Glass Child

Chapter 1: Fall From Grace

The soft 'click-clack' of the fat heeled boot across the maroon carpet, the hallway lightened in splashes of red, blues, yellows, greens, and many other bright colours, due to the stained glass in the windows, showing the old biblical figures that have been in that very church for many years.

Anxiousness building up in the pit of a woman's stomach, petrified of what was gonna happen when she reached her destination.

The small middle-aged woman clutched her purse, twisting and turning it in a small fit of anxiety, every single step causing her tightened stomach to flip.

Elder women, dressed in black and white clothing passed her, with poliet hellos and Merry Christmas', motherly pats on the back, or just a small simple smile.

The winter had just settled in, the cold church air piercing the woman's skin, making cold shivers appear on her porcelain skin.

She rubbed her arms out of nervousness, situating her thick, grey sweater dress to keep her warm.

'What if I'm sentenced as a sinner?'

'What if I'm kicked out of the church?'

'What if-'

The clueless woman ran into a small elderly church woman, knocking her into the newest and youngest priest, Father O'Connor an immigrant straight from Ireland, fresh off the boat.

The woman caught the elderly woman, quickly apologizing and helping her up.

"Oh, that's quite alright, honey."

The small elder woman said, her old sweet southern accent coming through as she shuffled past her, heading towards the sanctuary, where the voices of many Catholics, young and old, singing hymes and psalms. And passing out brochures for the weekend bible study they have each week, Friday through to Sunday.

"Good morning Emma. Sure is a cold day today, eh?" Father O'Connor asked, his Irish accent shaking due to the coldness of the freezing church.

Emma sure wasn't cold anymore. Her freckled cheeks turning as red as her stockings, heat generating in them and in-between them.

Her words came out in jumbles, her legs growing weaker.

"O-Oh, y-y-yeah, sure i-is cold."

She tried to say without stuttering. Emma leaned her hand against the wall beside her to keep her balance and keep from becoming that little old lady that she ran right into.

"It sure is. I wanted to stay home and sleep in today and stay under the warm covers, but had to come in today it's a very busy day today."

Today was the day that the entire church goes to the community center and volunteers for the many different activities there, like helping in the community kitchen, helping make boxes for the needy, filled with clothes, food, and toys for the children.

"Oh yeah, it is, isn't it?" Emma boasted excitedly for the holidays. "Who's playing Santa this year?"

"Phil Middleton, one of the volunteer teachers here. He's great with kids and is a very nice fellow."

"Oh yes! He is! He was my father's best friend growing up. He was like my uncle." Emma boasted, still leaning against the cold concrete wall to keep her legs from giving out.

"Really? He was my babysitter!"

Emma tried to shift her legs to keep the heat between them from growing and stronger, but it was all in vain. She didn't want to be rude and leave the handsome man, but she soon didn't have any choice.

"U-Uh, Father O'Connor? Mind if we continue this conversation after Mass? I kinda got to use the ladies' room." She added a nervous laugh to try to seem nonchalant.

He smiled warmly and nodded. "Of course! I'll talk to you later. But before I go, I would like to ask you if you could help with the Christmas party and play for the children. You'd make a perfect elf!"

He is correct. Emma was only around 5'4, 110 lbs, and very small built. She would indeed, make the perfect elf.

She nodded and mimicked his smile. "Of course! I'll be there!"

His face lit up almost as bright as his hair. "Ok! Thank you!"

As he walked off, he pat her shoulder blade as a nice gesture. Emma shivered at his warm touch.

She took a deep breathe and continued walking down the coordinator, her legs shaking from the recent...encounter.

'ah-ha!! Found it!'

Emma boasted in her mind. She finally found her destination.

'The Confessionals...'