Chapter 52: Not crying on a Sunday


You park both bikes in the rack while Kate heads inside. Despite the difference in religions you cross yourself and close your eyes while crossing the threshold. It only takes one step before you're inside and thankfully not on fire and your eyes land on a Kate who is covering giggles behind her gloved hand.

Kate declines to sing in the choir today, choosing instead to sit beside you and brush her hand against yours where it rests on the seat of the pew. You're glad you've both put in regular appearances otherwise folks might be staring but you're a common enough occurrence that no one pays you any mind. You feel safe enough here to slide your hand over Kate's.

The people flow outside after and Leon follows to shake hands and mingle. Kate waits until almost everyone else has left before approaching Leon a little shyly.

"Think you could bless us?" She asks quietly, and Leon turns at the sound of her voice. He sees you lighting a cigarette a few steps behind her and you've seen Leon smoke cigarettes yourself but it doesn't feel right here so you click the lighter closed and stand beside Kate.

"Looks to me like you're already blessed, churchmouse," Leon starts, but he says a few words over the two of you and you're sure the words eternal bond and sacred union and you know these words won't stand up in a court of law but they make you glow inside. He claps you both on the shoulder and turns to another member of his congregation so you, without a word, fetch the bikes.

You wait until you've home and putting the bicycles away before asking Kate what that was about.

"I wanted to make it official as I could." She says, unlocking the front door and filling the kettle. "Knew I couldn't get any other preacher to bless us." She puts the kettle on the stove and turns to take your hands. "You know, don't you? That I'm in this for life. That I love you and I wish I could marry you but I guess this'll have to do."

"Damn right it'll do," you tell her before pushing her up against the counter and kissing her thoroughly.

The kettle's burnt almost dry before either of you notice. Kate blushes and refills it and you think it speaks volumes to your prowess that she still blushes when you kiss her. There's a swagger in your step when you step up to turn the stove off and lead her back to the bedroom.


My friend I was visiting Friday had her car window smashed and her mobile stolen so I've been messaging her HOOT HOOT MOTHERFUCKER because I'm pretty sure they're the same people and I'm a vigilOWLnte.

We had a long weekend so I've hardly left my bed in three days. Nothing productive other than getting off stacked opiates. Worth it.

Title from Macklemore's 'Same Love'.