Broken Things (Faded Photograph Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

topic’s not open for discussion either. Good night.”
    Jack moved away from the sink and started toward his bedroom. He’d told the truth. He and Allie never loved each other― it was only him. He’d loved her more than anything, the sun, the moon, the stars, the earth, his family, his job...his very being! But she hadn’t shared his feelings. Instead, she’d left him for a lousy job in California and married some guy named Littenberg!
    * * *
    Marilee Domotor stood in the choir loft as the rest of the members filed into place. To her right, she could see bald-headed Mr. Tearly behind the organ and his slim wife, Sandra, at the grand piano stationed next to him. Strains of A Mighty Fortress is our God filled the large, modern sanctuary and its balcony. Marilee couldn’t help scanning the congregation in hopes of seeing Logan. She hadn’t seen him since school let out Friday afternoon. He hadn’t even called. Had he’d lost interest in her―in them? Logan Callahan was a hard man to read. Sometimes he seemed so brave and confident of God’s will and at others, he was reticent, almost fearful of taking those next steps of faith. Like an engagement. Marriage. To a certain degree, Marilee understood his hesitancy since Logan had told her about his former fiancée and his parents strained relationship and divorce. Even so, it was hard to be patient.
    Marilee squared her shoulders and pushed aside her troubled thoughts as the music director took his place just in front of the podium. He lifted his arms and the members of Parkway Community Church opened their music binders then opened their hearts and mouths in song to the Lord.
    When they reached the chorus, joy and hope filled Marilee’s soul as it always did when she sang this song. To think the Lord could use her―or any of His children―never failed to humble her.
    Broken things.
    Broken things.
    Our God still chooses to use broken things.
    “ Break Thou myself,” oh, make my heart sing,
    For God can use this broken thing…
    They finished the piece, harmonizing on the last few notes, and tingles flittered down Marilee’s spine. Perfect. May You be glorified, Lord , she prayed.
    With the number completed, the music director led the congregation in a hymn, while the choir members gracefully exited the loft and headed for the practice room where they deposited their music. Next they made their way through the lobby and into the sanctuary.
    Setting out to find a seat of her own, Marilee spotted Logan at long last. Wearing khaki dress pants, a French-blue shirt, and coordinating tie, he stood near the doorway with two rough-looking teenagers. When he saw her, he smiled and waved her over.
    “I want you to meet a couple of people,” he said as she approached. As usual, his chestnut-brown hair was slightly mussed. “This is Eddie Russo.” He indicated a young man with four tiny hoops pierced through each earlobe and a tiny, diamond nose ring. “He’s sixteen, and this is his first time here. The two of us met yesterday at the basketball hoop in the park and I invited him to church.”
    “It’s nice to meet you.” Marilee gave him a sincere smile and extended her right hand.
    Eddie took it and she noticed his loose, uninterested grip.
    “And this is Kate Thompson.” Logan nodded toward a young lady with dyed black hair, dark eye makeup, and a pasty complexion.
    “Hi, Kate. I’m Marilee. Good to meet you too.” They shook hands and Marilee sensed some enthusiasm from the girl. “Do you guys need seats? If so, you’re welcome to sit with me.”
    Kate glanced at Eddie, who shrugged again.
    Logan leaned toward Marilee. “They just came from this morning’s Bible study and they’re debating whether to stay for service.”
    “I see...” She grinned politely at both kids then looked into Logan’s eyes. They were smiling back at her in a way that made her knees weak. “Maybe we could sit together.”
    “I’ll look for you once these two decide what