“I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better” – Plutarch
Can you relate to that quote above? What kind of friend do you like, or better still, what kind of friend are you? Do you want friends who will tell you what you like to hear, or do you want friends who tell you the truth?
The Bible says, “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ” (Ephesians 4: 15).
In In the Wilderness, book 2 of the Egypt trilogy, June shows maturity when she refuses to be part of Wendy’s wild schemes and “speaks the truth in love” to her friend who is engaging in some risky behavior. Take a look at the excerpt below:
Wendy slowed her pace. “I’m going away this weekend.”
June glanced at her. “Oh, with your parents?”
Wendy sipped her Coke then smiled. “No, I’m coming to your house.”
June came to an abrupt halt, spilling Apple J on her white shirt. “Look what you made me do.”
“I’m sorry.” Wendy held out a handkerchief.
June dabbed at her shirt. “You mustn’t play games like that, Wendy.”
Wendy laughed. “It’s not a game.”
June handed the kerchief back to her. “Well, I didn’t invite you.”
Wendy stopped and unslung her bag from her shoulder. She opened it and took something from the front pocket. June stared with mild curiosity at the photograph of a good-looking Spanish man probably in his late twenties. “Who is that?”
“Daryl.”
June gave her a questioning glance.
“I’m going away with him.”
June almost dropped her bag. She forced herself to keep her voice low. “What do you mean? Going where?”
Wendy seemed amused. “You remember the last time you invited me to stay with you when my parents went to Tobago? Well, I was with Daryl.”
June opened her mouth, but no sound came. Wendy’s mother had been very worried, looking all over San Fernando for her, and now she was going to do it again. Only this time she was going to tell her mother she was at June’s house?
June grabbed her arm. “No! You’re crazy. Don’t tell your mother you’ll be at my house when …” She clapped her hand over her mouth, suddenly realizing the implications of what Wendy was saying. She was having an affair with this man, and she was using June to cover for her. Of all the lowdown things to do.
“Do you know what you’re doing? You could get pregnant!”
Wendy was unfazed. “He uses condoms.”
June put her hand to her forehead. “You’re crazy, Wendy. You want to ruin your life? Exams are right around the corner. You should be concentrating on that instead of —”
Wendy slipped her soft drink into the side opening of her bag. “I’m not crazy.” Then she looked at June. “Everyone knows about the time you ran away to live with that man, so don’t preach to me.”
June felt the blood drain from her face. That episode with Marcus had occurred over two years ago, and June had put it behind her. An ounce of indiscretion that had caused her a pound of shame and heartache, when, unable to bear her sister’s controlling attitude, she had run away from home to meet Marcus. But she’d never lived with him, never had sex with him. Could she tell that to her friend, now staring at her with accusing eyes?
Wendy tossed her head. “I’ll tell Mummy I’m with Sharon or Althea. I have other friends.”
June stared at the girl’s stony face. “Wendy, please don’t do this. You’re messing up your life.”
Wendy quickened her steps and turned into a side street. June watched her for a moment, then on legs that felt like a ton, continued on her way home.
Want to learn how June’s friendship with Wendy turned out? You can get In the Wilderness when you join this promotion That’s What Friends Are For. A team of best selling authors have teamed up to bring you a fine selection of books about friendship, so make sure you get yours today.
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Be safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
