Donald's Cross

8:34

Chapter One

Buzz,

Buzz,

Buzz,

Donnie reached over and slammed the alarm clock against the wall and went back to sleep only to be jolted awake by the chiming of his cell phone’s alarm. When he saw the early morning sun streaming through his Venetian blinds, he realized that he was going to be tardy---to Sunday School.

He quickly showered, shaved, ran down the stairs, slammed the front door, and broke the speed limit so he could be the first to greet his classmates.

Too late.

What took you so long? Carrie Kopek asked between drags of her freshly lit cigarette.

The minister’s son noticed the humidity had plastered Carrie’s inky black hair to her forehead when he hopped from his Dodge Ram. What do you mean, what took me so long? Donnie asked. I’m always the first to arrive. Why are you so early?

Carrie blew a milky stream of smoke in his face. No one’s teaching Sunday School this morning. Mrs. Cunningham couldn’t find anyone to take her place. We’re all studying for statistics instead.

Why didn’t you call me? Donnie asked. I left my notes at home.

We thought you knew. Aris called your dad last night to tell him, Bethany said.

Donnie shoved his hands in his front pockets and kicked a stone across the parking lot. We got home late from the game.

By the way...congrats! Zack said and tossed a torn notebook across the church’s gravel parking lot. State champions, again!

Donnie caught the notebook in mid-air by its spirals. Thanks! What’s this? he asked.

My sister’s notes from two years ago. Can we go in and study now?

Thirty minutes into the study session, Donnie’s vision blurred. Something’s not right, he whispered to Bethany.

What do you mean something’s not right? We all agree that t = 1.

It’s not with the stats. It’s something else. I’m getting sick to my stomach.

Zack looked up from his calculations. Did you party with Jake last night?

Donnie shook his head.

He’s your best friend! Carrie shouted. I’d think he’d want to celebrate with you.

Donnie went back to his calculations. We got in late, he answered.

Are you hot? Bethany asked, touching his forehead. We could turn the air conditioner down.

It’s not the air.

She felt his cheeks with the back of her hand. You’re probably worried about the exam. You’ll do fine. You’ve got the smartest mind here.

Donnie tossed his mechanical pencil across the table. The youth group looked up from their calculations in awe. This goes beyond the exam! he shouted. Have you ever seen your past and your future at the same time, and then realized that the future you is nothing like who you are now?

The youth group just stared at him.

Only when I’m stoned, Phillip ventured, his eyes never leaving the calculator. Donnie got up from the table and walked to the air conditioner. No, I’m totally serious.

Phillip glanced up and started laughing. I am, too. Either you’re smoking something that Jake gave you or you’re in need of some serious weed.

Donnie thought about flipping off his classmate but tempered himself at the last second.

I know what you were going to do! Phillip shouted. He threw his pencil down and leered over the table.

Do what? Donnie asked.

Kyle pulled Phillip down by his shirttail and said, The two of you just need to drop it.

Drop what? Donnie inquired.

Phillip pulled the chair in with his foot. He looked up at his classmate and said, Well, that cross you’re bearing for starters.

What cross would that be? I’m not bearing any cross! the minister’s son shouted.

Whatever, Phillip whispered.

Screw you, Phillip! Donnie retorted.

Chill out, Donnie; you’re just stressed out. We all are. I wouldn’t worry about it, Bethany said. This time next week school will be over and you can just chill out for the rest of the summer and start thinking ‘bout our senior year. Donnie waved her off and left the room.

Where you going? Zack asked, chasing after him. We’re still not done.

Donnie paused mid-step, glanced over his shoulder and said, I’m going to get some fresh air and maybe a cup of coffee. He bypassed the freshly brewed pot in the fellowship hall, went straight into the sanctuary, and anxiously waited for the 11:00 A. M. service to begin. When the prelude started Donnie’s heart began racing.

Donald, are you okay? Brenda Ross asked.

He looked at his mother and said, I need to go home. I think I’m going to get sick.

Well, if you want to go I think you better leave now. It’d be rude to leave after the service started.

Too late, he whispered as his father stepped behind the pulpit. As the service progressed, Donnie’s anxiety continued to rollercoaster.

Then came Eric Ross’ benediction.

Tomorrow afternoon our state legislature is expected to approve a referendum, which if passed, would prohibit me from conducting a marriage between two people who love each other and who just happen to be of the same sex. For many of us this is a personal issue. Everyone in this room today knows someone who is a member of the LGBT community. So as we prepare to be the Lord’s Ambassadors, hold the hand of the person standing next to you and surround the state legislature with the light and love of Jesus Christ. Prayerful silence filled the sanctuary. Let love lead, Eric concluded.

Led by the thunderous voice of the silver haired Elliot Shelby, Deliverance Temple serves as one of the largest mega-churches in the region. With nearly every political and economic leader in the area a member and a horde of statewide candidates flocking to attend one of the four packed-to-the-rafters services, the Reverend Shelby amassed a tremendous amount of political, economic, and spiritual influence.

Had the state legislature not scheduled a vote on the very issue that Elliot Shelby considered a cornerstone of his own personal faith, his one-man Bible show would have proceeded as usual. But this was a very special day for the Reverend Shelby. Just as it’s a Christian’s moral duty to fight for the unborn child, a Christian has a moral obligation to teach his child right from wrong at home, the minister shouted. Stand with me and let us read Malachi 2:15 in unison.

The minister paused until the massive congregation finished flipping the pages in their Bibles. He leaned into the microphone and shouted, Has not the one God made and sustained for us the spirit of life? And what does he desire? Godly offspring. The congregation continued, but Elliot Shelby raised the palm of his hand to stop them.

When the thousand-fold congregation finished their recitation, the minister asked them to remain standing. Brothers and Sisters, remain standing while I read Ephesians 5:11 and Daniel 11:32. Shelby smiled as the congregation flipped to the New Testament. Again he paused before leaning into the microphone and boomed, Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. He looked up from his pulpit and saw his congregation bob their heads in unison. Again, he smiled as he told them to flip to the passage in Daniel.

When the minister was satisfied that his flock had complied, he removed the microphone from the stand and walked in front of the pulpit. He raised the Book toward the ceiling and, from memory, recited, He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant; but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. After the second verse, Elliot Shelby motioned for his congregation to be seated.

They took their seats in sheepish compliance.

Lambs of God, what do these three verses have in common? He paused and knew the congregation would wait in great anticipation for him to answer the question he just posed. Separately, they may not mean anything. But together...they give us our marching orders! Shelby shouted, banging on his glass lectern.

We know what the Bible says about God’s hatred of sin and that most despicable form of wickedness. But I wanted to point out these verses for a very special reason because I wanted to show you that merely condoning sodomy is just as evil. Elliot Shelby paused to let the message of his sermon sink into the minds of his congregation. He stepped back, wiped his forehead with a freshly pressed handkerchief, and leaned back into the microphone.

Tomorrow, dear friends our state legislature will vote on a bill that will begin the process of preserving and defending the sanctity of the Christian family! Tomorrow our state legislature will vote on a referendum to ban homo-sexual marriage. We saw what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah. Do we really want that for our state?

Grunts and echoes of No, could be heard across the auditorium.

The minister lifted his leathered Bible above his portly frame. "The Bible tells us that the Kingdom of God can only be inherited by the pure of heart. If this referendum doesn’t make it on the ballot or is defeated in November, then all of us, everyone of us--you, your family, all of us will be locked out the heavenly gates. Why? Because we sat back and did nothing to help get it passed. That’s not my word. That’s not Deacon Peter’s word. That’s not Governor Richard Baine’s word. That’s God’s word," he thundered as his congregation rose to its feet in approval.

He began moving his arms to settle his congregation, But let me tell you this...God will add favor to your life right now if you take the initiative and become a policy warrior for Christ. Right now, our ushers are passing out information guides with the names and contact information for every state representative. When you get home Christ commands that you call everyone on that list and tell whoever answers the phone that He only wants marriage between one man and one woman.

Will you commit yourself to do that for Jesus? he questioned. To show you my commitment to this cause, my entire family, all of us...Beverley and the kids, will be fasting for the next twenty-four hours and holding firm in our hearts that God’s will shall be moved through our legislature. Let us pray.

Daddy, come in here...quick! Luke Ross shouted at the top of his nine-year old lungs. They’re talking about you on the news.

I’m not surprised. I’ve had reporters calling me all afternoon, Eric said. Where are you going? Eric asked as he spotted Donnie heading out the door. Don’t you have exams tomorrow?

I’m just going to the coffee shop and do some last minute cramming.

But dinner’s almost ready, his mother said from the kitchen. Do you have to go right this minute?

I have stats in the morning and quite frankly, I need to concentrate. It’s too loud in this house.

Eric turned off the television when the news report jumped to Elliot Shelby’s interview. But it’s not loud in a coffee shop? Eric questioned.

Not really.

Donald, his mother said. come into the kitchen please. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of homemade Sunday meatloaf. He took a deep whiff causing his stomach to growl. Don’t say a word, young man, she said. Your father has been on the phone all day, and his name has just been slandered on the news. You need to show him some respect.

I do.

Did you show your father some respect just now?

Donnie shoved his hands in his pockets and said, I hope so.

Where were you all day?

In my room.

Doing what?

Texting and playing video games.

Texting and playing video games and now, right before supper, you want to go out to the coffee shop?

I don’t see what’s the big deal.

The big deal, Donald, she said, is that you had the entire day to study and now right when we’re going to settle in for dinner, you want to leave!

I don’t get it, he said. He took a piece of toast and started dunking it in the meatloaf gravy.

The big deal is that this is already starting to be a very stressful week.

Donnie slurped down the bread and left the kitchen. He stood at the threshold of the doors to his father’s study and heard his father’s voice grow louder. He peered through the crack and saw Eric hunched over his desk.

Yes, I know what the Bible says, the minister said. He spotted his son standing in the hallway and motioned him to sit in one of the leather chairs. I’m well aware of that as well, but I also know that Jesus was not married, so that means He was against heterosexual marriage as well?

Donnie chuckled. He found a legal pad and a Sharpie and wrote, "You could use a mocha" in thick black letters. Eric read the message and nodded.

Donnie was out the door.

Chapter Two

The vote wasn’t even close. After several hours of prolonged debate, the state legislature passed the referendum placing a defense of marriage amendment into the state constitution 156-61. I’m staying overnight, Eric told Brenda around 9:30 that evening. Some of the progressive clergy across the state will be plotting electoral strategy.

That’s nice, Donnie moaned the next morning when his mother told him the results of the vote.

Donald Cotter Ross, she said, how dare you say something like that!

He opened the sports section and examined the box scores. I can’t think about gay marriage right now. I have my statistics final in ninety minutes. When the test is over, then I can start thinking about saving the world. Meanwhile, I still haven’t grasped the two-way ANOVA.

His mother placed a plate of hot turkey bacon on the table and said, You know, it wouldn’t hurt to show a little compassion every once in awhile.

Can’t help it, Mom, he said with his mouth full. Besides, I’m really not going to be useful to anybody if I’m still stuck in the eleventh grade for the rest of my life. In one fell swoop he grabbed the sports section, his backpack, iPod, and keys. I’ll be back before noon! he yelled and slammed the front door behind him.

Traffic was horrible on the way to Logan High School. But the drive became much more tolerable after he heard the WTZF Morning Crew’s interview with his father at the top of the hour.

Did you hear your father? Bethany asked.

Of course. He beamed with pride.

Did you hear what they had to say afterwards?

Who?

The Daybreak Duo, she replied.

He nodded to a couple of teammates and said, Nah, I wasn’t in the mood for country this morning. I caught the interview on 107.1 and then popped in the new Vegan Mouthful CD.

Well, it’s a good think you didn’t, she said.

Donnie took a sip of water outside of the Athletic Director’s office. And why’s that? he asked.

Oh, nothing.

Seriously, I want to know, Donnie said after wiping his mouth.

Well, they...said some pretty bad things afterwards.

They passed the daily prayer vigil in the cafeteria. A couple of giddy freshman jumped in front of them and asked if they wanted to join. Bethany saved Donnie the trouble and shooed them away and continued their trek to his locker. Now you got my curiosity up. What’d they say?

Her cell phone chimed. She tapped a quick response and headed towards the library. I’ll tell you later this afternoon, she yelled down the hall.

Bethany’s absence left Donnie free to think about the exhaustive hand calculations he would be doing for the next ninety minutes. Her absence also gave him permission to freely eavesdrop on the conversation his biology and sociology teachers were having behind him. Why do they hate us? Mona Swartz sighed.

I couldn’t even tell you, Morris Coffey responded. When Colin and I heard about the vote, he started heaving.

What’s next? she asked.

We don’t know. Colin wants to pack everything and move to Vermont so we can get married. But this is home for the two of us. We grew up in this area and quite frankly, we like it here.

Donnie peered at the two teachers, slammed the locker, and proceeded toward his dreaded encounter with the ANOVA. His statistical premonitions were immediately diverted to the brief conversation he had heard between Mona Swartz and Morris Coffey. Rumors had abounded for years about the biology teacher, but he had no idea about Mr. Coffey. Everyone liked his sociology and psychology classes and respected him for allowing his classroom to be a safe zone. "And who’s Colin?" Donnie wondered as he entered Mrs. Hill’s statistics class.

Donnie attacked the exam. When the exam period was over, he giddily strolled back to his locker and noticed his biology and sociology teachers huddled again. They were continuing their not-so-private conversation. They going to make us wear pink triangles next, aren’t they? Mona asked near tears.

I doubt it, Morris replied. Even by today’s standards that would be too excessive. But I’d like to know who’s next so we can either warn them or recruit them.

Recruit them? she asked.

Recruit them to fight with us rather than against us, he answered, accidentally bumping into Donnie.

Donnie, I’m sorry.

No worries, Mr. Coffey, Donnie smiled awkwardly.

Mona stared at Morris with fearful reservation. The sociology teacher returned the look, then focused his attention on his student. "Tell