My God Breath

You know, even with Turk as religious as he is, I never picked up on the whole "One Great Being" theory. You see, when you work in a hospital, there seems to be more of a Deal or No Deal game going on than a God sitting back spinning our heads. I don't know...I guess that's why I'm not so big on Easter.

"JD, man, you ready? We got to go! Service is in, like, 10 minutes." There's Turk. Here's the deal, I'm totally ready to go, but if he yells at me to leave then Carla will get the hint, hurry up, and have no convicting evidence of her husband running her out of the bathroom. That's the plan...

"Turk, don't use Bambi as an excuse to rush me."

"Baby, I love you, you're just a pretty now as you were two hours ago when you started getting ready. Now come on woman, I've gotta praise Jesus, can I get an Amen?" And suddenly, it was like they weren't looking at each other anymore. They were looking at their pet peeves.

"You wanna use your God as a reason to run me out? Fine, while your at it, ask Him what he thinks about a woman leaving her husband! Because that's what's about to happen. So help me Christopher, I will."

"Baby..." She was gone, back into the bathroom. Turk sighed and took a seat next to Rowdy.

"I think we're in serious trouble, JD."

"Oh come on, Turk. Carla's just not so used to two sexy, dominnering, gansta men..."

"Not me and you...me and her. I don't know, man. I look at her and for the last few days it's not been my woman or fiery latina...it's been a wife. Has our marriage already passed it's romantic side?" I didn't have an answer. Turk patted Rowdy's head. He looked at me for a second, running a hand over where his hair should be. I stared at his mole. Don't really know why.

"Hey, you wanna run on up to the church and save us some seats? I'll try to talk her into a good side." Go to church? By myself? I wanted to say no, but, he turned on his chocolate eyes.

"Yeah, sure."

"Good, see ya in a few my white friend." Somehow, I knew I couldn't hold him to that.

Fifteen minutes later, I was in a very uncomfortable middle pew at the local Catholic church.

Churches like these should have a members only jacket, cause that's how you feel. Nobody talks to you, nobody says good morning or how are the kids. It's all plastic feeling. Service was about to start, if Carla and Turk didn't show, I was gonna leave. And just as I was folding my jacket over my arm, I turned around. Underneath the double door banner was a girl. Blue jeans, pig tails, bubble gum smacking on her lips, and a smile. She had the nerve to walk into the holiest of holy places in a red tank top with a grey under shirt. I was in love.

"Thanks Father, I'll let them know. You know...our church still has a opening for revival week. Still don't think you could crank out a sermon or two?" He smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Shyloh, I admire your judgement of others. I've never see you turn anyone away. Yet I fear, my church is not as accepting. And no words of mine can change their opinion of others. But they can replace me. I'm sorry dear, another time." She nodded. They said their goodbyes. As she was going out the glass entrance, she caught my perfect reflection staring at her.

"Dude, it's Easter morning. I like to give to others, but stealing those looks of me, that's not very homely." Ok, maybe I was checking her out a little bit. I did, fall over the pew. I stumbled up, brushed off my jacket, and turned on the Fonzie smile.

"Why, hello."

"Yeah, stop talking like that."

"Oh...umm...ok. Hi, I'm, uh, JD. I'm a doctor." She looked me over.

"I'm Shyloh Stakes, I'm a hooker." Uncomfortable silence.

"Just joking." Oh thank God.

" I lead the youth at Freewill Trinity. Wow, such a fresh, pasty face.You always come here or is it a holiday thing?"

"Me? Always here. Love God and Jesus and...John the Baptist." I have no clue who he is.

"Really?" No.

"Yeah." Somehow, I knew she saw right through me, but she was too nice to say so. She handed me a piece of paper.

"Well, Mr. Bible Buddy, my youth is having a lock-in tonight. We'd love to have someone of your status there." Oh God, talk yourself out of this. Use the doctor excuse.

"I'd love to but, you know, I am doctor. I'm on call tonight."

"If an emergency comes up, you can leave. We'll be up all night, no alcohol, straight music and free food. Praise and worship service. Come on stud, what's not to like about me? I'll let you look at my reflection in the mirror." Her eyes are green. I'll never forget them.

"What time should I come?"

"Seven, no onesies. Lounge pants and tee shirt. See ya soon." I smiled. For some reason I was compelled to look at my watch. Five minutes. It had taken her five minutes to impress me.

Needless to say, when I left the apartment, Carla was still in the bathroom. Turk had began drinking in front of the door. It was weird. But I had no time to feel sorry for my friends. They had issues, so did I. Not only had I never even glanced at the Bible, I wasn't even for sure who wrote the darn thing. Yes, I said darn. I was trying to clean up my language a little, not wanting to slip out a wordy dird. I rode Sasha to the address she handed me.

So I got there at five till seven. Already the youth had gathered at the doors. I felt the rumble of the windows as I entered, and as the door swung open, it was like I had been hit back by the force of a small hurricane. I don't think I've heard louder music in my life.

"Sweet Mother God!" I was laying on my back, clinging to the leg of the welcome table. Then I felt a hand grab me, I reached up.

"It's call Thousand Foot Crutch. Get used to it, babe. We're playing it all night." There she was. Shyloh had let her hair down, dark brunette, a little past her shoulders. Her jeans and grey shirt had been changed to Snoopy bottoms and Acquire the Fire hoodie.

"You look nice." I, on the other hand, sounded like an idiot, the whole look nice line was so 1975. But, she smiled.

"Thanks, nice sleepers. I'm gonna have to call you Superguy." Superman pjs save me once again.

"Welcome to my church, JD."

"You remember my name?"

"Surprised?"

"Kind of a big step for me and women...so, what's on the menu tonight?" She smiled and took my hand. She showed me the chapel where already about 20 kids were jumping around head banging. She showed me the boy's dormitories, the kitchen, and where she'd be all night.

"Basically pizza for eats, music goes till 5 AM, basketball till dawn. Boys are not to be near girl's rooms, vice versa. As for me, the welcome center is my hut. That is, unless I have a dance partner later..." Did she just make me blush? Oh yes, little John Dorian was smitten. We walked around a while longer. I leaned a few things about her. Shyloh's parents died when she was 17. She entered youth ministry at 18, went to school until she was 24. She'd been head youth leader at Freewill for 2 years. She was my age. 26. She introduced me to Ryan, a sophomore in college. He would go for his medical degree later on. He reminded me of a mature Turk...oh man, I should've been there for him. Shyloh must've noticed I was upset.

"Hey man, you owe me a dance! Come on, I hear TobyMac."

I am brand new man

I'm a conscious

I'm a man who's burning for you

the mistakes I've made

Have been chased away

To the bottom of the ocean blue

I'm a brand new man in a foreign land

I'm a man who's feeling that fire...

Shy new all the words, and persuaded me to do the Running Man with her. Random breakouts of people on air guitar or break dancing was everywhere.

"There's more than the music, you know, to make us act this way!" She shouted over the speakers. And I knew she was right.

I feel revived again

I am alive again

Burning for you

You've got me lifting, lifting you

I feel revived again

I'm energized again

Burning for you you've got me lifting, lifting you...

The music slowed down, couples found themselves. I don't know, maybe it was me, maybe it was that these people were so close...but everything felt instantly romantic to me.

"Follow me," Shy said. We ran to the top of the building, taking two steps at a time. Our destination was the roof.

It was nice on top of the church, not like the hospital. No lights, moon -and -stars sky, quiet. Shy sat herself down of the gravel, resting against the edge. I found myself next to her. It was silence for a moment. I was staring at her.

"JD, you're not a Christian, are you?" I smiled.

"That obvious?"

"It's not funny." She wasn't smiling anymore. Her eyes became dark. She studied her feet, and grabbed my hand, holding it against her cheek.

"JD, I promised myself a long time ago I would build any relationship I ever had on God. That carries out still to this day. But here I am, not even 24 hours in and I know I love you. So let me ask you something...is there the slightest chance in heaven or hell that you'd change for me?" And to this day I can't remember if I gave her an answer. What I do know, if how it felt when we kissed, and the humor I found in her opening a secret window to pour music out to the roof, and that first dance I found with her. It was the first time I didn't want sex. I wanted a kiss.

All of you is more than enough for

All of me forever thirsty

Every need you satisfy me

With your love and all I have in you

Is more than enough...

First chappy!!!! YES!!!! Songs are Burn For You by TobyMac and More Than Enough, this version by Barlowgirl. Next chapter will have Look After You by The Fray...just for refrence. I know this chapter is a little...un-JDish. Idk..I'm trying to get my work together. Later on, things will start to develop. Thanks guys! Don't forget to review!