Chapter 42
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
It’s Tuesday hang time, but I have an idea to help Austin lighten his load—a cocktail of multitasking and endorphins.
Run together today?
Austin
Love it. Will you slow down for me?
Funny. He could run laps around me with his strong legs and crazy endurance. Wait, unless his knee is bugging him.
What’s wrong old man? Your knee acting up again?
Ha ha. Knee’s fine
So now we’re jogging out Mayberry’s front entrance, toward the quiet neighborhood nearby.
Austin’s grinning in an old T-shirt with the sleeves ripped off, and I’m wondering why we haven’t done this every Tuesday.
He’s in his element—the man-bear has extra energy to burn, even when he’s running on fumes.
“Still praying during your runs?” he asks, keeping our pace slow enough to talk comfortably.
“Yeah, I really like it. It helps me focus and not think a thousand things at once.”
He runs a hand down my ponytail. “Let’s pray now.”
“Now? But you’re here.”
“You don’t miss a thing,” he teases.
“You mean pray out loud?”
“Yeah. Try with me?”
Nerves flutter in my chest. “Okay.”
Here goes. I squeeze my fists as my arms pump, suddenly hyperaware of everything—his steady breath, the rhythmic pounding of our feet, my own heartbeat picking up speed. What if I say something stupid?
“Hi, Jesus. I usually pray for Austin, but he’s right here, so this is super weird.
You don’t mind, right?” I force myself to keep my eyes forward.
If I glance at Austin, it’ll feel too much like I’m talking to him instead.
“Please take care of him. Show him how much you love him and give him all the things he needs. Everything we need to get better at, make sure we do. Interrupt him in the way you do and teach him the things you have for him, things that will bring him closer to you than ever. Change us and make us more like you, Jesus.”
I brave a glance over. His turn.
His jaw tightens, and his Adam’s apple bobs. “You pray for me? Like that?”
I frown. “Hey.”
“No. Soph. I’m so thankful.”
Are his eyes wet? “Oh. Yeah, I do. I mean, the end wasn’t really me, if that makes sense.”
“The Spirit told you what to pray?”
“Yeah. Sometimes that happens.”
“Wow.”
Silence settles. Even running, I can’t sit in this a moment longer. “Your turn, mister.”
A long pause. “Hi, God. You are holy. Worthy. Good. You deserve all my attention and choices and hours. Guide me and help me to hear your voice loud and clear so I can do what you want. Help me to know what’s for you and what’s extra.
Be close to Sophie as she seeks you with all her heart.
Every day I see you clothing her with strength and dignity.
Every day she laughs with less fear of the future.
Keep teaching her to see herself how you see her.
Cross out any lies in her head. Keep showing her what to pray.
Keep giving her messages to deliver to the people around her. ”
I suck in a breath. Me?
“Show Sophie and me how to honor you in everything we do. Show us how to do this better. Amen.”
I reach for his hand and squeeze it. “Thank you.” Like Praise and Prayer, except with my favorite person. “New Tuesday tradition?”
“Definitely. I loved that, Soph. Thanks for being vulnerable with me.” He scratches my arm. The “I’m here” scratch.
“Now see if you can’t pick up those elderly legs,” I say. “I’m kicking up the pace here.”
He pretends to struggle to keep up. “You’re an amazing personal trainer. Highly motivating.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Then again, if I slack off I get to watch you run away.”
I smack his arm. “If you keep up, I’ll give you a kiss at the end.”
“Now, Sophie,” he says faux seriously, “affection isn’t earned.”
Laughing, I push harder. Arms pumping, air rushing past. My lungs burn just enough to remind me I’m alive.
“Wait—yes, I want my kiss!” he calls, fake panting.
His footfalls thunder behind me, closer, closer. I try to stay out of reach, but I’m laughing too hard.
Being chased by a bear is so underrated.
Austin
Song of the day
“Inside and Out” by Tyler Hubbard