Faith Wish Read Online Free Page B

pounds didn’t matter—her physical beauty was never at issue, it had always been the source of her popularity at school, no matter that her behavior was sometimes risky and her grades low. Her appetite must be off due to the excitement brought about by her conversion. She was high every day.
    Even though it was a particularly warm day, she decided not to let the weather dictate clothing. In her closet was her newest purchase, a plum-colored Lycra tank top she’d bought at Von Maur’s on sale for $36. She pushed it aside, realizing that the old Anne-Marie would have worn it in a heartbeat. Would have added a provocative pair of shorts to complete the image. And then might have been sent home by Vice Principal Rosario for exposing too much midriff and other flesh.
    Instead, she put on her blue jeans and a modest blouse whose hem touched the top of her empty belt loops.
    By the time Anne-Marie got to the kitchen, her mother had gone to work, and her father was about to leave as well. He was trying to straighten the knot in his tie while drinking coffee at the same time. Since he liked to drink his coffee with a cup and a saucer, his task was all the harder.
    While she was nibbling around the edges of a toasted bagel, but not actually eating much of it, her father said, “Your front fender is primed, and I’ve found a perfect paint match at Carl’s Auto Body.”
    â€œI thought it was in the shop for a timing belt or something.”
    â€œThey replaced the timing belt, but as long as the car was there, I decided it would be good to go ahead and fix that ding in the fender.”
    â€œGreat,” she said, trying to sound as if she really meant it. She’d never had much enthusiasm for her father’s hobby of restoring old cars. A car was to drive, as far as she could see. “Is it okay if I drive it?”
    â€œNot quite yet. I’ve still got the primer covered for protection. I can’t afford to get any moisture on it. You can drive the Chevy, though.”
    Anne-Marie sighed. The Chevy was a green-and-white ’57 Bel Air, a real classic. A lot of people thought it was ultra cool, especially the boys at school. “Okay,” she said.
    â€œDid you make any progress on the term paper last night?” he asked her.
    â€œOnly a little,” she lied. None whatsoever would have been more truthful.
    â€œYou have to stay with it, Anne-Marie. It’s important.”
    She took a deep breath while she watched bagel crumbs tumble to her plate. She was calm. “I’m working on it,” she said again. “I know it’s important.”
    Her father dropped the subject to say, “When your car has that new coat of paint, it’ll be just like new.”
    Just like new , she thought. But now she knew that the only new that really mattered was her new self in Jesus. He makes all things new , the Bible promised. She must have been lost in thought after that, because the next time she looked up, her father had left.
    On the way to school, she remembered how big and boxy the old Chevy was; it seemed like she was driving a train. As bad luck would have it, the first person she met in the school parking lot was Richard Bone. Currently her ex-boyfriend, but also one of the snares. One of the goats. She’d had sex with him several times, but no more. She no longer carried condoms in her purse. Although she now needed ways to fend off his groping, he was mostly good-natured about being rebuffed—usually because he was buzzed on marijuana. He tested her faith each time the two of them found themselves alone.
    â€œWow. How cool is it?” he said, referring to the Chevy.
    â€œProbably not as cool as you think,” she replied.
    â€œBullshit,” he said. “This car is prime. It’s ultra prime.”
    â€œIf you say so,” Anne-Marie replied. She opened the back door to get her books. “But I don’t know why you have to say