Sacrifice

By Sherry Schwarcz

Abby Watson is just the kind of person anyone would be proud to call friend. So why then does she find herself the biggest bully to hit Pleasantown Middle School since Davis Jensen? Easy, Megan, adopted by the James family after the tragic death of their son, devised the perfect plan to get out of being his replacement. Only will it be worth it for Megan to sacrifice everyone’s feelings for her own? Will her conscience let her? And will Abby go down without a fight?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sherry Schwarcz
• Release date: Apr 8, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310170430

Sherry Schwarcz

Sherry Schwarcz presently lives in Austria with her diplomat husband. She holds a BS in Secondary Education from UNLV and a MA English from CSUH. For over 18 years, Sherry taught teens in the United States and Germany. She presently teaches online while raising two rare Taigan sighthounds when she isn't writing. Sherry blogs about her dog at www.dashadiary.weebly.com, which has hosted hundreds of curious visitors.After a sermon when the pastor asked congregants what they would do if they knew they couldn't fail because it was for the glory of God, Confess was conceived and drawn from experience. Intrigued by the secular and Christian definitions of confession, witness, and testify, Sherry has written a teaching guide to accompany the novel complete with vocabulary, discussion topics and final projects. She has also compiled a 40-day Bible study based on the leading Bible passages at the beginning of each chapter.

Book preview

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

She couldn't believe this was happening again. This time it was going to be even harder to get out. She brushed the bangs out of her eyes and stared out the window. Miss Winslow drove like a little old lady, not like a young woman in a nice sports car ought to drive. Megan couldn't understand why Miss Winslow hadn't done what she promised and take her to a group home. Megan worked really hard to get kicked out of her last foster home, but here she was again on her way to another placement. And things were looking pretty good this time for a permanent adoption since her father finally signed away his rights removing the last obstacle.

But Megan didn't want it to go like that. She wanted into a girls’ group home where a passed GED and early emancipation would get her out on her own sooner than clingy parents might. And from what Miss Winslow told her this family was looking for a permanent placement—more like replacement. Apparently their only real kid died tragically and they were looking to swap his memory for her. There was no way she was getting out of this one without doing something really horrible like attempting to burn down the school. And she knew it was a very fine line these days from being un-placeable to being incarcerated. She'd have to be really careful to get out of this family.

She chuckled at the memory of the last home she went to. She had to practically fall on her foster brother's mouth in order to get caught kissing. It was gross but she did what it took to get the job done. Then there was the promise of the all-girl home, which was fine with her because as far as she was concerned, she was off boys—probably forever. She really hated that her case worker kept trying to take a special interest in her. Why didn't this rich chick just get married and get her own kids and ruin their lives instead?

Almost there, Miss Winslow interrupted her thoughts.

Megan decided to punish her by not speaking. As usual, Miss Winslow would not take a hint.

As I was saying, these are pretty nice people. Good neighborhood, lots of kids around your age. You are even getting your own room.

Big whoop.

Oh Megan, why can't you see what a great opportunity this is?

What opportunity? What this looks like to me is a swap—a new kid to replace the old one. I've seen this before you know. I bet they will put me in his old room. Probably try to hand me down stuff that used to belong to him. Keeping all his other stuff locked away 'cause they just can't bring themselves to get rid of it. Probably turned his old room into a museum.

And how do you know that?

Stacy told me. She was a replacement once. That definitely didn't work out for her. She got outta there fast as she could when they kept calling her the dead girl's name. Did you know they wanted her to legally change her name to the dead girl’s? What's the name of the dead kid anyway?

Crandall. Crandall James.

I will definitely blow if they try to name me Crandall.

Where do you get these crazy ideas Megan?

HBO.

Well you shouldn't let your imagination run away with you. I can assure you the Jameses are not looking to replace their son.

Sure they're not. They are trying to fill some kind of hole and they are using me to do it. Why couldn't you just let me go to that group home instead?

Listen Megan, this is really a wonderful opportunity for all of you if you give it a chance.

How do you know?

Let's just say the Lord is leading me. Megan couldn't help but roll her eyes. All her life Jesus Freaks like Miss Winslow made all kinds of ridiculous claims like that. She didn't believe in God let alone Jesus and thought Miss Winslow was a complete lunatic to believe in such nonsense. Why would God let all those terrible things happen to her? She never did anything to deserve her rotten luck. Well, maybe she did deserve it, but surely she never asked to be born into her crazy family.

Well He sure didn't ask me about it. He never consults me about anything—if He even exists.

He does exist Megan. And He loves you.

Yeah, well, I wish He’d love me less.

Chapter Two

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Mrs. James was on pins and needles. This was their first placement and for weeks they both had been fretting because they knew that Megan would come with some baggage. Well, they knew they had some baggage of their own as well. It had been two years since they lost their son Crandall in a horrible accident at school. Though they knew now that sooner or later their only child's blood clot would have led to an aneurism, they certainly never thought it would be the result of an incident with a school bully. But time and faith was healing that wound. Now they were looking forward to a new start and a new family, a strong family forged from the tempering of tragedy and time.

Knowing that their first meeting would be awkward, they decided to enlist the help of Davis Jensen, well Davis Shepherd now. Davis was adopted by the Shepherds while Davis was considered suspect in their son's accidental death. Though Davis didn't cause Crandall's accident, he felt responsible for his part in allowing the incident to happen. But that was such a long time ago and any blame they placed on Davis was long forgotten. In fact, the Shepherds were quite helpful in assisting them in the process to foster and adopt by introducing them to Miss Winslow. Davis himself offered to be there to greet Megan, along with his friend Abby, to offer support, friendship and to try to make the transition easier.

The bell rang and Ellie James went to let the teens in.

Hi Mrs. James, Abby greeted her warmly.

Hello Abby. Hello Davis.

Hello Mrs. James, Davis returned. Are you sure this is really a good idea?

What do you mean?

Well, all’s I know is that when I went to a new home, it was already weird enough without being told ‘here’s your new B-F-F’.

Davis, I thought that it might be nice to give her some faces and names before she starts school tomorrow. Abby is her age and maybe she can smooth the way.

I hope so, Mrs. James. It will be my pleasure.

Okay I can see why you want Abby here. But me?

Davis, we thought it might be nice for her to know someone else who has been through the same situation could also help ease her into the community.

I’ll do my best, but I wouldn’t keep my hopes up. It is always awful going into a new placement. And if what you told us is true, she has a bit of an attitude.

Now Davis, you did too and look how you turned out. Davis blushed.

They went into the living room to wait for Megan and her case worker to come. In the meantime, they peppered Davis with all kinds of questions about being a foster kid.

It seemed like the worst situation for me was always if there were other kids in the house. Davis swallowed. Mrs. James saw him blush again.

It’s okay Davis, she prompted.

Yeah, as I was saying, it was hardest because you could always tell they favored their own kids. If there were other fosters in the house, well we were all in the same boat. But this situation is more like when I came to the Shepherds. They never had any kids, so the big problem was they wanted me to love them back right away. They kinda hovered and coddled me a lot and, well you know, boys don’t really like that kinda stuff.

Right, don’t hover and don’t be overly affectionate. Got it.

Yeah, and she probably isn’t going to be as curious about you as you are about her. I mean she will, eventually, but please don’t bring the entire family over and break out the albums on the first day. Wait until she starts to ask.

Got it. Thanks Davis, you have been even more helpful than the adoption agency, Mrs. James gushed.

Yeah, and maybe give her some time and offer to take her shopping later—not the first day. She might think you are trying to buy her love and she could take real advantage of the situation. Davis blushed again.

Oh really? Mr. James piped in.

Yeah, the Shepherds, I mean Mom and Dad, bought me everything I wanted right out of the gate. But that’s not what warmed me up to them. Looking back I feel kinda bad the way I played them.

Can you think of anything else? Mr. James prompted.

Yeah, be ready for the silent treatment. She isn’t going to say much about herself right away, but keep on talking to her. Don’t take it personally if she doesn’t open up with you all right away. We tend to be really private until we really get to know you.

Any advice for me? Abby interrupted.

Well, she probably isn’t going to give you much of a chance at first. So don’t take it too personally.

I didn’t give you much of a chance either. I guess this is my chance to learn to be still, Abby teased.

The doorbell rang. Mrs. James bolted to the door. Don’t be so eager, Hon, Mr. James reminded her. Don’t go all smothery and mothery like Davis recommended.

She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Wow, you guys must be loaded, a voice carried from the door to back of the living room taking Mrs. James by surprise. My name’s Megan, glad to meet you. I hear I get my own room. Hey who are these guys? I thought I was an only child. Whoops, did I say something wrong? Megan barged through the door to the living room.

Megan, how rude, the young woman attempted to chastise her as she swept in behind her and turned to greet Mrs. James. Sorry about that—

Nice to see you again Miss Winslow, Mrs. Jameses returned.

So who are you guys again? Megan repeated.

I’m Davis…

And I’m Abby…

And I am sure we will all be just great friends. So, what do I have to do around here to get something to eat? She left the room to explore the house, perhaps looking for the kitchen.

Uh, Mr. and Mrs. James, you might want to forget everything about what I just said, Davis frowned

Oh, and why do you say that? asked Miss Winslow.

Because she isn’t planning to stay here all that long.

Chapter Three

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:26

Megan couldn’t help smirking as she left the living room to find the kitchen and the refrigerator. She wasn’t sure what possessed her to be so rude, but when she saw those kids waiting to help her fit in she felt compelled to act out. She supposedly knew that she was making everyone nervous all at once, probably Miss Winslow most of all because she knew those people from her church. Dollars to donuts those kids were probably Jesus Freaks too. Already the indoctrination started and she knew she had to do something right away to take control of the situation. She opened the fridge door, grabbed the carton of milk, opened the top and drank from it as she reentered the living room.

So you wanna tell me where I am going to sleep or what?

Uh, Megan, why don’t you come in here so you can get acquainted, Miss Winslow suggested in her sickly sweet way.

Whatever, it’s your show. After taking another slug from the milk carton, she extended it out to the two other kids in the room, Want some? Both shook their heads, the young guy looked like he was trying to keep from smiling. What’s so funny? she asked him, irked.

Oh, nothing. You just kind of remind me of someone I knew.

Oh really, who could that be?

Me. There was an awkward silence. Megan didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of winning this round so she ignored him. But Miss Winslow wouldn’t let that go.

Megan, this is Davis. He’s adopted by another couple from our church, the Shepherds. The Davis kid nodded, still only half smiling.

Great, you’ve got me a mentor. She turned to the girl sitting next to him. You adopted too?

Uh, no, I’m Abby. We will be in some of the same classes at school. I knew your, uh, Crandall. I thought I’d come over and introduce myself and offer to show you around school tomorrow.

Well, aren’t you sweet, Megan hid none of her sarcasm from the people assembled in the room.

Megan, Dear, your tone, Miss Winslow warned.

Megan ignored her and continued, You a Jesus Freak too?

You could say that, Abby smiled at the boy sitting next to her, like they shared some kind of inside joke. I just know we are going to be great friends.

I wouldn’t count on it.

Uh Megan, are you hungry? Want a sandwich to go with that milk? the woman Megan presumed was Mrs. James, a.k.a. her new mother, asked. No time like the present than to take advantage of her personal slave. Sure, I’ll take peanut butter and jelly on white bread with the crusts cut off and cut on the diagonal to make two identical triangles, Megan requested.

Now Megan, don’t be so…

It’s okay, Mrs. James interrupted Miss Winslow’s rebuke, I really don’t mind. And the woman dashed into the kitchen. Megan smirked again.

Trying to redirect the conversation, Miss Winslow continued. Megan, this is Mr. James.

So are you guys loaded or what? I do get my own room, don’t I? I want a TV and a computer and a smart phone to go with it. Megan tough she would get right on track allowing her new dad to buy her affection or just her cooperation.

Well, you uh, will get your own room, Megan. But we’ll see about the rest. For some reason he turned to give a knowing look to that Davis kid who nodded and winked back. Maybe he was their mentor instead of hers. Hmmm, she would have to get her new dad on her side somehow if she was going to milk him before she got kicked out. No way was she going to lose taking advantage of her personal slave and shopper before they decided she was too much to handle.

Sure, Dad, whatever you say. Can I call you Dad? That made all the eyebrows in the room raise including Mrs. James's as she was returning with the requested sandwich.

Oh honey, of course you can, Mrs. James nearly squeezed the breath out of her. And please call me Mom.

Great, thought Megan again, I think I created a love monster.

She turned to look at Miss Wilson who was dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. Oh Megan, I knew you would come around, Miss Wilson gushed. Megan turned to flash a lovely smile at her, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Davis kid looking pretty skeptical. She had to get that kid alone some time and find out what his deal was. In the meantime, if she was going to get what she wanted, she was going to have to really turn on the honey.

So Abby, what time you coming to pick me up tomorrow?

Oh, I’ll be here around 8 o’clock. School starts at 8:20 so we should have plenty of time to get you to the main office before your first class.

Great, that is so nice of you. And when are we going to the mall?

The mall? Abby looked confused.

Yeah, you know to buy some new clothes so I fit in around here. Turning to Mr. James, Dad, can I borrow the credit card to buy some clothes when Abby and I go to the mall later?

The man turned to look at his wife first and then to Davis, who merely shrugged. "Why don’t you go check out your room with