A Faraway State of Mind 6

 

Maggie Felton: Well, here we are.

Thomas More: Yeah… I suppose so…

Maggie: Despite our conversation yesterday, it was overall a good visit.

Thomas: Really?

Maggie: …in terms of catching up as friends, I mean.

Thomas: …yes, right.

Maggie: Well, good luck with everything. … I think your train to South Eurekaopolis is set to leave in a bit.

Thomas: You’re right. I’d better get going. Good luck with everything as well. [Thomas grabs his suitcase, waves, and starts heading for the station.]

Maggie: Thomas, wait!

Thomas: What?

Maggie ran over to give him a goodbye hug. They embraced, albeit briefly and rather awkwardly.

Maggie: Good luck with everything!

Thomas: Take care of yourself, OK?

After the two soon-to-be-erstwhile friends separated, Thomas made his way to the pay station to buy a ticket, and then over to the platform. Tears welled up in his eyes and didn’t stop until he forced them to stop when Jed Berger and Charlie Jarvis picked him up at the other end.

Kristen Lombardi: [over text] Hey.

Thomas: [over text] Hey – what’s up?

Kristen: [over text] What was the name of the place you were going to get help?

Thomas: [over text] You mean, the Place?

Kristen: [over text] Exactly. What place?

Thomas: [over text] It is like I said: it’s called “the Place.”

Kristen: [over text] OK. Thank you!

Thomas: [over text] If you don’t mind my asking, what’s leading you to consider the Place?

Kristen: [over text] I just started dating someone new and am looking to get support in how to handle it better than I have previously. Relationships are hard, ya know?

Thomas: [over text] Another one, huh?

[pause – no response from Kristen]

Thomas: [over text] By the way, I wanted to ask if you still had any interest in joining me on this prayer discipline thing I asked you about awhile ago.

[pause – no response from Kristen]

Thomas: [over text] It’s fine if you say no. It’s just I’ve been waiting and would rather have an answer so I can keep looking if I need to.

Kristen: [over text] Then, no.

Thomas: [over text] Thank you for your honesty.

[end of text conversation]

After Maggie’s visit to Centropolis, Thomas’ connection with Kristen basically dropped almost entirely. About a year or so later, Kristen moved back to Delano, on the western end of the Continent, where her family was. She was looking to find work in government administration and/or research after having gotten her Master’s in political science, but to her surprise, she was finding those jobs hard to come by, at least in Centropolis. Also, she had been really tiring of working in the hospitality industry and reasoned that returning home was a better fit for her at that time.

Even though her contact with Thomas had faded precipitously after Maggie’s visit, she still reached out to him on the rare occasion. It was during this time she had found out about his receiving counseling at the Place, and when she reached out it was to encourage him. She had tried – and failed – to get Thomas to realize that although she wasn’t interested in him romantically, it didn’t automatically mean she wanted nothing to do with him. However, Thomas’ continued obsession over her had forced her to take a step back for her sanity’s sake. After that point, their connection was non-existent (outside of when she reached out to encourage him), and being in different provinces made it easy to otherwise fall out of touch completely.

However, some years later, after she had moved back to Delano, Kristen had found herself in a really hard place. When she had reached out to Thomas again to connect, she lamented the lack of resources to help her heal and grow like there had been in Centropolis, not the least of which was a church she had settled on that, according to her, didn’t appear to understand or care for her plight. Thomas had also confided this to another mentor friend who also had known Kristen well. This friend, after also conversing with Kristen on the phone, told Thomas to steer clear of her. Which, he didn’t, because he still had hoped that perhaps something could work out with Kristen, warts and all.

Later, after the above text conversation they had had, Kristen reached out to Thomas to refresh her memory about the Place, and then attempted to be social. By this point, Thomas had had enough. Kristen had said no to his invitation to join him in a prayer discipline – finally – after initially saying yes and then ghosting him every time he followed up about it. His support system (including those at the Place) finally got through to him that, no matter how much he grew and healed, Kristen was not going to change her mind about him. One of his friends – likely Ty Rawlings – confirmed what Thomas likely already knew: early in their last reconnection, Kristen had already made up her mind in terms of her judgments about him: “he still hasn’t changed.” That message, along with the feedback from his support system, was finally enough for Thomas to break through his long-held obsession for Kristen. The truth was, Thomas had indeed changed and grown a lot since he first started getting help at the Place! And for someone to not see it – even someone like Kristen – at some point, something had to give. Thomas finally concluded, after many years, that Kristen was not a good barometer of his worth, a power that he had subconsciously given her (never mind that she never particularly asked for it). Finally, he moved on. So when she reached out one more time after that, his mind was made up: he truly had no interest in connecting with her again, and finally ghosted her when she wanted to be social, after what felt like a lifetime of being ghosted by her (and by others) when he wanted to be social.

Dr. John K. Green: Yes, Thomas?

Thomas: I’d like to work. [looking around the room] Does that work for everyone?

Ty Rawlings: Sure.

Max Hartrey: Go ahead.

Dr. John: You may proceed.

Thomas: Well, as some of you may already know, this week has been really hard. Remember when I was telling you about Natasha? Well, I haven’t seen her at work in a couple of weeks. I think she’s moved on to another job.

Max: How can you be so sure?

Thomas: It’s just a hunch.

Max: Did you talk to her?

Thomas: I did, a while ago… I finally had asked her out to a show, and she said no.

Ty: At least you got an answer… but why are you still thinking about it?

Dr. John: Guys, let Thomas share.

Thomas: So, as you all know, I’ve wrestled with this opportunity for the last year or so. She was cute. And I mean, “wowza!” cute. … By the way, I’ve worked so hard to get to the point where I could say that and not feel afraid or ashamed. … But as you know, she seemed interested in me… and I think, very interested. And I tried to psych myself up to ask her out. You guys were there, you were with me, encouraging me to do something! … Bottom line, I think that opportunity’s gone… and Natasha’s gone… [sigh]

Dr. John: I hear the pain, Thomas. I do still think you brought it on yourself by overanalyzing and by waiting forever to ask her out. But I do see that it hurts, nonetheless. And we are here with you.

Thomas: It sucks… [tears start forming]

Dr. John: Let those tears out.

Natasha Dubicki entered Thomas’ life not long after his last contact with Kristen. By that point, Thomas had undergone a season of changes to many areas in his life, including a job change, to where he was working a contracting position, going to different companies to service copier machines and printers. She worked for a large company that had lots of office machines, so Thomas often found himself over there on assignment to test or repair them. They had made conversation early on, and at least until Thomas found that he liked her back, he wasn’t fazed by her interest in chatting with him.

At this point, he had been at the Place long enough that the level of his growth, as well as that of the support he was receiving, had changed. Unlike before, this time his group encouraged him to ask Natasha out. He had hesitated, in part because she was not outright a believer of Jesus or the Book of Eternal Sacred Truth, but it appeared she might have been curious about it. After a number of months, an honest-to-goodness opportunity did finally arise for him to ask her out. But, as what had happened before, he found himself unable to follow through and get that coffee date with her. The next time he had seen her, fear and shame had set in so deeply that he had convinced himself it was too late, and that she would say “no,” because after all that’s all he had ever known.

Fast-forward a year. Thomas was still servicing office machines, but Natasha had stopped appearing at work. He was deeply disappointed, but also kind of relieved, because he knew that at least he could no longer keep getting his hopes up, only to fail yet again. It was then that the group advised him to sign up for online dating.

Thomas: What? Really?

Ty: I think it would be good for you. It sounds like you need the practice anyway, to get over the hump.

Dr. John: I can tell that that first step of dating – just asking someone out – is terrifying for you. But you won’t be able to date anyone successfully until you are able to take that first step.

Thomas: Well, OK… so what sites would you recommend, then?

Ty: Really, any of them… MatchUp.com, eMatrimony, GoFish.com, FlameSpark…

Thomas: That sounds like a lot, to be honest.

Ty: Maybe so, but I would suggest you go full bore – sign up for all of them, and then just message, message, message…

Max: What do you have to lose?

Thomas: Well – I did try MatchUp.com once.

Ty: What was that like?

Thomas: Not very good. I was young though – back when I was in my college town, after college, but before I moved back to Centropolis. I tried it for about a month… got one date, and… looking back, I should have been able to understand that this was normal… but, she just emailed me saying she wasn’t feeling a spark. I on the other hand was crushed. Like, a week later, I closed my account.

Ty: Why?

Thomas: I won’t lie and say it wasn’t because I was disappointed – because… I was – but, I also had only subscribed for a month, and I didn’t really want to pay for a second month. So, I signed off.

Max: And you were how old?

Thomas: [sighs] … It was a long time ago.

Ty: So… that means that it’s time to try again!

Thomas did. While he did send likes and messages to 200 different women over the next six months, he was more interested in the online video classes the dating website had, a few of which addressed the concerns he had. He registered for a few, attended, and took notes. Boy, did he take notes. This was all new, and during his time of obsession, he had never once stopped to think how he could simplify the process of getting to meet and know someone new, especially in a dating context.

He did end up meeting someone about six months in. She lived across the Continent over in LeBaillyopolis, which made things difficult in the long run. Although sparks had initially flown a lot early in the relationship, they ended up breaking up due to not being able to compromise on many things, including where they would live if they were to have married. It stung. But he was relieved at the same time, owing that the stress of possibly moving and leaving everyone behind, combined with financial uncertainty that would come with relocating.

It was also during this time that his finances, as well as that of his dad’s, were hurting. Both of them, seemingly within a week of each other, had their hours cut at work, leaving them with not enough money to pay the bills. As the end of one month approached, his dad would comment that he would have enough money to help pay the rent for the next month, but after that was anyone’s guess.

One Sunday, Thomas was putting away the drum set in the storage room behind the stage, when his friend Caleb Redding came over to chat.

Caleb Redding: Hey Tom! What’s up today?

Thomas: I’m hanging in there. Aside from what you already know about the challenges in my life, I’ve got some new blessings starting to sprout up.

Caleb: Praise God, bro! That’s awesome!

Thomas: How are you doing today? Want to go grab some lunch and perhaps catch a movie at the theater? There’s a flick I’d really like to see that’s out right now.

Caleb: Well, sure… although later this afternoon, I’m going to join a group of friends over at the Church of Faith, Hope, and Love for a game of Ultimate Frisbee.

Thomas: Aw, man! That sounds like a lot of fun! I haven’t played in a while… I might be a bit out of shape! [chuckling]

Caleb: Well, do you wanna come?

[Ty walks up.]

Ty: Hey…

Thomas: Hey brother! [Thomas and Ty share a hug.]

Caleb: Hey, Ty, good to see ya! How are ya?

Ty: [Ty and Caleb share a hug.] I’m doing ok. I wanted to say hi and ask what you guys are up to.

Thomas: Well, we’re about to head out to lunch somewhere… haven’t decided yet where.

Ty: Would you be interested in trying out the new Loganese restaurant on 20^th Street Southeast? I hear the food is really good.

Caleb: Sure, why not? What do ya say, Tom?

Thomas: I’m in.

The three friends carpooled over to the Loganese restaurant. A friend of Ty’s had gone there and had given him a rave review, strongly encouraging him to try the place out. Neither Thomas nor Caleb had been there before but were interested in at least trying. They had a chuckle at the restaurant’s name: “Nom Nom Grill.” The phrase nom nom was relatively new to the vernacular as a way of enjoying chowing down whatever it is one was eating, and this relatively new fast-food restaurant chain specializing in Loganese food had capitalized on the phrase to make it stand out.

It was there that Thomas had updated Ty and Caleb about some of the blessings that had arrived in his life the last couple weeks: he was feeling hopeful about a new job he was applying for, in an attempt to gain full-time work again after relying on contract work for so long. He had had some financial assistance recently come to help him take care of some debts, including getting another functional car recently, which was a huge load off his back. He also shared some of his latest attempts at dating once again. Although there were only disappointments, for the first time in his life, Thomas genuinely felt content about it.

Thomas: It’s not that I enjoy these disappointments. It’s still frustrating. But I tell ya: it’s so freeing to not have my whole life and my whole happiness be tied to this one thing! I don’t know how I survived like this for so long!

Ty: You certainly have grown a lot. And even with your former girlfriend in, what, LeBaillyopolis? [Thomas nods] You got to experience the entire relationship cycle. You’ve been through that first ask, that first kiss, and, yes, that first breakup. And you now really know what that all is like.

Thomas: And the earth is still spinning.

Caleb: I’m so happy for you! Praise God for that freedom which you now have! It’s beautiful!

Thomas: Amen!

Caleb: So, if you come to Ultimate Frisbee afterward, there’s likely to be a few gals out there that may be available! Hint, hint! [Caleb playfully jabs Thomas with his elbow.]

Ty: I’m … going to pass on Frisbee today.

Caleb: Ty, you sure?

Ty: I’m sure.

Thomas: No worries, bro. Maybe we can catch the new movie later today, afterwards.

Ty: I’m up for it if you are.

After dropping Ty off at his home, Thomas and Caleb headed off to Truro Park. There was already a small crowd of folks already either playing or watching. Thomas hadn’t had a chance to bring an extra change of clothes, so he realized he was going to be toughing it out on the field with his business-casual garb on.

It was a nice, warm-weather day. As soon as the first game wrapped up, during which Caleb had had a chance to change into appropriately athletic gear, one of the ringleaders of the group invited Caleb and Thomas to join in. The ringleader had jokingly commented about Thomas’ intent to play Frisbee in business gear but waved him in. At least Caleb’s on my team, Thomas thought. We’ve got a chance. Like Caleb had said, it was a mixed crowd: both men and women, including a number of married folks as well as a few single folks. One of the men on the other team had the Frisbee and threw it to Thomas and Caleb’s team at the other end of the field. The game was on…

The disc made its way towards Thomas, who had to jump with all his might to try and reach it. He got a finger on it, and… it landed on the ground behind him. Whoops! Thomas thought, sprinting to where it had landed. As soon as he had grabbed it to pick it up, his opponent was on him. She was fast, with her arms up, ready to block anything he did. That surprised Thomas. But, he had a job to do, and that was to pick up the disc and get it to his teammate. Which he failed to do, because as soon as he saw Caleb – the only teammate he recognized – running toward him, he attempted to throw it to him.

SWAT! His female opponent immediately swatted down the disc. “Nice job, April Mae!” one of her teammates shouted as he ran toward the end zone. She didn’t respond, appearing super-focused on getting an early point for her team. She threw the disc. SWAT! Thomas swatted it down again. He was finally in the game. He picked up the disc and attempted to toss it to anyone that he thought was his teammate. However, he hadn’t thrown a disc in years (he hadn’t even had a chance to warm up today before the game), and his throw was quite short and super-wobbly. His female opponent had anticipated it, and before anyone else could catch it, she snatched it. She shot Thomas a smirk as she caught it. Whoa! Thomas thought. I’ve seen that face before… but where?

Thomas (back in Eurekaopolis): Hey Maggie, can you take a pic of me with my latte?

Maggie (back in Eurekaopolis): Um, sure…

Thomas (back in Eurekaopolis): Thanks. [Maggie snaps a pic of Thomas trying to look all suave and cool. She then hands the camera back to him.] Now, can I get a pic of you looking cool with your drink?

Maggie (back in Eurekaopolis): Um… [sighs] OK. [flashes a smirk]

Thomas (back in Eurekaopolis): [snaps a pic of her] Awesome! [reviews the picture in the camera] Wow! You turned out really good in this one!

Maggie (back in Eurekaopolis): [stone-faced look]

Thomas (back in Eurekaopolis): I mean… you got the cool shades, the facial expression, the smirk, the bright red hair… you got attitude!

Maggie (back in Eurekaopolis): [briefly rolls her eyes] If you say so…

Thomas (back in Eurekaopolis): [confused] …is everything ok?

Maggie (back in Eurekaopolis): To be honest, Thomas, I would rather you stopped taking pictures of me.

Thomas (back in Eurekaopolis): Oh… sorry…

Maggie (back in Eurekaopolis): It’s OK. Just, please don’t do it again.

Thomas (back in Eurekaopolis): [sighs] I understand. Do you want me to delete this one?

Maggie (back in Eurekaopolis): [shaking her head] Whatever. I don’t care.

Caleb (back to Centropolis): Hey, Tom! We’re down here!

Thomas: [starts running back to the other end zone, follows Caleb] Oh, sorry! What happened?

Caleb: They scored!

Thomas: What?? How?

Caleb: Your mark tossed it for an easy score!

Thomas: Oh, my goodness! Was I that out of it?

Caleb: I dunno! Were you? [laughing]

Once Thomas and Caleb’s team assumed their starting positions for the next point, Thomas’ mark threw the disc. This time Caleb caught it. Thomas and the other teammates began running down the field to assume open positions. He didn’t touch the disc for a while, although his mark did a few times. Man, she’s fast! Thomas thought to himself. I gotta keep up with her! Periodically, when his mark had the disc, he would hear one of her teammates call out: “April Mae! April Mae! I’m open!” Hmm… April Mae… interesting name… Of course, by the time he finished his thought, she had thrown the disc, and he was back to running again.

Thomas had gotten gassed shortly thereafter, and asked for a sub. While on the sidelines, he gorged on water and FluidAde to replenish his electrolytes. As the day wore on, though, he seemed to regain some of the stamina he had lost from not having played for years. And he even started to make his new opponent work (this time a guy). At one point, he even connected with Caleb on a score, and was the receiver on yet another score. Perhaps the extended rest helped after the first bit. And perhaps it also helped that everyone else, who hadn’t taken a long rest like Thomas had, were beginning to tire. But it was no matter to Thomas. After the first couple games, one in which Thomas played for a part, and an entire other one in which Thomas had rested, he was starting to play like he had remembered. Perhaps having a new opponent helped.

At one point, late in the afternoon, he was able to distinctly hear a discussion among his opponents:

Opponent 1: C’mon guys! They’re killing us over there! Let’s at least try to win one more game before the day is out!

Opponent 2: I agree! Let’s switch up who we’re guarding!

Opponent 1: OK – April Mae, you’re one of our best! You take Caleb! He’s been torching us all day!

April Mae: Actually, I’d like to take Caleb’s friend! I was able to stop him before!

Opponent 2: Then who should take Caleb?

April Mae: Gavin – how about you? You’re our tallest player!

Gavin: Well, OK – but I’m not as fast as he is!

April Mae: True – but if we take Caleb’s friend out of the game, then we’ve got a chance!

Gavin: Alright, fine.

Opponent 1: That work for everyone?

Opponent 2: Yeah! Alright, let’s get rolling!

Thomas could barely believe his ears. He knew April Mae was cute – at some point he had realized she was one of the singles – but he was surprised that even though he felt he had redeemed himself from earlier in the afternoon, she still didn’t think much of him. That fired him up.

April Mae matched up on Thomas for the last game. While Thomas was still energized and made competent plays for his team, he couldn’t outrun his mark. He cut forward, cut back, cut left, and cut right. She was making it difficult for him to be able to receive the disc. The few rare times when he did, she was in his face, even more so than any other person that had matched up on him all afternoon.

On the other hand, due to his being fired up, he made it similarly difficult for her to receive the disc from her teammates. In his mind, it seemed that she was having more success at evading him than he was at evading her. Nonetheless, to him she was just an opponent to beat. That is, until she yelled out: “Coco! Coco!” (Apparently, Coco was someone on her team.)

Thomas (back at the office): Alright, there you go. The scanner should be working now.

Natasha (back at the office): Let’s take a look. [powered on the scanner, pressed a few buttons, and saw that it worked perfectly] Yay! Thomas, you are so-o-o amazing! Do you know how much I love y—er, how well you fix these machines?

Thomas (back at the office): Well, thanks! I appreciate it. … Hey, listen… I don’t suppose you… would be up for… getting a coffee… together sometime?

Natasha (back at the office): Hmm, maybe… I don’t know… [her voice lilting] I’m more of a hot chocolate person, y’know…? Some hot cocoa…

Thomas (back at the office): Oh, ok…

Natasha (back at the office): [looks aside suddenly as a colleague gestures for her to come immediately] Oh whoops, I gotta deal with this really quick. Can you wait a bit til I get back? [starts running off]

Thomas (back at the office): Sure!

Natasha (back at the office): [from the other side of the office area] I’ll be right back! I promise!

Thomas (back at the office): [looking at his phone] Oh no! I just got a thing from my boss that says I gotta go take care of another job! I gotta run! … Natasha…? Natasha?? [groans as he starts walking to the exit]

Caleb (back to Centropolis): Thomas! Hurry up and get back here! They’re about to score!

Thomas: Wait, what?? How’d that happen?

Caleb: It doesn’t matter! Just get back here!

Thomas sprinted as fast as his dehydrated, tired body would let him. April Mae, who had long been wide open, had the disc again and spotted a teammate sprinting toward the end zone. Thomas was gaining on her, right as she began to throw the disc. He leaped up, with his arm extended toward her throwing arm right as she released it, and… her throw hit Gavin right as he had entered the end zone. Thomas had just missed blocking her shot!

Thomas: [grunting as he lands on the ground] Aagggh!

April Mae: Score!!!

Gavin: Yeaahhh!!

Opponent 1: Great job, Gavin!

Opponent 2: Great throw, April Mae!

April Mae: Well, glory to God on that one! My opponent was this close to blocking it! [gestures toward Thomas]

Gavin: I know!! It was so close! It could’ve gone either way!

Opponent 1: Well, that’s game, everyone! 21 to 17!

Opponent 2: Yeah, great game, you guys! Let’s go shake hands with our opponents!

April Mae: [walks up to Thomas, smirking again] Great game!

Thomas: [huffing and puffing] Thanks! You were awesome.

April Mae: So were you. You were overall really hard to beat… except for a couple of moments! [winks]

Thomas: Ah, well, what can ya do?

April Mae: Try harder, I guess… [winks again]

Thomas: I s’pose…

April Mae: [giggling] “S’po-o-ose!” What, are you from Ro-o-oseland or something? [emphasizes the pinched “O” vowel, halfway trying to imitate Thomas’ accent]

Thomas: Hah – No, I’m from Centropolis, born and raised. But my mom is originally from Roseland, so I s’pose I get some of that from her.

April Mae: Aww, that’s sweet!

Caleb: [several yards away] Hey, Gavin, Thomas, guys, anyone want to catch a movie after?

Gavin: Caleb, man… I gotta go home and shower first after this!

Opponent 1: Me, too!

Caleb: What about you, Karissa? April Mae?

Karissa: Well… I’d be up for it, but at a later time…

April Mae: Good call, Karissa. I might, but I have some work I need to get done first.

Thomas: Yeah, and Caleb… I’d love to, I really would, but, I got some stuff I gotta take care of as well.

April Mae: Well, it was nice meeting you! Will you be back next time?

Thomas: Um, sure! … When is next time?

Caleb: Next Sunday, bro! They get together every Sunday afternoon when it’s nice out.

Thomas: Oh, cool. Yeah, sure. I’ll see you then!

April Mae: Bye!

After showering and catching up on work, Thomas and Caleb did go to the movies later. No one else came, neither from LifeTree nor their new friends at the Church of Faith, Hope, and Love. No matter. The two friends enjoyed the new movie that had everyone at church buzzing, and they had a nice time of chatting, encouraging one another, and praying.

At Ultimate Frisbee the next Sunday, April Mae didn’t show. A little disappointing, but whatever. Thomas had been around the block a number of times to not get too down about disappointments like these. He had had to learn to live with truly being ok if no woman ever came into his life. And, with the help of God, his church, and the Place, he had finally learned contentment in this area. Besides, he’d met women like April Mae before, and so at this point, there was nothing new that she could do to faze him. (Well, except smirk or utter phrases that reminded him of past disappointments. That, he was still learning to finish letting go of in the moment. But otherwise, he had moved on.)

A month later, he had gotten an email from Kristen (yes, that Kristen):

Hi –

I know it’s been a while since we last talked. I want to be clear, I’m not emailing you to ask for a relationship with me. But, I am asking for a friend. I was talking with her recently and you honestly came to mind. She is really a sweet person, and we go back a ways. You both love music and Ultimate Frisbee. If you’re neither interested nor available, please let me know. Just wanted to share this with you, though, just in case.

K

Wait, what?? Thomas thought as he read through the email. OK – F#$% – Kristen still isn’t interested… now, why did she have go out of her way to say that? … Wait, let me read through this again… what is it she’s offering? … Oh, a dating opportunity… [sighs] Been there, done that… I don’t know if I’m ready to dive in again, and besides, what does Kristen know? She’s been a terrible judge of my worth, after all. I learned my F#$%& lesson! … OK, reading through it again… yup, Kristen is offering to set me up with a friend of hers… wait, this friend likes Ultimate Frisbee? Hmm… I wonder if it could be … nahh, there’s no way she knows April Mae… they didn’t even go to the same church… well, God has been prompting me to get back into dating… if He says I’m ready, then, I guess I must be ready… whoever it might be… [sighs]

Hi Kristen,

Thank you for your note. It has been a while. I’m not currently dating anyone. I’m willing to meet up with your friend. Do you have her contact information?

Thanks,

Thomas

D’oh!! Of course she has her contact information, Thomas thought to himself. But before he could respond, Kristen had emailed him back:

Yes, I have her contact information. Her name is April Mae and her email is in the link below.

Whoa!! Thomas thought. Could it be? … I’ve been wondering about April Mae since that one Sunday a few weeks back. As far as I was concerned, she was a one-and-done. Well, I’m going to drop her a quick note and we’ll see…

Hi April Mae,

I am a friend of Kristen’s and she told me she mentioned me to you the other day. I hear that you and I are both fans of music and Ultimate Frisbee. Tell me, what musical instrument do you like to play?

Thomas

“I am a friend of Kristen’s” … not really! Thomas thought as he typed up that sentence. But, I’m not going to tell her that. After all, even though as far as I’m concerned, Kristen and I aren’t friends, I give her props for still thinking enough of me to recommend me as a potential date to a friend of hers. I do wonder why, though…

April Mae had responded back the next day. Over the next week, they had emailed each other daily as they began getting to know each other. As it turned out, April Mae knew Kristen from their time at both Central University and Delano College, and especially through a Christian ministry at Central where April Mae had led Kristen to Christ. It was kind of ironic, April Mae noted, that she was in undergrad while Kristen was a graduate student (she had transferred from Delano to Central after her freshman year, the same year Kristen had graduated with her Bachelor’s degree), and yet she ended up being a spiritual mentor for Kristen during the time they overlapped at school, particularly at Central. Kristen’s longing for more connection and spiritual mentoring, as well as the fact that they had known each other somewhat for many years drew them back together, even all these years later.

On Thomas’ side, he decided not to hint that they may have already met. What if there’s more than one April Mae in the world? … I don’t want to make it awkward, given my long previous history of making things awkward with women… But, at the same time, it’s so fascinating that this April Mae, and the other one I had met, both love Ultimate Frisbee. Maybe she’s the same person…?

They agreed to meet at her church the following Sunday. What church? Thomas had asked. The Church of Faith, Hope, and Love, April Mae replied. No way!!! Thomas exclaimed internally. I must not let her know that I suspect… after all, I don’t think she got my name when we played last month. … Or whenever it was…

For the record, April Mae stated that she loved to play piano, and was Classically trained. She had briefly considered it for her major while at Delano, before moving to something more practical. Thomas had replied that he loved playing drums and was a big Spyders fan.

The following Sunday, Thomas made his way to the Church of Faith, Hope, and Love. April Mae had mentioned that she would be in the band, where the keyboard was. He spotted her from a distance. Oh my goodness! She’s the same gal I played against!! Wow!! Even though I kind of expected it, I’m still shocked!! Wow!!

The praise and worship time came and went, and she went to sit in the back, not far from where Thomas was. He glanced at her but did what he could to keep his attention on the church service. Chief on his mind, though, was: I wonder if she recognizes me? Does she know I’m the same guy from Ultimate Frisbee a month ago? … Oh well, we’ll find out after the service.

After the pastor gave the final blessing and dismissed the congregation, Thomas made his way up to the stage. Before he could get up the couple of steps to the stage, he was stopped by an attendant who asked who he was and what his intent was in walking right up to the stage. He pointed out April Mae and the attendant’s eyes widened, with a little bit of a smile on her face.

Attendant: You must be Thomas!

Thomas: Yes, I am.

Attendant: [extending her hand for a handshake] I’m Erin, April Mae’s mom.

Thomas: Well, Erin, it’s nice to meet you! [shakes her hand]

Attendant: Likewise! She’s been telling me all about you.

Thomas: Yeah, I bet!

Attendant: Well, she’s right over there! [gestures in April Mae’s direction.]

Thomas: [walking up the stairs] OK, thanks!

The conversation had gotten April Mae’s attention and she was already looking in Thomas’ direction. Although she worked to suppress her smile so as to not look too excited, her eyes still widened when she recognized him.

April Mae: So, you’re Thomas!

Thomas: Well, hello there! [extending his hand to shake hers] And yes, I am.

April Mae: [shakes hands with him] My goodness! I was wondering if you were the same guy I matched up against in Ultimate Frisbee a month ago… or was it two?

Thomas: I know, right?

April Mae: I mean, as we were communicating over the last week, I was going back and forth whether to ask…

Thomas: I was, too.

April Mae: No way!!

Thomas: [smiles, pauses] So, I need to catch up on something real quick before we head over to lunch. Want to meet out front?

April Mae: Sure!

Thomas: Sounds good!

April Mae: [winks] It’s a date!

Thomas and April Mae had lunch over at Nom Nom Grill, the same place he, Ty, and Caleb had eaten prior to their Ultimate Frisbee game. The date went well, with more stories, more questions, and even some jokes thrown in. April Mae gave him her phone number, unprompted, halfway through the meal. Thomas gave her his at the end, and within days they had their second date. And then their third… and fourth… and so on.

Other changes began occurring in Thomas’ life. He landed the job that he had been hoping for, and upon April Mae’s encouragement, he also began looking at taking classes at the local community college to bolster his professional credentials. He also felt like it was time to explore the Church of Faith, Hope, and Love. As much as he liked LifeTree Church, and as grateful as he was for its role in bringing him to faith and for the healing he needed in his life as a young adult, he had begun to feel like his place at LifeTree was stagnating and that he wouldn’t be able to grow further as a man and as a leader at that church. The Church of Faith, Hope, and Love, on the other hand, being considerably smaller, had more opportunities for Thomas to grow in other ways in his faith. Among other things, they were in need of a new drummer for their band, with their previous one having left for another church. At least that’s what Thomas had presumed.

As Thomas and April Mae’s relationship began to grow, they hit a potential stumbling block that Thomas knew he needed to address. It was something that he was aware of as a possibility, given all the different changes he had made in his life, not just in his personal growth, but also his perspective related to Continental politics. One day, on another one of their dates early in their relationship, Thomas knew he needed to bring it to the light.

Thomas: I have to admit – I identify as a staunch Constitutional Continentalist. As such, one of my dealbreakers is that you cannot be Pro-Humanist/Partitionist. I think their agenda is pure evil.

April Mae: [stunned] I have to be honest with you: this is not what I expected. … Can I ask, why is this so important to you?

Thomas: I’ll admit that this is a key part to this is my faith. … I myself used to be more of a Humanist as well, on the basis of science being the be-all, end-all of all Truth. But when I got saved and got to know Jesus more deeply, I started seeing – what I believe, anyway – of the lies and agendas of the Humanists and the Partitionists, including them being pro-science as religion, pro-Magic, and pro-abortion.

April Mae: I do hear what you’re saying, and I do see what you mean about the Humanist/Partitionist party. But the truth is, I’ve got my hang-ups about politicians in the Constitutional Continentalist party, as well as people that vote for them. I’m more in the middle when it comes to politics on our Continent.

Thomas: OK. I hear you.

April Mae: To be honest, Thomas, I would need to pray about this. If this is that important to you, I might have to consider suggesting that we see other people.

Thomas: Whoa. OK. If I may ask, can you share more of what your hang-ups are about Constitutional Continentalists?

April Mae: Well… one of the key issues for me is how our Continent’s history is marked with discrimination. First, it was against a group of people that were formerly brought over from Preugro as slaves. I’ve long believed that Constitutional Continentalists really don’t care about other people different from them, including these people. Not only that, but it’s like you’re still continuing to try to oppress them and not let them have the opportunity to enjoy the same privileges you have. That doesn’t sit well with me. Plus, I have a few close friends whose ancestors were slaves here and still bear deep pain and fear related to us in how we’ve treated them.

Thomas: April Mae, I’m so sorry – I want you to know, that’s not what I personally stand for.

April Mae: [interrupting] I have more.

Thomas: Oh, sorry. Go on.

April Mae: Thanks. … The other issue I have with Constitutional Continentalists is how you all treat refugees. Remember a couple decades ago when aliens came the Sphere of Life from a planet called “Earth”?

Thomas: I do.

April Mae: Well, unfortunately, we’ve not treated them well. We did allow them to integrate with our culture, and ironically, their arrival confirmed our faith in The Most Influential Man, who, like us, they also refer to as Jesus Christ. And yet, we treated them like dirt not long after their arrival, and we’re still treating them like dirt.

Thomas: Well, they do come from another planet, after all. I think a lot of people were afraid as to whether they really came in peace, or would threaten to destroy us all. I mean, our history is unfortunately littered with people invading one land or another and completely destroying it.

April Mae: Which, ironically, our ancestors did to the natives after they came over from Nobledal…

Thomas: Well, it’s just…

April Mae: [continuing] A big issue for me is how we treat each other. Our Book of Eternal Sacred Truth commands us to walk in love and love one another as Jesus has loved us. And by and large, we’ve not done that well.

Thomas: I hear you.

April Mae: [continuing] … And furthermore, we say we’re Christians. But so many of these people still crying out for justice, years and decades and even centuries later, see us as people who either don’t care about them, or hate them. … For me, personally, that’s something I want to change about our mission as Christians. We’re supposed to spread the Gospel, not give them any reason to think that any kind of Constitutional agenda is more important than that!

Wow, Thomas reflected. Our first debate/argument. I really don’t know what to say to her, let alone do. This doesn’t seem to be working, and that stinks. I really like her. But, I don’t know that I can keep dating her if she can’t at least understand the concerns I have about our Christians – and even our Continent – turning to worldiness and putting scientific explanation even above what the Book of Eternal Sacred Truth says, and all the consequences of it. I don’t know if she is unable or unwilling to understand that, but so far it appears to be the case.

Thomas: [sighs] OK. I guess we’re just going to have to pray about this. I … really don’t know what to say to you right now.

April Mae: Well, thanks for letting me vent. I felt I really needed to get that out, and for you to hear it.

Thomas: I … got that.

April Mae: Thomas, is everything OK?

Thomas: I’ve got some strong feelings about what you’ve just said. I think I need to wait to respond, though.

April Mae: Oh… OK. … What was it that I said that got you riled up?

Thomas: Like I said, I need to wait … and to pray. …

April Mae: Do you mean to say that you’re considering ending things between us?

Thomas: [sighs] I don’t know. And after all, you yourself said that we might need to consider seeing other people.

April Mae: [covering her mouth with her hand] Oh – I’m sorry… I – I’ll admit, sometimes I say things and put my foot in my mouth in the process. I realize that I’m a straight shooter.

Thomas: Yeah – I’ve picked that up about you.

April Mae: I’m sorry! I didn’t mean…

Thomas: No, it’s OK. In fact, I would rather you be a straight shooter and tell me what you’re thinking, instead of avoiding the topic. I’ve had far too many experiences with people who had thoughts or feelings about me and never told me the truth. I have a lot of pain there.

April Mae: I’m sorry! I don’t think I knew…

Thomas: I’ll share something with you – I recently lost a close friend of mine over an issue similar to this. We used to practice Magic together as kids, and today he identifies as staunchly pro-Magic and practices it regularly. We had been best friends since childhood. I realize that I was the one who changed more over the years, going from being pro-Magic to, well, against Magic. I tried explaining to him that just because I think Magic is wrong doesn’t mean I hate him or reject him… but… he would have none of that.

April Mae: I’m so sorry…

Thomas: Furthermore, I was brought up on science being the be-all, end-all for all Truth. I was brought up to believe that the Book of Eternal Sacred Truth was full of hate and lies, and it wasn’t until adulthood that I became willing to even consider exploring Christianity, let alone becoming one. I too grew up pro-Humanist and pro-Partitionist. I too once thought that our Continent had gotten, let’s say, “too big for its britches” – too full of itself, shall we say. I too held these views staunchly, like you were describing.

April Mae: [hand still covering her mouth] Wow…

Thomas: … So it was not easy for me to switch. Some of the gals in my past, including Kristen, were all either atheists or at least not to the point of letting the Book of Eternal Sacred Truth supersede what was popular regarding how our universe came to be.

April Mae: [reaching out toward Thomas] Thomas, can I take your hand?

Thomas: …what? Oh, sure [extends his hand out. April Mae grabs it and squeezes it tightly]

April Mae: Thomas, I’m so sorry for the hurt my words seem to have caused you. I didn’t know. Yes, I have my frustrations, but I’m also hearing that you seem to have very good reasons for believing what you believe. Maybe we can work through this together? … Are you willing?

Thomas: Yes, of course. I really like you and, honestly, I don’t want this to end.

April Mae: Neither do I!

Thomas: Amen!

April Mae: Look, I don’t know about those other girls, Kristen, Maggie, Natasha, and whoever else… but I want you to know I am willing to work on this with you. I don’t want to run away, and, I hope you don’t either.

Thomas: Same! … You know how long I’ve waited for this.

April Mae: So have I…!

It was a few weeks later that Thomas and April Mae shared their first I Love Yous. It was a really sweet moment, at the end of the evening after a full day together. Thomas was in his car, with the window down and the engine running. April Mae had broken the ice a few days ago about telling Thomas of her deep fondness for him, which he had reciprocated. So on this fateful night, after the two had talked about this and that and everything else under the moon, the conversation hit a lull. Thomas pounced.

Thomas: I love you.

April Mae: [quietly, while making the sweetest face ever] I love you!

Thomas smiled hugely, as did April Mae. Then she came up closer to the open window.

April Mae: May I…?

Thomas: [confused] Sure…? I guess…? What were you…?

April Mae walked up to Thomas and kissed him. Wow! He thought. I never thought this would happen! … As previously mentioned, he had dated another gal who had lived across the Continent over in LeBaillyopolis. They too had shared kisses during the course of their relationship, but Thomas never quite felt like she was what he was looking for. That relationship had started and progressed quickly, much faster than he had expected, and he had felt like he needed to keep up in order to keep things going with her. Eventually, when they broke up, largely because they had found too many key things they couldn’t agree on, he felt relieved. True, he also felt angry, betrayed, hurt, and other normal emotions with a breakup, but he had also been struggling with stress trying to keep things up with her. What also didn’t help was that he had felt that this gal in LeBaillyopolis was not the type of gal he had pictured spending his life with. Not so much that she wasn’t his “type,” just that she wasn’t how he pictured his wife.

April Mae, on the other hand, was definitely a lot more how he pictured his dream girl. Like Maggie and Kristen, she had red hair and smirked. But unlike them, she had a lot more maturity than they had when Thomas knew them, she was a lifelong Christian, and she was willing to talk through issues and potential issues instead of avoiding them. (It also really didn’t hurt that Thomas had grown and matured as well.)

Not long after their first I Love Yous and first kisses, they came to a verbal agreement about marrying, pending their respective financial situations working out enough to sustain the basic requirements for married life. They had agreed to keep the wedding and reception small. Now, it was a matter of waiting for the right time…

One day, sometime later, Thomas dropped April Mae off at the library in South Centropolis to get some research done for a work project, and he went off to a café about half a mile away to get some other work done. Midway through the day, April Mae stepped outside to take a break. It was a bright, sunny day. She had flipped on her shades, found a bench on which to rest, and pulled out some snacks she had packed. Her phone went off. Kristen had sent her a text message.

Kristen: [over text] Hey, A!

April Mae: [over text] Hey, K! What’s up?

Kristen: [over text] Not too much – I’m at the South Centropolis library today with a friend. Needed to pick up a few things. What about you?

April Mae: [over text] No kidding! I’m at that library, too! I’m just taking a break. You want to catch up?

Kristen: [over text] Sure – I do have my little one with me, and my friend has her family with her as well. We may not be able to catch up long.

April Mae: [over text] That’s fine – I’ll need to get back to work pretty soon.

Kristen: [over text] Want to meet over at the fountain by the main entrance?

April Mae: [over text] Sure – I’m not that far from it.

Kristen: [over text] Sounds good – see you then!

April Mae: [over text] See ya!

April Mae packed up her lunch and her bag and walked over to the fountain. There, she could see her friend, as well as another friend who looked like her, as well as a man (presuming to be the second friend’s husband), as well as three kids.

April Mae: Hey, K!

Kristen: Hey, A! I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Maggie.

Maggie Felton: How do you do?

April Mae: [she and Maggie shake hands] Hi Maggie, I’m April Mae. Nice to meet you.

Maggie: Nice to meet, you, too.

April Mae: [looking at the man next to Maggie] …and you must be…?

Kevin: Hi, I’m Kevin. … I’m Maggie’s husband.

April Mae: [she shakes hands with Kevin] Nice to meet you, Kevin. [looking at the three kids] And these must be…?

Kristen: Oh, forgive me – this one is mine. His name is Logan. [April Mae says hello and offers Logan a high-five, which he accepts.]

Maggie: Oh, and this is Delia – she’s ten years old – and this is Kody, who’s about to turn two in a couple of months.

April Mae: Hi, guys! Nice to meet you! [she offers each of them a high five, which Delia accepts, and Kody turns his face into Maggie’s leg.]

Maggie: [laughs] Obviously, he’s a little shy. [smirks]

April Mae: [smirks back] Yeah, obviously!

Kristen: [laughs] I see – you’re now a part of the “smirk” club!

April Mae: Well, yeah, I only really picked up the habit the last few years. I used to wink more, until people were telling me that I was being “too flirty”!

Kristen: [smirks] Ah, yes… you were definitely quite the “winker” back in the day…

April Mae: True, true! [winks and laughs]

Maggie: [to Kristen and April Mae] So how do you guys know each other?

April Mae: Well…

Kristen: Well… [April Mae gestures for her to tell the story] We overlapped at Delano for a year when I was in undergrad, and then we overlapped again at Central when I was in grad school. Not only did we become good friends, but she was also a great support for me, and a great encourager. Even though I’m older by a few years, I still like to think of her as my “big sister.” Odd, I know. [smirks]

April Mae: Aww, you’re too kind! I guess I am…? … So, how about you guys? How did you two meet?

Kristen and Maggie briefly looked at each other, kinda wide-eyed and stone-faced, trying to figure out what to say. Kristen gestured to indicate that she would tell the story.

Kristen: Well, interestingly, we met each other through your boyfriend … boyfriend, right?

April Mae: [surprised] Really? My Thomas More? [Glances at Maggie, who looked equally surprised] So… you’re the Maggie that he has told me about?

Maggie: Wow, yeah, I’m just as surprised, too!

Kristen: [cutting in] Speaking of surprises, do you see that?

April Mae: What?

Maggie: What?

Kevin: What?

Kristen had caught sight of another woman wearing a “Hii-YA! Melanoma” shirt that she used to see Thomas wear frequently a long time ago.

Kristen: Maggie, do you know that woman? She’s wearing your shirt!

Maggie: What shirt?

Kristen: The “Hii-YA! Melanoma” shirt that you used to give out to friends!

Maggie: No… I’ve never seen her before…

Kristen: Well, I’m going to flag her down. I’m curious and want to find out!

April Mae, Maggie, and Kevin all looked at each other confused.

April Mae: What’s the significance of that shirt?

Maggie: I used to do a triathlon a long time ago to raise money to cure people with melanoma. I think Thomas – your Thomas – had one of those shirts.

April Mae: Really? He never told me about this.

Maggie: Well, no – I only did the triathlon once, and therefore only sold those shirts once.

Kristen: [flagging down the woman with the shirt in question] Hi, excuse me. I don’t mean to be so random, but can I ask you about the shirt you’re wearing?

Natasha: [confused] Um, sure… what would you like to know about it?

Kristen: I’m just curious where you may have gotten that shirt.

Natasha: [still confused] W-why do you ask?

Kristen: My friend over there, holding her toddler [gestures to Maggie who was at that moment carrying Kody] created that shirt… I don’t suppose you know her…?

Natasha: No… to be honest, I found this shirt on a table at my workplace. I think someone had just left it there and forgotten about it. …My guess, it was someone we had contracted to do some work there. I just took it about a week later, after no one had claimed it, because I thought, hey, a free T-shirt…

Kristen: Hmm, do you have any idea who might have left it behind?

Natasha: [shaking her head and making a grimacing face] Sorry, I don’t…

Kristen: OK, thanks anyway. Bye... [turning to walk back toward her friends] Wait! [stops, spins back around] Completely random question…

Natasha: Yes?

Kristen: I know this is completely out-of-the-blue… you wouldn’t happen to know a guy named Thomas More, would you?

Natasha’s eyes widened.

Natasha: Thomas More!?! Really, him, of all people?

Kristen: So you do know him!

Natasha: Well… [chuckles incredulously] I did, but…

Kristen: Yeah… I can probably guess…

Natasha: What? You mean… [gestures toward Kristen’s friends halfway across the walkway]

Kristen: I’m not sure what you’re thinking of, but don’t worry… the story appears to finally have a happy ending.

Natasha: Huh… you mean he finally asked someone out…?

Kristen: Yeah. Her. [points to April Mae]

Natasha: Great. Whatever. I’ve moved on, too. But I’m glad to hear he found love as well.

Kristen: I hear you. Well, thanks for helping solve our mystery.

Natasha: No problem. Have a good day.

April Mae: [as Kristen is walking back to the group] Wow. I knew about all this already, but it’s a whole other thing to see this unfold live.

Maggie: Yeah, I guess so…

Kevin: I’m glad, too – I remember when I was first getting to know Maggie, she had mentioned him.

Maggie: I made it clear I had moved on, too.

Kevin: Yes, you did. … But, as a guy, I get it. He really did want to find someone, but just didn’t really know how to do it. In the end, it all works out for everyone.

Kristen: [looking in the distance] Speaking of which, is that Thomas coming our way?

April Mae: [looking in the direction that Kristen was looking] It would appear so… but what is he doing? … He wasn’t supposed to pick me up for a few hours!

Kevin: Well, whatever it is, he probably has something important…

Thomas: Hey, Sweetie Pie! [looks around and jumps slightly noticing Maggie and Kevin] Whoa. Hey, everyone.

April Mae: Sugar Darling? What’s going on? You weren’t going to be back for a few hours yet…

Thomas: I know, but, I have great news!

April Mae: Really? [she then looks over at her friends, exchanging similar confused glances] What’s the news?

Thomas: So, I had a call with my boss this morning – they want to bring me on full-time!

April Mae: [squealing with excitement] Oh my goodness! That’s great!

Thomas: That’s not all! Because a couple other higher-level guys had left over the last few weeks, they decided they wanted to promote internally first. He asked if I would take a promotion. Of course I said yes!

April Mae: [still excited] Wow! So what’s the update with that?

Thomas: I’ll start my new role Monday. The big perk is that my pay will jump 50%.

April Mae: OH…! MY…! GOODNESS…! [runs into Thomas’ arms]

Thomas: I know, right?

April Mae: Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!

Thomas: I know! We’ve been praying for this for a long time!

Kristen: [with April Mae continuing to embrace Thomas, squealing with excitement] Wow! Congratulations! I’m excited for you!

April Mae: So… did you get off the call just now?

Thomas: No… I had it a few hours ago.

April Mae: So… why did you come to tell me right now?

Thomas: Because I needed to run another errand real quick… come on over by the fountain. It’ll be better if I tell you there.

April Mae: Wait, what?? What do you have to tell me?

Thomas: Come on! … [to Kristen and Maggie] You guys may want to get your cameras out for this!

April Mae: Wait… is that my mom in the distance? With a bunch of her friends?

Thomas: [looking around] What?

At that moment, it dawned on April Mae what was about to happen. She had already dressed up a bit in anticipation of their dinner date that night, after what was to be a full day of researching at the library. She had had her shades on due to the bright sun outside, but as soon as she saw Thomas reach into his pocket and get down on one knee, she flipped up her shades and put her hands to her mouth.

April Mae: [squealing with delight] OH … MY GOODNESS!! YES YES YES YES YES!!!!

Thomas: [chuckling] I haven’t even asked the question yet!!

April Mae: I KNOW!!

Thomas: [still smiling and chuckling] Well, OK then!!

April Mae: I already know the question!! And the answer is yes!!

Thomas: [laughing even harder] I’m sorry…! I can’t stop laughing!! You’re so funny!! I love you!!

April Mae: [comes up to Thomas to give him a kiss] I love you, too! … Now, are you gonna put that ring on my finger or not?!

Thomas: [still laughing] Yes…! [catches a breath] April Mae York, will you marry me?!?

April Mae: [laughing] Of course!

In between laughs, Thomas showed April Mae the ring that he evidently had just bought that day (he had saved up for it) and slipped it on her finger. Around them, Kristen, Maggie, Kevin, April Mae’s mom, and her mom’s friends had all surrounded them by this point and were all snapping photographs. April Mae had commented that she suspected that it was coming, and coming soon, but that it would have been more likely to have been that evening over dinner, rather than randomly that day. Thomas had confessed that, in addition to alerting April Mae’s mom, he also had alerted Kristen of his plan once he had wrapped up his conversation with his boss, which led to Kristen, who unbeknownst to Thomas was also visiting with Maggie and her family (and their boys playing together), bringing them over to the library where April Mae was.

As such, April Mae didn’t get any more work done the rest of the day. (Thomas made up for it by giving her the next day to finish, whereas they previously had made other plans.) To have April Mae’s family and community there to witness his proposal and her acceptance thereof meant a lot to them. Having Kristen there was awesome as well, due to both their previous history together, as well as the fact that she was the one who originally introduced them. But to also have Maggie there as a witness was icing on the cake he hadn’t counted on. He didn’t even know she was in town until he was about to tell April Mae about his promotion.

At some point during the dinner, Thomas seized an opportunity to catch up privately with both Kristen and Maggie. In these moments, Thomas had told each of them how much their presence meant, even though he hadn’t originally planned for it. He also took the opportunity to own up to his prior immaturity when they knew him, and he thanked them for putting up with him when they did. Because of you guys, it forced me to grow, he told them. And yes, receiving Jesus Christ and growing in my faith was a key crucible for that… I know, Maggie, that you’re not so hot on that, but I still wanted to say it because it has made a difference for me, and I would dare say, for Kristen as well. To that Kristen assented. In this private conversation between the three of them, Maggie had admitted that due to the experiences she had in the church she had grown up in, as well as in her family, it caused deep pain that kept her from ever returning to the faith. She revealed that her friendship with Kristen, despite its completely random origins, helped soften her heart to begin reconsidering. Kristen, being the spontaneous spirit that she was, asked Maggie right then and there if she would accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Maggie indicated that she still needed to think about it. But, after hearing her story and how far she had come, both Thomas and Kristen (and April Mae later on when he caught her up) felt hopeful about Maggie finally returning to the faith she had shunned long ago.

It was a time of joy and celebration. Things were looking up. Wedding plans began to take shape, after long waits for both Thomas and April Mae. The future was looking bright. Then, one night, in the middle of the night, explosions were heard over Northeast Point. The Continent was at war…