Creation Wars

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

To my wife, Hedi,

who continually encouraged me

and gave much wise counsel

in writing this, my first novel.

Chapter 1

February 1953, Western Saskatchewan

So, are there any questions about this section on fossils? Peter

Marten, the high school science teacher, asked his Grade Ten students.

Yeah. When did dinosaurs live? This came from Duke, son of Henry Bakker who was principal of Badger Creek Christian School, a private school located a quarter of a mile outside of Badger Creek.

Peter tensed as he realized he would have to be very careful. He needed time to think, so he tried deflecting the question by asking the class what they thought the answer might be. For about fifteen seconds, no one spoke. Peter could feel the tension rising.

Someone in the class then offered, Before Noah’s flood, dinosaurs roamed the earth. That would have been about 4000 B.C.

Peter recognized this answer as fitting with the teaching of Principal Bakker. Could he let the statement go at that? Peter knew from his reading that dinosaurs had lived a very long time ago, maybe millions of years ago. But he couldn’t afford to voice that opinion now, could he?

Any other opinions? Peter knew he was stalling, hoping Duke would forget his question.

But what do you think, Mr. Marten? Duke wasn’t going to let him off the hook.

Just then, Peter’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Iris, spoke up and escalated his problem. Scientific dating clearly puts the age of dinosaurs in the Jurassic period, which is about two hundred million years ago. I just read about that last week at the town library.

There was total silence for a few seconds, and then Duke asked, with a gleam in his eyes, So, do you believe that, Mr. Marten?

Peter knew he was trapped. He decided he had better be at least somewhat honest. I’m not fully decided what the right answer is. I know that fossil record studies, as well as recent dating, suggest a very old age for the dinosaurs. There is one interpretation of the Bible that suggests a very long time period between verses one and two of the first chapter of Genesis. Perhaps there was a creative event followed by billions of years before global destruction. Maybe the creative events of verse two only occurred after that.

Ah, so you think the world is billions of years old? This from Duke again.

To be honest, I believe that we have enough reliable scientific evidence at hand to make me question that the earth could be only six to ten thousand years old.

Now, thought Peter, the cat was out of the bag and he would have to face the consequences. He noticed that everyone was silent. They were taking in every word. Both the school and the Christian church next door were marching in step with Principal Bakker in the area of the age of the earth, and what he had said today would most certainly be fully reported to both Henry Bakker and Pastor Slubber.

***

Henry Bakker slipped into the blue Meteor parked behind the school and started the motor. He really enjoyed this car. A check of his watch indicated 6:15 p.m. The meeting had gone a little late, but he felt good about it. He had long been interested in Faith Broadcasting out of Billings, Montana. They had the same passion for biblical science as he did. It had taken Faith Broadcasting a while before they heard about Henry Bakker, but someone who’d heard him speak at a church in Saskatoon had tipped them off. The next time he spoke in Saskatoon, someone from Faith came and even recorded his speech. One of his best speeches, in his estimation. After that, his popularity really took off.

Snow began to fall as he drove the short distance to his home on the edge of Badger Creek. The light was fading fast and he could see the snow streaking towards his windshield as the headlights caught the flakes.

His mind returned to his success as a speaker. He guessed his success resulted from a mixture of his talent for public speaking and his deep passion for biblical science. His deepest desire was to be a champion for promoting true science and that, he was convinced, could only be done if it was based thoroughly on the Holy Scriptures.

***

Katie Bakker had the evening meal ready—if only Henry would get home soon. He always wanted his meals hot and on time. She wandered into their bedroom to look out the window to see if she could see his car. Nothing yet. She knew he’d had some important meeting after school let out.

Her eyes drifted to their wedding picture on the dresser. Such a dashing man he had been then—tall and handsome with keen and ambitious eyes. She thought her own image wasn’t so bad, but she seemed to look a little frightened in the picture.

She looked over to another photograph of them taken just before last Christmas. Henry was still handsome at forty-five. Some grey had shown up in his hair, but he still had dark bushy eyebrows with penetrating grey eyes. He had a strong, commanding jawline. She saw herself as a bit small and mousy beside him, though her hair was still blond in spite of being forty-three. She looked over her face and noticed her tentative brown eyes. Katie thought her look suggested that she wasn’t sure she had permission to be there next to Henry.

Katie was startled to hear the back door burst open. Henry was here! She had missed seeing his car; the photos had distracted her.

Katie rushed out to meet her husband.

Oh, I’m glad your home, she said. The food should still be hot.

I’m starved, he said. Where’s Duke?

He’s upstairs in his room.

Doing some homework, I hope. He has an essay due early next week. Have you checked on him about that?

You know he never listens to me, Henry. I think he’s just reading comics. Don’t you think he needs a break from school after spending the whole day there?

Katie, you’re too soft on him. He’s never going to amount to anything this way. Call him down so I can speak to him.

Katie anticipated another berating session coming up and ran upstairs to warn Duke. She found him reading a comic book, as she had suspected. Duke, we’re ready to eat supper. Your dad wants to have words with you.

Yeah, what else is new? I’ll never measure up to what he wants of me.

I think you’re a good son.

Why don’t you try convincing Dad? I’ve never been successful at that.

Just come down right away before your dad loses his patience.

Once the meal was underway, Henry riveted his eyes on Duke. Have you got your essay done, Duke?

Well, no. I’ll work on it.

When? You know, if you’re heading for university—and you said you wanted to, Duke—you’re going to have to pull up your marks. Anyone who’s successful develops a plan for success and sticks with it. Have you been making lists, like I suggested? You know, Duke, I’m really hoping you’ll make our family proud. You’ve got the abilities, but you’re slacking off. You’re disappointing me.

Silence. Duke felt the sting of his father’s comments but refused to show it on his face. If only I could do something important that would be noticed and appreciated by my father!

Duke played with his food for a while, then looked up tentatively and said, with a touch of hope in his eyes, Dad, Marten said something interesting today about dinosaurs. He said they lived millions of years ago.

Henry threw down his fork. I’ve always suspected he was a Darwinist. He can’t be trusted in his Christian faith. He’s spreading the poison of his unbelief to your gullible class. The trouble is, his students are so infatuated with him that they believe everything he says. He’s like the Pied Piper leading all his little lemmings over the cliff. Our school would be better without him.

Duke rolled his eyes as if he knew what was coming.

Henry pounded the table and huffed, Duke, did you counter him—tell him what the Bible teaches about creation?

Well, no. Someone else said something, you know, something of what we believe.

Why didn’t you? Were you scared to confront him? You’re just flabby-spined. You need to stand up to those wolves in sheep’s clothing.

At this point, Duke shoved his plate away. With a quick excuse me, he got up and ran upstairs to his room. Katie could see anger suffusing his face.

Henry, she said, her voice pleading, he’s only sixteen. You can’t expect he’ll be able to argue down his teacher.

Well, I sure did at that age. You’re just feeding into his weakness, pampering him the way you always do.

Katie clammed up. There was no way she was ever going to win an argument with this man.

Chapter 2

The sun set, providing a brilliant display of colours in the

clouds as Peter drove his black 1947 Chevrolet sedan through the bleak snowy countryside. He needed this display of beauty to remind him that God was still in control.

He couldn’t help worrying about what the implications would be of today’s classroom disaster. He wanted to talk to Iris about her contribution to the classroom discussion, but he didn’t want to involve Ralph, who was also in the car. Ralph, now twelve, was of a very different mindset to that of Iris regarding the creation issue. He didn’t really know how to deal with Ralph any more than with Iris. So he just kept quiet. Ralph was talking about building a better skating rink at the school. Peter didn’t mind keeping the discussion on the skating rink just now.

Peter could see light coming from their kitchen as he drove onto their long, winding driveway. Maggie would be preparing supper.

Their home was located on an acreage some two miles out of Badger Creek. He loved this home and the pastoral setting. The house was built on the bank of Badger Creek. The creek was actually a dry bed—most of the year, at least. The white-trunked aspen poplars, the colourful bark of willows, and a sprinkling of spruce made for a very nice winter scene.

As Peter and the children entered the kitchen, Peter’s heart lurched with how drawn and pale Maggie looked in spite of her warm smile. He could see she was trying hard to live with her progressing weakness. He recalled the last visit with her doctor, who’d reported that her white blood count was up again in spite of the new cancer drug she was on. Their doctor had been quite candid with them and didn’t offer too much hope that the drug was going to help much anymore. He had called her cancer chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Well, what was your day like? Maggie asked Peter. He had just started eating.

Peter continued munching on a fork full of potatoes as he tried to plan what he could safely tell. Finally, he said, Some of my Grade Ten students asked me some awkward questions in science class.

What kind of questions? Questions about evolution again?

Well, yes—in a way. I was just asked how long ago I thought dinosaurs lived.

You have to go with what the Bible says, don’t you? Dinosaurs must have lived somewhere in that framework. Maggie knew they had talked about this issue many times before, but she would never back down from her certainty that the Bible offered the last word on anything to do with creation, especially in front of her children. She knew Peter was willing to ask a lot more questions than she would ever dare. Asking too many questions could easily lead to questioning the foundations of their faith.

Oh, I believe the Bible, Maggie. However, there are some different ways to interpret the first few chapters of Genesis. I think we need to have an open mind about some of the alternate interpretations.

Peter looked at his food and thought he had better keep eating so the food wouldn’t get cold.

Peter, I’m worried that you’re encouraging the students to take a liberal stand on the Scriptures.

I have no desire to undermine the students’ faith, Maggie. I believe God created the universe. I just find myself doubting that it happened like Henry and his creationist group say it did. Peter was very aware that Iris and Ralph were taking in everything they were saying. He didn’t want to say anything he would later regret, so he had to be careful what he said about Henry. I always want to respect the right of others to hold a different opinion on these issues than I do. Actually, I would just as soon stay clear of controversial areas if it is going to cause people to doubt their faith.

Okay, I guess I’d better say something here. Iris shifted in her chair, having become increasingly uncomfortable. Dad, I’m sorry I said what I said about the age of dinosaurs. I still believe what I said, but I think I made things worse for you. I just hate when some people are so narrow, so stuck on one way of believing. Her eyes were bright with anger and early tears.

Maggie looked at her daughter. What did you say, Iris?

I said that I thought scientific dating had found that dinosaurs were millions of years old.

Iris, Peter cut in, you had a right to say what you truly felt was true. I want our class to be a place where people feel free to do that. There will, in this case, be a price to pay.

What price? Maggie looked alarmed.

Oh, I think our principal and other teachers will quickly hear what was said.

"What did you say, Peter?" Maggie asked.

I just said that, with the scientific evidence at hand, I could no longer believe that the earth is only six to ten thousand years old.

Oh, Peter, Maggie exclaimed. Why did you have to say that in school? You may have some of those doubts, but you don’t have to expose them and precipitate trouble. You know that your reputation is going to be seriously damaged.

That could well be. I wouldn’t have said it if I hadn’t been baited by Duke, Peter explained.

And by me, Iris added in an anguished voice.

Yeah, Iris, Ralph growled with a sneer. I don’t know why you had to advertise your ignorance. Who were you trying to impress?

Peter shot Ralph a reproving glance. Ralph, I know you’re upset with what happened, but what you said wasn’t fair. Iris said what she believed and she has already apologized for how it might have hurt me. I want you to apologize to Iris.

I’m sorry, Ralph mumbled.

Events are as they are. We can’t turn them back now. We just have to trust God that he will show us how to get through this.

Peter looked at each of his family. His gaze lingered on Maggie, whose eyes revealed sorrow for her family. Peter anguished over the pain he was causing and wished he had been more careful in class. In the days ahead, he would have to take his own advice about trusting God.

***

Ralph wasn’t saying much, but Iris knew he was hurt and angry. After supper, he went out to the barn to feed and care for his pet goat. She knew he would spend more time there than was really necessary so he could work through his troubled feelings. She pulled on her jacket and rubber boots and went out in search of him.

She opened the barn door to the familiar smell of the goats and spotted Ralph brushing his goat.

He looked up and said in a low tone, What brings you here? It’s my job to feed the goats.

I just wanted to ask how things are going—inside, I mean.

To be honest, not so good.

Are you worried about Mom?

Yeah, that’s most of it. She’s looking worse every day. We’ve all been praying for her, but I think she’s going to die. Does God want her to die?

Ah, Ralph, we can’t blame God. These things just happen. The rain falls on the just and the unjust.

You sound like you don’t believe God really cares. Iris, do you really believe in God anymore?

I’ll admit I’m having trouble understanding him, and at times I question whether he’s there at all. I’m having difficulty reading my Bible and praying. But Ralph, we’re a family and we need to stick together, not fight each other.

Tears flooded Ralph’s eyes and he moaned. You know, I think Dad’s trouble with science has ruined his faith, and now his unbelief is preventing God from healing Mom. When you talk about your doubts, you’re just going to break Mom’s heart. She hasn’t got a chance with her leukemia. Ralph was crying openly by this time.

Ralph, my faith may not be up to much, but I know Dad still trusts God—maybe in different ways than he used to, but I know he believes what the Bible says about Jesus. You need to have a talk with him, all alone, just you and him.

Yeah, maybe. But I don’t find it easy to bring it up.

He loves you just as much as Mom does. He will listen to you, Iris reassured him with a hand on his arm. Let’s go into the house, It’s freezing in here.

Thanks, Iris. You helped me feel a bit better. Ralph gave his sister a little smile. Iris noticed that Ralph looked more settled. Her effort to talk to Ralph had been worthwhile.

Chapter 3

Iris awoke on Saturday morning feeling like she needed to explore more of life.

She walked to the window and looked over the scene she would never tire of. She could see the dry creek bed, now mainly covered with snow but highlighted with wisps of brown grass poking through. Further up the bank on the far side, wolf willow shrubs provided a nice contrast to the rocks of the creek bed. Standing guard behind the willows were three tall and stately paper birches with their dazzling white trunks. Providing able support for the birches stood hundreds of aspen poplars. The rising sun’s first few beams were reaching into the creek bed, clouds above reflecting the sunrise with a pinkish hue. Yes, this was view would always warm her heart.

But there were some things she needed to shake free from—her school friends, and their expectations, unsettled her. Somehow she felt the community, and even the church, were choking the life out of her. She felt fenced in to a narrow way of thinking about science, religion, recreation, dress, and even the kind of friends it was proper for to have. She had some very dear friends in the school and church, but she wanted to see more of life—something outside the community.

Then she had an idea. Why not visit with Elaine after her oboe lesson? Maybe they could go out to a café for a nice long chat after her lesson was over. Usually her mom or dad drove her to her oboe lesson, but today she would need the car; she had gotten her driver’s license last summer.

Elaine was one of her few friends who attended the public high school. They had gotten to know each other over the last five years. She was the daughter of Mrs. Slater, Iris’s oboe teacher. Elaine and she had often compared their very different lives, both in and out of school. Their friendship had grown over the years and Iris really cared for her.

Iris made short work of washing up and dressing. After some quick strokes with a brush, she tied her dark brown hair into a ponytail. She would wear her nicest blouse.

She bounded downstairs and found her dad in the kitchen making breakfast. The coffee was already brewing. She sidled up to her dad and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Good morning, my cheerful lass, Peter said. What’s turning your motor this morning?

Hey, it’s a beautiful morning. Have you looked outside yet?

Oh yeah, Peter said, glancing out the window at the clouds. The sunrise is gorgeous. He paused a bit looking carefully into her face. There seems to be something more cooking in your brain than the morning scenery, Iris. Care to let me in on it?

I was hoping you would ask. Dad, could I have the car to go for my lesson? I’d like to visit Elaine if she’s around. Maybe we could go to a café for a snack.

I suppose you could. Peter lingered, obviously dealing with some inner hesitation. I’d have to check with your mother when she awakens to see if she has any needs that would involve me driving. When do you think you would be back?

Oh, I’m sure I’d get back by noon. My lesson usually ends by 9:45. If Elaine’s around, we could go to Bert’s Cafe for a soda. An hour and a half should be enough to satisfy us.

Peter motioned her to sit down so they could begin eating. He prayed a brief prayer of thanks, in which he included asking God to help him serve his wife’s needs. Then he asked Iris, How long has it been since you last visited Elaine?

Oh, it must be five months, at least, and then it was very briefly, just as I was leaving my oboe lesson.

By the way, do you know if she or her family has any religious connections?

Oh, I can see you’re worried I’ll be corrupted by her values, Iris said with a smirk. Actually, I think they’re Anglicans, but I don’t know how serious she takes church.

Well, I’ll admit I am a bit anxious about you, Iris. You seem restless. After washing some toast down with black coffee, Peter went on. I know you worry about your mom and my job. But I sense there are other concerns unsettling you.

You may be right, Dad, but I don’t know if I can really understand myself. There are just a lot of things I need to process. Don’t worry, Dad, I’m not going to jump the ship. You, Mom, and Ralph are very important to me.

I understand, Iris, and I don’t want to put more pressure on you. You’re a very responsible girl and I’m proud of you.

Thanks, Dad. You’re the greatest.

***

Iris noticed there was still a lot of snow in the ditches and in the fields beside the road into town, but she could sense the changing of the season. Winter had lost its iron grip on the environment. There were a few clouds about, but the sun had won the battle and was shining in all its glory.

The road followed the dry creek bed into town, making the drive a delightful scenic experience. As she approached the town of Badger Creek, she saw the elevators and the row of grain cars on the adjacent rails. The town wasn’t very big—probably no more than two thousand people. Probably less.

She drove past the main business area with the usual machine shops, service stations, and hardware stores. There was a fairly large grocery store that doubled for a clothier—mainly work clothes. There was also a hotel on the street she took. Her teacher lived in the residential area just beyond the business area. It was a small but well-kept house and yard.

Iris had always loved the oboe. Her family had moved to Badger Creek when she had been five years old, and right away she’d started taking piano lessons from a lady in the music program of the Christian school. She never really liked it, though, and her parents had to push her to continue.

Then, five years ago, the Slater family had moved to town. Mr. Slater was an RCMP constable stationed to Badger Creek and Mrs. Slater had been obliged to follow, much to her chagrin. She had played in a small chamber orchestra in Winnipeg, but what could she do in this small town? When she was twelve years old, Iris heard her play a solo at a small Christmas program held in the school library. She’d loved it and her mother encouraged her to speak to Mrs. Slater. When Mrs. Slater saw how excited Iris was, she offered to give Iris a few lessons to see if she really liked playing the oboe.

Well, that had been that—no turning back.

As Iris rang the doorbell, she hoped her scant practice time in the previous week wouldn’t show. There had been so many tough things happening—Dad’s problems with his science classes and her mother’s ever-worsening medical problems.

Mrs. Slater met her at the door with a cheery smile. After a brief greeting, Iris asked if Elaine would be around so that they might visit after the lesson.

Oh, yes. She’s been planning to take you for a soda at one of the cafés.

Oh good, Iris giggled. I had the same idea this morning.

They quickly got into some work with scales, then finally moved on to the Bach oboe concerto she had been working on. She’d gotten to really love this piece. In fact, she loved all kinds of classical music. She didn’t mind the music that was sung and played at church, but the pieces were too familiar. In fact, they were often boring. The leadership at the church seemed to be against anything classical; they thought it was too worldly. The school followed the pattern of the church in their music programs.

Iris was so glad her parents had been willing to buck the traditions of their school and church and let her take oboe lessons in town.

***

Something was different about Elaine, Iris thought as they paid for their sodas at the cashier. She wore more makeup and a more daring blouse under her jacket. She also had a more self-assured look in her eyes. Iris hadn’t seen Elaine for five months and a lot seemed to have happened in both of their lives since then.

Elaine sat down with her soda and took a sip. What are you up to these days, Iris? I suppose nothing much exciting happens at that safe and sound school of yours.

Oh, there are exciting things happening there. It’s just not the excitement I want.

What do you mean?

Elaine, you know me. I open my mouth too much sometimes. The other day, I spoke my opinion in science class and got Dad in trouble.

What kind of trouble?

Well, Duke Bakker, the principal’s son, was baiting Dad about the age of dinosaurs because he knew Dad had some different ideas than Duke’s father. So I told the class what I thought about the age of dinosaurs—you know, millions of years old. Of course, the class would think I was taught that by my dad, so they blamed him as much as me. Well, anyway, I’m sure there’s going to be trouble for my dad now.

Iris, you should come to our school. We don’t have anything to do with that religious nonsense. Our teachers teach that we can explain everything in life by Darwin’s theory of natural selection. This is freedom, Iris, being free to do what you want without having to look over your shoulder for some god who’s trying to make you feel guilty about everything you do.

Yeah, sometimes I think that would be an easier way of thinking and living. I just don’t know. But just because I decide I don’t believe in God doesn’t necessarily make him disappear.

You’re too intellectual, Iris. I just don’t worry my head about God or religion. There are too many exciting things to do in life and I want a say in what I do. I don’t want to answer to some deity in the clouds. She drained the remaining soda and shoved it away.

Iris stared at her. She had changed. Elaine, I can’t say I believe much in God anymore—at least not in the way Badger Creek Christian Church does. Actually, I’m reading a book about Darwin’s life and theories. I want to find out, on my own, what science says about life.

Good. But, Iris, you’re altogether too serious. You have to have a little fun once in a while. Go to a few parties. Drink a little. Loosen up and enjoy the roses. You’re only young once.

As you know, there aren’t too many opportunities for those things in our school.

Why, of course not. Elaine grinned mischievously. Your school has become a reflection of your church, and your church has scrubbed your lives free of any fun.

What’s your idea of fun?

I love dances. There’s a dance every Saturday night in the town hall. You’d like the band that plays every time. The music really swings.

I don’t know how to dance.

I could teach you. We could do that right now once we get back to my home.

Oh, that would be nice, Elaine.

I have some records you could learn to dance to.

If I went to a dance, I’m afraid I would just sit around. Who would dance with me?

Oh, Iris, you are so blind! Have you ever looked in a mirror? You have a very pretty face and you’re built like a goddess. You just need a little dressing up—the right clothes to show yourself off. I can fix up your face so the boys will come kneeling at your feet to get the privilege of dancing with you.

Now, Elaine. I didn’t know you were given to such flattery and exaggeration!

I’m not exaggerating. Haven’t the boys at your school been chasing you for a date? If they haven’t, they must be fed something in their diet to blunt their sex urges. Elaine’s voice almost sounded like she was a bit envious of Iris.

Iris had to admit this conversation was exciting. She felt drawn to experience some of this new world Elaine was hinting at. After all, the school and the church seemed to be obsessed with the notion that all things pleasurable should be suppressed. Elaine could be her link to experiencing this new world.

She had to be careful, though. She felt herself tingle with the thought of dancing to beautiful music—and with a nice, warm, flesh-and-blood handsome gentleman leading. Now, that would be divine. She would definitely take up Elaine’s offer to learn some dance steps. There would be no harm in that, surely.

Chapter 4

For a few days after the science class fiasco, all seemed quiet, though Peter felt the heightened tension in the classes he taught. Today he would face another Grade Ten science class and he sensed something was about to break.

As he walked into his office, he immediately spotted an envelope on the desk with his name on it. It was written with Henry’s bold writing. He felt his heart pound as he opened it. The note was short and curt:

Peter: Please step into my office at the completion of your last class today. Henry.

Something tightened inside his belly and his mouth went dry. He could feel cold fear arise within him. Now what was he to do? How was he going to get through this day?

He got up and began to pace around his office. He gazed out the window at the tired, black-tinged snowdrifts. Soon there would be nothing left of them, only a little dust on the grass to show where the drift had once been. Would his life in Badger Creek Christian School be like that after the hot sun of Henry’s administration was finished with him?

Oh God, I’m still your child. Help me through this day.

He took a deep breath and walked to his first class—Grade Twelve math. After that he taught another math class for Grade Eleven. In the afternoon, he would have to face his Grade Ten science class. His tension waned as he got immersed in his math classes, for which he was grateful, but when he entered the lunchroom with the other teachers he felt something different: the room was quiet. The other teachers nodded a greeting and a few even smiled slightly, but only with their lips. Nervous, superficial chatter broke out here and there. Peter’s sandwich was dry and tasteless. He finished it with a gulp of coffee and closed his bag on the rest of his lunch. He then grabbed his coat off the rack and headed out the door for a walk. Somehow, he needed to clear his head and settle himself.

As he walked around the campus, he began thinking that maybe he was being overly sensitive, even paranoid. Once he talked with Henry, surely he would understand that Peter wasn’t a threat to the school. Henry would be reasonable, wouldn’t he?

Peter wasn’t so sure. What if things really turned bad? What about his family? Would they understand if he had to take a stand against the school? Would he then be asked to leave Badger Creek? What about the loss of the dear people in the church if he and his family had to go?

Please, God, help me through the rest of this day.

By the time he got back to the