Page 10 of Happy Ending

“Eliza! So good to see you again.” Mother hugs the lady she waved at.

Eliza looks to be in her mid-fifties, scrawny and oddly wrinkly, but younger in the face.

She has long, dirty blonde hair that reaches her inner elbow joint and green eyes that match the hue of a section of the light coming in through the stained glass.

Beside her is a boy with a far more boxy build than her frailness.

His hair is dirty blonde to match hers, but his eyes are a deep sunken brown, and freckles dance across the bridge of his squared nose.

“This is my son, Donovan.” Eliza introduces the boy to us, and he steps forward to shake both of our hands.

His hand is rough and calloused, and his grip is firm.

There’s a glint in his eyes as they linger on me for longer than I’m comfortable with.

“How do ya do?” I’m taken aback by the slight southern twang in his voice, but it sounds warmer than his gaze felt.

“Donovan! My daughter Laine’s been looking to join the youth group here at Holy Trinity.

I heard you’ve played a major role in that?

” My mother puts a hand on my shoulder, and it takes everything in me not to squirm away under her firm hand.

“Yes, ma’am! Proud to say I have.” Donovan turns to face Mother, that annoying glint returning in his eyes.

“That is fantastic! You wouldn’t mind showing her the ropes, would you?

She’s already spoken with Father Robert, and he’s agreed to let her on board.

” “I sure do not mind.” Donovan raises an eyebrow and turns to face me, sliding me a polite smirk, as polite as a smirk can be.

“Oh, this is wonderful! Donovan could use a pretty girl like you to help him out.” Eliza claps her hands together, a huge grin plastered across her face.

I’ve re-familiarized myself with the loose language of physical compliments when it comes to Southern formalities, but still, I subtly shudder at the way she pronounces a hard r when she says “girl”.

Eliza and my mother continue talking as Donovan leads me into a smaller room off to the side of the main atrium.

“This is where we hold Youth Group meetings. It looks kinda bland, but you get used to it.” He holds open his arms like he’s giving a grand tour, despite this room being smaller than my tiny basement bedroom.

There are a few bean bags near the front by the projector board, and across from that are long rows of carpeted open carriage independent stair units.

It looks almost like a small meeting room of an office, but with the smell of a church.

I go to sit down on the carpet of the second row.

“Those are what we call the mini pews. I don’t really sit on them ‘cause I’m praisin’ our lord from up here.

” He points to where he’s standing beside the projector.

“But I heard they’re kinda uncomfy. You can tell me if ya think so.

” I pat the area around me. “They’re fine.

” “You don’t say much, do you?” “I don’t really have much to say.

” I shrug. “Well, you gotta have somethin’ to say.

After all, you joined Father Robert’s lil’ elite club.

” I wince at the way he says elite like he’s better than every other believer who comes to mass just because he feels he’s more outwardly passionate about it.

“I joined because my mother thought it would be good for me.” He raises an eyebrow at me.

“You call your momma ‘Mother?’” “I do. It’s more respectful.

” “But she’s your momma. Ain’t she family?

” “She is, but she is also an elder to me. I was raised to address my elders respectfully.” “Interesting.” His brow drops, but I can tell he’s judging me.

“Soooo…” “So,” I repeat back to him, unsure of what to say next.

“I think we should go see if Father Robert needs any help with the setup for tonight. You’re comin’ to the Youth Group meeting tonight, right?

” Donovan starts for the door and opens it, beckoning me to go first. “Thanks,” I say as he follows behind me.

“And I don’t know, I might have plans tonight.

” He catches up and takes the lead as we head into the main atrium again, this time making a beeline for Father Robert.

“Hey, kiddo! I saw you were takin’ Miss Loveum to our Youth Group room.

” Father Robert’s booming voice makes me jump a little.

He reaches his arm out and pats me on the shoulder.

“Yes, sir.” Donovan smiles cheekily. “I heard she’s gon’ be joinin’ us.

” “She sure is.” Father Robert turns to Donovan like I’m not standing right here with them.

“In fact, we have a meeting tonight after mass. I’d like you to be there.

” Right as he says “tonight,” I think of Drew.

I picture her gorgeous face and rosy cheeks in the cold.

The way her lips turn inward when she smiles super big, and the way her hair falls neatly around her face, framing her jawline.

How I want to run my fingers along that perfect jawline and lift it up so her eyes meet mine and our lips are inches apart.

My thoughts are cut off abruptly by Donovan’s loud voice.

“Well, are ya comin’ to our meetin’ tonight?

” “I, um, have other commitments tonight.” I offer my best friendly smile like I’m really bummed I’m missing their meeting tonight, even though I’m still not completely sure what this “elite” group does that regular mass doesn’t.

“Well, I suppose that’s mighty fine.” Father Robert shakes his head with a smile, although I can tell he’s disappointed.

“We just now told you about it, so it’s not your fault you made other plans.

” I nod in appreciation and head back over to where my mother is still speaking with Eliza, giving Donovan space to suck up to Father Robert without me holding him back, which I could tell he was getting annoyed by.

I don’t mind missing this meeting. I’d much rather be with Drew, regardless of the fact that being around her eats me alive just as much as it soothes me.

It’s no different than any other teenage girl skipping class to go hang out with her boyfriend, right?

Mother wouldn’t even have to know. It’s not like she has a calendar of all Holy Trinity events and meetings ever planned.

Besides, I think she likes Drew as a friend for me, even if not in the ways I like Drew for me.

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