Untitled; It doesn't need a name to be famous.

Chapter 11 - Ya'll Mind if I Praise the Lord?

All these unfaithful people in this world, baby mamma's and side hoes. Guys on the side and sharing men with your girlfriends! Am I wrong?! And every brother would you tell another brother, these hoes ain't loyal!

Nicole falls back in the reclined seat laughing her ever-lovin' ass off. Did the Reverend just say, "These hoes ain't loyal,"?!

"Yo, yo..." she snorts in between breaths. "Can we keep this nigga for the rest of the year?" She violently hits my arm and goes into another laughing fit. I slump back in my seat to avoid the glares growing in number. Oh my God, I would give anything to be with the children in the kids area. At least they have a better pastor; Veggie Tales. And maybe better sense of humor. I peak out into the audience to see if my facial recognition skills were where they used to be. Nope, don't recognize anyone in the crowd. Only people on the stage I know is Mrs. George and Gloria, who were front and center, givin' all the praises to the Lord. The choir stand up again to sing another Kirk Franklin song, which I use to submerge myself in another daydream. My brain struggles to focus on a single story line, but ends up nose diving towards the past. All the things I could have done, all the arguments I could have won, all those people I could have saved. Lord, please make it stop. I can't change the past, why am I doing this? I ask.

He simply answers; My child, you are so naive and hard-headed.

I smirk; Oof, you ain't gotta be that blunt.

Yes, I very clearly have to be for your stubborn-behind.

But why? I can't change what happened then, I can't stop what's already happening.

He smiles and pats my head; Then change what you can now.

I swear, my eyes were only closed for about 2 seconds to have them yanked open my the sound of none other than Beatie. Ms. Beatie was, of course, your stereotypical black church goer. I thought no one could see us sense we were way up in the back clutching the bottom of our seats like were were trying to fuse with it.

"What are you girls doing?! You good for nothing millennials! Now is not the time for relaxation, this the the time for the Lord!!!

"We should bounce," I poke Nicole towards the door.

She stands up putting the Bibles back in place. "Shit, you right, we out."

I both slide out the door which lead to the stairs. Running down the stairs, I skip steps and leave Janet far behind. "Hold up! Doesn't the Lord say to help the unfortunate?!"

I hop down the remaining stairs using the railing as a brace. "When have you ever listened to what the Lord had to say?!" I turn to shout back. Venturing out into the open lobby, wee look at each other, turn and travel our separate ways, me walking towards the kid area and Janet to straight walk out the front door and towards the movie theater. Starting to stop her, my heels just dig into the linoleum floor to steer me away.

Roaming down the hallways, my arm rests on the railing, lighting touching the numbered plats indicating the room numbers. "332, 331, 300...329!" Forcing the door open, I quickly receive many death stares form the parents and the pianist.

"Sorry if I'm interrupting anything..." I waved sheepishly. Shit, I completely forgot that Christmas show was Wednesday. This is the first year everyone could participate, with auditions, of course. Before, only the choir members and their " well deserving children," could participate and be in the show. But, with a new pastor came new changes. I have high hopes for Mr. George, too, so he better not fall below them. At the piano though was Leon, George's son. He was four, chubby, but had a heavenly God-given voice. He sees me out of the corner of his eyes and instantly reaches out for me. "Auntie Ret!!" Hopping up from his seat he runs to me, only for the pianist to click his tongue in... what is this I hear? Oh yeah, disgust.

"Alright guys, we'll take a 15 minute break, alright?" All the kids (and a couple of adults) all shout in relief and leave for a quick snack break.

My mother was very religious and when it came to it, but me, I stopped going to church when I was like nine years old. Back in Tallahassee, I think we went through 3 churches, and I honestly don't remember anything important, except a few distinct feelings, smells, noises, and visions that come from certain triggers. It's so easy to get lost in this church, though. the detail in the walls, and low bass vibrations I feel from the drums reminds me well of my mother. She's the one who taught me how to play, and even though i Couldn't wait to get out the house, I have to admit to myself, I miss my mommy a lot.

"Autine Ret!" Leon tugs on my shirt and I look down at him, his eyes large and brown. "What Leon, you better not do that again, I could get in trouble!" I lift Leon into my arms and turn him towards the class. "See that?" I ask. "Those are the faces of people who aren't to happy with me right now." Leon lets out a quiet "ohhh..." and I set him back down on the ground. The piano play, Harry, looked at him like I was trash and I look back at him, making a gesture that said, "What?" Harry sighs and points an accusing finger at me, which I jokingly lean to the right. He grows anger. "Why are you interrupting our rehearsal?" He demands to know. "The service isn't over until 15 more minutes." I laugh, trying to not say anything out of line. See, Harry and Gloria go way back and is always on top of the church gossip. So I better get the hell out of here. And fast. "I just came here to be with the children," I pause to think. "Like I was asked! I'm sorry if I interrupted something, but I was asked to stay here and watch the children with you, since I didn't want to stay in the main stage room!" Yeah, that lie should work.

"Really? Hmmm, then I guess it's alright. Just don't interrupt us again!" Oh my goodness, I slump back aginst the chair. I really didn't think that would work... Leon lets out a loud yay! He hugs me and I push him away, saying shush! You can't make any interruptions. Leon says, "Right!" And puts his hands over his mouth in that cute way children do and goes around, shushing the other children. I smile, but get discouraged and when I face Harry.
These 15 minutes literally can not go any slower...