AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well, I do. Not a good trip, I take it.”
“No, it was great. Jason and Karin and their daughter are really amazing people. They’re only recently back down there after an extended sabbatical. The town loves having them, though. That’s obvious. And they’re doing such important work. We got quite a bit done. It was…refreshing.”
I considered the pause that came before his last word. “Does that mean you don’t feel like you get things done here?”
“Your students must love you.”
Okay. That was an odd segue. I sipped again. “I guess. Until they fail an assignment.”
He smiled. “You’re insightful. And no. I don’t really feel like I get anything done here. Every time I try to do something that isn’t exactly the same as what the previous youth pastor did, I either get shot down completely or grudgingly approved.”
“Approved is still good, though, right?”
He shook his head and looked out at the river. We walked in silence a little before he continued speaking. “Grudgingly means it’s destined to fail. Or get canceled later. At a minimum, there’s so much resistance that I can’t get volunteers and I can’t get people to commit to coming, which makes it hard to plan and…well, you get the point.”
I did. I’d faced a tiny bit of that when I’d first gotten hired at the high school. The previous computer teacher had retired and he’d been someone the kids, parents, and other faculty all adored. He’d basically been a fixture at the school. One of those teachers who left a legacy. I was definitely not what a lot of the parents expected as his replacement. But with public school, there was less they could do about it. If they wanted their kids to have computer classes, then they’d had to figure out a way to work with me.
Luke didn’t seem to have that luxury.
“I’m sorry. How can I help?” I didn’t do a lot with the youth group—didn’t really have the time to commit to much—but I could do something.
He looked at me and smiled. “I love that you ask. But at this point, nothing. I’m handing in my resignation on Monday.”
I stopped.
It took Luke a few steps to notice. Then he paused and turned back, a quizzical look on his face. “What?”
“You’re quitting?” That was going to be frustrating for the kids. There were parents who helped out, sure, but Luke was in charge. Without him, it’d go back to barely controlled chaos in the youth group room on Sunday morning and no activities beyond that. I’d heard the rumblings and complaints from the handful of students who attended our church. They’d been so pleased when Luke came aboard.
He nodded once. Decisively. “I am. I’ll stay until they find a replacement. Or for up to a year.”
“What will you do?”
He started walking again.
I jogged a few steps until I was, once again, at his side.
“I’m not sure, actually. Jason had some questions that I couldn’t answer when I was in Mexico. They were challenging. And eye-opening.”
When he didn’t elaborate, I jabbed my elbow into his side. “Are you going to share?”
“I don’t think so.” He glanced over and offered a tight smile. “Sorry. I thought I would, you know? But now? I think maybe it’s better if I keep it close. At least for a while.”
I nodded. Not because I understood, but so he knew I heard him.
“That’s why I wanted to talk to you, though. I think I need to say thank you. Because if you hadn’t agreed to go out with me, and if you hadn’t given me a shot, I’m not sure I ever would have realized that being here—being a youth pastor—wasn’t what God wanted me to do.”
“Ookay. I’m not sure how I had anything to do with it, but…you’re welcome?” I drained the last of my coffee and started looking ahead for one of the trashcans on the path so I could ditch the cup.
Luke slid his hands in his pockets. “I told you, didn’t I, that Pastor Chaz has been pushing me to marry? It’s why I asked you out in the first place. But in Mexico, some of Jason’s questions—and the time he and I spent praying together—confirmed what I knew deep down but hadn’t wanted to acknowledge. Marriage isn’t something God has for me.”
I spotted a trash can and angled so I could toss in my cup as we passed. It gave me a little time to try and decide how I was supposed to respond. Except I still wasn’t sure. “I don’t really know what to say. I’m glad, I guess, that you’re more confident in God’s plan for you. Though I’m not sure what that has to do with you not being a youth pastor anymore.”
He offered a tight smile. “Several of the parents think it’s inappropriate for a young, unmarried man to work with the youth.”
I frowned. “That’s…why would that matter?”
“I guess they’re worried I’ll try to date a senior? I don’t know. I’ve always been careful to avoid any situations that could be misconstrued, but it doesn’t seem to be enough.” He shrugged. “It’s why I don’t think the pastor will mind that I go. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had someone already lined up. Just in case.”
