Read Online Kicking Eternity by Ann Lee Miller - Free Book Online Page A

Cal’s body had been cried for his warmth. But her brain was slogging to life now.
    “Thanks for being a gentleman and keeping me warm.” She rolled up onto her knees and stood, stiff from sitting so long. When Cal didn’t say anything, she looked back at him.
    “Being a gentleman was not what I had in mind.”
    “Good night, Cal.” She walked quickly back to her cabin, attraction and caution a jumble of sparking electric wires inside her.
    She tiptoed between the girls’ bunks trying to remember where the squeaky boards were till she got to her room. She didn’t bother turning on the light. Aly was usually out late. Raine slipped onto her knees.
    Forgive me for breaking the camp alcohol rule. She sighed . Lord, I need Your help to kill this crush. I should have asked a whole lot sooner! She stayed there on her knees wishing God would fry her feelings with a cosmic bug zapper. And why did she think she was a missionary when she couldn’t explain God to a guy who’d grown up with Him? Her words to Cal had been dead, sun-baked bits of bougainvillea scraping across the four-square court. Give my words Your power. Life.
    The door opened. Aly slipped into the room. The door shut.
    Aly tripped over Raine’s legs. “What the—are you praying?”
    “Not anymore.”
    Aly scooted onto Raine’s bed.
    She crawled onto the other end next to her pillow. She felt Aly move, heard the thunk of her shoe as it hit the floor. Was she drunk? The other shoe tumbled to the floor.
    “I have a question that’s been bugging me all evening.” Aly was still whispering. They both knew better than to wake up the younger girls in the next room. She didn’t sound drunk.
    “If you won’t disobey a speed limit sign, why did you take a drink of Cal’s wine cooler on camp property?”
    It felt like Aly had knocked all the air out of her lungs. “I was tempted, and I gave in. I asked God to forgive me right before you came in.”
    “Did He?”
    “Yeah.”
    “And you feel great now, no guilt, no regret?”
    “I still feel bad about it.”
    “Well, I don’t—feel bad about breaking a camp rule. There are too many other… never mind. Why were you tempted?”
    “I don’t know—”
    “Doesn’t wash. I can always remember exactly why I was tempted.” Aly leaned toward her. “Cough it up.”
    “ I wanted to fit in?”
    “Lame.” The sound of Aly tapping her fingers against her arm sounded loud in the silent room. “You’ve got the hots for Cal! And drinking after him was like—swapping spit.”
    She sucked in her breath.
    “Busted!” Aly burst out laughing and immediately smashed her hand across her mouth to muffle herself. The whole bunk bed shook with Aly’s now - silent laughter.
    Finally, she broke down and laughed with Aly.
    Aly stilled. “Maybe you aren’t so different from me. Maybe we can be friends.”
    A cloud passed by, and moonlight bathed Aly’s face. She leaned toward Aly. “Then you won’t tell Cal?”
    Aly sobered. “Why don’t you want him to know? He’s a great guy.”
    Could she trust Aly? She took a breath and plunged in. “After you left tonight, Cal and I got into a spiritual discussion.”
    “No surprise there.”
    “We are so not on the same page. I didn’t realize how much till now.” She sighed. “Everybody doesn’t get to question their faith like Cal does. I haven’t had the luxury for seven or eight years. I don’t know if Cal—or you, for that matter—can understand what it’s like to be so desperate you grab a stranglehold around God’s neck and hang on.”
    “Seven or eight years! What is it?” She heard an uncharacteristic tenderness in Aly’s voice.
    “Can you keep this to yourself? I’ve only told one other person.”
    “Yeah. I can.” Aly’s voice held resolve.
    “My—” She couldn’t hold it together. Silent sobs racked her body. Aly grabbed a roll of toilet paper and handed it to her. Then, she rubbed her back in circles till she was cried out.
    Eddie,