Page 32 of Echoes of Us

“I told you I don’t do church. I go because you make me. You never said I had to participate,” Teagan replies, matching Mom’s coolness.

“I am really not sure what your issue is with going to church, Dear. It brings so much joy to have a place to reset and feel unconditionally loved,” Mom retorts.

Teagan huffs. “Unconditional love? The service today was literally about sinners going to hell. That doesn’t sound super loving to me.”

“You can be forgiven for sin, Teagan. It is those who choose to live in it who don’t make it after this life,” Mom says matter-of-factly.

“Yeah. So, you mean like gays, gamblers, or how about even drug addicts like my mom?” Teagan snarls.

The car goes silent. I look over at Teagan in the seat next to me. Her jaw is clenched, and she is staring toward the front waiting for my mom to reply.

After a few moments, Mom says, “I am sorry about your mom, Dear, but yes. We don’t condone the behavior of those who reject the word of God.”

“Enough, everyone,” Dad shouts. “No more of this.”

I can’t believe my mom said all of that. I have a weird urge to tap Teagan’s arm and ask if she is okay. I mean, my mom is right... I think. All of those are a sin according to the services I have heard my whole life. We can’t just ignore when people choose to keep doing them. You can’t do those things and still be a Christian…right?

At home, Teagan runs upstairs as soon as we all come through the door. Here is my chance to talk to her before she locks herself in her room all day.

I go to follow her when Mom says, “Em, do you mind taking Eli for his Sunday walk? I have a bit of a headache and want to lie down.”

Great. So much for stopping Teagan before she hibernates all day. “Yeah, Mom. I got it.”

I run upstairs to change into shorts and a T-shirt. I run back downstairs and grab Eli’s leash and collar. “C’mon, Eli! Let’s go for a walk!” I yell. I hear the sound of nails tapping on the hardwood floor. Eli’s round figure comes barreling around the corner from the living room and down the hall. He has no idea he is about to do his Sunday route in record time.

Back inside, poor Eli plops onto the hardwood floor, panting from exhaustion. “Sorry, boy. I needed to get home fast.” I bend down to pat his head and rush upstairs to Teagan’s room. I pause as I notice her door is cracked. I have never seen her door open unless she is going in or out. I knock softly and peek into her room, but she’s not in here. I turn to go back downstairs but jump back when I find EJ standing right behind me, “What are you doing?” he asks.

“Holy crap you scared me,” I reply. “I was looking for Teagan.”

EJ looks at me and then to her door and back to me, suspiciously. “She is downstairs in the basement. We are watching a movie, and I forgot my blanket.” He lifts his blanket. “Want to join us? Please, Em! You never watch movies with me anymore.”

“Fine. Let’s go.” I sigh and follow him down the stairs. This may be the only way I can get her to sit in a room with me at this point.

Downstairs, Eli is still laying there panting by the door. “Woah…What did you do to him?” EJ asks as we pass by.

“I thought he needed a fast jog to stay in shape,” I say and ruffle EJ’s hair. “C’mon, Eli. I’ll give you some of my popcorn.” With that, he comes back to life and rushes past us to the basement stairs.

In the movie room, Teagan is already in one of the reclining chairs with a blanket and a big bowl of popcorn. She is looking at her phone, but hears us approach and says, “Hey! I pick the bear movie. I like the plot better. We can watch the jungle boy and little fish girl next.”

“You mean the Jungle Book and Little Mermaid?” I reply and sit down in the seat next to her. Her head shoots up and her wide eyes meet mine. Clearly, she was not expecting me. I smile and lean over, grabbing a handful of her popcorn. I throw a few pieces on the floor for Eli, and he vacuums them up in seconds.

“Which bear movie, EJ? Brave or Brother Bear?” I ask over my shoulder as he sets up the movie.

“Brother Bear! Your favorite, Em!” he shouts.

Teagan turns red, then looks back to her phone. “I see you have good taste in movies,” I joke. Again, she just nods her head, still scrolling through her phone.

“Have you really not seen the other two movies you mentioned? We will have to rectify that later,” I add. Yet again, she nods and begins to investigate the popcorn in her lap. I sigh and lean my chair back as the movie starts.

I do love this movie. It always makes me cry at least four different times. The final scene begins to play. I look over at Teagan. She is smiling so big watching the boy decide to stay a bear to be with the bear cub. Something inside me tightens as I watch her. How have I never noticed how pretty she is? Seeing her genuinely happy is something I want to see more. I can’t look away.

I smile and look down at her hand resting on the armrest. I have an urge to push the bracelet back and see the tattoo that means so much to her. Just as my fingertips twitched with the thought, reality snaps back into focus. Panic flares in my chest, my mind racing at the realization of that impulsive thought. My heart pounds as I recoil, horrified at myself.

What the hell am I doing?

Chapter 37

Teagan

---