Page 80 of Beneath the Blue Moon
“Who were you imagining?”he prods.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“As long as you don’t imagine him when we’re together.”
“Hell no!It’s all about you, baby.Especially when you dothat thing—”
“This is not an ideal pre-church conversation,” he cuts meoff.
“You’re right.I guess we both need Jesus.”
“I guess we do.I’ll be right back.”
“Hurry.”
***Ethan***
My mother is in church giving me the evil eye.Lord help me.The moment she walked in and saw me sitting with Casey, her whole countenancechanged.It’s a good thing Casey hasn’t seen her; she’s been totally absorbedin the sermon.Reaching over, she takes my hand, and suddenly, my mother is thelast thing on my mind.
After the service, the reverend walks up and shakes my hand.
“Been a while, Sheriff.Glad to see you back.”
“Good to be back.Reverend Thomas, this is Casey and herdad, Luke.”
“Always nice to see new faces.Welcome.”
“Thank you.I really enjoyed your sermon,” Casey tells him.
“Thank you, Casey.I hope I’ll see you again.”
“Definitely.”
“Good, good.You all have a blessed day.”
Outside the church, I finally have to deal with my parents.They approach us just as we’re exiting the building.
“Son!”Dad greets me.“Good to see you back in the fold!”Afterpatting my back, he turns to Casey with a huge smile, not even giving me thechance to introduce her.“You must be Casey.”
She extends her hand with a warm smile.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr.McKenzie.”
He looks down at her hand with a chuckle.“What’s this?”She’ssurprised but allows him to pull her into a bear hug.“I’ve been lookingforward to meeting you, sweetheart.And call me Victor, please.”
I shift my attention to my mother, who’s staring at myfather in shock.When they pull apart, she turns to Casey with a disdainfulstare.I shoot her a warning glare, and she adopts an air of cool indifference.
“Mother, this is Casey.Casey, this is my mother, Helena.”
“Mrs.McKenzie, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Is it, now?”
Damn it, Mother!I don’t want to push her, but I willif I have to.
“Yes,” Casey replies.“I saw a picture of you and thoughthow beautiful you were, but it did you no justice.”
That caught her off guard.Her icy façade slips for just asecond, but she steels herself for a rude remark, and I instantly step in,taking her elbow.Be nice.I only meant to give her a little push, but Iguess I overdid it; she grabs Dad’s arm to steady herself.
