6.
Marco and Josie were happy to see Patty and me getting ready to go to church, giving us encouragement and instructions as we got ready. We had no idea what to expect or how to dress, even though Liam and Egan had told us to dress casually. That could have several different meanings for a woman’s wardrobe. I finally settled on a blue summer dress and Patty on a green skirt with a white gypsy top.
We arrived a little late; the church was already full of people sitting in the pews chatting to those next to them or reading the same news notice we had been given on entering the building.
The church was charming and stylish, not enormous and lavish as I had imagined it to be and it felt very welcoming. I’m sure at a squash it could take at least three hundred people. There were three rows of pews leading up to the stairs that spread across the front of the stage. There was a board to left on the wall with six sets of numbers on it and I immediately wondered what they were for. The people were dressed very casually; in fact Patty and I were overdressed, but they were exceptionally friendly. Little babies nestled in their parents’ arms while toddlers and older children were moving around all over the show, making it look more like a crèche than a church. When a gentleman called out from the podium everyone went quiet and the children quickly made their ways to where their parents sat.
Even though we saw where Liam and Egan were sitting, we found an empty back pew and sat down; picking up the song books that had been resting on the pew waiting for us. We looked at each other and smiled nervously, looking around at all the people that seemed to be so enormously happy.
The gentleman at the front introduced himself as Garth and welcomed everyone to the worship service. He mentioned a few announcements that were relevant we presumed, to all the members rather than to us. To our surprise Tania’s boyfriend, Nathan, stood up with the same song book we had and motioned everyone to stand; and we all duly did. He asked us all to turn to song number 302 and I realised this was what the numbers on the wall meant – I whispered as much to Patty, who nodded as we turned to song 302. Everyone began to sing with Nathan as did we, though I should rather say we just mumbled along.
After the song we all sat down again and a man named Josh stood up at the podium. He told everyone he would be doing the Lord’s Supper. It was all very interesting to us as we listened deeply to what he was saying, trying to understand the reasons behind what they were doing. Pieces of communion bread and little cups of grape juice were passed around and once everyone had theirs, prayers were said and everyone ate and drank then prayed silently. I felt so moved, and determined to ask Egan to explain this to me in more detail. We were all asked by Nathan to stand up again and to sing another song. Two rows in front of us an old lady sneezed as she stood up and at the same time expelled what could be classified as a squeaky fart. The people in the row in front of us snickered but continued to sing without any further ado. Patty and I looked at each other, a combination of nervousness and anxiety and both of us had to cover our faces with our song books to hide our giggling. We couldn’t stop as the giggling led to laughter which we had to try and stifle or else we’d cause a scene. The tears began to roll down our faces and our shoulders started to shake as we laughed silently, still hiding our faces in our song books. The more we tried to stifle our laughter the more we wanted to burst out laughing. We had to leave the building.
Outside in the parking lot we could finally burst out laughing and get the bubble of air out of our systems. Our laughter became so hysterical that our knees no longer allowed us to stand and we both sat down on the steps with a bump. It was not that the little old lady’s fart had been unusually funny or unusual at all, but our nervousness had gotten the better of us and the incident had been the perfect release.
It took a while for us to compose ourselves, to stop rethinking our stupidity enough to curb another outburst. We went to the bathroom to clean up our faces and to try and compose ourselves.
Finally back in our seats we rejoined the service about five minutes into Minister Wade’s sermon. He had a voice that was captivating; one just had to listen to what he was saying. He spoke about Jesus and the eternal life He offered. He said one thing that stuck in my head for the rest of the day, actually for the rest of the week and then some.
He said, ‘We will all die one day and so what? We will all leave this earth and leave our loved ones behind, and so what? The only thing that matters is where we go after we die. That is all that matters.’
Then he asked a question which also really stuck, ‘Where are you going? Are you ready to die confidently? Do you know that when you die you can live forever? Are you ready?’
I sat still and silently for however long his sermon took – it could have taken the whole day and I would have listened intently throughout; the episode with the little old lady long forgotten. The sermon reached into places in my soul that I had no idea existed.
Egan must explain this to me again someday soon, I thought excitedly.
After the service, Liam, Egan and the other friends we knew all met us outside the church building, and they dragged us back in again to have tea and coffee and to introduce us to the other church members. The question they were dying to ask was whether we had enjoyed the service, afraid that we might say no and never return. We put them at ease with our positive responses, and when we told them about our little old lady episode they found it hilarious and almost set Patty and me off again. We were rescued by Minister Wade introducing himself to us. He naturally wanted to know a bit about who we were and how we knew Liam and Egan and whether we had enjoyed the service and of course he welcomed us back at any time.
Finally Patty and I left with Liam and Egan in tow, and went to Patty’s house, to two very eager parents waiting to hear all our news. They were undoubtedly extremely happy we had enjoyed it so much and Liam invited them to join us next Sunday; Marco accepting the invitation before Liam had even finished asking. Josie had made a huge lunch and threatened us with our lives if we had other plans. If Liam and Egan did have, they very quickly cancelled for fear of Josie’s wrath.
After an enormous lunch we sat in their backyard beside the pool. It was a warm summer’s day but I was not going into the direct sun for anyone’s sake. I was, as Egan had predicted, peeling all over my back and my upper arms and even on my face. I looked like a snake shredding its skin. It was as annoyingly itchy as it was hideous, and Patty found great pleasure in pulling the skin off my back like she was peeling an orange.
As expected, it was not long before the conversation turned to cars and other car related topics. Josie and I excused ourselves and went to the kitchen to clean up.
‘They are such nice boys, I really like them,’ Josie said, nudging me in the side with her elbow.
‘I know, it just seems so perfect sometimes that I worry it’s too perfect.’
‘It makes me and Marco so happy that you and Patty have found good-mannered God-fearing boys.’
‘Now, now Josie, don’t get ahead of yourself. Egan and I have not even kissed yet and you’re marrying us off already!’
‘Oh you and Egan, and Patty and Liam, you’re going to get married. I just know it.’
She said it so matter of fact she convinced me of its truth. A truth I wouldn’t mind having come true.
We returned to the rest of them to find out that we were all going to the race track at Killarney Gardens the weekend after next to watch the racing.
‘Oh yay, we get to see more cars and this time they will be making a noise. Maybe Josie, if we go back into the kitchen and come out again they will have changed their minds again and we won’t be going anymore.’
Josie snickered but Egan seemed to think I was serious.
‘I’m sorry, I wouldn’t want you to go anywhere you don’t want to go, sorry for making plans without asking you first,’ he said, looking worriedly at me.
I noticed his accent wasn’t so strong anymore, or rather perhaps I could just understand him better.
I knew I had fallen in love with him; my heart was a complete mess of mush listening to him sounding so concerned. Josie smiled at me while I’m sure she was seeing wedding bells in my eyes at the same time.
‘It’s okay, I’m only joking, it will be fine. Besides, Josie will keep me company when I get lost in translation,’ I replied, laughing and instinctively placing my hand on his upper arm in reassurance.
‘Excellent,’ he said happily as he rejoined Marco and the other petrol-heads to talk about more cars I guessed.
The conversation switched back and forth from cars to church and back again, and in between, everyone except me, took dips in the pool. We had a wonderful relaxing day and the time went by as fast as it usually does when a good time is being had. And before we knew it, it was time for me to make my way home. Liam and Egan insisted they drive behind me to make sure I got home safely before making their way home.
I was hardly in the cottage when Dena was at my side asking questions. The more I emphasised how much I had enjoyed church and Egan’s company, the more annoyed she became. The more annoyed she got, the more she insulted me, the church and Egan, until eventually I got angry and told her to get out.
Why did she always have to push it so far? I could just not understand why we would always end up having an argument; why she always had to resort to insulting everyone – my newfound friends were no threat to her whatsoever. I really just didn’t understand her.
As she left, slamming the door behind her, my phone buzzed.
A text message from Egan: ‘Thx 4 a gr8 day, may I take you out 4 dinner 2moro nite?’
My anger lifted instantly and the smile stretched across my face all the way to my ears.
‘I wld luv to go out 4 dinner with you thx 4 asking me,’ I texted him back.
I danced my way to my room clutching my phone to my chest.
His reply came: ‘Awesome, will pick you up at 7pm. Sleep well, God bless.’
I could have floated if it were possible. Dena could think and act how she pleased, she had no idea and I doubted she could ever know what it felt like to be so happy.
As I stood under the shower, rubbing my skin and trying to remove the flakes, I relived the day in my head, from Minister Wade’s meaningful words to Egan’s eyes, smile and touch and then back to Minister Wade’s sermon. I would definitely talk to Egan on our date about what Minister Wade had said. I just had to find out more about what made this church so important to them.
7.
I arrived home and was dying to get ready for my date with Egan; it was all I had thought about since his text message the previous night. In the driveway stood a car I did not recognise and after putting my bag down I went to Dena’s house.
Probably another boyfriend! I thought and of course I was right.
Where did she find these poor suckers?
I was introduced to Juan, a man at least ten to fifteen years younger than she, but I would wager that he did not know this. He was an acquaintance through work and they were going on a date. I had to find out where they were going, as the last thing I wanted was to end up at the same restaurant with Egan. So whatever happened tonight, Egan and I would not be going to Tappa’s. I made a polite exit and hurried to my cottage as soon as the door closed behind me.
As I showered and began to get dressed, my stomach rounded up all the butterflies it could and they made their presence known. A smile appeared on my face and every now and then I would burst into a giggle. At last, I decided on a pair of black pants and a burnt orange hippie-styled shirt with leather sandals almost the same colour orange. I left my hair natural and loose and put on a smudge of make-up and a splash of perfume to finish me off; then I agreed that I was ready.
It was only six-thirty, and I had a full thirty minutes to wait before Egan arrived. Not a good thing for the relentless butterflies.
My cottage I kept clean and tidy on my own. I did not allow Josie to clean it; I had just too much respect for her aside from seeing her as my surrogate mother. However, I had to do something; just sitting, waiting, was only churning the butterflies into a frenzy. So, I got out the feather duster and dusted anything and everything. Finally, when the doorbell rang, I spun around and ran to the door, opening it in a matter of seconds. Egan faced me with a single white lily in his hands, and a huge smile but he had a rather confused look on his face.
‘Do we have to clean up before we leave?’ he asked, looking at the brightly coloured feather duster in my hand.
I felt my face go red and I laughed as I explained that I had needed to keep myself busy and moved aside to allow him inside the cottage. He gave me enough time to put the feather duster down and collect my jacket and bag before he ushered me out of the house and to his car. He held the passenger door open for me as I got in, and then closed it gently before moving around to the driver’s side and sliding in behind the steering wheel. As he started his car, which seemed to be a smaller version of a Jeep, he rubbed his hands together and let out a boyish Irish laugh.
‘Vanda, I have to tell you, I’m so excited and nervous at the same time. I’ve been dying to ask you out since that day on the beach – thank you for accepting.’
He just looked at me; he did not stare but he just looked at me for a few seconds then turned to concentrate on reversing the car out of the driveway.
All I could say was, ‘I’m so happy you asked me.’
It was quiet for a few minutes while we calmed our initial excitement and then I remembered Dena.
‘Where are we going if you don’t mind me asking?’
‘Oh, I thought we might go to the carnival that’s here for the week and eat loads of junk food, unless you would rather go to a restaurant of course?
I giggled with glee, it sounded so perfect. It was exactly the first date I would have wanted.
‘No, that sounds perfect! How did you know I would enjoy this?’
‘Well,’ he said blushing slightly, ‘I cheated! I phoned Patty and asked her what you’d prefer, the carnival or a fancy restaurant? She recommended the carnival. Do you mind that I phoned her?’
‘Um, no, not at all; I think I must have a little word with my best friend tomorrow though.’
‘I hope I have not caused a problem?’
‘No, silly, I’m just teasing you,’ I patted his leg in reassurance.
The carnival site was brightly lit up with hundreds of lights; some flashing and all a variety of colours. Walking towards the entrance, I could feel the carnival atmosphere pulling us towards it. Egan took my hand as we wobbled over the uneven grass which prickled my feet through my open sandals. My heart pounded, not from the walk but from his touch, so much so that my concentration on walking steadily wavered just enough for me to put my foot into a small hole in the ground. If it were not for his strong grip around my hand, I would’ve met the ground unpleasantly and embarrassingly.
‘Careful there, the ground is very uneven,’ Egan said, as if I did not know it.
He held me with both arms as I steadied myself and even though I was so very stupidly embarrassed, I thought I could have just stayed there like that with him holding me forever.
‘You think?’ I mumbled.
We finally got to the entrance safely, still holding hands. Egan paid the entrance fee refusing my offer to pay for myself, and we headed straight for the food stands, Egan holding me close to his side as if afraid I might get lost. I welcomed his gesture gladly.
‘I’m starving. What do you feel like eating?’ he said, already pulling money from his wallet.
I opted for a shwarma and he chose to have a few boerewors rolls. Walking slowly to the makeshift eating area full of tables and chairs, we found an open table and quickly sat down to enjoy the rest of our meal. I was so grateful at the chance to sit down and eat, as the shwarma became increasingly juicy and difficult to eat. I had to wipe my mouth with the provided serviettes after every bite, and if it was not for the table, half of my food would’ve been on my shirt. Egan was having similar problems with all five of his juicy boerewors rolls, causing us to laugh after every bite. Finally we washed our food down with a can of cooldrink. We were full and satisfied and got up to walk around.
I noticed Egan looking at the high adrenalin rides and quickly told him, ‘Please let all this food settle before we go on any of those rides, unless you want my food returned for credit!’
He burst out laughing, ‘I was actually thinking the same thing!’
With us both agreeing to wait before becoming adrenalin junkies, we amused ourselves with the stalls – shooting pellets at targets, throwing hoops over sticks, throwing balls at plastic bottles and laughing more than I had laughed all my life. We challenged each other at every turn, threatening to beat each other at every game. Sadly I lost them all but it was amusing to see his macho male ego take over at the very thought of a woman beating him at anything.
By the time we made it to the big rides, our arms were so full of prizes, small teddy bears and silly toys, that Egan decided to put them in the car for fear of losing them on the rides. I patiently waited at the Big Wheel ticket office, hoping my food was at the base of my stomach by now and with no plans of returning. He joined me again after several minutes, panting and out of breath, so I guessed he had run there and back.
‘Right, are you ready for this?’ he asked, paying for our tickets and still refusing to let me contribute.
The Big Wheel did not offer the same rush of speed and shear thrill that the Big Dipper would, but it gave us the opportunity to view the world in the dark, all lit up by sparkling lights. But most importantly it gave Egan the opportunity to put his arm around me without the chance of me running away. He took this chance and I smiled, hugging his side. We sat grinning and watching the world go up and down as we rotated in huge circles.
‘I’ve been wanting to ask you if you would come over one night and explain to me a bit more about what your minister preached about on Sunday, and also why you do that communion every Sunday?’ I spluttered, suddenly a little embarrassed.
‘How about Liam, Patty and I come over tomorrow night and we can talk about it? Apparently Patty was asking Liam the same thing.’
I agreed and we sat in silence until the wheel came to a stop when we were at the bottom. From there we moved to the bumper cars, and that I even had a neck left afterwards was incredible. I was pounded by Egan and everyone else that noticed what a useless driver and easy target I was.
Then we went to those crazy super fast swings that swayed out almost parallel to the ground as they went around and around and around. People were hooking their feet into the swings in front of them and pushing the person forward so they spun as they went around. I begged the woman behind me not to do it to me, and fortunately I was spared. I was flying parallel to the ground faster than I had ever moved in my life. When I looked at the ground I felt sick, if I looked up I felt sick. The wind slapped my face. Once we were back on solid ground, we were so drunk from spinning so fast that we staggered around for some time before our brains fell into place again. I pleaded that we would not have to do that ever again.
After a few other exhilarating rides and lots of excitement, we finally reached the Big Dipper. Egan got into his seat and clamped down the safety bar. He rubbed his hands together, literally bubbling from excitement at the forthcoming adrenalin rush.
‘I love this, it’s such a rush.’
I did not care to answer him as the seats began to move. My heart disappeared to my toes as we climbed and climbed and climbed some more, hearing a clicking sound as the train of seats made its way to the top. I’d thought the Big Wheel was high. I let out a nervous cry as we finally reached the top, and warned Egan to close his ears. He did not care; he was laughing so much and bursting with eagerness to get this ride really going. My heart made one solid movement from my toes to my head in a split-second as we dropped from zero speed to what felt to me like a thousand kilometres an hour. I screamed but no sound came out, my eyeballs fell to somewhere at the back of my head, my hair reached for the stars and then I found my voice. There was no telling which country could hear my voice, all I knew was that it was so loud it scared me. Egan laughed and laughed, thoroughly enjoying the rush. We were thrown from side to side, backwards and forwards and were shaken about as the train of seats sped around the bends and angles of the track.
When we came to a standstill I couldn’t get my hands to loosen the bar I was shaking so much. Egan remained in his seat and I looked at him confused.
He smiled, ‘I paid for two rides; we’re going again.’
I literally wanted to pee my pants.
I had to go through this again and the only thought that crossed my mind was that he was insane. The bars clicked shut again and away we went for another round of torture, Egan laughing and giggling in pure excitement. My adrenalin led me on a rollercoaster ride once again.