I was standing in front of the fireplace granting a new chapter to my story when my wife walked into the room, her words leaping past her lips like a volcano spewing lava into the air. She looked at me desperately, and the only words I could understand; “I can't find...”

- We will find Ise.- I held her arms-Because we are her parents, and we know her very well...

** 2005 - Texas **

With the noise of conversation filling the place, the sound of the bell on the glass door sounded almost imperceptible, announcing the arrival of the young man; book in hand he sat at the counter choosing the same usual seat.

Clara wandered between the tables balancing the silver tray in her hands. She would say that that night, everyone in town was present in a single space. Carefully she peeked between scuffed old chairs and cluttered tables, while screams, words and laughter were tossed to the wind. Nothing worthy of her attention.

Jack and other men formed a poker wheel. Noticeable his good mood was in the air, as he took the cards in his hands and money on the table. Another ordinary Friday night...

Clara walked around the counter, dumping the dirty silverware into the sink. She looked up, resting on the young man.

His eyes focused on each word in the book above the counter. Small lines appeared between her brows, and she soon dissipated. She barely realized that she had been admiring him for a long time.

- Will you want something? asked Clara, drying her hands on the dish towel.

He looked up, a little lost, but that same amused air emerged:

-No, thank you... - Her expression changed as she looked around, then she lifted her finger-Actually yes...

Instinctively Clara looked towards Jack who was distracted in his game, then returned to the boy in front of her.

- Besides water, what do you have to drink? – She asked crossing her arms on the counter table.

- This is a bar, so there's wine, beer... - she replied doing the same with her arms.

- I think I didn't express myself in the best way - He looked at her thoughtfully - Do you have guava juice?

- I will prepare.

After a few seconds later, she set the juice next to his book.

-Thank you - she thanked her politely bringing the glass to her lips.

- What are you reading? – Clara asked, looking at the book in front of her.

The young man left the glass half empty on the counter, crossed his arms again leaning on the surface:

- Imagine that a shepherd has a hundred sheep, but one of them is lost. What would you do? - He paused - He would leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and start looking for the lost sheep until he found it. And when he found her, he would overflow with joy, at that very moment, he would put her on his shoulders and carry her home. Arriving there, he would call his friends and neighbors: “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost!” For I tell you that, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven because of a sinner who changes his way of thinking and living, than ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance." - William smiled - The Gospel of Luke; chapter fifteen, verses four through seven.

Clara raised an eyebrow.

- Every time I read these words, they become much deeper in me. – completed the boy.

- And what does all this mean?

He closed the book. His fingers played with the glass in front of him, while his gaze was lost for a brief moment, until it returned with an intense glow when they met hers:

- It means that God's love always finds us, even when we walk away in search of uncertain paths, valleys of fear, mountains and narrow gorges. - He paused - The fact is that we often get lost by looking for values ​​in the world, but the reality is that we don't have any until the moment the Lord Jesus goes out in search of the lost, and when he finds us, we can see the true value in your eyes...

Those words not only struck the young man's heart, but burned like flames in his wounded heart.

Years passed, guarding his heart, which was similar to a petrified piece of tree, which resists the wind, but inside it kept only the weight of emptiness.

He had left a piece of him that night, in the punishment room...

- And you, have you found the love of God? – William asked, noticing the distance in her gaze.

- Hmm...

His eyes met Jack's, his attention was on her.

William silently followed the man in the rumpled plaid shirt.

- I need... - The words escaped once more - Excuse me...

Taking the tray with her, Clara headed towards the tables, but William got up and followed her to that table that will just be empty.

- Need help? -she said politely picking up the cutlery from the other table.

- No need - replied Clara holding her arm - It's my job...

William observed the delicate features behind those curly locks of hair. Her serious expression hid a layer of fear, which she masked with a shaky but rigid voice.

- You better go, William.

- It's all right? she asked.

- Yes, I need to finish... - She moved her lips in a smile.

Not wanting to prolong the conversation, tray in hand, she walked past William feeling Jack's terrible suspicious gaze. If she suspected anything, he would never let her leave the farm again. He couldn't undo the one he'd conquered, not yet...

William returned to the counter, and cast a glance at Jack who was staring at him from behind the cards in his hands.

Clara kept her eyes down, drying the dishes.

- Are you free tomorrow? asked William

- No, I work all week. - She replied, raising her eyes to the boy for the last time.

William took the rest of the juice to his lips, leaving the glass empty. He took some bills from his wallet and handed them to her.

- Sorry, I don't get the money, but I'll call Donald, he'll give you the change - Clara dried her hands again.

"But I want you to keep the tip…" she replied, knitting her eyebrows.

She took the money and put it on her apron:

- Thanks.

Taking the book between her firm fingers, she reached into the pocket of her jeans with her other hand.

- Wait - Clara said without attracting attention from the others.

He turned his face towards Clara, assuming a calm and helpful expression.

- Can I ask you something? - questioned

- Sure. What do you want Miss Clara? His brows drew together again.

She approached the counter, so that only the two of them could hear:

- Do you know how much a bus ticket costs?

William looked at Jack suspiciously, but then returned to the conversation:

- Depends, where you want to go.

- I don't know, could those bills you gave me buy one?

- I don't think so, but why the question?

- Umm... no, nothing - She walked away.

- Are you sure?

"Yes, have a good night," he replied.

William nodded, flexing his jaw.

-Good night-he replied leaving the establishment.

***

The stars were visible on that summer night. Each beam of glitter-like light covered the immense blue carpet spread across the sky. The breeze lifted his dark hair as he walked through his thoughts, wondering: what is that girl at the bar hiding? What makes you so scared and sometimes aggressive when he approaches her?

Feet alternating in quick steps crossed the street, I continued down the sidewalk towards the city hotel.

- Who's that chess man at the bar? - He asked letting the words be carried away by the wind.

He passed the hotel reception, pulling the key out of his pocket, buried it in the lock on the door.

As usual, he left his shoes beside the plush rug and closed the door behind him. Heading to the fridge in the kitchen, he positioned the book on the narrow counter that divided the kitchen from the living room.

He opened the fridge and took out a bowl of ice cream. A good way to cool off thoughts, after questions and unanswered questions.

A bedroom door roared through the house, and soft footsteps came into the kitchen:

- William, we lost the contract with one of the companies - said the man drying the dense black hair with some gray streaks.

- Dad, I'm sorry - replied the boy directing the spoon to the pot - What do we do now?

The man adjusted the last buttons of his pale shirt, thoughtfully said:

- I hate people who don't keep their word, it remains only to accept the contract with the Garrisons.

William pushed the ice cream away:

- Is there no alternative?

-No son,- he replied removing the towel over his shoulder and leaving it on the chair - Soon you will inherit the company, and with this contract we will have two companies in your name. William Clarke, the young millionaire of all time- He said emphasizing his sentence.

-If this way I'll be useful-his voice came out as a whisper.

The man sat beside him at the counter, positioning one leg over the other:

- Where were you?

- I went to the bar...

- See that girl again, William? - He raised his voice, knitting his eyebrows, while creases appeared on his face - I don't want you to give any chance to these... - he paused - girls around here, you know you already have a defined career, and now a commitment.

- I know... - Willian stood up stopping next to the only window in the room - I promise I won't disappoint you, but something tells me that something is wrong. Maybe she needs me...

His father got up too, took hold of his shoulders:

- Whatever the reason, you have nothing to do, and stop listening to Alice's conversations. You have a greater purpose, to take care of the company you will soon inherit, so forget all that...

-No dad...-his voice showed the truth-I don't want to leave here with that same feeling that something is wrong...

His father let out a sigh, and took a few steps toward the counter again. His fingers slid over his clenched jaw.

- Dad... Let me understand what's going on with her, please?

He turned his gaze to his son:

- William, tomorrow night we will be going. If it doesn't solve what you want, we'll go the same way, okay?

- It's enough daddy, thank you...

...

This situation reminded me of the young man's words in that bar, and I'd like to say that I found her in the garage, deep in thought as her eyes rested on the dusty bike a few feet away. She looked at me and asked how I knew where to find her.

- Parents know where to find their children, even when they want to hide from the world...

I wanted to tell you that you stayed until here listening to this story something important that you should remember every day:

Even if you distance yourself from the Father, He never took His eyes off His children. There will be no circumstance that will prevent Him from finding you and taking you home in His arms, as the shepherd does for his lost sheep.

- Let Daddy take you home...