FOUR
For the rest of the week, Eric didn't find any courage in him to look for blonde girl ... and neither did he find any peace.
He found no peace because he'd blown the only chance he had at meeting her one on one.
What happened to me?‐ Was the question that kept resurfacing in his mind. He had no answer. It got worse; Eric could no longer focus at the workshop.
Even his old man noticed.
"Son, are you feeling okay?" Mr Coleman would ask each time he replaced the oil with orange juice –it was pathetic–
"I'm fine. Just a little rusty from the math test."
‐But that was days ago ... Mr Coleman was very sure now that something was very wrong with the kid.
So he talked it over dinner!– rib roast and creamed corn.
"You never told me how it went at the Rodriguez." Mr Coleman began.
It was about a minute or two before Eric realised that he had been asked a question.
"Am sorry. Did you say to pass the salt?" He asked. Mr Coleman heaved a breath of slight frustration.
"Did you meet the Rodriguez daughter?" He wanted to be straightforward this time‐ needed his attention.
Eric eyes widened ... and then his face sank as he muttered a "No."
"The parents did say something about looking for bible study clubs around town or something."
"You mean like church folks?" Eric was definitely sold.
"Yeah." Mr Coleman replied. "Anyway, if you don't have other plans this Sunday, I was hoping you could drive down to Pinebridge and pick up some supplies for the workshop." He added and stuffed his mouth with beef and creamed corn.
Eric was still; eyes blinking rapidly for a short moment. He cleared his throat and sipped some water.
"Actually, I just remembered that I've got ... work." He blurted.
"Oh work!" Mr Coleman repeated. The former nodded. "Where?"
"Where? ... at the church!" He lied again.
"And I didn't know this before now? Whose car broke down?"
"The pope." He struggled with the words ... and his breath. –There was no pope. The churches in town were pentecostal–
There was a brief, dry silence in the room.
"Wanna go pick out your outfit?" Mr Coleman blurted with a knowing smile.
"Yes, please." Eric scurried out of the dining room.
●●
Sunday
Eric Coleman had never been so excited about going to church. Wait. No that was wrong‐ he had never been to church. Was never really the religious type.
"Too much?" He mused to himself, nursing the look of his tux in the mirror. "Too much." He concluded an settled for a t-shirt and pair of jeans.
He was so excited to meet his blonde girl that he'd forgotten to sell his lie by carrying a tool box along with him.
"Son, aren't you forgetting something?"
"A bible!" He exclaimed and dashed into the house– found nothing and instead decided to buy one from the book store on his way to church.
"Knock yourself out, kid." His old man remarked with a subtle wave as Eric drove off in Viola.
●●
It was all peach and silk– the dress was beautiful.
"I love it." The girl muttered with eyes glued to the mirror. "Thanks."
"You're welcome. You look like the beautiful, strong woman that you are and you'll make an excellent youth leader at church."
"Thank you, Mr Rodriguez."
"Dad." The man smiled down at her. "Come here." He held her blonde head and planted a loving kiss on it.
●●
He soon arrived at church, looking left and right in the driveway for the Rodriguez' vehicle.
There it was!– he couldn't believe it and he wasn't even dreaming. Eric straightened his collar like someone applying for a job interview and then pushed the car door open.
"Good morning. Welcome to church." A nice lady blocked his path.
"Ugh..." Eric hummed with his eyes still trailing the Rodriguez' car. The lady started saying things he would've rather not listened to.
"I'm sorry. I gotta leave." He managed to mutter– she didn't hear him. "Uh ... bye?" Eric left and started walking towards the family car.
His heart pounded inside of his chest at the thought of meeting blonde girl one on one. He wondered what he would say, what she looked like... if it was actually real or just his imagination.
Though he knew one thing at the back of his mind; if he had seen her, it only meant she existed, even if it was inside his mind.
"Weirdo!"
Eric spun. It was brown-haired girl. "Hi," he muttered nervously and slid his sweaty palms into his pockets.
"You attend fellowship?" She asked with a rather mocking look.
"Yeah ... I mean, God is good." He blurted.
Brown-haired girl arched her brows and folded her arms in front of her.
"Are you here alone?" Eric asked, looking behind her.
"Are you expecting someone?" The girl asked. Eric choked again; "No, it's not like I am. It's just that ... I was hoping..."
"The car is doing fine?" Brown-haired girl added.
He hummed something that sounded like a yes and pinched the tip of his nose in unease.
"Gina, engage this strange young man, would you?" The lady who'd been talking to Eric cut in.
"I would have loved to but I was just about to attend workers meeting." Gina said and left.
"Well, young man. Like I was saying before you walked out on me, you're welcome to church. There's youth fellowship right after service.
Kindly see the youth president at the administrative block right after service for further briefings. Enjoy the service." Then she walked away.
WHO'S THE YOUTH PRESIDENT??? 🌝🤭😁💜💗
COMMENT "FIND OUT" TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT... ha ha ha 😊😁😂
