In This Crazy World of Ours

Mary Lockhart and Seth Evans

"Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness." - Bertrand Russell (British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, atheist, social reformer, socialist, pacifist.)

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In the name of the Father...

Seth looks at Mary and her parents uneasily. He can't be here. He doesn't belong here. 

And of the Son...

Mary looks at Seth pointedly. "What are you doing? Go on," she whispers to him. He knows his girlfriend's parents are expecting him to act like them; to be like them. But he doesn't want to. Can't they just respect him and his beliefs? 

And of the Holy Spirit...

"Excuse me, I feel this shooting pain in my bladder again," Seth tells the Lockharts. They nod somberly at him. He exits the pew and goes to the washroom, which is located at the back of the church. As if sensing Mary's parents observing him, he pretends that he does the Sign of the Cross as the priest goes off to say 'Amen' by rubbing his forehead, down his nose, and ends in his chest. There, that should do the trick. 

He spends the remaining minutes left in the washroom, waiting for the Mass to end. It was Mary's parents that got him here in the first place. They decided to bring him along. He didn't really want to go along, since he doesn't really believe in anything. But he loves Mary more than anything else and he doesn't want to disappoint her, so he decided to tag along. 

Mary understands him. But her parents don't. They don't know about him being an atheist.

Yet.

But the moment they find out about it, it's going to be the end of their happy relationship. And what's worse, anyone can sell them out at any minute. Even their friends. 

So basically, you can say that it's him and his girlfriend against the whole world. 

When Mass finally ended, he goes outside to see Mary and her parents standing right outside the washroom, looking worried. 

"I'm really sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart," he says in a faux weak voice. "It's just really excruciating." He rubs his bladder and winces for extra effect. Mrs. Lockhart tsks and looks at him sadly. "Poor boy, do you want that to get checked up?" 

"Oh no, it's ok Mrs. Lockhart. I had checked up yesterday and I bought medicines," he tells them.

"Alright then. We'll leave you two here," Mr. Lockhart says, "we're just going to talk to Father Jefferson." 

When the two are finally gone, Mary speaks up. "So, your bladder, huh?" 

Seth laughs. "You know I can't do what they want me to do." 

"I understand." She hugs him and ruffles his hair. "But sooner or later, they're going to find out. And then what?" 

"Don't think like that," he says in a low voice, "if you do, then it's going to happen." He pushes his hair behind her ears and kisses her forehead. 

"I'm sorry, my pessimistic side is taking over again." 

"Hey," he holds her chin up and stares at her deep hazel eyes. "Don't be scared, ok? I'm always here, no matter what happens." 

She smiles at him. "You do know that I believe in everything you say." 

"I know that. And I love you, ok? I love you so much."

"I love you more!" 

"Well I love you to infinity and beyond!" He punches the air and that makes his girlfriend laugh. "I'm serious with that. One day, you are going to be my Mrs. Evans."

Yes, Mary thinks to herself, I do hope that one day, I become your Mrs. Evans. Because I know we're going to fight and win this love. 

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"So Jacob worked for seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days." - Genesis 29:20