CHAPTER FOUR
Soccer practice is already in progress when Joan returns to Arcadia High. She has taken the time to change into sports appropriate apparel. As she watches the girls warming up, Coach Keating notices and walks over to greet Joan…
"Miss Girardi, glad to have you with us. What do you think of this year's team?"
"Over half are girls I played along side back in the spring. They should give the St. Mary Wildcats a run for their money."
"We will certainly try. It's a shame you aren't on our team, Joan. You were one of the most naturally gifted goalies I've seen in 20 years of coaching."
"I was second string."
"Only at the beginning. After you had gained some more experience, I was going to move you up to the top spot. But you were injured in the explosion of the Herald building."
"Yeah, I guess I missed out on a really good life experience because of that."
"Aren't you playing in college?"
Joan shakes her head. "No time. I'm taking an extra heavy course load because I'm determined to graduate in only three years. I've only been in college a couple of weeks, but I'm already swamped with classes, studying and…other obligations."
"And yet, you look very fit."
"You inspired me, Coach. After you whipped me into shape, I found I liked being fit. All this summer I've been working out."
"Glad to here it. Care to try out that fitness with some shot practice drills?"
"Isn't that against the rules since I'm no longer a student here?"
"Yes, but so is practice on a holiday, but here we are. Besides, an exception can always be made for the town hero." Keating says with a grin.
Joan chuckles and joins her old team on the field… Susan Radovitch is in the goalie position as several girls try their luck at making goals. Joan watches and assesses her old enemy's ability. There was definite improvement over last spring's performance, but still, at least half of the balls are making it into the net. Joan thinks: you've got power but no speed. Your skill level is, and probably always will be, mediocre.
Joan decides it is time to start practicing her ability by taking a read on Susan. For Joan this isn't a matter of 'switching on' anything, because her ability is always there. Rather, it is a matter of not getting in the way. Stop resisting and let the info flow to you… At first a flood of emotions and individual spiritual energy from everyone around her buffets Joan, but by focusing on Susan, the storm calms. Now Joan is just receiving from her…
Okay, the first impression is from her sexuality. 'Well, big whoop—I don't need divine insight for that. Susan is as butch as a lumberjack, and isn't trying to fool anyone about which choir she sings in'. Next came fear. That's as common as dirt since everone carries around some level of fear, although Susan's level was a little high. Pain puts in an appearance (emotional, not physical), but again, that's to be expected. And of course there is a lot of anger present. Anyone who knew Susan was aware of her anger issues. Anything else? Yes, something subtle but definitely there…a tinge of demonic energy.
X X X X X
At the Girardi home Helen and John Hunter are on the patio enjoying the warm afternoon, and sipping iced tea...
"John, you haven't mentioned how you've been since you left Arcadia."
"Busy. I had to re-establish my practice, move into the new house, renew old acquaintences and...then there's Felicity."
"A love interest? Let me guess, you met her at church."
"No, she was the real estate agent who handled the transaction on the new house. I nearly buckled at the knees when I first met her."
Helen chuckles. "So, she's a hottie?"
"Definitely, but don't think I'm only drawn by her incredible beauty. Felicity is smart, kind and a wonderfully fun, outgoing person."
"So why do I hear concern in your voice?"
"Religion. It's the one area where we just don't click. I persuaded Felicity to attend my home church, but she left halfway through the service. She said it was...weird."
"John, I once visited a church like yours, and 'weird' is not an unusual reaction. All of that endless praising, speaking in tongues, prophecies and laying hands on the sick is a bit much for the average person off the street."
Dr. Hunter sighs. "I suppose you're right. Having grown up in such a church, I sometimes forget how the full gospel experience can startle people. Anyway, ever since then we have attended Felicity's church--which I wouldn't describe as a church at all. They're nice people, but spiritually clueless. They preach the philosophy of political correctness and barely acknowledge the existence of the bible."
"Then you must really love Felicity to put up with that."
"I suppose I do, but I never expected to fall for such a worldly woman. Perhaps my mind set made me more receptive to the possibility."
"Meaning?"
"My stay in Arcadia made me realize it was time to move on with my life. My kids are pretty much grown, and I've been a widower for six years. I realized I needed to seek a new wife."
"Would that realization have anything to do with the crush you had on me?"
Dr. Hunter blushes deeply. "You were aware...?"
Helen smiles. "A woman usually knows."
"Helen..."
"John, don't you dare apologize. I was flattered. A woman my age rarelyattracts the attention of such a handsome man, and I knew you would always remain a gentleman."
"I want you to know I never...lusted after you. I just became acutely aware that you were the type of wonderful woman I needed in my life."
"Thank you. Now, let's not speak any more of this or we will get silly and embarassed."
They fall into a companionable silence for a few minutes. Dr. Hunter resumes...
"Have any good dreams lately?"
"Oh, God manages to slip me an assignment now and then. Nothing as dramatic as last year, but I'm always glad to be of use. What about you? I suppose God is keeping you as busy as usual?"
John Hunter hesitates as he becomes misty-eyed. "Actually...no. My dreams have stopped."
X X X X X
Back at Arcadia High, soccer practice has ended, and the girls quickly scatter to catch up with the rest of their holiday plans. Joan waits patiently by a blue and yellow gym bag with the initials S.R. Susan, the last player in, reluctantly approaches Joan.
"Here to rub it in?" Susan snaps.
"What do you mean?"
"It's bad enough you showed me up last spring, but now you don't even go to this school and you're still doing it!"
"Susan, I'm not here to embarass you. I wanted to reconnect with some old friends, and maybe have a chance to...bury the hatchet? And please don't use that old cliche: 'Yeah, right in your head'."
"Your guts would do. So you weren't here to show how you are ten times better than me as goalie?"
"No, and I'm hardly ten times better. But if you want, I could give you a few pointers."
At first an offended look crosses Susan's face, but that is quickly replaced with a mean smile... "Sure. Let's try a few practice shots."
As they head for the goal, Joan sighs. Susan is so predictable, Joan doesn't need the confirming witness within her to know what the girl is planning. Joan takes position in front of the goal, and instantly, Susan savagely kicks the ball. It flies straight for Joan's head, but she easily catches it. With a shrug, Joan rolls the ball back to Susan. Furious, Susan kicks with all of her strength. Again the ball comes at Joan's head like a bullet, and again Joan catches it wih ridiculous ease.
"Maybe if you aimed for the net instead of me?"
Still angry, Susan settles for trying to score a goal against Joan. A dozen tries go by, but Joan successfully defends the net each time. Susan pauses to catch her breath, and stares at Joan with declining anger and growing curiosity...
"How do you do that?"
"It's all about anticipation. You have to look for the visual clues that tell you what your opponent is going to do. The eyes are the best place to start, followed by the head and then the shoulders."
"You don't watch her feet?"
"Nah, by then it's too late. Watch the eyes. In time you will know what the other player is going to do just before she does."
"Show me."
The pair switch places and Joan begins with a few easy shots at the goal. She offers suggestions for correcting Susan's methods while gradually increasing the difficulty of play. To Susan's surprise, she begins to noticeably improve, and as a result, her resentment of Joan begins to fade. After an hour of this, both girls are tired and sweaty. They decide to rest on the team bench, and Susan gives Joan a hand towel and a bottle of water. They sit side by side on the deserted athletic field, enjoying their rest.
Awkwardly, Susan clears her throat and says, "I guess I owe you an apology."
"Ya think?"
"Hey, go easy on me. I'm definitely not an apology making kind of person. But I am sorry, especially since all of that embarassing stuff from your psychiatric file became known anyway. You know, the talking to God thing."
"A brief period of hallucination from when I had Lyme disease." Joan says while being grateful that was all her of her file that was made public.
"Yeah, I know. The whole town knows, but that didn't keep everyone from calling you a hero. And, I guess you are. Also...I wanted to say thank you."
(Joan looks at Susan in surprise. Sitting this close, she can clearly see the slight demonic energy lingering around Susan. The girl isn't posessed, which is a rare thing, and she isn't demon influenced, which is quite common. No, these traces of evil energy come from being around someone deeply connected to a demon.)
"Uh, why are you thanking me?"
"For stopping me. The first time I blackmailed someone using a psychiatric file from my Dad's records, it was self-defense. A bully was making my life hell, and just a little blackmail saved me. The next time was to help a friend who was being harassed by a real creep. Technically, I knew what I was doing was wrong, but some how, it seemed...okay."
"The end justified the means?"
"Yeah, I guess...at least at first. As time went by, I began to enjoy the power I had. Soon it took less and less provocation for me to use it. When I tried to blackmail you for simply beating me out for my spot in the spring fun league, that was the lowest I had ever sunk. I was too mad at that time to realize it, but when you got away from me the key to my Dad's storage locker, it was the best thing that could have happened to me. Without that access, I began to deal with life's problems in a normal way. I soon saw what a lousy person I had become by relying on that power over people."
"You didn't make all the right life choices, but who the hell does?"
"By the way, what did you ever do with that key?"
Joan lies, "I...immediately tossed it in the river."
"I'm glad. In the wrong hands..." Susan trembles as memories come flooding back.
Joan puts her hand on Susan's. "Part of burying the hatchet is letting go of the past."
"And embracing the future? Hopefully my last year of high school will be better than the last three. And if all goes well, then comes college. So, tell me, is it as wild as I hear?"
"It can be. Again, it's a matter of life choices. It has only been a couple of weeks for me, and already I've seen plenty of dubious decisions. Most of the freshman class at Arcadia College are from out of town, and on their own for the first time. That level of sudden freedom overwhelms some people."
Susan grins. "Wild parties every night?"
"If that's what you're into."
"Including...experimentation? I hear some of the co-eds are willing to try a once in a lifetime...?"
Susan blushes as she shyly awaits Joan's response. Joan has been aware all along of Susan's attraction to her. Their hands are still touching, and Susan gently squeezes Joan's...
Joan gulps, "Yeah...once in a lifetime."
Slowly, watching closely for Joan's reaction, Susan leans in for a kiss...
X X X X X
Once more back to the Girardi home where Helen and John have moved into the living room. There is an awkward silence between them as they have exhausted the topic of John's loss of his charism. It began slowly last June, and because he was so busy at the time, he didn't notice at first. As the summer progressed, his God-given dreams occurred less and less often. Last month, they stopped completely. Helen struggles not to push too hard for John Hunter is a dear friend, but she can't help feeling that he is holding something back.
Dr. Hunter's guilt over not sharing all is uncomfortable, but the truth would be far more uncomfortable to reveal. He is convinced that the nature of his relationship with Felicity Brewster is the cause. From the first moment he met her, John desired Felicity more than he had any other woman--including his late wife, Sylvia. The only thing that keeps him from feeling too guilty about this is the deep feelings that accompanies their sexual relationship. BUT, all of his life Dr. hunter has believed and followed the strict biblical standard of sexual behavior. Although he knows premarital sex doesn't automatically exclude someone from serving God, by violating the standard he uses to honor his Lord, he feels sure this is why...
Desperate to change the subject, Dr. Hunter asks, "Tell me what's up with Joan, and don't say you don't know what I mean."
Helen nods a little sadly. "She's changed. Ever since her war with Ryan, Joan has gotten stronger but more challenged in life. I don't know all of the details, but apparently God has her facing down demons."
"Demons? That's high level work. Is Joan ready for that?"
"I have to assume she is, or God wouldn't be giving her these assignments. She did train all summer to advance to this level."
"Trained how?"
"Joan had a personal tutor...her very own angel."
"An angel? What does he look like?"
"I don't know. I can't see him. When I asked Joan to describe him, she shuddered and said: 'It's better you don't know'. So, I'm thinking it's not someone who looks like Roma Downey or Michael Landon."
Dr. Hunter nods as he remembers the two angel based TV shows, 'Touched by an Angel' and 'Highway to Heaven'. "Some of the angels in the bible are described as huge warriors with multiple wings that have eyes on the inside of them."
Helen groans. "I worry constantly about Joan. God expects so much from her, and I don't know how she will ever manage to have a normal life. How can she find someone to love when there are so many strange demands on her?"
"In your last letter you said Joan and Adam Rove were romantically linked again?"
"Yes, all summer they slowly rebuilt the trust that was broken between them. Joan was at the point where she was ready to..." (Helen hesitates, blushing.) "...to consumate their love. Joan was planning to visit Adam for his first weekend at State."
"Something went wrong?"
"Remember when Adam lost his scholarship money and he was no longer able to go to Berekley like he wanted?"
"Yes, Ryan framed him for theft, and that cause the withdrawal of his scholarship offers. By the time the matter was cleared up, it was too late for Adam to get most of the scholarships back. That's why Adam was going to State."
"Well, Berekley was aware of Adam's unfair circumstances. When another student, who had a full ride to the university, had to go into rehab, they offered the full package to Adam. But, the offer came the Friday before the start of classes. Adam had to be there Monday morning, or they were going to give the money to someone else. I'm not sure why, but in the mad scramble to move across country at the last moment, Adam forgot to tell Joan what was happening. She found out from Mr. Rove after Adam had already left town."
"That...must have been painful for Joan, but surely she understood the unusual circumstances?"
"In her head maybe, but in her heart, she felt betrayed again. When Adam called the next Monday afternoon with the good news that the scholarship package was offically his, Joan was madder than I have ever seen her. Basically, she tore Adam a new one. Adam lost his temper and began yelling back at Joan. She finally ended their conversation by telling Adam that since she was such an after thought in his life, then they should date other people during the school year."
"Oh no..."
"Oh yes. In effect, Joan gave her boyfriend permission to cheat on her. She's been beating herself up about that ever since, but she has too much stubborn pride to call it off. But...I've been wondering if God didn't have a hand in this."
"What do you mean?"
"The first two weeks of college, Joan had three different assignments involving young men she doesn't know. She quickly realized that the easiest way to connect to those guy's lives was to pretend an interest in them. She would date them once or twice until she found out what the indvidual problem of each guy was. Once that was solved, she would move on to the next guy. Joan was only able to do this because of her fight with Adam freed her to date others. Did God engineer the break up between Adam and Joan?"
"No. God isn't a puppet master, and we are not on his string. God grants us free will, and only uses his servants to help humanity. He no doubt saw this break-up coming, but he didn't cause it. The fact that Joan can use this time away from Adam for God's purposes is just serendipity. I hope Joan realizes that, because if she is coming up against demons, her faith in God must be absolute."
"Then I won't mention my doubts to her."
"Good. Oh, look at the time. I really must be going. It's a shame I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to Grace."
Helen looks at her watch and frowns. "She has been sleeping an unusually long time. Why don't you come upstairs with me while I check on her? I'm sure Grace would like the chance for even a brief talk."
Dr. Hunter nods his agreement and follows Helen up to Kevin's old room. While he waits in the hall, Helen gently knocks and enters the darkened bedroom...
"Grace...?"
A few moments later, Helen reappears looking scared. "John, something is wrong. Grace won't wake up!"
TBC. Please review.