Killing the Secret Read Free

his forehead, raising an arm in praise of his maker.
    “I’m not here as Gavin Smith, the man. I’m here as Gavin Smith, God’s servant. He called me to preach as He’s calling each of you to join his army of believers. LISTEN, not to your own voice, not to the voices of your boss, or your friends, or to the sinners of the world, but to God’s voice. Rise up and come forward to seek His joy, His glory, and His love.” Gavin’s words seemed to pull people from their seats and they walked down the aisle toward him.
    It was easy for Tina to slip out the back door. She knew she had at least a couple of hours while her husband prayed with the newly saved. She’d meet with Bud and be in bed before Gavin got back to the motel.
    “Come if you haven’t come before. Come if you need to start over again.”
    I’ve already started over, Tina thought, as she walked toward her car. I don’t want to do it again .
    “COME FOLLOW JESUS! He will lead you on this earth and when your life is done HE WILL LEAD YOU STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN! Come to me and let me introduce you to my Jesus.”
    Gavin’s words followed her to the car. Rolling up the window finally shut out the call to sinners. She was one sinner who had no desire to confess to Gavin Smith. Driving toward the park, her only purpose was to get Bud out of her life forever. His phone call yesterday brought back old memories.
    “I need to talk to you,” the voice said.
    “Who’s this?” Tina asked.
    “Surely you haven’t forgotten an old friend from Diffee.”
    “Bud, is that you?”
    “It is and I’ve come a long way to see you. Let’s meet tonight at Bluebird Park. It won’t be the same as Diffee Park, but it’ll still bring back memories.”
    “I’d love to, but I can’t. This is the first night of my husband’s revival and I’ve got to be there.”
    “I know you can miss one sermon for an old friend,” Bud pleaded.
    “No, I can’t. I’m a different person now. I’ve been saved. I can’t look back at my past without remembering the sins I committed.”
    “You will meet me,” he ordered.
    “I told you, I can’t.”
    “Here’s the deal, my dear friend. Either you meet me or I’ll tell your preacher husband that he married a whore. I’ll enlighten him as to why you were voted friendliest girl in your senior class.”
    “Why would you do that? I thought we were friends.”
    “Give me a few minutes then I’ll never bother you again.”
    Tina yielded to the bully, “I’ll be there around nine.”
    Bud hung up without reply.
    Better here than at home . Being away because of the revival was an advantage. She didn’t know anyone who might identify her as being at the park. After pulling in near the picnic area she checked the locks on her car doors for the third time. She visually examined the wooded area that surrounded the park. A lone light cast shadows on the children’s play equipment.
    She was impatient for Bud to arrive even though she knew she was early. Part of Tina wanted to see him, but over the last few hours her anger grew due to his bossiness over the phone. She resolved to tell him what she thought of his attitude. After all, she wasn’t the only one who had dirty secrets to tell.
    A March night, twenty years ago, was forever imbedded in Tina’s memory. There were eight senior girls sitting around a campfire. They were eating, laughing, talking, drinking beer, and celebrating the best day of their lives. The night before they’d won the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Championship.
    The Diffee newspaper dubbed them the “Extraordinary Eight” after they won their first six games of the season. They were the darlings of Diffee, Oklahoma, a small town that never had anything to cheer for before, or since, that year. The town locked up on Friday nights so everyone could watch their darlings play basketball. A Tulsa television station did a segment on the Friday night basketball ghost town. A national station picked up the story and the