take me to church

Rebellion was a tricky business. Despite her family’s tarnished reputation, everyone called Astrid the golden child of Auburn. With a grandmother like hers, Astrid had no choice but to shine. If she didn’t, she risked the wrath of Nan’s wooden spoon and her venomous words. Young Astrid learned that her happiness and freedom wasn’t worth the hassle. When people commented on her perfect behavior, Nan claimed that God had shown her the way. While Astrid believed that He worked in mysterious ways, she doubted that His plans included wooden spoons or threats.

After 28 years of being the perfect grandchild, Astrid realized she had nothing to live for. Unlike the other adults her age, she still lived and worked at home. Everyone else was halfway across the world, either going on adventures or starting families of their own. Not her. The highlight of her week was Sunday, which was her day to attend church and go grocery shopping alone. How pathetic was that?

While Astrid knew she couldn’t pick up and leave in the middle of the night, she could, however, rebel in small ways. When she went out with her little friend group, she got a drink with dinner. (The first time, the whole table ‘oohed’ and 'ahhed’ after her first sip.) Next, her wardrobe started to change. Out went the flared skirts and the ugly dresses from the '50s. When Nan had first seen Astrid wearing jeans and a t-shirt, she almost had a heart attack. The poor older women literally clutched her chest, gasping for breath. (While it wasn’t funny in the moment, she laughed about it later.)

Astrid contemplated her next bout of rebellion when an idea struck her. For the last few weeks, the community was abuzz with curiosity. Father Michael was retiring, and the parish would welcome in a new priest in the coming weeks. The word on the street was that the new Father was young, but no one knew just how young until Sunday morning. After parking the car and helping Nan out, Betty Loud and Meredith jumped the pair. They were Nan’s best friends and also the town gossips. They spoke above one another, tea spilling from their lips as they headed towards the church.

Betty Lou claimed he was much too handsome to be a priest and remarked whether it would cause an issue. Meredith added that he seemed like a nice young man, but that he wouldn’t last six months. Astrid rolled her eyes, tuning out the catty older women as they walked up the steps to the church. When Astrid caught sight of the new priest, she stifled a gasp. The man before he looked like he belonged on the cover of GQ, not standing in front of a parish. She smiled politely, shook his hand, and then led Nan to the front pew.

Once they sat down, Astrid let out a breath. Maybe Betty Lou was right. He was way too handsome to be a priest, and that would definitely cause a distraction. Nan made her own set of comments about the priest, noting that he looked like the devil blessed him with too good looks. Astrid covered a laugh and shook her head. She gently scolded Nan, telling her that she needed to give the young man a chance. Nan’s returning look made Astrid roll her eyes. She wasn’t going to play nice, of course.

Throughout the whole sermon, Astrid watched him intently, noticing how often he looked over at her. She nodded encouragingly when he stumbled, hoping it helped. The older generation was going to take some time to warm up to him, so he would need all the support he could get. Once the sermon finished, Astrid smugly realized that this could be her next bout of rebellion. Supporting the new priest would piss Nan off. Helping him around the church would only sweeten the deal. Nan couldn’t yell at her for helping around God’s house. Besides, it would make the old woman feel bad for thinking such catty thoughts.

Once most of the house cleared out, Astrid excused herself. Nan let out a grunt but turned back to her friends. Nan usually played bridge with the ladies after church, so she didn’t need a ride home. Stepping lightly, Astrid stopped behind the Father. She cleared her throat, hoping he’d notice. “Excuse me, Father,” she called out. She smiled brightly once she’d earned his attention. “I thought I’d introduce myself. I’m Astrid Archer.” She held out her hand, hoping for a polite handshake. “I really enjoyed your sermon today; I thought you did a wonderful job.”

James exhaled, the sermon completed, feeling his shoulders slacken. He’d successfully done his first sermon, at his own parish. He almost wanted to savour the moment on the plinth, but time wouldn’t stand still, even for God’s children. 

After he’d spoken to a few different people, muttering repeated ‘peace be with you’, to each with a grasped hand and knowing nod, the church became quiet. He figured it was time to retire to his quarters and continue unpacking. He’d been so focused on perfecting his sermon for today’s service that he barely had a bed to sleep on.

As he began to gather his notes, though, a throat cleared behind him. He turned, and immediately flushed with a pleasant surprise. It was the blonde woman, smiling softly, introducing herself. She was more radiant a foot away from James than she had been moments before, in the pews. There was something so holy about God’s light upon her skin and in her hair. He found himself smiling wider than his usual cursory smirk. He would be lying if he were to say she wasn’t a beauty. She truly was. Milky skin and kind eyes, he could tell she held deep wisdom beyond her years. James wondered if she was the kind of churchgoer who attended confession. Would he learn of her life? Of her depth? He couldn’t place why (if he tried to think too deeply about it, he knew he would struggle to unthink of it), but he hoped he would see her in his church often. 

“Astrid,” he repeated, feeling the word over his tongue. “Devine strength,” he noted, realising a moment too late that he had come across oddly. Hers was a Christian name, and James had made a note of their meaning over his coursework. He laughed, embarrassed. “Your name’s meaning,” he clarified, fixing Astrid with strong eye contact. “It’s lovely.” 

He shook her hand, feeling a strange churning in his stomach at the skin contact. Her grasp was gentle but firm. He abruptly pulled from it, when he realised how fixated he was becoming, clearing his throat. 

James stuttered. He forgot how to introduce himself. Was he Father Wiley? No, that was for senior priests, surely. He wanted an informal relationship with his parish, and however he introduced himself today, would set a precedent for the future. Father James, then? But wasn’t it improper to refer to himself by title? He seemed to remember reading it was more modest to go by one’s birth name.

“Father James Wiley,” he decided. “But call me James, please.” He smiled broadly. “I am not used to the title yet, and the last thing I’d want is for you to think I was ignoring you when you call.” 

Astrid’s compliments brought a blush to his cheeks. “You’re too kind,” James replied, ducking his head with modesty. “I have large shoes to fill in Auburn, I know,” he ran his hand through his hair, nervously. “I have to admit, this was my first sermon…” he paused, wondering why he was being so candid with a complete stranger. “That was probably obvious,” he laughed, shaking his head. “I don’t think I’ve stumbled over so many words since I had to do an oral presentation in High School.”