Everything I Had

Chapter 9

Jesus.

Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.

Those are the only words that caught my ear as we walked through the backyard gate. The smell of a fired up grill captivated my nose almost instantly as we stepped into the backyard.

"You know there is some preacher in Kentucky who says Elijah is Jesus re-incarnated? That's delusional." I heard a woman's voice say in disgust.

"Well I can see why they think that. Elijah didn't die." A man answered reasonably.

Their faces came into view when I past a giant oak tree and saw a man and a woman sitting and talking as they sat in cushioned lawn chairs. As I listened in on their conversation, I felt a warm grasp on my arm. I looked down at my arm to see Adam holding on to my upper arm.

"It's impossible. Elijah was a sinner. Romans 3:23. So he can't be Jesus. Some people just try to over-think the word sometimes." The slightly chubby bald man said as he took a sip of what I assumed was coffee.

He looked across to the woman who had short brown hair that was cut into a bob and was extremely skinny. I knew the man was Adam's dad since they almost looked exactly alike and of course I recognized him from my old church days but his Mom didn't look like him much at all. I don't even remember ever meeting his Mom.

Adam cleared his throat and his parents diverted their eyes to us. Adam let loose of my arm and rested it at his side as he began to speak,

"Guys... This is Ann. She goes to my school and I thought i'd invite her."

They both seemed to notice my broken hand and I hoped they would mention or ask about it tonight.

"Oh that's fine. We have plenty. I think Danny is bringing a friend also." The tall woman said cheerily as she stood up. Who's Danny?

I walked over there nervously to greet the woman and almost gasped in shock when she pulled me in for a hug.

"It's so nice to meet you, Ann. My name's Laura. I'm bad with names so don't laugh when I forget yours."

"I won't." I assured with a small smile.

"I'm Aaron." Adam's dad introduced.

"I know. I used to go to the church a long time ago." I said as he enveloped my hand in his and gave it a shake.

"Well what made you stop?" He asked in a friendly way.

"Umm I don't know." I said a little too quietly.

"Was it the youth? The adults?" He badgered.

"Aaron..." His wife alerted him in a warning tone. He turned to her and gave her a confused look.

"I was just asking why-"

"It's none of our business." She said through clenched teeth. Her hands were fisted at her side as she tried to make him change the subject.

It was kind of awkward having them bicker in front of me because of, well... me.

"Is Todd here yet?" Adam interrupted them.

They both turned to face us. Both of their faces relaxed and Aaron answered,

"Not yet. He had to lock up the church and go pick up Carol and the kids," He told him.

Adam nodded as he stood there with his hands in his pockets.

"Until they get here, maybe you can go show Ann the house?" Laura suggested.

Suddenly, Adam tensed.

"Let's go." He muttered as he tugged me softly on the arm to lead me. I couldn't help but catch a little bit of hostility in his voice. Did he not like his Mom or something?