“Maybe.” Marcus felt himself relax. “In life, you gotta have vision, man. If your vision is free pizza every week, then talk to me after. Maybe we can figure out a way to make it happen. Do a little fundraising.”
A nod came from the teen and his eyes showed something he didn’t have when he blurted out his question.
Respect.
Marcus looked around the room. “That goes for all of you. We all have to want something better for ourselves. Better than kids joining gangs and dropping out of school. Police tell me half the kids on these streets don’t live to be twenty-one. That’s insane.” He felt the passion in his voice. “You gotta have a bigger vision if you’re going to have a different life.”
He talked a little about his own vision, how he pictured kids coming to the youth center after school and getting help with their studies. “I’d like to have counselors here, too. You got problems, you should have someone to talk to.”
His speech was winding down, and really he had just one thing left. “Six months ago my life didn’t have meaning. Sure, I play for the Dodgers. Pro ballplayer with the big contract. But that doesn’t give a man meaning.”
The kids were listening.
“I gave God a challenge. Told Him I’d believe if He would give my life meaning. Something that lasted. And guess what? God did exactly that. So now I give that challenge to you.” Again his tone picked up intensity. “Every one of you. A youth center isn’t a reason to live. God’s the only one who can give us that. So tonight before you hit your pillow, talk to Him. Ask Him to give your life meaning.” Marcus took off his baseball cap. “Pray with me.”
Then, for the second time in his life, Marcus Dillinger prayed out loud. He could hardly believe it, but he was getting the hang of this. He asked God to bless the people there that night and to bless the efforts of the youth center. “We need a purpose, God. So give it to us. Make us a community. Thanks for tonight, God. Amen.”
When he was finished, the crowd gradually dispersed. Several parents came up and thanked him for his commitment to the center and the community. The teens mostly kept to themselves. Marcus wondered how many of them were already in one of the local gangs.
The volunteers stayed to clean up. Most of the games had been borrowed from a local church, and plates of the leftover food had to be wrapped up and saved for whatever kids would come by the center in the coming week.
Marcus and Tyler were washing down tables when Sami and Mary Catherine found them. “We wiped down the water coolers.” Sami brushed her hands together. “You guys must be exhausted.”
“Exhausted, but happy.” Marcus shot a smile at Mary Catherine. “That idea of yours . . . that we all pray before everyone got here? It was the perfect choice.” He looked at Tyler. “Ty was saying he could almost feel the hand of God over this place. Like we had divine protection.”
Mary Catherine smiled, but she looked more at Tyler and Sami than at Marcus. “Prayer makes a difference.”
Marcus thought about Shamika and little Jalen, and then the talk with the people at the end. He aimed his next words at Mary Catherine again. “You’ve made me a believer.”
She didn’t seem to know what to say. Instead of responding to Marcus she turned to Tyler. “Where’s the Wayne family? I didn’t see them leave.”
“They needed to get back to their kids.” Marcus looked at Mary Catherine, but she wouldn’t make eye contact with him. “They invited us back to the house for coffee whenever we’re finished.”
“What about Shelly?” Sami looked at Marcus. “She didn’t say goodbye.”
“She had plans with her friends.” Marcus wanted a moment alone with Mary Catherine. Why was she acting like this? Like she didn’t want to talk to him? “Anyway, we’re almost done here.”
He was about to ask her to join them for coffee back at the Waynes’ house when Officer Kent walked through the door. He stopped when he saw the group. “Marcus, you got a minute?”
“We can talk here. My friends know about the gang stuff.”
“Okay.” He came closer. “Something happened tonight I can’t really explain. We learned the fight here was supposed to be a big one. We had a few leads that everyone was talking about it. Supposed to have been a few killings, as well.”
“That’s what I told them.” Marcus turned his eyes to Mary Catherine again. “But then my friend MC here, she suggested we pray.” He looked back at the officer. “I’d say God answered our prayers.”
Officer Kent ran his hand over his dark hair. “Definitely.” He paused. “Apparently some officer from another precinct showed up in the alley where the EastTown Boyz were gathered. Just one guy. By himself. No backup. No one knows who he was.” He hesitated again. “Anyway, whatever went on between the officer and the gang, the boys came running out of the alley like they were being chased by a pack of Dobermans.”
Marcus chuckled. “I like that picture.”
“He was probably an angel.” Mary Catherine looked serious, the light in her eyes brighter than before. “They’re real, you know.”
Officer Kent shrugged. “After tonight I’d believe anything.” He nodded to the group. “Be careful leaving. We’ll be outside until you go.” He looked around. “I’d say tonight was a huge success. Keep up the good work.”
When they finished cleaning, Marcus asked the others back to the Waynes’ house for coffee. It was after ten o’clock, but he still wanted to be with them, maybe share stories from the night.
“You coming, too?” Marcus walked next to Mary Catherine as they headed out to their cars.
“I think so. I really liked Rhonda Wayne.”
“She’s everybody’s mama.” Marcus grinned and as they reached their cars, he waved once. “See you there.”
Tyler drove with Marcus. When they were on the freeway headed to Silver Lake, Marcus looked at his friend. “What do you think of Mary Catherine?”
“Sami’s friend?” Tyler turned so he could see Marcus better. “I thought you were into Shelly.”
“I was. I mean, I am . . . sort of.” He narrowed his eyes, his attention on the freeway ahead of them. “Mary Catherine . . . she’s different. You know what I’m saying.”
“She’s one of a kind. That’s for sure.”
“Exactly. I got that tonight.” He glanced at Tyler. “What do you think of her?”
“Mary Catherine?” Tyler smiled. “She’s crazy and fun and full of life.”
“She has beautiful hair.” Marcus heard the distraction in his voice.
Tyler raised his brow. “Not that you’re interested.”
“I like her spirit.” Marcus could still see her, the way she looked tonight surrounded by the younger children. “The girl loves God more than anything or anyone.”
“That she does.” Tyler smiled. “Sami says Mary Catherine’s the real deal.”
“Yeah.” Marcus felt his laughter die off. “Maybe that’s it.”
The conversation switched to spring training and the fact that pitchers, catchers, and pitching coaches had to report earlier than everyone else. Marcus didn’t bring up Mary Catherine again the rest of the ride, but he was glad Tyler did most of the talking. It was all Marcus could do to stay partly interested. His mind was too preoccupied with the one thing he couldn’t stop thinking about.
The light in Mary Catherine’s eyes.
And the fact that in a few minutes he would see her again.
JAG AND ASPYN watched from the back of Marcus’s Hummer as he headed back to Silver Lake. They were exhausted, but they weren’t about to leave Marcus. Not with so much at stake.
Jag felt the strength of God fill him, renew him. “We succeeded tonight.”
“Yes.” She gave him a concerned look. “You were angry, Jag. I could feel it when we met up at the youth center.”
“Of course I was angry.” He was calmer n
ow. “Those kids wanted to kill someone. There’s enough killing on earth without kids killing each other.”
“It was more than that.” Aspyn had an uncanny way of reading other angels. Him in particular. The skill made her a great partner, but a meddlesome one at the same time.
There was no getting around the truth. Angels were honest. Period. “One of them pulled a gun on me. Same kind of gun the hit men used when . . .”
“Terrance Williams died.” Aspyn’s tone was rich with sympathy. “I’m sorry.”
“This . . . rage. It came over me.” Jag was completely himself again, full of peace and purpose. “I’ve only felt that one other time. In the minutes after Officer Williams was shot.” He could barely describe it.
“I understand.” She touched his shoulder. “Just be careful, Jag. Anger does not bring about the righteousness God desires. You know that.”
“Yes.”
“This is only the beginning. Things will get rough again on Tuesday night.”
“I know. I need to be in control.” Jag nodded. He appreciated Aspyn’s wisdom.
“Exactly.”
Jag pictured the gang gathered in the alley, the way they taunted him and flashed the gun at him. He let the images disappear from his mind. “Thank you, Aspyn. I’ll be ready.”
He had a feeling Aspyn was right. The worst of the violence was days away.
9
FROM THE MOMENT SHE walked inside, Mary Catherine loved everything about the Waynes’ house. The smell of fresh coffee came from the kitchen, and something else, something warm and rich with cinnamon.
“Come in!” Rhonda welcomed them inside. “I roasted a batch of organic almonds. A little coconut oil and cinnamon and they’re delicious.”
“Mmmm.” Mary Catherine flashed a grin at Sami and then back to Rhonda Wayne. “I knew I liked you.”
“We don’t do sugar. At least most days.” She grabbed a potholder and pulled the pan of fresh roasted almonds from the oven. They smelled delicious. “I whipped up a pint of organic cream.”
Rhonda went on about how organic cream from grass-fed cows was actually healthy. “Full of omega-three acids. The good ones.”
Mary Catherine knew all about that. She could’ve written a book on the foods that healed as opposed to those that caused inflammation. Low carb, high fat. Moderate protein. “I love that kind of cream.”
Sami looked lost. “You two are speaking a different language.”
“Here.” Rhonda put a spoonful of the almonds in a bowl and topped it off with a dollop of whipped cream. She handed it to Sami. “Try this.”
From the first bite it was clear Sami loved the dish. “This is amazing. What’s in it?”
Rhonda laughed. “Nothing. Pure cream and organic vanilla. I whip it myself so it’s just the right kind of creamy.”
“I don’t think I could ever go back after this. I don’t miss the sweet taste at all.”
“Sugar fuels illness.”
“Exactly.” Mary Catherine pulled up a chair and grinned at Rhonda. “I’ve been telling Sami that. She eats way too much chocolate.”
“I’m an addict. What can I say?”
Mary Catherine took a bowl of the almonds and cream as the guys walked in. Tyler led the way. “How’d you beat us?”
“Better driver.” Mary Catherine looked over her shoulder, teasing him. “Nah, you got stuck at the light before the freeway.”
“I was gonna say . . .” He laughed and looked back at Marcus. “Also, we took it slow on purpose. Us guys need our bonding time.”
“Oh, I’m sure.” Sami went to Tyler and the two of them shared a quick kiss. “You have to try Rhonda’s almonds and cream.”
Ollie had been checking on the kids. He joined them now and smiled at Mary Catherine. “So you’re a health nut like my wife?”
“You could say that.” She shared a look with her new friend. “We’re trying to convert Sami.”
The conversation continued, and Mary Catherine held onto every moment. This was what family love should feel like. Fifteen minutes later, Sam came down for water. Rhonda was kind and tender with him, kissing him on the cheek before he returned to bed.
And when Shane came home from a movie with friends, Rhonda and Ollie took time talking to him, hearing details about his night. Only their daughter, Sierra, wasn’t home. She had spent the night with a friend. But Mary Catherine had seen enough to know that if God by some miracle blessed her with more time, with a man like the one she used to talk about finding, then this was the sort of family she wanted to have.
A family who lived out their faith as easily as they breathed.
They talked for a good hour before Sami and Tyler decided to head out. “We’ll be here tomorrow for church!”
Mary Catherine had planned on leaving now, too, but as she found her purse Marcus approached her. “Hey . . . why don’t you stay? I can take you home in a bit.” He grinned at Sami and Tyler. “You know, give them their space.”
“Marcus!” Sami sounded disappointed, but she was teasing him. “We don’t need our space.” She motioned to Mary Catherine. “Come on, MC. We want you to come with us.”
“No, really.” Marcus seemed like he was trying to keep things casual. “Stay and walk around the block with me. I want to hear your story.” He patted his stomach. “Plus I have to walk off these almonds.”
Mary Catherine could feel it again, the heat in her cheeks, the way her heart beat faster around him. Was he serious? Did he really want to take a walk with her? In her peripheral vision she thought she saw Tyler give Sami a light elbow. Whatever the signal meant, Sami was suddenly quick to change her mind.
“Actually, it might be nice to have a little time with Tyler.” She leaned up and kissed him again. “We have a lot to talk about.”
Like that they were gone, and before Mary Catherine could argue, Marcus was ushering her outside for the walk. Never mind that it was nearly midnight or that Mary Catherine had intended to avoid anything even remotely like this. Marcus couldn’t help himself. Every time they shared a moment together, the world around him turned to summer. The hillsides and skies of his heart came alive with new life.
They were still in sight of the Waynes’ house when Marcus laughed. “Sorry if that felt a little forced.”
“Just a little.” Mary Catherine had no idea why he wanted this time with her. Whatever his reason, she had to be careful. She couldn’t stop herself from feeling attracted to him. But she could at least keep her distance emotionally.
“I don’t know . . . it’s like I sensed something earlier, when we were cleaning up. Like you didn’t want to look at me.” Marcus slowed his pace so he could see her. “Or was that just my imagination?”
Mary Catherine was glad for the cover of night. She uttered a single laugh. “Well, Marcus. I mean, you have Shelly. I wouldn’t want to be too friendly.”
He nodded slowly. “Okay. If that’s all it was.”
“Tell me about her. You and Shelly.” Mary Catherine was proud of herself. This was a good way to turn the conversation.
“There’s not much to say.” He stayed quiet for a few minutes while they walked. Then he turned to her. “So what’s your story, Mary Catherine? Tyler tells me you grew up in Nashville. Why’d you leave?”
“Good question.” There had been times when she tried to tell herself Marcus was shallow. He was a pro ballplayer, after all. But that simply wasn’t the case. His tone was kind and tender, and she sensed a depth in him that surprised her.
“Didn’t you like the South?” Their pace was easy, relaxing.
“Actually, I loved it.” She laughed lightly and looked up at the stars. “I guess I was too comfortable. Everything felt predictable and safe.”
“Hmm.” Marcus laughed, but barely hard enough to be heard. “Sounds like you. Sami says you like jumping
out of planes and riding your bike down Santa Monica Boulevard.”
“And swim with dolphins.” She laughed. “That actually happened right here.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It was amazing.” She cast him a look. “I like feeling alive.” She walked a few more steps and shrugged. “That’s just me.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere.” They turned a corner and kept walking. “Were you like the oldest of six kids or what? Locked in the house till you were eighteen?” He chuckled. “Why live life on the edge?”
“Actually, I was an only child. My parents did well for themselves. The right house in the right neighborhood, the best social clubs and affiliations.” She smiled. “They loved me, but . . . they didn’t stay together.” This was the part of her story where her health came into play. Both of her parents worried about her, wanted her close to them, where she could be safe.
Mary Catherine wanted adventure.
She skipped that part. Marcus didn’t need to know. There would be no reason.
“Okay. Why Los Angeles?” He seemed genuinely interested.
She grinned. “It was everything Nashville was not. Wild and loud and crowded and godless.” She nodded once. “In LA, I don’t go an hour without knowing how desperately I need the Lord. I like it that way.”
“So did you break some poor guy’s heart back in Nashville?”
“Hardly.” She laughed out loud. “I dated a few guys, but I never found that guy. You know . . . the one I could be real with.” She thought for a moment. The last guy she dated was a good one. They loved to laugh together. But in the end, he wasn’t the right one. Just as well, given the news about her heart. “I guess I’m picky.”
“I could use a little more of that.” He grinned at her.
He had to be talking about Shelly, but Mary Catherine didn’t want to push the issue. She slowed her steps. “Another thing . . . have you noticed how selfish everyone is? We’re all about our own social media, our own platform, our own interests. I still haven’t found a guy who can be in the moment. You know, carry on a conversation without checking his phone halfway through.”