Friends in Need — N.J. Lindquist

Glen struggles to figure out how to act around Nicole, who is now dating Charlie, and Nicole's best friend, Joyce, who Glen is now dating. At the same time, he looks for ways to encourage Luke, who's recovering from a very serious accident, and tries to avoid Marta, who needs more help than he can offer. As if he doesn't have enough going on, Glen wonders if the anonymous letters he's getting are a prank or something more sinister.

Meanwhile, Nicole wonders if she's made a mistake, and begins to question what she's been taught by her church.

In the end, with the help of their small group, Glen and Nicole learn that a real friend is someone who has experienced your faults and imperfections, and sticks with you anyway.

Excerpt

Opening the door carefully, I peered in. Smoke came straight at me. It looked as if the whole kitchen was on fire....

From somewhere beyond, I heard a faint call.

I had to go in.

All I remembered about fire safety was to get a wet rag to cover your nose if you have to go through smoke. But where did you get water when the fire was in the kitchen? I couldn't even see the sink for smoke.

I heard a loud crackle as flames leaped up the window curtains and shot to the ceiling. No way I could get into the house through the kitchen.

I heard someone call out, ""Help me Please help me ""

""God, I need you "" I yelled, as I shut the door and ran back to the front of the house.

Once on the porch, I pulled off my jacket and using it to cover my head, ran full speed toward the low front window, twisting sideways as I hit the glass.

As I had hoped, the glass shattered, and I went through. But I hit the floor hard, and for a few seconds, I lay there stunned. Then I remembered where I was and jumped up. Tongues of fire were licking at the doorway between the kitchen and the living room. Smoke was billowing out.

It was at this point I realized I should have run to a neighbour's and called the fire department....