女兒的第一篇小說（八）

Chapter 8   

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“Come and ask. Whenever questions trouble you, comfort from another is indispensable.”
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 “Please… please stop…” Her face was streaked with dried tears and fresh ones, eyes begging him to stop in his tracks. “Please… don’t tell anyone of this…” Fred was unreservedly befuddled. What was she asking? What was her reason for this? However, if it was for the good of Taylor, it was to be followed. “Yea- Yes,” he nodded, and went out the door.
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The next day, Fred went to visit Taylor once more in the hospital. This time, he sat down next to his bed and stared endlessly into his face, deep in thought. When is he going to wake? Why did the doctors look so forlorn whenever I asked about him? Oh Lord Jesus, please save this poor soul. He is only a child and his family circumstances are the cause of his misery. All cannot be lost if the soul has not yet seen God. Perhaps when he is exposed to your love, he will receive salvation.

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 Holding onto his wheelchair for support, Fred lifted himself off his seat with excessive complexity and knelt down beside Taylor’s bed. Dropping his head onto the white material that was sheets, he whispered a prayer.

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“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your protection and love that you have blessed us with. There never was and never will be another God like you. We are very much obliged. Down on my inadequate knees, I beg you. Please save Taylor. He does not know you like so many others. But I wish to give him a chance and I ask you to help me get through to him and save his life; not just physically but also spiritually. Bless his whole family and friends, including his father, who had left him. Bless his poor mother, who is now over stricken with grief and cannot control her anger around her children. Thank you. In Jesus name. Ahem.”
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 The third time that he was there, Taylor’s eyes started to flutter open. Almost brimming with exhilaration, he waited patiently for him to completely regulate to his environment. “Taylor?” His voice had the desired affect. Taylor blinked several times, turning his head over to the source. “Taylor,” he smiled gently at the youth, waiting for an immediate response. Finally, after a few slugging minutes, Fred moved forward and comprehensively reached for Taylor’s hand. “Are you all right?”

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Abruptly, Taylor swatted his hand away, coldly shifting his position to the other side. That left off a very bemused expression that caused Fred to raise an eyebrow in puzzlement. Why did he reject his help? Was it because of his injuries in his head? Or, perhaps he just didn’t like an old man’s blabbering in the first place. But, he wanted to help, and reveal his sins in front of his very own eyes; just like himself so long ago. “Taylor. I’m going to help.” He didn’t give him a choice because he wasn’t willing to hear him refuse. He knew that Taylor needed the spiritual help, and cannot ever be complete without it. “Taylor,” placing an innocent hand onto his back, only to get it pushed away again. Sighing in unnoticed defeat, Fred turned his back to him and ushered himself out the door.

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“Why?” his voice was nearly above a whisper, it was merely audible enough for Fred to catch faintly. “Why are you doing this?” Raspy and sere, Taylor clutched his fists in order to test his remaining strength. Although overcome with sympathy for the injured youth, Fred resisted the urge to rush to his side. He needs to learn for himself, he reasoned with himself. This I cannot do for him. From this time forward, he would not try to force reason onto Taylor; instead he shall give him a choice.

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“Righteousness or suffering?” Taylor rolled over on his back to look Fred in the eyes. Then, in a straight-out tone, he asked in a rude and disbelieving manner, “What?” Taking in an understanding breathe to clear out any thoughts of backing out, Fred went over to him and matched their gazes. Taylor was surprised to see the determination and a fire aflame deep in the unfathomable depths that accompanied his aged eyes. But still, despite the mystified look plastered onto Taylor’s face, Fred continued.

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“Righteousness…” A pause for affect. “Or suffering?” It amazed Fred on how long someone is able to hold out a stare. Why wasn’t he answering? Was he really hesitating? How hard can the choice be? It’s not as if both choices were painstakingly similar and no matter what choice, something will always be gained but barely any lost. This was a straight-forward question, with only two choices. Nonetheless, the choice that he makes will affect his life forever, and by forever, it’s all eternity…

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“Taylor… what’s your choice?” Shaking his head, he still held onto his steadfast stare. “What are you talking about old man?” He spat with disgust. “First you decide to do some weird mercy thing by letting me go free and then you decide to visit me in the hospital?” Holding up his arms and waving them about to further emphasize his point, Taylor ranted on and on. Meanwhile, Fred uncomplainingly waited for when he would

eventually wear out. He had expected this reaction.

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“Just leave me alone!” Clutching onto his head, Taylor burst out into a mess of colorful words that caused Fred to twitch slightly due to the sudden confrontation to such an array of ghastly vocabulary. “Taylor…” Maybe he was getting a bit out of hand. Preparing the reach out whenever the situation was deemed necessary, Fred tried to calm the tired and flustered teen.

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  “Why do you have to be here?” He cried out between lurching sobs. “Why can’t you all just leave me alone?” Fred smiled considerately at this forlorn statement. He knew why he said it, and how to answer to it.

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  “Because… when you are emotionally hurt, comfort from another human being is unmatchable. Especially from those who truly care about you,” instantaneously, Taylor lifted his head up, studying the serious expression on Fred’s compassionate face. What could be said about that proclamation? But, did he really mean what he had just said?

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  “But, wha-“ Fred lifted a hand to silence him. “Come and ask.” He smiled gently at the surprised look that crossed his face. “When hoards of questions swarm into your mind, come and we’ll talk. Trust me,” he took his hand in his, rubbing comfortably in the manner of a dear grandpa. “You’ll learn more then you anticipated for…”