A Jesus Freak

One Thursday in November, between classes he exchanged his books and notebooks at his locker for the next class. He felt odd because, for most of the school year, he had cut this class. Today, he felt proud for going.

Jeff entered the hallway by the side door and walked over to him.

"Hey, haven't seen you outside in the smoking area in a few days. Where have you been?” he inquired, sizing him up. He looked back at the inquisitive questioner. Before he could answer, Jeff stretched out his long, skinny arm, pointed his finger at him. He blurted, “You’re a Jesus Freak now, aren't you?”

You see, several days a week he would hang out in the smoking area at the all boys’ Catholic high school. If a student came to school past 10 AM, his name would get placed on the absentee list. The teachers would think the student was out for the day, so a student could skip most of the day’s classes. Therefore, he came in late and spent most of the day in the smoking area. Two or three days a week he did this, throughout the semester. After the third time a student was late, a Saturday morning detention was awarded the student. So, he exchanged missing most classes two or three days a week for one detention.

The detention lasted about two to three hours. For about an hour he wrote “I shall not’s…”. The rest of the time he cleaned a few bathrooms as well as picked up papers and cigarette butts from the smoking area. He didn't really mind since he attended with Joe, his partner in crime. They’d stay up most of Friday night, then get up and do their penance with Mr. Wheeler (the gym teacher and detention moderator). They had it down to a science!

Now Jeff stood there and accused him, “You’re a Jesus Freak!” Beaming and turning a few different shades of red, he asked Jeff, “How did you know?” Jeff responded, “I just knew it! You look like it! I’ve seen that look before and I know people just like you. They find Jesus and quit smoking and selling dope and getting high--but don't worry, it won’t last long. You’ll be just like them, back partying after awhile.”

He was relieved but surprised that Jeff now knew. How could Jeff tell? However, he was worried and afraid that Jeff was right about his new-found faith. Maybe it would be just a passing phase.

Mr. Wheeler was as shocked as anyone that he had cleaned up his act. If anyone made fun of him, Mr. Wheeler would throw that person up against a locker and say, “You see him, you better be like him!” Then he’d put his arm around him and parade him down the hall. Then he’d pretend to mock him and say things like “Hallelujah, a Jesus Freak!” or “Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!” He did that to make their mocking absurd. After all the time he spent in detention, Mr. Wheeler was one of his biggest fans!

He joined up with a group the other students called by many in the school "The God Squad”. He was one of the guys that used to ridicule them during lunch in the dining hall. They were just a group of individuals that had started to follow Christ and were vocal about it. Since most of the school shunned them, they sat at their own table. There were about eight or ten boys in the group. Some of them wore large crosses around their neck. They’d sit and discuss the Bible or what they were studying in school. Every once in a while someone would come up to the table and say something rude. Occasionally, a crushed paper cup would land on the table. They took it all in stride, embracing the abuse as a badge of honor.

Well, fall turned into winter and winter, to spring. At the beginning of June, he had continued in his new found faith. Some of the students said their goodbyes until next year, others said goodbye for good. Jeff walked over to him on the way to his car and said, “It’s incredible—you completed the school year and you’re still a Jesus Freak!” He shook his head and his hand.

Ten years later, he saw Jeff at a wave pool miles from his home. They engaged in small talk for a while, but he could tell something was on Jeff’s mind.

After awhile, he asked, “Are you still a Christian?” (He did not say Jesus Freak!) He answered, “Sure.” Jeff just stared at him. After a few seconds he shook his head and said, “Dang, you are the first person that I ever knew that stayed a Christian that long!”

They chatted some more about religion and God. It sounded as if Jeff had some familiarity with a 12-Step Program. It was the way he phrased his language. He did not pry and Jeff did not volunteer any more information. Jeff seemed to have a new-found respect for someone who believes.The afternoon came to and end. They said goodbye and good luck. He nodded his head and shook his hand. Walking to his car he thought about what Jeff said.

Ten years—had ten years gone by?

It had and he was still a Jesus Freak!

© 2013 ajwrites57
A Long