Excerpt
Morley drove into the parking lot, Tyne said, “Thanks for coming
with me tonight, Morley. I hope you’ll enjoy the service. It’s usually
very lovely on Christmas Eve.”
Morley pulled the pickup into one of the few remaining parking
spots. “As long as you prod me into doing the right things – kneeling
at the right times and so on.”
Tyne smiled. “You won’t have to worry. You don’t even have to
kneel if you don’t feel comfortable.”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “I always feel comfortable
kneeling before the Lord. I do a lot of it.”
He released her hand, snapped on the overhead light and looked
into the rear-view mirror to straighten his tie. Then they left the
truck and made their way towards the entrance.
Tyne saw her family as soon as she and Morley walked into the
candlelit sanctuary. They were sitting in their pew, on the left near
the front. Jeremy sat on the inside with Aunt Millie on his right and
Tyne’s mother next to her. Jeffery Milligan sat, as usual, on the aisle.
Tyne wondered what would happen if she and Morley were to
walk down the left aisle and move into the pew beside Jeremy. She
could imagine her dad’s reaction if they did. She shuddered at the
thought of a confrontation in front of their fellow parishioners, and
yet she felt strange not sitting with her family at mass.
An usher met them at the door and his eyes widened when he saw
Tyne and her companion. His welcoming smile appeared forced.
“Hello, Tyne,” he said quietly, “this is a surprise. Your dad said you
wouldn’t be coming home.”
Tyne gave him her brightest smile. “But, in the end, I managed
to make it. It’s nice to see you, Mr. Warner. Have you met Morley
Cresswell?”
Robert Warner shook Morley’s outstretched hand. “Yes, of course.
How are you, Morley?” He turned to Tyne. “There’s room in your
family pew. If you’ll follow me then ….”
Tyne touched his sleeve as he started down the aisle. “No, wait, Mr.
Warner. We’ll sit back here if it’s all right.”
He gave her a puzzled look. “Very well,” he said shortly, “if that’s
what you prefer.”
He made no further move to escort them, but let them choose
their own seats.
Libros Libertad 