And the Greatest of These Is Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance Novel (37 page)

“So, what do you think?” Andrew asked, watching Irvin carefully.

“I think you’re outta your mind,” Irvin said, and Andrew laughed.

“Shall we?” he asked, sweeping a hand in front of him, and somehow the three of them got their feet to move.

It was truly amazing that in the six years she had known him, Gabi had never seen this side of Irvin. He was more than polite — he was practically genteel. Where or when he had learned to be such a gentleman Gabi couldn’t come close to figuring out. But here he was, a kid from the ghetto, pulling the chair out for his date, ordering like a seasoned veteran, and looking as in-place as any millionaire ever could.

“I happened to be in Mr. Richardson’s office the other day, and he mentioned that you were thinking about getting some of the students together for a steering committee,” he said, sounding more like a CEO than a 16-year-old. “Do you think I could get on that committee? I mean I have some ideas that could really take the center to the next level.”

Andrew smiled at the confident, young man and his lady friend sitting across from him. It was becoming more and more difficult to remember the scruffy-looking kid he’d met that first day in the gym. “Oh? What kind of ideas?”

“Well, for one thing the gym renovation went so well, I was thinking we could start on the rest of the classrooms down on the south wing. There’s got to be like what, ten rooms down that way, and they aren’t even being used. I was thinking maybe we could set one Saturday a month to renovate some of those rooms.”

“Sounds good. What would you use that space for?”

“Well, the little kids have their space, and the older kids have theirs, but there’s not really anywhere for the elementary and middle school kids to play,” Irvin said, mapping out the plan he clearly had been working on. “I thought we could start with the first two rooms and work our way down. I’ve already worked out some figures on the costs. Maybe we could go over them on Monday.”

Andrew nodded in sheer amazement at how brilliant Irvin was. Where had that brilliance been hiding before?

“What about the Christmas play?” Gabi asked as if suddenly concerned that her assistant was abandoning her.

“Oh, don’t worry about that.” Irvin waved that off as though it was no big deal. “I called today for the spot lights, and I recruited Tonika and several of the other girls to help with the costumes and the invitations.”

“Yeah, Mr. Clark gave us $75, and we got some material at the thrift store,” Tonika said, “and after the play, I think we’ll be able to let the kids have the costumes in the classrooms to play with.”

“And she brought back $6,” Andrew said, nodding as he held a bite of salad on his fork. “You’d be surprised what these people can accomplish when they get the chance.”

Gabi couldn’t believe her ears — it was hard enough to believe she was actually hearing the kids excited about helping, but to hear Andrew’s obvious admiration of them was simply more than she could ever have hoped for.

“Yeah. Wait ‘til you see what James came up with today,” Irvin said, “it’ll blow you away.”

Too late, Gabi thought, she had been blown away long before now.

The dinner was over, the plates had been cleared away, and at some point the lights had dimmed considerably. It was clear as she looked at the two young people seated across from her that the entire evening had been a resounding success.

Silence had descended onto their table some moments before, but it wasn’t awkward, it contained a peace that Gabi had never inhabited in her entire life. And if it were up to her, she would’ve stayed right there forever.  

“Umm, Mr. Clark, we really have to thank you,” Tonika said, shy and bold all at once.

Gabi could see the sincerity in the young girl’s face, and love brushed across her heart for another beautiful young soul.

“You don’t have to thank me,” Andrew said, shaking his head.

“Yes, we do.” Irvin suddenly lost all traces of being 16. He truly looked like a young man ready to take on the world. “Not just for the meal — although that was really good, too.”

“Yeah,” Tonika agreed, and then looking at Irvin, she relinquished the floor to him again.

Gabi watched as he gathered his courage, and when he looked up, she knew he truly appreciated the gift that Andrew had given him.

“We always thought that the whole sleeping together thing was what you were supposed to do when you were going out, you know? I thought just because everyone else was doing it, that meant I had to, too. I didn’t even question it. I just thought that’s what Tonika expected.”

“And I thought the only way to keep Irvin was to sleep with him,” she added, looking at him and smiling serenely.

“I chose that road because it was the only one I could see, but thanks to you, I...” He stopped and looked at her. “We have a new road to follow now.” He stopped again, obviously trying to contain his feelings. There was a long pause before he finally said, “I know it wasn’t easy — what you did, but we want to say thanks. Because of you we’re making decisions for ourselves now instead of letting everyone else make them for us, and I don’t think we’ll ever be able to repay you.”

Andrew ducked and then shook his head, and Gabi knew he, too, was fighting off the emotions.

“You already have, Irvin,” he finally said, looking up and smiling through the tears. “Believe me, you already have.”

They walked slowly to her door later, neither wanting the magical night to come to an end.

“I’m proud of you,” she said, tightening her grip on his fingers.

“Proud of me?” he asked, puzzled. “Why’s that?”

“For saving two lives,” she said. “Those kids are better off because of you.”

“They’re good kids.”

“Yeah, and because of you, they won’t have to try to prove that to themselves for the rest of their lives.” At her door, she unlocked it but turned to lean on it without opening it as she looked up to face him. “Thank you for coming into my life.”

It was out of her mouth before she knew it was in her brain.

“No, thank you.” He pulled her to him and held her there, no panic or awkwardness between them.

She didn’t pull away. In his arms she felt real, whole. Like the person she was always meant to be.

“And you know, I’m proud of you, too,” he breathed into her hair.

“Why’s that?” she asked without moving.

“Because most people would’ve given up, buried themselves in some meaningless job somewhere and shut down, but you used your own pain to help others. I think that’s something really and truly remarkable.”

She wanted to protest, but the feeling of him next to her pushed out every thought of inadequacy, pain, and fear. There was no reason to pretend she hadn’t been hurt. She had, and she had come through that hurt and emerged on the other side — stronger and with even more love to give. She needn’t deny that any longer.

“You know, for an insensitive jerk, you sure turned out to be a nice guy,” she said, thinking back to their first encounter on the center’s steps.

“Oh, yeah?” He pulled away and looked down at her as if in challenge.

“Yeah,” she said, winding her hand up onto his neck and pulling his lips down to hers.

The heat she found there startled her, and for one brief moment her body panicked. But this wasn’t Derrick. She wasn’t sixteen, and she knew in her heart that this was a man she could trust with herself — body, heart, and soul.

“I love you, Andrew Clark,” she breathed as his lips left hers

That stopped him, and he looked at her in surprise. “I love you, too, Gabi.”

The smile in his eyes lit a fire she hadn’t let herself feel in many years. It was so warm, almost like it had been waiting for just this spark.

What he wanted to do was take her into the apartment right now, but Andrew knew that would only tear down everything he had worked so hard to build. “I’d better get out of here before Irvin has to make a bet with me,” he said laughing softly.

She smiled. “But I’ll see you Monday, right?”

“Count on it.”

For two weeks the entire center had been running on high voltage intensity. There were costume fittings and dress rehearsals, lighting checks and final preparations, and Gabi had marveled more than once at the center of the cyclone. Irvin — directing, leading, and guiding an entire fleet of kids who now believed along with their leader that they could accomplish anything they truly set their minds to.

“Okay, Miss T,” Irvin said, ducking into her make-shift dressing room. “We go on in five.”

“Irvin.” She stopped him just before he disappeared, and he ducked back into the room.

“Yeah?”

“Listen, if I don’t get a chance to tell you later — congratulations. You’ve done an amazing job.”

He grinned his gratefulness for the compliment and then winked at her. “Good luck.”

When he was gone, she checked her make-up once more and breathed to calm her nerves. “You can do this,” she said to the reflection in the mirror.

“You ready, Gabi?” Antonio asked, suddenly appearing at her elbow, and dressed in his white t-shirt and blue jeans, he looked truly angelic.

“Yes, I am,” she said as she gave him a quick hug and then stood. “Let’s do this.” She took his hand, and they made their way out past the choir and the little players. This would surely be a night to remember.

“Welcome,” Gabi squeaked into the microphone, and then she cleared her throat as the lights dimmed around her. “Uh-hm. Welcome, everyone.”

At that moment the house lights went black. However, she could still see a sea of heads in front of her, and she knew Andrew’s final story had worked its magic. Now it was up to her, and suddenly she wondered if she could really do this. “Umm, we would like to welcome you all to our Christmas play,” she said, the nerves threatening to get the better of her, and just then she heard the familiar shriek from the back doors.

“Wait! Wait for me! Wait for me!” the little voice called from the back of the audience, and everyone turned in their seats to see who it was.

The little head bobbed quickly to the front.

“’suse me. ‘suse me,” he said, stepping between two kids sitting on the floor, and Gabi smiled in spite of herself. This was going to work.

“Antonio!” she said as the little boy bounded up the stairs. “You’re late.”

“I know. I know,” he said, and she could tell his rapid breathing was no act. “I got caught in traffic.”

“Traffic?” she asked, and the audience snickered.

“Yeah, you wouldn’t believe all the cars! They’re everywhere.” He threw both hands out to the sides before his excitement ebbed. “Where do you think they’re going?”

Gabi looked at him, wide-eyed. “I don’t know. Maybe they’re coming here to see our Christmas play.”

“Wow!  Really?” he gasped, and the audience laughed.

“Really. Now, you’d better get back stage and get in costume,” she said, and he nodded as if completely serious.

“Okay. Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” And he skipped off stage at the side curtains opposite where she stood.

“Well.” Straightening, she looked back out over the audience. “As I was saying, welcome to our Christmas play.” She waved her arm behind her, and the lights winked out. She ducked behind the curtain and watched as James took his position on the stage in front of the choir — elementary kids had been added so that the choir now numbered an impressive fifty. Dressed in white with gossamer wings designed by Tonika and her friends, they truly looked heavenly.

As they began to sing about the birth of a baby in a manger, Gabi allowed herself to breathe again. She knew Antonio was off somewhere getting ready for their second act, and she smiled at that thought. Who would’ve guessed?

As the applause died down and the curtain fell, Gabi took her mark at the side of the stage again. Suddenly her whole world was flooded with blinding light, and she blinked in spite of herself.

“Many of us have ideas about what Christmas is supposed to be,” she began as Irvin’s words flowed through her. “We think it’s about presents and Christmas lists, and whether we like to admit it or not, we all have visions of sugar plums dancing through our heads.”

“Presents? Did someone say presents?” Antonio asked, suddenly appearing from the other side of the curtain. His wings were on crooked, and he was carrying his second shoe and trying to put it on as he stumbled out. Whispers ran through the audience.

“Antonio?” she asked in mock horror. “What are you doing?”

“I’m getting ready,” he said, and innocence was woven in his face and tone, “but I heard somebody say presents!”

True laughter rang out through the audience on that one.

“Oh, well.” Gabi glanced out at the crowd as if apologizing. “I was just telling these people that Christmas is about more than presents and Christmas lists.”

“Christmas lists! Oh wait. I have mine all ready.” He stopped getting ready and pulled a very large scroll from under his wing. “Wanna see?”

“Oh, Antonio,” she said as if again apologizing to the audience. “I don’t think...”

Just then he let the one end of the scroll go, and it fell from the stage and rolled out into the audience.

He stood up very tall and began to read the scroll. “Dear Santa, I have been
very
good this year.” Ducking to her, he stage whispered, “It’s important to say that right up front.”

Everyone laughed.

“For Christmas this year, please bring me a power racer, a Super Nintendo, a water gun, a Star Wars action figure, a walk-talkie set, a…”

“Antonio! We’re supposed to be showing the people our play!” Gabi said, trying to keep herself from laughing even as the audience cracked up.

“Oh, yeah!” he said instantly throwing the rest of the list off the stage and disappearing back behind the curtains. “Gotta go!”

She stood, eyebrows arched for a beat, and then looked sheepishly at the audience. “Sorry about that. Anyway, back to our story.”

The lights went down, and she stepped behind the curtain. She watched the players telling everything they had to celebrate this year — everything from a new bicycle to an A in English. She wondered then where Andrew was — probably somewhere in the audience. He was her one thing to celebrate this year, and she wished she could tell him that right now.

When the curtain closed again, she stepped out. This was getting easier.

“Anyway, as I was saying, Christmas is about more than Santa Claus and reindeer,” she began.

“I’m coming! I’m coming!” the little voice yelled from off-stage, and suddenly there he was antlers and all. “I’m here!”

It took everything she had not to burst out laughing, but she sighed loudly and put her hands on her hips instead. “Antonio, what are you doing now?”

“Reindeer,” he said looking at her strangely. “You said reindeer, and here I am.”

“But there are no reindeer in this play,” she said in exasperation.

“Then why’d you say reindeer?” He threw his hands into the air, muttering to himself as he departed the stage. “If you don’t want reindeer, don’t ask for reindeer. How hard is that to figure out?”

The audience laughed, and Gabi shook her head, threw up her hands, and walked off stage the other direction. The curtain went up revealing the choir again with their rendition of
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
.

After a snowman suit, a present topped with a frilly red and green bow, and a shepherd’s outfit, Gabi knew the audience had no idea what was coming next, and she smiled to herself hearing their laughter already.

Irvin was right — Antonio was a hit.

“And so you can see,” she said as she stepped back out on stage, “Christmas is about more than just presents and Santa Claus.”

“Ho! Ho! Ho!” the tiny voice came, and when Gabi looked across the stage, she knew there was no way he would ever be able to get that bag of toys out onto the stage. She almost moved to help him, but with one mighty tug, the bag and a tiny, black Santa Claus landed right in front of the curtain.

“Why, Santa?” she said feigning surprise. “Where did you come from?”

“The North Pole, silly,” he said in his very best baritone voice, and the audience laughed.

“Well, we weren’t expecting you.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting me either. Those north winds can be murder!”

More laughter.

Gabi nodded, fighting not to join them. “Oh, well, we appreciate you coming.”

“Hey, anywhere that good people like yourselves whose hearts are in the right place get together to celebrate Christmas and the birth of Baby Jesus,” he said, looking out over the audience. “Well, I just can’t stay away. Gotta go now. Lots of toys to deliver! Ho! Ho! Ho! Have a Merry Christmas!”

And with that, he lugged and dragged his bag of toys back off the stage. As she watched him go, it was difficult to keep her emotions in check. They had come so very far. Slowly she turned back to the audience.

“We hope you enjoy our final song of the evening,” she said, raising her arm, and she ducked back into the curtains once again.

The curtains parted, and there they stood, all her kids — singing about miracles and angels and the gift of love that God sent to all of us. Her kids, and she had never loved them more.

When the final curtain fell and she stepped back onto the stage, it took more than a minute for her to find enough composure to finish the evening. There were just no words anymore. The kids had given their all, and the pride she felt for them eclipsed anything she had ever experienced in her life.

The spotlight flooded around her, and she smiled to choke back the tears as she faced the audience. It really didn’t matter what they thought. These kids were special, and they were going to make it. She knew that now in ways she never had before.

“We really appreciate all of you coming out tonight,” she began, willing her voice to sustain her. “We hope you enjoyed the performance, and we wish you all a safe drive home, and a very Merry…”

“Psst,” the small sound came from just inside the curtain, and Gabi stopped in mid-sentence and looked across the stage. “Psst! Miss T!”

This time he stuck his head out of the curtain and waved to her. The audience, thinking this was part of the show, sat forward in anticipation.

“Come here!” he said, waving to her.

But this was not in any script Gabi had ever read, and for a moment she debated whether or not to go over to him. Then she remembered the audience, and she smiled sheepishly at them and shrugged.

They laughed on cue as she slowly walked across the stage.

“What is it, Antonio?” she asked, bending down to his level.

“It’s not over yet,” he said loud enough for most of the audience to hear.

“What?” she asked, puzzled. “I was just telling them goodnight.”

“No. It’s not over yet,” he said again, and as he stepped from behind the curtain in full tuxedo, the audience began to applaud. He held up his hands, and the room — including Gabi — fell silent. He turned from her to face them. “I know it’s late, but we have one more thing to do before we can say goodnight.”

“Antonio?” she asked in confusion and fear. “What are you doing?”

But he just smiled at her.

“Curtain please.” He snapped his fingers, and like magic the curtains began to part. Gabi looked around trying to figure out what was going on. They had never practiced anything like this. Then Antonio slipped his hand into hers. “Right this way, Ma’am.”

He led her to the center of the bare stage, made a fuss of standing her just so, and then turned back to the audience. Then somehow, he was talking to both her and them at once.

“Miss T, we would like to thank you for all the hours you spent working with us to get this play together,” he intoned formally. “We couldn’t have done this without you.”

Applause sounded throughout the audience, and she started to say, you’re welcome, but just then Antonio clapped his hands and yelled, “Maestro!” startling whatever words she was going to say right out of her head.

The lights dimmed and the music swelled around her before she even had time to think, and when she looked down again, Antonio was gone. It occurred to her that she should run, but that thought wasn’t even complete when she caught sight of Shaniquille coming toward her from the wings with a single, red rose.

The little girl walked in slow, measured steps toward her, and when she reached Gabi at center stage, she held out the rose to her and smiled. There was nothing else to do, so Gabi simply smiled, took the rose, gave the child a hug, and whispered, “Thank you.”

Shaniquille nodded and stepped to one side. Next came Bobby. Then Kevin. Then Megan. Then Devon. Each dressed in Sunday best with a single, red rose in hand. And each met her at center stage, with the spotlight flooding everything around them, and gave her an offering of their love.

Gabi smiled when she saw Leslie in a pretty, little blue dress. What a beautiful child.

“Thank you, Miss T,” Leslie said as Gabi bent down to receive not only a flower but a hug from the little girl as well. “This is still my favorite song.”