Fall From Grace

Chapter Thirty Two

Chapter Thirty Two

I shoot Hades a "what the fuck" look as we climb into the back seat of my father's car. He's here. He's actually here.

Shit.

Is everything okay? The cult? Did something happen with the cult? Fuck, I can't even ask him, we're in the car with my parents! Oh my god, he has met my parents.

"So how do you two know each other?" My mom turns to look at us. She seems oddly overjoyed that he is here, quite the opposite emotional response from what I am feeling. Not that I am not happy he is here, just overly worried.

"Lotus."

"Town." Hades and I both reply at the same time.

"School?" My mother chooses her own response, "How lovely."

I don't bother correcting her. It's as good a lie as any, and she came to the conclusion on her own so it doesn't technically count as lying.

"I am sorry I didn't warn your daughter or yourselves about my arrival." Hades puts on the charm. "It was a last minute decision on my part to join you this evening."

"That is quite alright. Happy to bring you along."

I want to kick him so hard. And kiss him, but kick him more.

When my parents walk ahead to say hello to some friends before entering the church I take the opportunity to kick Hades in the shin.

"Yes?" Hades seems more amused than bothered. The kick probably hurt me more than him.

"Care for an explanation?' I hiss.

"No I do not." He grins impishly, then moves us back towards my parents who are entering the church.

Oh this man...

As we enter the inner sanctuary, we are handled candles and my parents continue saying hello to the other constituents whether they know them or not. My parents are like the popular kids around here. They know, and are nice, to everyone.

Hades is smiling, which is off-putting. I still don't know his reasoning for coming here so his over politeness must have some sort of endgame. Hades doesn't isn't polite type. He just states what he needs or wants to know or say and that is that, which tends to veer on the less polite side.

"Sterling, why don't you sit at the end of the pew?" My mother suggests, "It's the best view."

"How kind of you Mrs. Foster." Hades keeps his smile pasted on. "I think I will."

"Oh please," My mom uncharacteristically giggles "Call me Louise."

"Very well." He bows his head.

The church looks exactly as I remember it. I haven't been here in years, and if Hades hadn't shown up, I would have found an excuse to get out of this midnight mass as well.

The crowd quietens as the Pastor steps up to the podium, and my parents stop giving me looks and focus on him.

"Merry Christmas everyone!" He begins the services.

Not interested in the sermon, I look around at the artwork painted on the church walls and the stain glass windows my father proudly helped commission. I remember it being a whole project, artists coming in and out of my house, sketches everywhere. They turned out beautiful despite the fact that they are religious artwork that I don't agree with.

I notice Hades seems to not be doing the same thing, but rather paying attention to what the Pastor has to say.

"Don't you think they painted their feed weird?" I whisper to him.