When they arrived home, the first thing Mrs. Lepley did was turn down the bed in the spare room, and make sure Monica had everything she needed. She brought her a set of towels for the bathroom across the hall, then left her be.
Monica sat wearily on the bed. Her body ached for sleep, but her mind would not stop. She played out the events of the night over and again in her mind. She couldn’t believe she’d almost let Joe lure her back into using.
She knelt by the bed and cried out to God. “Lord, I have failed you already. I’m sorry. I didn’t think it would be this hard. Please help me to overcome my past and the addiction I have to cocaine. I want a new life from this point on. Please forgive me. I need Your strength. I don’t know if I can go through that again and come away sober. Thank you for Your forgiveness and love in my life. In Jesus name, amen.”
She crawled under the covers and tried to sleep. As the softness of the pillow registered to her mind, she felt herself slowly slip under the covers of sleep.
*****************************************
Sunlight peeking through the veil of curtains mingled with the sounds of people moving downstairs. They tugged at Monica to awaken, and she did so reluctantly. At first the fact the window was on the wrong side of the room startled her. Then she remembered she wasn’t home. She was with the Lepleys. Monica pulled the robe she had packed, and went downstairs to greet the morning.
Both Mr. and Mrs. were seated at the table with coffee warming their hands. When Monica entered, they looked up and smiled. Monica stuffed her hands into the oversize pockets on the front of her robe.
“Good morning Monica. All rested up? I hope we didn’t wake you. We’re not used to having other people in the house, and since we’re getting older we wake with the sunrise whether we want to or not. Can’t be helped.” Mrs. Lepley went to the cupboard and took out another mug. She filled it and brought it to Monica.
“Well, I heard you, but the sun was doing a pretty good job of waking me on its own.” Monica took the steaming mug and thanked Mrs. Lepley before adding sugar and milk from containers on the table. She sat across from Mr. Lepley. “What time is church?” she asked.
“We’ve got plenty of time. Hank and I wanted to talk with you about last night. We need the whole truth, Monica, or we won’t be able to help you. You know that.” Mrs. Lepley took a long sip from her mug. “So, what happened?”
Monica should have known they would want the whole story. She was still shamed by her behavior, but she wanted their help. She needed their help. That compelled her to be totally honest.
She told them how her house was a wreck and she wanted to clean to avoid the temptation to use cocaine, and get the house ready for the market at the same time.
Then she recounted how she heard the sound on the deck, and how Joe had gotten into the house and almost convinced her to use. She thanked them for coming to the rescue. She didn’t know what would have happened to her had they not shown up.
Mr. Lepley spoke this time. “I think it goes without saying that the sooner you move on to
Mrs. Lepley made eggs and biscuits, and warmed more coffee. When they had all eaten their fill, Monica offered to clear the table. The Lepleys went upstairs. Monica thought again about last night’s events. She had promised Joe she would pay him what she owed him. The problem was she just didn’t have the money.
As she scraped plates and rinsed them, she thought about how she could get the money. She would be turning in her notice tomorrow at work, and needed the money from her last check to pay the mortgage on the house. Though she would have the electric and water turned off, it wouldn’t save her much. And Joe would expect her to pay him soon. She would just have to pray God would send her what she needed.
*****************************************
Monica prepared for church as quickly as possible, not wanting to make the Lepleys wait. She had showered out of necessity, and dressed in the only other clean dress she owned. Monica went downstairs, fully expecting the Lepleys to be waiting for her.
When she saw that she was alone, she sat on the couch and crossed her legs, folding her hands in her lap. The kitchen was clean, her bed was made, and her things put in order. She tried to think of something else she could do to help, but there was nothing.
A few moments later the Lepleys came down, dressed and ready to go. Monica stood to meet them, and together they headed out the door. Monica needed a word from the Lord today. She felt troubled about many things. Her only hope was the strength contained in the words between the pages of the new Bible the Lepleys had just given her.
*****************************************
When they arrived at church, Tim met them in the lobby and walked with Monica to what he described as the older singles’ class. He explained that some of the people in class were also involved with Celebrate Recovery, but they didn’t have their own class on Sunday mornings because privacy was essential to their ministry. If people didn’t feel safe, they wouldn’t come, period.
There were about forty people milling around the room having coffee and various breakfast pastries. When Tim walked in, several women turned his way and smiled. Monica felt self-conscious. He was obviously well liked.
The people she met that morning were very friendly. The teacher had spoken God’s Word with authority and passion. Life she hadn’t felt in a long time now coursed through her. She felt a sense of belonging, as if she’d been reunited with long lost family.
Between services some people fellowshipped in the oversize lobby while others hurried through it to get their children to class. Monica stood next to Tim as he spoke briefly with several people about the next Celebrate Recovery meeting.
Finally Tim turned to her and asked what she thought of class. “Oh, it was great.” Monica said. “That man is a gifted speaker. I would enjoy being in his class every week.”
Tim nodded in agreement. “Yeah, Steve is a great teacher. He’s a wonderful counselor as well. Several of the men from Celebrate Recovery have weekly sessions with him. He’s a very compassionate person. Where would you like to sit for the service?”
Monica hadn’t expected to sit with Tim. She was grateful he had helped her find the class, and introduced her to people, but she didn’t think it was appropriate to sit with him. They were both single, and someone may get the wrong idea. Not that she didn’t find him attractive, she did. But she couldn’t even begin to think about men at this point in her life.
“Do you think we could sit with the Lepleys? I don’t want them to think I’ve abandoned them.” Monica craned her neck, obviously looking for them.
“I’m sure they would love that. But they’ve recently volunteered to help out in the
Monica felt sheepish. Tim wasn’t trying to be alone with her, he was simply fulfilling a promise. Suddenly the things she had thought seemed foolish. “No, no, of course not. It’s fine. I just didn’t want to leave them out is all. We can sit wherever you like.”
“Great. I usually sit near the middle. I like being surrounded by voices during worship time. Is that alright with you?” Tim waited for her reply.
“Yes, that’s fine. Perfect.” Monica turned and followed Tim into the auditorium.
*****************************************
After the service let out Monica followed Tim yet again as they went to find the Lepleys. “I feel like a lost puppy following you everywhere today.” She said to his back.
“Sorry about that. I know it must be frustrating not knowing where anything is. The more often you come, the sooner you’ll get to know your way around. I really don’t mind helping you though.” He slowed so they could walk side by side. “I didn’t mean to storm ahead.”
They entered a narrow hallway and followed the line of parents to the room where
Hank waved to him and passed on the message to the missus. “That’ll be just fine, Tim. Shouldn’t be but a few minutes. We’ll meet you in the lobby by the north doors.”
Tim turned to Monica and said “Get ready to follow me again. We’ve got to fight our way back to the lobby. Hold on to the sleeve of my jacket, ok?”
Monica didn’t think he was serious. As they turned and re-entered the hallway, Monica gasped quietly at the sea of people they faced. She reached out and grabbed Tim’s sleeve at the elbow. “Ready when you are.” She said.
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