Sunday, 28 April 2013

All human beings should try to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why. (James Thurber)

He smiled as he pulled into the dirt lot where several other cars I recognized from the church parking lot were located.

“Did I pass the driving test?” he asked, closing the door and tossing the keys to me over the car.

I smiled and tossed them back to him. I liked the idea of him having my keys. Maybe he would have rather gotten a ride back to the church with a more engine savvy member of the band but he put the keys in his pocket. As we walked down the grassy green embankment into the quaint church picnic, I pretended we were a couple. Children cheered and chased each other. Men laughed heartily and discussed golf swings. Women chatted about their children and said things like “Dear worlds!”

I saw his bandmates across the way and I was suddenly paralyzed with fear. I had just been a means to an end. He would pry himself away from me and take off to them and I would be alone with nowhere to go. Who would I talk to? Why had I given him my keys?

“Hello Mrs. Winter,” he greeted and she clutched his arm. “Have you met Hope?”

“Oh sorry, hun, I thought your name was Honey.”

“That’s my nickname,” I smiled graciously.

“Well, Hope, it’s lovely to meet you.”

We shook hands.

“Are you two an item?” she asked.

My heart fluttered and sank simultaneously.

“Now Mrs. Winter, are you on the hunt for gossip to report back to the church council?”

“Christian, I would never!”

He winked at her and her scowl melted away. It seemed incredulous to me that he would wink at an old lady but she seemed to appreciate the gesture.

“How was your move?” he asked. “You must be glad to be living with your daughter.”

“I like it,” she said reluctantly. “I’m not so sure her and her husband like it as much.”

“I’m sure they love having you,” I said stupidly. “I know I would love to have my parents living with me again. I miss them.”

I could physically see Mrs. Winter warming up to me.

“That’s nice.” Her eyes twinkled at me. “Christian, you have found a lovely girl here.”

“Don’t take that back to the church council,” he teased.

She ignored him and shook my hand again. “We’re so glad you’ve joined our church, Hope. You’ll stay with us, won’t you.” It wasn’t a question. I nodded and smiled and she let my hand go as she pulled me into a hug. I think that was when I understood the term “church family”.  

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