Authors: Beverly Lewis
Girls Only! (34 page)
Manda was getting antsy. She headed for the steps. “Do you mind if we talk more later?” she asked.
“Why, honey?” Mom followed her to the steps. “Are you upset?”
Manda shook her head. Upset was the last thing she was today. “I just need to talk to someone else for a little while, that’s all.”
Mom seemed to understand. “Well, when you’re finished praying, I’ll be here.”
She knows me inside and out
, Manda thought, hurrying up the stairs to her room. Kneeling beside her bed, she prayed, “Dear Lord, thanks for letting me ski well enough to win first place at Dressel Hills. I know I didn’t do it in my own strength. I know you were right there with me.” She paused. “I need forgiveness, Lord. For ignoring you for so long. And for the way I treated my friends . . . and everyone else.”
A warm and gentle peace filled her heart. “Uncle Frank says I must forgive Dad,” she continued. “Well, now might be the time. I don’t know how you’ll help me do it, but at least you know I’m ready. One more thing: Please bless my mom and Mr. Greenberg in their marriage. Make it an extra-long-lasting one, a forever kind of love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Star Status
Chapter Sixteen
At the next meeting of Girls Only, Manda shared her moving news. “Mom says all of you can come see us anytime. And there’s always the phone or email,” she said, trying to soften the blow. “I know it won’t be the same. Not even close.”
Heather started to cry, and Livvy got quieter than she usually was. Jenna, though, came over and hugged Manda. And then they were all hugging her and one another.
“This isn’t the end, not really,” Manda said. “We’re just moving ahead with life . . . wherever God wants us to be.”
“That doesn’t make it hurt any less,” Heather said, brushing away tears.
Livvy nodded. “I remember how I felt when Dad and I first moved here. It was so hard. But then it got easier when I made friends with all of you.”
Jenna suddenly snapped her fingers. “Hey, maybe Manda could start up another Girls Only Club—like a sister branch, you know.”
Manda hadn’t thought of that, but Jen’s idea was fantastic. “Maybe someday there will be a bunch of clubs like ours all over the country. Who knows?”
“That
would be
cool,” said Heather. “Like if my family moved away, too. Maybe to Lake Placid in New York or somewhere. I could start a Girls Only Club there.”
Manda, Livvy, and Jenna turned and stared at Heather. “What?” they said in unison.
Heather backed away from them, holding out her hands, palms out. “Uh, I didn’t say we’re moving tomorrow or anything,” she said.
“But are you actually thinking of moving?” Jenna asked, eyes blinking rapidly.
Heather shrugged. “My parents have talked about it. Kevin and I would have better skating opportunities if we did.”
“So it’s just a
might
happen?” Manda asked.
Heather nodded slowly. “Who knows.”
Jenna paced the floor, back and forth two times. “So . . . is anyone
else
leaving town?”
The room was still.
“Hey, it’s not the end for us,” Manda said softly. “In some ways, it’s just the beginning.”
“Right, for our athletic dreams,” added Heather.
“Our friendship is solid now,” Manda said. “We just found out how strong.”
“And don’t forget, we can pray for each other, wherever we are,” Livvy said in a near whisper.
“Oh yeah, we’ll pray, all right,” Jenna said, chuckling. “We’ll ask God to keep Manda and Heather right here in Alpine Lake!”
That brought a flurry of laughter. Manda knew Jenna meant well. Jen had a good heart. Always had. Nothing—not moving away or starting over with new friends in a different town—was going to change how Manda felt about her cool friends here in Colorado.
In God’s eyes, each of them were stars, talented in various ways. Each girl gifted uniquely.
Manda also knew in her heart that she would take seriously the short time she had left in Alpine Lake. Because, just as in sports competition, when it comes to friendship, every precious second counts.
M
ORE
E
XCITING
F
ICTION
F
ROM
Beverly Lewis
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