Savior

Gifted Flower

Chapter 2

The odd encounter slips my mind eventually. Sure, maybe I've never seen the guy and he gave off... strange vibes, but was it really a big deal? Probably not. So I let forget it and go through my usual day at work - praying, helping out visitors, drinking coffee, everything I normally do.
  That evening, I finish up my planning for next week's service and then head out, bidding good night to my fellow priests. "See you tomorrow," I say politely, smiling at everyone who looks my way. They all wave in return.
  "Zach!" someone calls, and I barely manage to hold back a sigh. Not again.
  "Melinda," I say as the woman jogs over to me, grinning. I force myself to smile back. "How are you tonight?"
  "Oh, I'm well," she replies, giggling the same way she always does whenever I'm remotely polite to her. I've never understood, and I probably never will. "I just wanted to invite you to my little gathering tonight. Dave and Pam are coming, and maybe Emmett, too. We're watching a new movie that Pam's bringing by. If you ask me," she continues, dropping her voice like she's sharing a dark secret, "her taste in movies is a little, erm, inappropriate, but what can you do?"
  It's awful, but something about her voice just makes me so annoyed whenever I hear it. I need to get away before I accidentally hurt her feelings, and then even work will be unbearable.
"I'm sure God doesn't mind," I say, smiling slightly at my own joke. She laughs far too loudly, and I cough before quickly adding, "And I can't make it, sorry. Busy. Again."
  She pouts. "Aw, alright. We'll miss you, Zach! See you later!"
  "Bye," I say with forced friendliness, then start to turn away to make my escape.
  "Wait," she calls, sounding startled. I exhale deeply through my nose, half-tempted to keep walking, but then she continues with, "Who gave you that flower?"
  "What?" Then I look down and blink at the pink flower in my shirt pocket. I'd completely forgotten about it. "Uh... just some... person. I don't know. It was weird."
   Melinda is frowning when I turn to face her again. "You're not dating anyone?"
  For the love of... I rub my eye, tiredly. "No, it came from a stranger. It means nothing. Now, goodnight." And I finally manage to leave, walking quickly out the doors and down the church steps.
  Once I reach the bottom, I tug the flower from my pocket and twirl it between my fingers, frowning at it. It shines almost unnaturally bright in the dark of night.
  "What to do with it," I murmur out loud to myself, debating just dropping it and leaving it behind. I don't have much use for it, anyway.
  "Usually, people keep gifts," a voice says from behind me, and I actually yelp a little in shock.
  Spinning around, I end up face-to-face with the strange man from earlier. "Christ, you scared me," I breathe, pressing a hand against my chest, over my heart. It's beating wildly, and I flush when he grins at me, slow and wide.
  "Blasphemous," he chides, shaking his head. "Aren't you a priest? I doubt your lord and savior would be a fan of you using his name in vain."
  "What- oh." I wince. He has a point, actually. "It, uh, slipped out. And... why am I explaining myself to you?"
  He shrugs, still grinning. Something about that grin makes me want to leave, but I can't tell why. "Anyway," he continues breezily, "throwing away gifts isn't very nice. I gave that flower to you out of my kindness, sir, so I'd appreciate it if you kept it. I'd be hurt, otherwise."
  I stare at him, only growing more and more confused the longer he speaks. "I... suppose... I'll keep it?" I finally say, slowly tucking the flower back into my pocket. I don't want to upset a stranger, after all.