STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER FOUR

(Continued)

"Thanks," Gabe said. "I didn't know whether to cross over for a meal or not. I was a bit nervous." 

They crossed without incident. The café was noisy, warm and welcoming.

Over a meal, the two friends chattered and John was invited to stay over for a few days as he had leave. The food was simple - fish and chips - but tasty and hot. They finished their drinks, left a tip and went back along the road to Gabe's home.

Unobtrusively, John read the Bible to Gabe (who now sported glasses) and they discussed different passages. Like a coal or wood that had fallen from the fire and placed back in the flames, Gabe's love for God and Jesus was re-kindled, took flame and steadied into a lifelong love for the Creator, Redeemer God. The depression was driven back. Gabe felt he could live again, but realised he needed to stay connected to people who felt as he did.

Next day, John was passing the jewellers when a young man raced out to the accompaniment of yells from within the shop.