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Christian?” Tony teased as he pushed Jimmy once more.
    Tony’s remark wouldn’t have been so stinging if Jimmy hadn’t felt like crying—but he did. Tony was supposed to be his best friend, and it made no sense that he would act like this.
    Jimmy then did the one thing he never thought he’d do. He looked straight into Tony’s face, with its twisted smirk and defiant eyes… and punched him in the nose.
    Tony’s expression of surprise burned itself into Jimmy’s memory, but no more so than the way Tony staggered backward, tripped over Brad, who was trying to stand up, and fell flat on his backside.
    The image stayed on Jimmy’s mind even as Mr. Parks grabbed his arm and led him to the principal’s office.

    â€œWhat did you think you were doing?” George Barclay asked Jimmy as they drove home from the school half an hour later. “Is that your way of bringing people to Jesus—by punching them in the nose?”
    â€œHe was teasing me, Dad. He’s been teasing me ever since I told him I was a Christian,” Jimmy complained.
    â€œSo let him tease you. Who cares what he thinks?” George said.
    â€œI do. He’s supposed to be my best friend. Why’s he being such a creep?”
    George shrugged. “Maybe he doesn’t like Christians.”
    Jimmy thought about it, then shook his head. “I never saw him act like this with the other Christian kids at school.”
    George was thoughtful for a moment. They drove on. Finally he said, “But the other Christian kids at school weren’t his best friend, were they?”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œThink about it, Jimmy. You were best friends, and suddenly you go through a change that Tony’s not part of. Since then, he’s been teasing you and picking on you, right?”
    â€œRight,” Jimmy said.
    â€œAnd now you’re thinking that he’s rejected you, right?”
    â€œWell, yeah.”
    â€œAnd what’s he thinking?” George asked.
    â€œThat’s what I can’t figure out!” Jimmy said.
    George rubbed his chin. “I’m just guessing—and I’m not trying to excuse what you two have been doing to each other—but…isn’t it possible that Tony thinks you rejected him ?”
    â€œWhat!”
    â€œSure,” George said. “You’re a Christian now, and you think Tony should come along with you into your new adventure. But what if Tony’s afraid you’re going to leave him behind? Maybe he resents what’s happened to you because it’ll take you away from him.”
    â€œBut we can still be friends if he’d stop acting like such a jerk!”
    â€œCan you?”
    â€œYeah!” Jimmy said. Then he thought about it for a moment and added, “I mean, can’t we?”
    â€œI don’t know,” George said with a shrug of his shoulders. “Sometimes Christianity can tear friends—even families—apart.”
    They pulled into their driveway, and George turned to Jimmy. “You know you’ll have to be punished. I can’t have you going around punching kids in the nose—even if it seemed like self-defense.”
    â€œAt this rate, I’m gonna be grounded for life.”
    â€œIt’s going to seem like it. I’m adding two weeks to your restriction,” George said.
    â€œBut Dad!”
    â€œDon’t argue. You might get time off for good behavior, but you’re going to have to be really good. ”
    George opened his door to get out.
    Jimmy sat and stewed. Tony had gotten him in trouble again.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
    Tuesday Evening at Home
    J IMMY WENT STRAIGHT to his room and paced around like a lion in a cage. Two more weeks’ restriction, and all because of Tony. It wasn’t fair!
    His mom peeked in on him. “Hi, Jimmy,” she said.
    â€œHi,” he said unhappily.
    â€œSorry you had a bad day.”
    Jimmy frowned at