"Rochelle"
Rochelle walked into the church just as the usher had sat down. The preacher was already up and by the sound of his high pitch and emotional moans and loud amens coming from the congregation she could tell he was in the middle of his sermon. Rochelle hated walking in so late but she almost didn't make it at all. Tony her "boyfriend" didn't like her leaving the house, he was just concerned about her like that, but when Tracie called her last night asking her to come visit her church she didn't want to turn her down. Rochelle was shocked when she told her Caprice had agreed to come. She knew then that she couldn't turn down a chance for them to all be together. Letoya and Tracie grew up coming to church, while Rochelle and Caprice were not considered church goers.
When the usher saw her standing in the doorway she quickly rushed her to a seat in the back and she was grateful for that. She didn't want to disrupt everyone although a few heads did turn when she walked in. From her seat she could easily see Letoya in the choir stand and Caprice sitting several rows up somewhere in the middle. She stretched her neck further and finally noticed Tracey up front. She wasn't surprised by that. Tracey had always been the front runner of "the group". She smiled just thinking about it. She wished she could be more like that but she'd always been more reserved.
Rochelle turned her attention back the pastor who was now at the height of his sermon. A lot of people was up on their feet and the organ was going full speed. She could barely see up front and the teenagers around her were a big distraction with their giggling and innocent flirting, but she was trying her best to listen. Since she had come all this way she decided she was gonna get something out of it. Something the preacher said about God's love got her attention. He said that God's love is patient and that God's love is kind. These words made her think about love. She was 26 years old and was not sure what love was. That word had always been a mystery to her. Love had always been a thing that she read about or saw others experiencing, but never herself. She really and truly loved her boyfriend Tony but sometimes she wondered if that love was returned.
Everyone around her began standing and she realized that the preachers sermon had ended. She bowed her head as he began to pray. She prayed as well and ask God to show her what the true meaning of love was. When she opened her eyes her tears really began to flow. They were tears she had held in for so long. She felt an arm stretch behind her back and realized that it was the nice usher who had escorted her in. She place a few soft tissues in her hand. Rochelle didn't even wipe her tears she only laid her head on the nice ushers shoulder and cried harder. A few heads turned her way but she didn't even care.
The nice usher introduced herself as Sister Brown and asked Rochelle was she saved. She shook her head no. She wasn't even sure what that meant but she was crying so hard she couldn't say anything. Sister Brown hugged her tight and asked if she believed that Jesus died on the cross for her sins. Rochelle didn't know how to answer but as she listened her eyes again filled with more tears. She realized that she really didn't know who Jesus was.
***
Through blood shot eyes and shaking hands Rochelle tried to focus on the new members form in the small office of the church. She'd gotten saved, although she still didn't quite understand what that meant. She listened through tears and sobs as Sister Brown explained how to get saved. One thing she did know was that her life would never be the same. For some reason she felt different. She felt free. She hadn't realized the burdens she had been carrying all this time, but Sister Brown recognized it and told her all she had to do was cast her cares upon the Lord and leave them there. The thought made her tears come again and before she could stop them they stained the paper and her words.
The small room was packed with others that had gotten saved as well. The only difference was that Rochelle never went down to the alter. She was too ashamed. She wasn't ashamed of getting saved but she didn't want to be in front of all those people, and when she insisted on not going Sister Brown just escorted her around back to the side door of the small office. Although the room was filled with people it was very quiet. When Rochelle looked up she noticed a very handsome young man staring at her. She quickly diverted her eyes and stood to turn in her paper. When she walked passed him she stole a glance and noticed that he was still staring.
Once she'd hugged Sister Brown and said her goodbye's she hurried back through the side door, church was over and she wanted to meet up with the gurls. She wandered if any of them even knew she was here. A loud clearing of someones throat brought her back from her thoughts. She whipped around and saw that "Mr. Handsome" was right behind her.
"Excuse me. You dropped something." Rochelle stopped to see what he was holding and it was a pen.
"That's not mine." she laughed lightly. "I think that belongs to the usher." It was the same pen she'd filled out her information with but she distinctly remembered giving it back to Sister Brown. In fact we were all given the same pen. How could he have thought it was hers?
"O, my bad. I thought I saw you drop it. By the way I'm Chris he said extending his empty hand. And you are?"
"I'm Rochelle", she chuckled again. Something about him kept bringing a smile to her face. Maybe it was because he was smiling as well.
Since the conversation had ended Rochelle proceeded to continue walking. " So, your new to the church," he said.
"Yes, I am."
"Yea, me too. Are you going to attend the new members class that they were talking about?"
"O, I'm not sure I gotta check with my BOYFRIEND," Rochelle said with emphasis. She watched him closely from to check his reaction. If she didn't know any better she would have to say he looked a little disappointed. She blew it off. It was no way this handsome young man was interested in being anything to her other than a friend. Besides she had a boyfriend.
He mumbled an okay and walked silently to the end of the hallway.
When they got to the door he held the door open for her but with her wide hips she barely had room to pass without them touching.
O, God this man smells good, thought Rochelle, silently. They went opposite directions but Rochelle couldn't help herself from taking one last look and just as she turned her head he was turning his and their eyes locked. It was a brief moment but Rochelle's heart raced. She quickly turned away and begin her search for her friends amongst the chatter filled congregation.
***
No comments:
Post a Comment