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Chevon
Chevon was actually looking forward to Bible study, even though it meant getting up stupid-early. The church ladies had given her a nice Bible, and she’d been finding it difficult to understand. This was annoying as she wasn’t dumb. She’d been a good reader her whole life. So why wasn’t she able to follow the Bible? She felt like Hype in English class.
“I can’t go to church this Sunday,” Hype said when they all sat down. “My mom is making me go to Houlton for some family thing.”
“Sorry, man,” Jason said.
“I’m kind of bummed to miss the music.” Hype laughed. “Assuming those guys are playing again.”
“Oh my gosh,” Emma said quickly. “Weren’t they great?” Her smile faltered. “No offense to Fiona, of course.”
Offense taken. Chevon looked at Jason, expecting him to defend Fiona.
He did not.
“They weren’t that great,” Chevon said strongly, immediately wishing she could have thought of something more articulate.
Jason looked at her, surprised and annoyingly amused. “What?”
She shrugged. “I’m not saying they were terrible ...” She couldn’t believe the incredulous looks she was getting. From everyone. Even Mary Sue, who was usually so reasonable. “I mean, guys ... didn’t you feel a little like you were watching a garage band practice?” None of their faces registered understanding or agreement. “It was like a less fun version of Crucifictorious.”
Jason groaned as Hype and Emma asked in mortified unison, “Who?”
Jason put his head in his hands. “The band from Friday Night Lights. She’s obsessed with them.”
“I’m not obsessed with the band,” she said through tight teeth. “Just the show.”
“Isn’t that that football show?” Hype asked.
“Yes. She wants to marry Tim Riggins.”
Emma laughed. “Well, anyway, I don’t think our new worship team sounded like a pretend garage band.”
Mary Sue looked thoughtful, and Chevon stared at her, hoping she was going to come over to her side. “Crucifictorious,” she said slowly. “It’s a cool name. Wish it wasn’t a pretend band.”
Well that wasn’t much help. “Anyway,” Chevon said loudly. “What do you mean new worship team? And why are we calling them a team? That’s weird.”
Emma frowned.
“Are they really here for good? What about Fiona?”
“No offense,” Jason said in an obnoxious tone that he probably thought was comforting. “She’s obviously incredibly talented, but she plays the organ.”
Wow. What a revelation. Chevon had no idea that Fiona played the organ.
“Her songs were really old and farty,” Hype said.
Chevon wanted to kick him in the shins. “That’s because they’re church songs!” On many occasions, Chevon had been annoyed with those same church songs she was now defending, but she wasn’t going to admit that now. “That’s the whole point! They’re like ancient religious songs, sung for hundreds of years.” She had no idea if the songs were hundreds of years old, but they sounded it.
“Your point?” Hype asked.
Why was he even part of this conversation? Half the time he didn’t even believe in Jesus. “My point is that the garage band, excuse me, garage team, did not sound like they were singing religious songs. Or holy songs.” She had no idea how to say what she meant. “Or spiritual songs.” Now beyond frustrated, she spat out, “Or whatever! I couldn’t understand a word they said!”
Hype snorted. “That’s why they put the words on the screen.”
“Chevon,” Emma said, “I love Fiona more than anybody, and I’m super sad that she was hurt and that she left. But this new team is better. Obviously not more musically talented, but just better for worshiping. They really get me in the spirit.”
What did that mean? “Fine. Whatever. They fired Fiona, and you guys are all thrilled. Good for you. You enjoy your new garage team. Me and my baby, however, are going to miss Fiona.”
“Your baby?” Jason asked.
Chevon put a hand on her stomach, somehow feeling both proud and self-conscious. “Yes. My baby. She always moves around when Fiona plays.” She looked up at Jason. “And she didn’t move on Sunday. I think she was trying to hide.”
Jason laughed.
At first Chevon was proud, thinking he was laughing at her hiding joke. But that wasn’t the case. “What?”
Jason leaned back in his chair. “Nothing. I just don’t think our baby was moving because of organ music.” His use of the word our annoyed her. “It’s probably just a coincidence.”
“A coincidence that happened like ten Sundays in a row?”
Doubt flickered across his face. “Maybe. Or maybe you just notice it on Sundays because you’re standing there bored.”
Chevon’s anger bloomed, and it tired her. It was too early in the morning for this garbage. She looked down at the Bible. “Can we please do what we came here for?”
“Have you guys picked a name yet?” Mary Sue asked.
“Yeah. Rumpelstiltskin,” Hype said.
Mary Sue laughed. “What?”
Hype rolled his eyes. “They don’t want to tell anyone what they’re really naming the baby, so they tell people they’re naming her Rumpelstiltskin.”
Jason smirked at her, and despite her annoyance, she couldn’t stop a smile.
Mary Sue didn’t get it. “But what are you really naming her?”
“Like he said,” Jason said. “Rumpelstiltskin.”
