Stand by Me by Neta Jackson Page B

filled in the momentary silence. “We have several worship leaders, some of them newer than others. A way to grow people in their gifts. But I know that’s unusual. The church I grew up in always had the same person leading worship.”
    Denny Baxter returned with two plastic glasses from the kitchen filled with lemonade.
    â€œThanks! That’s so nice of you,” Kat said. “We’ll be glad to wash them. Do you save the plastic forks too? We’d be glad to wash them too, if you like. Right, Livie?”
    The other girl nodded but seemed slightly embarrassed.
    Avis caught Jodi Baxter smirking at her. Jodi had tried once before to get the church to wash and reuse the plasticware they used at potlucks, but most of the women had rolled their eyes and protested, “What? Wash the plastic ? That’s why we use it, so we can just toss everything!”
    â€œSo you girls are looking for an apartment to rent?” Debra Meeks asked sweetly. Avis noticed the slight emphasis on girls .
    â€œ Uh-huh . And Nick too,” Kat said. “We’d like at least three bedrooms, so we three girls don’t all end up in the same room.”
    â€œ Mm . Things sure have changed since I was a girl,” Debra murmured.
    Avis smiled. At least Debra shared her surprise that these Christian college students were planning on sharing a co-ed apartment.
    â€œAvis, honey, didn’t you tell me that the couple downstairs want to sublease their apartment this summer? Do you know how much they’re asking?”
    Avis stared at her husband. No, no, no, Peter. You didn’t just say that out loud .
    But Kat was already on it. “Really, Mr. Douglass? That is so awesome . Can you find out how much they’re asking?”
    â€œOh, uh, it’s probably much too expensive for students,” Avis said quickly. “Our building is condo, so they’ve got a mortgage.”
    Kat tossed her mane of wavy hair, eyes dancing. “Maybe not. After all, there’re four of us to share the rent. Would you give them my phone number, Mr. Douglass?” She fished in her bag for a small notebook and pen, scribbled a number, tore out the page, and handed it to Peter. “Oh!” She jumped up from the table, still grinning. “I gotta go tell Nick and Brygitta we’ve got a nibble!”

    Avis let Peter have it the moment they were in the car. “Peter Douglass. I can’t believe you told those students about the Candys’ apartment like that! They might not want a bunch of students living in their condo. It’s not like we even know these kids!”
    â€œWhat are you talking about? Didn’t Louise Candy tell you to let them know if we heard of anyone needing an apartment? Students might be just the thing! And if not, no big deal, the Candys can always say no. And maybe you’re right—they might be asking more than these students can pay. Let them figure it out.”
    Avis pressed her lips together and rode in silence until they turned into their block. “That’s . . . not the only thing. We live in the building too. We’ve got a condo association. Don’t the other owners have some say about who lives there? It’s only three apartments, after all.”
    Peter shot a quick glance at her and then concentrated on backing into a parking space in front of their building. Once he’d turned off the motor, he faced her again. “I can’t believe I’m hearing right. My Avis, principal of Bethune Elementary School, champion of young people, reigning monarch and peacemaker of the motley crew known as the Yada Yada Prayer Group— that Avis doesn’t want four students from a Christian university to live in our building for three months. What , my dear, is your problem?”
    Avis turned her head away from him and contemplated the front of their building. The empty cement urns on the sides of the steps could use some geraniums and