Sunday, September 14

Chris smiled at Joel as they approached each other. "Nice work," he said. "But you screwed up on that third song."

Joel looked at the people around him. Some of them were leaving the church, but some were staying to talk with each other. "You think anyone noticed?" he asked.

"Nah. No one knows what the heck you're doing up there… much less would they realize if it was right or not."

Joel smiled. He wasn't a show-off, he just enjoyed going all-out on the drums. He'd played for seven years and was pretty good at them. "I felt like everyone was off beat except me."

"Oh, I get it, so the drummer's always right?"

Joel nodded. "That's what my music teacher always taught me."

"So, what's up with your friends? You said you wanted to tell me something?"

Joel nodded. "I think Tom's thinking of converting now, too."

"Too? Who else converted?"

"Well, Gordo."

"Oh, yeah."

"It sounds like he's giving up beer… hopefully the drugs and the sex as well, but he didn't say anything for sure about them. He told me not to push him into Christianity, that he'd come on his own time, but I think if the choice is up to him, he won't. Tom's the kinda guy that wants to do something but's always too lazy to do it. Even if he wants to become a Christian, he'll be too tired to get up on Sundays, or forget to pray, or… you know, whatever. I don't think it'll last long."

"Well, it's not really your decision to make," Chris replied. "I don't think there's a lot you can do, except pray."

Joel nodded. "I know. I just hate feeling like I'm not in control." He turned and looked at the worship band's things all set up on the side of the church. "I control the band," he said. "I can make it faster, slower, I can make them start and stop… everything. I control how much strength I have by working out, I control my grades… but I don't control Tom's faith."

Chris nodded. "Yeah, you are kind of a control freak. But not controlling my faith has never bugged you before. At least, I don't think it has."

"That's because I don't think I could do a better job than you're doing now. But Tom… he needs so much, and he doesn't even realize it. He needs me to take control."

"But you still can't."

Joel sighed. "I know."

"How's Trevor doing? You said he was decent when he was around Gordo… that's good."

"He was just being mellow because Gordo was quiet. He hasn't changed."

"Anyone else? What about Jake?"

Joel looked like he was carrying the weight of the world then. He always looked so carefree, but right then he looked so tired and worn out. Spiritually worn out. "Jake and I are the only guys who haven't had sex. I was praying for him a lot, but Alex got him a girlfriend… and when Alex gets you a girlfriend, you know it's bad news. I don't think he'll be strong enough to resist… and he wants so badly to fit in with us; I think he'll do anything. And this girl, she's really trashy."

"Hang out with him. Show him that not all the guys are like Alex."

"Alex got first dibs on him, though. He knows Alex."

"So let him get to know you. Does he go to our school?"

Joel shook his head. "They all go to the same public school. That's half the problem. If I could get them in a Christian environment…"

"What about a Christian concert or something? Think they'd like Cross Movement?"

"They might, but where's Cross Movement right now? I don't think they'd come here just for a few guys."

"Well, we can check. Ask Pastor for a listing of all the Christian groups coming here. We could do this."

"Brandon'll have my head once he realizes it's Christian."

"He's not that much bigger than you." Brandon was the biggest of all of the guys… he was the tallest, with the broadest shoulders, and the most muscular. He was nineteen years old… he'd flunked seventh grade and therefore was a senior.

Joel snorted. "Sure he's not. Only about three feet. Yeah, I bet I could take him." His voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"Then don't invite him."

"Oh, there's an idea. Invite everyone but him. Sure, he'd like that."

Chris shrugged. "Just an idea. Hope it works out for you."

"Gee, thanks. I'm gonna need more than hope. Pray for me?"

Chris nodded. "You, Jake, Tom… heck, I'll pray for all of them."

"Thanks." His word was sincere this time.

"I just had a thought…"

"What's that?"

"Well, Lizzie's going to homecoming with a guy named Jake. Is it the same Jake?"

Joel paused, then slowly shook his head. "I doubt it. She said she has English with him, and my Jake doesn't go there. And I don't think he's going to homecoming, anyways."

"Good. Keep Lizzie and Miranda away from those guys."

Joel nodded. "I plan to."

Joel felt like a parent. He felt like he had to protect everyone from everyone else, and drag "the kids" to church even when they didn't want to go. He looked out for all of his friends in the way he saw best, which was a very parental characteristic. But maybe the best friends treat people like their children… they look out for them and try their best to protect them. The thing that a good friend and a parent share that makes them similar in roles, is love. Joel loved his friends as brothers and sisters. He always tried his best to influence them in the right way.

"Well, I think I have to go. Tell Pastor about Tom… he'll be happy."

Joel nodded. "I will."