Chapter Eighteen- Waiting for the Sun

For the past two weeks all of Glen Oak and the surrounding community's had been tore apart looking for Jennifer Baker. The Camden house had become sort of a second command center for the police department, considering the families' close relationship with the missing girl. But after all this time nothing has been found. No trace of the young girl that once brightened all of their lives.

All of the Camdens had joined the search at first, but soon Lucy, Simon and Ruthie had to return to school. But even now Eric, Matt and Robbie helped the police whenever they could. The night that Jen was kidnapped it began to rain in Glen Oak, and it was still raining.

Annie watched it pour down as she made dinner for herself Ruthie and the twins. She could never round up the whole family for a meal these days. Robbie and Matt were both working, but Eric was at the Police Station answering phones and helping out with the search. Lucy was at the high school setting up for the next night's prayer service she herself had planned. Annie was glad that she had kept herself busy with it, the service kept Luce's mind off of Jennifer being gone. Simon was out, God only knew where. Ever since he learned the truth about Jen he had become a recluse, running from his families' prying questions. Annie was worried about him, but Eric had given her hope. "He'll come around, in his own time. He needs to deal with it in his own way. I trust him," he had told her, and she believed him for now. Ruthie brought the twins down the steps and Annie smiled. As upset as her youngest daughter had been, she was the light of the family. She kept them all from becoming too depressed.

They ate in silence, generally enjoying each other's company. Lucy arrived home as Ruthie and Annie finished the dishes.

"Hey Luce, everything set for tomorrow night?" Annie asked.
"Yeah, we got everything done tonight. A lot of people came to help." Lucy replied, smiling at her mother and sister. "Is Simon home?"

"I think so, we heard him come in during dinner." Ruthie said, drying the last dish.

"All right, I'm going to try and convince him to go tomorrow night. All of the rest of us will be there."

"Don't push him Luce." Annie said as her daughter walked up the steps.

Lucy knocked on Simon's door. "What?" He said, with a halfhearted attempt to be angry. She walked in and sat down next to him.

"I know you don't want to go tomorrow night, but it would mean a lot to me if you did."

"No Lucy. How many times do I have to tell you guys no?" Simon snapped, getting up off the bed.

"I don't understand you Simon, I just don't. I thought you loved her, but I guess I was wrong." Lucy got up, walking towards the door, but Simon caught her arm and pulled her close to him.

" Don't you ever, EVER say I don't love her." Simon said, his face full of anger. He let Lucy go; realizing that he was hurting her. "If anyone was lying about their feelings it was her."

"How could you say that!" Now Lucy was getting loud. "After everything that's happened! Of course she loved you Simon. How could you be so blind?"

"Me? Blind? Yes I was blind! I didn't see the truth, and she didn't tell me. If she loved me enough she would have told me."

"That's the reason she didn't tell you? Why can't you see that? Maybe if you weren't such a self-centered baby you could figure that out!" Lucy screamed as she walked out, slamming Simon's door. She didn't stay long enough to see her brother drop to his knees, crying like the baby that she had accused him of being.

The next day passed quickly for the whole family, and the time of the prayer service approached. Lucy felt bad for the things she had said to Simon the day before. She knew that he was hurting, but she also knew that he needed to let out some of his emotions. She hoped beyond hope he would attend the service.

The Camdens all got ready to go, but Simon didn't come downstairs.
"Simon, we're leaving!" Matt called up, but he didn't get an answer. Eric shrugged as they all walked out the door.

The service started at 6 o'clock, right on time. Reverend Camden opened with a prayer, and then he explained the details of Jennifer's disappearance for anyone who did not know the full story. Then he invited anyone who wanted to come up and speak about Jennifer to take the stage. Everyone was reluctant, because most of the students had treated her badly. Ruthie finally stood up.

"Jennifer was a good friend to my sister Lucy and my brother Simon. But that's not all. She always had time for anyone who needed her. When I needed help with my homework and everyone else was busy, she would help me. Every time she stayed at our house she always helped out with clearing the dishes after dinner. She was always kind a respectful and I pray that she is okay and that she is found so she can have the life that she deserves." When Ruthie finished she was in tears, and she walked down slowly. No one else stood up, so Lucy thought it was safe for her to go.

"It's going to be really hard for me to talk, so excuse me if I get choked up. All of my life I looked up to my sister Mary and we were best friends. But we have drifted apart these past few months since she went to Buffalo. I never really knew what it was like to be looked up to in that way. Ruthie is my sister and she looks up to me, but not in the same way I did to Mary. When Jennifer came along I finally found out what it was like to be admired and to change someone's life. I was Jennifer's first best friend, and she trusted me with everything. In the end there was nothing I could do to help and I felt like it was my fault that she disappeared. But I realized that I could do something, I could pray and spread the word about her. I hope that my efforts will not be in vain and she will return to Glen Oak. I love her as a sister, and I can't bare the thought of never seeing her again." She choked up on the last sentence, and as she looked around the gym she saw him. Simon was walking up the center aisle of the service, and suddenly it all got quiet. He walked up on stage and stood next to Lucy, then he began.

"I haven't known what to think since Jen left. She was my girlfriend, and I've never loved anyone as much as I do her. I know I'm young, but that's the way I feel. I realize now that I've been angry with her for no reason. She tried to protect me from her painful past, and I know I would have done the same in her shoes. I just hope that she comes back to me, to us Camdens, so I can tell her myself how much I love her, past or no past." He was crying now, and he hugged Lucy right there.

"I'm so sorry Luce."

"Shhh, I know."

Reverend Camden came up to the microphone, tears in his eyes as well, and close the prayer service with these words.

"And the man asked, God why during the hardest times in my life did you leave me? And God said, My precious child, I have not forsaken you. When you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you. I know in my heart that God will carry Jennifer and all of us who follow Him through this time. Please pray for her."

**************************************************************************** **** Part of Reverend Camden's ending speech is from Footprints, but its not exact. I hope this isn't really dumb, its kinda sappy. Please review!!!