by Rob Mclean
She felt her throat tighten and her eyes threatened to fill with tears. She wished she could give each and every one of them back, at least some measure of the love she felt and wondered if this might be some faint inkling of what Heaven might be like one day.
Then Zeke stood and like a match-winning goal-scorer raised both fists above his head and let out a whoo-hoo of joy. He then grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. Her hand was thrust aloft for all to see. She tried to wave and acknowledge the good-wishes, but Zeke planted a big wet kiss on her pressed lips before turning back to the adoring crowd.
Her tears flowed freely. Bittersweet tears; a heart-felt show of acceptance of the crowd’s love, but also for the loss of John’s love. Now that her engagement had officially been announced, her commitment to a life with Zeke solidified and the alternative with John faded.
Angela suddenly felt her parent’s absence. Did they know this announcement was coming? Is that why they didn’t come? She knew her mother was all for this arrangement, but it wasn’t like her father to use his illness to avoid anything unpleasant. She didn’t know, but she did wish her mother was around, if only to supply a tissue.
“I’m sure you’ll all join me in wishing these wonderful young people a long and happy future as they walk together with our Lord.”
A huge cheer went up interspersed with many ‘hallelujahs’ and ‘amens’. Angela wiped away her tears with someone’s proffered handkerchief and put on a smile that was brighter than she felt. Doubts had to be pushed aside as she reminded herself that her path had been determined.
“I’m sure you know there will be many trials and tribulations ahead for this couple, as there will be ahead of all of us before our Lord returns…”
Another chorus of ‘Amens’ burst forth, which this time Pastor Greg ignored. He barely faltered as he continued.
“Which we all hope and pray will be soon.” He paused and his own congregation, including Angela and Zeke added their own ‘Amens’. This brought a genuine smile momentarily to Pastor Greg’s lips, but it soon faded as he went on.
“But until then,” Pastor Greg’s voice had an extra joviality in it, as if he too sensed her doubts and was trying to allay them, “let us not forget our Lord is the source of all the Joy and Love and Hope in our lives.” He lifted his arms to the heavens, “So let us stand and sing our praises.”
A combined churches band started up as the congregation stood. Aaron flashed a grin to Christy who waved back. If her parents had any problems with their daughter’s choice of boyfriend, they didn’t show it. Angela decided she’d have to ask Christy more about it later.
The familiar gentle chords of ‘The Joy of the Lord’ started up and the congregation stood to sing.
‘Though the tears may fall
My song will rise
My song will rise to You…’
The words were supposed to be inspirational, but they couldn’t shake Angela’s sombre mood. She had never failed to feel lifted by the song the many times she had sung it before, but today it failed to reach her.
The song ended, but Aaron kept the beat as the band continued into the next song, “Good Father.” Another song followed, all with the theme of a loving God looking after His flock, but they too left her unmoved. They sat down again as soon as the echoes of last notes died. An unquiet doubt that God wasn’t connecting with her wouldn’t be stilled.
Pastor Greg continued in a more solemn tone, “Our Lord is the source of all our Love and Joy and Hope. We must all remember that when we see all the events that have happened so quickly lately. Even with all our social media and interconnectivity, I feel that, I for one, have had great difficulty keeping up with it all. Long, time-honoured traditions and establishments, treaties and borders have been broken and cast aside in the turmoil following the Alien Anti-Christ’s arrival. But we shouldn’t be surprised. It was all foretold.”
A stillness blanketed the congregation. Angela, like everyone else in the crowd, had read or heard all about the ‘Last Days’ and the ‘End Time’ prophesies. Like everyone else, she just never thought she’d be actually living through them.
“We, the council of Elders, have agreed that we will have to move our churches…”
This was met with a rumble of voices.
Angela just nodded, but Zeke leaned close and said in her ear, “Not me.”
“The need to move is not in dispute, it is just the where and when. There are many options open to us and we would sure appreciate input from the church in this matter. Once we decide where to move, then we can sort out when it will happen. Again, if anyone feels the presence of God in their heart on this matter, we would love to hear from you.”
He scanned the crowd and paused to give the opportunity to anyone who felt moved by God to speak. He was met by uncomfortable silence.
A rising feeling of discomfort made Angela’s breathing quicken. Had none of the elders received any guidance themselves? Is that why he was throwing it out to the congregation? It only reinforced Angela’s growing feeling of wrongness. Had God abandoned everyone?
Looking around, she thought she could see the same thought mirrored on many faces. She was glad her parents weren’t here to hear all this. It was going to be hard enough for them. Maybe her mother was right in that they should not be moving?
Pastor Greg finished looking around the room and deciding there was no help to be seen, turned to hand the microphone to Pastor Jonas.
It was then the gymnasium doors banged shut. Unlike everyone else, Angela politely decided to ignore whoever was turning up late.
“Well, speak of the Devil,” Zeke growled.
By the tone of his voice, Angela didn’t need to ask who Zeke was talking about. She swung around to look where Zeke was glaring.
John stood, holding Maddie’s hand, looking sheepish. He mouthed ‘sorry’ to the sea of turned faces.
“Welcome, brother and sister,” Pastor Jonas waved away John’s apologies and beckoned them in. “Come join us.”
“What’s he doing here?” Zeke demanded.
‘I’ll find out,” Chelsea said with a suggestive grin as she shuffled around past her brother and Angela.
“Remind him of the court order,” Zeke said. “He’s supposed to keep away from us.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Chelsea smiled sweetly, “we’re in a church.”
Zeke grunted but said nothing.
Pastor Jonas had finished talking, Angela registered something about the need to stay united in the coming times, and he had introduced the next song, but her mind was on other things.
As they stood to sing, Angela felt her eyes drawn to John. She wished he hadn’t come today, for it would have been much easier if it were a clean break. If she didn’t see him again, she wouldn’t be reminded how much she had lost when she let him go and have the pain relived over again.
“Why are you staring at him?” Zeke demanded.
“I’m not,” Angela lied and dragged her attention away. That John had not noticed her or even looked around to find her hurt her more than she cared to admit. “I wish he hadn’t come here today.”
“So, how’d he know we’d be here?” Zeke’s eyes narrowed. “Did you tell him?”
“No! God, that’s the last thing I’d want.” Angela said with conviction.
“Hmmm,” Zeke said, screwing his hands into fists, “I’ll tell him to get lost.”
“You can’t do that.”
“No?”
“We’re in church.”
It then occurred to Angela that it was because they were in church that Zeke might feel safe enough that he could confront someone bigger, like John, and be confident that the confrontation wouldn’t actually come to blows.
Zeke turned back and gave Angela a hard look. “He can find himself another church.”
Over Zeke’s shoulder, Angela saw Chelsea greet John with a prolonged hug.
She had sidled up next to him and had one arm over his shoul
der as she guided him and Maddie back to where she had been sitting.
Angela groaned as she saw Chelsea was bringing John to sit with them. She motioned to Zeke to move along and make room for them. He scowled as he slid along to where Chelsea had been.
John’s discomfort was plain to see. Above the singing, Angela couldn’t hear exactly what he was saying to Chelsea, but clearly they were politely debating over who should sit closest to her. Chelsea appeared to be relishing both of their anguish.
Thankfully, Maddie caught sight of Angela and with a squeak of delight, rushed in alongside to give her a big hug. John followed behind her and Chelsea sealed off his escape by blocking the aisle.
Angela nodded a curt greeting to John and a brief frown at Chelsea, who beamed in return. Up on stage she saw Pastor Greg excusing himself and making his way off the stage.
Zeke announced, “C’mon, we’re outta here.”
“What? Now, in the middle of the song?”
“Yeah, we’ll find somewhere else to sit.” He grabbed her hand and started to pull her away.
Angela snatched her hand back. “No.”
“No?” Zeke’s nostrils flared. “You’re not staying here with him.”
“Your sister sat him here, talk to her about it. I’m not moving now.” When she saw Zeke’s face, she added, “not in the middle of worship.”
John leaned in closer, “Look, hey, I don’t want to cause any trouble. We’ll move away…”
Zeke pushed past Angela and pointed his finger into John’s chest, “You’ve caused enough trouble already, you can just shut the…”
He didn’t get to finish his sentence as the doors to the gym burst open with a resonating boom. Other doors around the gym belatedly crashed open with more riot gear clad personnel, echoing the first group in a synchronised raid.
“You!” Zeke seethed at John.
“They’re not my crew.”
“You led them here?” Angela couldn’t believe he could betray her so readily.
“No, they’re nothing to do with me.” Angela thought she could hear the sincerity in his words, or was she just being overly sympathetic?
“You really expect us to believe that?” Zeke snapped, “You’re so full of shit.”
“Believe what you want fella.” John breathed deeply through a clenched jaw. Angela could see the effort he was making to keep himself calm.
Through a bullhorn, the officer in charged announced that she and her designated deputies were acting to enforce the new laws implemented by the state of California in accordance with the policies of the New United Nations World Government. She said it all in a nice apologetic tone, but there was no mistaking the steely intention behind her gentle words.
“My officers will ensure this illegal meeting is dispersed, in accordance with the new laws.”
A swell of mutterings rose at the news. Zeke swore.
“You will not be arrested today,” the officer continued, lifting both her arms, trying to wave down the protests. “You may consider it a warning. But before you folks leave, we will be getting your details – in case any of you decide to reoffend.”
“Shit!” Zeke said as his eyes darted around the room. “We gotta get outta here.”
“I don’t care if they want to take down my name,” Angela said, squaring her chin. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“I’m going now,” Zeke said. “You coming with me, or not?”
“And just where would we be going? They’ve got the place surrounded.”
Zeke didn’t answer, but his eyes kept darting around the room.
Up on stage Pastor Jonas spoke. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Troopers moved to take his microphone away, but he continued, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” He spoke quicker and louder as the troopers advanced. “Rejoice and be glad…”
The sound died as the power was cut, but he kept shouting out his words, “for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets before you.”
He fell silent when the troopers grabbed him. Having delivered the Biblical quote from Matthew, he had probably concisely summed up his entire sermon in a few short sentences. The courage seemed to bleed out of Pastor Jonas when one of the troopers laid a hand on his shoulder and directed him to the doors.
“Peace brothers,” the Pastor said to his congregation as he was led past.
The officer in charge ordered all the congregations to line up at her door to be processed. The other doors were blocked by burly troopers.
“I can’t let them get me,” Zeke said almost to himself. “We gotta go.”
“No,” Angela said, “I’m staying.”
“Fine,” Zeke spat. He glared at John.
“Don’t think you can make it out, but if you want to hide…” John’s eyes looked towards the toilets. “Maybe in the roof space above the rest-rooms?”
Angela saw Zeke actually considered it for a moment, before he shook his head. “Ha! As if I’d trust you not to rat me out.”
John just shrugged, but he had a sly grin as if he was actively enjoying Zeke’s growing panic.
“Remind me again,” Zeke’s eyes narrowed, “just how did you find out about this service today?” His eyes then slid the accusation to Angela. “Did she ask you here?”
“I already told you…” Angela felt her temper rising.
A hand clapped on John’s shoulder. “I asked him here today,” Pastor Greg said. “I hope you all,” he shot a pointed look at Zeke, “will welcome him as a brother in Christ.”
“But he’s not a Christian,” Zeke said, “not a proper one. He’s only here for my Angie.”
John’s eyes flicked to Angela and in them, she caught a fleeting confirmation of Zeke’s accusation. Her heart leapt to her throat. His eyes smiled as he saw hope in her reaction.
“He may not be as far along in his Christian walk as others,” Pastor Greg laid his other hand on Zeke’s shoulder, “but we should encourage him all the same.”
“Are you?” Angela paused, trying not to let her hopes rise as she asked, “here to become a Christian?”
“Actually,” John shuffled on one foot, “I came because Maddie wanted to come.”
“I like the singing,” Maddie added.
Angela gave her a smile, but it was forced. He’s not ready to commit to Christ, she acknowledged. It validated her choice to be with Zeke, but her heart still felt heavy.
“Sure,” Zeke’s voice heavy with sarcasm was directed at John, “and for no other reason?”
“That and to brighten up your day, pal.” John said without a trace of hostility.
“Whatever his reasons,” Pastor Greg continued, “they are his and not for us to question. This is not some sort of special club where you have to declare your allegiance as you walk in the door…”
Zeke opened his mouth to protest, but the Pastor acknowledged him with a raised hand and continued, “at least not right away.” He turned to John and with a serene, beatific smile, added, “It may be that his spiritual awakening has started and he doesn’t realise it yet.”
“Well, that’s gotta be better than being God’s glove puppet.” John grinned at his own joke.
In response to the Pastor’s blank, blinking face, Angela said, “He means God using the worldly to do his work.”
“Oh, yes, I guess it could be seen that way, but then, doing God’s work without knowing it is better than declaring loudly to the world that you’re a Christian and doing nothing else.”
“That’s right,” Zeke said. “Too many people here are asleep at the wheel. The Antichrist’s coming to town and everyone’s running away.” He shook his head and then to John, he said, “You know, you could really prove yourself by helping us out here. Like I said before, we could really use the help.”
John rubbed his chin with exaggerated seriousnes
s, “ Nah, I don’t think I’m that spiritually awake yet.”
Zeke’s eyes narrowed. “In the meantime, you’re working undercover,” he pointed to the state security troopers at the door, “for them, infiltrating the faithful…”
“Now Ezekiel, don’t be too quick to judge,” Pastor Greg said as he took his hand off John’s shoulder and placed it over Zeke’s chest. “You cannot know what is in another’s heart.”
“I know enough.” Zeke stepped away.
“Where’re you going?” Angela asked “Why don’t you just line up like everyone else?” Angela tried to sound reasonable. “What have you got to hide?”
Zeke snorted. “You have no idea.” To John he added, “You know, I might just have to take up your idea,” but when he turned and with exaggerated casualness, meandered away, it was in the wrong direction.
“Now where do you reckon he thinks he’s going?” Pastor Greg rubbed his dome.
“You know he’d be on some watch lists,” John said. “He’s been seen at lots of protest incidents.”
“He has a right to protest. It’s a free country.” Angela crossed her arms, but John’s sardonic shake of his head told her he thought otherwise.
“Things have changed,” the Pastor said with a gentle touch on her arm. “But I’m sure we’re still allowed to protest.”
“Sure,” John added, “but not violently.”
“Zeke wouldn’t do that,” Angela said, but then she remembered what Zeke said about killing the Alien AntiChrist. She hadn’t thought he was serious, but his behaviour today brought that into doubt.
“I think he’s more like the guy who makes the bullets, not the guy who fires the gun,” John said.
“At least he’s trying to do something.”
Pastor Greg nodded thoughtfully. “I sure hope he doesn’t get involved in something he’ll regret,” he said directly to Angela.
“Don’t look at me like that, I’m not responsible for what he does.”
“No?” Pastor Greg raised one eyebrow and Angela felt his admonishment.