Bodyguard | #TheWattys2024

Rapha

Two and a half years ago

Shortly after completing her undergraduate studies at Columbia, Dove decided to move out of New York City, and further up state to enjoy a slower pace of life.

She picked up a job at a local bookstore / coffee shop. One that was near her new apartment, with hopes to begin graduate school in the Fall.

So far she loved it. She had found new community, and made new friends quickly.

She often worked throughout the week, but made sure to take Sundays off for her to rest and attend church. It was something she always looked forward to.

She put on her Sunday's best; a white, lace summer dress paired with her sneakers, and left her apartment just in time to bike over to the small church just a few blocks over.

She loved her bike, it was a baby blue color, with a cute basket, which she often used to carry her groceries home in, and it included the sweetest sounding bell.

Dove could tell this would be a special Sunday. She couldn't pinpoint why exactly, but eventually chalked it up to it being first time jitters.

The sermon was beautiful, and Dove could feel the trail of tears slipping out, and down her rounded cheeks unexpectedly. Before concluding the service, the Pastor encouraged the congregation to place their hand on their neighbors and pray for them.

With her being so shy, she purposefully chose an empty pew in the far back to sit in for the duration of the service. But, turning slowly to her right, she realized that the man sitting just a few feet away from her may have had the same idea.

She wasn't sure how she could've missed a man of his stature. He stood tall, at 6'8. His broad shoulders took up most of the row, and his long legs barely fit into the pew. She rung her fingers out in front of her and played with her rings, she couldn't help but be intimidated.

But, this was meant to be a safe space, right? So mustering up what little courage she had, Dove turned and approached the man with a bright smile. Hoping not to stumble over her words or stutter, she asking politely if it was alright for her to pray for him.

The man slowly nodded, feeling no need to give a verbal reply. She tried not to take it personally, and placed her hand gently against his arm.

If it wasn't such a delicate atmosphere, any onlooker would have laughed at the sight of their height difference, or how uncomfortable the man looked. The girl, however, had not noticed.

"I hope this doesn't sound strange, but I feel like God is saying that He wants to heal you. Are you hurting anywhere particular?"

He could've chuckled. God wanted to heal him?

He is the one who causes pain. The people that have died by his hands were countless. If anything, God's efforts would be better used elsewhere.

He didn't reply, but the girl knew that giving a word of knowledge could be hard sometimes. Perhaps he was shy, or maybe the word was for a time to come.

So, she prayed anyways. His eyes refused to shut. He watched how fervent she was, and how faithfully she prayed. After a few more seconds, her large doe eyes looked up to meet his gaze again.

More tears had managed to slip out from the girls eyes. Had she been brought to tears because of him?  She gave him a reassuring smile, "Everything's going to be okay."

A deep ache began to reverberate within him. It felt as if his hardened heart was about to fall out of his chest.

He quickly left the church building afterwards. He couldn't take being there for another moment. That place always had some kind of effect on him, and he immeasurably disliked the atmosphere, but he was here on business.