She came back to The Tuesday Night Group meeting the following Tuesday, but she didn’t bring her guitar. She sat in the rear of the room watching everything critically. She scowled for most of the meeting and afterward came up to me.
“I have to talk to you Allen,” she said.
“Sure Josey,” I mumbled and we stepped outside.
“What did you want to talk about Josey?”
“This Movement you’re in.”
“You mean you’re not?”
“No. I’m not. And it hurts me that you still are,” she put her hand on my shoulder. “Do you really know what these people are doing to you Allen?”
“Yes, I do. They’re letting me be involved in the greatest thing that has ever been since the coming of Christ.”
“You mean about Sir being Elijah the Prophet?” she said scornfully.
“Who told you that Josey?”
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that these people are brainwashing you to believe it so that they can use you to make money for them and feed their own egos.”
“You really think that Josey?”
“It’s obvious isn’t it? They’re brainwashing you, Allen. They really are. Every time you say those positive points or meditate on Sir, or go comb selling, they get a little more of your mind until pretty soon you won’t be able to think for yourself anymore. They’ve got you already! You’re nothing but a robot for Sir! When was the last time you laughed – or cried – or did anything else human? When was the last time you saw your parents?”
“Two weeks ago.”
“You did? Well, I’m surprised that they let you.”
Josey was pacing back and forth with her hands behind her, and her eyes were dark and angry. She changed so much. It was sad to see her like this – so filled with hate and filled with such a desire to get me to quit the greatest thing in my life.
“What’s the matter Allen? You’re looking at me like I was a stranger.”
“You are Josey. I don’t know what’s happened to you,” I shook my head.
“What’s happened to me is freedom. The Movement isn’t the only place where you can find God you know. There’s this church that I’ve been going to lately. They’re pretty good. I mean they really get down into the word – you know – The Bible. And they don’t call anyone ‘Sir’.”
Josey put both hands on my shoulders, and she looked into my eyes.
“You were the one who helped me to find Jesus in my life and I thank you for it. But this Movement has changed from what it was. It used to be about God and Christ, but look at it now. It’s all about Sir. He’s a false idol, Allen. No man is God. Come away from this thing,” she shook my shoulders gently.
“Come away before it’s too late. Please. Don’t let them rule you like they are. You’re too good of a person to let them do this to you Allen.”
I took her hands gently off my shoulders.
“Josey, whatever I do is of my own free will and nobody is brainwashing me. I can do anything that I want to do. I am a free person – free to find God wherever He is. For me at least, He’s here at The Movement. If you can find God in this church Josey instead of here, then – well – I’m happy for you. All that I’m asking is that you respect my decision to stay because that is what I’m going to do.”
She just stood there, staring down at the ground hanging her head sadly without saying a word.
“That’s all I have to say on the matter, Josey. I’m sorry that you quit The Movement. I really am. Good luck to you.”
“Bye Allen,” she said quietly still looking down at the ground.
“Bye Josey.”
I went back into the meeting hall. Everybody stared at me. Joan came over with her eyes wide.
“You okay Al?” she asked.
“Sure. It’s too bad about Josey though, so full of bitterness.”
“Well, I’m glad that she didn’t rip you off too Al.”
“No – nobody’s going to ever do that Joan. How are you doing? Are you okay?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “I’m going to make it.”
“Good Joan. I’m glad.”
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