* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Her flight to California was the first one she'd had without Rachel in over a month. Rachel had been very much against Mary going home for the holiday. Even Peter, the group leader, had spent time cautioning Mary. "It will be easy to slip into old ways," he'd said. "Remember to study your bible each night, and don't let anyone talk you into eating 'dead animals'".
It was only going to be for a few days, but she was dreading the visit to her family. Her mood was not enhanced when her departure from the co-op was delayed by some last minute tasks. She caught a lift to the airport and rushed over to the security gate. Luckily one of the other members was there and, recognizing that she was late, he waved her through with only a cursory glance at her bag.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As it happened, she'd worried for nothing. The flight was delayed due to an engine problem with the original plane they'd been assigned, and passengers were told they'd be taking an overnight flight instead. Mary found herself with several hours of free time before she needed to board. She headed over to the bookstore. She hadn't had the time to read a novel in ages. She was always so busy with the church.
Browsing, she let her eyes wander, noticing the other customers. One in particular caught her eye. He looked so familiar. She moved closer, and then he turned around and she recognized him.
"Mary?" he asked.
She smiled shyly, "Hi Ben."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She felt slightly guilty. It wasn't that long ago that she would have given her right arm to have his attention. How had she managed to lose touch with him so completely?
They sat side by side together - he with a coffee, she with a herbal tea. He was heading up to Glen Oak too, to spend the holiday with his brother. His mother was spending the holidays in Europe. He seemed disappointed when she told him she'd only be in the city for a few days.
She remembered a time when his acting this way would have thrilled her. Now, though, it seemed like such a distant thing, her interest in him.
Still, as they spoke she found herself relaxing. She told him about her church and all the things they were doing there.
"It sounds as though they really keep you busy."
"Yah, they do I guess." She said.
"Maybe I could come out and help with one of your painting parties. They wouldn't object too much to a good ol' Catholic boy lending a hand, would they?"
"No. Many hands make light work and all that." She found herself looking forward to seeing him again.
He leaned towards her, but was distracted when he accidentally pushed against the bag which lay between them. He'd hit the edge of the box Pastor David had given her - hard even within her carry-on. He sat back again. "Geez, Mare. What you got in the bag?"
"Oh. Christmas presents."
The conversation turned to the need for last minute shopping. Mary had bought most of her presents through the Church-run bizarre where she got a discount as a member. They were small, but she'd thought them out carefully and was rather pleased with the results. For her mother, she'd chosen a quilted apron in colors that matched the kitchen. For her father she'd picked a really nice woven tie in a pretty chartreuse. For Matt she'd bought homemade shampoo that she'd been assured would get out the toughest grease. For Lucy, her find was some great powder that'd help give her skin that nice dewy look. She'd had a hard time settling on something for Simon and for Morris who was spending the holidays with them. She'd finally settled on the same thing for each of them - a Christmas tree decoration stuffed with vanilla beans so it smelled really nice. The woman had sold it to her told her it was supposed to help attract one's true love. Looking over at Ben, she wondered if she should have gotten herself one. Then there was Ruthie. She knew how much teenagers like Hello Kitty, and so she'd bought her a Hello Kitty journal where she could write all her thoughts now that she was becoming a woman. She'd forgotten to pick up anything for the twins, but she had a day before Christmas and knew she'd have no trouble finding something with all the great shopping in Glenn Oak.
Ben had had similar problems finding presents for his family, and they joked about disastrous Christmas presents given and received in the past.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When their flight finally boarded they found themselves sitting together near the front of the plane. They were heading west towards the sun but it was partially hidden behind large fluffy clouds. It was the type of sight that always made Mary think of those pictures of heaven with light streaming through the clouds. She looked at Ben and smiled. He leaned over her bag towards her, this time carefully avoiding the sharp corners of the box that protruded from it. "Mary, sometimes I think I'd like to spend the rest of my life with you." As the plane took off Mary, feeling his hand gently trace the line of her cheek, couldn't help thinking that that wouldn't be a bad thing.
Her flight to California was the first one she'd had without Rachel in over a month. Rachel had been very much against Mary going home for the holiday. Even Peter, the group leader, had spent time cautioning Mary. "It will be easy to slip into old ways," he'd said. "Remember to study your bible each night, and don't let anyone talk you into eating 'dead animals'".
It was only going to be for a few days, but she was dreading the visit to her family. Her mood was not enhanced when her departure from the co-op was delayed by some last minute tasks. She caught a lift to the airport and rushed over to the security gate. Luckily one of the other members was there and, recognizing that she was late, he waved her through with only a cursory glance at her bag.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As it happened, she'd worried for nothing. The flight was delayed due to an engine problem with the original plane they'd been assigned, and passengers were told they'd be taking an overnight flight instead. Mary found herself with several hours of free time before she needed to board. She headed over to the bookstore. She hadn't had the time to read a novel in ages. She was always so busy with the church.
Browsing, she let her eyes wander, noticing the other customers. One in particular caught her eye. He looked so familiar. She moved closer, and then he turned around and she recognized him.
"Mary?" he asked.
She smiled shyly, "Hi Ben."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She felt slightly guilty. It wasn't that long ago that she would have given her right arm to have his attention. How had she managed to lose touch with him so completely?
They sat side by side together - he with a coffee, she with a herbal tea. He was heading up to Glen Oak too, to spend the holiday with his brother. His mother was spending the holidays in Europe. He seemed disappointed when she told him she'd only be in the city for a few days.
She remembered a time when his acting this way would have thrilled her. Now, though, it seemed like such a distant thing, her interest in him.
Still, as they spoke she found herself relaxing. She told him about her church and all the things they were doing there.
"It sounds as though they really keep you busy."
"Yah, they do I guess." She said.
"Maybe I could come out and help with one of your painting parties. They wouldn't object too much to a good ol' Catholic boy lending a hand, would they?"
"No. Many hands make light work and all that." She found herself looking forward to seeing him again.
He leaned towards her, but was distracted when he accidentally pushed against the bag which lay between them. He'd hit the edge of the box Pastor David had given her - hard even within her carry-on. He sat back again. "Geez, Mare. What you got in the bag?"
"Oh. Christmas presents."
The conversation turned to the need for last minute shopping. Mary had bought most of her presents through the Church-run bizarre where she got a discount as a member. They were small, but she'd thought them out carefully and was rather pleased with the results. For her mother, she'd chosen a quilted apron in colors that matched the kitchen. For her father she'd picked a really nice woven tie in a pretty chartreuse. For Matt she'd bought homemade shampoo that she'd been assured would get out the toughest grease. For Lucy, her find was some great powder that'd help give her skin that nice dewy look. She'd had a hard time settling on something for Simon and for Morris who was spending the holidays with them. She'd finally settled on the same thing for each of them - a Christmas tree decoration stuffed with vanilla beans so it smelled really nice. The woman had sold it to her told her it was supposed to help attract one's true love. Looking over at Ben, she wondered if she should have gotten herself one. Then there was Ruthie. She knew how much teenagers like Hello Kitty, and so she'd bought her a Hello Kitty journal where she could write all her thoughts now that she was becoming a woman. She'd forgotten to pick up anything for the twins, but she had a day before Christmas and knew she'd have no trouble finding something with all the great shopping in Glenn Oak.
Ben had had similar problems finding presents for his family, and they joked about disastrous Christmas presents given and received in the past.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When their flight finally boarded they found themselves sitting together near the front of the plane. They were heading west towards the sun but it was partially hidden behind large fluffy clouds. It was the type of sight that always made Mary think of those pictures of heaven with light streaming through the clouds. She looked at Ben and smiled. He leaned over her bag towards her, this time carefully avoiding the sharp corners of the box that protruded from it. "Mary, sometimes I think I'd like to spend the rest of my life with you." As the plane took off Mary, feeling his hand gently trace the line of her cheek, couldn't help thinking that that wouldn't be a bad thing.