After Vacation

“I’m Sorry” (Brenda Lee)

Listen to this story, “After Vacation”

“Allen! Oh, it’s so good to hear your voice again! When did you get back?” Julie was beaming all over.

“Just a couple minutes ago,” replied the familiar voice on the other end of the telephone. “How are you, punkin?”

Julie trembled with happiness. “Fine,” she answered, trying to not let her voice quiver too much. “Did you have a nice time?”

“Wonderful! But, oh, we’re all so tired now. We haven’t even got the car unpacked yet.” He sighed.

“Well, how’s Jonelle?”

“Mmm!” Allen sounded like someone had just placed a luscious banana split before him.

“Ooh!” cried Julie. “You beast!”

Allen laughed. “It’s not that bad. I just saw her a few times. Don’t worry about it.”

Julie relaxed a bit, but she still wasn’t too sure.

“Listen, punkin,” Allen said, changing his tone, “I gotta go now. Dad wants me to help him unpack the car. I’ll probably be busy or else sleeping the rest of the day. But I’ll see you tomorrow at Vacation Bible School, huh?”

Julie had almost forgotten. Tomorrow was the first day of Vacation Bible School. Julie was going to teach in the Kindergarten room. Allen and Steve were in charge of the recreation for the children.

“All right,” said Julie now. “‘Bye.”

Well, Julie sighed, now I will prove to Allen who I really like. And I don’t have to worry about Victor ’cause he works all day. ‘Course, I must be careful ’cause his little brothers and sisters will be there and maybe Janet’ll teach. But, oh well, let come what may.

And Julie, in her ecstasy, floated back into the kitchen to finish the dishes.

The next morning when Julie arrived at the church, Allen was there talking to Steve. Oh, it was so good to see him again! She hadn’t seen him for such a long time. However, Allen was busy and Julie had to help register the kids. So they didn’t have time to talk to each other.

Once Julie started teaching, she just loved it. Phyllis also taught in the Kindergarten. And Sandra, Sarah, Ella, Gloria, and Janet taught in other departments. The enrollment for that day passed 60.

After recess time, while the little ones were getting drinks at the fountain, Julie found an opportunity to speak to Allen. He was the same teasing, fun-loving boy. However, there was something—Julie couldn’t quite place it—that seemed different. Something—or someone—on his vacation had changed him.

After VBS that day, Allen had to hurry home on an errand. But Julie and Sandra went to Molly’s for French fries and a root beer, and there Julie told Sandra how she felt.

“Oh, don’t worry too much about it,” Sandra told her. “Tomorrow we should probably go straight home ’cause we want our mothers keeping their trust in us. But maybe Wednesday or Thursday why don’t you invite him to have lunch here with us. Everything will be all right.”

“I hope so,” Julie said.

Tuesday morning came and Julie was getting into the routine. She just loved to work with kids. She had to be a teacher. In her class, she had five—including little Sharon Emory and Kenny Macintosh and Debbie Morgan. It was interesting to watch and get to know each one.

Julie had just started home when she heard Allen’s voice.

“Hey, Julie, why don’t you come over and hear a tape recording I made?”

Julie smiled. “Well, I don’t know. Maybe. I can call Momma from your place, can’t I?” So Julie went home with Allen.

The recording Allen had made was from an old record of Pastor Macintosh’s. It was a reading of a beautiful poem, one of Julie’s favorites, set to music. When it was over, Julie stood and was just about to say, “I guess I better be going,” when Mrs. Macintosh stepped into the room.

“Why don’t you stay for lunch?” she invited. “We’d love to have you.”

“Oh, I really shouldn’t impose,” Julie said. “I just came to hear Allen’s tape, not to eat up your dinner. Anyway, Momma is expecting me home soon.”

“Well, why don’t I call her?” Mrs. Macintosh offered. She repeated, “We’d love to have you.”

“Okay,” Julie agreed. “Thanks an awful lot.”

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