Ricky is born with a health problem. He lives in Canada where they have National Health Care ...but his health problem isn't even considered serious enough to correct.

His parents love him, and they consider it important, but the health care system's assessment is that it is unnecessary and expensive.

Ricky's nasal passages are too small, and he has to breathe through his mouth.

His first day of school, one of the popular children, Robbie, asks,"What's that sound!"

Everyone hears Robbie's comment, and sees the face he makes when he turns to look at Ricky.  Indeed, Robbie's facial expression is hilarious ...and everyone laughs.

One of the kids says he sounds like Darth Vader. Another kid, who brags that he has cable television, says he looks like Herman Munster.

Authors note:  You are about to read, why, by the end of the week, they will all cumulatively refer to him as"Monster".

Ricky doesn't receive much kindness at school, so he is really surprised when Robbie offers to share some of his lemonade.

Ricky considers it the worst lemonade he'd ever tasted, but maybe that's because it has been sitting out, and got warm.

The next day, Robbie and a circle of friends all say hi to Ricky. Ricky is surprised by their friendliness, but is thankful for the attention. He doesn't want to refuse the lemonade that Robbie once again offers him. As before, it is warm ...and as the other kids smile, he wonders if they had some too, and whether they think it's as bad as he feels it is.

Soon this leads to other things.

Ricky shares some of these other things with other kids as he gets older ...though he resolves never to share warm lemonade.

It is whispered around school that Ricky is a homosexual.  As the teachers hear about it, they decide to meet with Ricky's parents.

The content of that meeting is never discussed with Ricky ...all he knows is that there'd been quick plans for them to move to the United States.

Their house in Minnesota had complications with foreclosure procedures, so temporarily they decide to move in with an uncle in South Dakota.

Ricky finds the uncle to be friendly in a familiar way ...a way not that much different from many of the kids from his school in Canada, sharing some of the same acts of kindness.

Ricky's parents find a local church, and are speechless when the church donates money for an operation to take care of Ricky's nasal passage obstruction. Ricky is so thankful when he is able to breathe freely, without blocked passages.

Ricky also hears passages from the Bible spoken from the pulpit.  He is interested, and decides to study the Bible.  After reading it for himself, he fears he will be in big trouble if the little boy from church mentions what he'd done with him.

Ricky is seventeen now. He realizes the church's stand on several issues. And he sees that they view that the only acceptable relationship is between a man and a woman.

Ricky and his family haven't been going to the church that long ...and he doesn't really know how to make friends, especially with girls.  But things always seem to have their way of working things out ...and he becomes friends with Tracie, a girl just two years younger than him.

For a couple weeks now, Tracie hasn't been feeling quite right. It concerns her parents, and they make her a doctor's appointment.

Tests reveal that Tracie is pregnant.

Her dad is an elder in the church. Lee Pryde confers with the Pastor, and other elders of the church. He doesn't want to cause a scandal in the church. They all hold a firm view on abortion, and they agree they are against abortion ...except, in the case of rape.

They discuss the alternative of charging Ricky with statutory rape, but then they would be unable to hide the abortion.

They had made their decision. They would meet again the following day with Tracie, and tell her of the arrangements.

Later, they will decide how to deal with Ricky and his parents.

Tracie's mom, Lois, is at the meeting also.

Lois has tears in her eyes, "We've always taught you to be cautious, especially with newcomers to our church.  None of us knew anything about Ricky, or his family.  Why did you befriend Ricky so hastily?"

Tracie's eyes cast a wide glance at those encircling her, "You mean, you think ...you think Ricky is the reason I'm pregnant?"

Her dad speaks sternly, "Tracie, it's not going to work, don't try to cover for Ricky.  Like it or not, people like Ricky are bad seed ...and we are all here to support you, and end this right now."

Tracie begins to cry, "I can't believe this!" She looks right into the pastor's eyes, "You remember that Saturday, when I agreed to help your wife plant flowers at the church."

Pastor Lott acknowledges, "Yes, I remember the day."

Tracie continues, "Well, you remember there were not many volunteers. There were only four of us, and two of the ladies had to leave at noon. We discovered we were not going to have enough flowers, so your wife went to buy more. I stayed back to finish planting what we had."

Pastor Lott's wife could testify to the fact that when she got back with more flowers, that Ricky had arrived on his bicycle, and was ready to help with the rest of the planting.  Tracie had to stop for a moment, recalling the horrible event, "That's when it happened!"

The group looks on, waiting for Tracie's confession.

Tracie reveals what had happened, "A group of five boys rode up on their bikes.  They said they were thinking of going to our church, but wanted to know first if there were any decent girls.  They were all laughing loudly, and one of the boys grabbed me, saying I looked like a decent girl ...but he needed a closer look.  He kissed me, and pushed me to the ground.  The other boys grabbed my shoes, and ...the one boy raped me!  I fought so hard, but the others were holding my hands and legs ...I almost passed out.  I heard someone scream for them to stop ...and the boy suddenly peeled off me. Everything was all blurred, I couldn't stop crying, and I couldn't feel my arms or legs ...but I wanted to leap up and get out of there.  I tried to wipe the tears away, and see which direction they went ...but all I could see was the shadow of a person standing over me.  He had a spade in his hand.  It was Ricky.  He was the one who had screamed at them, and chased them away."

The group looks at Tracie in disbelief.

Tracie cries, "That's why I became friends with Ricky!  I feel he saved my life!"

The group looks on, unmoved by the story. They still feel she is covering for Ricky. It's obvious she likes Ricky, and it's very possible, by the way she is trying to cover for him, that she was a willing participant in the sexual act. It is very evident that her dad, in particular, is very distraught over the possibility of this.

Pastor Lott takes charge, "Really, we are not as concerned over the details of what happened, as we are about what we are going to do about it now.  You had an initial check-up, and we feel it is in your best interest, for your own health concerns, ...to see another doctor.  It is always good to get a second opinion, and we've made an appointment for you."

Tracie is eager to see Ricky again. He is the only one she feels she can talk to. He'd witnessed what happened to her. He's the only one who seems to care ...and she is convinced no one else even believes her.

Tracie is upset. Ricky and his family appear to be gone. Tracie is convinced that her dad, the pastor, and the rest of the elders had confronted Ricky and his parents.

This isn't what happened at all, but that's the way Tracie imagined it. What really happened, was that Ricky's uncle was discovered with Ricky ...the revelation being too much for them to handle.  They immediately packed up.  They resolved it was best to get a motel room in Minnesota, until their house is ready.

Tracie goes to the doctor's office they had arranged for her to visit.

The office personnel arrange for her to meet with other women, and they begin by talking about unwanted pregnancies ...and how she shouldn't be punished with a baby.

Tracie looks over at her mom, in tears ...

"I am not listening to this anymore, Mom!  Every night I have nightmares about those five boys, and what was done to me!  I am keeping my baby."

One of the nurses puts a hand on Tracie's shoulder, "We're trying to help you take care of that nightmare, so you don't have to have it the rest of your life."

Tracie looks deep into the nurses eyes, "No, you're not!  You are trying to guarantee I'll never get over it!  You are trying to give me an even worse nightmare!"

The nurse says, "No, I'm your friend. I want to help you."

Tracie is in unbelief, "You want me to overcome one horrific act of violence against me, by convincing me to commit an even worse act of violence?  I will eventually get over what happened to me ...but I will never allow someone to force me to join in the violence.  I know many girls are having abortions, and I feel sorry for them.  They have been tormented with the same lies that you all are trying to convince me of ...and later, they will go through what you would never tell me about.  I hope they don't totally blame themselves, and feel they can never feel forgiven.  I hope they find peace.  But I already know the truth, and don't believe the lie ...so you can't expect me to fall for it.  I simply can't do it!  I was innocent ...but so is my child.  I am the victim of a violent act, but I lived through it ...and so will my child.  I will not allow the act against me to cause me to participate in a procedure that you are making so light of, that you can't see the light of day.  This is not like removing a wart or getting rid of a pimple ...just for appearances sake.  You are promoting the death of a human life."

The nurse repeats, "We're just trying to be your friends."

Tracie is quick to respond, "If I listened to all of you, I would have to live with the fact that I participated in a death.  What are you asking me to do ...act like I'm a psychopath or something?  I would be no better ...with no shame, without remorse, and untouched by the whole thing."

Tracy cries,

"Don't you realize that all you've done is just ruining my life?  Ricky came to my rescue.  I know none of you believe that ...but I am grateful he was there.  The rest of you are not helping me ...you are just trying to rescue your own bit of pride, and hide behind what you can't handle.  You can't handle the truth about me being pregnant ...but I am, and I'm having this baby.  It's my time to come to the rescue."

Tracie is upset, but speaks with conviction:

"If none of you want to support me and my baby ...fine, I alone will protect my child.  None of you are going to hurt me ...and don't even think about hurting my baby!  Even though it is a horrific nightmare what happened to me, what you all are trying to do to me is even worse!  And you say you are trying to be my friends?"

Pastor Lott meets with Tracie's parents, who agree not to attend church until the appointed time. Tracie doesn't know about the secret meeting, or what else is discussed.

The next Sunday when Tracie's parents don't seem to be getting ready to go to church, Tracie is somewhat relieved.  She somehow feels she has no friends there anyway.

Months pass ...to the appointed time.

Tracie goes to the hospital, as it appears it is time for her to deliver.

It is a difficult delivery.

There is a plan that Tracie does not know about.  They plan to perform a partial birth abortion, and just tell her that her baby didn't live ...that it was a still birth.

Tracie struggles ...pushing hard. She feels a bit of relief, imagining the baby's head emerging.

Then she panics!

She sees the doctor move in ...and she screams, "No!"

She jerks forward, reaching out, and grabbing the tool from the doctor's hand.  She cups her hands around her baby, shielding her son.

Tracie considers the name, Joshua Caleb Love.

Yes, she will consider changing her name to Love.

Tracie gets a job in walking distance of her one-bedroom apartment. She cares for an elderly lady.

The granddaughter also lives there, but works during the day.  The granddaughter's name is Stacie.

Stacie pays her well.

It also works well, as Tracie is able to bring her son with her, while caring for the elderly lady.

When Stacie hears of the one-bedroom apartment, she invites Tracie and her son, J.C., to stay full-time at their home, "Grandma feels it will benefit everyone ...and she would feel safer with you here in the evening if I have to run out to get something."

This seems to work out well, and J.C. is also very fond of Stacie and her grandma.

The following year, Stacie's mom dies.

Stacie had already shared about how her mom had died when she was just eight years old, her dad abandoning her the following year. Stacie had not had an easy life.  Grandma had taken care of her. When she was sixteen, Grandma became ill, and she began taking care of Grandma.

Tracie knew there was no present family that ever visited, but when she and J.C. joined Stacie at her grandma's funeral, she was shocked that no one was there ...except, the three of them.

Stacie wipes the tears away, "As you can see, I have no one ...except, the two of you.  I don't want to be alone.  Will you still stay with me?  Grandma left me the house in her will, and it's all paid for.  The house needs someone to care for it too ...and I think all the work you do is worth your room and board."

So, this becomes the arrangement ...that year, the following year, the year after that, and the year after that.

J.C. attends the school down the street.

J.C. loves to read.  He always picks up some book or magazine, and there is not a book in the house that he has not at least read part of.

Tracie and Stacie are waiting for J.C. to get home from school.

Tracie asks, "How was school today, J.C.?"

J.C. politely answers, "Fine, Mom, how are you both doing?  How was work today, Stacie?"

Stacie replies briefly, "Fine."

Tracie takes a deep breath, "Stacie and I want to talk with you about something."

J.C. is used to each of them just talking when they have something to say, so this comes across as sort of different, "Did I do something wrong?"

Tracie quickly reassures, "No, son, we just want you to listen close to something we think is important."

J.C. is attentive, "I'll listen close."

Stacie takes her turn, "Well, your mom and I would like to get married."

J.C. is confused, "I like the way things are now."

Tracie explains, "Nothing will change with that, it will still be the three of us, just the way it is now.  You'd like that, right?"

J.C. hesitates, as he is even more confused, "I like the way things are right now, ...I'm not sure I'm ready for a change."

Stacie speaks up again, "Nothing will really be that different, we will live the same way we are living now, it's just that I want to get married, so it will be sanctioned by God."

J.C. looks to Tracie, "If I marry Stacie, who will you marry, Mom?  I know a man sometimes has two wives, but I never heard of one of them being his own mom.  I just like it the way it is ...why do things have to change?"

Stacie and Tracie both smile, trying not to laugh.  Tracie explains, "No, we don't want you to marry ...you're too young.  Stacie and I want to marry each other."

J.C. frowns, "I thought marriage was supposed to be between a man and a woman?"

Tracie puts her hand on her son's shoulder, "Not always.  Marriage is a commitment between two people who love each other."

J.C. laughs, "I know that!  That's why I thought you wanted me to marry Stacie.  I love both of you, but since it's between two people, and no one marries their mom ...I thought I'd have the two people I love, a mom and a wife."

The three of them laugh together.

J.C. adds, "I'm glad that's not what you meant, because I'm too young to get married.  But I still don't understand ...what does sanctioned mean?  You said you want your love to be sanctioned by God."

Stacie explains, "Sanctioned means approved ...approved by God."

J.C. looks to be in deep thought, "I'm sure God approves that we all love each other."

Tracie thinks she is beginning to understand what her son is really saying, and she doesn't know quite how to respond.

Stacie explains, "Marriage is a special kind of love ...I mean, I know that all kinds of love are special, but it's a different kind of love."

J.C. looks confused, "I know there's different kinds of love ...we all know Mom loves ice cream.  But I've read that marriage is between a man and a woman."

Stacie asks, "Where did you hear that?  Is that what they are teaching you at school?"

J.C. points, "No, I read it in that book over there."

Stacie asks, "What book is that?"

J.C. goes over, and picks it up, "This one ...written by God."

Author's note: I've worked for 32 years in the field of Mental Health. I've worked with children from broken homes, and those homes where you'd think everything was right. I worked with 4 year olds, and I worked with teenagers. I worked with adults who'd resorted to criminal activity. My head is filled with so many stories, and my heart is filled with compassion for each one of them.

I feel sorry for Ricky, and Tracie, and Stacie, and J.C. ...all of them, and I understand quite a bit of what they've gone through.  Ricky could have been prosecuted ...and forever, could have been listed as a pedifile, having restrictions upon his living conditions.  He would have lost many of his freedoms, and we would feel sorry for him ...but he'd have to lose those freedoms to protect the freedoms of others he may infringe upon. Tracie was raped ...if she would have had an abortion, I certainly would have understood the entrapment she would have found herself within ...but I applaud her for thinking of her helpless baby.  Neither she, nor her baby had anything to do with the crime ...but I can't say the same thing for her family and church, as they were encouraging her to commit a crime against the innocent and defenseless.  I also don't blame Tracie for not wanting to be around guys, considering the five who had encircled her before the rape, then also those men in her church circle, who were more concerned with their agenda than what she was going through.  Tracie would probably have deepened her friendship with Ricky, but everyone around her would have probably discouraged it.

Many years ago, I was trying to explain something to our oldest daughter, and she said, "Dad, you just don't understand!"

Well, no one can understand precisely what someone else is going through, or what they feel ...but I thought I understood more than she was willing to give me credit for, at least at the moment anyway.

But that was not my response to her.  Instead, I said, "So, you say I don't understand you ...and I probably can safely say, you don't understand me.  But what is important is that we both understand God."

God knows more than you or I, about ourselves ...or about any subject.  So, if we just attempt to understand God, then our feelings on any subject, or about each other ...will do quite nicely.

Our eternal health is most important, and we have a forgiving God. Another view on health care was presented, "We have to pass the bill, so that, we can find out what's in it."

It could also be said, "You have to read the Bible to know what's in it!"

"Judge not, ..."  We are not to judge the person, but in deciding our actions, according to what we believe the Bible would have us to do ...aren't we judging what we feel is best, and pleasing to God?