The Great Thirst Boxed Set: A Combined Edition Serial Archaeological Mystery

By Mary C. Findley

Join the search to quench the thirst in this combined edition of the bestselling Christian suspense adventure and serial archaeological mystery. High school teachers Keith Bradley and Talia Ramin team up in a race to find and preserve what may become the last copy of the Scriptures on earth. How can a reporter, a government educator, and an apparently concerned mother destroy access to God's Word? Only if trusting people let them. Keith and Talia will stop at nothing to find the Golden Testaments. They hop across the continents, search beneath the ocean, and chase clues in some of the most dangerous places in the world. Finally, when their families and students have faced enough threats and seen enough miracles, they realize it's time to use the ancient technology they have found along the way to make the enemy move.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Findley Family Video
• Release date: Feb 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524237073

Mary C. Findley

Mary grew up in rural NY and Michael is from AZ. We met at college, taught school in AZ, MO and PA, homeschooled, and created curriculum and videos for church and commercial productions. We have three supposedly grown children and traveled the 48 states and Canada together in a tractor trailer.Findley Family Video Publications has the key verse “Speaking the Truth in Love” from Ephesians 4:15. We have four main goals:To Present a Biblical WorldviewTo Exalt the Lord Jesus ChristTo Edify BelieversTo Teach and to DelightMichael J. Findley has been on the road most of his life and his writings reflect that motion. From the rise of the ancient Hittite Empire to a generational saga of a Space Empire, the one constant is his desire to communicate the truth of God's Word through fiction and nonfiction. Homeschoolers, church leaders, and ordinary believers who want to go deeper into the Word and reach higher to put God in the exalted place where He belongs will find many answers here.They say write what you know. Mary C. Findley has poured her real life into her writing -- From the cover designs inspired by her lifelong art studies to the love of pets and country life that worm their way into her historicals. The never-say-die heroes in her twenty-some fiction works are inspired by her husband, a crazy smart man with whom she co-writes science and history-based nonfiction. These works were jump-started by a deep awareness of the dangers in our future if we don't understand ideological enemies rooted in the past. She's a strong believer in helping others and also has books about publishing advice and the need to have strong standards in reading and writing.She has traveled internationally and around the lower 48 and Canada multiple times. Anecdotes from her small town life, college experiences, European, Canadian, and south-of-the border travels, as well as adventures as shotgun rider in a tractor trailer fill her contemporary works. She has also donned the cloak of alt-Victorian adventuress as Sophronia Belle Lyon, steampunk writer with her own League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (and ladies) from the great 1800s novelists. In all her works you will find faith, family, friendship and fulfilling stories. Do come have a look!

Book preview

Chapter Two – The Bible as Literature Class

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I swear, I am not lyin’. Keith heard the whisper and started to hunt for the new target of The Eyeball, but the next words froze him in disbelief. "She flies into the room like a for real nutcase, throws down a pile a’ books –Bam! – throws down a bunch a’ keys – crash! An’ then, like, when she’s all the way up there at her desk, she, like, pries open her eyelids, and says ‘Can anybody see my contact? I know it’s in there!’

The floor shook with the stifled giggles. Keith casually dropped a hand behind his chair and extended one finger.

"It’s one! Shut up!" hissed a different voice.

Principal Bradley moved along down his list. The blonde reporter got fidgety and checked her watch repeatedly.

This year we are offering ‘The Bible as Literature’ as an English elective to our upper-level students, his dad said.

Keith about fell off his chair. He heard clinking and risked a glance at Ms. Ramin, who was in the middle of a fist-pump and seemed to be showing off all her perfect teeth between her perfect –

Eyes front. Keith swiveled his head forward. The reporter had come to life. She crouched like a panther ready to spring. She made savage motions to the cameraman and stabbed at the stage. He switched from panning the crowd to a tight focus on the platform. The blonde swiped hard and sharp on a tablet she clutched in her hands.

His dad continued speaking. Just when we were sure the Bible was never coming back into the schools, we find out God just won’t let the secularists have their way. Our new English literature teacher, Ms. Ramin, will be handling this course, and if you still need an elective in your schedule, I encourage you to sign up. She has a very impressive course plan worked out, including a trip overseas during spring break to study a part of Bible history I’ll bet most of you had no idea existed. I know it was news to me. Greece will be the jumping-off point, and she told me about parts of Turkey …

Greece! The whispered rippled up and down the rows of chairs.

Turkey? Even the teachers exchanged longing looks.

Keith foresaw lots of volunteers signing up to chaperone. Good, because I'm not going to be in Greece or Turkey come spring break. The course he had finished yesterday was just the beginning of getting back on track with his master's. The convention during spring break was going to be critical to keeping him within the window to complete his degree.

Ms. Ramin, please come up and briefly tell us what this course will include, Keith’s dad invited.

Ms. Ramin popped out of her seat and clicked her way up to the platform.

Keith saw designer boots with four-inch heels, and one of those skirts – what did his sister call them? Gypsy, maybe? It had so many folds and different lengths and cool colors and embroidery and it swished around her.

I am so privileged to be here at Brady Central –

Bradley! muttered a legion of whisperers. Even Keith’s dad cringed and mouthed it. She went on, oblivious.

Keith tried to make himself ignore all that because the reporter was having some kind of fit. She swiped her tablet and motioned to the cameraman. What is this all about?

I am so excited about this course! Ms. Ramin said. As you go out the door, you can pick up a T-shirt – She held up a black shirt with gold bands across the chest and the words Have Faith splashed around in a graphic layout. I got all sizes, and everybody can take one, even if you aren’t taking the class. We will not just be explaining how ancient literature compares to the Bible. We are going to learn how to be discerning about ancient writings – how to tell truth from error in what's being taught by historians, archaeologists. This course will prepare you to know truth when you see it. If you’ve got room in your schedule, you should sign up.

Mr. Bradley, are you gonna sign up? Keith froze and flushed. Snickers broke out and he dropped his hand with two fingers. Silence prevailed.

And I’m so happy to have the help of somebody I hear is this school’s best teacher. I’ll be team-teaching the class with – She bobbed her head, checking some notes – "Mr. Keith Bradley, your science teacher. Thanks so much for volunteering, Mr. Bradley."

Nothing could squelch the tittering now. Keith’s eyes flew to meet his father’s, who gave him nothing but a little non-committal shoulder-wiggle. The reporter was making clawing and stabbing motions again and the camera bobbed as the guy tried to get a fix on who was being introduced. On me?

Mr. Bradley, could you stand, please, and let everybody see you?

Keith rose and applause broke out. What is this about team-teaching The Bible as Literature? When was Dad supposed to tell me that?

Oh, it’s you again! Ms. Ramin clapped as wildly as any student. This man saved me from getting squashed by a bus, covered for me when I sat my class in the wrong place – He even helped me find my contact lens! I am so glad that we are teaching this class together!

Laughter erupted all around as Keith sank back down, ten degrees hotter and unable to even think about restoring order. Ms. Ramin finished whatever else she said and walked back down to sit behind him.

Keith’s head spun. This was the most surreal day of his life. The reporter sank back into boredom when his father stood up to finish the assembly. Why was that reporter going crazy for just those couple of minutes?

After the assembly, Keith corralled the ninth graders and passed them off to Mrs. LaSalle for Algebra 1, in exchange for the tenth graders headed to biology.

Here you go, Mr. Bradley! You want a cream one, right? Bethany Jones waved a T-shirt in his face as he tried to slink out the door. I mean, you know, you’re already black, so – She turned scarlet. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean –

It’s fine, Bethany. Keith grabbed the shirt. Come on, people. Let’s get to class and get on with Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order...

Family, Genus, Species! responded the tenth graders, but they all grabbed T-shirts just the same.

Hey, tenth grade, Principal Bradley called out, Ms. Sawyer’s going to get you up to your class, and I need to borrow Mr. Bradley for just a minute. His dad waved at the kids and hooked Keith’s arm, pulling him back to the wings of the stage as Ms. Sawyer led his class away.

Sorry about blindsiding you with that, his father muttered. I just found out about all this myself yesterday at the end of inservice. You got in so late last night I didn’t want to keep you up trying to explain.

Dad, I have a full schedule already. When does this Bible as Literature class meet, anyway?

It will meet ninth period, during the clubs time.

But I’ve got science club.

Which only meets twice a week. That means Bible as Literature can be on Monday and Friday, and science club stays on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Problem solved.

But why me? And why Bible as Literature? You know what I think about that kind of class.

Yes, Keith, I know you think it’s just a way of making public school kids disrespect the Bible and question its truth even more than they already do. First of all, you heard Ms. Ramin say she's here to teach our students how to tell the difference between truth and error. I believe she means that. But just to make sure, I want you in there making sure that they get a dose of the Bible as a book of Science and History. That’s your calling, as you’ve told me many times.

But Dad, Ms. Ramin –

I know she seems a little scatterbrained, son, but I sat in on two of her classes this morning, and aside from that little contact lens episode, she knows her stuff. We talked about this Bible as Literature plan of hers in some detail yesterday, and she is solid on understanding that it’s the Word of God, not just another mythology. You’ll be going on the trip as well.

"I’ll be what?" Keith exploded. Dad, I’m going to ProTechCon, the Professional Technical Convention, during Spring Break this year. I told you that. I have been budgeting for two years for this.

Son, surely you see that this class is a chance to teach our students that the Bible is authoritative and important in their lives.

Dad, maybe that’s true, and the class could be great, but you understand how important ProTechCon is. It’s the latest technology, research, discoveries nobody else will know about for years, maybe. I’ll make real contacts in the scientific community. It’s course credit for my master's program. I can’t put it off again.

Keith. His father put his hands on his son’s shoulders.

Keith was startled to realize how much he had to reach up to do that. Was his dad stooping? Was it his imagination that they had always seen eye to eye, literally and figuratively?

"God has been speaking to me about our lives here. It’s still a small town, and in the past we’ve been able to help parents control what their children are taught and protect kids from those Outcomes-Based and Common Core heresies. The tentacles of the government are reaching further and digging in deeper. You know how many textbooks we reject every year.

"But we still hear those catch-phrases of secularism creeping in all around us. You know about ‘Non-overlapping Magisterium’ and what a crock of cranberries it is – the idea that there are separate truths, religious and scientific. Kids have come to trust what they’re taught in school more than what they’re taught in church. We need to take any opportunity God gives us to teach the Bible as truth, not just nice stories. We need to make these kids love it, believe it, live for it, and even be willing to die for it.

People all around the world are already dying for it. It’s coming here, Keith. We can talk about the trip, but this class is not negotiable. Make it work with Ms. Ramin. You both have planning periods during eighth tomorrow. I told her you’ll meet her in the teachers' lounge.

Keith started to leave, but turned back. What was that reporter doing here?

Oh, her? She said she was on her first assignment. You should have heard her complaining about a typical sexist job assignment. I can’t believe anybody’d care about covering a small town’s first day of school. He looked around. She sure lit out fast, didn’t she? She didn’t ask a single question. Said she wanted to observe and have her camera man get some footage to keep her bosses happy. I didn’t even see her go.

What station was she from?

I guess I missed that. The office can tell you if you’re interested. We don’t watch the news anyway. Why does it matter?

She just got kinda weird when the Bible as Literature thing came up. Crazy, like she was just here to find out what that was all about.

Huh. Can’t imagine why any reporter would care about what happens in a little school like ours. Hope this class doesn’t cause trouble. But why should it? It was the government’s idea to offer it.

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Chapter Three– A Doomsday Duffel Bag

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Apparently most of the students and half the teachers had decided to wear the Have Faith T-shirts on Wednesday. Keith threaded the hallways toward the teachers’ lounge and the eighth period meeting with Ms. Ramin.

Mr. Bradley, where’s your shirt?

Can’t wear a tie with a T-shirt, Robert. Keith swung into the teachers’ lounge.

Hey, Mr. Bradley!

Hey, Ms. Ramin. Keith shook hands with her, noticing that she wore one of the black T-shirts. So, I’m not sure how you want to handle this team-teaching thing. I’ve never –

First I need to apologize for acting like such an idiot yesterday, she interrupted. And I’d like it if you would call me Talia, please, while the little terrors are absent.

And you can call me Keith. Hey, it’s no big deal. First day, a lot of stuff on your mind, a crisis of contact…

She laughed. Just tell me you don’t think I’m hopeless, she pleaded, and gestured toward a table spread with books, yellow legal pads, a laptop, and a tablet. "These are my plans for the Bible as Literature. I have it divided into sections, and I’m so glad you’re going to be there to handle the science issues, because I knew what I had prepared was lacking in that area.

"I just roughed out these lesson plans, and I bookmarked a bunch of stuff I want to draw from. We’ll cover the other ancient works of literature as they come up chronologically with the historical events in the Bible. We’ll always make sure the kids understand that the Bible came first. That’s one of the things that bother me, when they say the Epic of Gilgamesh is older, or parts of the Bible were based on pagan writings. I can’t believe some scholars are saying the Bible was written as an answer to the myths, thinking that sounds better. It still means the Scriptures are not as old, and in most cases it’s much older! Always, always, the Bible has to be presented as the authority, the reality, the truth. Do you see where I’m going with it?"

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The bell for ninth hour rang and Keith started up from beside Talia at the table. Whoa. That went quick. I am impressed. This is going to be an incredible course. I had no idea you could teach all this stuff about manuscripts, translations, and the historical backgrounds in a Bible as Literature course.

Honestly … This is my first time. Talia bit her lip, hitched up one shoulder, and toyed with the tablet.

You mean your first time teaching this class?

No, my first year as a teacher.

Keith stared at her. He flicked his gaze from the laptop to the legal pads, and back to her anxious face. You've got this worked out like a pro, Talia. I never would have guessed you haven’t taught before. It’s going to go great.

"You think so? I tried hard to honor the Word. I'm so sorry about my driving, and the contact thing. I'm not usually this crazy, I promise.

These T-shirts … they were included in that package I showed you – the one where they give you tools to turn your curriculum digital. The message is a little vague, you know … ‘Faith’ in what? Can you believe they encourage you to develop faith-based curriculum, and add it to their repository?

Yeah, I saw that. Keith touched her mouse and scrolled for a minute. The T-shirts can be used with almost any religious course, I guess, so it makes sense that they’re kinda general. But your goals and objectives aren’t vague at all. There’s Scripture memory, archaeological studies, chronological history, scientific correlations – And you don’t think you’ll have any trouble with the powers that be over a curriculum this explicitly fact-based?

They don’t tell you what to teach, Talia replied. They only ask that you ‘enrich the corpus with your teachings’. That sounds kind of pompous, doesn’t it?

Yeah. So you’re required to do a weekly upload? What happens if you don’t?

It’s listed as an Advanced Placement course, so kids might lose the three credits offered. Talia bit her lip harder.

Parents would be upset if we mess that up.

That’s not going to happen, though. I’m very organized and punctual. I’m never late, and I never miss deadlines.

You just try to park in the bus lot and lose your contact in your own eye.

Just for that, I won’t invite you to the shop class when I show them my car.

Are you serious? I have always wanted to see how a Tesla works. I’m sorry you almost got run over by a bus and a van in one day and sat in the wrong section. I am!

It was only a bus, you doofus!

Maybe that big black van at the other end of the school wasn’t your fault, Keith joked.

Talia stopped laughing and froze. What big black van?

There was a Sprinter that almost took you out when you pulled into the car lot. Hey, I was kidding. He was speeding. That one wasn’t your fault.

Talia chewed her lip. You saw a black van going by the school? Speeding?

Oh, yeah. The Men in Black were clearly after you. Only aliens call people doofus.

I could call you a lot worse things than doofus, you meanie.

They both laughed, and Keith helped her gather up her things. She put them in a big canvas duffel. Wow, what’s in this thing? He asked as he hefted the bag off the table.

I can survive for two weeks on what’s in that bag, Talia insisted. I’ve got climbing gear, rope, MREs, a solar oven, first aid supplies, bottled water, lots of dry socks and … some other things. She dropped her eyes and settled the bag across her shoulders.

I hope you've got some lip gloss, root touch-up, and nail polish, too.

Her eyes turned sad and sober. I overdid it on the first day of school makeover, didn’t I? I was trying to make up for all the years I didn’t even have a new dress for school. We grew up poor.

If you own a Tesla, I’d say you got past being poor in fine style. What made you come to a dinky little town like this to teach school?

The car is only a loaner. Talia’s eyes still seemed stuck to the floor. My Uncle Naddy is holding onto it because someone owes him money. Look, I have to go. Thanks for working on this class with me, Keith. I’m glad it’s not someone who doesn’t believe the Bible is true. We are going to teach these kids eternal stuff, and maybe make a difference in the future of the world.

Wait, one thing I forgot to ask about. Tell me about this trip.

Oh, the trip! The bag crashed back down on the table. That’s how we’re going to find the golden testaments!

The what?

"Don’t look at me like I’m Joseph Smith! I’m serious. There is a copy of all the Scriptures that was made using a special metal called orichalcum. People burn and destroy scrolls and books, so they tried to make something indestructible. Think about how we find clay tablets from thousands of years ago that can still be read. Imagine tablets made of metal that doesn't break like clay or corrode like most metals.

They made these tablets, bit by bit, while fleeing persecution. It was something nobody in power wanted finished. Finally it was done, and they hid the tablets somewhere. I’ve been researching since I was ten years old, trying to figure out where the golden testaments are.

Wait a minute. You have ten days, max, for spring break, including travel time to and from. And you don’t know where they are? Are they all together? What if they’re scattered everywhere? And we’re going with a bunch of high school students. We can’t just take them who knows where hunting for some gold whatevers you think exist.

They’re real! I’m getting closer every day. By Christmas I’m sure I’ll know where they are. That’s when we have to nail down the final details of the trip. At that point we’ll be able to plan to get as close to them as possible, and we will find them. It's important to help students learn that the God's truth does endure, no matter what men try to do to destroy it.

Okay, okay, so … if these tablets exist, what language are they in?

I’m … I’m not sure. It's hard to find out when the tablets were actually made.

You’re not sure. So it could be French, Spanish, German, Italian –

It’s okay. I know all those.

You know all those?

And Greek, and Hebrew, and Croat, and Russian, and a few Arabic dialects …

You know all those languages? Fluently?

Yes. This has been my lifelong dream. I’m going to find them, and I’m going to be able to read them, whatever language they’re in.

You said you're not sure when they were made? What if it’s English a thousand years ago?

She rattled off something that sounded a little like some mashup of German and Latin.

What’s that mean? Keith demanded.

It’s English, the way they spoke it a thousand years ago, Talia shrugged. "It means, I’m ready for this. She cast her eyes down at the floor, and then let them dart up again. Your father said you probably wouldn’t go with us – that you had a convention you needed to go to for your degree. I’m glad you changed your mind."

Wait … I didn’t say for sure that I’d go. I’m just looking for information.

Oh. Her eyes dropped. "It’s okay. I’ve had twenty people talk to me about chaperoning, so I’m sure it’ll be okay if you can’t come. I just thought … since we’re teaching together, you’d be the best one to answer the kids’ questions, to help plan … I thought you’d understand better than anybody else.

"I went to Italy when I was in high school, and the chaperones didn’t care anything about the art, the architecture, the history – there was a mom who went out with some the teenage girls and let them get drunk. Girls came home banging on people’s doors, throwing up … Ugh! That woman spent half her time at the hotel bar and the other half shopping. Even the teachers didn’t know anything about what we were going to see or do.

I wanted it to be different for this trip. I want us to teach the kids to honor the word and understand the sacrifices of people who protected and preserved it.

I think it would be great to go on the trip. But this ProTechCon – it’s only held every five years. I missed it last time because – because of my mom’s funeral.

Oh, I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.

"Yeah, she had a heart attack. Just … bam."

My parents both died in a bus crash when I was a kid. That’s how I found out about the golden testaments, when I went to live with my Uncle Naddy and Aunt Sophie –the Doctors Ramin. They’re kind of like the Indiana Joneses of Bible Archaeology. We’ve been all over the world, tracing down this treasure. Uncle Naddy is at a dig site trying to narrow down the search right now too. We’re going back together over Christmas break. Hey, maybe you could come with us for the preliminary trip. That wouldn’t interfere with your conference.

I don’t have the money for something like that.

We do. You’d be our guest. You have a passport, right?

Yeah, I have a passport, but …

Just think about it. I do have to go.

Wait, sorry, I forgot all about that reporter who was in the assembly. What was she doing here?

What reporter?

She was walking around the auditorium with a cameraman, looking all bored, until my dad announced your class. Then she went kinda nuts, and made her cameraman zoom in on you and me.

I didn’t know there was a reporter here. With a cameraman? Why would she care about any of this?

She seemed like she cared a whole lot about this class.

I don’t know anything about it. Sorry.

Keith helped her shoulder her bag again and watched her go, admiring once more the swish of those colorful skirts and … other things. He had a feeling she wouldn’t accept help with that big, bulky bag. Survive for two weeks out of a duffel bag? Where did that come from? I guess that’s what they do when they travel around on this crazy quest to find those golden testaments. This girl is a lot more complicated than I figured. And who gets a Tesla to hold onto as collateral?

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Chapter Four – We’ll Give You Money.

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Since it was Wednesday, Keith had no last period class. He turned to step out of the teachers' lounge and encountered his father. "Hey, Mr. Brady," he teased.

Not you, too. Did it go that badly? his dad sighed.

No, not at all. She’s amazing. Keith hurriedly reassured his father, who practically dragged himself to the coffee machine and poured out something that looked like an oil change. Dad, don’t drink that! Let me make another pot. Sit down.

He busied himself making coffee while his father sank onto the lumpy old sofa that had come from the Bradleys’ living room. This class is going to be fantastic. But are you okay? You look even more beat than usual for a first day of school.

I just got out of a two-hour meeting with some of the board members. Apparently Veronica James complained about our new teacher engaging in some reckless driving yesterday. She got a little hot because our safety director never reported it. Something I should know about?

Oh … Yeah, she got mixed up about the parking lots, and Mrs. James almost took her along as a hood ornament. She apologized for that. Luckily, nobody got hurt. He decided not to bring up the black van. The last thing his dad needed was more stress, and he was probably making too much of it himself. Talia’s reaction when I brought it up sure was odd, though.

We have some new parents who moved in over the summer. They are agitating about how old the facilities are, how things aren’t up to their standards – sidewalk width, bus maneuvering area, student walkway markings – That’s mostly what the meeting was about. They wanted to know why you weren’t there, since it was largely about what they consider safety issues.

Dad, you keep telling me people made up that safety director job. I had class, and then I met with Talia.

Talia? His father raised his eyebrows. Yes, I’m not sure why these people insist that this safety director is something official, either. But this seems to be the year for blowing everything out of proportion. I know what you were doing, and I told them you had other obligations. These people truly worry me. They keep talking about safety, but some of the things they bring up don’t fall under the category of safety, in my book.

Like what?

They started out talking about sidewalks, and then it somehow morphed into civil rights. I got to where I couldn’t even follow the chain of reasoning anymore. Our budget is too small to make all these upgrades they want. They’re saying we ought to have a daycare for teen moms. We don’t even have any teen moms this year. Penny Stewart was the only one last year. Since she had her baby, she transferred over to the Vo-Tech, where they already have a daycare. Mrs. Landis tells me she’s going to take her cosmetology licensing test in January and will probably be making more money than me before next year is out.

Keith grinned, but his father sobered again. Next they started in on some kind of special bathrooms. I didn’t even get what they were hinting around about. We have handicapped stalls. Why would anybody need a private bathroom or private shower in a school?

Dad … are they talking about transgender facilities?

Oh, no, do you think that’s what this is all about? Political correctness masquerading as safety? His father sank his head into his hands as Keith brought the coffee and sat across from him.

Haven’t we been exempt from those kinds of mandates because the area population’s so small and the income levels are so low?

Yes, so far. We have so many unemployed, elderly – the tax revenue isn’t there to upgrade beyond what we’ve been doing gradually as we win grants and get extra funds. These parents wanted to put in cameras to catch bullying – all kinds of things. These are not serious issues here. They kept saying I have a ‘Mayberry mentality’. Thankfully, this Bible as Literature program’s going to bring in some revenue.

Revenue? How so?

Ms. Ramin showed me the paperwork. Contributing to that big database of theirs entitles us to extra grant money for every student who signs up. We need to push this, Keith. I don’t see a downside. We get to teach our students anything we want about the Bible. They get fast-tracked for college acceptance if they have the course. The course carries Advanced Placement college credit for contributing to the database with their own projects, plus we get grant money.

Keith saw his father’s tension slowly ease as he leaned back on the old couch and sipped the coffee. He wished he wasn’t feeling a strange knot start to form in his stomach.

Dad, what if – Keith shut his mouth. His father didn’t even open his eyes and didn’t appear to have heard him. He decided to finish the thought just in his own head for now.

People talk about gay rights, all these other rights, just like they were civil rights. Grandpa used to say that there weren’t any civil rights. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – That was pretty much it. Thomas Paine had it right – Governments can’t give rights. They can only take them away. And Sam Adams said we have to figure out what the minimum is that we can give up to be able to live in a society.

Grampa also said that even the Bill of Rights caused big problems for the country. The fact that they mentioned freedom of religion by name kinda put it in the crosshairs. What if we are buying into another fake ‘right’, the right to study and teach the Bible? What they’re just doing the same thing as with ‘gun rights’ – if the government controls rights, it’s easier to take those rights away?

He couldn’t help the next thought that occurred to him, either. The government is telling us, Just fill out some paperwork. Tell us how you’re teaching and studying the Bible. We’ll give you money.

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Chapter Five – A Bradley Central Do-Over

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Talia had agreed that she could start the first Bible as Literature class on Friday without Keith. He had told her he sometimes had to stand in for Mr. Taylor, the PE teacher. Mr. Taylor also taught classes at the Vo-Tech, and Friday was one of those days when he had a schedule conflict.

Talia pulled down the screen at the front of the class and flicked on the first frame of her opening presentation. The class all went, Oooh … aaahh … as the fireworks burst out and filled the screen. A Bible swept onto the screen and she smiled until a boy hopped up and flipped off the lights.

Leave those on, please, Talia called out. The boy had vanished back in among the herd of students – Forty-five people had signed up for the class, far more than they had expected. Now she didn’t even see who had done it.

It’s easier to see the screen if it’s dark, someone protested.

Talia heard giggling. She paused the presentation, walked to the back of the room, and switched the lights back on.

C’mon, we can’t see it with the lights on!

Sit up, Talia said sharply, seeing a male student leaning over, his hand on a girl’s backside. "Flee youthful lusts."

Do what? The boy sat up slowly, reluctantly.

She means you’re lusting after Anna, someone snickered.

What do you mean, lusting? The boy demanded. She’s my girlfriend.

That doesn’t mean you’re free to paw her in my class, Talia snapped. You’re not respecting her, and besides, you’re just making it harder to wait until you get married.

Wait for what? someone asked.

For … for sex, of course, Talia answered.

It says in the Bible that you have to wait to get married to have sex? What about Adam and Eve? Who married them?

Naw, Adam and Eve didn’t have no sex, until after they ate the apple, someone sniggered. Talia hurried back up to her desk for the seating chart.

The Bible doesn’t say that, Gary, Talia said. "In fact, Adam performed the first wedding ceremony. He said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, Because she was taken out of man.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

Hey, you forgot the last part! A girl – Talia got the seating chart again – Rita – yelled. "And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed! Whoo-hoo! So it’s okay to get naked! Nothing to be ashamed of!"

You know you’re not putting that in context, Talia protested. No one else was around. They were married. And the Fall hadn’t happened yet. You don’t get to decide what the Bible means based on what you want it to mean.

What good is the Bible if it doesn’t mean anything to me? another student piped up. I don’t even get what it’s saying most of the time. Maybe it was good for people a long, long time ago, but it ain’t relevant to us today. It don’t deal with stuff we gotta face every day.

Talia switched off the viewer and crossed her arms. "You think the Bible doesn’t matter? You think we don’t need to bother about it anymore? When the lights were off in here, we were just like people without the Bible. It’s a light. It’s all we have until God makes this black, sinful world right again.

"Listen to this. So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. God wrote the Bible. It wasn’t just people giving their opinions, like other religious books. It’s truth."

Hey, this is America. We got freedoms here. We can choose what we want to believe, someone argued.

"America offers religious liberty, true. But the founding fathers based their laws on Bible principles. They didn’t force people to follow Christ, but they showed us which way was best for us. The Bible says we need God to be free. Psalm 119: 45 says, And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts." Talia had lost all hope of keeping up with the seating chart. A machine-gun rattle of voices filled the room.

It says that in the Bible?

We only have freedom if God controls us?

How’s that freedom?

I don’t believe that!

Talia shook her head in frustration. The students sat with sprawled legs, crossed arms, belligerent or bored looks. It’s true. Every word of it. The Bible is the Word of God.

They teach us one thing in school, and another thing in church. They can’t both be true. Talia knew Keisha at least. The girl wagged her head so hard her beaded braids almost smacked – seating chart again? – Rodney’s twiddling pen out of his hand.

Ow! he whined. Ms. Ramin!

Naw, My temple says evolution’s okay, just believe what you want. Religion and science, they are different things. Rajid shrugged and went back to staring at the ceiling.

No, no, Talia exclaimed. The Bible has all the truth — about History, about Science, about everything! Truth is truth. How can there be different kinds of truth?

Keith – You need to call him Mr. Bradley – Talia sternly reminded herself, slipped into the back of the classroom at that moment, his tight little black curls dripping.

Only ten minutes into the class, and the students were already bored, belligerent, or just quietly hostile. Mr. Bradley walked up from the back of the classroom, so straight and smooth, like that stick of cinnamon Talia had swirled around in her hot chocolate this morning. Oh, stop it!

Sit up, Kenny. Keith struck the back of a student’s chair with the flat of his hand, the sound like a gunshot, and the boy spurted upright. Mary Anne, put that note away before I make you read it to the class. Tom, when did you ever get the idea that it was okay to disrespect a teacher in this school like you are doing?

Keith stopped in front of a male student and grabbed up the notebook he had sketched a figure on. Talia gasped and realized it was a busty caricature of her with the words Sooo hawt scribbled below it.

Get up, Tom, Keith ordered. The boy looked up at him uncertainly. Keith towered over most of the young people. Today he had dressed completely in black, with a leather jacket that hugged his shoulders, but the expression on his face was so stern Talia almost felt sorry for the student.

Hey, I’m sorry, Mr. Bradley, Tom mumbled, but he didn’t rise.

Keith kicked the leg of his desk. Tom was a heavy boy but the force of the blow almost knocked the desk over.

Tom scrambled out of the chair and stood quivering before Keith.

I’m not the one you need to apologize to, Keith persisted. Go up to the front of the classroom and tell Ms. Ramin you’re sorry.

The boy shifted and squirmed and muttered, I’m sorry, Ms. Ramin.

She’s up there. Keith’s long arm shot out and he pointed in Talia’s direction. You better not keep standing there, and you better not say it like that, either.

Tom shuffled up and stood with his head down before Talia. I’m sorry, Ms. Ramin.

I accept your apology, Tom, Talia responded, very surprised to learn that she had a voice. Tom slunk back to his seat.

Don’t sit down, Keith warned him, walking up to join Talia at the front of the room. She saw every eye in the room expand at the same time. "Everybody join Tom on your feet. Yeah, now."

The students stood up like one person. One desk fell over, the boy was in such a hurry. He picked it up and shoved his crumpled books back onto it.

Up on your toes, Keith said.

You mean just the boys, right, Mr. Bradley? a plump girl wheedled.

Did I say just the boys, Gretchen?

No, sir. The students rose on their toes, wobbling.

Put your arms straight out in front of you. Stay on your toes! Keith rapped out. He gave a rapid-fire series of similar orders, all the while keeping the students on the balls of their feet. Five minutes later, everyone teetered and groaned and sweated.

Sit down, Keith ordered. They collapsed. Got it all out of your system now? All the disrespect, all the smart-Alec stuff, all the fooling around? Now repeat after me. I better hear everybody, and I know everybody’s voice.

More groans. Talia tried to describe to herself that look he gave them as silence fell. She couldn’t.

This is a class, Keith said.

This is a class, every voice repeated.

In class we pay attention.

In class we pay attention.

In class we respect the teacher.

In class we respect the teacher.

Keith glared around at all of them once more. He held up his hand in a crazy gesture that reminded Talia a little of the Vulcan Live long, and prosper sign from Star Trek, except that he had his thumb and first finger up, his middle finger somehow impossibly halfway bent, and the other two tucked down. "It’s two and a half right now. You don’t want to know what happens at three, so there will be no more of what I saw and heard when I walked into this room. Elective doesn’t mean you get to do what you want. Everybody understands that now, correct?"

Heads bobbed. They all sat with their hands folded, feet flat on the floor, eyes fixed on Keith.

Ms. Ramin, pretend we just started this class. These people get a do-over. I hope they remember that Bradley Central does not give do-overs lightly.

Talia’s hands shook as she went back to the desk and picked up the remote to begin the slide presentation again. The students sat in total silence through the fireworks. The Bible swam up to fill the screen again, and then the verses she had never gotten to show appeared, glowing, phrase by phrase.

For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. For, All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word which was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:23-25

Welcome to the Bible as Literature class, Talia managed to say. We are here to tell you that the Bible is much more than just literature. It’s science, it’s history, it’s truth. It’s all true.

May I please ask a question? Tom asked, raising his hand.

Yes, Talia replied, after risking a glance at Keith. She found that his eyes were fixed on hers with an odd expression, as if he were upset about something. He didn’t even seem to have heard Tom.

That’s a Bible verse up there on the screen, right?

Yes, it’s from the New Testament, written by Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples.

It says, like, people are going to live forever, right? Grass is gonna dry up and die, but people and God’s Word, they’re gonna last forever? His voice rose on the end, far more plaintive than a mere question.

Well … Talia hesitated and glanced at Keith he seemed to be slowly snapping out of a fog.

People do live forever, Keith said. "But these verses are not talking about all people being happy forever, or everybody going to heaven, or whatever most people say about immortality. There are no do-overs once you die.

"Look at what it says up there – For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. Ms. Ramin talked about the Bible being true, and having so much to teach us. But the biggest thing of all is that it tells us about what Jesus Christ said to Nicodemus one night – Ye must be born again. Our souls are like that grass. They’re shriveled up and dead. Jesus died to bring us back to life again. That’s what the Bible tells us – How to live for real, forever, with God and Jesus."

Holy crap, somebody whispered.

The bell rang. Nobody moved. Talia looked around, bewildered, used to students stampeding out of her classes, especially since this was the last period of the day on a Friday.

Keith said, It’s a do-over. They wasted ten minutes of class time acting like a bunch of jackasses. You get ten minutes of their time in exchange.

Oh! Well, I need to give out your assignment sheets, Talia said.

Gretchen raised her hand. May I pass them out, please, Ms. Ramin?

Yes, thank you, Gretchen.

Can I help? Tom asked, and then hastily stuck his hand up. Sorry. Sorry. Please, Ms. Ramin, may I help?

After the sheets went around, Talia dismissed the class. Several students, including Tom, lingered.

Don’t we have a textbook for this class? one of them asked.

We’ll be handing out some reading material about ancient literature from other cultures, as we get to it, Talia said.

Otherwise, it’s just the Bible, Richie, Keith replied.

Oh, OK. Richie vanished.

I don’t have one. Tom said in a low voice. My mom can maybe get me one when she gets paid.

You don’t have a Bible? We’ll get you one, Tom, Talia said.

You have that job at Lowe’s, don’t you, Tom? Keith asked.

Well, yeah, but …

"Yeah, but, you can dial back on the video games and buy one yourself," Keith said.

But the school gives us all our other textbooks, someone protested.

Right, Leo, and look at yours already, on the third day of school, Keith scoffed. This was the boy whose books had crashed to the floor when he had knocked his desk over. People don’t value what’s free. This one you get yourself. Figure out a way. If you need a job, you know my grandma’s apartment manager hires kids to rake the leaves or pick up trash.

What about these assignment due dates? Peter asked. How long do we have to get a Bible? Are you going to change these?

The assignments are due when they’re due, Keith replied. Get yourself a Bible and get them done.

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Chapter Six –Missed the Bus

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Talia watched as the kids gradually departed, but two of them lingered, Tom and a girl Talia knew was named Jayna. The students eyed each other uncertainly.

Come to the teachers' lounge with me, Jayna, Talia said.

C’mon, Tom. Over here. Keith pulled Tom aside.

Ms. Ramin, I don’t want to be withered and dead like the grass, Jayna said as soon as they were inside the lounge. How do I get Jesus to save me?

Talia’s jaw dropped, but she managed to pray with the girl and keep from crying. Jayna bawled without restraint and then got the hiccups. Talia hugged her until she calmed down a little.

I missed the bus, Jayna said between hics.

What? Where do you live?

It’s far. I’m sorry.

No, don’t be. I’ll take you home.

You mean I get to ride in that awesome car? Jayna hiccupped again.

Come here, Talia said, taking her over to the sink and getting a cup of water. Drink this upside-down.

Do what?

Lean over. Drink from the other side of the cup, like this. Talia demonstrated.

How’m I gonna do that?

It will get rid of the hiccups. I promise. Talia thought Jayna probably spilled more water than she drank, but she came up smiling.

It worked! I usually keep hiccupping for hours. Thanks, Ms. Ramin.

Get your things and meet me out at the parking lot, sweetie, Talia rubbed the girl’s shoulder. She hurried back to the Bible as Lit classroom to grab her duffelbag.

Keith stood in the doorway giving Tom a manly sort of hug.

Now I will live forever. Tom grinned shyly at Talia. But I missed the bus.

Today I’m the bus. I’m taking Jayna home too.

You mean in that awesome car? Tom’s eyes widened. Talia saw a fleeting look of longing in Keith’s eyes.

Mr. Bradley, you want to chaperone this field trip?

I don’t know …

Talia wanted to understand his expression right now.

Mr. Bradley, how could you not want to ride in Ms. Ramin’s car? Tom demanded. And you live right by me.

Okay, Keith sighed. Let me grab my stuff and I’ll be down. I’ll let my dad know I’m leaving early.

I call shotgun! Tom crowed as they crossed the parking lot.

I think we better let Mr. Bradley ride shotgun, Talia smirked. His legs are pretty long for the back seat.

Aw, OK, grumbled Tom. Talia let the two students into her car. She looked back toward the school and saw both Mr. Bradleys exit the building and walk toward them. They seemed to be having a very intense discussion but broke it off before she could hear anything.

I hear you had a little bit of a rocky start, but a stellar ending, to the first class. Principal Bradley leaned down to take a look at Tom and Jayna. Jayna, you live a long way from here. Does Ms. Ramin know what she’s getting herself into? I could drop you two off, if you can wait about half an hour.

It’s no problem, Mr. Bradley, Talia insisted. I have no plans, and it’s my own fault. If I had gotten control of the class we wouldn’t have had a do-over.

A do-over? Principal Bradley repeated, eying his son, who stiffened.

Yeah, I figured once every five years, we can slip one in, right? Keith forced a grin.

Maybe we can, if I know what one is," Mr. Bradley said.

We didn’t respect Ms. Ramin, Tom said. Me especially. Mr. Bradley tiptoed the crazy out of us and gave us a do-over so she could start the class like we should have.

Tiptoed the – Principal Bradley cast a long, searching look at his son. Well, I’m very glad things turned out so well. God bless the two of you, and Ms. Ramin, thank you for taking this on yourself. I will see you later at home, I suppose, Mr. Bradley?

Yes, of course, Keith replied. Should I bring anything?

I’ll have dinner ready about six, Principal Bradley answered. That should give you enough time to make the turnaround from Jayna’s house. I assume Tom wants to get as much Tesla time as he can, even in the back seat.

Tom gave him a huge grin. Keith folded himself into the passenger seat and Talia slid in behind the wheel. They all waved at Mr. Bradley. He stood watching until they drove out of the parking lot, then headed back into the building.

So where do you live, Jayna? Talia asked, forcing a bright tone into her voice. I am so tired! She tapped on the GPS.

1635 Harker Lane, Banksville, Jayna said in a little, squeaky voice. Talia poked in the address and looked at the readout. Oh, my – !

I’m really sorry. I said it was far.

Talia rubbed her already-gritty eyes. It’s okay. No problem. I’m just … Still figuring out where things are.

Turn left in 500 feet, the GPS said.

Whoa! After you stop for the stop sign! Keith exclaimed as she spun the wheel.

What? Talia looked in the rear-view mirror at the receding sign, and then caught a glimpse of flashing lights. Oh, no! she groaned. She slid over to the side of the road and stopped the car.

Hi there, the police officer said as Talia lowered the window. Pretty fancy car. We don’t get many fancy cars in our little town. Especially such fast ones. Hey, Keith! The short, wiry man bent down to look into the car. Talia saw Keith cringe. Wow, I had no idea you were in here.

Hey, Clark. Keith gave a feeble wave.

License, registration, and proof of insurance, please, Miss … ?

Ramin. Natalia. I’m so sorry. I didn’t even see that stop sign.

Well, that’s no excuse, now, is it? I hope Mr. Safety here wasn’t distracting you.

Talia handed over her items. No, of course he wasn’t. I was taking some students home. They missed the bus.

Oh, really? the officer peered into the back seat. Well, then that makes it extra important to be careful, doesn’t it? Precious cargo. Have you notified their parents that you’re transporting them?

Oh … I didn’t think about that! Talia blushed.

Clark, my dad called their parents before we left and let them know, Keith said. And they’ll be home before the bus could get them there. That is, unless you decide to keep us here messing around longer than you need to. You could give her a warning. She’s new in town.

Messing around? The pitch of Clark’s voice rose several octaves. Is that what you call trying to enforce the law, Keith? Do you mean the law doesn’t apply to new people, or people in a hurry?

You’re perfectly correct, Officer Johnson, Talia said, taking a deep breath. I ran that stop sign. I was wrong.

Yes, you did. Clark pulled out his ticket book. But it looks like we’ve let the bushes grow up over there a little bit, so it’s possible that a new person in town might miss seeing it. So I will just write you a warning, since you acknowledged your responsibility. You can go. Be more careful next time. He returned to his car, shut off the lights, and roared away.

Talia sighed. I’m so sorry, Mr. Bradley.

Hey, it’s okay, Keith soothed. You handled Clark better than I did. Do you … Would you like me to drive?

Oh, would you? It’s a little different from a gas engine, but you’ll catch on, and then you won’t want to stop.

They switched places and Talia talked him through the basics of operating the car. Keith pulled out and his grin kept getting bigger.

This is like floating, he said.

Exactly.

The two in the back seat giggled. Can I drive a little while, too, Ms. Ramin? Jayna pleaded. I have my learner’s permit.

Me too! Tom chimed in.

Not a chance, Keith grinned. I’m not giving this baby up to anybody except Ms. Ramin.

Isn’t this car electric? Tom asked. How do you charge it up? We don’t have any charge stations around here.

I have solar converters, Talia explained. And I have … I have a lot of batteries.

How many is a lot? Tom asked.

Are you in the car care club? Talia asked.

Yeah.

I’ll be bringing it in next Tuesday. You can see the batteries and pretty much anything else you want to.

Sweet! Tom crowed. Talia saw Keith’s expression change.

What’s wrong, Mr. Bradley?

Oh, nothing. I have science club on Tuesday, so I won’t get to see it.

Mr. Bradley, wouldn’t looking at a Tesla be a pretty cool science experience? Jayna suggested. You could bring your club over to Mr. Lawrence’s club, right?

That’s a wonderful idea, Jayna! Talia exclaimed.

Yeah, that is a good idea, Keith conceded.

Look out! Tom screamed. Keith swerved, knuckles white on the steering wheel. A black Sprinter van roared past.

They tried to run us off the road! Jayna shrieked.

Calm down! Keith exclaimed, all the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. It’s only a speeder.

They saw the van turn up ahead. It swerved around the next corner and start a U-turn as if it was headed back toward them.

No way! It’s coming at us again! Tom wailed.

Put your heads in your laps, kids. Do it now! Talia snapped. "Keith, take that right turn. That one! Now!"

Keith swung the car off the main road and the Sprinter seemed to him to snarl in frustration as it passed, barely missing their bumper. A second later they saw Clark Johnson’s squad car, lights flashing and siren blasting, streak by in pursuit.

Who was that? Tom quavered.

Were they trying to hit us? Jayna asked.

Don’t worry about it, baby, Talia said. We’re safe, and maybe Officer Johnson will catch them. I’m so glad he was close by."

Yeah, good thing he was, Keith said, drawing a ragged breath. He turned around in a driveway and got back on the main road. They went on in silence for several miles.

The car has twelve battery cells, Talia blurted out finally. They call them battery packs, and there are normally only six for a five-door like this. But this one has some … modifications, and can go almost 600 miles without recharging.

Everyone started to breathe again after that, and normal small talk filled the rest of the trip.

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There’s my house! Jayna squealed. Look, Ms. Ramin. All my brothers are watching for your car.

Keith pulled up in front of the faded double-wide. Five boys of various sizes spilled out of the yard to surround the car as Jayna mugged through the window.

Come on, Jayna, Ms. Ramin needs to get home, Keith reminded her.

Oh, OK. Jayna reluctantly pushed the door open. Thank you so much, Ms. Ramin, for everything. I can’t wait for the next class.

Next stop, Tom’s house, Keith announced as they pulled away. They kept the light conversation going until they arrived at Tom’s house.

Tom got out with a grin. I get paid at Lowe's tomorrow, so I can get my Bible then. Thanks, Ms. Ramin. Thanks, Mr. Bradley. Thanks a lot.

Keith started to get out of the car as well.

Wait, where are you going? Talia asked.

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Chapter Seven –Dinner with the Principal

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My dad and I live right across the street, Keith answered. That’s his car. He pointed out an older Taurus sedan parked opposite the Tesla. Thanks for the ride, and the chance to drive the Tesla. That is such a great car.

Oh! Talia got out of the passenger seat but hesitated on the sidewalk. I see.

Something wrong?

I just ... I had hoped we could talk … about the class we didn’t have today, because I screwed up.

You didn’t screw up. Two kids accepted the Lord. How is that screwing up?

God did that.

Of course He did. He does everything good, and the other stuff … well, we’re sinners living in a world of sin. Things can’t go good all the time, can they?

No, I guess not. But how do you – I’ve never known how to – I never expected kids to sit up with their hands folded in my classes, you know?

Well, they don’t always do that in my classes, either, Keith chuckled, but it’s no service to them if they think you’re their friend, or some annoying noise they don’t have to listen to. Scare them a little bit. The Bible is full of commands to discipline children, make them fear those in authority. Good, clean fear – not scary ‘I don’t know when you’re going to crack my skull’ kind of fear. My grandma says you have to ‘make ’em mind’.

Can you teach me how?

I could try, but, for starters, you can’t be so cute, Keith said.

Cute?

I just meant that – umm – Wear something less – less – Keith’s arms flailed. A car went by and he hurried over to join her on the sidewalk.

Cute? Talia looked down at herself. Okay, okay. So, maybe a dark, tailored suit, and a white blouse, and flats, or something? And put my hair in a bun?

"It doesn’t have to be extreme, but if you look