Page 119 of Robbin’ the Rich

“I knew you’d do the right thing, son,” said my dad, clasping my shoulder.

Daniel looked happy to see me, but Caleb eyed me suspiciously.

“Let’s go have a Christmas service.”

We all headed out onto the stage before everyone except my dad took out seats in the front row. This service used to be magical, but it had turned into more of a spectacle. Angles flew in from the ceiling sharing the good news. Mary sang a power ballad about God’s love at the manger. And in the audience was a sea of praise hands. Then in a dramatic moment with some pyrotechnics my father raised from a trap door on the stage to give his sermon. It all was so hollow.

I did not want to be here. But more than that, I did not want to see Robin get punished for doing the right thing.

After sitting through the service, I went back to the room my family usually meets in before my dad leaves to go to whatever after service responsibilities he had, but since it was Christmas service, there wasn’t much.

It was time.

“Ummm, can I talk to you guys for a sec?” I asked. Nerves were threatening to get the better of me, but I knew what was going to happen. I knew I was going to get a speech about how disappointed they were. I knew I was going to have to make a deal to do what they said again. But I also knew they would cover it up to protect the family's image.

“We have dinner waiting for us at home. Can this wait?”

“No. I need to tell you something right now.”

Pastor Nottingham came out from behind his desk and leaned against the front crossing his hands over his chest. “What is it, Micah?”

Why do I suddenly feel like I’m eight years old again?

“In fall I got really mad at the family and I did something.”

My mother’s expression fell. “What did you do, son?”

“I got tired of the way some people in the church treat people… so I took it upon myself to wire a monthly transfer to Lantern House. I hid it under…” Oh crap… What did Robin say… “Good Samaritan Ministries,” I said quickly.

“You did that?” my dad asked. He eyed me closely, but I had to sell it.

“Yeah, it’s not hard. I took some account numbers from the church, looked up how to hack into a system online and did it. I just wanted you guys to know that.”

I glanced over at Caleb who was looking at me wide eyed.

“I just didn’t want anyone else to get in trouble for what I did.”

Everyone was quiet for what felt like an eternity.

“Why on earth would you do that?” My mother’s voice broke the silence. And then everyone spoke.

“Micah. What are we going to do with you?” she continued.

“You have to pay all the money back,” said my older brother at the same time.

“I’m very disappointed in you,” my dad’s voice said over it all.

But my younger brother just sat there taking it all in, eyes still on me.

Once the chaos died down my dad looked at me.

“Well, now we know. And you will not have to pay it back.” My brother moved to protest, but my father stilled his with one raised hand. “But you will be a part of this family again. That means you will be a part of this church again. You will come to services. You will play in the band. You will volunteer your time. Do you understand?”

I bowed my head. “Yes, Sir.”

“Now, with all this unpleasantness behind us. Let’s go have a nice family dinner,” said my mother, smiling like none of that had just happened.

And just like that, we all filed out of the room like the happy family we were supposed to be.