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 8

Mary opened her eyes, her hand moving to the lamp. She tapped it. It’s the first thing she did every morning now.

Still no electricity.

No phones.

No cars.

Nothing.

“I hate this.” She muttered to herself.

Her life had changed overnight.

Literally.

When the electricity went off, Mary figured it would be back on when she woke up the next morning. But it wasn’t. And not the next day or the next or the next.

Here it was a week later, and the electricity still wasn’t back on. But it wasn’t just about electricity. Nothing was working and everything had changed.

Nobody knew what was going on and there was no way to find out. They couldn’t get information about what was happening because there was no TV or newspapers or radios.

The Internet had vanished along with their way of life.

No jobs. No restaurants. No school.

She was supposed to graduate this year and go to college. But who knew what was going to happen now? Would they make her take her senior year over again?

She sighed. So many questions and nobody to answer them.

Mary sat up and reached for her Bible. It was the only thing that was keeping her sane at the moment. She turned to John 16: 33. She’d been reading this verse every day since the electricity went out. It helped.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

“I have peace through Jesus. I have peace.” Then she turned to another favorite verse, Romans 8: 28.

 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

What a good reminder. God was still on the throne. God could take any situation and work it out for her good. She didn’t see how that could happen in this situation, but she trusted God.

It was just the way Mommy and Daddy had taught her. Walk in faith not in sight. It didn’t matter what was happening now. All she needed to do was to walk in faith—to trust God.

She closed her eyes and prayed.

“What are you doing?” Her mother’s voice brought her out of her meditation.

“I’m praying.”

Her mother walked in and sat down on the side of the bed. “Does it help?”

Mary held up her Bible. “Oh, Mama. It helps so much.” She hugged her mother.

“Why? Why does it help.”

“I’m not sure why. I only know that when I read God’s Word, my soul quiets. I stop worrying and fretting about things I can’t change. I trust God. I have peace and hope. I know that he’ll take care of this…this situation…whatever it is.”

“Is that why this doesn’t seem to bother you the way that it’s bothering me?”

“I…I don’t know. It does bother me, Mama. But every time I get scared or mad or worried, I remind myself of the truth—God’s truth. Like this one I was just reading. It says that God works all things for the good of those who love him. If I keep remembering that, it’s not nearly as scary.”

“That sounds nice.” Mama Rose looked at her for a moment then asked, “Can you tell me about Jesus?”

CHAPTER 98

God really does work all things out for the good of those who love him.

Mary couldn’t believe it. First Mama Rose professed faith in God and then Pops. It was truly a miracle. A miracle that wouldn’t have happened without the electricity going off.

She’d prayed for this for so long. She’d thought it would never happen, but she kept believing and trusting God. But now that it happened, she was more than ready for the electricity to come back on. Please God, let it be soon.

She scooped the bucket into the creek until it filled up to about three quarters of the way to the top.  She couldn’t carry it when it was completely full. Then she did the same with the second bucket.

“Hi, Mary.”

“Hey, Cindy.”

Cindy walked over. “I see you got the same job as me. This is hard work. My mom stays in the house and acts like she’s got it so bad. In the meantime, I’m the one lugging the water.”

“It’s hard, but I lost four pounds this week. So that’s always a good thing.”

Cindy rolled her eyes. “I forgot who I was talking to. Mary the optimist. You always manage to see the good in any situation.”

She shrugged. “I try my best.”

“I don’t know how you do it. What’s your secret?”

Mary wanted to tell her that God was the source of her optimism but thought better of it. It was still illegal to talk about God—and you really never knew who might turn you in. Instead, she asked, “How’s everything at your house?”

“Pretty good actually. My dad’s always been a prepper. So we have tons of food in our basement. One of the advantages of owning a grocery store.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“Do you guys need some food? Dad’s closed the store, but he lets people he knows in to buy things.”

“I’m not sure. I’ll tell Pops about it. If he needs stuff, should he come to your house?”

“Yep. That works. My parents are letting me have a little party tonight. Just roasting hot dogs and marshmallows in the backyard but it should be fun. It’s sure more fun than lugging this water. That’s for sure. Want to come?”

“Maybe.”

“Vaughn’s going to be there?” Cindy grinned.

“What’s that got to do with me?”

Cindy laughed and rolled her eyes. “Don’t bother pretending with me. I know how you feel about him.”

“We went out a few times. Not a big deal. What time do you want me to come?”

Cindy giggled. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. About six.”

“OK. I’ll have mom make some potato salad or something.”

“Perfect.”

Mary lugged the water into the house. “Got it.”

“I could have helped.” Mama Rose said.

“Not necessary.” She grinned at her parents. “Are we going to do this?”

“We are.” Pops said. “I can’t believe we’re getting baptized.”

CHAPTER 109

“That was fun.” Mary said. She was walking home with Vaughn. They were holding hands. “It’s been so long since I saw everybody. And it’s so boring being at home without a phone or a TV.”

His shoulder bumped hers. “It was fun. I almost didn’t go but I’m glad I did since you were there. I’ve been meaning to stop by your house.” He stopped walking and turned toward her. “I know a way we can have some more fun.” He leaned in and kissed her.

Their first kiss.

She smiled as they parted. “That was very fun.”

“That’s just the beginning. We can have way more fun.” He put a hand on her arm and moved it up and down.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean sex. This is like our third date. I usually have sex on the first.”

“Oh.” She started walking again, not liking the direction the conversation was going. Maybe if she just ignored it, he wouldn’t push the issue.

“How bout it? We can go to your house or mine. I don’t care which one. Whatever you want is fine with me.”

Sex was a normal part of dating. Which is why she didn’t date much. Most parents agreed that it was OK to have sex after fourteen. Some said not until sixteen. Here she was almost eighteen and still hadn’t had sex—and didn’t plan to. “No thanks.”

He grabbed hold of her hand. “What do you mean? No thanks? I don’t understand. I thought you liked me.”

She stopped walking and turned to him. “I do like you, Vaughn. Really, I do. But I’m not planning on having sex until I get married.”

His mouth fell open. “Really? Why?”

How could she explain this without mentioning God? She shrugged. “I just don’t want to. That’s all.”

“That doesn’t make any sense. Everybody has sex. What’s wrong with you?”

“There’s nothing wrong with me.”

“Then why don’t you want to do it?”

She might as well face the situation head on. She turned to him with her hands on her hips. “I’ll tell you why. Girls have sex and think some boy’s all in love with them. But for the boy it’s just about sex, not love. Then that boy has sex with some other girl. And the first girl is devastated. I don’t want that. I don’t need that kind of aggravation.”

“But—”

“When I decide to have sex, it will be with someone I really care about and they really care about me. It will be with my husband.”

He rubbed her arm. “But I do care about you.”

She almost laughed out loud. That was way too obvious. “And I care about you, Vaughn. But I’m not going to have sex with you.”

“Then you don’t really care about me.”

So predictable. “That’s not true. I do care about you and that’s why I don’t want to have sex with you.”

“That’ makes no sense at all. What are you talking about?”

“Sex changes everything. I’ve seen it many times. With my friends. They’ll be dating someone and having a great time. Bike riding, hiking and swimming. Going out to dinner, concerts or museums. Or just hanging around together having fun. Then they have sex and BOOM!” She used her hands to emphasize the boom.

“Boom?”

“Boom. No more dinners or concerts or museums. It becomes all about the sex. And only about the sex. How is that fun?”

“Well if you’re doing it right, it’s fun.”

“If that’s true, then why do they always end up breaking up when it gets to that stage. Tell me that.”

“I…uh…I’m not sure.”

“Exactly.” She held up her hands and smiled. “And that’s why I’m not having sex with you. I like you too much to have sex with you.”

“That’s bizarre. Come on, let’s have a little fun.”

“It’s not going to happen, Vaughn.”

“Then I can’t date you anymore.”

“I sort of figured that. And that’s too bad. Because we could have had a lot of fun together.” She turned and walked toward her house.

“You mean sex?” He called out.

She turned back to him. “I meant swimming. Night, Vaughn. Thanks for walking me home.”

She unlocked her door and got in before the tears started. She didn’t even know why she was crying. It wasn’t like she didn’t know that would be his reaction. That’s how they all acted. Still…she’d hoped he’d be different this time.

“What’s wrong, Mary? Why are you crying?” Mama Rose sat on the couch. The candle glowed turning her into a shadow.

She wiped at her eyes. “Nothing.”

“It’s not nothing. What’s wrong? You can tell me.”

“Vaughn was at the party and walked me home. He wanted to have sex.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“I guess, but the Bible talks about sexual purity. I want to stay sexually pure until I meet the man I’m going to marry.”

“Oh. I didn’t know that. But sex is a natural part of dating. There’s nothing wrong with it.”

“I know that, but God made me realize that the right man for me won’t force me or try to talk me into doing something I’m not comfortable with. So I know Vaughn’s not the right guy, but it still hurts my feelings.”

“That’s make a lot of sense, sweetheart.” She hugged her. “I’m so proud of you for being able to stand up for what you believe in. Even when it’s hard to do.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Especially when it’s hard.”

Life can be hard when you live out your faith in ways the world disagrees with. It’s not easy to go against worldly norms, but it’s so worth it!

Until next time,

God bless & Good Reading!