as a way to excuse sin — when God clearly has an opinion about it. We fear we’ll offend, so we veer from the truth.”
“Wow …” Gerald lowered his legs. He looked at the girls and then at Bailey. “That makes complete sense.” He looked lost in thought for a moment. “I might struggle with this all my life … but the point is I have to keep fighting. Like the liar or alcoholic or whatever.”
“Exactly.” Bailey felt her heart rate return to normal. She took a deep breath. “There’s hope for all people … whatever they battle.” Bailey knew this from personal experience. She wouldn’t be here leading a Bible study if it weren’t so. “God gives us strength beyond what we are capable of. He died on the cross to set us free from the sins that chain us. We won’t have to battle forever — because He’s already won the victory.”
There wasn’t much more to say on the topic. Bailey closed by looking at a verse from Ephesians chapter three telling the small group that they should all pray to know how wide and long and high and deep was the love of Christ. “He loves us so much … I guess that’s what I wanted to tell Chrissy.”
And as the Bible study ended, they held hands and Bailey prayed, and even as they hugged each other and set out to whatever their days held, Bailey felt keenly aware of two things. First, whatever trouble she had with the cast before would pale in comparison to the way most of them would see her now. But she had done what God asked her to do. In honor of Chrissy Stonelake, and out of love for her peers. And because of that, the second point was all that mattered.
Whatever happened from here, she had obeyed God.
Twenty
THEIR FIRST FOOTBALL GAME WAS THREE WEEKS AWAY, AND CODY could hardly wait. The team continued to come together in the weeks since they returned from camp. Sanders’ sister was getting the new treatment, and so far she was responding brilliantly. Their dad had come to practice one day, and with a barely composed voice he had personally thanked the team for raising the money.
Everyone in town talked about the difference in the football players. People even whispered about the possibilities that lay ahead. If Lyle High could do what no other group of football players had done — win every single day at the Butler camp — then maybe they might be on to something. Maybe a winning season was possible. Cody loved the support. Even Cheyenne noticed a difference in the team. She was well enough to drive now, and though at first she admitted to being nervous, she had driven out a few times in her new Honda to watch practice.
Today, though — the third Saturday in July — Cody and DeMetri and Cheyenne had all come to practice together, and now that it was over, none of them wanted their time together to end. Marcos Brown had nothing to do either. It was Chey who mentioned the zoo first. A thunderstorm had come through the night before and cooled temperatures, easing the humidity. “The animals will be moving around for the first time all month.” She smiled at the idea. “Let’s call Tara. She’d love a day at the zoo.”
DeMetri’s expression looked slightly puzzled, and he shared a glance with Marcos. “You ever been to the zoo?”
“No, man.” Marcos laughed. “Camp was the most days I’ve ever been out of Lyle.”
Cody stared at the boys, amazed. They had so much to learn, so much of life ahead. He felt honored that God would trust him with this season of the boys’ lives. Even if that meant sharing a day at the zoo.
As it turned out, Tara was available. She met them at the White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis. The zoo was located on the grounds there, and was known for its beautiful gardens. From the moment they arrived, DeMetri and Marcos looked like a couple of little boys on Christmas morning.
“Real live elephants, man.” DeMetri had to hold back from running ahead. He motioned for the group to hurry. “I mean, seriously! Real live elephants!”
Tara kept the boys company, staying with them even when they hurried ahead. That allowed Cody to stay at Cheyenne’s pace. She didn’t need the cane anymore, but she still moved slowly. Cody held out his arm, allowing her to lean on him