Page 41 of Organized Chaos

Sarah nodded along. The words were a barrage. She heard and processed them but didn’t have a response.

“Hey, Sarah, did Margo talk to you about the comedy show?” Tim strode back outside and locked the door behind him.

Margo bounced up and down. “Oh, you have to come. It’s going to be amazing.”

Sarah nodded woodenly. “Sure. Comedy club.”

A look passed between Margo and Tim that Sarah couldn’t decipher but they understood with perfect clarity. “Since Phillip isn’t available for Bible study, we’re having it at Tim’s house. You’re still going to join us, right?”

That snapped Sarah out of her stupor. She gave herself a mental shake and turned her entire attention to the couple standing in front of her. “I’d love to join in. Thank you.”

Margo squeezed Sarah’s hand one last time and let go. She hooked her arm around Tim’s.

Longing hit Sarah and she folded her arms over her stomach and pulled her elbows in tight to her ribs. She wanted that with Phillip. Their differences made each of them better. As soon as he came back from the conference, she’d tell him that. They would not be that almost-couple who never made it because of miscommunication. They had to take time for each other and express their thoughts.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Home. Phillip rolled his suitcase across the airport and shoved open the door. Cool air rushed over his face and settled his heart.Lord, thank you for a safe trip and that I didn’t make an absolute fool of myself at the conference.He breathed in, out, in, out. With each breath, his tension melted away. He’d accepted the invitation at the last minute, before his introvert tendencies could kick in and convince him to stay home. He wasn’t the type to leave at the drop of a hat and fly to Las Vegas for an international podcast conference, but he had to admit that following Sarah’s example of spontaneous behavior had paid off this trip.

Every time he felt himself struggling, he’d tried to imagine what Sarah would do. He’d introduced himself to people, swapped business cards, and made several contacts that could further his reach and help his business grow over time.

In other words, it was worth every agonizing minute of being outside his comfort zone. He’d never have agreed without Sarah’s influence.

“Hey, man.” Dwight rushed up the sidewalk and grabbed the second suitcase from Phillip. “Truck’s down here.”

“Thanks for picking me up.” Phillip trailed behind Dwight. People moved in every direction, forcing him to focus to keep from running someone over.

Dwight shrugged. “No problem. Yvonne came with me, so it’s not like I was bored.”

And his flight had been on time, so they didn’t have to wait around too long. “I can’t wait to get home.”

Dwight’s step hitched. He palmed the side of the truck and regained his balance, then tossed the suitcase in the backseat.

Yvonne hung out the passenger side window and held out a hand toward Phillip. “Speaking of going home. We want to take you out to dinner.”

“I’d rather not.” Phillip smoothed a hand down his rumpled shirt. “It was a long flight, and I just want to go home.”

Dwight patted Yvonne’s hand. “Told you he’d say no.” A hint of teasing lit Dwight’s voice.

Yvonne frowned at Phillip and crossed her arms on the open window. “Come on, Phillip. It’s important. There’s a comedy show at the theater tonight. A Christian comedian that Pastor Connor found. He’s supposed to be great. I bought tickets for all of us.”

“I’ll pay you back for mine.” Phillip heaved his suitcase in the back and climbed into the truck.

Yvonne grumbled and retreated into the truck but didn’t give up. She turned in her seat and eyed Phillip. “You need to laugh. You’ve been on a long flight after an exhausting trip. I know your mental batteries are low and you want to crash. But trust me, you need this. You don’t have to interact with anyone. Just go and enjoy the show.”

Phillip dragged a hand down his face. “You’re not going to make me talk once we get there?”

She mimed zipping her lips and throwing away the key.

“Fine.” He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “The no talking rule starts now.”

“Maybe for you,” Dwight said as he slid into his seat and pulled the truck into traffic. “I plan on talking the whole way there.”

Phillip grunted but otherwise remained silent. Yvonne was right. He felt drained. His emotional well was empty and his ability to question people had vanished the minute he sat down on the plane. He was done. Exhausted. He needed at least a day to recover, but it would be fun to go out and listen to a clean comedy show.

The saying that laughter was the best medicine was totally right.

What felt like a second later, a hand shook his shoulder. “Phillip, we’re here.” Dwight’s face appeared when Phillip peeled his gritty eyes open.

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