Chapter 5
As I stepped inside I noticed I didn’t feel any electrical shock or any sudden illness wash over me.
“You alright Hun? You seem surprised.”
“I’m alright ma’am.”
Walking into the actual church where the service was held I noticed how beautiful it was. The ceiling held art and old world designs while the windows stained glass held images of the holy family. I was actually surprised by how bright the whole place was. This church had white walls, the one I used to go to had dark wood. We sat in the front row in front of the alter. It felt so strange to be back in a church, especially now.
“I come here a lot. I find it peaceful.”
“I always felt peace when I was in one as well. I always felt like someone was listening to me for once.”
“God is always listening.” The woman leaned forward and pulled the kneeler down.
“I come here to pray for my son. I love him so much and I want him to find happiness. He has gone through enough in life already. He deserves to be able to rest. I know he still has nightmares.”
“Does he come to this church too?” I was curious to know who her son was. I didn’t know families besides Andrew’s lived here but I didn’t want to intrude.
“No. He says he can’t step foot in a church knowing how badly he was treated by them. I do not blame him but it would be nice for him to see I opened this one where all are welcome.”
“Is your son Andrew?”
“Yes it is. Are you one of his theater friends?”
“No, I am his roommate.” Seeing her face light up she grabbed my hands and held them close to her.
“You’re Greg Andrews! Oh I have wanted to meet you for so long. My Andrew talks about you all the time. I wanted to thank you, ever since you came here he has been so happy.”
“I should be thanking you ma’am. Your son, he has been a huge help and a great friend to me.”
Letting go of my left hand she held my right one between both of hers now.
“I hope you are feeling better. When you fell ill Andrew called us terrified. He has been a strong boy ever since he started healing but that day he fell apart. I went to him when he asked and as soon as the doctors told him he could see you he ran in and wouldn’t leave your side. But until then he was all over the place.”
“I am feeling better, each and every day. Please know I never meant to worry Andrew so much, I never meant to involve him.”
“I know sweetie and please don’t think I said that to make you feel guilty.”
We kneeled next to each other and prayed. She prayed for Andrew’s happiness, I prayed for answers but we both prayed for the same thing. We both thanked God for bringing Andrew into our life. We were beyond grateful for him being here. As we sat back in the pew we looked over the alter just enjoying the calm we felt from being here.
“Ma’am. Do you mind telling me a little about Andrew after you found him? I want to be there for him the way he was for me but he never wants to talk about anything from his past.”
“Andrew, he was scared. When we found him he barely ate, he wouldn’t talk to us. He would barely let us near him. He was only twelve, he was still a boy. I imagine he wouldn’t have ever came with us if he hadn’t been half dead. He trusted no one. I don’t blame him for his reactions. Anyone that had been through what he had would have trust issues. We brought him home with us, gave him as much food as he wanted, a warm bed, and showered him with love. Those first few days I would stay with him no matter his mood. When we would ask him where he came from he would never say. He would just nod no when I asked him if he had parents. He was an unruly child, got into trouble constantly but to me he was still my son. I could never have children and finding him, spirit broken or not he was a blessing. Once he started trusting us he would never leave my side. If we wanted to go out we had to tell him where we were going exactly or he wouldn’t want to go. One night he woke up screaming scaring my husband and I. We ran into his room to see he was having a nightmare. We learned then that he still hadn’t been sleeping and if he did fall asleep he would be haunted by his dreams. This was just the first night his dreams vocalized. I had tucked him in and stayed close, I let him know that I was right there for him and I would always be. I would always chase the nightmares away. The first time he called me mother I was making dinner, he was finishing homework. We had decided to home school him for the time being so he could heal but not fall behind. He cleaned up and came over to me to help. He stood next to me and asked if he could call me mom since he didn’t feel comfortable calling me ma’am or Mary. He said he really missed having one. Of course I told him he could. His smile, it took over his whole face. That night we all sat around and he told us where he came from. You could tell he was scared, scared we would abandon him. I held his hand the entire time and I told him he was perfect just the way he was. He was never broken in our eyes. That we were here for him and that everything would be okay.”
