Universal

Chapter 2

    After paying Troy for the gas, Judson went inside the service station for a little fuel of his own. He was greeted by a young woman in a neat pastel pink dress with a starched white apron pinned to the front. “Welcome!” She said as she grabbed a menu and led him to a booth by the window. “Cup of coffee?” She asked as he sat. 

    “Yes, thank you, Patricia.” Judson replied, reading the name tag on her lapel. 

     With a smile and a nod the dark haired girl walked away. Judson watched her make her way to the kitchen, but quickly noticed that his eyes weren’t the only ones looking in her direction. Troy stood, leaning with his hands and chin resting on the handle of a large push broom as if he were in a trance. Judson was sure that little hearts were coming out of the young man’s eyes. He chuckled and the boy heard, breaking his trance. His cheeks blushed, and Judson winked at him before opening the menu in front of him. 

     The words on the menu were blurry, and Judson used his napkin to wipe at them, thinking maybe something had spilled on it previously causing the distortion. He only wiped once when he realized that nothing had spilled. The words were blurry because they were moving. Judson quickly closed the menu and looked around the service station diner to make sure no one was watching before he slowly opened it again. Where dozens of words had been, spelling out the specials and flavors of shakes, it was blank, besides 5 words that read “Troy Rogers is the 1st.” With a sigh Judson closed the menu again, and not a moment too soon. 

      Patricia was walking his way with a mug with steaming coffee and a small container of milk. “Sugars on the table.” She said as she set the mug on the table in front of him. “Have you decided what you want to eat?” 

    “How about a burger?” Judson replied. 

    “Sure thing.” Patricia said as she turned again towards the kitchen. 

     Judson leaned his head back against the booth and closed his eyes. Rubbing his hands that were silky smooth compared to the boy in his mind’s, Judson thought. The creator had done the work of finding the first member of his salvation team for him. Now it was up to him to convince this kid to leave all of his obligations and a girl he obviously was sweet on to come on a planet hopping adventure in hopes of saving the universe. Judson knew, fully, the importance of this mission. He understood what was at stake. He knew it had to be done. What he didn’t know, was how to explain all of that to a 17 year old farm boy without the kid thinking he was crazy. Heck, he already felt crazy. Even with all of the knowledge and understanding that he possessed, he felt lost. He had the name of the first recruit for his team... that was great, but how did he get the guy to actually agree to go along with everything? And...when, scratch that- if- Troy did agree, how did they make their way off of this planet to another one. From the information that the Creator had put into Judson's mind, Humans couldn't fly. They also couldn't sustain life outside of their atmosphere. "Uggh!" Judson groaned. The impossible list of things to do to save the universe was becoming longer and more complicated by the second. 

............................................... 

Judson thought a lot as he ate his lunch. He thought about the juicy burger and crispy fries, and how thankful he was that the Creator had decided to allow him to experience the taste of food. It almost felt as if it were a consolation prize for being assigned this crazy mission.  He also thought about Bethlehem GA, about Troy and Patricia. He didn’t want to be the one to bombard this kid’s life. He knew the kid worked himself to the bone, and he hated to think that he would be the one taking the only hope he had of a future with Patricia away from him. Judson hadn't experienced love in his 4 measly hours as a human, but he could feel the connection between the teenage love birds. It was as if an electric current buzzed between them. Every glance, every small, every word exchanged held a captivating power. It was something so new and beautiful to Judson. He didn't want to be the bearer of the news that could separate them forever....but Judson also knew that if he didn’t recruit Troy and have him at his side when the day came to battle the evil one, there would be no future for Troy, or anyone, at all. He wasn't sure if Troy would survive the battle, he wasn't even sure if he would, but he knew he had to try.

   In the end, Judson had made a decision, for now. For now, he would stay in Bethlehem. He would get to know Troy. He would become his friend. He was sure that somewhere along the way trust would be formed, and the right words would come. When that day came, he would do his best to train Troy and together they would find a way to find the others. Judson trusted in the Creator’s plan. And he leaned on the Creator for guidance. He would do his best to save the universe, and since Troy was part of the plan to do that, he would do his best with Troy also. 

   Before Judson left the service station he spoke with Troy again. “My father left me a farm.” Judson said to him. “It needs a lot of work, and I need a lot of help. I know you are trying to help your Mama and Daddy, and I’d like to help you. Whatever days you have free, I’ve got work for you.” He finished. 

   Troy beamed. “Thank you sir!” He said. “I can do whatever you need!” 

   “That’s what I’m hoping for.” Judson replied. He gave Troy directions to the farm, then got in the truck and headed home.