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The sun is shining in a clear blue sky as the ferry boat docks at Port Lucia Island, and the hostesses hurry onto the set of the faith-based reality show, 1700s Life.
“What an exciting party this is going to be,” Lyn says. “I’ve never been on a reality television show. I can’t wait to meet the actors."
Debby pats her hair. “I wonder if they’ll need any extras?”
Mary rolls her eyes. “I don’t think they had hair like yours.”
The hostesses make their way around men with cameras and people dressed in all types of period clothing.
“They film the show as if they’re living in the seventeen hundreds,” Mac says. “Can you imagine having no modern conveniences?”
Lilly’s eyes open wide. “You mean no cell phones, computers, or television?”
“Or hair dryers or curling irons,” Debby says in horror.
“What about indoor bathrooms?” Laverne whispers. “You don’t suppose we have to use outhouses, do you?”
Mary laughs. “It’ll be fun. Just pretend you’ve stepped into a time machine.”
“Here comes Molly,” Lyn says. “And she’s with the stars of the show.”
“Hi, ladies. I’m so glad you’re here,” Molly says. “I’d like you to
meet Harmony Jones, David Hawkins and Elliot Banes.The hostesses smile and wave.
I’d love to try on one of your costumes,” Lilly says, striking a pose. “I can picture myself playing Betsy Ross.”
Laverne pokes her in the ribs. “How about Martha Washington?”
Molly smiles. “I’m sure we could find you a part.”
The hostesses move to where the buffet is set out.
“Everything looks wonderful,” Mary says. “There’s even filet mignon.
Molly nods. “Also baked potatoes, salad, and French bread.”
She grins. “But if you’d like to be bad, there’s chips and dip, loaded nachos, and cheese and crackers.
Plus don’t forget the dessert table with the chocolate pudding cake and death-by-chocolate brownies. Oh, and I almost forgot the chocolate fountain with fruit.”
Mac claps her hands. “You’ve just said my favorite word, chocolate.”
“What’s that Oliver is setting up?” Lyn asks.
“It’s a Soda Stream machine,” Molly replies. “You can make cherry or vanilla or many other kinds of soft drinks.”
“How fun,” Laverne exclaims. “Let’s all try one.”
The hostesses gather around the soft drinks machine and raise their glasses high.
Today's introductory skit was written by Debby Grahll
PURCHASE LINK |
Tired of hiding his
strong faith and convictions to get secular roles, David Hawkins jumps
at the chance to play the curate on 1700s Life. It's the perfect vehicle
to spread God’s word.
Elliot Banes’ career
needs an image makeover, so he accepts the naval hero role on 1700s
Life.
Getting away from his overbearing mother is an added bonus. His true hope is to learn to speak his mind instead of always fading into the background.
Getting away from his overbearing mother is an added bonus. His true hope is to learn to speak his mind instead of always fading into the background.
“Hey,
Patrick.” I pick up one of the pictures from the shrine. It’s a selfie
of us smooshed together making duck faces. “I know you probably planned
all this me living and you not stuff. Even if it was a split second
decision, you’re always putting me in front of you. Why would the day of
the accident be any different? I guess I should say thanks, but words
seem so hollow right now. You gave your life for mine. How can I ever
repay that? Mom’s going to say your death is all part of God’s plan, but
I never made a plan that didn’t have you in it. I don’t know how. Maybe
God can help me with that one.”
I set down the
picture, lace my fingers tightly together, and close my eyes. “Dear
God, hi, it’s me Harmony. I know you bring a lot of comfort to a lot of
people — Mom and me included — so I wanted to ask you, how do I get
through this? When does it get easier? When will I stop feeling like
half of me is gone? I don’t know how to live without Patrick. I wish I
didn’t have to start now. I wish this was all just some horrible
nightmare that I’ll wake up from and everything will be back to normal.
Me plus Patrick is normal. I don’t know any other way to be. Help me.
Help me find my way. Help me to know this is all part of some master
plan. I can’t accept Patrick died for nothing. I won’t accept it. Help
me. Please, help me.”
I keep my eyes shut and
my hands clasped together. I wait. I listen. I look deep inside my soul
and hope the answer is there. Memories are there, like the time Patrick
and I organized a water balloon war at Bible Summer Camp or when Mom
made sure she had every “Bible edition” of popular games so we could
still play them without compromising our core beliefs. As we got older,
Mom let us explore and question the meaning behind those core beliefs,
but we never strayed from them. Faith is a comfort, like a close friend
who never leaves you. That’s how I felt about Patrick, too. He was more
than a brother. He was my best friend. Sometimes I thought he knew me
better than I knew myself.
“How am I ever going to live without you?”
I
wait for a sign, but there’s no big revelation or clap of knowingness
where the sky opens up and angels sing. There’s no voice telling me
everything is going to be all right. There’s just emptiness. When I need
His comfort the most, God abandons me.
So I abandon Him.
AUTHOR BIO:
MOLLY
ZENK was born in Minnesota, grew up in Florida, lived briefly in
Tennessee and now lives in Colorado. She writes across many fiction
genres including young adult, new adult, historical, mystery, romance,
and Christian. She is married to a Mathematician who complains about
there not being enough “math” in her author bio. They live in Arvada, CO
with their three young daughters.
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