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Divine Arrangement

By Stephanie Guerrero

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Chapter One

“Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible.” ~Ephesians 6:24 (NIV)

Sixteen-year-old Augustine Trevino stretched his stiff muscles and looked with pleasure on a job well done. Once again, his elderly neighbor dragged him into a project. His lips curled upward in a grin. Truthfully, he enjoyed her requests. Mr. and Mrs. Croman were the grandparents he didn’t have, and the projects gave him a sense of accomplishment. He enjoyed putting together a toy Big Wheel for a visiting grandchild.
Pushing his wavy brown hair back from his forehead, he spotted movement to his left. Two girls, one giggling and dragging the other his direction. The one giggling he knew. Brittany. Though three years younger, the girl alternated between flirting constantly and deriding his clothing choices.
He sighed. Though his father held court in the engineering world, his parents hid their true financial status and chose to live simply, as evidenced by the outdated corduroy pants his mom insisted, he wear. Sometimes being the surprise kid to older parents rocked, but getting seventeen-year-old hand-me-downs from older siblings never won him any popularity contests.
He turned back to the project. Seconds later, the shadows of both girls fell across his feet. Bracing for the usual criticism, he turned just in time to catch the new girl as Brittany shoved her forward in laughter.
“You two deserve each other,” Brittany mocked and ran the other direction shouting in a sing-song voice... “Both rejects, just like Augie’s pants!”
August bent down from his six-foot height to steady the new girl. Instead of the expected tears in light of Brittany’s taunts, he found the green eyes that held his, a mixture of confidence and concern.
After steadying her, he stepped back and watched as she dusted herself off. Brittany liked glamor, but this young lady sparkled with an innocent beauty. He noticed. They appeared to be the same age. He stuck out his hand.
“Hi, I’m August.” He nodded in the direction Brittany bolted. “Don’t let her bother you. She likes to tease and flirt. Are you okay?”
With a shy smile, the girl brushed her long dark hair over her shoulder. “Yes, thank you. I don’t let it bother me,” she whispered. “Are you alright?”
Caught off guard by her confident and caring response, he merely nodded.
“Well, thanks for catching me,” she added softly.
He stood there frozen as the five-foot bit of nothing ran off. Moments later, he shook off the stupor and realized… he’d never gotten her name.
Virginia Hampton rubbed her bleeding big toe in pain and stared through the picture window of her grandmother’s house in hopeful anticipation. The longing was unfamiliar, but something about the teenage boy who caught her today intrigued her. His gentleness and caring captivated her, and… the picture window faced his house.
She glanced down at the hateful, old sofa that acted as her bed for the week. The big white beast must have a metal piece loose underneath. Something sharp pierced the soft skin beneath her big toenail. Blood rushed under the surface and turned the entire nail an ugly shade of purple. Who knew that putting sheets on a sofa could be so dangerous? She plopped onto the hastily made bed and glanced down self-consciously at her nightgown before diving under the covers.
As usual, her shy nature won the day. She shook her head. In a month, she’d be thirteen, and she couldn’t even remember to offer her own name. She’d barely gotten a glimpse of his face. His size dwarfed her own, yet his gentleness sparked something curious inside. She laughed at the irony. Brittany’s sorry attempt at matchmaking worked and caught the guy’s attention, but instead of introducing herself, Virginia ran.
Maybe she’d see the neighbor boy again. She shrugged her shoulders uncertain why it mattered. She didn’t even really pay attention to guys other than to best them in sports. She would only be in town for a couple weeks anyway. Turning away from the window, she snuggled deep under the covers and fell asleep.


Four years later:

Twenty-year-old August slung a burgundy towel over his shoulder and stopped to look in the hall mirror. After a few years of working out, his muscles were really developing in his chest and arms. He patted his slim abs. Barrel chests made getting abs a challenge, so staying in it for the long haul mattered. Results didn’t lie.
He stepped into the kitchen and swiped a tortilla from the stack his mother just pulled from the pan only to have his hand slapped. He grinned. Evidence of a Spanish heritage appeared rarely in his home, and even that happened only on Sundays when he came over to visit.
His mother sprinkled flour on the counter and pinched off dough in small circles. He kissed her on the cheek.
“Mom, I’m going over to Mrs. Croman’s ahead of you. I know she invited us to join her family for their Fourth of July barbeque tonight, but some of her college-age grandsons invited me to come early to swim and play a game of football, so unless you need help with something, I think I will head on over.”
She nodded. “Go on, son. I’ll be over later.”
With a wave, he bolted out the door.
Virginia sat on her grandmother’s front porch swing waiting for Brittany, Samantha and Rachel to join her at the pool of a neighbor down the street. Four of her guy cousins went ahead to set up, along with her cousin Mary. Wiping her eyes, she shoved down the tears and pain over her father’s recent choice to leave their family and find someone new. She refused to let it spoil a perfect day.
This Fourth of July would be different, but joy waited. God crafted lemons out of lemonade all the time. Though moving close to her mother’s parents pulled her from her church, her friends, her home and her father, in spite of the stress, God remained.
God, I want the happily-ever-after. Is it possible? If I choose your path, would you choose my prince charming? I don’t want to fail, and I don’t want second best.
Her cousins poured out the front door and dragged her along with them. Family gatherings soothed her broken heart. The sun beat down and mixed with the humid air creating an oppressive combination. She looked forward to the pool. Swimming claimed her heart.
A lush green lawn and tall trees covered the neighbor’s yard, yet the water remained warm due to the Oklahoma heat. The perfect combination of water, shade and a private family gathering called her. The cousins would have the pool all to themselves… or so she thought. The neighbor boy she’d barely exchanged words with four years ago snatched a football out of the air and pivoted to throw. For a moment, his eyes met hers. He faltered and dropped the ball.
Immediately, swamped with good natured laughter, he grinned and the game resumed. The fleeting moment passed. Virginia ducked her head, pulled her cover-up tighter and headed to the other end of the yard with Brittany. Laying her towel on a lounge chair, she slipped into the silky warm water and began to swim laps. Activity helped her forget her troubles.
As she swam, her thoughts did something uncharacteristic and reverted back to the boy next door. He’d definitely left boyhood behind. He’d changed, grown even taller, and wow, the muscles. Grateful for the water where no one could see her reaction, she felt the blood rush to her face. Normally, she’d rather compete or hang with the guys than date them, but something about the guy next door stood out.
Her cousin Mary jumped into the football game and bumped into him on purpose. She turned on the charm. Virginia grabbed the ladder in the deep end to watch August… Did she have the name right? The boy next door merely smiled, gave Mary a pat on the shoulder and jumped back into the game. Virginia could breathe again. Why did it matter that he ignored her cousin’s flirtations?
The game ended, and the guys jumped into the pool. Virginia tucked herself into the corner of the deep end as the college guys tried to outdo each other with cannonballs and jackknives off the diving board. If she wanted, she could make her presence known and keep up with or even challenge the guys. But the corner felt safe for the moment. She could enjoy the fun, appreciate the view and both hope and dread being noticed by a certain muscular college guy.
August burst from the deep end of the pool, shook the water from his dark brown waves and wiped his face. The guys shouted numbers… 8.5, not bad. The crazy game of ego forced the tricks to get zanier with each round, and he loved every moment. Reaching for the ladder, he noticed a lovely brunette in a modest swim suit tucked in the corner.
“Oh hi…” He cocked his head, puzzled. “I’m sorry, have we met?” he questioned. A hint of familiarity tugged at the back of his brain, but no memories landed.
The slender brunette looked like a doe caught in the headlights at his friendly greeting. Long dark lashes raised to meet his gaze. She offered him a hint of a smile. “Once. Years ago. You rescued me from one of Brittany’s pranks. It’s nice to see you again.”
The beauty paused and bit her lower lip. “A warning…? I love my cousins, but… just understand… they flirt with anything male. I wouldn’t want you to get…”
“Hurt?” Amused, August finished her sentence and winked. “I figured as much, but thanks for the heads up.”
Carter called him from the diving board. “Hey, August… get out of the way, will ya!”
August turned back toward his doe-eyed protector, but she’d vanished… already halfway across the pool. The girl could swim. He wracked his brain. Who is she? He wondered. She referred to her “cousins”, so she must be a Croman granddaughter. Where did they meet before, and why couldn’t he recall her name? He shrugged off the curiosity. He had a girlfriend, otherwise, he would have pursued further to find out her name. He pushed the conversation aside and never gave it another thought.

Two years later…

Eighteen-year-old Virginia sat on the basketball court of the church activity center, arms folded across her knees, chin on her forearms. The sound of her classmates laughing still echoed in her ears. Once again shoved to the outside, she hugged her knees and shook her head. Could her senior year get any more humiliating?
She stood and shouted his name in hopes of a reconciliation. Bruce tossed the basketball to someone, jogged her direction and plopped down at her feet.
“Changed your mind, already?” The hope in his voice hurt her heart.
“No Bruce, you’re my best friend. I didn’t mean to hurt you by turning down your request to start dating. I care for you as a younger brother, someone I enjoy hanging out with, but we’re not the right fit.
“It’s not right for you to publicly humiliate me in front of our class just because I said no!”
He shifted uncomfortably, avoiding her eyes. “Hey, I’m right. You won’t date anyone. No one measures up to your standards. The other guys agree. Anyone who dates you is going to need wings because no one on earth will ever measure up, Virginia!” he spouted and with an accusatory look, he stood. “Good luck finding anyone, Ginny. Apparently, I won’t do.”
Tears misted in her eyes. It didn’t change the way she felt, but it stung. Virginia mulled over the past few months. Should she have done anything differently? Though a great guy, Bruce was immature, a year and a half younger and new to the faith. He loved their Savior, but… treating a girl with gentleness, or taking the lead in a relationship... he needed to grow.
She’d been a Christian for fourteen years. She wanted a guy who could lead. She and Bruce differed in too many ways. He both touched and broke her heart the Sunday he showed up to church with a red rose and poetry. It was cool until, he told her it made no sense to him to open doors for a girl. Capable women could open doors themselves.
His ball bounced her way. She smiled and tossed it back. Normally, she’d be in the middle of the game, but she felt off tonight. The sight of the summer youth intern made her squirm. Nineteen-year-old Chad barked orders to his team and nudged Bruce with a knowing wink. She wanted to climb under a rock.
Her mind raced back a few weeks to church camp and the debacle with Chad. Chock up one more failure to her list. What was she thinking having a slight crush on him? At least, until she discovered her crush was really on her perception that he desired to serve the Lord. She’d prayed about it.
The vision of the metal bunk with an old quilt seared into her memory.
God, you know I’m interested in Chad. I like that he is attending a Christian college and chose to serve you as youth intern this summer. I remember the vision you gave to me that I would serve You alongside my future husband someday, so I’m just asking You… please protect my heart. If he is not the one You have for me, then block or redirect my steps please Lord. I’m trusting in You to bring me your choice.
That evening, she’d chosen her favorite dress for evening worship and bumped into Chad afterward in the Camp Canteen. Uncertain what happened or why… she’d never really caught his eye before, yet in front of a posse of guys, he’d chosen to humiliate her as well, or… at least that felt like his intent.
Hey, Virginia… you’ve got a hickey on your neck! He mocked.
She stared at him in panic and clawed at her throat thinking he referred to an insect.
“Oh, my goodness, Chad! Get it off!” She panicked, and then… slowly, the looks on the faces of the guys registered. Chad’s posse chuckled. What had she missed?
“Chad… what’s a hickey?” she queried.
He hung his head. “Just never mind, Virginia.”
“But I really want to know,” she urged.
He waved her off. “I said forget about it, Virginia.”
He turned and walked away, leaving her clueless, but aware something beyond her grasp just happened.
She chuckled at the memory and hugged her knees tighter, remembering how his attempt backfired. Why she targeted, she still didn’t understand, but in her naïveté, she’d sincerely asked him to explain his dirty joke. She’d gone home and asked her mother to explain it. Her mother chuckled at her naïveté.
She’d hoped Chad might be different, but since that moment a few weeks ago, he’d nicknamed her the “nun” and singled her out for ridicule because of her choice to be pure for marriage. Chad shot her a glance and turned to the other guys and nodding her direction made a joke. Laughter broke out among the group.
Stretching, she stood. Enough. I’m done for the evening. They don’t understand why I won’t stay out late and flirt with anything male like the other girls. She walked toward her old red truck in the church parking lot, trying not to go to pieces or pout. And those were the “church” guys…
God, is there anyone for me? I asked You to choose for me… Are there any good guys out there? Surely, my standards aren’t unattainable… are they?
She started the truck and pulled out into traffic. She would wait. She would breathe. Yesterday, Brittany married an abusive drug addict. He fathered her child. Attempting to make things right, Brittany married the guy, but Virginia could tell he treated her badly. It was hard to witness. Her cousin Mary was twenty-three and already headed for divorce. Happily-ever-after is still possible, right, God? In spite of everything, she chose to hope.


Misgivings rising, twenty-one-year-old August jingled his keys in his pocket as his girlfriend shot him a nervous look across the restaurant. He shook his head to clear the fog. Lately Tammy seemed to avoid him, becoming non-committal, busy, wishy-washy. Tonight, he planned to either move forward as a couple or figure out her erratic behavior. He’d been patient. He’d forgiven the countless canceled plans, but tonight he attempted to piece it together. Move forward or move on to God’s best.
Tammy’s eyes darted to and fro like an animal looking for escape. He could see it in her eyes as she approached their table. If she bailed tonight without a good reason, it ended.
Stepping up to the table, Tammy rubbed the back of her neck and bit her lip.
“August, I’m so sorry… I have to run. A friend called, and…”
He raised an eyebrow. “Tammy, I’ve planned this dinner for weeks. That should tell you something since I’m such a spontaneous guy. I’ve tried to be understanding of your busy schedule, but that goes both ways. I should be important in your world as well. What is so urgent that it cannot wait until we finish dinner?”
“I… well… let me make a phone call. I will stay for dinner if it’s that important to you! But then, I have to run,” she complained as she jerked her cell phone back out her purse.
August gently pushed her cell phone aside. “Tammy, I’m not sure what happened between us, but something is just not working. I don’t want leftovers; I want a life partner who loves spending time with me as much as I love spending time with her. Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost that.”
“Are you breaking up with me?” A mixture of panic, relief and insecurity swirled in her eyes. “I told you I would stay for a while! It’s just that Max said to…”
August bolted from his chair unconcerned at the stares of the other patrons. “Max… your abusive ex-boyfriend? When did you start talking to him, Tammy? The guy hurt you in every way possible! Have you been seeing him again behind my back!”
Tammy twisted her black leather purse strap. “He said he just wanted to see how I’m doing… to reconnect. It’s only been a couple months. He’s really trying to get his act together and asked me to help. He needs me.”
She studied the floor. “Don’t you see, August. You are a strong, amazing guy. Max isn’t. He needs me.”
“If the guy needed help, Tammy, you should have told me. We could have found support for him together… in a way that both helps him and protects you. Instead, you went behind my back, canceled countless dates with me to spend time with the guy who assaulted you and abused you!”
Running his fingers through his hair, he plopped back onto his chair unsure how to even move forward. She did the same. Her cell phone rang. Tammy bit her lip and shot him a worried look.
“It’s him, isn’t it,” he barked.
She nodded, her finger hovering uncertainly over the answer button.
“Tammy, you have to choose. I cannot stand by while you get pulled back into an abusive relationship. You are a strong woman when you want to be. What do you want?”
He leaned forward and placed his hand over hers. “Decline his calls for the next couple hours while we figure out a plan together. I promise we will find a way to get him the help he needs, but you must promise to communicate openly with me from now on and commit to not seeing or speaking with him alone.”
She glanced nervously back at the ringing phone in her hand.
“Hold to God and remember what we have, sweetheart,” August nudged.
She lowered the phone and it stopped ringing. He squeezed her hand and his heart leaped for joy, until… it began ringing again. He saw the moment she made her choice and pulled his hand away. She answered, slipped her purse strap over her shoulder and headed toward the restaurant door. She paused and looked back.
“I’m sorry, August. Max needs me,” she whined. “You’ll find someone else.”
His well-laid plans spiraled out of control, yet his heart surprisingly pounded intact.
After apologizing to the waiter and leaving a tip, he stepped out into the pleasant air. He checked his watch. The early evening left him with empty time, so sticking his hands in his pockets, he decided to walk the riverside to clear his head.
Happily-ever-after is still possible, right God? How could Tammy leave me for this jerk of a guy… the one who abused her?
I know the plans that I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.
The Voice spoke with clarity. All he knew for now… he must follow God’s path alone. His phone rang.
“August, is that you. Dear?” Mrs. Croman’s soft alto voice made him smile. “A bunch of my grandchildren are in town and over for a game night with loads of popcorn. I haven’t seen you in a while. If you’re not too busy, I’d love for you to join us.” She paused before adding, “Carter is asking about you. You can bring your girlfriend if you like.”
August shook his head and grinned. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. “It seems she dumped me twenty minutes ago, Mrs. C. I’d love to take you up on your offer. Do you need me to pick up anything?”
“Some extra ice and a couple bottles of soda would be nice.”
“Be there in twenty-five minutes, and thanks. You made my night!”

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