Chapter Six

The restaurant wasn’t at all crowded. People must have preferred to get a hotel room and find a place to eat there. The flight to Tennessee would not leave until eight the following morning. Sarah sat with Tyler and his Dad, enjoying their conversation and joking manner. It was obvious they loved each other very much.

“Hey, Dad,” Tyler said “bet you can’t eat all that steak.”

“Oh yeah?” His Dad countered while looking over his plate. “And what’s the prize if I do?”

“If you do, I’ll wash the car every Saturday for a month. And if you don’t, I get to take the car out every Saturday for a month.” Tyler was smiling as he laid out his bet. His eyes were shining. It was obvious to Sarah they did this often.

“Well now, I’m not sure that’s a bet I’m willing to make.” Mr. Williams took a bite of his steak before continuing. He moved the meat into his left cheek and said “Your Mother likes to go out for dinner now and again on a Saturday night, and she may not take too kindly to my wagering the car.” He wiggled his knife at Tyler and winked.

“Well then, you better eat all that steak whether you’re hungry or not.” Tyler replied.

“And why is that?” Asked his Father.

“Well, you wouldn’t want me to have bragging rights at the next Williams gathering. I’ll tell everyone I finally found a bet you were too chicken to take!” Tyler laughed.

Mr. Williams looked at his steak, then back at his son. “We definitely can’t have that. I’ve never backed down from a dare in all my fifty-four years.” He sighed and said “I guess you’ve got yourself a deal, Son. Even if it kills me. You just tell your Mother I loved her.” And he put another piece of steak into his mouth.

At this, Tyler cackled with laughter, and Sarah could no longer contain her giggles. They ate in comfortable silence then for a few minutes. Sarah was enjoying her food. It was some of the best she’d ever had. Since she’d been living on gas station and burger joint food, this was a real treat. It was almost like they were sitting at home together having dinner at the table. Sarah wondered if this was what it was like to be part of a real family.

“So, Sarah. What are you planning to study in school?” Mr. Williams asked. “Have you decided, or are you going to get your general courses out of the way first, and then see what’s what?”

Sarah swallowed the bite she was chewing, and wiped her mouth with a napkin before answering. “I already know what I want to do. I want to be a teacher. I just haven’t decided if it will be K-12 or older children. I think I’ll wait until I have some experience in the classroom before deciding.”

Mr. Williams looked impressed. “And may I ask why you’ve chosen to be a teacher? It’s not an easy thing to do in this day and age. There are a lot of rebellious youth out there. I must say I admire your courage.”

“Well,” Sarah began. She thought about what exactly she should say before continuing. “I didn’t have a very good home life growing up, and there were a lot of teachers who cared about me and helped me a lot. They were very encouraging, and I believe without their support I may not be here right now. School was one place I felt safe, so I threw myself into my studies. And it’s paid off.” Sarah took a drink of her lemon water.
Mr. Williams looked thoughtful for a moment before continuing the conversation. “I’m sorry to hear that you had such a hard time growing up. It takes courage and initiative to rise above your circumstances and make a way for yourself. I’m sure you’re a very hard worker. You’re to be commended. If you don’t mind my asking, just how well have your studies paid off?

Sarah smiled. She didn’t normally like talking about herself, but Mr. Williams didn’t seem to mind she hadn’t had the perfect home life. Besides, he had no idea how bad it truly had been. And he told her she had courage and initiative. It felt good to be praised for working hard.

“I don’t mind at all. I am state-winning Cross Country runner, and I have carried a 4.3 GPA. I’ve taken every advanced class that my school offers, and I am graduating with honors as the valedictorian of my class. The college we’re visiting this weekend has offered me a full ride.”

As Sarah finished her sentence, she realized maybe she sounded proud. While she had worked hard and was proud of herself, she hated that trait in other people. She quickly added “I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging. I know I don’t deserve any of those things. I need the scholarship or I won’t be able to go to college at all. My Mother can’t help me pay for it, and I have no idea where my Father is, if he’s even still alive. I don’t even remember him.”

She took a long sip from her water glass, then picked the seeds out of a tomato in her salad. She had said too much. They were both strangely quiet. Soon they would start asking questions, and she wasn’t prepared to answer them. She excused herself to the restroom to regain her composure.

When Sarah left the table, the Williams men took the opportunity to discuss her spiritual state. “Tyler, has Sarah said anything to you that would indicate she knows the Lord?”

“No, Dad. She said she’s never even been inside a church, and that her family has never been either. Now we know she has no relationship with her Dad. Oh, and she told me she’s never met her Mom’s parents. Doesn’t sound like a very happy home.” Tyler shook his head before biting into his burger.

“Well, let’s not press her for information. It seems she’s already said more than she intended. The Lord may be working on her, but we need to be careful not to pressure her. Will you commit to pray with me for her this weekend?” Mr. Williams face was serious as he questioned his son.

“Sure, Dad. I have been praying God would give me an opportunity to witness to her. It just hasn’t been the right time.” Tyler smiled briefly to himself as he said “But I think He’s doing something there.” Tyler turned back to his burger. A few more bites and he would be finished.

“Good. I believe Christ will be honored if you start your interest in her at a spiritual level.” Mr. Williams gave Tyler a knowing look. Sarah arrived back at the table before Tyler could say anything in response. He sat for a moment with his mouth hanging open, burger poised in front of his mouth.

“Everything ok?” Sarah asked as she sat and replaced her napkin. “I can’t wait to get back to my food. This has been one of the best meals I have ever had. Thanks Mr. Williams for including me.” She smiled and went back to eating.

Both the men seemed content to eat in thoughtful silence, and Sarah was thankful they didn’t ask any more questions about her past. She was already very embarrassed that she kept spouting out personal things.

She looked back and forth between the men as they picked back up the dare conversation. Mr. Williams had about 1/3 of his steak remaining. He was looking a bit full. He kept puffing out his cheeks and letting the air from his lungs vibrate his lips like a horse.

“Well, Son looks like you’re going to win this bet after all. But don’t say I didn’t try!” Mr. Williams patted his stomach, and finally laid his napkin over his plate in defeat. “I’ll just have to take your Mother out on Fridays instead.” He laughed.

The rest of the meal through dessert continued in good-natured teasing. When Mr. Williams found out Sarah was from Orrville, his son’s football rival, he joked Sarah was going to have to pay for dinner.

Sarah looked between the two men again. She wasn’t just content, she felt truly happy. She didn’t remember ever feeling like this. It was certainly an evening she wouldn’t soon forget.

******************

As they were walking from the restaurant a short while later, Sarah started wondering what they would do all night. She didn’t want to share a hotel room with them, but she couldn’t afford one of her own. She would wait and see what happened. Maybe they were planning to sleep on the chairs at the gate. That was just fine with Sarah. She had slept in a lot worse places.

Tyler looked over as they were walking and smiled at her. He was the first guy she’d ever felt comfortable with. The other guys at school were creeps. They would look her over with an approving stare, much like the men her Mother kept company with. But not Tyler. He had been every inch a gentleman. There was definitely something different about him.

They walked past their gate, and when Sarah shot a questioning look at Mr. Williams he explained “Well, I took the liberty of booking us in a nearby hotel. No use in us being uncomfortable. You two need to be your best this weekend. You’ll be taking in a lot of information, and may be asked to decide you living quarters and things. It won’t do for you to be dragging your feet. We wouldn’t want them to rethink their scholarship offers, now would we?” He smiled as they walked and adjusted his bag over his shoulder. Tyler had taken Sarah’s bag from her when they left the restaurant and was also carrying his own.

“Tyler and I will share one room, and I booked you a room of your own as well Sarah. I hope that’s alright.” Mr. Williams looked over at her, but couldn’t gage her reaction.

“Oh. That’s very kind of you.” Sarah managed to get out through her surprise. “I don’t expect you to pay for it, though. I don’t have the money with me right now, but I will pay you back when we get home.”

“Don’t you worry. If it were Tyler with another family I would want someone to help him in the same way.” Mr. Williams stopped and looked at her before continuing. It’s just one way God has told me to help you. I believe He has big plans for you, Sarah. I’m just obeying what He’s given me to do. Don’t think another minute about paying me back. It’s the Lord’s money anyway.”

Sarah was at a loss for words again. Never in her life had someone paid for her to stay in a hotel. And she had never heard anyone say that their money was God’s. A room all to herself with her own bathroom? Well, she could hardly wait to get there and enjoy the comfort of carpet, painted walls, and a real bed. Oh, and she would take a long bubble bath. She had a lot to think about.