Running Lean (36 page)

Calvin closed his eyes and drew a shaky breath. The future was a big question mark for both of them. Her life would impact his as long as he tied himself to her, as a boyfriend, as something more, or just as a caring friend. Whatever happened, he would never abandon her.

He got up and tiptoed downstairs. A drawer in the kitchen was stuffed with school supplies, from crayons to calculators. Calvin extracted some notebook paper and a fresh pen, and took it back to his room. He wasn’t poetic like Stacey. He couldn’t write long, emotional notes. But she wouldn’t expect that of him. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Calvin wrote his feelings.

I miss you so much. I wish you could have been here for my birthday party, but it’s ok. I’ll tell you everything when I come to visit you. I can’t wait! I’m trying to imagine if you’ll look different, but it doesn’t matter. I just know you’ll be beautiful. You always were and
always will be. It hurts that I can’t see you right now and hold your hand. But soon. Soon we’ll be together again. I love you … always, Calvin
.

I
’d be nowhere without the support, encouragement, and help of a whole bunch of folks. First, though, I need to acknowledge my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who set me on a new path several years ago with a vision and a mission: to write books that would enlighten and entertain teens. What started as a prayer for my daughter, who was about to enter the world of twenty-first century “teendom,” turned into something far greater. I am grateful and humbled by God’s grace, which has been with me throughout this journey.

My critique partners have helped me more than I can articulate. I want to thank all the members of CYAW for your feedback and support. I especially want to thank Jill Williamson, who partnered with me at the very beginning and has been an awesome friend ever since, and Nicole O’Dell, who dropped everything to read the final version of this novel for me. Y’all rock!

To the extraordinary women who have been like mentors to me, Nancy Rue and Eva Marie Everson: Your wisdom and encouragement has helped me through some of the hardest times with my writing. I don’t know if you know how much an encouraging word—or a walk in the woods—can mean for someone who is struggling under the weight of self-doubt. Eva, when I thought I was doing nothing but spinning my wheels, you helped me to realize
that God is in control, and He gave me this task for a
reason
. Nancy, you helped to turn my darkest moment into bright sunshine! Your assistance when I was clueless and in despair was the absolute turning point for this novel and my career. Thank you both for being God’s vessels in my life!

Thanks to the guys at Cycle Nation, Canton, GA—especially Shawn and Tyler—for keeping me straight with all the motorcycle scenes. I’ve ridden street bikes, but knew almost nothing about riding in the dirt and how to fix the machines. Thank you for reading those scenes and for not thinking I was a crazy person when I bugged you with questions.

My good friend, Debbie Jackson, you are certainly one of the most interesting people I know! You give so much of yourself to everyone around you, even total strangers. Thank you for all the fun times we’ve had on two wheels, and for lending your insight into the medical aspects of anorexia.

And to Lieutenant Weiland, sir … you rock! Thanks for helping me with police procedures and the cool cop lingo!

To my husband, Brian, for your belief in me and for giving me every opportunity to write when we would have been financially better off if I had a paying job … I love you. You are my hero.

To Sara, my beautiful dancing daughter … every word I write is for you, sweetie. It’s always been for you.

And finally, to Pastor Clint, Josh, Sara, Logan, Olivia, and all the other teens and leaders at New Life Church: You’ve become my family. I draw hope and inspiration from your fellowship and your faith … and all the crazy things you do.

1. “Running lean” is an automotive term referring to the mix of too much air and too little fuel in a carburetor. This term can also be used as a metaphor for Stacey’s eating disorder. How do you think the term could be applied to both Calvin and Stacey’s relationships with each other, and Calvin’s with his struggles? How are they “running lean”? How did this impact their actions in the story?

2. Stacey feels pulled in two different directions, caught between Calvin and Zoe. She wants to be loyal to both of them, even though they don’t like each other. Have you ever felt torn between two people you care about? How did you respond to the problem? Do you think Stacey could have handled it differently? If so, how?

3. Why do you think Stacey reacted so negatively to Calvin’s note about the facts of anorexia and the Bible verse he added? What might this suggest to you about how to respond to one of your friends who might be going through difficulties or dealing with an addiction?

4. Why do you think Calvin hid the truth of Stacey’s eating disorder from his parents for so long? Do you think he was right or wrong to keep it a secret? Why?

5. Anorexia (Bulimia, binge eating, and other forms of eating disorders) is a dreadful and heartbreaking disorder that is not simply about being thin and looking good. Has this story given you new insight into why girls (and boys) engage in such harmful and extreme behavior? Have you ever known someone who suffered with an eating disorder? Discuss ways you might positively interact with such a person.

6. Calvin is unique, because a lot of guys might walk away from a relationship where so much drama is guaranteed. Why do you think he stayed with Stacey after he realized she was anorexic? Was he right or wrong to break up with her when he thought she was cheating on him? Do you think seeing Noah with Stacey was the only reason he broke up with her—or was it an excuse to get away from the trouble Stacey was bringing into his life? Was it reasonable for Calvin to want a “normal” girlfriend?

7. In spite of the fact that Calvin didn’t know how to pray for help for himself or Stacey, and didn’t take much time trying, he believed that God gave him a series of miracles—when another rider guided him along the Interstate, he was able to find Stacey before she collapsed, and his motorcycle made it all the way to the hospital before the engine seized. What does this suggest to you about faith? Did it change what you believed?

Diana L. Sharples
is an author and award-winning illustrator whose work has appeared in genre publications in the US and Great Britain. She currently lives in Canton, Georgia with her husband and teen daughter, and can often be found riding her Harley around northern Georgia.
Running Lean
is her first young adult novel

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Running Lean

Copyright © 2013 by Diana Sharples

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