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Tonya
Emma came out of the bathroom with her hair wet and her face freshly scrubbed. She looked beautiful.
“Are you ready to go church shopping?” Tonya tried to make the prospect sound as exciting as possible.
“We don’t really need to go church shopping, do we? Can’t we just go to the weird new church because that’s where the Puddys go?”
“That’s a distinct possibility, but if it’s too weird, I might not be able to handle it.”
“Deal.” Emma rifled through a backpack and came out with her Bible. “But I don’t think it’s too weird. I trust the Puddys’ judgment.” She looked at Fiona. “I know you probably don’t want to go out, but church is pretty safe. Do you want to go with us?”
Fiona laughed shrilly. “How can you know it’s safe if you’ve never been there?”
“That’s an excellent point,” Tonya said. “I think most churches are safe, and we’re hoping this one follows suit.”
“Your last one didn’t turn out to be very safe.” Fiona’s eyes fell. “I’m sorry. That was a little harsh. I don’t mean to hurt you two. I’ve just never had a good experience with any churches.”
“Do you have any experience with any churches?” Emma asked.
“Emma!” Tonya scolded. “Let’s not pry.”
“Truthfully, no, I haven’t. But you two are not me, and I am not you. I know we each need different things.” She waggled her fingers at the door. “So I’m not going to hold you up. You guys go check it out. I’ll be eager to hear how it goes.”
Tonya found her shoes and was a little chagrined that she didn’t know where her Bible was. Why was her daughter besting her spiritually? “Bye, Fiona.” She opened the door and stepped out into the fresh morning air. “Are you sure service starts at ten-thirty?” She didn’t want to get there too early and have to endure small talk.
“That’s what Mrs. Puddy said.”
“I could have sworn those church bells rang at like ten-forty.”
“Maybe their clock is wrong.” Emma snickered as if she’d said something particularly funny, and Tonya thought maybe she was nervous. Yet she led the way, and she didn’t choose to go around the block. She went the same way she had gone when she’d first investigated the church bells, cutting between two lawns and then through someone’s back hedge.
Tonya followed her without arguing until they got to the hedge, at which point she started to feel nervous. “I think we should probably take the street on the way back.”
“But it’s so much farther!”
“That’s okay. You’re young. You can handle it.” The old building came into view. Half of the back wall had now been painted a fresh gleaming white. The place still looked old and a little decrepit, but it gave off a welcoming vibe. She realized she too was nervous. She slipped her hand into Emma’s. “Let’s hope the Puddys are here already. I feel like I’m going on a first date.”
Emma giggled. “I guess we kind of are.” She squeezed her mother’s hand as they rounded the corner of the building. There were a few cars in the street, but she didn’t see either Puddy vehicle.
A woman in a ridiculously giant hat sang out from the front steps. “Good morning! Welcome!” She made a sweeping gesture toward the door.
Tonya would have rather hung out on the lawn and waited for the Puddys, but this woman’s persuasive invitation made that difficult. Tonya nodded and smiled at the woman. “Thank you. I’m Tonya, and this is my daughter, Emma.”
“Lovely to meet you!” The woman’s voice was deep and strong.
Tonya stepped into a small foyer. Before she could lose her nerve, she opened the next door and stepped into the sanctuary.
It took her breath away. Though the building was small, the sanctuary felt spacious and airy. The metal ceiling was gleaming and seemed sky-high. The place felt warm and comforting and smelled like cinnamon. Soft music played, and what looked like brand-new carpet felt soft beneath her feet.
“Why are you crying?” Emma whispered.
Crying? She hadn’t realized she’d been crying. She swiped at her tears. “It’s just so beautiful,” she whispered. “Can you feel that?”
“Feel what?”
Tonya’s chest trembled with a silent laugh. “I don’t know. But I feel something, and it’s wonderful.”
Emma rolled her eyes and pulled her mother toward the back pew. “Come on, church junkie.”
Tonya let herself be led and then she sat. Emma let go of her hand, and Tonya closed her eyes and let the peace of the place settle over her. She tried to soak it all in. Yes, she was pretty sure that this was their new home. How funny that it was only feet away from their old one.
It was worlds away from their old one. She was a different woman now, living a different life. She heard movement in front of her and grudgingly opened her eyes to see an older woman wearing a contagious smile.
The petite woman stuck out her hand. “Good morning,” she said softly. “I’m Esther. Welcome.”
Tonya introduced them both again, and they exchanged pleasantries.
“You let us know if there’s anything we can do for you. Make yourself at home.” Esther gave her another smile and then left her. But within seconds, a new woman stood in front of her.
This woman’s face bore years and years’ worth of wrinkles, and her mouth was pinched in a painful expression. “I’m Vicky. Welcome.” Her voice did not sound one bit welcoming.
Tonya had known dozens, if not hundreds, of Vickys. Apparently, every church had at least one. “I’m Tonya, and this is my daughter, Emma. Lovely to meet you.” Fiona’s voice piped up in her head, telling her not to fake being pleased at meeting someone unpleasant.
Vicky gasped. “Are you the pastor’s wife going through the divorce?” she cried. Loudly.
Tonya wanted to die. She wanted the pew to swallow her whole. Maybe this wasn’t their new home after all. Maybe if every church had a Vicky, then she wasn’t going to be able to go to church.
Esther returned to Vicky’s side and tried to pull her away. “Leave them be,” Esther said under her breath.
Vicky yanked her arm away from Esther’s clutch and leaned against the pew, leveling a gaze at Tonya. “Are you the one? The one who gave us all the dresses?”
Because she didn’t know what else to do, Tonya nodded.
Vicky nodded too. “I’m not sure whether to give you my condolences or my congratulations.”
Tonya reeled back in surprise. “I’m sorry?”
“I never know what to say to women in your position. Sometimes divorce is a hardship. Sometimes it’s God’s way of setting women free.”
