Walking out of our small hospital, I said a quick prayer with hope that his innocence wouldn't be stolen from him at an early age, looking for his father, and feeling the void of his mother. I wished there was something I could do to make sure that didn't happen.
Sunday, at 8:55, I met Aunt Rhonda at James Baptist Church. It wasn't a place I had frequented by myself but always came when my aunt asked me to. She had been a part of the church for as long as I could remember.
I certainly was a believer and actually felt quite good after a church service, but I worked a lot, and most Sundays I was on the clock. The church was the largest one in town, vast ceilings with stained glass and a cross that decorated the front. It was welcoming, even for someone who wasn't as committed as I should be.
I listened to the sermon and sang the hymns with my aunt. An hour later, we said goodbye to her friends and tried to make our way to the parking lot. I had gone enough with her to know it wasn't going to be an easy feat. She had people she had to talk to, or who wanted to talk to her. She had been a longtime member and also attended any and every church activity.
“Wyatt?”
I turn to see Breigh’s friend. She was pretty in her own right but seemed to wear a lot of makeup. She looked high maintenance in comparison to Breigh.
Her dress wasn’t something I would say was “church attire,” but who was I to say. She was a different woman than I had entertained, definitely more in Cash’s category.
“Emma…”
She must have read the expression on my face, not expecting to see her here.
“I met you and Cash at Kellye Joe’s. He said he was going to call me after he had gone back to Houston, but I haven't heard from him."
“That’s the norm for Cash, unfortunately. I wouldn't keep your hopes up that you’re going to hear from him either.” I hated to be cruel at church to add to it, but better she know now.
“I’m so sick of Breigh always being right. She has radar for this sh…” she said with a shake of her head, stopping herself from using profanity at the church.
“How is Breigh?” I asked, truly curious. She has been on my mind more than I cared to admit. I normally had zero want to call or text a woman after seeing her, but Breigh was a different ball game. I missed her. I had only seen her a little over a week ago, eight days ago to be exact.
“She’s a workaholic, but other than that seems good. She kind of lives in her own little world. But she made it that way on purpose.”
“How so?”
“It’s her way to protect herself. She hasn't had the easiest life…” She stopped as if she was having an internal debate on whether to speak any further about her friend.
“Honestly, I wouldn't have guessed that. She seems like she really has it together.”
“She has worked for everything in her life and always struggled. I don't know where she would be without her grammy and all her hard work. Everything she has is because of her, EVERYTHING.”
“Interesting.” I really didn't know what else to say to that. So far there wasn't anything I didn't like about her. That was saying a lot, since every woman I had ever dated or had an interest in, there was always something that stuck out and not in a good way. Something I couldn't get past. I hated to say I was looking for something; warning signs, caution tape, anything that would make me realize she wasn't what I thought she was.
“Well, when you do talk to Cash, thank him for calling me back. Good to see you again, Wyatt.”
My aunt walked up just as I finished my conversation with Emma. “I see you were talking to Emma Gray.”
“Yeah, poor girl had hopes that Cash would actually call her after he left town. Funny, huh?”
“Cash strikes again. I guess he’ll never change,” she confirmed. She wasn't a fan of him anymore than I was. Really there wasn't anyone in my family she agreed with.
“She’s friends with Breigh. The one I was telling you about from Kellye Joe’s and then at the rodeo.”
“I know who Breigh is. Her grandmother, Helen, has gone to this church just as long as I have, in fact longer. I was just talking to her. ” She turned to see if she still saw the woman and then turned back to me. “Breigh comes some Sundays but not as often as Helen would like. Did y’all go out again this last week?” Rhonda said with a raise of her eyebrow.
“We did. And the oddest thing…I can’t seem to get her off my mind.”
“So don’t keep her off your mind,” she said matter-of-factly. “From what I know of her, she seems really sweet, pretty, and has her head on straight. Appreciates what she…”
“Rhonda…”
“I know, I know. Yeah, she’s actually coming out to the house in a couple days to do some legal stuff for me.”
I switch from casual talk to serious. “Anything you need my help with? I have someone I can get for you.”
“Wyatt, when I need help, I’ll ask for it. That has always been how I am and that’s not going to change. Please stop worrying.”
I wanted to roll my eyes at her but didn’t. One thing Rhonda didn't like was disrespect, and if I rolled my eyes, she wouldn't take that lightly. One time I did it and she smacked me upside the head. I learned to not do that again. I wished she wasn’t always
