“I haven’t heard you use that sort of language in weeks.” His mother’s tone was sharp, but then she sighed heavily on the other end. “I don’t know why. And frankly, I can’t deal with her and her drama any longer. That’s why I’m shipping her to you.”
Seth didn’t have time to feel remorse about the slip of his tongue. Not when more epithets were forming in his mouth. His whole—he wouldnotuse any of those wordsagain—family had lost their minds. “What?” The word echoed around the room before punching him in the gut.
“You’ve always been able to get through to her better than I could.”
Maybe in the past. “Mum, she needs—”
“She’s booked to arrive tomorrow at five thirty-five. And Seth, don’t send her back until her head is screwed on right again.”
A soft click sounded in his ear. No “I love you” or “I’m proud of you.” She’d never been verbal with her affection. More demonstrative. Working long hours to provide for him and Kayla. She didn’t need to do that now, not when his contract had so many zeros attached to it. In some ways, she didn’t know what to do with herself. Or how to show her kids that she cared.
Apparently by shipping one off to the other.
What was he going to do? His schedule was full at the center and didn’t leave much room to deal with a rebellious tirade from someone who wanted for nothing.
He could resign. Ben and Mila would understand. Family came first. Besides, Amber was wholly capable of handling things.
He scrubbed his hands down his face. Just the thought of quitting left a sour feeling in his stomach. He didn’twantto quit. It had been good to see some of his kids from last year. Yosef and Zaid had grown at least two inches. They were almost fluent in German now and were wearing a new-found confidence that looked good on them. First day back on the field and both boys had stepped into an early leadership role. If he left, who would be there to coach them on? Offer the support they’d need as they transitioned from the setting of childhood and stepped fully into the dawning of becoming a man?
And what about the new kids like Orhan and Yara? The frightful freshness of it all still caused their eyes to stare at the ground, their little bodies quaking at any loud sounds. Who would be there to coax them out of the haunting shadows of their past? To help them see beyond the wreckage of their young lives and gaze into their bright futures?
Amber could. He had every faith in her. But he wanted to be there. Have a hand in their lives. For them to have a hand in his. Was that wrong? Selfish? His sister needed him. Shouldn’t he be willing to drop everything for her?
He opened the contact list on his phone and tapped Justin’s name. If anyone had good advice, he did. The phone rang four times before Justin’s gravelly tenor came over the line.
“Did someone die?”
“What? No. Why would you think that?”
“Because it’s the middle of the night and that’s the only reason why anyone should be calling me at this hour.”
Shoot. He’d forgotten about the time. “Sorry. Although in my defense, I do recall you saying I could ring you any time, day or night.”
Shuffling noises caused static in Seth’s ear.
“Are you somewhere you know you shouldn’t be? A pub? Club? A woman’s house?”
Seth let out a breath of air. “No.”
“Then I repeat, why are you calling me in the middle of the night?”
“I need your advice.”
“Have you prayed about whatever it is?”
“Ahhh…” That probably would have been a good idea.
“Look, Seth, I’m here for you if you ever really need me, but I can’t be the first person you come to. There’s Someone else a whole lot wiser, stronger, and omnipresent that you need to be turning to and talking to first.”
Seth knew that. He did! So why hadn’t that been his first reaction? He thought conversion would be like some miracle life change. He was a sinner one minute and then, poof, with a prayer, he automatically knew what the right thing was and did it. But here he was, still struggling. Still making mistakes.
“There’s no abracadabra in Christianity, Seth.”
A nervous chuckle escaped his mouth. “It freaks me out when you read my mind like that.”
“The theological word is sanctification, although the term isn’t as important as the change occurring in you. And there is a change. I can see it. Everyone can. But it’s a daily process of surrender and calling on God. Read the works of Paul in the New Testament. Everyone struggles. You aren’t alone.”
“Thanks, Justin.”
