The Atonement by Lawrence Cherry Page A

at it, maybe you should talk to
Mr. Hardy about cutting back some of your hours. He’s really cool,
and I know he wouldn’t mind helping you out.”
    “Actually, I’ve cut back as much as I
possibly can. I get out of here at 3:00 as it is. If I work any
less then, that means less money and I’ve got too many
responsibilities right now.”
    “But aren’t your parents helping you pay for
law school?”
    “True, but law school isn’t my only
responsibility. There’s Callie and Darius that have to be factored
in as well.”
    “Doesn’t Callie have a full-time job of her
own?”
    “Yes, but it’s hard for her to handle
everything by herself. I’m her man. I’ve got to support her.”
    “And as your woman shouldn’t she support you,
too? I think you’re dealing with a lot more than she is right
now.”
    “I don’t know if I could compare going to law
school to a life changing event like having a baby.”
    “Still, Al. It’s a lot, not to mention you
said this is the path that you think God wants you to take. You
already put off school for a whole year just to help her out. I
don’t understand how she can know how important this is for you and
let you take on all the extra responsibility with Darius.”
    “You talk as if Callie’s forcing her life on
me. I’m her boyfriend. It all comes with the territory. Anyway, I
don’t mind doing for her or Darius. Who knows? They could be a part
of God’s plan for me, too.”
    “I don’t know about that. You don’t even
share the same faith.”
    “Now we don’t, but who knows what could
happen down the line? No one ever thought Tim would be a Christian,
but he’s been going strong for two years now.”
    “Tim’s a whole different case. Al, don’t
think I’m tryin’ to hate or nothin’ but I’m a little worried that
this relationship you’re in might not be so good for you at this
time in your life.”
    “Now you sound like my mom. She thinks Callie
has been sent by the devil to keep me from accomplishing God’s will
for my life.”
    “Well…it does seem like she’s distracting you
from what you need to be doing right now.”
    “Oh, no – not you, too! Isn’t there anyone
who wants me to be happy?”
    “Al, you know we’re boys and I’m definitely
not tryin’ to interfere with your happiness or nothin’ like that.
But I think sometimes you gotta ask yourself if God is pleased with
the choices you’re making. Because if He’s not happy with it,
eventually, you won’t be either.”
    “Davis, really? Callie was alone with no one
to help her. Darius needed a father. How could I call myself a
Christian and abandon them? Do you think God would be pleased with
that?”
    “No one is saying you can’t or shouldn’t help
them. At the same time helping them doesn’t mean that you have to
forget about you and be everything for them. That’s what God is
for.”
    “I know what you’re thinking, but this isn’t
about me trying to be a hero. I love Callie. When she walked out of
my life, I felt like there was an important part of me that was
missing, but I prayed to God about it. I prayed that He would make
a way somehow for us to reconcile our differences if only so we
could be friends again. Instead, I was blessed with the opportunity
to have her love me just as much as I love her. I can’t just walk
away from that.”
    “You also prayed for Him to reveal His
purpose and plan for your life and you told me you were sure law
school was a part of that. I don’t think God would give you two
answers that are interfering with each other.”
    “They’re not. I’m handling things.”
    “Is that why you’re so tired all the
time?”
    Allen let out a long exasperated sigh. He was
getting tired of trying to justify his relationship to
everyone.
    “Al, I’m only bustin’ your chops about this
because you’re like a brother to me and I don’t want to see you
mess up your life by going out of God’s will for you. Feel?”
    “I hear you, and I