Read Online Behind Her Smile by Rosemary Hines - Free Book Online Page B

well last night,” Steve said.
    “Do you want me to fix you some toast?” Michelle asked her husband.
    “No. As soon as Caleb’s finished, we’d better go. I’ll eat after church.”
    “Okay,” she replied, grabbing a banana from the counter to eat on their way.
     

     
    After church, Steve made a point of catching Ben between conversations with other congregants. “Are you free tomorrow for lunch?” he asked. “I could use some advise about Madison.”
    “Really? Sure. My schedule is pretty light tomorrow,” Ben replied. “Coffee Stop around noon?”
    “Yeah. Sounds good.”
    “Okay. See you there.”
    “What was that about?” Michelle asked, when Steve rejoined her in the hallway, where she was signing Caleb out of his Sunday school class.
    “I’m having lunch with Ben tomorrow. Maybe he’ll have some pointers about Maddie, and how we should be handling her these days.”
    She nodded. “Good idea. I’ve been picking Kelly’s brain, too.” She paused, and then added, “I never really expected any issues with Madison during the teen years. Guess I was being naïve. But she’s always been such a good kid.”
    “She still is, babe. We just have to learn new ways to bring that out in her.”
    “I hope you’re right,” she replied, skeptically.
    Caleb walked out of his class and joined them. “Look, Mom,” he said, holding up an oversized chocolate chip cookie. “Our teacher brought us treats today.”
    “Maybe you’d like to share that with your old pop!” Steve said.
    “No way, Dad. This one’s all mine,” he replied with a grin, as he took a giant bite. “Maybe if you’re nice, Mom will bake some for you,” he added with a sly grin.
    “Maybe I will,” Michelle said, reaching over and taking Steve’s hand.
     

     
    Steve was eager to meet with Ben the following day. It seemed a little awkward to be getting together with his best friend in more of a pastoral role, but he knew he needed not only friendly advice but godly counsel as well.
    “So what’s up with Madison?” Ben asked, after they’d settled at their table with sandwiches and coffee.
    “It’s a lot of things, actually,” Steve replied. “She’s really changing lately—in the way she dresses, her makeup—even the way she talks to us.”
    “Sounds like a teenager to me.” Ben paused, seeming to study him. “You knew she’d grow up, right?”
    “Yeah. Of course. But she’s losing her modesty and seems to be trying to emulate the super skinny models in the fashion magazines. She’s barely eating, and she runs everyday.”
    Ben nodded. “It’s pretty sad how society pushes this whole image thing on young girls. And Madison—she’s such a beautiful girl, just the way she is. I’m sure you’ve told her that.”
    “Yeah. Michelle suggested I take her out on a date night, and reinforce how special she is to me.”
    “Good idea.”
    Steve smiled, but his heart was heavy. “So, I took her out to dinner and the theater on Friday.”
    “How did that go?”
    “It almost didn’t. When Michelle saw what Maddie was planning to wear, they exchanged words. I thought Madison might back out of the whole evening.”
    Ben nodded, listening intently.
    “I just felt it was more important that we go out than to take a stand on her outfit,” Steve explained. “But I’ve got to admit, I felt a little funny walking through the restaurant with her in her high heels, off the shoulder sweater, and mini skirt.”
    Ben sat back in his seat. “It’s hard to imagine Madison dressed like that.”
    Steve nodded. “Yeah. She was really turning heads in the restaurant.”
    “I’ll bet.”
    “And then yesterday morning, she balked at going to church. She hadn’t even gotten up when Michelle checked on her to make sure she was ready. So we ended up leaving without her.”
    “Is she still going to youth group?”
    “She hasn’t the past two weeks. She says it’s not the same without Luke.”
    Ben sighed. “Those two