Cedar Ravine: 6.1

6:05 pm.

Church was supposed to start five minutes ago. But Papa was stalling, waiting. For what, I didn't know. 

Only about half of the congregation from Sunday was here. Brenae, Ivan, and Griffin; the Mexican family; and that was it.

No one moved, no one spake. The silence was loud, echoing throughout the sanctuary. It was nearly as uncomfortable as the icy cold we sat in.

I had never been to a mid-week Bible study that was so quiet. Actually, I couldn't remember ever sitting in a church with people around me, and being drowned in silence like we were right now. 

It was unheard of in the Apostolic world.

I pulled my sleeves down over my hands and wished I would have brought my hoodie. The heat never seemed to work in this place.

"Well," Papa looked at his watch, then out on us. "I suppose we could start."

Someone coughed behind me, warm breath tickling my neck. I stiffened, saw a small shadow duck to the right in my peripheral. One of those little Mexican children. The youngest one, it looked like, the one with the long black hair and bangs.

Papa must have decided to have no music for today because when he glanced at Kentucky, all he said was, "I'll have my son pray over the service tonight."

I shut my eyes, listened to Kentucky's low voice ring out, and heard a creak.

 Almost instinctively, my head swung towards the back of the church, and I saw Justin shuffle in with Erin. His gaze met mine, and he smiled.

I quickly turned around, shutting my eyes again, but not before I saw the slender figure slip in behind them. It was the dark-haired girl - the goddess girl. 

Pain pricked my hands, and I realized I was clenching my nails into my palms. I took a breath, opening my fists. Quit it. 

But I couldn't quit it. I didn't like her.

Kentucky finished his prayer, and Papa opened his Bible without further delay. After Sunday's experience, he must have realized there was no point in greetings. "Turning to the book of Genesis..."

I had forgotten my Bible again. I looked over Jackson's shoulder instead and caught a strong whiff of cedar. 

My lip curled. 

Even if I was forced to live here for the rest of my life, I didn't think I could ever learn to love that pencil-shaving-like smell.

"In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth."

He raised his head, finished, and I stared at him. What.

Jackson laughed. One short laugh, and I saw Ivan's and Brenae's heads twitch in our directions.

I kicked his foot. 

He kicked my ankle.

"A simple thought for today," said Papa. "On the Creator."

I could feel Brenae staring a hole in my head. It was as if Jackson's laugh had given her a license to stare.

"This town is a great example of the verse that states 'the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork.' All the trees, the mountains, the hills and valleys. I've even heard there's some lakes around here?"

Papa looked at the congregation as if he were expecting someone to pipe up and inform on the matter.

He was still looking for a response, trying to warm the people up to him. It wasn't working. And it wouldn't work. 

I wished he would recognize that.

Brenae's head had turned away from me, and she was staring back at Papa now. At least he had caught her interest. But I wasn't sure if it was for the right reason.

"It is obvious here," said Papa. "That the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen. It's all around us." He waved an arm. "The evidence of God."

Silence. No one uttered a sound, only stared at Papa. 

But it was different than Sunday. There was more than just a blank or empty face. 

I noticed Ivan no longer had a cheesy smile stretched across his face. He was serious. Deadly serious. With eyes locked onto Papa.

"It's a great privilege, actually. A tool in witnessing -"

I heard shifting behind me, over the sound of Papa's voice. The husband of the family behind me folded his arms across his chest. A sign of defense. Why was he feeling defensive?

There was a different atmosphere here. It wasn't tense, or as awkward. But there was something else. Something deeper that I couldn't quite place. I saw it in the skepticism on Erin's face, and the slight frown on Brenae's.

It was only Griffin that had the slightest expression of curiosity hidden behind his beard.

"- it's easy to look at creation and see the magnificence of God throughout it; to reverence and worship Him for what he has done -"

But the goddess girl wasn't even looking at Papa. She was looking at me, a thin smile curving her lips. She looked devilish. Like someone Mama would not want me associating with. Just go away, I thought.

She wasn't good for anything.

And then I saw something move behind her, a shift in the shadows. In the little sliver of a hallway separating the entrance doors and sanctuary stood a man. With red hair and a wide frame.

Silas.

He stood staring at Papa, and I wondered why he didn't walk in. I wondered if he would yell out, interrupt the sermon again, but he didn't. He was silent, only watching. Listening as Papa preached on about God, the creator of everything Himself.

It was as if he was waiting. For something.

I didn't trust him.