybe that's why we need to go to the church. Bruce told Mom last night before we left that Pastor Billings had made a tape for this kind of situation. Maybe we can find it. The church is never locked," Randi said as her father ate the hot soup and noodles thoughtfully.
"All right, but I want Chloe to come with us," Rayford conceded.
"No complaints there. We just need to wait for Chloe," Randi said.
"Well, I'm not going to wait. I'm going to look for her. You want to come?" Rayford asked, swallowing the last few bites of his food.
"You just said it was a madhouse out there!" Randi said, taking the bowl and spoon to the sink and putting them in the dishwasher.
"I know, but Chloe needs to hear that message if we find that tape," Rayford said.
"Okay. Just let me get dressed. I'm not about to run around in my nightclothes," Randi said, still self-conscious about going outside in Garfield pajama bottoms and a blue sweatshirt that had a cat on it.
It didn't take long to find Chloe or her minivan. Randi still had no idea how her sister had made it to the middle school with the roads- even private roads- as congested as they were. Randi and Rayford made their way to Raymie's classroom.
Since they were 5 Randi and Raymie had been in different classrooms. For some reason teachers had thought twins shouldn't be in the same classrooms.
A lone figure sat at a desk and Randi heard a shuddering sob from the figure. From behind Randi knew it was Chloe and she recognized her brother's baseball glove she was holding.
"I have been going out of my mind driving all over looking for you. Where did you go?" Rayford asked, a combination of frustration and worry on his face and in his voice.
"I couldn't just sit there. What if they were hiding somewhere?" Chloe asked as she broke into tears and buried her face in Rayford's knee.
"I'm sorry," Rayford apologized.
"I checked the hospitals and the police-" Chloe sobbed.
"I'm sorry, Baby," Rayford said stroking Chloe's hair.
"Even our friends-" Chloe started to say.
"Maybe we should try the church," Rayford suggested, looking at Randi.
"Don't start," Chloe sat up and sniffed.
"Well, if your mom was right and from what Randi says is right, nobody will be there anyway," Rayford said lightly.
"Don't make fun of her. Not now," Chloe said, her voice full of anger and tears.
"I'm not making fun of her. But think about it. Where did she spend most of her time? Where was she the happiest?" Rayford asked, a look of desperation in his eyes.
"She was happiest when you were home," Chloe said flatly as she glared at their father and got up to leave.
"Chloe, the things that your mom believed in, the things that she talked about, what if they were true?" Rayford asked.
"I'm going home. Someone should be there when they come home," Chloe said, obviously not willing to believe Rayford or Randi at this moment.
Rayford turned to Randi with defeat in his eyes. I tried," Rayford said as they walked to the door.
"I know, Dad, but Chloe will have to discover this on her own. We can't make her accept it," Randi said as Rayford stopped in front of the wall pictures, taking the one that Raymie did down. He folded the picture and taking Randi's hand went back to their home.
Randi stepped into the church as the sun was coming up. Rayford was still outside as he was feeling shame over coming inside. Maybe it would have been better if they had come the night before, but Rayford had said it was late when they got home and the errand could wait.
Randi heard something bounce against the carpeted floor. She wondered who would be here. Unless it was a vandal. She had heard on the news last night about church vandalism. Law and order had apparently decided to take a vacation on Jesus came back for the church; A seven-year vacation. Her questions answered themselves as soon as she heard the voice of someone, full of bitterness and despair.
"Oh, Lord. Oh, God, what a fraud I am. And everybody bought it," Bruce Barnes's voice came to her through bounces. He laughed bitterly. After a long moment he laughed again.
Bruce climbed over the railing separating the cross from the pulpit and the pews. He looked at cross on the altar. "Except You. I know Your message! I know Your words!" Bruce hit the railing as he looked at the cross and went to the pulpit. "I stood right here! I preached it! And I was good! But they're gone! They're gone and- oh, but knowing and believing are two different things," Bruce said, picking up his jacket and walking to the exit. Randi walked back into the shadows. The way Bruce was feeling he might not like that someone was seeing him act like a basket case.
"I'm living a lie. I'm living a lie. Right." Taking the object in his hand he threw it at the cross, knocking it down as Rayford came in and touched Randi's shoulder.
"Is he-" Rayford started to ask.
"Shh. Let's see what he says next. It may help him," Randi whispered back.
Bruce went to the altar. "OH GOD!" he screamed in anguish, falling to his knees. Randi and Rayford moved to the front slowly. "I'm kneeling before You right now, asking you- God, forgive me of my sins. I'm asking you- give me one more chance. Forgive me- to receive You in. Forgive me, God. Use me. Lord, please, just use me," Bruce begged.
"He already has. He already has," Rayford said softly, tears streaming down his own face as he and Randi knelt next to Bruce and prayed with him. Randi felt her heart skip as she saw her father pray for the first time in her life and tears fell unchecked down her own cheeks.
