Page 195 of Share with Me
Chapter Sixty
Ivan knew he was right. There would be food here. At 6:30 a.m. every Friday morning at the Seaside Chapel Men’s Bible Study Group meeting house at the Scrolls bookstore, the bagels and cream cheese spread appeared, looking like a million dollars right now to his empty stomach.
Oh boy, was he ever glad for free food. He hadn’t eaten on the five-hour Greyhound bus ride from Atlanta to St. Simon’s Island because he had slept on the trip, but he also hadn’t eaten the night before, skipping dinner to avoid imposing on Willow.
Rock bottom.
His one-month sojourn at Willow’s house had been good for his soul. He’d had lots of time to think about his life and what to do next. He still wasn’t sure about everything, but one thing he knew to do. He had to get back to St. Simon’s Island and ask Brinley to forgive him before he could move on to the rest of his life.
With the money he’d saved from the sale of his last violin—he had refused any payment for teaching Willow’s students—Ivan knew that he could buy a one-way bus ticket to St. Simon’s and have enough leftover to get food and a job.
Maybe Matt had another job available for him at the thrift shop. Matt, his most patient friend. A true brother in Christ.
For a place to stay, he could camp out at a campground somewhere.
“Don’t eat it all!” Sebastian Langston slapped Ivan’s back. “Good to see you, man. Has it been a month since you’ve been gone?”
“Yeah.”
“How’s that wrist?”
“It’s healing.” Somewhat. He needed to get back into therapy quickly.
“We’ve been praying for you, Ivan. Every week. Matt reminds us if we forget.”
Ivan glanced over at his old friend. “He’s a good friend.”
“We all are. If you need anything, holler. Do you need a place to stay?”
“Well, I do, but…” Ivan was trying to figure out how to say it without appearing needy or desperate, which he was, when Matt yelled at them.
“Take a number, Seb. Ivan’s staying at my house.”
“I guess I do have a place to stay,” Ivan said to Sebastian. He’d have to save the campground for later.
Sebastian wiped cream cheese off his chin. “When can you play in SISO again?”
“I don’t know.”
“Surely they want you back. You’re their star.” Sebastian motioned for him to sit down next to him in the circle of folding chairs. Sometimes Ivan wondered if Matt purposefully let them sit on these uncomfortable chairs to keep the Bible Study down to an hour flat.
“They have a new concertmaster.” Ivan settled down and wondered if it would look bad if he went back for a third bagel.
Sebastian shrugged. “I’ve heard that Warren guy play. I like you better.”
“Thanks, Seb.”
“We’ll keep praying for you until you can get back in shape.”
The door chime jiggled. Ivan looked up. Tristan Rao from Rao Family Physicians.
“Tristan.” Ivan shook Tristan’s hands. “Didn’t know you’re attending this Bible Study now.”
“Matt here is very persuasive,” Tristan said. “I’m sorry about your grandmother. She was a wonderful woman.”
“In heaven now with Grandpa.”
“Our consolation and comfort.” Tristan pointed to Ivan’s wrist. “How’s your therapy coming along?”
