Chapter 4
Sunday morning came quickly. Rachel and Janette had their special Sunday pumpkin pancakes and headed off to church.
Rachel walked into the church to be greeted by August.
"Hey Ray!" He said; throwing his arm around her shoulder.
Rachel gave him a warm smile and scanned the foyer.
August sighed and shook his head. "He is not here Ray; he went out with some friends again last night." Rachel did the same thing every week. She scanned the church in hopes that Jakob would miraculously show up; he never did. He hadn't for the last four years, but that didn't faze her. She still invited him every week, and still looked for him. Rachel's faith amazed August. He hoped that one day he would have the amount of faith that she had.
Rachel's shoulders slumped, "I know, it doesn't hurt to look right? You never know when God will decide to open Jake's eyes."
August nodded in agreement as a pair of arms wrapped around his waist.
"Guess who?" A sweet familiar voice asked.
August chuckled and removed her arms bringing her face to face with him, "Hmm? My guess is Samantha,"
Samantha giggled and tossed her dark curls over her shoulder, "You cheated, that doesn't count."
August chuckled and grabbed her hand in his own, "Whatever you say, honey."
Rachel smiled at the couple and inwardly sighed. When would she be able to have a relationship like there's? One that centered on God and not themselves. They both loved each other, but they loved God even more. That was what Rachel desired in a relationship.
"Hey Rachel!" Samantha called out; just now noticing Rachel was standing there.
Rachel gave Samantha a hug before they shuffled their way into the sanctuary.
The church service went by quickly, and soon everyone made their way out to go enjoy a quiet lunch at home.
Rachel walked alongside of Samantha and August and discussed the sermon.
"So what Pastor James was saying is that God calls us to pray for our enemies?" Samantha asked as she held tightly onto August's hand.
August nodded and smiled, "That's correct. You know a certain verse that came to mind when he was preaching. It was Matthew 5:44"
"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Rachel recited from memory.
August looked at her and nodded, "Yeah, that is a verse I am constantly having to go back to in life"
Rachel laughed loudly, "I agree, I really struggle with loving my enemies."
"I think we all do," August added, "As human beings we are naturally selfish, we have trouble thinking of others, not to mention our enemies."
Rachel stood against the door of her truck and nodded thoughtfully, "The best way we can love others is to pray for them. That's how we can love our enemies."
The three of them discussed the subject a little more before Samantha was called to return to her family. August hopped into the car with Rachel and the two headed to the Holt's house for their weekly Sunday lunch.
"So Jakob came in late yesterday, and he didn't have his truck. I had to take him to go pick it up, which means he had to have gotten a ride home from somebody. He wouldn't tell me who it was but I have an odd feeling you had something to do with it." August searched Rachel's face for any sign of emotion.
"I brought him home yesterday morning if that's what you asking?"
August smiled at her slyness. He could tell she was trying to slide away from the subject, "Care to elaborate?"
Rachel huffed and tightened her grip on the wheel, "Jake showed up at my house drunk early Saturday morning. I took care of him and brought him home when he woke up."
"He what?" August roared causing Rachel to jump.
"Gosh, August. He didn't do anything he was drunk, I held the pot while he puked his guts out and then he crashed on my couch."
"Rachel, he is a grown man and he showed up at a girl's house drunk in the early hours of the morning!" August fumed
Rachel stopped at the red light and ran her hand through her hair, "Look, August I see where you are mad with him, but trust me I talked to him about it. It was fine nothing happened, we are both safe. Safer than he would've been if I would've tossed him out."
"Rachel you need to stop defending him. Someday he is going to have to face the consequences for his actions, and he won't be able to do that if you are right there holding him up."
"August I have got it under control. You don't need to worry about me; I know what I'm doing."
August grunted and leaned back into his seat, "I hope so Ray, I really hope so. One day he's going to really mess up and there will be nothing either of us can do about it."
"Let's hope he starts listening before then" Rachel added as they pulled into the driveway. August hopped out of his seat and ran to open the door for Rachel.
"Hey Ray," Jakob greeted from his spot on the couch.
Rachel smiled and took a seat next to him. He stared blankly at the television in front of him. Rachel narrowed her eyes and tilted her head to the side, "Jake, did you shave you head?" she slowly asked.
Jakob turned towards her and smiled a bright smile, "Oh yeah! Do you like it?"
Rachel's eyes widened; all his beautiful curls were missing. The soft curls that often tickled her cheek when he leaned down to hug her; they were gone. Rachel felt tears well up into her eyes; out of all the things he had done this was the thing that made her want to cry. It was beyond petty, but she wanted nothing more than to just curl up and cry.
"Rachel are you okay?" Jakob asked turning to face her.
"I-I hate it," Rachel mumbled under her breath.
Jakob leaned closer unable to hear what she had said, "What?" he asked gently.
"I hate it!" Rachel shouted, "Why did you cut off your hair?"
Jakob scooted back surprised, "I just wanted something different. I-I am sorry. I didn't know that it would mean that much to you."
Rachel jumped off the couch; now unable to keep in her tears, "just don't do it again." She ran out the front door. Her tears were now flowing freely as she hopped into the cab of her truck. What did she just do? Why was she crying over something so little? She leaned back into the seat and choked out a sob. What would Jakob think of her? She had just yelled at him because he cut his hair! She pounded her head on the wheel causing the horn to honk loudly. Rachel jerked back and nailed her head on the roof of the car.
"Oh shoot!" she exclaimed holding her head in pain. A small chuckle sounded from next to her and she turned to face Jakob. He quickly cleared his smiled and jumped into the seat next to her.
"Before you say anything let me speak. First of all, no I do not think you are some cry baby." Rachel blushed as he continued, "Second of all, I am sorry for everything I have done to you. I know I have let you done in the past and I am sorry. I don't even know why you are still my friend."
"I am you friend still because friends forgive each other no matter what." Rachel sniffled.
Jakob smiled softly before continuing, "I don't know what I have done to deserve a friend like you," he patted Rachel's knee and slipped out of the front seat leaving her no time to reply.
Rachel leaned back into the seat and let out a small sigh. Ashe had snapped at him twice in the last two days; that was the most they had fought ever. If she didn't learn how to keep her mouth shut then it wouldn't be their last.
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Day 4- I am ashamed that I am not even through the first week and I have already missed a day! I did do my writing, I just finished it so late that I was unable to post it here. Sorry:(
So yesterday was day 4 for me, it was also Sunday. The one thing that God really taught me was to love my enemies. I sort of covered it already in my chapter, just because that really was something that stuck with me (also, it has something to do with later on in the story....not saying what) The Bible says that one of the greatest ways to love someone is to pray for them. Therefore by praying for enemies we are showing them love!