Chapter 28
Here with Me
"Welcome to Generation Church," A man greeted, smiling at the three of us, as we entered the building.
He looked very friendly. He was at least in his late 20s, or early 30s. He had short light brown hair, and stubble around his cheeks and chin.
He looked over at me, and his face brightened as he recognized me from whatever news channel I had been on.
"Renesmee Cullen, right?" He smiled, and reached out to shake my hand.
"Nessie," I said, shaking his hand, and trying to pull my sweatshirt over my scar with the other hand.
"It's pretty obvious to say that I saw the story," He said. "You know, I think God has some sort of plan for you and your family, Nessie. I'm very glad you came with Ana tonight. My family and I have actually been praying that you would come,"
I smiled lightly. "Thanks,"
"You must be Jacob, then." He shook Jake's hand, and looked between him and myself.
"Jim Larrabee, by the way," He said. He looked back at Jake, looking sincere.
"Jake," Jake said "Call me Jake,"
"Jake, then." Jim nodded. "I am very sorry about your father. It can be hard to lose a parent, especially when you've already lost one. I've also been praying for you,"
I looked between Jim and Jake, knowing how Jake would react.
"Uh, Jake doesn't…"
Before I could finish, Jake interrupted me, surprising both Ana and myself.
"Thanks," His voice was strained, and I could tell he was forcing a smile.
Jim nodded, and turned to Ana. "Well, how about you show them around a little bit, I have to talk to somebody, but I will talk to you later,"
"Talk later," Ana smiled, as Jim left.
Ana took us to the sanctuary, and introduced us to others. We stood around talking to people for about ten minutes, and Jim came onto the stage.
"Okay, everyone, grab a seat, we are about to begin," He said. Ana took us to one of the tables that held a few of her other friends.
"Hey, Ana," A guy smiled, waving her over.
"Max," She smiled. "Nessie, Jake, this is Max. Max, Nessie and Jake," Ana introduced us.
"Nessie?" Max asked, after shaking our hands. "As in, Renesmee? You're that girl who got shot at Garfield before that hospital shooting?"
"Yeah," I said quietly. "Yeah, that's me."
"Man, if that's not God, I don't know what is," Max shook his head.
"So I've been told," I smiled lightly.
"I hope you guys have fun—this is a really great youth group."
"Thanks," I smiled.
"Well, now that everyone is ready, I just have a few announcements to make before we start the movie," Jim said.
"First, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and to remind everyone that our Christmas Eve service is this Monday, starting at 4 pm, and we will not have a Christmas morning service. Don't forget that we are also going to Sky High for our annual New Year's Party, and we still have spots available, only $25! Don't let price let you down. If you need a scholarship, just talk to myself, or any of your small group leaders and we will get that set up straight away. We also have our REVIVE Fuse winter retreat coming up in three weeks, for $100, from January 6th through the 8th. Get your forms and scholarships in soon, because we have limited spots left." Jim smiled.
"Now, let's start the movie." He motions to someone on the sound board, and the lights dim, as the movie begins.
"Oh, Nessie," Ana whispered, nudging my arm a little. "I almost forgot…the retreat that Jim mentioned? It's really fun—I went last year, and had an amazing time…anyway; I wanted to know if you would like to come?"
"I'm not sure, it depends on when my next surgery is. Did he say that it was the 6th?"
"Yeah. It ends the 8th, we come back around three or four…wait another surgery?"
I nodded, and went in my purse for a piece of paper and a pen.
I'll have a few surgeries over the course of the year, to make sure that everything's holding up, and then a few to replace staples, until my stomach is completely healed…and to catch any bleeding before it gets too bad. I wrote. I passed the piece of paper to Ana.
That sucks. -.- I'm sorry.
I shrugged, reading over the note. It's not that bad. I won't be actually be cut open, unless something seriously goes wrong. I'm not banking on that, though. I'll be fine.
When's your next surgery?
The 9th. I could be wrong, though. They'll let me know tomorrow at my post-op appointment. What do you do at the retreat?
It's really fun—there's a ton of snow, and a tubing hill that we use that Saturday. Last year we went night tubing too, and the hill was light up with Christmas lights. We also have small group, and sessions—one the night we get there, about two or three the next day, and then one Sunday before we leave. We have worship as well, and then Saturday night we have a themed party. Last year's was 'Clash', where we dressed in mismatched clothes. This year, I believe is 'Superhero Rap Battles'.
I can ask—it sounds pretty cool. I'm just not sure about the tubing. I'll talk to my parents tonight when they get off, and then I'll talk to Torres or Hunt tomorrow, whoever is doing my post-op. I'm just not sure about the tubing part. The most active thing I can do is walking up stairs. Possibly cheer, but I have to talk to Jen and Hartway about that when I get back.
I hope you can.
I smiled over at Ana, folding the paper and putting it, and the pen, back in my purse. I looked over at Jake, and gave him a quick kiss, resting my head on his shoulder, curling my legs on the chair. Jake kissed the crown of my head, and placed his hand over mine on my lap.
The movie was pretty good. It turned out to be about this kid whom everyone loves, the reigning champion of his high school basketball team and beer pong. Then, an old childhood friend of his kills himself. He goes to this youth group, and the youth pastor there tells him that he needs God, so he becomes a Christian. But things for him start going out of control, and through these trials, he learns what it really means to be a Christian.
The youth group ended after the movie was over. Ana, Jake and I stayed for a few minutes afterward, talking to some of Ana's friends, and meeting her small group leaders. Everyone we meet had, obviously, heard about the shooting, and tried not to stare, as they talked to us. I put on my smile, and thanked everyone who had us in their prayers.
We left the church, and Ana dropped us off at my house.
"Call me tomorrow about the retreat?" Ana asked, as Jake and I got out of her car.
"Yeah," I smiled. "Thanks again for the invite,"
"No problem," She looked over at Jake. "You can come too, if you want. I have some extra brochures at my house I can get to you tomorrow."
"Uh…sure," Jake smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yeah," Ana waved. "See you tomorrow," She waved, and drove off.
"You'll come by tomorrow?" I asked Jake, standing outside his car.
"Of course," Jake gave me a kiss. "You know, I must be the luckiest guy on earth right now," He smiled lightly.
"Why is that?" I rested my head on Jake's chest. He enclosed his arms around my waist.
"Because you're mine." He said, giving me another kiss. "Even my father couldn't take you from me."
I smiled. "I love you,"
"I love you more," Jake gave me a kiss on the top of my forehead, and got into his car.
"I'll be by after school," Jake promised, before driving off.
Sighing, I ran a hand through my hair, and went inside.
