blossom ↣ joshler ✓

5. Pastor John

Pastor John's faceclaim is Wes Bentley (most notably from AHS). Sometimes it helps to have a visual especially for someone highly important to the story

Tyler stood in front of his mirror, watching his reflection button up the front of his shirt. A small sigh escaped his lips as he finished before slipping his glasses on his nose.

"Tyler are you read—" His mom began as she walked into his room but stopped. "Where your tie?"

Tyler refrained from sighing again. He didn't want to wear a tie to church. He wore a tie every day to school. However, he didn't argue with his mom. She was always right. "I am dressing myself now," he assured, going over to his closet and grabbing his lavender tie.

"Hurry up," she snapped. "We're going to be late."

"Yes, Mother," Tyler replied. He quickly tied his tie under her intense gaze before he grabbed his coat and the two were out the door.

The drive to their church was nothing exciting— the same old same old. Tyler eventually got yelled at for breathing too hard because he was "inhaling too many particles that would get him sick". Tyler realized very fast that his mother was not in a good mood that day so he failed to engage in any other conversation with her.

That is, until she brought up something that sparked his interest.

"I found someone to babysit you," Kelly told him, tightening her grip on the steering wheel slightly.

Tyler hated that word. Babysit. He was not a baby. "Who?"

"His name is Josh. His mother is a nurse at the ER and we talk in the break room sometimes when I'm not needed at the receptionist desk," she explained. "I haven't met him so I'm a little nervous about leaving you alone with him. You'll have to tell me how it goes."

Would you listen to my opinion anyway? "Okay," Tyler nodded.

"I trust Laura though. You remember Laura right? You met her when we went to my work's Christmas party a few weeks ago. Anyway..."

Tyler didn't so this often, but he began to tune his mother out. His mind just worked so fast that he tended not to focus on the things he deemed unimportant. And maybe the fact that his mother talking to him is less important than running through past tense ser conjugations in his head was solely an opinion, but he didn't care.

"... and she told me her son was looking for a job for a few months and would talk to him and let me know. He said he was interested."

"Okay," Tyler nodded.

The conversation was left at that for the rest of the way there. Once they reached church, Tyler and his mom walked in and made their way to the nave. They were easily an hour early but that's how early they came every week.

Upon entering the room, Tyler took note of how empty it was. There were about three other people there and he noticed they were sitting on a pew and talking amongst themselves and one other individual. Tyler realized the individual was their pastor.

It seemed he realized the people who had entered were Tyler and his mom at the same time because Tyler heard their pastor bid farewell to the other guests and walk towards the two. "Kelly!" He greeted happily, his arms out.

"Hello, John," his mother replied, going in for a hug. Tyler watched them embrace and stood there awkwardly as it lasted a little too long for a normal hug.

Once they finally broke apart, Tyler noticed a light blush on his mom's cheeks. Pastor John was smiling at her.

He turned to Tyler, the smile still on his face. "Hey, Tyler."

"Hello, Pastor John," Tyler nodded politely.

Pastor John let out a chuckle. "I'm okay with you calling me John, Tyler," he assured.

"I know," Tyler replied, his eyes blinking behind his glasses.

Pastor John just nodded once more before turning back to Kelly. "You two always come here awful early," he teased.

"You can never have too much time for the Lord," Kelly laughed. It was the first time in a long time Tyler had heard his mother actually laugh. Come to think of it, she really only did that when she was around Pastor John.

"That indeed," Pastor John laughed back, his gaze lingering on Kelly. "How's work?"

"Oh you know, same old same old. I've had to pick up some extra hours because the court doesn't make Tyler's father send as much child support but I'd do anything for my baby," she smiled, pulling Tyler into her side and rubbing his shoulder.

Pastor John nodded understandingly. Tyler didn't get how he understood. Pastor John's wife died almost a decade ago before they could have the chance to have any kids. He didn't have to worry about anyone except himself. And the church but he didn't technically have to do that.

Tyler pulled himself away from his mother and flattened out his tie. Pastor John took note of this and looked at him next. "And how's school, bud?"

"Exceptional," he replied in a monotone voice. He couldn't help it. He wasn't interested in the conversation so why would he act like he was?

"Still keeping up with piano lessons?"

"Yes, sir," Tyler nodded. "I just accompanied one yesterday."

Pastor John looked like he was about to respond but was cut off when another family walked in. "I better go greet them. It was nice talking to you guys," he smiled before looking back at Tyler's mom. "I'll see you around, Kelly?" He asked with a hopeful tone of voice.

"Of course," Tyler watched his mom blush again. Pastor John looked both ways before sending her a wink and walking off.

Tyler's eyes widened. "Are you and Pastor John—"

"Let's go sit down," Kelly ordered, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards one of the front pews.

Tyler obliged silently, letting his mother guide him to their seat.

There was one thing he knew for sure, however...

He hoped things were about to change.