Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 1: The Smiths

The Thursday evening service was over, the church hall was filled with members roaming around, children running around and groups holding their weekly meetings. Emily Smith wrapped her grey scarf around her shoulders to prevent it from getting loose again, her brunette hair was smoothly packed in a low bun and each time her scarf got loose, it prevented it from falling to the floor. Mrs. Waterfield, speaking to her, noticed this and offered to help the younger woman.

"Oh my dear Emily, let me help you," she said as she assisted the younger woman in adjusting her scarf.

"Thank you, Mrs. Waterfield" Emily smiled.

"Oh, don't mention," the sixty-two year old woman said smiling at her. "We are one in Christ Jesus and besides, you're my daughter"

Mrs. Waterfield was so nice to her, ever since she was a child, the older woman was like a mother to her and she didn't take this for granted.

"What time will you be going back home?" Mrs. Waterfield asked. She took up her wrinkled left hand and scratched her frail grey hair gently. Emily took out her left hand from her dress pocket and looked at the time on her wristwatch. It was 7:45 pm, it was already late as darkness had covered the skies.

"Whenever my husband is finished" she replied.

"Oh, Mark." Mrs. Waterfield said joyfully. "He should be here soon I believe. He's chatting with the pastor and his brothers in the service room"

"Yes," Emily affirmed nodding her head. "Yes, he is." She began to stare at the other women talking and giggling amongst themselves in a corner in the hall. They were in a group of five, they all looked like they were within her age bracket but she couldn't tell exactly. Mrs. Waterfield looked in that direction and back at staring Emily.

"I think you should hang out with them more, they are your age grade after all,"

"I...I don't think that's necessary" She gave the women one last stare before looking back at Mrs. Waterfield.

"Oh come off it" The old woman smiled and pat her right shoulder "Even if I'm your friend, it can never be like having friends your age"

"I'm fine, Mrs. Waterfield"

"Well.. what can—" Mrs. Waterfield immediately stopped talking and diverted her attention to the young tall man approaching "Oh! And here we have the handsome Prince, Mark"

Mark Smith, a tall handsome young man walked towards them. He was over six feet tall and had a good body build which was evident no matter the clothes he wore. His black silk hair was slicked back defining his cleanly shaved face and sharp jawline. Emily froze for a second before the turned back to look at him.  Her wide bluish-grey eyes met with his narrow brown ones and she immediately broke the eye contact.

"Hello, Mrs. Waterfield," he said approaching them. "How are you darling?"

Leaning, He gave Emily  a quick side hug and a quick peck on her forehead. Mrs. Waterfield stood in the background smiling at the lovely young couple.

"Sorry I took so long. The pastor and I talked about his missionary journey to a country in Africa, I cannot wait till I'm able to spread the Lord's gospel across the shores of the United States" he said.

"Praise the Lord" Mrs. Waterfield grinned widely, "Bless you Mark"

"The Lord bless you too, Ma'am"