Read Online Blue Star Rapture by JAMES W. BENNETT - Free Book Online Page B

to learn a financial program so she can apply for this corporate job she’s got her eye on.”
    LuAnn (Ruth Ann) asked him why they moved to Burton from Chicago.
    â€œWe had to get out of the city. We had to get away from my stepfather because he used to beat her up. She was under a protection order, but it didn’t work. They never do.”
    â€œOuch. I asked, didn’t I?”
    â€œSometimes he used to beat me up too. Once I coldcocked him, though. I’ll never forget it. I was about twelve, maybe eleven. Anyway, he had ahold of her by the arms when I came up from behind and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around to see who it was and I got him. One time, right in the mouth, with all my force. He had blood comin’ out of his mouth, and loose teeth and all, but the best thing of it was that look on his face. It was, like, total shock , you know what I mean?”
    â€œThen what happened?”
    His own blunt, aggressive mode was puzzling to him. He didn’t know if it was because he was trying to navigate a conversation without a compass, or if it really did piss him off to think about Lloyd again. “He beat the shit out of me,” T.J. finally admitted, in a more subdued tone of voice. “But I still got him. At least that one time, I coldcocked the son of a bitch.”
    â€œDoes your mother need someone to pray for her?” She took his hand while asking the question.
    â€œDoes she need what?”
    â€œBecause we have a prayer chain. We could put her on it.”
    T.J. disengaged his hand and looked away. Have I ever been in a stupider conversation? He knew he ought to leave. Instead, he said, “Listen, LuAnn, you need to get real. There are people who take care of themselves. It’s called depending on your own resources.”
    â€œOur own resources aren’t good enough. I came to Camp Shaddai because I need to put my trust in the Lord completely.”
    â€œThat’s another thing. How did you get here, anyway, and are you, like, here for good?”
    â€œNobody stays at Camp Shaddai forever. I’ll just be here until I find my way.”
    â€œSo how did you get here, then?”
    â€œBrother Jackson brought me.”
    â€œWho’s that?” T.J. asked her.
    â€œHe’s an evangelist. He’s real, real spiritual. He has a tabernacle in Peoria, but he also travels around on preaching missions. Right now he’s in Missouri or Oklahoma or someplace.”
    â€œSo why did he bring you here? What’s he to you?”
    LuAnn (Ruth Ann) had her arms folded over the railing again. Her chin rested firmly on her right wrist. “Because I asked him to. I needed a place to get away; I needed a retreat.”
    â€œA retreat for what?”
    â€œA retreat so I could sort things out. With no distractions.”
    â€œSort what things?”
    Then she told him, “I was pregnant.”
    â€œ Was pregnant?”
    â€œ Am pregnant. I’m pregnant right now.”
    She didn’t look it, though, T.J. thought. But why would she lie about it? “You know what?” he said. “My advice to you would be, keep private things private.”
    Her face was expressionless, but there were tears rolling down her face. “And why is that?”
    â€œIt gives people power if they know too much about you. They can use the power to take advantage of you. Who’s the father?”
    â€œYou just told me to keep private things private.”
    â€œYeah, that’s true. Sorry I asked.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter who the father is,” she continued. “It’s my sin, no matter who the man is.”
    Her casual use of the word sin seemed ominous to T.J. This conversation had gone from irrelevant to a trip on the dark side. It was time to give it up. A glance at his watch told him it was 10:20, well past their curfew. “I’d better go,” he said.
    â€œMy advice to you,” said LuAnn,