"Jesus can heal her, Daddy...please."
That was what Sam kept saying that day, when his Dad yelled at him for calling the name of Jesus Christ outside. Even though he did it to save his epileptic sister, who had a crisis at the Dibny's. I was entranced. Not with Sam now. But with something about him that I can't really define. My heart went out to something I don't understand.
It was there. I know it was! I felt it when I saw the tender compassion in Sam's eyes towards his Dad who was still yelling at him, and later,when he knelt beside his little sister who had white foam running out of her lips. No one would touch her. Including Sam's parent. But he not only touched her. He knelt and prayed to Jesus to save her from dying.
I know that I do not possess something of such value. You know, like Sam. Something to die and live for. Something to get yelled at for. I guess it is because I am still really young. Maybe. But why does Sam have it? He's not older than I am. Why does he seem unaffected with anything? Why does he derive joy from talking with the janitor every recess instead of trying to play with the rest of us? Why does he make it hard to breathe everytime he's near?
After Mama came back from the washroom and caught me speaking with Sam, she silently led me inside without answering Sam's animated greeting. I felt bad for him. We went into the bubbling diner and settled at our table before Sam's family did. Although, their corner wasn't so distant from ours. I noticed my Mama was trying hard to avoid Sam and his family. Especially his dad, Mr Ayodeji. A black and burly man. She made me sit at an angle that I wouldn't be able to see them at all. Her eyes shooting daggers at me. I bowed my head, face glued to the hamburger she had ordered for us. The aura around her could freeze an ocean so I kept my mouth shut.
Everything had been going fairly well, until we heard the thump. Hannah had fallen on the floor, Jerking in spasm.
By the time Sam positioned his frame beside his sister's, his daddy had half of his face contorted with anger. When I saw his temper, I almost understood why my Mama do not like him. He was doing nothing to help but was angry at Sam who chose to pray for her? My temper was rising as well. I felt anger bubble against Mr ayodeji inside of me. So, I bit my lips to stay calm. But…Sam remain unfazed. A lot of people are watching now. Some already on their feet, including Mama and I. My heart. It's beating so hard. So fast. Like I am riding on an invisible wave.
"In the name of Jesus Christ, get up Hannah and be healed!"
Sam's voice reverberated in the now quiet diner.
No one spoke. There was dead silence. I peeped at my Mama from where I stood beside her. Her eyes were fixed on Hannah. Watching and waiting, Like everyone else. My chest constricted. Hannah hadn't gotten up yet. Her pink shirt now soaked moisture. Why are my palms sweaty?
With tears in his eyes, oblivious to everything and everyone, Sam repeated himself.
"Get up Hannah and be healed in Jesus name."
Still nothing.
Sam's mum was crying now too. Quietly. Her sob came out like series of whimpers. The only interruption to the deafening silence Sam's faith had caused at the only countryside diner at Missouri. Although she seemed detached. Almost isolated in her own body. Why is she hiding behind her husband? Why is she not trying to help Hannah?
"Call 911!"
Someone shrilled behind me. It was a red-haired woman who had been arguing on phone some minutes ago. Just before Hannah fell to the floor. Mr Lawal hurried to the phone booth, frantically dialing a number.
My mama who had been standing a few feet away from our table, walked back and sat. I didn't follow her.
"Get up boy!" Me Ayodeji yelled at his son.
Sam's daddy looked rabid. His eyes were bloodshot like someone that could be really dangerous. I have never witnessed such anger in anyone before. He jerked Sam away from the floor where he was still holding his sister.
Then, I saw it.
Hannah had stopped Jerking. Her body has normalized and…she looks healthy. Like she was napping. I know that her current state is nothing like I saw few minutes ago.
But, no one seem to have noticed in the midst of the chaos.
The sound of siren filled up the Dibny's. The nurses had Hannah on a wheel bed now, pushing her out towards the ambulance outside.
Sam's Dad was half dragging him out the door. His wife tagged along like a hare.
But my heart won't stop beating against itself.
Did anyone apart from me see what just happened?
"Come on baby, let's leave now." I heard my Mama say.
Chapter two.
Long into the night, I couldn't sleep.
I can't stop thinking about Sam. I've tried and I'm still trying too hard to forget the things I saw at the dibny's. I have never been more grateful that people can't read minds. If Mama knew what was in my mind, she would ground me forever. It doesn't feel the same. The way I thought about Sam before I witnessed him proclaim the name of Jesus with such boldness is not the same way I think about him now.
It's not the same way I feel about him now.
Sam had always made me feel self conscious. But now, I don't know what this is anymore. It's not like I want to be a religious person or anything. Mama doesn't attend Church. One time, I heard her tell Miss peace that she is an atheist. Mama also says that I am too young to figure out how the world works. Not that I care anyway. But, this feeling…its strange. It's about Sam, yet, it isn't about him. I couldn't help myself. So I walked up to him in class the next day. He was sitted upright, back straight, quietly flipping through an old notebook.
"Hey Sam!" I blurted.
He raised his head and stayed his eyes on me.
"Ermmh…do you like to read?" I couldn't come up with something better.
"Meghan…"
At the sound of my name, I walked closer and sat on the chair beside him. He closed the notebook he had been staring intently at. Perhaps in an attempt to hear me out? I couldn't speak though. I didn't know what to say. Will asking about his family make me appear nosy? Does he want to talk about it? He didn't speak either. We remained quiet for the longest time. A few seconds or minutes? I wasn't sure.
Then I spoke up.
" This Jesus, who is he?" I asked. To my surprise. God knows I didn't mean to ask that.
"Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." Sam said.
"Pardon?"
He chuckled lightly. His face lightened up like he had just seen the most delightful thing. I loosened up too and smiled.
"Common, Megs. You looked scared, so I just said what came to my heart."
I didn't speak. Couldn't.
"You shouldn't be scared to ask about Jesus" he continued. "He loves you."
I squirmed. Jesus Loves me? What do I say to that?
Then he smiled again and I saw that one of his tooth had recently fallen of. The brightest idea flashed in my mind.
"Did you give that to the tooth fairy?" I teased. My finger pointed to his mouth.
Mischief flashed in his eyes.
"I didn't." He paused. "But I could give it to you!" Before my brain registered too much, his right hand is in my face and I saw a little milkish thing. I screamed.
And he began to laugh.
"It's not my tooth Megs.'Tis just an eraser. I was teasing you!"
But I didn't find it funny at all.
"Not funny." I said and stood. I should never have tried to talk with him. He's Just like Richard!
" Hey cuties, fill in your seats quickly." Miss peace entered the class.
Sam smiled at me. I didn't return the smile before I stomped back to my seat.
I'm never playing with him again. Weirdo!