I looked at the cotents I held in my hands, unsure of what to think. All I saw was some paper that looked like it had to be filled out, something else that looked like it had to be read and a little book. What did this stuff have to do with what we were searching for?
"A Bible?" Soda asked looking at Jeff. He had opened the little book and was paging through it. "We have one of these at home."
I nodded. My family had one too.
"It's only one book of the Bible." Jeff explained. "It's the gospel of John."
"We're searching for some guy named John?" Steve asked narrowing his eyes.
Aaron laughed. "No, but John was one of his disciples. You are actually searching for Jesus."
Soda looked at Steve. "Isn't that the guy the pastor was talking about that day we went to church with Pony and Johnny?"
"How would I know? I was too busy goofing off like you. You only sat still for about about five seconds when Pony glared at you." Steve said impatiently. He then turned back to Aaron. "Okay, who is this Jesus guy? And why are you so sure that he is what we're searching for?"
"Let's go to the lounge area where we can sit down." Jeff suggested.
"You're stalling." Steve said. "Who is this Jesus?"
"We'll tell you in the lounge area. There's too many distractions here." Aaron said. He and Jeff started walking away, turning to make sure we were behind them.
I shrugged and followed along with Soda. Steve stood where he was, then followed us very slowly. I don't think this was what he expected. Then again, I can't say I blamed him. I wasn't expecting it either. We were searching for some guy named Jesus? I didn't have much experience with the whole church thing. But I had gone a few times. I had heard of Jesus, but I didn't see anything about him that would cause me to search for him. He was just some person in the Bible like that John guy.
"I don't see how this could be what we're searching for." Steve grumbled as we entered a room with a few sofas and chairs.
"Have a seat guys." Jeff said. He was already sitting on one of the sofas next to Aaron. Soda and I sat on the other sofa, while Steve slumped in a chair away from the rest of us.
"Sit with us, Steve." Soda said with his cheerful smile.
Steve gave his friend a tiny grin but shook his head.
"Are you sure, Steve?" Aaron asked. "You can sit here with us and just listen. I promise we won't force you to fill anything out or to accept that Jesus is what you're searching for. That's your decision and only your decision."
"I'll stay here." Steve mumbled. The way he sat slumped down in the chair with his arms crossed almost reminded me of Dally.
Soda gave Steve one last look that was a plea to join the rest of us before he turned his attention to Aaron and Jeff. He and Steve usually did everything together and to see Steve not joining the rest of us clearly bothered him.
"I'm still here." I whispered to him.
"I know." Soda sighed. "I just wish he'd sit here with us."
"Hey, if he changes his mind, or gets curious enough, he'll join us. Or at least he'll move the chair closer." Aaron told Soda. "This happens sometimes."
Jeff nodded. "Yeah, I was the one who sat in the back for the longest time. I just couldn't believe that Jesus or anyone else for that matter could be what I was searching for."
"Maybe you should share your story, Jeff." Aaron suggested. "Then I'll share mine. I think it'll make it easier on them if they hear how Jesus has worked in our lives and how we have come to konow that he is what we were searching for before we try to explain anything else."
"I agree. You guys don't have to be home at a certain time, do you?" Jeff asked.
Soda and I shook our heads. I guess Steve shook his head too. But he remained where he was, acting like it was a waste of his time but not bothering to make an effort to leave. I glanced at Soda and he looked back at me. Neither of us could be sure that Jesus was what we were searching for, but we were curious enough to find out. But I could tell that both of us were wondering if Steve was curious too or if he would leave still searching if Soda and I decided that Jesus was what we were searching for. Or would we all leave still searching for something?