He disengages the lock and I don’t waste another second getting away from him. I slam the door shut. My feet sink into the snow, it’s so dark out. The wind is whipping the snow and my hair into my face. I can barely see. I hear him scrambling from the driver’s side. Fearing for what he will do to keep me quiet I run as fast as my legs will carry me into the dark church. A few candles are still lit giving me enough light to make out my surroundings. I duck into a row of pews and hunker down breathing heavily.
I feel the draft from the doors opening again. I hear them slam shut. “Katie,” Mr. Miller calls my name in a strained whisper.
Dropping to my stomach, I try to regulate my breathing. I roll under the pew to the left of me.
“Can I help you?” Relief washes over me at the sound of Father Wright’s weathered voice.
“I uh ran out of gas,” Jason explains. I hear father Wright leading him further into the church. I am waiting for the perfect time to make my exit.
After waiting a few moments, I roll out from my hiding place. Shoot. I hear their voices filtering in my direction. Not left with much choice I scurry into the confessional. My hands are shaking. My throat feels hot and dry from the damp winter air. Licking my chapped lips is probably making them worse but I can’t help from doing it.
I peek out of the door when I hear muffled voices passing me by. The doors to the church open and close bringing in another gust of air. The candles that were providing a little comfort have blown out. I am left in the dark. I dig through my messenger bag quietly looking for my phone. I can use the light from it to guide me out. The sooner I get out of here and get home the better.
I am fiddling with my phone trying to get it to power on, but the fecking battery must have died. Just my luck. The door to the confessional I am in creaks open. The hair on my arms stands up. “Father Wright?” I ask hesitantly unable to see a thing. I am shoved roughly against the interior wall.
“Katie,” I hear Becks say.
“Becks?”
“Yeah, it’s me,” he says shining his phone in my face. “Sorry I didn’t meant to push you I couldn’t see.”
“What are you, how did you?” I am so confused right now but I am so happy to see him.
“I was following you. Well I was waiting outside of the Miller’s house hoping to apologize and then you guys skidded and I waited to see if you needed help, but then I felt weird for following you. Then I saw you running with a terrified look on your face and when you didn’t come back out of the church, I was worried. I came looking for you once Mr. Miller left with Father Wright. Are you okay, did he do something to you?”
“No, I’m fine can you just drive me home. Please Becks I just want to forget this whole weekend. I need none of it to have happened. Please!” I beg and plead with him to just let it all go.
“If that’s what you want Katie. Come on.”
Becks drives me the short distance home. He wanted to come in and sit with me, but I can’t be around anyone right now. He said he understood but made me promise to call, or text him later, so that he knows I am okay.
I feel bad about blowing him off and I know he shouldn’t be driving in this nasty snow, but I am selfish. Flopping down in my mom’s favorite chair by the window, I shiver. This house is even colder than normal with the power out. I think I am still in shock about Mr. Miller acting the way he did. Never expected him to look at me in that way. He has been my dentist for the past four years or so. I thought he hired me to watch Chase because he thought I was a good kid. I can remember him saying that to his wife the first time they let me watch Chase.
Trying not to feel sorry for myself, I get up and start looking for matches. My mother keeps plenty of candles throughout the house. After finding some in the kitchen, I light a few candles and grab a blanket. Wrapping the quilt around myself, right now I am wishing I hadn’t returned that ugly Snuggie Deloris bought me for my Christmas. It would be perfect right now. Shoot I should probably check on her. She is old and alone.
I throw the quilt down in the chair and slip my boots back on. When I get to my gate I notice Becks is still sitting out here in his car. I tap on his window. “Go home Becks!”
“Just wanted to make sure you are okay. I thought Mr. Miller might show up.” His teeth are chattering.
“I told you nothing happened, I was just freaked out by the storm and the car skidding. I was running to get out of the cold.”
“Then why were you hiding in the confessional?”
“Let it go Becks and go home. I’m going to go check on Mrs. Jennings. I’ll text you tomorrow. Okay?” He reluctantly concedes and slowly drives away.
After seeing that my neighbor is okay I go home and read by candlelight until I fall asleep. Happy Fecking Valentine’s Day!
Chapter 7
The humming of the baseboard heater in the living room is humming in my ear. The smell of bacon wafting through my nostrils wakes me from my sleep. I twist and crack my back, feeling stiff from sleeping in the chair. Still half asleep, I wander into the kitchen to see my mother cooking. She never cooks at home. She says she has to see food enough at the diner; she doesn’t want to look at it at home too. She must have had a great date last night. She never buys bacon either; she says it is too expensive.
“This was on the porch for you this morning.” My mom reaches a manila envelope to me from the top of the refrigerator. “Breakfast will be ready in about twenty minutes. I was waiting to wake you. You just looked so cute curled up in my chair. Reminded me of when you was three, you loved sleeping in my chair.” My mom is being all nostalgic and overly sweet, it’s creepy.
“Um thanks,” I mumble taking the envelope and going to my room to open it.
I lay across my bed on my stomach as I open the envelope spilling its contents onto my bedspread. Holy shit! There is five-hundred dollars. I unfold the letter.
Katie,