Listen To Me

By Phylicia Joannis

Martin West is a new believer looking forward to his new life in Christ, but he’s having a hard time convincing the people from his past that he’s changed. His parents still don’t trust him, and his friends think he’s pretending. He wants to prove himself, but it seems like all his efforts backfire. Martin tries to help his best friend Max, who’s struggling with a powerful addiction, but none of his words come out quite right. Martin truly wants his family and friends to hear what he’s trying to say. Is anybody listening?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phylicia Joannis
• Release date: Sep 4, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476331140

Phylicia Joannis

Reared in the West, taught in the South, and dwelling in the North, I'm a freelance writer and author, wife, and proud pet owner. I work to support my family and my passion. This is what I was born to do. This is my write or die.

Book preview

The Logoria Series

Book 2

Listen to Me

by Phylicia Joannis

Copyright 2007 Phylicia Joannis

Smashwords Edition

License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture references are quoted from the NKJV.

Discover More Titles from author Phylicia Joannis

Save Me

Don't Judge Me

Love Me

Why Did You Hurt Me?

Forgive Me

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Busted

Chapter 2 - Bible Study

Chapter 3 - Max Shaw

Chapter 4 - Grounded Forever

Chapter 5 - Officer Rick

Chapter 6 - Addiction

Chapter 7 - The Morning After

Chapter 8 – Reality

Chapter 9 - The Truth

Chapter 10 - The Lesson

Chapter 11 - Proverbs

Chapter 12 - The Loss

Chapter 13 - Second Chances

Discussion Questions

Resources

About the Author

More Ways to Connect

Excerpt from Book 3 Don’t Judge Me

CHAPTER ONE

Busted

Not again, Martin mutters to himself as he slinks down in his chair. His mother’s face is teeming with emotion. His father’s jaw is clenched, head bent slightly and hands on his hips, deep in thought. His prosecuting pose. Nothing escapes his father’s keen observation. Even hardened criminals squirm under the scrutiny of his gaze.

Martin’s eyes meander to the portly, bald head of Principal Burke, his alleged captor. Principal Burke is scowling and shaking his head in disdain. Martin isn’t concerned with him, though.

He turns slightly to get a better look at Marjorie Griggs, the victim of this whole ordeal. Her eyes are swollen with tears and her face is puffy and red. At least, the part that isn’t buried in her mother’s shoulder. Martin frowns and his heart wrenches in guilt. His eyes flicker to Marjorie’s dad, but he turns his head away quickly. The look on Mr. Griggs' face could melt glass.

He’s in the principal’s office for what seems the millionth time this year, and all parties involved, and their parents, had been contacted and subsequently corralled into the office for a conference.

If only Principal Burke hadn’t caught him with those photos.

Well Martin, Principal Burke’s annoying voice sounds squeaky and shrill. What do you have to say for yourself?

Martin parts his mouth to speak but hesitates. None of this is his fault. His intentions this morning were nothing but innocent, but they’ll never believe him now.

Principal Burke, Martin’s father speaks gruffly. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t accuse my son of something without first proving his guilt. Martin’s head shoots up at the boom of his father’s voice, and he watches in stunned silence as Principal Burke stutters.

With all due respect, Mr. West, I caught him red handed with those pictures.

Circumstantial, Mr. West frowns. Did you see him put any on the walls?

Principal Burke's eyes widen. Well, no, but why would he have them if he didn’t do it?

I don’t know, what did he say when you asked him? Mr. West narrows his eyes.

Principal Burke sputters. Well, I . . .

You didn’t ask him, did you? Mr. West bristles. Did you?

Well, no, Principal Burke looks pleadingly to Mrs. West for help. He gets none.

Mr. Griggs stands up with clenched fists. Hold up just one minute, sir. You may be blind to the kind of kid you raised, but Martin West has been terrorizing my daughter since elementary school, and I’m not going to let him do it anymore!

Martin winces as his father turns his face in Mr. Griggs’ direction.

Mr. Griggs, he begins with a note of condescension, I understand that you may be upset about the situation, but that doesn’t give you the right to make baseless accusations about my son--

Baseless? Mr. Griggs raises his voice. Your son is a menace! There’s not a kid in this school who doesn’t know it, and I don’t care who you are, if I have to beat him with my bare hands, he’s going to pay for what he’s done to my daughter!

Mr. West hardens his tone. I’d watch what I said if I were you.

Let’s all just take a step back, Mrs. West finally speaks up. Please, let’s all just settle down.

Martin watches as his father sits in a chair, blood boiling. Martin doesn’t dare look at Mr. Griggs again. How could things get so out of control? Principal Burke’s glaring lack of aptitude aside, it makes no sense to Martin. He’d thought that attending the prayer meeting this morning would make his day go smoother. Apparently, he’d been mistaken. He should have followed his gut and stayed away, but he’d promised Jennifer he’d come . . .

EARLIER THAT MORNING

Martin adjusts his backpack on his shoulder as he pulls open the heavy steel doors leading into the JROTC Building. He walks slowly down the worn steps, impressed by the trophies on both sides of the wall. His stomach growls and the noise echoes down the hall. He continues on, despite the growing protest from his stomach, counting the doors, as were his instructions, until he reaches the fifth door on the right. He turns the knob and swallows. It’s locked.

Martin is relieved. The prayer group is scheduled and organized by Jennifer Smith, one of the youth members at his church. Jennifer had asked him to come, since he’d recently given his life to Christ, and Martin had thoughtlessly agreed. It wasn’t until he woke up this morning that he realized how uncomfortable he was with the idea. Sharing his faith with his parents and his youth pastor, Mr. James, is one thing. Discussing it with a group of strangers is another.

Martin turns to leave, anxious to get out of the building as soon as possible.

Martin? He hears his name and turns back. Jennifer Smith smiles at him and holds out her hand.

Sorry about the mix-up. We had to change rooms at the last minute. We’re down here.

Martin takes her hand as she leads him further down the hall, plastering on a fake smile as he is led into a room full of students.

Okay, let’s get started! Jennifer calls for the group’s attention. Several teens take seats formed in a semicircle. Martin recognizes one of the girls, a brunette with braces, and turns to hide his face. His tactic fails thanks to Jennifer, who pulls him to the front of the group.

Everyone, we have a new addition to the prayer group. This is Martin’s first time, so let’s all make him feel welcome. Martin looks away in embarrassment as several of the teens clap.

Is this a joke? One of the girls stares in disbelief. There’s no way he’s serious. He’s just making fun of us.

Jennifer looks at her intently. Marjorie, I know you may have some doubts because of some . . . past experiences, but everyone deserves a second chance, right?

Marjorie looks away, obviously unconvinced.

Jennifer waits a beat before moving on. Okay, I'll start us off with a song. Jennifer begins singing Amazing Grace softly and the other teens join in. Martin tries to avoid eye contact with anyone by staring at his shoes. The song ends and Jennifer begins to pray.

Lord we come before you today thanking you for your goodness. You've given us the gift of your son, Jesus Christ. You've given us salvation through his death and resurrection. You've forgiven us, you've washed us, and you’ve given us a second chance. Now help us today to do for others what you have done for us by sharing the gospel, by sharing the love that you've shown us, and by forgiving others. Keep us safe and guard our hearts. Amen.

Martin mumbles an amen and looks up, but the prayer continues as the girl standing beside Jennifer begins to pray out loud. The prayers continue around the room until