I have never admitted to my friends that I lied to an old lady at church just to save face for being single. I’d be too ashamed at letting down single women everywhere. We can fib about our weight, our shoe size, and our television viewing preferences…but never about our singleness.
So on this Sunday, even without their advice or better judgment to fall back on, I know instinctively that I need to lie again.
But only to correct the first lie. Today I will be straightforward during the time of greeting and tell Rose Waverly that I, Mari “Chanel” Hamilton, am now a widow. My husband’s last photographic mission was, sadly, his last.
This puts me back in the honest position of being, once again, single.
For a moment I am unable to spot Rose. She has placed herself at the very far east end of the pew. There is still a large space about her, so I manage to make it there in time to prepare for my lie that will free me from past indiscretions.
“Please greet one another with the peace of the Lord.”
On this far end of the seating arrangements, there are not many fellow worshipers to greet, so Rose and I face each other immediately.
“Hello…dear. I guess it’s just us over here. I wanted to be able to get out if I didn’t feel well. I haven’t been doing so good lately.”
Rose’s eyes seem to wander about me rather than focus on my face. I’m second-guessing my plan. But I have to make it right.
“How is your husband?”
Okay, now we are back on schedule. “I wanted to tell you that…” I face this woman who, from the side reminds me a bit of Tess. Maybe because of this or because of my honesty exfoliation with Ingrid, I know what I need to say. “Rose, I lied before. I don’t have a husband. I’m single. I always have been. I always…well, actually…” I realize that I do have a new story to tell my pew-sharer. “I am seeing a very nice guy. His name is Beau. He’s really quite kind and amazingly he puts up with my very strange behavior. Speaking of which, I’m sorry about making up the photographer husband. I just got tired of saying I’m alone.” I stop to take a breath.
Rose reaches out to my hand and holds it for the briefest moment. “I’m getting tired of being alone too, my dear.”