As promised, here’s the next installment of my free novelette that shows the beginnings of NewAm. the setting of my new Christian series, Messengers that will re-release on July 5th. I hope you enjoy this free novelette–NewAm–The Beginning.

You can learn more about the series if you click on the
link below. Thanks.

AMAZON LINK TO MESSENGERS SERIES

CHAPTER 65

Mary stared down at her Bible for a moment and then back at her parents. By the expressions on their faces, Mary could tell they weren’t happy. She wasn’t quite sure what the problem was. “That’s my Bible.”

“Bibles are illegal, Mary. You know that.” Mama’s voice was gentle.

Pop’s voice wasn’t so gentle. In fact it was stern. Which didn’t happen often. At least not to her. “Where did you even get such a thing, Mary? They’ve all been destroyed. The government is very clear about the fact that there is no God and they refuse to allow others to propagate such a myth. Our only loyalty is to the government not some myth.”

She stared at both of them. They weren’t believers like she was. But up to now, they’d never stopped her from believing what she wanted. Of course, it wasn’t something they really discussed. She just assumed they knew she was a Christian. “I’ve had it since I was a little girl. Since I came here. I’ve always had it. I thought you knew I had it.”

“What do you mean you’ve always had it?” Pops stared at her. “Why didn’t we know about it?”

“I keep it in my room. Sometimes in my desk and sometimes under my pillow. Sometimes in the bookcase. I…it’s…” She threw up her hands. “I didn’t try to hide it from you. At least I don’t think I was. I just can’t believe you didn’t know I had it.”

Pops shook his head. “We’ve never tried to stop you from your ridiculous beliefs about your mythical God. Even though you’re very wrong, but…” He pointed at the Bible. “This is too much. This is illegal contraband and if it’s found it wouldn’t just be you that gets in trouble.”

She closed her eyes. Give me the right words, God and the right attitude. “God is not ridiculous. And he isn’t mythical. He’s just as real as you and me.” It was hard being the only Christian she knew. In all the years she’d lived with Mama Rose and Pops, she’d never met another one. In fact, sometimes it felt like maybe she was the last Christian on earth.

That was a troubling thought for her but then she’d remember that Mommy and Daddy had taught her to walk by faith not by what she could see. So, she’d remind herself that just because she couldn’t see other Christians, it didn’t mean there weren’t any.

Maybe, someday she would meet them.

Pops looked upset as he shook his head. “You’re getting off point. This isn’t about your beliefs. It’s about this contraband that you brought into the house. They could put all of us in jail. Why can’t you understand? He’s not real—it’s just a made-up myth.”

“But it’s been here for years.” Over the years, she’d tried to make her adopted parents understand God was real. They just wouldn’t listen. “Besides, there’s more to this world than what we can see. We have to walk in faith not in sight.”

“I’m not going to discuss this again, Mary. That’s not the point.” Her mother picked up her Bible. “This has to go, Mary. I won’t allow it in my house. Your father’s absolutely right. We would all be arrested. It’s our house so that makes it our responsibility.”

Mary couldn’t believe this. She met Mama Rose’s gaze. “I’m not going to get rid of it. It’s God’s Word. I need it. If it goes, I go with it.”

Her father rolled his eyes. “It’s a fairy tale. Not real. Why would you need it?”

“It’s not a fairy tale. I’ve done what you said, I don’t tell people that I’m a Christian. I don’t talk about God with anyone. Sometimes, I feel like I’m the last Christian in the whole world. And that’s a horrible feeling. But… I need my Bible. It keeps me connected to God.”

“We figured you’d outgrow this old-fashioned idea sooner or later. Now I understand why you haven’t.” Pops held out his hand and Mama gave him the Bible. “Once I get rid of this, you’ll forget all about these ridiculous antiquated and very dangerous ideas about God.”

God expected her to honor her parents, just as if they were her bio-parents. She loved them and had no desire to defy them or to hurt them, but God also expected her to be faithful to him.  She would stand firm, just like her Daddy had told her Mommy when they were sick with the virus.

She had no idea how to handle this situation.

She closed her eyes. Please, God, show me the right thing to do. Give me the right words. She opened her eyes and took a deep breath. “I love you. Both of you. But I also love God. I know you don’t believe he exists, but I know he’s real. The Bible’s taught me to honor you as my parents and I do. If you take my Bible from me, I won’t try to stop you. I will try by best not to be mad about it. And I will still love you, but I’m asking…begging you not to take my Bible.”

Mama Rose looked at Pops and shrugged. “You decide.”

Pops looked at her. “It would have been a lot easier if you’d argued with us like a normal teenager. But no…you tell us you love us. How am I supposed to deal with that?”

“The Bible’s taught me how to act.” She smiled sweetly at him. “If you like the person I am, you can thank the Bible for that. God teaches me so much through the Bible, including how to act.”

Pops sighed. “Fine. I guess you’ve had it all these years and nobody found out about it. I guess you can keep it. Just don’t tell anyone about it and be careful when you have friends over. Make sure it’s somewhere they can’t find it.”

“My friends would never tell on me.”

“I would hope that would be the case but let’s not risk it.” He handed her the Bible.

Her eyes filled with tears as she clutched it to her chest. This book meant so much to her. “Thank you so much. I’ll go put it away and then we can eat the delicious dinner Mama cooked for us.”

When she came back in, her parents were already eating. She sat down. Pops looked at her. “So, your first presidential election’s coming up. Are you excited about it?”

“I don’t know. I’ve been reading about all the candidates. It’s so confusing.”

Mama Rose passed her a bowl of mashed potatoes. “You’re not the only one who’s confused. I’ve never seen such a divisive election before. It’s just horrible.”

“I just vote party lines. It simplifies things.” Dad grinned. “But that’s just me. Of course, the party in control looks like they’re losing ground fast. I know they aren’t happy about—”

The lights went off.

CHAPTER 76

“What happened?” Mama Rose’s voice drifted to Mary in the dark.

“The lights went out.” Pops.

“Duh. Do you think?” Mary.

Pop’s shadow stood up. “I’ll go see if it’s the whole neighborhood. Rose, we got any candles handy? We might need some.”

“I’ll get them.”

Mary stayed in her seat and kept eating. No reason to let her food get cold. Fried chicken really was her favorite. The lights would probably be back on before Mama even found the candles.

But she was wrong.

Just as her mom lit the three candles on the table, Pops walked back in. “It’s the whole neighborhood. Might be the whole city. It’s really dark out there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it quite that dark before.”

“Sit down and finish eating. There’s nothing we can do about it right now. No reason to let your food get cold.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“This chicken is so good, Mama. It might be the best chicken you ever made.”

Mama Rose laughed. “I doubt that very much. You say that every time, but thanks.”

Mary stood up. “I’m finished eating so I’m going to go check my phone. See if anyone else is sitting in the dark.”

“Good idea.”

She walked over to where she’d left the phone by the chair. She picked it up. Across the screen, it said, NO SERVICE. She walked back over to the table. “That’s odd. The phone says it’s out of service too.”

“Strange. Must have something to do with the electricity.” Dad explained. “Who’s up for a little candlelight card game?”

“Me. Just let me clean up the table first, Pops.” Mary took her plate to the sink. She turned on the water.

Nothing happened.

She walked into the dining room. “Hey. The water’s not working either.” Mama Rose looked at Pops. “That’s strange. That doesn’t usually happen just because the electricity goes off.”

Don’t you just hate it when the electricity goes out? I know I do! The next installment will be here soon. In the meantime, you can pre-order all three books on Amazon at AMAZON LINK.