Saving Ryan - Part 2

Several people mentioned they would like to read more of the story. So, even though it is a work in progress, and I wasn't planning on posting this until next week, here is part 2 (of an unknown number of parts).

Later, in the evening, Jude’s phone rang again.

“Hey, Lily, how’s it going?” Lily Maire was Jude’s closest friend.

“It’s going alright, Jude. How are you?” Her voice rang with a kindness and sweetness Jude didn’t hear often.

“I’m good. I’m just getting ready to go over to a friend’s house for a poker party.”

“Oh, so this isn’t a good time to call?” Jude felt he ought to talk to her, and wanted to talk to her, but knew he ought to go over to Ryan’s like he said he would.

“Yeah, not so much. But, I would be glad to give you a call back, say, tomorrow evening?”

“Sure! That would work. Have fun at your poker party! ‘Til tomorrow night!”

“Yeah, I will try. Talk to you soon.” Part of Jude wanted to talk to Lily then; about a lot of things. He wanted to tell her about wanting to witness to Ryan, and ask her what she thought. He wanted to just talk… about the weather, about theology, about so many different things. But, Jude knew that if he was going to make any progress with Ryan, he wouldn’t do it by talking to other people about him. He dug his wallet and keys out from under the piles of books and movies on his bed, and headed out the door.

As he came down the stairs, a voice from the kitchen said, “Jude, will you be here for supper?”

“Not tonight, Mom. There’s a poker party at Ryan’s place in a few minutes, and I think we will just have pizza or something over there. It is okay if I go, right?” Jude thought he probably ought to ask.
“I guess that’s okay. Not too late, though. We have church tomorrow, remember. And you have an early morning Monday with work, right?” Jude worked in a computer store, and part of his job was opening up each morning at seven. The worst part was the hour- long drive to work.

“Yeah, sounds good. And I don’t have too early of a morning Monday. See you later. Love you!” Jude slipped on his sandals and went outside to his car. As he got in, he thought about how great of a mom he had, that would let him hang out with friends at a moment’s notice. She hadn’t always been like that, but ever since Jude’s dad died, she was a little bit more relaxed with Jude.