{"chapter_no":"16","chapter_title":"A New Friend","book_id":"2","book_name":"The Story of James","subchapter_no":"0","page_no":"268","page_number":"1","verses_count":0,"total_pages":2,"page_content":"

 <\/p>

Chapter 16<\/p>

A New Friend<\/h1><\/p>

 <\/p>

James arrives<\/i> at the apartment of<\/i> William Downs<\/i>—He apologiz<\/i>es for<\/i> the prior incident<\/i> an<\/i>d the
two boys develop a friendship.<\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

 <\/p>

 <\/p>

At the end of his journey, James reached the outside of the apartment building of William
Downs. He slowly worked his way up the stairs to the second floor and knocked on the door. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Alone at home, enjoying his favorite Saturday morning programs on TV, William heard
the knock and went to the door. To his astonishment, James Hancock from the ward stood before
him. Even more curious, James had a cast on his foot and was supporting himself with crutches.
Initially, William was fearful, unsure if James’s presence there was simply to expand the teasing
from church into his home life, thereby taking away his only remaining sanctuary––his home!
Perhaps, even at this moment, other boys in the ward were hiding out of sight, ready to emerge
and perform a prank of some kind. Seeing the initial fear on William’s face was a reminder to
James—the memories of that tragic Sunday School class months before were still fresh in
William’s mind. Smiling to reassure him, James reached out his hand in friendship.<\/p>

 <\/p>

James invited William outside. The two of them descended the stairs and walked along
the sidewalk that circled the apartment building. Seeing the basketball court, they proceeded in
that direction, talking along the way. William was most curious about the accident. What had
happened? Would James be ready to play in the upcoming state tournament? James related the
whole story to him, how he had been out on a priesthood assignment when the accident
happened. He was done with competitive basketball, at least as a player. <\/p>

 <\/p>

A basketball rested on one of the nearby chairs. Reaching down, James picked it up and
held it in his hands. It was the first time he had touched a ball since the accident. Bouncing it a
few times, he moved forward slowly to within fifteen feet of the basket. Stopping there on his
crutches, he threw up an off-balance, one-handed shot. It went in! William was impressed.
Quickly running down the ball for James, he brought it back for another attempt. Taking the ball
in his hands again, he complimented William on the nice brand of ball he had purchased; it was
better even than the one James had at home. After a few more shots, they moved over to the
chairs to sit down and talk in the warm sun. <\/p>

 <\/p>

James immediately apologized.<\/p>

“I can’t tell you how sorry I am,” said James. “For me to have been involved in
something like that... even just to laugh... was one of the worst things I have ever done in my life.
It still makes me feel sick inside to think about it. And to do that in church of all places!” <\/p>

 <\/p>

William could not have been more pleased by what he was hearing. There was almost a
glow about him as he listened to James talk. His faith in, and appreciation for God grew stronger
by the moment. He now had a first real friend in Ogden!<\/p>

 <\/p>

The two boys continued talking for the next half hour and then William invited James
inside to have some ice-cold soda pop from the fridge. He also took the opportunity to show
James some of the plastic models he had built in recent weeks, including a replica of the
battleship USS Iowa<\/i> he was most proud of. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Finally, the time came for James to return home. The two had already discussed church
on Sunday. James and his parents would pick up William on the way and they would all sit
together in sacrament meeting. <\/p>

 <\/p>

For William, the visit from James was nothing less than a miracle, and another in a
growing list of great moments in his life to treasure. Later that day, he related the wonderful
news to his mother when she returned home from work. Her happiness exceeded that of William.
Her prayers had been answered! William now had a good friend to help him out, both at church
and at school, and a good role model for him to look up to in life. <\/p>"}