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Chapter 19 - Collision Course

By now, Vic was almost happy to have Kari sitting beside him. If nothing else, the constant chattering gave him something to think about other than Dani being late again. Her friends had shown up almost an hour ago—Shelly, the rest of the church youth group, most of whose names he didn't know, even Jon arrived a few minutes ago. 

Just like her to be late and not bother saying anything. 

Vic hurt for Dad, knowing Dani's irresponsibility ate at him as he forced a smile and mingled with the crowd. 

"So, what do you think?" Kari touched his arm for the hundredth time. Vic tried to remember what she'd been talking about. Came up blank. Shrugged. 

"Yeah, I know," she said. "I just don't know if…"

Whatever Kari said next faded into the background noise as Vic watched Dad wheel up to Jon. With Dad's back to him, Vic couldn't tell if he was reading him the riot act, but Jon kept shifting his weight, shoulders hunched and eyes low, occasionally darting to the window. By the look of it, Jon was either explaining himself or that he didn't know why Dani was late, either.

Well, why would he? She should've come straight from school. 

Whatever they'd said, Jon didn't stay long. Was that worry on his face as he hit the door, checking his watch? Vic made a mental note to clue Jon in about Dani's tardiness habit. Guy will worry himself sick if he expects Dani to be on time. He decided next time he talked to Jon, he'd apologize for how direct Dad can be. I don't want him dating Dani either, but…

"You think he's really saved?" Kari said, earrings flopping. "I mean, he still plays in that band."

"I think we need to be careful not to drown baby Christians." His tone was harsher than he'd intended. Seeing her jerk back, he softened it. "Give God time to deal with his heart. Dani seems to think it's real." 

Not even going to mention Dani's playing in the band now. 

Her look suggested she wasn't impressed with Dani's discernment, but she let the matter drop as Shelly dropped into the seat on the other side of her, sipping a bottle of 7-Up. She looked pale as she put her head on Kari's shoulder. 

***

Dani woke with a start. Head splitting. Tried to focus. Fluorescent blur. Two-headed Julie, rocking back and forth in her crisp police uniform, service caps tucked under each of her left arms. 

Dani blinked until Julie was down to a single head and tried to sit up. Back came the second head and a third. Someone on the other side of her put a hand on Dani's shoulder and told her to lay back, asking if she was in pain as she poked, prodded, and took vitals. 

"Just my head," Dani lied, looking at Julie. "Got a mirror?"

Julie looked surprised at the request but pulled a small compact from her pocket. 

Dani flipped it open. Groaned. 

"Nothing that won't heal," Julie said. "Car's not so lucky. I need to stop running into you Grassiglis on the side of the road."

As if on cue, Vic wheeled Daddy into the tiny room, flanked by Kari, Shelly, and Grandpa and Grandma Callahan. 

Julie's jaw flexed when Kari let out a light gasp and put her arm around Vic's waist, but the expression was fleeting. 

"Looks like my work is done here," Julie said. "Full report will be at the station if you want to see it." Julie put a warm hand on Dani's shoulder and looked up at Vic. "Take care of yourself. And happy birthday."

The nurse shooed everyone but Daddy out, directing them to the waiting room. 

"Doctor will be around soon. If they decide to keep her overnight, you can visit after that."

"If?" Vic asked on his way out.

"Busy night," the nurse said. "Early tests suggest she's OK. Unless she's showing trauma, he'll probably send her home."

As Dani faded back into sleep, she felt Daddy's rough hand envelope hers.

***

Vic shuffled as fast as he dared down the hospital hallways, drawing disapproving stares from a doctor and a pair of nurses along the way. 

Can't leave the grands in the waiting room long by themselves, but I've got to figure out which way she went. 

By the time it occurred to him he'd have a better shot of catching Julie by the exit or in the parking lot, he knew it was too late anyway. He'd have to wait and call her when she got off her shift—not for a couple more hours. 

He knew he couldn't date her. Definitely can't put myself in that kind of temptation again. He knew he'd done the right thing fleeing temptation that night. But I do care about her. Maybe even love her. No. That's crazy. She's not even a believer. No way I can let that happen. But she does deserve to hear that from me. And whatever else happened, he didn't want Julie thinking there was anything between him and Kari. Nothing outside of Kari's imagination, anyway. 

***

Dani woke to Jon holding her hand. Daddy, Vic, and everyone else who had come earlier sat wherever they could find a spot around the room. Everyone but Julie, anyway. 

Someone had brought in an enormous birthday cake on a rolling dinner tray table. Eighteen pink and twenty-three blue candles topped it, unlit. Looked like carrot cake. Her favorite. Didn't look like she was going home tonight. 

Daddy smiled when he noticed her awake. She tried to smile back, but her head throbbed. Not quite as bad as before, but enough to make her grimace. 

"I don't want to spend my birthday here."

"Doc said you're probably OK," Jon said. "But they want to keep you overnight just in case."

"We can celebrate tomorrow," Daddy said. "Or the next day. Whenever you're up to it."

"No, I'll be all right."

Daddy looked at Vic, who nodded and looked around the room. Dani thought he even looked approvingly at Jon. His brow furrowed as he looked at the cake. Jon, seeming to sense what bothered him, fished a lighter out of his jeans. Daddy inhaled sharply but didn't say anything as he lit the candles. 

Dani smiled wanly as they sang "Happy Birthday." Kari sang the "happy Happy birthdayBirthday; God bless Bless youYou" version they always sang in youth group while everyone else sang the normal words. Jon, do you really have to put on the rock star voice? I mean, it's "Happy Birthday." 

Vic covered any slack her bruises caused as the two blew out the candles. 

Dani slumped back. "My car…"

Daddy hushed her. "Another day. You made it out, no small thanks to Julie." 

Kari's smile faded a pinch, but she immediately pushed it back into chipper mode, cutting cake and serving. 

As they finished up, Daddy sat straighter, speaking up as much as he could without drawing the nurse's ire. "I'd hoped to make a big deal of this and announce your presents in front of everyone, but…"

Jon's face lit up. Dani smiled, sure she'd hinted just enough. 

"There are several smaller gifts for each of you back at the shop, of course, but I don't want to hold off telling you about your big gift."

Dani squeezed Jon's hand, stifling a squeal. 

Daddy produced two stacks of legal-looking papers. 

What?

"I'm giving you each a third of the company."

Dani felt Jon's hand go limp in hers. 

"You've proven you can run it, even without me. And I've always dreamed of passing it on. I'll split my remaining third evenly between the two of you in a few years when I retire, and it'll be your business to run, with the provision that you need to keep it in the family. But for now, you'll be full partners. You'll have as much say as I do in all things and equal ownership of all property. Includes all the rolling stock—except my Trans Am, of course."

Daddy rolled over and brushed tears from her cheek with the back of his hand, smiling wider than she'd ever seen. 

"Figured you'd be happy, but speechless and in tears? Knew in my gut this was the right—"

"How could you?" Dani brushed away the rest of her tears, feeling her face flush. "Daddy, really? I don't want your company. You think I want to spend the rest of my life in some smelly old garage?"

She regretted it even as she said it. Hated herself for the hurt she knew she was chiseling onto a face that never showed pain. But she couldn't stop. "I'm a musician, Dad! A musician!"

"That's enough." 

She could tell he was fighting to control his tone. 

Vic stood, speechless. 

Figures. He'd take Daddy's side, anyway. 

"I told you what I wanted—lights, equipment, stuff we need. For the band!"

Kari spoke up. "The first commandment with promise…"

"Who in the world asked you?" Dani retreated into herself, flaring back at her father. "I'm not a little girl anymore! Why can't I just have my half in cash so I can follow my own dreams?"

The door burst open. A ham-faced nurse. When she spoke, it registered just above a whisper. May as well have thundered. "Everyone. Out. Now."

Dani swung her legs over the side of the bed. 

"Not. You." If Ham-Face's voice didn't convey business, her eyes sure did. 

Dani's room was cleared. Her head wasn't. She stewed. How could Daddy think I'd want that? And I can't even sell it? How are we supposed to go on tour now? How dare they treat me like I'm still a little kid. Who does he think he is, making decisions for me?

She wished Jon was here, but the nurse had kicked everyone out and sent them home, declaring visiting hours over. No matter what the sign said. 

When Ham-Face returned an hour later, Dani met her with the question, "Do I really have to stay here?"

"Doctor wants to make sure you're not having problems, no concussion or anything."

Dani let the nurse continue her checks. Everything looked OK, but the nurse said the doctor preferred twenty-four hours under observation. 

"Can I go?"

"You really should stay."

The door had barely closed behind the nurse when Dani reached over for the hospital phone. 

A sleepy voice answered. 

"Come get me. I'm an adult. I'll sign myself out."

***

Julie waved off the backslappers directing her to an empty stool and walked over to Vic. He turned his attention to his draft. Never did find out what kind of beer is in my glass. Is there really a difference? 

"How many have you had?" Julie said, concern in her voice.

I must look guilty. 

She slipped into the seat next to him.

"Still on his first," the waitress said, behind her. 

"Couple of root beers," Julie said, reaching over and taking a bite of his untouched burger. She came as close to making a face as she ever did. "How long's this been sitting here?"

"Sorry I didn't call."

She shrugged. Raised her shoulders half an inch, anyway. 

"Bible says to flee temptation." He slumped, pushing the beer away as the waitress set the root beers down. 

"That what I am?" A hint of a smile teased the corners of her lips. 

Is that sadness in her eyes or just poor lighting?

"Also says not to be unequally yoked."

"Unequally what?"

"Means I can't marry someone who isn't saved. I'm going to be a missionary."

"Wasn't hearing wedding bells. And I didn't realize I needed saving."

"We all do."

She sat back, nursing the root beer and taking another bite of his cold burger. "They make the best burgers here. Better hot, though."

Vic made eye contact, looking as long and deep as he had on her balcony. "We've all sinned."

She smiled, nodded, motioned the waitress, ordered fries.

She's clearly not taking me seriously. At all. Still, have to try to sow seed. Maybe someday, she'll look back on it. 

"Because we've all sinned, all done things we shouldn't and failed to do things we should, we all deserve justice," he began, matching the beginning of Pastor Stenger's weekly altar call word-for-word. "God's justice for unrepented sin is eternal punishment. In hell."

"Sounds harsh."

"To us, yes," Vic admitted. "Because we're not holy. We're not just. We don't usually compare ourselves with what's right and true. We compare ourselves with other sinners, like two prisoners arguing about whose crimes are less serious. Do criminals usually think their sentence is fair?"

She tilted her head.

Acceding the point? 

"But God still loves us." He drained half his root beer. "So much He sent his Son Jesus to die on a cross to pay for our sins. We did the crime; He took the punishment. That's ultimate love. I mean, the Bible says that some might be willing to die for a good person, but God loves us so much that Christ died for us even when we were sinners."

The waitress set the fries down, hovering close by. 

"He calls us to repent—to turn around—and just believe that He paid the price for our sin, that He wants to save us. That He wants us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. All He wants is our heart."

She finished the burger and wiped at her chin. "Sign me up."

"Me, too," the waitress said. 

He felt like his head was on a swivel, looking between the two. "Just like that?" He'd had people respond to altar calls when he'd preached, but this was the first time he'd ever led someone to Christ one-on-one. 

"Isn't that what you said?" Julie said. "It's in the Bible, right?"

He picked his jaw off the floor and nodded. 

"I believe," Julie said, her voice and expression as deadpan as ever. "Jesus wants to save me. I've sinned. I need it. I want to be saved." 

"Me, too, if he can forgive me," the waitress said, wiping tears. 

Vic stuttered his way through leading them both in a simple prayer, admitting they had sinned, acknowledging their need for a savior, confessing they believed that Jesus died for them and that God had raised Him from the dead, and that they wanted Him to save them and to rule in their hearts and lives. 

"Amen," they repeated.

The waitress, still dabbing her eyes, wandered off to help other customers, leaving Vic to stare at his new convert in stunned silence. 

Finally, he said, "You know what this means?"

"If you and the preacher are right, that I'm going to heaven."

"No. Well, yeah, that. But," Vic said, taking her hand, "this means we can date now. I mean, we still probably shouldn't be in your apartment alone, but we can have a relationship."

"The yoked thing?"

He nodded vigorously. 

"Jesus seems like a no-brainer," she said, pulling her hand back. "You, I'm going to need to take some time to think about."

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