Dave Casler
PO Box 98
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
Young Adult Novels by Dave Casler...
I've been told by publisher after publisher that there's no market for Young Adult novels. I think they're wrong! So I'm putting my novels on-line for you. Forget the publisher! Read to your heart's content--it's free! And, I'd like to hear from you, too! Contact Page.
You're reading About Phillip. Be sure to check out About Dan here.
Phillip is a computer nerd who suddenly discovers a liking for track. Everything would be fine except for his father.
About Series Home
About the About Series
Index to All Chapters
Here are all the chapters, disguised as asterisks. Hover your mouse over an asterisk to see the title of the chapter. Click on the asterisk to go straight to that chapter.
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(About Phillip Home) (Last) (Next)
Matthew Rebels
Matthew watched as the bread tray was passed down the pew from the far end. Denny Haven took a piece of bread and passed the tray to his wife. Grant got the tray next, took his piece and passed the tray to Phillip. Phillip took his piece and offered the tray to Matthew. Matthew took the tray and held it, deciding what to do. He grabbed the tiniest piece of bread and passed the tray to Martin. Martin took his piece of bread and passed the tray to the waiting deacon. Matthew bent forward; Phillip could see only by the movement of Matthew’s arm that he’d put the bread into his mouth. Over Matthew’s back Phillip and Martin stared at each other, goggle-eyed.
When everyone in the congregation had taken their piece of bread, the deacons marched back to stand before the officiating priests. Dan and Jason took the trays from the deacons, folded the cover over them and uncovered the trays holding tiny cups of water. Jason knelt to offer the prayer on the water.
When the tray came to him Matthew took one of the tiny cups. He couldn’t lean forward to drink it since he had to tip his head back. He glanced back at his father and then drank the water. Phillip and Martin stared at each other.
The first speaker, a girl perhaps twelve years old—Phillip didn’t know her—approached the pulpit and spoke about love in the family. Next was an older girl.
"That’s Lisa. From Park," whispered Matthew. "I didn’t know she’s a Mormon."
"Yeah." Phillip decided not to mention Lisa was the bishop’s daughter, nor that she was once Dan’s girlfriend.
"Oh."
Lisa spoke on keeping the Word of Wisdom, the Mormon health law that prohibits alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea. She was followed by the woman who’d been sitting on the stand. She spoke for ten minutes about obeying commandments. Then the organist began the introduction for a hymn. Everyone in the congregation stood in response to the direction from the chorister.
"I thought you didn’t stand for singing."
"We do for the rest hymn."
"Oh."
The rest hymn was number 85, "How Firm a Foundation." This time Matthew could sing along.
"Why are some of the words different from what I’m used to?" he whispered as they sat at the conclusion.
"To make them doctrinally correct."
"Oh."
The last speaker was the husband, who spoke about Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel. Horror and fascination covered Matthew’s face. The concluding hymn was number 26, "Joseph Smith’s First Prayer." It was Matthew’s turn to be goggle-eyed as he studied the words, especially the concluding words about Joseph Smith seeing the "living God." But before he could whisper any questions, the benediction began and Phillip’s head was down.
As soon as the prayer was finished the organist began a postlude. The noise level in the room rose dramatically as people stood and immediately began jabbering.
"Well," asked Phillip.
"Well what?"
"Did you get your question answered?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"I’ve got to think about it. There’s so much stuff…"
"Hey Phillip, I wanna talk to you," said Martin.
"Just a minute."
"Hey Phillip," said Brother Sam. "Bishop said he wants to talk with me for fifteen minutes before he talks with you." He was off before Phillip could reply.
"Matthew, follow us to our Sunday School class," said Martin. Phillip nudged Matthew; he followed Martin.
Matthew, Martin, Phillip and Grant found themselves in Room 18 along with six other teens. Sister French, their teacher, stood at the door to admit the rowdy group and make sure they didn’t leave once they’d come in. Finally satisfied, she closed the door. She asked Grant to offer a prayer.
The lesson was from the Book of Mormon. Most of the students sat quietly, but two girls in the back giggled occasionally at a private joke and several of the boys got involved in a poking contest. Sister French had to call for order several times. Only Matthew seemed fully engaged. He raised his hand.
"You said this prophet Alma said we have to desire to believe before we can have faith. What do you mean by ‘desire’?"
"It’s as simple as wanting to. You can’t have faith unless…"