“Well Andrew,” Senior Counselor Robertson said from behind his desk, “I have wonderful news to share with you.”
Andrew eagerly leaned forward in his chair. “They said yes?”
“It wasn’t easy to persuade the school board,” he replied, “but, I made a strong case for you. When they put it to a vote, God was definitely with you. Congratulations, you are permitted to create the first ever Purity Club in the history of Grove High.”
“Wow! That’s great. Thank you.”
“Have you been planning the agenda for the first meeting yet?”
“I have.” Andrew handed his counselor several papers and gestured to them. “I think it’ll be best to start the meeting by telling everyone my testimony, the struggles I have faced, and how I ultimately came to embrace my faith.”
“Very good,” his counselor said as he looked the documents over. “By sharing your own testimony, you will build trust with your classmates and they will be more open to sharing their own testimonies as well.”
“I’m hoping so. Then, I will start to discuss with them how striving for purity brings us closer to God.”
“Sounds like you are on the right track. You have come a very long way, Andrew. As a side note, I also wanted to mention that I appreciate you telling me about Angela and the party. I’ve been praying for her. I know she may feel uncomfortable, but please let her know that I am here for her if she ever wants to talk. From everything you have told me about her over these past few weeks, I feel like I know her. I am very thankful to God that she has you as a brother.” Robertson got up from his chair and walked around to stand behind Andrew. He placed a hand on Andrew’s shoulder. “I am so proud of the man you have become. You have truly changed your whole life around.”
Andrew remained silent as he crinkled his brows and fell deep into thought. Moments later, he glanced back at his counselor. “Thank you for saying all that. But, there is something that has been haunting me for some time now, and I’d like to set things straight. Is there any way you can drive me somewhere right now?”
His counselor could sense the burden he carried and quickly responded, “Yes, of course.”
After locking the office and heading downstairs, they soon left the school building. Counselor Robertson drove silently to the place Andrew requested to visit, allowing his student time to prepare himself for what he was going to say.
Andrew peered out of the passenger window and watched as the streets began to look more familiar. They soon drove past Daniel’s Hardware Store and he remembered waiting in a car while Darren bought the spray paint. The rest of the drive brought back many bad memories.
As they pulled onto the parking lot at Westview High, his counselor fixed his kind eyes on Andrew’s. “Would you like me to go in with you?”
“No thank you. This is something that I must do alone.”
Andrew looked at the side of the school building and could imagine the places where his friends had tagged the wall with blue paint. Although it had been repainted, the recollection of that night made him shiver.
God, thank you for opening up my eyes, Andrew thought.
Counselor Robertson dropped him off at the front doors and then went off to park and wait for him. Andrew walked inside the lobby and saw several groups of students lingering around. He hoped that none of them would realize that he did not attend that school. Andrew quickly searched for the principal’s office, and when he finally located it, he went to it immediately.
After knocking on the door, he waited patiently for a reply. Minutes passed and random thoughts began to enter into his mind.
What if he’s not available? Andrew pondered anxiously. What if I came all this way, but he refuses to see me?
The wooden door cracked open and a woman looked out at him. “Yes?”
“I… I would like to see Principal Thorton please.” Andrew fought to keep his voice level.
The secretary peered closer at him, “Do you have an appointment?”
“No, I didn’t think of that.”
“Well,” she clucked her tongue, “He is a very busy man. Maybe I can help you. What may I ask do you need?”
Andrew shook his head. “It’s confidential. Please, can you just tell the principal that Andrew Jensen would like to see him?”
She looked down at him and then smiled. “Wait here for a moment.”
While the secretary went back into the office, Andrew waited in the lobby. Each moment he stood there made him even more nervous, and he began to debate if he should just go home instead.
No, I need to do this, Andrew thought.
He nearly jumped as the secretary suddenly opened the door again. She grinned and said, “Principal Thorton will see you now. Right this way, Andrew.”
She guided him into the office, past her desk, and through a second door. As he entered the back office, the secretary exited the room and closed the door, leaving Andrew staring at a tall man in a dark suit. The man’s aged eyes narrowed at him, then softened.
“Mr. Jensen,” the man said, “what brings you back to my school?”
His gaze was intimidating, yet Andrew managed to maintain eye contact. “Principal Thorton, I have come here today to apologize for my actions on the night of the football game. I wasn’t thinking clearly, and I gave in to peer pressure.”
As Andrew spoke, the principal remained emotionless. Andrew continued, “I appreciate how you handled the situation.”
“I can’t believe what I am hearing,” Principal Thorton said as he drummed his fingers on the desk. “Did your principal ask you to come here today?”
“No. He doesn’t know I am here. It was my idea to visit, with Senior Counselor Robertson’s approval.”
“And, what made you want to apologize?”
“My conscience.” Andrew stated matter-of-factly.
Principal Thorton gazed hard at him. “So, you admit that you were wrong and you have learned from your mistakes?”
“Yes, sir. I‘m a different person than I was back then. I’m sorry for everything that happened and for my part in it. Do you forgive me for my actions?”
He stared at Andrew for nearly a minute, deep in thought. Principal Thorton then said, “Yes, Andrew, I forgive you.”
“Thank you.” Andrew felt relief sweep over him.
Principal Thorton shook his hand firmly and led him to the lobby. He waved as Andrew left the school and returned to the car.
“How did it go?” Counselor Robertson asked curiously.
“Very well. I was really nervous going in there, but God helped me through it.”
His counselor smiled and soon took him home. As Andrew entered the house, he sprinted upstairs to his room. He then sat at his desk, opened a notebook and wrote in the subject line, “The Purity Club”.
Next week, Andrew thought determinedly, everything is going to change.
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