Through the Fire

By Susan Reimer

Growing up in a single parent home, Joey Floretti has watched his father struggle all his life as the owner of a small-town garage. His mother, who left when he was young, has built a new life with little time to maintain a relationship with him. When an opportunity appears to make his dreams come true, Joey jumps at it even though it goes against everything he thought he believed in. It is only when faced with a disaster of his own making that Joey sees how faith might offer him the answers he’s been searching for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Word Alive Press
• Release date: Aug 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781486618897

Book preview

4:2–6)

Part One

Colossians 1 – Supremacy

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

(Colossians 1: 15–20)

Chapter One

The full moon lit up the snow-covered lake behind the cottage. Joey Floretti stood, shaking with cold and adrenaline, as Nick went to work on the padlock of the garage. Finally, it snapped off under the weight of the crowbar.

The moonlight shining through the windows lit up the interior. Rows of tools were arranged meticulously on both walls, their shapes outlined in white spray paint. Ephraim cleared his throat. You two, he grunted to the pair of young men on his right, get out there and stand watch. As they moved quickly, the tall, muscular man turned to Nick and Joey. What are you waiting for?

They jumped into action. Two quads sat side by side in the middle of the garage floor, and they headed toward them, scanning the rest of the garage for valuables. Upon closer inspection, they could clearly see that the first of the bikes was being used for parts. It was up on blocks, and a tire had been removed. The second machine was in much better condition. The keys dangled enticingly from the ignition. Joey felt breath on the side of his face as Ephraim leaned over his shoulder to assess its worth. He nodded. Perfect; load her up.

The overhead door was frozen to the ground, and Nick gave it a massive kick to dislodge the ice at the bottom. The crash of his steel-toed boot rang out in the silence. Quiet, you idiot, Ephraim growled. Nick frowned and went to work on the door more quietly. Grudgingly, it came free of the ice jam, and slowly rose as Joey pulled up on the handle, the metal squealing from disuse. This earned another growl from Ephraim. Once it was high enough, Nick ducked under and ran to the truck. He backed it up as close to the door as he could. They had brought some ramps and he quickly passed them to Joey, who helped push the quad into the truck bed and secured it with ropes. Jumping out, Joey noticed Ephraim and the lookouts smoking a little ways off. The ends of their cigarettes glowed red in the darkness.

Joey glanced at Nick. He was watching Ephraim, too. A grim smile spread across his face as he turned to Joey. Hey, he whispered, nodding at the garage, let’s light her up! He waved a lighter and turned to go back in.

Joey reluctantly followed. Desperation urged him forward. Stealing was bad enough, but lighting the place on fire? That was going too far. He looked around helplessly and noticed a light through the window. It was the yard light of a cottage across the lake.

Someone’s home! he said, turning to Nick. He drew in a sharp breath. Nick was holding an old newspaper to his lighter, his face transformed as he watched the flame begin to lick its way up the sides of the rolled-up paper. Nick, put it out! Joey tried again. Someone’s out there.

Nick laughed eerily, his face lit by the orange glow.

Kid’s right. Ephraim’s voice cut through the darkness. Put that out now.

Nick reluctantly stomped out the paper and followed Ephraim outside. Joey pulled the door shut and breathed a sigh of relief. The others were now standing with their backs to the truck, smoking yet another cigarette, their anxious eyes trained on the road. The cold air puffed like clouds from their mouths as they exhaled, the smoke from the cigarettes drifting straight up on this cold, clear night. Ephraim lifted his hand, and they immediately dropped their cigarettes on the ground and followed him to his truck parked further up the lane.

Joey noticed the tips of the cigarettes still glowing against the white snow and deliberately stepped on them as he passed, crushing them into the ground. No need to risk a fire, he thought. The irony of his diligence over the cigarette butts was not lost on him, but he was busy justifying himself, and he wove that self-righteous decision into the narrative building in his head.

These rich people with their cottages and their toys, they have plenty of insurance and plenty of money, he thought. They won’t even miss their quad till spring, and by then it will just be a memory. Unless… With a jolt, he recalled Alex’s stories of learning to drive a quad at his grandparent’s cottage last fall. He’d said his grampa outlined his tools to make it easier to put them away, too. Joey looked around frantically, trying to see if this could possibly be the area Alex had described. He thought Alex had said the lake was further away. Relief washed over him. Yeah, Alex said there was a huge maple tree out front and they took a trail to the lake, he thought. It wasn’t their house. The adrenaline he’d felt all night was starting to drain, and Joey felt tired. Tired and old. He couldn’t wait to get home.

He hoped he’d proven himself tonight. He had to show Ephraim he could be trusted. He was well aware that this night had been his initiation, his chance to prove he belonged in their gang.

_______________

The trip back into town gave Joey time to think. He gazed out the side window, remembering the first time he’d seen Ephraim. About a month ago, Dad was having a sale on used tires and Ephraim had stopped in at the garage.

Joey had been working with the bay window open when he saw a well-built young man jump out of a new pickup. He turned to him as he approached.

Hey, the stranger said as he walked up. You work here?

Yep, Joey answered warily. It’s my dad’s garage.

Oh—well, I’m looking for a couple of guys to help with moving some stuff. Would you be interested in some extra cash?

Joey was distracted by the face of a young blonde leaning out of the passenger window to check her lipstick in the side mirror. Uh, yeah, maybe, he answered, trying to tear his eyes away from the girl. The big guy he was addressing turned to see what he was staring at.

Like what you see, son? he teased him.

What? Oh sorry, Joey apologized.

No problem kid; she is pretty fine—but she’s all mine, you understand? Now, you like the look of my truck and you obviously like the look of my girl. The guy looked around the interior of the garage and smiled. I’m sure you do good work here, but let’s face it, no one’s getting rich around here, are they? He smiled, flashing perfect white teeth. You want a chance at some real money, and maybe get yourself a real honey, give me a call. With that, he slipped Joey a business card. Quickly scanning it, Joey read No Job Too Small. Holding out his hand, the man shook Joey’s. Name’s Ephraim, like in the Bible, he added. And then he walked away.

Joey had thought it over and called Ephraim the next day. He soon found out that Ephraim had a couple of friends in Corston who would sell whatever he could find them. Bikes, electronics, tools. Things that could be sold quickly.

_______________

Joey picked up his pace and turned onto his street. Nick had dropped him off a few streets away, sliding to a stop on the icy streets and barely waiting until the door was shut behind him to take off again. Joey’s dad would be asleep, and he didn’t want to wake him. Floretti’s Garage came into view. Basically, it was two buildings put together. The first, a two-storey, contained a convenience store on the main floor and the apartment he shared with his dad above. Attached to it was the garage. It was one big space, with room for two car bays and a high ceiling to accommodate the lifts. The roof reached across to just below the bedroom windows, and Joey had been known to climb out and sit on it when he was younger—until his dad found out and put a stop to it.

He quickly walked into the yard and around the building to the back door. Easing it open, he came in, locked it behind him, and made his way up the dark steps to their apartment. Quietly, he shut the door leading into the kitchen and made his way through the darkness to his room. He paused at his door, holding his breath to listen to the snoring from his father’s bedroom before going in.

Joey flicked on his lamp and caught his reflection in the mirror by the dresser. For a long moment, he stared at the boy in the reflection. His eyes looked huge in his chalk-white face, his cheeks burned red by the cold. His shaggy dark blond hair stood up in windswept waves. By his side, his hand clenched a fistful of money. He returned again to the huge haunted eyes staring back at him until the shame at what he’d done overwhelmed him. Joey closed his eyes and turned away.

Chapter Two

Hey man, wait up. Joey stopped when he heard the voice of his best friend, Peter Xavier, behind him.

Falling into step beside Joey, the good-looking, dark-haired boy asked, How was your weekend? Get up to anything?

What do you mean? Joey asked, his mind racing. He felt sick to his stomach and hoped Peter wouldn’t notice. There’s no way he could have found out, Joey thought.

Peter laughed. You know. Anything interesting. I was just asking. I had to help shovel snow—real exciting stuff.

Joey relaxed and smiled. Peter obviously didn’t suspect anything. Yeah, he drawled. Same here. But we have to do the whole yard so folks can get in.

Yeah, but you use the truck, Peter said. It’s not like you have to shovel.

True, Joey replied. They had reached the school, and separated at the front doors, each heading to his own locker. See you later, man, Joey called.

_______________

It’s like a different world, Joey thought, sitting in homeroom. All these kids. Man, what do they know about real life? Their folks bought them anything they wanted. Popular logos adorned most of their clothes. Guys competed to see who had the most expensive shoes.

Joey shifted in discomfort, very aware of the bargain basement jeans and t-shirt he wore under his worn leather jacket. I’ll be there soon enough, he thought to himself. Some day soon he’d show up wearing those brands too. And then they’d look at him differently. He wouldn’t just be Joey Floretti, everyone’s friend, the guy whose dad owned the local garage. He’d be somebody, and they would look up to him.

_______________

Peter looked over at his friend. Something was going on. He’d known Joey most of his life and he could tell when he was hiding something. Peter didn’t like not knowing. Joey had always been a risk taker. Out of all of them, he’d been the one to skip school, break curfew, push the boundaries. What is he up to now?

_______________

Wonder where Alex is today, Peter mused as he unwrapped his burrito. He and Joey sat with Jake Ferguson at their table in the cafeteria. Weak winter sun streamed through the windows high in the walls, as the snow they’d awoken to had continued all morning.

He has a co-op with my dad, remember? Joey answered.

Oh yeah, that’s right, Peter said. Their friend, Alex Smiley, had started a co-op at Floretti’s, and spent two days a week helping Joey’s dad and learning about the business.

Jake laughed, making the other two look up at the bigger boy. Yeah, man. Alex was so psyched to get that co-op. He really likes taking things apart and trying to put them together again.

Joey nodded and kept eating. Alex was a great kid, and he knew his dad would be a really good teacher for him. Alex had been born with Down syndrome. He loved cars, and used to just hang out and watch Joey’s dad work at the garage. Alex would ride over on his bike for a pop or a bag of chips at their convenience store, and usually end up staying a while. His dad was patient and had always welcomed Alex’s visits. Joey had learned a lot from his dad over the years—like the value of getting things right even if it took a bit longer to get the job done. But he’d also seen him struggle to make ends meet, and Joey was determined he wouldn’t follow in his father’s footsteps—at least not in that way.

What are you guys planning for after? Jake asked.

After what? Joey responded, puzzled by his friend’s seemingly random question.

Jake used the remnants of his burger to motion to the poster tacked on the wall beside their table. The Future Is Yours, it read in big block letters. Underneath were several students holding books in front of a large brick university. That. Next year. Where are you going?

Oh, Joey said. I’m not sure, yet. Pete? He tossed the question to his friend, hoping to avoid having to answer.

I’m applying at a couple of places, Peter said.

Yeah, you have the grades; you could go anywhere, Mr. Brainiac, Joey teased. Peter punched him in the arm.

Thanks a lot, he smiled. But yeah, I definitely want to go to university. What about you, Jake?

Yeah, I’ve applied to a whole bunch of places, Jake said. Mr. Davis helped me narrow it down a little. Career counselling was one of the many roles the vice principal played at Hartford High.

Only a few more months of high school, Peter continued. Hard to believe, eh?

Joey nodded. A few more months and then I’m out of here, he thought.

_______________

Joey had biology with Mrs. Williams, and that afternoon she had decided to show a movie. He struggled to keep his eyes open.