Falling With Grace

If it hadn’t been for the shower I’d taken earlier in the day before I’d left, I could have played the part of a vagrant.

A man stepped outside, his handbraced against the swinging door. “Ladies, don’t forget about bingo tomorrow night.”

He glanced down at me, and a smile spread across his face, his eyes softening. I returned his smile as my gaze shifted to the Roman Collar tucked around his neck, then back to his furrowing brows.

“We’ll be there, although we might be a little late. Clare has to pick up her granddaughter from piano practice.”

His focus moved back to the women as they spoke and then nodded. “We’ll save you a seat.”

“Thank you, Father Franklin.”

“God bless.”

They waved and moved down the sidewalk toward a blue sedan.

“You’ve seen better days, child. Is there something we can do for you?”

His gentle tone caressed my nerves in a soothing wave.

Father Franklin’s gaze moved to my bare feet, and I tucked them closer to my body, hiding them from view.

“I’m…” Heat brushed my cheeks.

It had been a long while since I’d asked anyone for help, and the last time I did—

Father Franklin waved me inside, holding the door open wider. “Come. I have coffee, tea, and some donuts left over from our meeting.”

Sanctuary beckoned me as I stood with my stolen shoes in hand. The opened scabbed cuts on my feet left rusty smudges on the cement.

I stood at the entrance and peered inside. Pews lined an aisle with dim lighting as though it were meant to hide your secrets from everyone around you except the big man upstairs.

He knew and saw everything, my parents had said.

“It’s safe in here if that’s what you’re worried about.” He paused and gave me a warm smile as he pointed inside with an open palm. “Sister Tally is cleaning up the chairs if you’d feel more comfortable.”

I looked down the sidewalk.

Where else would I go?

An ache formed in my throat, and my heartbeat ramped up as I sidesteppedhim into the church.

A blast of air blew over my perspired skin, and chills rippled along my body. I wrapped my arm over my bound one and shivered, my shoes hanging from my fingertips.

Father Franklin shut the door, then stood beside me. “Sister Tally, would you come here, please?”

The woman wearing robes and a cloth over her hair walked towards us with a smile spreading across her face. She wiped her hands together, then adjusted the large crucifix hanging around her neck.

“Yes, Father?”

“Could you take this young lady and get her something to eat and drink?”

“Of course.” She nodded and sidled up beside me, her hand coming around my back yet never touching me. “Are you from around here?”

I shook my head, my tongue heavy as she led me to the side wall with a foldable gray table. A blue box of donuts sat in the center of it, and a tall stainless steel cylinder with two spouts on the bottom.

“Would you like some tea, coffee, or water?” Her soft voice had a lyrical lull to it.

“Anything is fine. Thank you.”