Part 2, The Secret.
By Steve Severance
Back to part 1 "The rule Haters"Morning sunlight flooded in through the window and shown right in Erica's face startling her awake. "Mmmm, What's that smell?" She jumped out of bed, and, following her nose, ran into the kitchen where Grandma was making waffles and Grandpa was reading his Bible out loud to Grandma.
"O how love I Your law! It is what I think about all the day."
Erica skidded to a stop just outside the doorway. She didn't want to interrupt Grandpa's reading. Sticking her head through the opening she listened.
"You, through Your commandments have made me wiser than my enemies: for they are always with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Your testimonies are what I think about...."
Whomp! Amber slid to a stop behind Erica and almost knocked both of them over. "What's happening? Why are you blocking the door?" Amber asked.
"Shhhhh," Erica whispered holding her finger to her lips, "Grandpa's reading." Amber cupped both hands over her mouth just in case some sound might try to slip out. And both girls put their heads through the open doorway to listen.
Grandpa was still reading as if he hadn't noticed anything. "Therefore I love your commandments more than gold; yes, more than fine gold."
"That's weird," Erica thought, "how can anyone love a law more than money?"
Her thoughts were interrupted by another Whomp, as Derrick slid to a stop behind his sisters. All three fell down giggling and laughing.
"Alright, kids, I know you're there." Grandpa said, "come on in, I'm almost done reading, then your grandma has some of her world famous waffles for breakfast."
The three siblings untangled their arms and legs and sat down at the kitchen table to hear the rest of the chapter. "I'm reading from Psalm 119" grandpa explained as he continued reading.
As the kids were scraping the last bits of waffle from their plates Grandma said, "I've got good news. You know the scrap metal business is going pretty slow lately for the Nedly's. Well yesterday Diann told me that John has arranged for a good hall in Berryville, about 100 miles from here. Diann said she was needed to help so the whole family is going to have to go. This sure is a blessing for them."
Later that afternoon Grandma called the kids inside and asked them to go check on the Nedly's dog and puppies. "It's a hot day, they might need more water" she explained.
Derrick called Waggles, their dog to accompany them, which he was very happy to do, and they set off, one boy, two girls, and one dog.
When they arrived Derrick took the water bowl to the outdoor hose bib to fill it while the twins stayed with the puppies. Then Erica had an idea. "Let's go exploring in the scrap metal pile behind the Nedly's house."
"We can't do that, John and Dave have told us to stay away from there many times." Amber replied. Every kid for miles around had been told not to come near the pile, they were told it was dangerous. Even John's own kids, Max and Michael were not aloud in there.
"Yeah, I know, they say 'it's too dangerous, you could get hurt.' But it doesn't look dangerous, we'll be careful, John and Dave are just too worried. They act like we're just kids.
"We are kids"
"I mean little kids. It'll be a lot of fun!"
Amber was starting to get excited about the idea too. Amber and Erica had wanted to explore the metal pile ever since they first moved to Loreville but had been stopped by the "no kids" rule. "But what if someone sees us. Then we'll be in big trouble."
"who's gonna see us? The Nedlys are going to be gone all day and no car can see the pile since it's behind the house. Come on, are you with me?" The twins headed around the back of the house to the pile. They were just getting ready to cross the barbwire fence when their brother came back from watering the dogs. "What are you doing?" he demanded.
They explained and finally convinced him to go with them "but only to make sure you're safe" he said. So the three of them went through the barbwire fence.
The twins scampered up the pile of various metal pieces being careful not to cut themselves on the sharp edges, while Derrick began examining an old engine block at the base of the pile. They were all having a grand time when suddenly a scream was heard. Erica and Derrick looked in the direction of the scream and saw Amber tumbling down the mound of metal she had been playing on, a big metal grating following close behind. The grating landed on top of the screaming girl. Derrick ran to the rescue but as he reached down to lift the grating off of his sister he slipped and fell landing on a sharp piece of tin roofing putting a big cut across his upper left leg. Then before he could get up a big pipe fell on him.
As Erica was about to run over and try to help Derrick yelled, "Stay away Erica. Don't try to help or you'll get hurt too. You've gotta run for help."
Erica jumped over the fence and ran to the house to call 911. But the door was locked. Looking around she saw Max and Michael's bikes. She grabbed Michael's bike and sped off down the road. The nearest house was the Konway's. She hoped there was someone there. She peddled as fast as she could. She got tired but knew that she had to keep on going.
When she got to the Konway's house she jumped off the bike and ran up the porch steps, pounding loudly on the door.
Mrs. Konway answered the door, "Well hello Erica—or is it Amber I can never tel—"
She was interrupted by Erica as she screeched, "D-D-Derrick and Amber ar-are stuck in th-the pile. Amber sl-slipped off and Derrick ran to help a-and a p-pipe hit him and-and he fell down and he can't g-get up and Am-Amber c-can't ether. Y-you gotta help!" she burst into sobs and fell into Mrs. Konway.
"Woe, slow down." Said the lady as she carried Erica to the couch. "Kendra, Get a wet cloth, please." She said to her youngest daughter, who scrambled to the kitchen.
"Now, what's wrong? What pile?" She asked trying to make sense out of Erica's gush of words.
"Here's the cloth." Kendra said handing it to her mom, who placed it on the distraught girls forehead. After a few seconds Erica calmed enough to speak sensibly and told Mrs. Konway what had happened.
Grabbing the telephone Mrs. Konway dialed 9-1-1. Kylee decided Erica must be terribly thirsty and brought her a glass of water and sat down beside her. Erica was too upset to feel thirsty but Kylee coaxed her to drink it. As the last drop of water slid down Erica's throat Mrs. Konway said "goodbye" and returned the phone receiver to the hook. She began giving orders as she flew into action. "The paramedics will be there as soon as they can. Kevin get some rope; Kendra get some of your dad's old shirts. Then get in the car—hurry. Kylee take Erica to the car." Mrs. Konway found her first aid kit and run out the door to start the car. In seconds everyone was in the car and they were speeding down the road to the Nedly's house.
Arriving by the metal pile Mrs. Konway grabbed the shirts rope and first aid kit and ran to the Metal pile. She called back to the kids, "stay away, we don't need another person to get hurt." When she got to Derrick she noticed that he was unconscious but breathing. She ripped the shirts into bandages and began trying to stop the bleeding. Within minutes an ambulance drove in with lights flashing. The kid's directed the paramedics to where Amber and Derrick were. And soon they and Mrs. Konway had Derrick and Amber loaded into the ambulance. Mrs. Konway jumped into the back with the paramedics so she could be with the patients. Then in the bat of an eye the ambulance was speeding toward town, siren blaring.
The four kids sat down on the porch in dazed silence. After a while Kevin got up and started checking the windows. Finding one unlatched he opened it and jumped through and unlocked the door letting his sisters and Erica into the Nedly's house. Kylee went to the phone and dialed her dad's work number.
Riiing riiiing, "Thank you for calling KTJR. This is Rose. How may I help you?"
"This is Kylee Konway, may I speak with my dad?"
"Your dad is on the air right now, Kylee, but I'll let him know his daughter called."
"Rose, please get him, this is an emergency."
"Ok, hold on"
Kendra turned on Max's radio and the kids heard their dad interviewing someone. "I found your comment in chapter 12 about the law being like safety guidelines very profound. Unpack that for us please—ah what's that? Oh, uh we'll hear Frank's answer right after this break. I'm Kenneth Konway here with Frank Woolproof on 88.3 KTJR. We'll be right back"
Over the telephone Kylee heard the familiar voice of her father. "Hello Kylee, what's up?
Kylee explained the situation to her dad.
"I'll be right over to pick you guys up. Hang tight." Mr. Konway said comfortingly.
"But what about your interview?"
"Don't worry about that. I'll see you in a few minutes. Just hang tight everything will be ok."
"Ok, bye Daddy."
"Goodbye"
Kylee hung up the phone saying "Dad is coming" then they all turned their attention back to the radio.
"and if you need to talk to someone about this important decision call us at 1 877-722-HOPE that's 1-877-722-HOPE"
"and we're back, I'm Mark Harris. And you've tuned to 88.3 FM KTJR. Kenneth Konway was called away for some urgent personal business. My guest is Dr. Frank Woolproof author of the book 'Wool-Proofing Yourself. Frank talk about how the devil tries to pull the wool over our eyes.' A very creative title I must say. Frank, before our unexpected break you were going to explain why the law, that the devil tries to make sound hard and painful, is really put there for our safety...."
As the interview went on the three Konway kids grinned at each other. They were so thankful that their dad was always there for them. Even if it meant leaving early from an interview.
Erica was oblivious to what was happening around her. Her thoughts were running 90 miles per hour. "Is Amber ok? Is Derrick dead? He'd been so still when they brought him on the stretcher. I wish I could get to the hospital. I wish I hadn't come up with this dumb idea. It's all my fault. Oh, if I'd only obeyed..."
Soon Mr. Konway arrived and drove the kids to the hospital. Mrs. Konway told Erica that Amber would be out soon. "She broke her left arm so she is getting a cast put on it right now. Then she'll be good as new."
"What about Derrick?" Erica asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.
Mrs. Konway chose her words carefully she didn't want to upset the girl any more than she already was. "The doctors are doing their very best. He's unconscious and they're not sure yet whether it is from the pipe hitting his head or from loss of blood, or both. Let's ask Jesus to tell the doctors how best to treat your brother." So they all knelt down and prayed.
When the last amen was said. Mrs. Konway went in to check on Amber. Erica and the rest waited in the waiting room for some news. Erica did her best to keep from crying but when her Grandma and Grandpa arrived and she sat on Grandma's lap the tears came like the water that flows out of the fountain in the City Park.
Soon Amber emerged with Mrs. Konway and a nurse. Amber was sporting a bright pink cast on her left arm. Amber ran to her Grandparents and Erica and gave them a big hug with her one good arm. Erica was so relieved to see her twin sister.
As the nurse was briefing grandma and grandpa on how to care for Amber's arm Erica asked her sister, "Are you ok?"
"Yes, the doctor said I have to wear this cast for six weeks then he'll take it off and I'll be good as new." Amber replied. "How' Derrick?"
"I think he's dead," Erica said bursting into tears again.
The nurse overheard their conversation and quickly told them, "Derrick is NOT dead, he's just unconscience. It's like he's sleeping and cant wake up. Don't worry, just pray that Dr. Marshal will be able to wake him up soon."
And pray they did. They waited and prayed and waited some more. Finally as the little hand on the clock on the waiting room wall was almost pointing at nine and big hand was at 11. Dr. Marshal came in with a big smile. "God has answered your prayers," he announced, "Derrick just woke up. You can come in and see him now if you want."
As they walked into Derrick's room Amber thought Derrick looked like a human circuit board with all the wires and tubs that were connected to him. They visited for a while, then, as it was already getting late, Grandpa took the girls home while Grandma stayed at the hospital with Derrick.
***
It was a quiet bunch of kids minus one at the next meeting of the KIM club. Kevin told Michael, Max and Jenna, the club members who hadn't been there for the accident all about what had happened. Then they inspected Amber's pink arm cast. "At least we can tell you girls apart now." Quipped Michael.
"That's enough!" Amber replied in mock exasperation.
"Why did you pick pink?" asked Max, "I would have picked blue or green, or something. Not pink!"
"I like pink," Jenna countered, "You boys don't understand these things."
"I guess not!" Kevin said, siding with Max. "Pink is such a..."
"Girls color?" Amber broke in.
"Yeah, why would you want a your cast to be a 'girl's color'?"
"Maybe because I'm a girl" Amber retorted.
"You know, I've been thinking a lot about our last talk about God's rules." Erica broke in changing the subject. "The Ten Commandments are kinda like Mr. Nedly's rule about staying away from the pile. If I had obeyed Amber wouldn't have that cast on her arm and Derrick wouldn't be in the hospital right now. Mr. Nedly didn't make the "No kids near the pile" rule to keep us from having fun. He put it there because he knew this could happen. And we would be having a lot more fun right now if we had obeyed his rule."
"Yes," Kevin added, "and God knows that certain things will hurt us so he makes rules to keep us safe!"
Erica continued, "and when we obey God's rules well be happier because we won't be getting hurt by the dangers the devil throws at us."
"Maybe rules aren't so bad after all" Amber commented as she examined the cast over her broken arm.
Kevin banged his hammer against the table and announced in an authoritative voice, "I think we, the members of the KIM Club, while recognizing the absence of one of our club members due to medical difficulties, should pass a resolution stating that we approve of and will obey the rules set forth both by our parents and by God."
"A res-a-WHO-tion? What's that?" asked Amber.
"I don't really know but it sounded good, I hear congressmen say stuff like that all the time." Kevin replied.
Just then, from down on the ground they heard the familiar voice of Uncle Dave, "Say-e-aw Say-e-aw toss the latter down."
Uncle Dave climbed up the latter and entered the clubhouse. "I've got good news! I just stopped by the hospital to visit Derrick and Dr. Marshal said Derrick is ready to go home. Amber and Erica, your Grandma asked me to take you to the hospital right away so that you can all be there to bring your brother home." Uncle Dave got up to leave motioning for the twins to follow. He bumped his head on the ceiling. Erica and Amber heard him mutter something about making the ceiling higher as he climbed down the latter. Erica looked at Amber, and Amber looked at Erica and they communicated silently, as only these twins can, "I'm glad we have rules and I'm going to follow them" then they ran to Uncle Dave's car anxious to see their brother again.
© 2002 by Uncle Steve Severance