Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
I want to scream. I want to tell her who I really am. But she wants the priest to be her sounding board. Someone she can trust right now, so I stay in character.
“Eva, I want you to know that I’ll do everything in my power to help you and Nate,” I say, trying to reassure her while battling my own demons.
She looks at me, her eyes full of appreciation. “Thank you, Father. It’s been a long time since I felt like I had someone on my side.”
As the sun begins to set, casting long shadows across the playground, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. I’m here to help them, to provide the stability and support they need. No matter how difficult it may be, I must remain true to that mission.
Chapter 12
Evangelina
Sunday morning, bright and early, I get Nate ready to return to his father’s house. I hate watching him go back there. I hate everything about this situation. As I pack his things, I try to keep my emotions in check.
“Nate, did you have fun this weekend?” I ask, forcing a smile.
His face lights up with a brilliant smile. “I want to go to church with you, Mommy.”
I shrug, trying to hide my excitement. “I guess I can call Daddy and ask him.” I mean, it doesn’t hurt, right?
I pull out my phone, dreading this call. “Hey, Chris,” I say after he answers on the first ring.
“What is it, Eva?” He’s all business, as usual.
“Nate really wants to go to church with me this morning. I can drop him off afterward?” I phrase it like a question, trying to keep my tone neutral.
Nate starts chanting in the background, and I hold the phone out so Christopher can hear him. “Church. Church. Church.”
Christopher breathes heavily into the phone. “Fine. Whatever. Just have him at my place by three p.m.”
I smile brightly, feeling a rare sense of victory. “Thank you, Chris. We’ll see you then.”
Hanging up the phone, I turn to Nate with a big smile. “Daddy said yes.”
Nate cheers, jumping up and down. “Hooray! Daddy always says no to everything. I’m so happy he said yes for once.”
His words break my heart. I want to ask my son what all his father says no to, but I don’t want to pry. After reading many online single-parent forums, they always say not to talk badly about the other parent and not to use your child as an informant. So I bite my tongue and focus on the positive.
“Let’s get ready for church then,” I say, trying to match Nate’s enthusiasm. I pick out his best outfit, and he excitedly helps me with his shoes.
As we walk to the church, Nate skips beside me, his hand in mine. The morning sun casts a warm glow over everything, and for a moment, the world feels right. We arrive at the church, and Nate’s eyes widen with awe.
“Wow, look at all the people,” he exclaims.
I smile down at him, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. “Yes. And it’s a place where we all can feel close to God and each other.”
We enter the church, and Sandy is there to greet us, like she is every Sunday.
“And who is this handsome angel?” she asks, her eyes bright and shiny.
“This is Nate, my son,” I say as I introduce him. “Nate, this is Ms. Sandy.”
Sandy smiles wide, sticking out her hand for my son to shake. “Nice to meet you.”
We exchange pleasantries as my eyes scan the crowd, looking for Benedict. I spot him standing not too far away, and when he sees me his face lights up.
He really is so good-looking.
He crosses the church, making his way over to where we stand near the entrance. He glances down at Nate. “Good morning, Nate. Welcome to our church.”
Nate beams up at him. “Good morning, Father.”
“He’s excited to be here,” I add with a smile.
Father Carmichael chuckles, looking right at my son. “We’re excited to have you here, too.”
As the service begins, Nate sits beside me, his eyes wide with curiosity and wonder. He listens intently to the hymns and the sermon, and I can’t help but feel proud of him. This is a new experience for both of us, and I’m grateful for the chance to share it with him.
After the service, we spend some time talking with Father Carmichael and other parishioners. Nate is full of questions, and I can see the genuine interest and kindness in Father Carmichael’s responses. It warms my heart to see Nate so engaged and happy.
As we leave the church, Nate is still bubbling with excitement. “Mommy, can we come to church every Sunday?”
I squeeze his hand gently. “We’ll try our best, sweetheart.”
We make our way to Christopher’s house, and although I dread the handover, I focus on the joy of the morning. When we arrive, Christopher opens the door, his usual stern expression in place.