Caleb's Wars Read Online Free Page B

except his words—to drinking the moonshine with Nathan and Henry, to the fancy table on the other side of the window at the Dixie Belle Café...
    At last the service was over. My shirt was soaked, and I wanted a glass of water real bad. Someone started a song, folks began to clap, and Brother Johnson led us to Hale's Pond—a two-minute walk. Behind us, people were shouting "Hallelujah!" and "Praise Jesus!"
    On one side of me, Henry was clapping and shouting, too. He looked happy, the way the old folks did when the Spirit fell and they got joyful in the Lord. I'd never seen Henry look that way before.
    Nathan was trying hard to keep from laughing. He rolled his eyes when I glanced at him. Maybe he was wishing this whole thing would be over soon and he could take off that silly white robe. That's just how I felt.
    Folks gathered at the pond. The music continued. "Down by the Riverside," then "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." It felt like the singing went on forever. More than anything I wanted a big drink of water.
    At last, Brother Johnson called for quiet. He prayed again. My stomach growled. Then he waded into the pond up to his waist, and Henry went in after him. Brother Johnson put one hand on Henry's back, the other over Henry's nose, and cried, "Henry Jefferson Johnson, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." He pushed Henry backward under the water.
    Henry came back up, raised both hands over his head, and shouted, "Oh, hallelujah! I'm saved! Thank you, Lord!" He was grinning from ear to ear.
    "Sweet Jesus," Nathan muttered. I knew better than to look at him.
    Henry came out of the pond, his robe clinging to him. His mama met him with a towel, and he let her take him into her arms. "I'm saved, Mama!"
    Then it was Nathan's turn. He went into the water and stood in front of Brother Johnson like an innocent little lamb. I had to bite my lip.
    "Nathan Rodney Washington, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," Brother Johnson declared, and then he dunked him under. It seemed like he held Nathan down a good long moment. Anyway, he came out of the water sputtering and some folks in the crowd laughed, but not in a mean way.
    "Bear fruit that benefits repentance," Brother Johnson said to him. "Welcome to the family of faith."
    "Yes, sir," Nathan said in his most polite voice.
    "Are you saved, son?" someone in the crowd shouted.
    "I sure do hope so. Mama say if I ain't, she gon' make me do this till I am!" Everyone laughed.
    "Caleb?" Brother Johnson asked. "You ready?"
    Yes, sir.
    "Come on, then, and get your sins washed away."
    The bottom of the pond felt squishy under my bare feet, and the water was cool on my legs.
    "Caleb Thomas Brown, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Brother Johnson put his hand over my nose, and I closed my eyes and mouth. Then I was pushed backward under the water.
    For some reason, I opened my eyes. Everything was green and murky.
    A strong, deep voice called, "Caleb!"
    Then I felt myself being lifted from the water.
    A voice said, "Behold my servant." The words were pretty loud, just not real clear.
    "I beg your pardon, Brother Johnson. What'd you say?" I wiped the water out of my eyes and waited for him to repeat his blessing.
    He looked at me, puzzled.
    "What did you say to me?"
    "Nothin'."
    "Yes, you did. You called my name while I was underwater and said something else as I came up."
    "I didn't say nothin', Caleb. You mistaken."
    I wanted to tell him not to joke with me, but I could see he wasn't.
    "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life," Brother Johnson pronounced over me. "Welcome to the family, son."
    I came out of the water, and there was Ma. She gave me a towel and helped me get out of my robe. I wanted to say something to her, ask her something—but what?
    I sat on the grass and pulled my shoes on.
    "Run on home and change," Ma