Heaven - ONC 2022 LONGLISTED - old version

chapter 16: nothing quite like love

Caleb desired blood. He desired it like longing desires companionship. Like sorrow desires a tender touch. As he stood in front of the alter waiting for people to start arriving, he felt a hollow ache in the pit of his stomach. The ache moved from his belly to his bones. It dug into the marrow creating a map of everything Cal was and loathed.

"I never lost my faith in you," he said softly as he glanced at the silent iron cross resting on the pulpit. "But you lost your faith in me and in every Kadisin you created. Will I ever be able to redeem myself?"

Silence lamented. Caleb knew there would never be a reply. Perhaps Sina had been right. God was dead in Heaven.

Car wheels driving onto the gravel parking lot created a dull crunching sound. The people Caleb had seen a week ago in his church entered with bibles in their grasps and sly gazes cast around to the back of the church. All of them looked happy to be back in the arms of God and in the Grace of their new preacher, especially when they saw that Mr. Johnson was not there.

Somewhere in the distance, a clock struck nine.

Caleb touched the iron Jesus and whispered to himself. "You do not love all Your children the same."

"More coffee, sugah pie?"

Sina raised his head. He had fallen asleep in one of the booths of Evan's Bakery and Cafe. He rubbed his eyes and felt them burn. He'd crawled back to Cookie's at a quarter past three and woke up less than three hours later.

When the waitress spoke, he pushed his empty cup to her and nodded. "You know I can't say no, Al-Jay. But I'd be a happier customer if you served it intravenously instead. I'm desperate for the sort of salvation that comes from caffeine."

The waitress chuckled as she filled Sina's cup. She was plump and wrinkle-free with a short curly crop of light brown hair which made her look like she was in her thirties but Sina knew she had just turned fifty-six. Unlike Delores Cullen – the Wicked Witch of the West who was a few years older- Alberta Jane McGully was sweeter than anything at Evan's, even the chocolate cake.

"I'll let Evangelo know he's got a complaint." Alberta Jane chuckled and winked.

Raising the steaming cup, Sina replied, "Make sure you do."

Al winced as Sina took a large sip of strong black coffee. "Sugah pie, it's scorching. You'll burn yourself."

After taking another equally large sip Sina set the cup down. "Naw. I'm immune to anything that burns."

"Except churches?" Al said knowingly.

"Yah. I remember you said more than once that you'd spontaneously combust if you ever had to walk into that one." Sina hooked his thumb towards the direction of Saint Aggy's.

Alberta Jane rolled her eyes. "Only if those busybodies are inside." She slipped into the seat opposite Sina. "I have eyes and ears and I ain't no fool, sugah." Giving Sina a knowing nod, Al pursed her lips and uttered. "I've seen folks in love before. True love. And I've seen more of my share of prejudice. I sure as fudge don't want to spend my time around people like that." Shaking her head Al uttered, "Poor Travis... gone and crippled by his own pa."

Sina curled his hands around the steaming coffee cup and buried his face in the steam. He was aware some people knew of Cookie and Trav's romance but he sure as hell wasn't interested in taking part in any conversation about what had happened that broke his friend's heart and his lover's legs and lower back.

Al sighed. "We're better off prayin' at home."

Sina raised his gaze to her but remained silent. She knew he wasn't the prayin' sort. Anyone who knew Sina knew his lack of faith was as strong as a cup of Evan's coffee.

Shuffling out of the seat, Al placed her hand on Sina's shoulder. "Are ya hungry? How about a piece of pie? On the house. We've got apple, rhubarb, and a cherry one so sweet it'll have you running straight to the dentist."

"Apple." A smile ghosted Sina's lips. "How come you're so sweet, Al-Jay?"

Chuckling, Al patted her round tummy. "I eat a lot of pie, sugah. You can't possibly be a bitter ol' thing when you've got a tummy full of good stuff. I'll just get you a big ol' slice with whipped cream and caramel sauce."

Sina removed his hands from around the cup. When he saw his palms were red, he hid them in his lap. "Like poetry for my taste buds."

"You need some fat on you, Sina Noir. That ol' place has made you all skinny. Too much dancin' ain't good. That's why I stopped."

Shocked at the revelation, Sina said up straight. "You were a dancer?"

Alberta Jane nodded proudly.

"In Purgatory?"

"No baby. Jazz." Al raised her brows. "And I was damn good too."

"What happened?"

Al sighed dramatically. "I hit that big ol' wall called love. Got knocked up three weeks after setting eyes on Lester. By the time I was twenty-three I had traded my dancing shoes for dirty diapers. Four kids later..." Al smiled so much it reached her eyes, "and I regret nothing." Tapping her fingers on the tabletop, she added, "Ain't nothing quite like love, sugah. That and desire."

When Al left, Sina looked at the clock. It was nine AM. He had been sitting at the same spot for nearly three hours and would remain there until service was finished. Sina knew Father Caleb had said he could go to his house anytime he wanted. But Sina also knew he'd only get as far as the front porch because Sina needed to be invited in. The consequences for entering a house uninvited for someone like him would be disastrous. Touching his eyes, Sina winced. He did not want blood coming out of them. Nor his ears. Nor his mouth. He didn't want to feel like his skin was burning either. If he combusted in front of the priest, it would not be very sexy. Looking out of the window, Sina bit his lip. He wished he had been born human and not a fucking demon.

words: 1061