AROUND THE HEART IN 80 DAYS

Thirty Four

The group had gathered once more at Jacqueline's bakery after their game and she felt bold enough to confide in her friends what had been going on. Her male friends shrugged the information off like it was the most obvious thing in the world while her female friends went through phases of disbelief. If anything, three out of four of them were unimpressed.

"I'm a sucker for love," Chinonso had said, "and for adventure. I am eager to see what will happen."

Well, she too.

The next day, it was funny seeing Edrei go with her to Church. He looked so pissed with the thought of waking early on a weekend but even with a frown, he still had a bath and put on his thickest of cardigans to walk with her to her car. Of all the confusing things in life, Edrei Rideau topped any list.

He held her hand throughout the Mass and she had to force her mind to be focused on the Homily based on patience in waiting for the coming of the Lord. She loved this part of the Church's calendar in Advent because she like the feeling of joining the world in waiting for the Messiah. And now, sneaking a glance at Edrei, she was glad that she had somebody to wait with.
He didn't nod off or anything, just holding on to her hand or giving her thigh a soft squeeze while they went through the rituals that he didn't understand.

She then saw Lord on the queue for the Holy Communion and they shared a quiet smile. Her heart lifted and if not for the Bread in her mouth, she would have gushed to Edrei on how their friend was really around.

"There was so much standing and kneeling," was the first thing he commented on when the congregation started to disperse and they made their way to the main door.

"I didn't notice. Edrei, it also looked like you were hanging on to me for dear life. Relax. Nobody will eat you."

"You sure?"

She frowned when he got a sleazy look going on in his eyes. "Behave. We're still within Church premises. I don't understand why you even bothered to come if you were just going to freak the way all-- hey! Lord! Hi!" Her grip loosened and she made her way to her bright friend, the essence about him was still beaming over his heavy woollen clothing. He was looking so big and out of place in another venue where people didn't match his muscle shape.

"You made me wake up for this," Lord began, "and now that I've seen you, I don't think I'll make the same sacrifice next week."

"Too bad, I like seeing familiar faces around. I haven't seen anyone I knew since I began to attend this Church. Save my friend Martha who comes through sometimes."

"And your..." He pointed behind her head, "...boyfriend too?"

"What b--" a heavy hand suddenly dropped on her shoulder proceeding to make her shoulder press into her roomie's own left breastbone.

"How's it going, Lord?" Edrei casually greeted.

"So so. I'm a bit surprised if I must confess, I never saw you as the church-goer. I honestly didn't think you would still show."

"That makes two of us. But you know, my roommate here and I come as a team. It's a social experiment thing we're doing."

Jacqueline didn't counter that, it was somehow the truth. But then she saw a sort of shocked expression morph on Lord's face.

"Roommate?" He waved a finger between both of them, "you two stay together?"

"Yeah," Edrei replied before she could. Here was the thing, not everybody was too keen on non-couples cohabiting. She pressed her lips inward and hoped Lord wouldn't over-read.

Then again, why would that bother her?

Edrei hugged her shoulder tightly and she knew with all her heart he was just doing that to piss her off.