Patricia Gunn Hall

The following is an excerpt from my third book. My character is a girl of fourteen searching for God. She needs to know beyond a shadow of doubt that He is real. She is also trying to reconnect with her mother and understand a friend’s jealousy. This fictional novel is for young teens and adults. Katie’s Quest for Truth is now available on Barnes and Nobel.

Kathrine rushed over to the trailer and found a cool reception from Emily. Confused, she replayed the night before in her mind. Nothing had happened that she was aware of to upset her friend. “Would you like to walk around the trailer park with me, Emmy?”

“I guess so.”

Within minutes, Katie said, “Something’s wrong and I want to know what I’ve done?”

“Everything’s about you isn’t it Katie?”

“Ouch! That’s mean.” She frowned and stopped walking to look at Emily’s annoyed face. “If not me, what is it?”

“I woke up feeling very sorry for myself. Why did my daddy have to die? If God truly cared about Mom and me, He’d have saved him. It’s not fair that you have this awesome dad and I don’t.”

Katherine was dumbfounded. “You have the best mother ever. How can you not see how blessed you are?”

“It’s not the same and you know it.”

“Let’s go sit on this bench and get out of the sun, Emmy. I want to tell you something.”

When they sat down, Emily gave her a hard look and said, “There’s no way you can understand how I feel.”

“Oh, no? For years I’ve watched you and your mother and longed for the closeness that I saw between both of you. I wonder what it feels like to be able to talk to your own mom about things that only women understand. To experience the tenderness that mothers show to their children.”

“Your dad . . .”

“Is great! But he’s not soft and tender like your mom. I never, ever doubt that he loves me, but it’s like . . . suck it up kiddo. When I was little and I’d fall, he’d pick me up and brush me off. Pat my head, clean the wound, and bandage it. Then he’d encourage me to stop crying and be tough.”

“Mom picked me up and kissed the boos.”

“Exactly. Boo is not a word in my home. We’ve both missed an important part of growing up. But Emmy . . . I’m very thankful for my dad. Can’t you just be grateful and not mourn what you don’t have? You’d be a lot happier if you’d accept God’s will for your life.”

Emily thought about what she said, and then she sighed. “I’m not like you, Katie. But I guess I can try.”

“That’s a start. I’m going to pray for God to open your eyes and let you see your blessings. You have a wonderful aunt. I don’t. You have a jar of treasure waiting for you at home. One Ms. Ruth wants to share with you. You’re blessed in so many ways.”

“Thank you for talking to me. Instead of self-pity, I feel shame. And sadness that we have to go home. I’ve really enjoyed this trip and last night was a memory-maker for sure.”

“I’ll never forget it either,” Katherine said.

“Your dad is so much fun. His love for the Lord shows in all that he does.”

“Just like your mom. She’s more serious than Dad, but she sure loves the Lord.”

“I think my dad would have been like yours. Mama says I remind her of him. Oh, not my looks of course, but my mannerisms and the way I laugh. It’s good to know I favor a parent in some way or another.”

“I told Daddy how you feel about your red hair and not favoring your mom. Want to know what he said?”

“Yes!” Emiliy’s eyebrows shot up and her green eyes were wide with surprise. “What?”

“That God made you with your unique colors. He said you’d have joy and peace, if you’d accept God’s will. That you had your mother’s beautiful features . . . right down to the dimples when you smile, but that God made you a bolder copy of your mom.”

“Those are his words? You didn’t add anything?”

“I added the dimples. Because it’s true.” Katherine raised her eyebrows. “I think you’re beautiful.”

Joy spread across Emily’s face and she hugged her friend. “Thanks for putting up with me. Especially for telling me what Mr. Robert said.”