Finding Normal In Hollyville

Chapter 10

Edward parked his car in the church parking lot and headed inside. After driving around town and finding all the local businesses closed, it registered to him that everyone must be at church with it being Sunday and all. As he pushed open the door and walked inside the chorus the congregation was singing hit his ear.

He nodded politely at usher standing by the door and glances around for any available seat. He noticed one not too far to the back and started walking towards it but stopped when he realized he would be sitting right next to Rose. He instead walked to the opposite side of the church and took a seat at the back. The woman next to him turned to him and did a double take that should have been comical but instead had caused him to grimace.

Good seating choice Edward. This one is definitely going to be on your tail today.

He reached for the hymnal and skipped to the song that they were about to sing. As he opened his mouth and started singing he felt like he was being watched. He turned to glance at Rose but she was looking straight ahead. He then turned to look at the woman next to him and he trued not to react to the fact that she whinked at him.

Is no place sacred anymore?

He glanced at Rose again and this time their gaze caught and held. Surprisingly he was the first to look away. He was puzzled about her intense gaze. Last he saw her they had buried the hatchet but her she was practically glaring at him?

As church went on he found himself stealing glances at her but she never once looked at him again. After a while he gave up and concentrated on the sermon. The woman next to him practically glued herself to his side throughout the whole service. Every time he trued to shift away she moved even closer to him three seconds later. When church dismissed he learned that the woman next to him, her name is Emily. She had introduced herself and invited him to Sunday dinner, to which he had politely declined.

As he made his way through the crowd, persons stopped to great him each time he made for the door. He could see Rose in a similar situation except she seem to be use to it. When he finally made it outside Martha stopped to introduce him to her other son that had showed up for church. Just as he got to his car he felt someone tugging on his shirt and he turned to find Emma looking up at him with a shy smile.

"Salve ms. Emma"

"Sal-ve?"

"It means hello"

"Salve Mr. Edward"

"You look very pretty today"

"gratias"

She gave him a tiny curtsy and he felt his heart leap in a slight panic. He however managed to smile and send her a tiny bow.

"Mommy says I can have ice cream and cake after dinner"

"Did she now?"

"Yeah. Will you please come to dinner Mr. Edward?"

He looked away from her eager expression to look at Rose who had been standing nearby talking to someone. He couldn't help but to watch the sway of her hips as she walked towards them.

"Hello" he said to her.

"Hey"

Silence.

"So are you coming Mr. Edward?" Emma asked after a moment of awkwardness.

"Coming where sweetheart?" Asked Rose

"To dinner at our house"

Edward saw her visibly tense and he watched as she blinked at her daughter before looking back at him. He could tell she wasn't feeling quite as welcoming today as her adorable daughter does.

"Maybe another time angelus. I don't think mommy made enough for three today"

To say he felt bad was an understatement as he watch disappointment cloud her face. He looked to Rose to find her glaring at him and her sensual lips set in a grim line.

Does she want me there or not!?

"OK. See ya Mr. Edward"

He watched Emma walk away to her mother's car the he turn to looked at Rose just as she made to move away. Without thinking he quickly reached out and held her arm causing her to look at him in surprise.

"What's the matter with you?" He whispered angrily.

"Nothing. What's the matter with you?" She fired back.

"Why are you so angry?"

"I'm not"

"Really? So I was dreaming when I noticed you staring daggers at me all day"

"I wasn't"

"Now you're lying"

"You're calling me a liar?"

"Rose!"

The tone in which he called her name had a few bystanders turning to stair at then, including Emily the woman he sat next to in church.

"You'd better go. She's watching you and she doesn't look happy to see you talking to me"

"She?"

"Emily"

Suddenly something clicked and he smiled knowingly at her.

"What?"

"So that's why you're upset? Because I sat next to someone else in church, another woman?"

"Of course not don't be ridiculous"

"Then why bring her up?"

"Because she's standing there staring at us talking"

"But that's the point"

"What is?"

"I'm standing with you"

That seem to shut her up.

What are you doing Edwardus? Nothing good can come of this. Don't make more of this than it can be...than its allowed to be.

"Would you like to have dinner with Emma and I?"

Don't do it Edwardus. Just politely decline and walk away.

"I'm afraid I can't. I already made dinner. Maybe another time"

He watched as she tried to hide her disappointment. Somehow he felt like a toad for disappointing them. She turned away after saying 'OK' but he just didn't like the feeling of her walking away like this. His eyes darted from her to Emma in the car.

"Rose!"

She stopped and turned to look at him with furrowed brows.

"How about you guys come over for dessert?"

Her mouth remained in a straight line but her eyes has come alive.

"Can we mommy?" Emma asked from next to the car.

"Is four o'clock alright?" She asked

"That's perfect"

He smiled and walked back to his car just now noticing the curious looks he was getting from persons that were still standing around talking.

Now what do I make for dessert.