On The Fence

Chapter 6

"So what about you?"

"What about me?"

"How long would you stay out?"

"Probably 'till three."

"So why are you preaching to me about it, if you wouldn't do it."

"I'm eighteen, Annie. You're sixteen. I'm practically an adult, you're like, two. That little girl no one wants to lose. You can't be up and about everywhere for how long you want."

"I wasn't up and about everywhere, I was right across the road-literally- at your house. Everyone knows where you are and what you're like. There's nothing that can go wrong."-

"But they don't know that. You may know that, and I may know that, but it doesn't change anything. They don't know what we do behind walls."

"But if we do, why does it matter?"

"Because that's just not how it works. You can't just look at things the way you want; sometimes you need to look at things the way others see it to know where they're coming from, and why they say what they say."

We were quiet for a bit. Then he sighed.

"That's all I got. If that doesn't help I don't know what will." He said.

"Thanks."

•••

Sunday.  

The day I go to church, to do what church people do. Worship.  

I woke up at nine (in the morning, obviously), and went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I turned the bathroom door knob, but it was locked.

"Occupied." Jordan said.

"I have to brush my teeth!" I yelled.

"Use the other bathroom."

"My toothbrush is in there."

He opened the door slightly, and slipped his hand through, giving me my toothbrush and toothpaste. I sighed and took it, walking to the downstairs washroom lazily.  

When I got there, I examined my face in the mirror.

"I'm having a pretty good face day." I said to myself.

I brushed my teeth and went into the kitchen, leaving my toiletry things I the washroom.

"Duh-dum, duh-dum, duh-dum, duh-dum, duh-dum, duh-dum duh-duuuuuuum." I sang walking into the kitchen.

I saw the cereal sitting on the kitchen island. My favourite; sugar crisp and cinnamon toast crunch.

"The taste you can see!" I said to myself.

I happy danced to the cereal and brought then to the table. Then, got the milk from the fridge, a bowl, and a spoon. I sat back down at the table and poured the cereal in my bowl like a mad scientist. I think I had three refills by the time Jordan walked in.

"Morning." I said.

"Morning." He said, sounding half dead.

"Where are my birth givers?"

Also known as my parents.

"They left ten minutes ago."

"So how am I getting to church?"

"With me, I guess."

"When are you leaving?"

"In fifteen."

I took up my bowl and spoon,and put it in the sink, then went to shower which took five minutes, leaving ten minutes until I have to leave. I came downstairs with five minutes to spare, but I didn't see Jordan.

"Jordan?!" I called.

I checked the living room... 

Then, the kitchen.... 

Then, his room... 

Then, the basement...

"Jordan!"

I looked outside. Of course he's sitting in the car.

•••

We reached church just after Sunday School finished, and was greeted by...well, the greeter, Sister Daphne.

"Praise the Lord, sister Bree. Blessings, brother Jordan." She said.

"Blessings, sister Daphne." I smiled.

"How are you?" Jordan said with a nod.

"I'm fine, thank you." She said.

We walked into the sanctuary. Praise and Worship had already started, with Jasmine singing lead. I watched my brother as he bee-lined straight to his friends,while I grabbed a seat close to the back, trying to keep a little distance from mine.

I stood and clapped as the praise team sang "Lord You Are Awesome". I scanned the sanctuary, watching everyone in the congregation sing, dance, clap, and worship. It was pretty packed today.

"If it wasn't for your love, wasn't for your grace, I don't know where I'd be without youuuuuuu." Everyone sang.

I was beginning to get into the song, and started signing along, only to my luck (sarcasm), it ended and the tempo got slower. I began to hear 'hallelujah's' everywhere.

"Glory to your name, Jesus."

"Hallelujah."

"Thank you, Lord."

"Lord, we thank you."

"Lord, we love you."

"Lord, you're worthy."

"Never will a rock, Lord. Never will a rock."

Then, Jasmine came in with "Smile" by Johnathan Nelson.

"Here's my worship, take joy in it. Make it your dwelling place. I wanna put a smile on your face. I present my heart to you, I present my life to you." She sang.

Really enjoying this song, I decided to join in. I may not participate in church a lot, but I do love it. It's like...my life; I grew up here. I couldn't imagine being outside of church. If I did, I'd be lost...completely.