I faked a headache on Saturday night so my parents wouldn't hound me on Sunday morning for church. I didn't feel much like going to our Southern Baptist church at all. I was tired of the same folks and the same preacher preaching the same old tired sermon. And I didn't want to see Gerry or Emma or especially Ray. I just wanted to lie in bed and stay there forever. Gosh, life was so unfair. Sometimes I felt like God didn't like me very much. It was all too sad and depressing anyway. There was no need in getting mad at God...he wasn't the jerk, Ray was. God wasn't the one who'd roughed me up and made me cry. For a second I actually smiled as I thought about what Rev would say if he could see me. He'd give me that sweet smile and tell me that this was all just one big test and that those who had faith in the Lord would have their strength renewed. Yeah, I could almost see him beside me and Louie and Blue beside him busting out into song as they often did. Thoughts of those guys could make me smile at anytime. I wished I could be with them, I thought as I glanced over at my alarm clock. It was quarter till eleven. I could hear Mrs. Harris' voice in my head. "Hope Methodist Church...First Street...Noon services". I sat straight up in bed and looked over in the direction of my closet. It seemed like a crazy idea but what the heck, I thought as I hurried to find something to wear. I showered, dressed, and did make up and hair in record time and found myself heading in the direction of First Street. I was worried I wouldn't be able to find the church but I heard the choir belting out hymns before I even saw the building. Nervously I stood outside for what seemed like forever as I tugged on my lip and contemplated going inside. Just as I was about to turn around and leave the door opened and a friendly male usher nodded for me to step inside.

"Um, sir, I'm looking for Rev...I mean, Jerry Harris", I whispered.

"Right up front, third row on the right hand side", the man smiled.

I walked up the aisle scared stiff, wondering if everyone was staring at me, wondering if I was the only white person in the church.

"Mary-Courtney", someone whispered.

I looked over and couldn't contain my mile wide smile as I saw it was Ronnie. He was in the pew next to Rev, Louie, Petey, Leroy, Julius and Blue. The choir was still singing and everyone was on their feet clapping. Ronnie waved me over to where they sat and they all made room for me.

"Glad you could make it", Rev winked at me.

I smiled and stood beside Ronnie. I had never been in a black church before and it sure was different from what I was used to. My church was much more reserved, much more quiet and much more...boring. These people were having a good time singing and praising the Lord. Within moments I was in a secure comfort zone clapping my hands and swaying to the beat of the music. Finally the choir sat down and the pastor took his place in the pulpit. I listened intently as he quoted some of my favorite scriptures.

"The good book tells us in Isaiah 54:17 that No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, says the Lord".

"Amen", Rev added as the rest of the congregation seemed to share his sentiments.

It was nice and I knew I was in the right place. I felt comfortable, happy and totally at peace. If my parents knew where I was they would have killed me but what did it matter? Weren't we both in the house of God giving praise? We all had one God who created and loved everybody, did it matter that I was choosing to worship with black Christians instead of white ones? After the service was over, the members fellowshipped and I had never received so many hugs, welcomes, and warm wishes. Mrs. Harris was particularly excited that I had made it.

"You surprised?" I asked Rev after we were able to steal a moment alone.

"You bet", he smiled. "Surprised and very happy. We loved having you here today."

"And I loved being here. It was really neat. Thanks for inviting me."

"You are welcome anytime, Mary-Courtney, always remember that."

"I know. Thank you. Thanks a lot, Rev. Not just for today or for the tutoring but for everything. You're a good person and a good friend. I'm really glad I met you and I mean that. I just wanted you to know." He smiled and embraced me.

"Hey, isn't that what friends are for? Thank you, Mary-Courtney. I'm glad we met too. You're a good girl. I tell you, God is great. He blessed us with a lot of visitors today. It was good to have Louie and Sunshine here too."

"Yeah I was surprised to see them. That's nice. Do they come often?"

"Nah, it's their first time but I'm hoping it won't be their last just like I'm hoping it won't be your last."

"I'll be back. I promise."

"That's good. Maybe you and Sunshine and Louie can come back together and bring Gerry and Alan and we'll have a Titan reunion in here."

"I'd like that", I smiled.

"Maybe you can even convince old Ray to come", Rev laughed.

"I doubt it. But who cares? We don't need him anyway."

"He's still just another blessed child of God."

"That's up for discussion", I half smiled as I raised my arms to fix the beret in my hair.

Rev's eyes suddenly turned dark with concern.

"Mary-Courtney...your arm", he said pointing to the purple bruise. "What happened to you?"

"Nothing", I said quickly, jerking away. "Um, it was nothing really. I'm a total klutz, you know that. Just one of the hazards of being atop a Titan cheerleading pyramid, I guess."

"Yeah...I guess", Rev echoed, something in his voice alerting me that he wasn't buying my clumsy cheerleader story.

"Well I gotta get going, Rev. Thanks again for inviting me. It was a nice time. I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, okay. Uh...Mary-Courtney?"

"Yes, Rev?"

"You sure everything is okay? I mean, we're friends, right? You know I care about you. If something was happening...I mean, you'd tell me, right?"

"Yeah, um, sure Rev. I'm okay...really. I appreciate the concern though."

"You sure you're okay?"

I thought for a moment and smiled.

"Yeah...I'm gonna be. See you around, Rev."

I turned and started on my way home.

"Hey, Mary-Courtney, wait up. Can I walk you home?"

I smiled at Ronnie who was running to catch up with me.

"Sure", I shrugged. "If you want."

"Of course I want to", he smiled. "So, how did you enjoy the service?"

"It was lovely. I really liked it."

"Yeah me too. That sure was nice of Rev to invite us."

"Yeah, Rev's a great guy. His family is great too." "Yeah..."

"...Yeah."

"I wanted to tell you that you look very pretty today. That's a nice dress."

"Thanks, Ronnie."

"I was wondering what you were doing later on today, you know, this afternoon."

"Um, nothing I guess. Why?"

"I don't know. I was just seeing if maybe you wanted to stop by later at my house. We could hang out and stuff. I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind if you stayed on for dinner."

"Oh...okay, I guess."

I tried not to grin and jump up and down and do back flips along side the street. Sure we were just friends but every time Ronnie Bass looked at me or smiled at me, it made my heart flutter. Now he was inviting me over to hang out at his house.

"That's cool. Around five?"

"Sounds good."

"I live in Old Town, it's off Durkin Street...2284."

"Okay. I'll see you later on then."

"Okay."

We arrived at my house and Ronnie walked me to the front door. He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and then he was off. When I was sure the coast was clear and my parents weren't in sight, I hurried up the stairs to my room to change. The last thing I needed was questions about why I was in my Sunday best when hours earlier I was near death from a headache that kept me from attending our church. I made it in the nick of time, undressed and scoured my closet looking for the perfect outfit to wear over to Ronnie's. Rev sure was right...the Lord did work in mysterious ways.