Page 41 of It's Always Been You
Someone else is vying for the couple’s attention. Pastor Mark tells me that he hopes I enjoy the service, and then they’re off to mix and mingle with the next group of people.
Grandma looks up at me, her face troubled. “Evie—”
I hold my hand up as I shrug my coat back on. “It’s okay, Grandma. I’m going to get some coffee. Do you want some?” She shakes her head, and I shoot off.
I’ll face the rest of her wrath later.
Pulling my phone from my coat pocket, I scroll through Pinterest while I wait in the refreshments line, unwilling to make eye contact with anyone. I don’t know who just saw me half naked, and I don’t care to find out.
When I notice the refreshments line still hasn’t moved much after a few minutes, I poke my head around the person in front of me to see what the hold up is—then freeze. Chatting like they’re the oldest of pals, Adam tosses a stack of paper cups at Brandon. He catches it and spins toward the expectant crowd, a charismatic smile fixed to his face as he apologizes for the wait. Everyone cheers when they realize they aren’t out of paper cups.
“Phew!” the guy in front of me belts. I cower behind his frame in search of an escape. “Two things I can’t go without every morning—coffee and Jesus!”
Tilting my head down, I move out of the line as stealthily as I can and head into the sanctuary. Once the double doors close behind me and I’m shrouded in darkness, I relax a little. It’s a few degrees warmer in here, and gentle notes of music dance in the air as the worship band warms up. I scan the rows of chairs for Grandma, and that’s when I see them—my entire family. Dad, Francine, Jamie, Rebecka, Isabelle, Grandma. Chatting and laughing like they’re one big, happy family.
And I suppose, if you take me out of the equation, the Montgomerysarehappy.
Dad throws his head back with laughter over something Jamie says, and I hate the misplaced pang of jealousy that strums across my ribs. I love my brother dearly, but he’s also a sore reminder that I’m the black sheep of the family who has never done a single thing right.
Ugh.
I pull a pair of sunglasses out of my coat pocket and pop them on before slinking toward the back of the sanctuary. There’s a raised platform that looks like it’s meant for a DJ, and I walk up the steps and sink into one of the chairs resting against the back wall so I’m hidden in plain sight.
A guy walks up behind me, smiling as he gestures to the gadgets. “Are you manning the projector this morning?”
Confused, I shake my head.
His attention shifts to something behind me. “Oh, hey, Brandon.”
I stiffen at the name and peek over my shoulder.Oh, for crying out loud.Slinking down into the chair, I pick up a stray Bible resting on the seat next to me and flick casually through the pages, trying to calm my racing heart as they catch up.
“Do you know who’s working the projector today? I haven’t seen Jake anywhere.”
“He’s sick, so I was asked to take over,” Brandon says.
“I thought you were on coffee duty.”
“I was, but the Lord needs me here this morning, apparently.”
The man laughs. “Nice. I can go help Adam clean up the coffee bar.”
“I’m sure he’d appreciate that.”
They exchange a few more pleasantries before the man leaves, and then Brandon sits down in front of the control panel without acknowledging my presence. After several minutes have passed and the worship portion of the service is over, I assume we’re just ignoring each other. Or maybe he needs to focus on timing the slides right.
Either way, fine by me.
But when Pastor Mark is warming up, Brandon tilts his head in my direction. “Don’t think I didn’t see you sneaking out of line earlier, Spitfire.”
When I don’t respond, he glances over at me. “And what’s with the shades and the coat? If you’re looking to sell something, you won’t find your desired clientele around here.”
I bite. “Why would they come to me when they could get a prescription from you?”
Bemused, he frowns. I snort, amused as I refocus my attention on Pastor Mark. I’m surprised by how charismatic and engaging he is. When I was a kid, church was so boring that Francine had to wave essential oils under my nose to keep me alert.
But Pastor Mark is far from boring. He’s all over the stage, flailing his hands, jumping with joy, insisting God will never leave us, never forsake us. He proclaims with gleeful, childlike enthusiasm that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine in pursuit of that one lost lamb. He paints an image of Him draping us around His shoulders and bringing us to higher ground, like carrying a toddler back to safety.
It’s touching.
