Chapter 1

“Come on, Abby,” cajoled Carli. “We’re going to see that new movie ‘The Secret Slanderer.’ Donna’s brother is going to sneak us in. You have to come – you’re one of us now.”

“I can’t go,” said Abby. “Besides, I have no interest in seeing an R-rated movie.”

Rick said heatedly, “That’s right, Miss Religious is too good to go. Come on, everyone, we can go without her. The movie starts in fifteen minutes.”

Abby sighed as her friends left for the movie. I wish I could fit in. Sometimes it’s so friendless being a Christian in a new town. Maybe I should go – my parents won’t find out. Abby made a quick decision and ran after her friends.

“Carli, wait up. I’ve changed my mind. It’s time I become me and do what I want.”

Carli replied, “Cool. I’m glad you’ve joined us. There’s Josh.”

Josh handed each of the six teenagers a ticket. “Just keep calm and follow me. You look like you could all pass for eighteen anyway.”

With popcorn and soft drinks in hand, the teenagers followed Josh through the ticket line and into the theatre.

“That was easy,” sighed Carli. “I feel great doing this.” The others, except Abby, agreed.

Abby was uncomfortable sitting in the darkened theatre. It doesn’t matter – I will fit in and enjoy this movie, she thought.

The movie began innocently with a man and woman talking at a restaurant. Within five minutes, the movie degraded to violence and abusive language. Abby was appalled as the teens thrived on the movie, cheering and laughing as the scenes continued to degrade. Abby’s embarrassment grew, but she would not leave the theatre. She was desperate to belong to this group of her peers.

Ninety minutes later, the credits rolled across the screen.

Carli looked around at the nearly empty theater. “That was a great movie. Thanks, Josh. I can’t wait to see another one.”

Josh smiled at the teens, “I think I can get you in once a month. Any more than that might arouse suspicion. Are you all in agreement for that?”

Abby didn’t like the idea, but found herself agreeing with everyone else. Exiting the theater, Rick said, “I’m glad you came, Abby. See, lightening didn’t strike you dead. You can do what you want and your parents will never find out. Besides, you’ll be sixteen soon. Now is the time to discover yourself.”

Abby smiled weakly, “I guess you’re right.”

“Good. I can’t wait to get to know you better, if you know what I mean,” Rick smiled broadly and winked at Abby.

Abby was again embarrassed. “I need to get home. See you Monday at school.”

“Bye, Abby,” the teens said.

Abby ran off, and then walked slowly as she rounded the corner, out of sight of her friends. Home was just a few blocks from the theater. I should never have gone to that movie. It’s wrong. I hope mom and dad don’t find out. As she continued walking, however, she began to feel that she deserved to see that movie. Perhaps she should continue to go with everyone once a month. After all, Abby reasoned, it’s time I find out who I am and what I can do on my own. It’s all about me. I feel good about this. I have new friends now – kids who care about me. This stupid little town might be fun after all.

With that, her walk quickened and Abby raced up the steps to her home.

Chapter 2

The aroma of fresh-baked bread filled the kitchen as Abby opened the door. She was surprised to find her mother preparing dinner. “Hi, how was your afternoon with your new friends?”

“It was fun, mom, everyone is really nice.” Abby didn’t look at her mom, but peered into the pantry at the cookies.

“I know it’s been hard on you – moving like this in the middle of tenth grade. But the opportunity offered your father was just too good to pass up.”

Abby smiled at her, “It’s okay, mom. I have new friends. But this town is so small compared to where we came from.”

Abby’s mom, Margaret, laughed, “Yes, isn’t it funny that your father’s big promotion included a move to a little town? This community needs your father’s expertise to bring unity to the churches and bring Christ back into people’s hearts. He does have a unique talent, you know. So where did you all go?”

Abby kept staring into the pantry because she was afraid her mother could tell she was lying. “We just hung out at the tiny mall and looked at stuff. Can I have these chocolate marshmallow cookies?” Abby changed the subject, hoping to turn the conversation away from herself.

“Sure, dinner won’t be ready for several hours. Didn’t you say you have homework for Monday?”

Abby brightened up, “Yes, I do. It’s a writing assignment. I love to write.”

Margaret asked, “What’s the topic?”

“It’s sort of boring really. I have to write about gardening, but I have no idea yet how to start it.”

Margaret suggested, “Why not write about sowing seeds for Christ?”

“Good idea,” exclaimed Abby. “I’ll go start right now.” Abby grabbed her cookies and quickly left the kitchen. She was thinking about her mom’s words and feeling guilty for sneaking into the movie theatre with her friends. But another thought kept coming to her – I deserve to have fun, she muttered.

In her room, Abby turned on the computer and typed “How to Sow Seeds.” Instead of continuing, she connected to the Internet and updated her “MyPage” site. She was confident that she could write anything here, because her parents didn’t even know that this site existed.

Opening the web page, she began typing: “Today I did something exciting. I went to my first R-rated movie with a bunch of friends. I am finally finding out who I am and fitting in with others from school. I hated the thought of living here, but I think it will be fun after all. My friends are not sheltered, like I’ve always been. They are fun-loving and take chances.”

Abby continued to type, creating an image of herself that she wanted to become. Being a smart, sociable young woman seemed so much better than her mundane life.

Chapter 3

“Abby, dinner’s ready,” called her mom from the kitchen. Abby was surprised that three hours had passed and she hadn’t even started her homework. She checked to be sure her Internet site was properly logged off.

Abby’s dad, Peter, was speaking emphatically as Abby entered the kitchen. He hands were waving and his pastor-finger was pointing. “You should hear these people. I can’t believe they call themselves Christians. They think that the ways of the world should be embraced by all, right down to allowing teenagers to have liquor and see R-rated movies.”

Abby’s eyes widened, and she was glad that her parents were involved in talking and couldn’t see the look of panic on her face.

Peter continued, “It’s common practice to give kids drinks as long as it’s within the confines of a home. Pastor Dean is really insistent that this is acceptable because, according to him, the teens will learn that drinking can be controlled.”

“That’s ridiculous,” exclaimed Margaret. “What do you think, Abby?”

Abby responded as she knew her parents would want her to: “I don’t think drinking is right for teenagers.”

Peter said: “Drinking is such a problem for people. I wonder if we should have moved here.”

Margaret touched his arm: “We’ve only been here two months. The Central Church Authority has confidence in you that you can make a positive change. We knew this town was full of evil when you accepted the position.”

“You knew it was evil and you still moved here? Why didn’t you tell me?” Abby was indignant that she was just finding out about this.

Her parents looked at her, and Abby felt as if they had forgotten that she was in the kitchen with them.

Standing up, her dad took her hands. “Abby, we didn’t want you to worry. But we believe that you are a strong Christian and you will withstand the pull of the world. We prayed about this and would never have moved if we had any doubt about you, or us. God indicated that we need to move here.”

Abby’s thoughts were racing as she considered the movie she had seen that day. She was already having a struggle with the world versus Christ. Resolving to do what she wanted and not disclose her thoughts and actions to her parents, she smiled at her dad and replied, “My faith is strong. Don’t worry about me.” Glancing at her mom and pulling her hands away from her dad’s, she said, “dinner smells good. Can we start now?”

In agreement, the family sat down and prayed before beginning. Talk during dinner was focused upon tomorrow’s day in church and their plans for the following week.

Chapter Four

Monday at school, Carli invited Abby to her house Saturday night. “It will be great fun. Everyone important will be there. You’ll come, won’t you?”

Abby hesitated, “I need to ask my parents. Will your parents be there?”

“Of course not. What fun is a party with chaperones? But if it will make you come, then tell your parents that we will be properly chaperoned. So you’ll come? You need to stand up for yourself, you know,” Carli was speaking with insistence and authority.

Abby decided within herself that this was what she wanted and replied, “Yes, I’ll be there. Whatever I have to do to convince my parents, I’ll be there.”

Rick put his arm around Abby’s shoulders, “I look forward to spending some real time with you.”

At dinner that night, Abby asked, “Is it okay if I go to Carli’s Saturday evening? She’s having a few people over.”

Margaret looked at Abby, “Will her parents be there?”

“She assures me that we will be properly chaperoned,” Abby was hoping that her parents couldn’t tell she was lying.

Margaret glanced at Peter, who said, “It’s okay, as long as there are adults there for supervision. What are the plans for the night?”

“I guess we’re renting a movie and making some popcorn. They have a fifty-two-inch television, a pool table, and a den set up for company.”

Abby breathed a sigh of relief to herself, happy she was able to convince them that she would be “properly” supervised at Carli’s. A tug at her heart made her begin to question what she had said, but she deliberately ignored it and ate her dinner.

The week seemed to drag along as Abby waited for Saturday. She busied herself during the day with cleaning her room, adding to her “MyPage,” and completing her homework for Monday. Finally, the time came to go to Carli’s. With a hug to her parents, Abby walked the two blocks to her friend’s house, where she was greeted by Carli. Looking around, Abby was surprised to see about twenty-five teenagers present. She was further shocked to see the liquor cabinet open and many of them drinking. “Am I late?” she asked Carli.

“Not at all. These kids just came over early to help me set up and sample the liquor. Want some?”

“I’ve never had a drink before,” stammered Abby.

“No problem, I’ll start you off with something really mild.” Carli pulled a bottle of vodka from the cabinet and poured a glass for Abby. “Here you go, drink up. Oh, there’s Fred.” Carli ran off to greet Fred.

Everyone at the party seemed to have fun, except Abby. Looking at her glass, she realized it was still full. She took a long gulp, choked, but kept drinking. A skinny boy with large glasses poured more vodka into her glass. “Thanks, this stuff is good.”

Abby began to chat with different people, sipping quickly at her drink. She started to feel dizzy and heard herself giggling often. Each time she looked at her glass, it was full again. People began to appear hazy, yet Abby kept drinking. Finally, she fell on the couch, just as the skinny boy filled her glass one more time.

Rick approached Abby and said in a seductive voice: “Hey, Abby, want to go in the other room for a while?”

“Sure,” Abby’s head was spinning, “but I can’t get up.” She reached for the arm of the couch, but couldn’t seem to find it. Giggling, she fell back on the couch and just watched everyone through haze-filled eyes.

The teens laughed at Abby, and she just smiled back at them. She tried to drink from her glass, but kept spilling it. Abby laughed at how slow the liquid poured from the glass. She deliberately turned the glass upside down to watch it drain.

Carli grabbed the glass from Abby’s hand. “Hey, that’s mine.” Abby’s words were slurred.

Carli laughed hysterically. “Here, take this glass instead. You’re wasting good booze.”

Abby’s hand reached for the glass, but she couldn’t grasp it. Carli continued to laugh as she put the glass on the table in front of Abby. “You’re doing great, girl. Isn’t this fun?” Fred grasped Carli’s hand and led her away. Abby watched the glass of water in front of her, attempting to pick it up but couldn’t. She just sat and giggled.

What seemed like just a few minutes later, Carli was shaking Abby. “Wake up, sleepyhead. Have some coffee.”

Abby opened her eyes and groaned, “My head hurts.”

Carli laughed and said, “You’ll get used to it. Coffee will help. We need to get you sober before you go home. Your clothes smell horrible. Come on, I have a robe you can wear while we wash them.”

Abby stumbled into Carli’s room and slipped on her robe. “Ohh, warm and fuzzy.” Amidst giggles, Abby was led back to the couch and many cups of coffee.

An hour later, Rick declared: “You’re ready. Your eyes aren’t too bloodshot anymore. Are her clothes dry?”

“They sure are. Come on, Abby, I’ll help you change.”

Abby was able to walk now, although a bit unsteady. In Carli’s room, Abby asked, “Did I have fun? I don’t remember much after a couple of drinks.”

“You had a great time. Rick said you were super. And that’s quite a compliment, if you know what I mean.” Carli winked at Abby. “We’ll just keep it a secret what you two did, okay? Come on, Rick and I will walk you home.

Abby was surprised it was only ten o’clock as she headed home with Carli and Rick. Her legs were still wobbly and she felt sick. Carli said, “suck it up, girl. You don’t want your parents to know what you were doing, do you? Just tell them you’re tired if they ask.”

Rick added, “and tell them you ate too much candy and that’s why your stomach hurts. You’ll get used to this soon enough.”

Abby took their advice, said good-bye to her friends, and went in the house. She kept her gaze averted so her parents wouldn’t see the redness in her eyes. “Hi, sweetie, did you have a good time?” her mom asked from the kitchen table, where her parents were having a Bible study.

“Yeah, it was fun. We just talked. I didn’t watch the movie, but played pool instead.” Abby surprised herself with how easily the lie slipped from her lips.

“Good. Are you heading to bed already?”

“I’m tired and I ate way too much candy. My stomach aches. But it was really fun. Good night.”

Margaret said, “Don’t forget we have church in the morning and need to leave here at eight o’clock.”

“I’ll be ready,” said Abby with a false cheerfulness. In her bedroom, she groaned and dropped onto the bed. I’ll never drink again, she thought as she fell into a deep sleep.

Please log in or sign up to review this excerpt.