A Test of Faith

Peter said a quick prayer and peered around the ancient oak tree, looking down the short length of railroad tracks he had to cross to get home. His heart began to sink as he realized this particular prayer appeared to be going unanswered. There, waiting for him, as he knew they would be, was Oliver, Craig, and Dan. The Tres Hombres as they liked to call themselves. Village Elementary School's wise guys of the sixth grade, a malicious trio seemingly bent on terrorizing their fellow students. He pulled back around and leaned against the rough bark. He had done well avoiding the bullies all day, but they knew he had to make this crossing.

Not for the first time that day he wondered why he had not left well enough alone. Every morning, just before the beginning of classes, Peter made it a habit to sneak into the boys' room and hide in a stall. Here he could spend a moment or two in silence praying to his God. Few people used the bathroom before classes, so he did not fear being caught. He knew it was forbidden to practice any religious activities in the public school system, regardless of how often and how loud his mother had voiced her opinion to the school board, but could they really do that much to him? He was more fearful of what would result from not saying his prayers. He had learned from his mother that he needed to speak with God several times a day to ask for forgiveness of his many sins. "Pray without ceasing" she would quote, "you are a sinful boy."
On this particular morning, just as he was finishing with one final "Amen", he heard the door open and someone run in. Peter sat, afraid of being discovered. Soon the door opened again and he heard others noisily shuffle in.