Page 26 of Broken

The scents of incense, and even the beeswax candles on the altar and polish on the pews, all represent a homecoming to me.

And that this is his church is like a warm embrace I didn’t know I was lacking.

Having seen him in the flesh, I know this is meant to be.

He’s beautiful but hard. Cold. His eyes are obsidian in color, whereas before they were amber that the sunlight hit at sunset.

That first time I saw him, the picture of him fresh out of seminary flashing onto the TV, he’d been open.Hopeful. Like he knew he could make a difference and, so badly, wanted to try.

Now, he’s the exact opposite.

My fingers ache to stroke along the scars on his right cheek, to soothe the furrow of his brow. I want to trail a path over his square jaw and rub my nose against his.

I can’t.

Yet.

“Get out and go home. I won’t be back until late,” a man snarls at the woman who was arranging flowers. She cowers in the face of his anger. “Do not leave the apartment until I’m back.”

She tilts her head to the side, shielding her already bruised cheek as if expecting to be hit again. “B-But I-I have errands.”

“Stay. Inside,” he growls.

Throat bobbing, she darts away like a frightened rabbit.

As I narrow my eyes at the disgusting display, my cell buzzes.

Diana: What are you doing? Remember we agreed that I wouldn’t tell your folks where you are so long as you checked in with me

For the threat to count, they’d have to believe sheactuallyexisted. Still…

Me: I checked in with you last night!

Diana: It’s tomorrow now. Duh.

I look around the church and hedge my bets.

Me: I might be heading in for communion

Diana: Excuse you

Diana: HAVE YOU FOUND GOD AND DIDN’T TELL ME?

Me: I never lost God. I lost faith in the Church. *sniffs*

Diana: You’re the most confusing person ever

Diana: WHY ARE YOU GOING TO CHURCH THEN?

Me: Because

Diana: TELL ME

*Four minutes later*

Diana: YOU THINK I WON’T GET ON A PLANE TODAY? I’m on VACATION, Andrea. I can be there in two hours.

Diana: YOU UNDERESTIMATE THE LEVEL OF CRAZY GOING ON RIGHT NOW WITH MY HORMONES

---