"The priority of any addict is to anaesthetise the pain of living to ease the passage of day with some purchased relief."
―Russell Brand
Isaac smiled as he handed Lacey the white paint. "Here. You're amazing at this."
"Thanks." Lacey smiled revealing her dimples. "I've not painted in years. Okay, I'm only sixteen but in 6th grade I had a teacher who really influenced me to love art. I needed an outlet from life and art was it. I guess I miss the feeling of creating art." She held up her hand defensively. "I know these are only props for the church play. But I'm really enjoying it."
"Me too." Isaac peered deeply at Lacey. He stated in a flirty manner. "It could be the company though."
Lacey felt her face heat up with a joyful embarrassment. She bit her lip as she glanced down at her paintbrush. "Thanks." She said in a hushed whisper. "I enjoy time with you too. You're a great friend."
"Ouch." Isaac teased as he placed his hand dramatically over his heart. "I've been friendzoned rather quickly by a gorgeous girl."
"Isaac, I love my time with you and your family." Lacey sat back on her haunches as she held the dripping paintbrush in front of her. "But my life has been complicated for so long, I want to relax now that God has came into it. I'm sorry."
"Hold up, Lace." Isaac crossed his muscular arms over his broad chest. "I don't mind that I'm just your friend. I hope someday you may see me as more. But being your friend is good for me too. You feel how you feel. It is an honor and privilege to have you as a friend." He winked. "Even if I've never been friendzoned by a girl before."
"Please don't call me Lace. Only one person calls me that. By the way, I'm glad we're friends." Lacey breathed out as she bent back down to paint again. "I'm not sure how things will go in our future. But it wouldn't be fair to even entertain the idea of a boyfriend or dating anyone when…" She stopped short of finishing her sentence.
Isaac reached to squeeze Lacey's hand. "Look at me, Lacey."
Lacey glanced up with a weak smile. "What?"
"You still love Danny. I can tell. There is nothing wrong with that. He's a lucky guy even if he's too blind to see it. You're worthy of being honored and cherished." Isaac said with utmost sincerity. " Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10."
"I'm not so virtuous, Isaac." Lacey fluttered her eyelashes trying to keep her tears at bay. "I've been with Danny. I don't want to make you think…"
"I wasn't thinking anything like that." Isaac sat back revealing a slight smile. "I am not your judge. I could care less if you've been with many boys or one or even none. Who you are and how I value you is based on who I'm looking at and I see a virtuous woman."
"Just Danny by the way." Lacey chuckled feeling ashamed for bringing it up at all. "I shouldn't have brought it up."
"Thanks for confiding in me." Isaac smirked before splashing Lacey with some yellow paint. "I like that you can talk to me. Miriam said she loves being a close friend too. We're all glad we met you."
"Please.." Lacey giggled. "You've had it now!"
Lacey squealed as she tried to dodge more colored liquid. She soon threw a stream of blue paint Isaac's way. They both continued the paint fight until both were covered in the gooey paint meant for the props. The teens threw themselves back against the floor as their bodies gave out to exhaustion. The both giggled hysterically even in their tired state.
Danny walked through the door of the church recreation center carrying a box. He stared over at Lacey and Isaac laying on the floor laughing. Anna Perry walked up to Danny with a bounce in her step.
"Can I help you, young man?" She remembered Danny from the diner earlier that month.
Danny had problems pulling his eyes away from looking in the direction of Lacey and Isaac. "Ummm. My mom said to bring these items here."
Anna followed Danny's gaze. "Ignore those two. They seem to have forgot the paint goes on the boards rather than each other."
Danny closed his eyes as he lifted the box slightly. He turned from Lacey and Isaac. "Anyway, Judy Porter told mom about some type of church rummage sale for the homeless of New York City. I have a car full of clothes and old items to donate."
"Thanks." Anna boisterously yelled across the church recreation room. "Isaac, get Matthew to help you get some things from this young man's car."
Isaac jumped up then reached out his hand to Lacey. She pulled up by his hand causing their bodies to collide. They both laughed again with giddiness. Danny felt his whole world shatter even more. However, part of him, the biggest part, was happy to see Lacey smiling and carefree.
Lacey noticed Danny standing there with his arms folded around a box. She had avoided him for almost a month now. She avoided him the day after the phone call due to him still dating Jo after his confession to her. She wasn't going to let Danny pull her down again. Especially now that she felt Jesus had picked her up. However, when Lacey saw Danny, their eyes met with equal intensity of the past. She felt drawn to talk to him. Isaac and she approached Danny.
"Here let me get this." Isaac took the box from Danny. "I'll go get my brother to help. I'm Isaac, by the way. I know we've met before but I wanted to reintroduce myself."
"Danny. Danny Desai." Danny nodded friendly towards Isaac. Isaac smiled genuinely before walking away to find Matthew and place the box in the storage room of the church.
Anna bubbly added as she noticed the intense stare between Danny and Lacey. "Well, I see you two know one another. Danny, you should come to our youth meeting on Wednesday night. The teens have a blast."
"You really should." Lacey grinned as she looked puzzled at Danny.
"I don't believe in God, Ma'am." Danny dropped his head as he stared feeling shame at his words.
"Well, God believes in you." Anna stated unfazed by Danny's admittance. "And you're still welcome."
Anna patted Danny's shoulder before leaving to organize the items Karen had sent. Matthew and Isaac had been carrying box after box in.
"Are you okay, Danny?" Lacey touched her palm to Danny's forehead. She had noticed his eyes had dark shadows under them and his face looked slightly thinner."You look like you're not feeling well. Have you lost weight?"
"I'm fine, Lace." Danny stated in a breathy voice. The way Danny said her name caused a prickle to skittish across Lacey's spinal cord. "I'm glad you're happy, Lace. You look so good. Church has done well for you."
"It has." Lacey took Danny's hand unexpectedly. She rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand. "I miss you. I hope you know that."
Danny couldn't resist cupping Lacey's cheek with his palm. "I miss you too. More than you know. But I'm not worth missing, Lacey. Trust me."
Lacey closed her eyes as she relished in the touching of her skin by Danny's hand. She said a silent prayer for strength and the right words to say to Danny. Then Lacey gave up her will power and wrapped her arms around Danny's waist pulling him into a hug.
"Don't talk like that, Danny. You're worth a lot to me." Her arms tightened around Danny's waist as she breathed in his scent. Lacey could tell he was freshly showered. Danny's scent always sent shivers throughout her body.
Danny knew he should pull away but although Lacey didn't need him, he needed her. He wanted this moment more than anything at the moment. It reminded him of the only time he was happy since the day that Tara took her last breath. His arms wrapped around Lacey as he pulled her closer to press into the hug.
"I want you happy, Lace." Danny whispered as he held her. "That is all that matters now."
Lacey never said a word as she allowed Danny and her the friendly embrace. She didn't care that the Perry family could see her with Danny. She didn't care about appearances at all. God knew her heart anyway. Therefore, God knew that her heart still belonged to Danny.
Reverend John Perry came out of the Pastor's office. He saw his oldest son looking at Lacey wrapped in the arms of the boy, known as Danny. He patted his son's shoulder.
"She's a beautiful girl, Isaac. Inside and out. All boys can't help but to notice. That includes Danny Desai."
"I know." Isaac shrugged as he cheerfully stated. "I wish I had met her first is all."
"Why don't you take more boxes to the storage room?" John suggested hoping his son wouldn't have to see Lacey embraced in Danny's arms any longer.
Isaac left at his dad's suggestion. Anna sighed out as she folded some donated clothing on to a long table.
"It has to be difficult to be in love that young and have so much going against you." Anna added as she placed a blouse in the clothing bay.
"I'm sure Lacey will do fine." John leaned against the cinder block wall as he spoke to his wife.
"That girl is strong willed and has unusual faith." Anna agreed. "It is that lost soul hugging her that I'm worried about. He's in a real dark place."
John nodded in agreement. "He is. Which means for his and Lacey's sake, we should make sure to add him into our prayers."
Danny gave Lacey one last squeeze. "I should go. Mom wants you to go try on the dress for her wedding at Belle's Dress Boutique when you can. I was supposed to tell you yesterday but you were with your new friends. I didn't want to interrupt."
Lacey stepped back giving Danny room. "You should've joined us. You'd really like them Danny."
"People like them don't want people like me around." Danny glanced at his feet as he shuffled them slightly.
"I'm people like them now, Danny." Lacey raked her hand down Danny's arm. "And I want you around."
Danny looked up. His finger touched Lacey's cheek. "Let me rephrase that. People like you don't need people like me around." Before Lacey could protest Danny's words, he pressed his index finger against her lips to hush her. "I've lied a lot, Lacey. But you're going to have to trust me on this one."
With those words, Danny turned and walked out leaving Lacey worried and emotionally saddened for him.
Lacey whispered as she closed her eyes. "Protect him, God. Please. I feel something is wrong. I don't know what but You do. So I ask that you protect him and help him through this."