Preacher Ashton delivered the scripture from Isaiah in a hushed whisper and ended it with a thunder clap. Mom shook her head in agreement while I hung on every word. Aunt Margaret said the preacher was smooth as silk, but I just thought he spoke from the heart.
Mom shook her head again and slapped down her fan on the pew back. I held on to the words until Aunt Margaret said “Amen.” Then we flipped through the hymnal and sang “What a friend we have in Jesus” and Tom Clatcher started swaying in rhythm with the choir. He rocked and clapped and Sister Josephina joined in and everyone swayed back and forth. Mom stood up and pulled me up too. We stood in the pew singing with the choir and shouting out “Amen” at the end of the hymn.
I walked out of the chapel feeling happy and uplifted. Preacher Ashton took my hand and squeezed it gently. Mom pushed me toward him. He winked. I blushed and looked away. Aunt Margaret tuned up the corner of her mouth and shook her head. She turned and walked down the sidewalk. Mom and me followed Aunt Margaret. I turned back to Preacher Ashton. He smugly smiled and winked again.
© 2018, Michael Shawn Sommermeyer. All rights reserved.
