Weeping Willows

Phantom Tears

Chapter 10

                Everyone sat around the living room eating, sharing stories of Mikey, and laughing together.  Elizabeth was listening intently as each story seemed more outlandish then the last.  Unable to stop she found herself chortling along with everyone else.  From what she could tell the infamous Mikey, was just like the infamous Courtney.  Yet another person she would have to make sure her impish friend never met.

                "I honestly find myself leery every time he comes home and visits me at the church."

                "Why is that?"  Elizabeth asked around another bite of steak so tender it practically melted in her mouth.  Mason sighed in exasperation.

                "He only comes to the church to unburdened himself and confess all his latest sins."

                "I didn't know you were a Catholic priest."

                "I'm not."  He deadpanned back in response causing her to chuckle.

                "I don't know if he thinks I'm his personal get out of Hell free card he can use whenever so he doesn't have to stop having fun, or if he's trying to scandalize me only to be disappointed when it doesn't."

                "He does remember you grew up together doesn't he?"  Jan asked moaning in satisfaction after a bite of meat.  "Forgive me father for I find I'm having impure thoughts about my dinner."  Everyone burst out laughing including Mason at her joke.

                "Well that's one way Court and Mikey differ.  Courtney doesn't really care what most people think about her or anything she does.  She also doesn't believe in conformed religion so she would never use anyone as a way to cleanse her of any sins."

                "Was she not brought up with religion?  Just curious."  Elizabeth snickered at Elliot's inquiry, it's not the first time someone has asked one of Courtney's friends that.

                "Actually, her Father is a preacher.  She was practically raised within the church."

                "That really doesn't surprise me."  Was Mason's reply while Elliot looked thoughtful for a moment.

                "You know I've heard you have to be careful of preacher's kids.  They turn out to be the biggest troublemakers."  No sooner had the words left Elliot's lips then Addison smacked him upside the head.  He playfully glared at his wife while rubbing the spot she slapped.  Addison raised her hand threatening to do it again, but he just smiled and kept mouthing I love you while blowing kisses at her.  She rolled her eyes at him but seemed to be momentarily appeased.  Everyone around the table smiled at the couple.  This was definitely not the first time any of them had seen them act like that. 

                Throughout dinner Elizabeth kept glancing at Dan.  All the rest of the group conversed happily, each one adding something.  Dan however, had barely said a few sentences all night.  He looked more content with watching everyone enjoy his steaks then participating in the idle chatter going on around him.  He must be one of those strong silent types Elizabeth concluded.  A man of little words unless it was of import.  She realized she was injecting her own perceptions onto him without getting to know him.  After all, hadn't she also been rather quiet this evening choosing instead to enjoy watching the people around her as well.  She needed to remind herself to withhold any observations she made as more then just what she sees until she gets to know them a little better.  It's not like she was acting like her normal self either.  She was a bit of a shy person by nature and found it easier to fade into the background until she got to know people, especially in a group setting.  She did handle one on one meetings a bit better than this.  With that thought she vowed to at least give this group a chance after all they did reach out to her before anyone else here had.  Which allowed her to form connections to someone in a new place helping her feel tethered to the ground instead of floating adrift.