Past Forward- A Serial Novel: Episode 15 by Chautona Havig Read Free Book Online

Hebrews? ”
    “ Several times a year for most of my life .”
    With a deep breath, he plunged forward. “ So what do you make of the verse that says not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together? ”
    “ Well, obviously that Chris —” she paused. “ Wait a minute. Are you saying that you think I am wrong not to go to church every week? ”
    Chad stammered. The word every pounded in his brain. Had she left out every, he could have easily answered yes. Now if he qualified it, he ’ d look like he was waffling. “ I ’ m just wondering what value you place on assembling with God ’ s people .”
    “ Well, if I show up on semi-regular basis, how on earth can that be evidence of forsaking? ”
    “ It isn ’ t. I was just asking —” He knew he was being a coward. Chad took a deep breath. “ What about Acts? ”
    “ What about it? ” Willow ’ s curiosity kept her from feeling attacked much to Chad ’ s relief.
    “ Well, the Christians met from house to house daily. They had the Lord ’ s S upper weekly. It might not be commanded, but doesn ’ t it look implied? ”
    Willow shook her head as though to clear it. “ I don ’ t understand what you ’ re saying, Chad. I think you want something from me , but every time I try to ask, you divert the question .”
    “ I just think that , scripturally speaking, there is strong evidence for making gathering with other Christians on a regular basis a priority in our lives .”
    “ So, you think that whenever you ’ re off of work we should be there? ” She nodded. “ I ’ m good with that .”
    “ I ’ d like, ” he added hesitantly , “ to know that whatever part of our family can be there, will be there, every week .”
    “ You want me to commit to going every week? ”
    He nodded. “ For the most part, yes. I think it ’ s important .”
    She didn’t answer for over a minute. Just as he started to ask her to pray about it, she sighed. “ Ok. I don ’ t make promises when it ’ s raining or freezing out , though .”
    “ You could learn to drive —”
    “ No thanks .” If there was one thing that Willow held no interest in, it was driving. It made no sense to Chad , but he accepted it — usually.
    Several minutes passed with little more than the clinking of silverware on plates to fill the quiet of the kitchen. “ Chad? ”
    “ Mmm hmm? ”
    “ Why didn ’ t you just tell me you wanted me to go? Why all the questions and hemming and the hawing , or whatever you call it . I don ’ t get it . ”
    “ Well, I didn ’ t want to ruin my first night home after going back to work , but tomorrow is Sunday … ”
    “ But, still, I don ’ t understand. Why the hoops? Why not just ask or tell me? ”
    He took a deep breath. Kicking himself for not realizing she ’ d notice h is discomfort, Chad shrugged. “ It’s just that when people suggest that consider doing something different than you ’ ve always done , or worse, imply that you could be wrong — well, you don ’ t take it very well. I didn ’ t want an argument .”
    “ Ouch .”
    Chad grabbed his plate and went to refill it with more chicken. “ This is really good. More tender than the last ones .”
    “ It ’ s younger. I waited too long to kill the other ones .” She smiled up at him as he sat down again. “ Chad, I ’ d rather have an argument than to know you want to say something but don ’ t think I ’ ll like it .”
    “ And I ’ d rather avoid arguments all together. You don ’ t mind the conflict as long as it ’ s resolved. I hate it. I hate conflict .” He sighed. “ Willow, I just don ’ t like to bring up subjects that ’ ll make things awkward between us. I like it when everything is right , and I hate it when we ’ re out of sorts .”
    “ Am I really that bad? ” She smiled at him again but it didn ’ t reach her eyes.
    “ Willow, the last time we had a discussion about something we didn ’ t like, you were ready to call off the