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"You know you aren’t going to get very far pushing the broom that way." Jarred said.

"Jarred, you know I don’t give a hoot anymore." I said.

"Now Joey that’s no way to act. At least I got you to stop swearing." He said smiling. Jarred had jet-black hair that fell to the middle of his back when it wasn’t up in a ponytail. He had an athletic build. He had won first place in the track meet last year. He was twenty-one soon to be twenty-two.

"Who said it was you who got me to stop? Besides, it wasn’t the easiest when Jason and Mikey won’t stop themselves."

"I know how it goes. I gave up on your brothers and their swearing. But I still have faith in you Joey."

"Thanks Jarred. I’m glad I decided to come back to youth group. I don’t know why I stopped coming. I forgot how much fun it is."

"Well I’m sure Pastor Will was happy to see you come back. I know he’d be even happier if Jason and Mikey came back." Jarred said as he went back to stacking chairs. "Thanks for staying to help me clean up."

"Not a problem. Jason won’t be here for another half hour or so."

"How’s life been treating you? How’s school going?"

"Now you sound like a parent more then a friend. School’s going fine. I’m getting A’s and B’s like usual. Life in general is great. I can’t wait till Thanksgiving break though. Mikey makes a great turkey…oops I wasn’t suppose to tell anyone."

"I won’t tell your secret is safe with me and God." Jarred said as he put the last chair on the stack. He came over and took the broom. "Do you think you can handle wiping off the tables Joey?"

"Yea, I think I can handle it." I said as I went and grabbed a rag out of the kitchen sink. I started to wipe off the tables when Jason walked in.

"Yo Joey lets blow this joint."

"Jason you can wait. I have to finishing wiping off the tables." I told him.

"You’re more then welcomed to help finish cleaning Jason." Jarred said.

"Not on your life track boy." I’m gonna wait outside and have a smoke." Jason said as he left.

"I’m sorry about that Jarred."

"You don’t have to apologize for him. It’s just his personality."

"Why do you always act like you understand?" I asked him.

"I’m not acting. I had a sister like Jason and Mikey."

"Had?"

"She went drinking one night and got into a car accident. She killed herself plus her friend who was with her."

"I’m sorry I mentioned it now."

"Joey, my sister acted like them, but she has Jesus in her heart. So I know she’s in heaven because He forgave her."

"God’s done a lot in your life hasn’t he?"

"Yep and he’s gonna keep doing great things too. I think one of them was bringing you back to youth group. I knew He’d find a way to bring you back."

"How did you know? I didn’t even know I was gonna come back."

"I knew at your dad’s funeral that you’d come back. You needed a place to belong and with Jason and Mikey at home I knew it wouldn’t be your house."

"Well I’m done wiping the tables. Did you need help with anything else?"

"Only if you want to help me sweep. I could show you the right way…that is if you aren’t to eager to get home." He said reaching for the other broom.

"Could you show me the right way?" I said. "I’m hoping to keep Jason out there so he’ll smoke all his cigarettes. He’s broke right now and won’t be able to buy anymore. I hide my money now so they don’t take it to buy smokes and boos. Jason might try to take some from Mikey though."

"All right here take this broom. He said as he handed me the broom he was using and then stood behind me. "Okay hold the broom like this and you can move it around like so." He stood close. I could feel his chest heave from his breathing.

"I th-think I got it now." I said as I started to sweep.

"Okay." Jarred said as he took the other broom "You’re a natural Joey."

"Yea right Jarred."

"Joey can I ask you something?"

"Sure what is it?"

"Well would you be interested in going to a movie with me on Saturday?"

"Are you asking me out Jarred?"

"Yea, I guess I am. So you interested?"

"Is she interested in what?" Jason said as he came back in. Jason had brown hair in a crew cut style. He did a lot of bodybuilding so he was really strong. He was on the shorter side, about six inches shorter then Jarred's 6'2".

"If I was interested in helping clean up next time." I said.

"Well whatever. I’m out of smokes so lets go."

Jason said as he grabbed my arm.

"Bye Jarred" I said as I got dragged out.

"I watched Jason grab Joey by the arm and drag her out of the youth hall." I said.

"Jason's one troubled soul." Pastor Will said. Pastor Will had short blonde hair and green eyes. He was in his early thirties and was happy to have someone like Jarred to help with the kids.

"Mikey's the same way. Though he's improved some more then Jason. At least since his father past away."

"But Will by her arm. I know there's nothing I can really do."

"Jarred that's where you're wrong. You can be her friend. That's what she really needs."
"I know. But it just seems like no matter how hard I try it doesn't work. I mean I tried asking her if she wanted to go to a movie with me."

"What she say?" Pastor Will asked.

"That's when Jason came in and dragged her away. I'll see her tomorrow in school. I'll ask her again."

"Just don't push it. If she's not ready she's not ready."

"I know Will. It's just I have this feeling God wants me to do more in her life then be her friend."

"That maybe, but let Joey decided for herself when she's ready to move on in her life."

"Will sometimes I feel it's all in vain." I said when there was a knock on the door to Pastor Will's study.

"Come in." Pastor Will said. The door opened and there stood Joey. She had a black eye and her face was all swollen. Her shoulder length red hair was all tangled and in a mess. Her clothes were ripped, showing some of her chest.

"Joey" I said running to her "What happened to you?"

"Jarred help her in. I'll go get some hot water." Pastor Will said as he left the study.

"Jarred it was awful…Jason and Mikey. They were drinking and then they decided to give me some…"

"They did this to you?"

"They didn't mean to…I wouldn't drink it so Jason held me down well Mikey…" Joey looked down at her ripped clothes.

"Here we are. Let's clean you up a bit." Pastor Will said as he sat in a chair next to Joey.

"Will I think Joey was…umm…raped. From what she said happened."

"Joey did you get raped?"

"Yes Pastor Will…He didn't mean to he was drunk…"

"Who did it?"

"It was Mikey…I don't want to go back home…" Joey said.

"Goodness, I wouldn't think about making you go back there. In fact, if you'd like I have a spare bedroom at my apartment. It's yours to use Joey. Though we should go to the hospital and have you checked out."

"Alright Pastor. If you think it's for the best."

"I do. Come let's go you can borrow my jacket." Pastor Will said handing Joey his jacket.

"Jarred would you come to?" Joey asked me.

"Sure Joey."

We left and headed to Pastor Will's car.

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"Well what seems to be the problem tonight?" the doctor asked me. He was in his late forties. His sandy blonde hair had streaks of grey in it. He was a little overweight, probably from all the lollipops he was suppose to give the kids.

"I was raped." I said hanging my head.

"Do you know who raped you?" He asked looking at Jarred.

"It wasn’t him if that's what you're wondering. But yes I know who raped me."

"Could you tell me who?"

"I'd prefer not to…" I said. "Pastor Will do you think you can see about getting me some new clothes."

"Sure Joey." Pastor Will said as he left the exam room.

"Well alright let's get this exam underway." The doctor said. Then to Jarred, "I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave."

"Umm okay." Jarred said. "Joey I'll be right outside okay?"

"I just nodded. "Will the exam hurt?"

"It shouldn't, however it's different for everyone. Now just lay back and open your legs for me."

I laid back and let the doctor do the exam. It hurt a little. I wished Jarred had been able to stay with me.

"There all done. There's no sign that you might be pregnant. But I think it'd be wise to come back in a few weeks just to be on the safe side."

"Are you saying I might be pregnant?"

"There are no signs that any sperm broke through. But I would still like to be sure, that's why I want you to come back in a few weeks."

"Alright," I said. ""Is it alright if Jarred comes back in?"

"Jarred is he your boyfriend?"

"I wish. He's a great friend. He's been there when I needed him."

"Yes he can come back in."

"Thanks." I got up and opened the door and let Jarred back in.

"If you need me just push the blue button." The doctor said as he left.

"What did the doc say Joey?"

"There's a slight chance I could be pregnant. I have to come back in a couple of weeks for him to check. What will people say when they see the bruises and what id the doc's wrong and I am pregnant?"

"Joey it's in God's hands. Let him deal with your pain."

"But what will the kids at school say? It's not like I have a boyfriend to get me pregnant and bruise me up."

"Joey I'm gonna stick next to you in this. I'm going to be the mortal shoulder you can lean on."

"Thanks Jarred." I said kissing him on the cheek.

"I know Will offered you a place to stay but you're welcomed to stay at my apartment. I only have one bed, you could have it and I'll sleep on the couch. That is if you're interested." Jarred said looking down.

"Thanks, but I think if Jason and Mikey come looking for me, they'll be less likely to look at Pastor Will's place. But I'd still like to visit with you and maybe see that movie."

"Of course I'll visit you. Why wouldn't I?"

"Is it alright to come back in?" Pastor Will asked from the doorway.

"Yes pastor. Did you find some new clothes for me?"

"But of course. They maybe a little tacky, it's all the little hospital store had." He said handing them to me. "Did you want us to leave so you can change?"

"No if you'll just turn around." I said.

"They maybe a little big also. We can stop at your house to get some of your clothes if you'd like." Pastor Will said as he turned around. Jarred followed suit.

"We could…but if they're home I'd prefer to just drive by" I said as I changed. "Okay, I'm changed."

"Here did you want to throw away the other clothes or try to mend them?" Jarred asked.

"Pitch them. I don’t need the memory." I said handing him the clothes that were on the bed. "Pastor Will, is it alright if I don't go to school tomorrow? Jason and Mikey will be at work so I could pick up some of my clothes then."

"We'll see Joey. Let's get you settled in first. We can drive past your house to see if they're home. If they aren't we'll stop in tonight. How's that sound?"

"Alright."

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We drove to Joey's house to see if her brother's were home. I let her sit in the front even though I felt cramped in the back. I looked at her profile as she talked with Pastor Will. She had managed to untangle her hair a bit. Her hazel eyes kept an eye on Will as he talked about things they could do. She was only four inches shorter then I (Me being 6'2"). She was a couple of years younger then me. She was on the track team last year with me. It gave her some place to even what was happening at home. We had some classes together. Last year I found out she had gotten a tattoo of what she called her guardian angel.

"You still awake back there?" I heard her ask.

"Yea, I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"Nothing of importance Joey."

"Alright." She said as she went back to talking with Pastor Will. "But is that really an option? I mean, isn't it murder?"

"Yes, some do consider it murder, nevertheless it is an option. I didn’t' say it was the one you had to take." Pastor Will said.

"I'd rather give it up for adoption. I don’t' think I'd be able to take care of a baby on my own."

"Joey what if you found the right guy to help you raise the baby?" I asked.

"Even though the kid wasn't his?"

"Well yea. It happens in divorces with kids. Or widows and widowers." I said.

"I suppose. But I don't know if I could find a guy like that." She said.

I thought about it. I knew the perfect guy for her, me. I felt God tugging on my heart. The rape must have been his way of opening the door between Joey and me more. I just didn't know the right way to take a step through it. I didn't want to push her, yet if she did have a child I knew I could love it as my own.

"Well we're coming up on your house Joey." Pastor Will said.

"I don't see Jason's car in the road…that's usually where it is."

"Well here we are." Will said stopping just a couple of houses down from Joey's.

"I'll go see if anyone's home. You guys stay here." I said as I got out of the car.

"No Jarred."

"Joey I'll be fine. Besides I need to stretch my legs."

I took a few steps and looked back. I could see that Joey was apprehensive about me going to see if her brothers were home. I turned back and started walking. When I reached her house I saw the door open and out stepped Mikey. I kept walking.

"Hey don't walk on my property!" Mikey shouted from the porch.

"Last I knew the sidewalk was public property Mikey."

"What the?" He said as he came down the porch. His hair was also in a crewcut style only his hair was red like Joey's. He had brown eyes, which was unusually for someone with red hair. He was a little taller then Jason, but Joey was the tallest of the three. "Oh your that track geek that she hangs around with at school."

"Yep that would be me. I was just wondering if she was at home."

"No she ain't. Jason's out looking for her. Why did you want to see her?"

"No reason really. Well it was nice talking to you Mikey." I said and started to walk off.

"Now wait a minute." He said following me.

"What?"

"You were coming to see my sister for no reason?"

"Yep."

"Not even to get up her skirt or in her pants, however you want to state it."

"Nope, but from what I heard you beat me to it."

"Why you little." He said and reached for me. I made a dash for it. He followed me. I was hoping I could lead him on a goose chase so Will and Joey could get her things. I decided I better not run at full speed then. I even pretended to trip. "Not so fast are you?"

"Who said I was going at full speed? Besides a big boy like you should be able to catch me. However, I don't want bruises on me like Joey's got on her face."

"I'd watch what you said."

I kept running I got him a good ways away from the house and I prayed that Jason wouldn't come home. When I figured I had him far enough I sped up and lost him. I knew Joey would hit me if she found out what I said. I knew how to get to Pastor Will's place so that's where I ran too. I sat on the curb as I waited for Joey and Will to arrive.

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