"Jesus? I'm not sure. I don't think so. I don't know. Why do you ask that?"
"Because to some people He's a rock of offense, that's what the Bible says. Some are just completely closed to the idea. To some, He's a cornerstone, a stepping stone, a solid ground to stand on, and to others, He's a stumbling block, a rock of offense."
"No, I don't think I'm offended. I just don't understand the appeal—not based on what I've seen of it with other people."
"What about me?"
"Well, you're cool. I didn't even know you were… I mean, you don't go shoving it down people's throats. Audrey's like that, too. You guys are the cool ones."
"You would be too," Sam said. "And you would understand the appeal, if you studied it right. I’m sorry to put it like that. I'm just saying… the book itself is supernatural. If you let it sink in, it changes you. It's a gift to know your eternal destiny. Real Christianity's about love and freedom and redemption. All that other stuff's just human error."
"Well… " Ash hesitated. "I've never looked at it like that…" he said, smiling at his friend. "I guess I'll have to give it a shot one of these days."
"Do you have a Bible?"
Ash shrugged. "Probably at my parents' house somewhere. Something someone gave me when I was a kid."
"Well, I'm going to order you one," Sam said. "Even if you don't—"
Sam was in the process of picking up his phone while he was talking, and Ash cut him off. "You don't have to get a Bible right this second," he said.
"I’m not, I'm ordering food."
"Oh."
"What do you want?"
"Sub sandwich, Greek, anything really. Whatever you think."
Sam went on to order food, and that was all they said about it.
Sam also ordered the Bible. It was only a day or two later when he handed it to Ash. It was a nice one, bound in brown leather with thin pages that were so brand new they stuck together.
In the days that followed, Ash made it a goal to study it. He found reputable resources, downloading three different apps on his phone.
It was about a week later when he read something that made things start to sink in. One of the things he was reading was talking about Old Testament prophecy, and Ash suddenly appreciated the significance of human history itself bending toward Jesus. Historical events were foretold, and then they came to pass. We had the benefit of seeing that ancient prophecies all got fulfilled in the life of one Man. God in the flesh.
Ash understood it in a way that there was nothing for him to do but repent and fall subject to such a God. Jesus was real. All of time itself revolved around His appearing on this earth—right down to B.C. and A.D. Sam was right. The more Ash got to know about the Bible, the more amazing it was. Believing the words of the Bible gave him a new perspective on life and its circumstances. Working with Luke in Hollywood and understanding what he wanted became easier because Ash wasn't so worried about impressing him.
There was one person he was still worried about impressing, though. Her name was Audrey. He still had a few days in California, and it might as well be a lifetime. They tried to work it out where she and Luna came for the weekend, but they just couldn't.
When Ash first made plans and bought his ticket, he wasn't thinking about Chicago the musical. He had Luke's schedule, and he made his flight arrangements accordingly. Ash was supposed to go home on a Wednesday, and the last performance of Chicago would take place the Sunday before.
As the month passed, Ash realized how much he dreaded missing it. He really wanted to see the show. He had been working hard, and he knew Luke would understand if he askedto head back home early. They had accomplished a lot in the month that Ash was in California, and Luke was happy to rearrange the last few days so that Ash could head back early.
He changed his flight. He would now be home Sunday at 1pm—just in time to see the final performance of Chicago. His family was coming too.
Audrey had no idea.
Chapter 17
Audrey
The last weekend of February
I had given Ash ample time to change his mind and run. I told him we should break up while he was in California so that he could pursue other people and opportunities. I wanted him to be able to spread his wings out there. That was a conversation we had before he left, and I had been completely sincere when I said it to him, but Ash had laughed. He thought it was hilarious that I would want to temporarily break up, and told me I was being silly. He said there was no one who could tempt him and that he was counting the minutes until he could be back in Montana with me.
When he had left for California, I didn't have much hope. I thought he would find satisfaction with someone who was less complicated than me. I hated the thought of that, but could not help but doubt. But the time didn't seem to lessen his feelings. It may have done the opposite. Ash seemed to really miss me when he was there.
