Fred And Yolanda Have A Close Call
"I used to be jealous of Max and Donna because they knew what God had for them and I was still guessing. But, deep down, I knew all along that I needed to be singing."
Yolanda spoke so quietly that Fred nearly missed her next words. "I still don't know."
She put her glass on the table next to the couch and paced nervously. "I know that feeling you talked about, but I only remember feeling that way when I helped Donna deal with her gift. I don't think I've ever felt that way about something I did for myself."
Fred's heart twitched. What do I do, he thought. How do I help her?
Comfort her.
Fred got off the couch and hugged Yolanda before he even realized that he'd felt those words dropped into his spirit. She welcomed his embrace like a hungry man reaches for food.
"It won't be like this forever, 'Landa. God will show you what He has for you soon enough."
He gently rocked Yolanda in his arms, and started humming a familiar tune in her ear. Yolanda smiled as she recognized it.
"What God has for me, it is for me- -"
***
Fred didn't know how much time had passed since he stopped singing. All he knew was that Yolanda was still in his arms and that she felt the same familiar hunger he felt.
You been waiting for this a long time, player. She's ready- go for yours. Get some of this while you can!
As if urged on by the same harsh voice, Yolanda looked up into Fred's eyes. What he saw there was unmistakable, and he felt powerless to do anything but meet her halfway.
The first kiss was brief and tentative. Surprised at herself, Yolanda blinked and then offered her lips again. This kiss was anything but friendly.
***
"Max, pray with me."
Max paused in the middle of preparing for sleep. "Okay. Any special requests?"
Donna had been winding down from preaching, but she suddenly looked tense again. "I feel something in my spirit, Max. We need to pray for Yolanda. Fred too. I don't know exactly why, but they need prayer, right now."
***
Stop!
Fred pulled away from Yolanda so fast their lips sounded like a champagne cork releasing from the bottle. He slowly took a step back, praying for his heart rate to calm down and for the rest of his body to come under submission.
What was that?, Yolanda thought, taking her own one step retreat. Where did that come from?
"Yolanda, I, uh, I'm sorry about that. I was out of line. I shouldn't have- - -."
Yolanda took another step back. "Fred, it was my fault. I shouldn't have kissed you. I- -."
They fell silent for a moment. Words failed as they realized what would have happened if they hadn't stopped kissing.
Fred took a deep breath. "Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Yolanda smiled. "Romans 12:2. Last Sunday's Scripture."
"Yeah. And I'm glad God reminded me of that just now. By the world's standards, what just happened here is fine. But we have a different standard to meet. I'm sorry for trying to take you there. And I need to leave right now!"
Yolanda laughed. "I'm sorry too, Fred. We do a lot together, but I don't think Extreme Kissing qualifies as a 'friends hanging out' activity."
Fred cracked up as he backed towards the door. "Got that right! I think we need to talk about this some more, but not face-to-face!"
Yolanda laughed as he apologized yet again and beat a hasty retreat, thoughts of a freezing cold shower uppermost in his mind.
***
"Is everything okay?"
Donna burrowed into Max's arms. "Sure feels like it. Thank you for praying with me."
Max smiled. "That's what I'm here for. After all we've been through, I know that if God says pray, I say, "For how long?"
Donna laughed. "Well, if Yolanda and Fred were in trouble, I suppose it's over now."
Max reached to turn the light off in anticipation of slumber. When he turned back over, Donna rubbed his back seductively.
"Want to show me what else you're here for?"