Marie had kindly explained the issue to Victoria but without making headway. Her friend still saw nothing wrong with her forwardness. The service went as usual with the organ keeping the entire congregation in some form of order as they sang the chosen hymns. One older lady bellowed out with all of her might in the parts of the song that should have been quieter but the rest of the congregation just continued as if the behavior was expected. As the preacher got up to give his address to the people, Marie peeked over at Victoria to see how she was fairing. She was sitting up straight in her seat as if afraid to move and when the preacher slammed his fist down on the pulpit, she almost jumped clear out of her chair. “Brothers, sisters have you been set free? Have you made peace with God? You have no right to say what will happen tomorrow for you know not what tomorrow will bring. Give God your heart!” Once again he pounded his fist hard on the pulpit. “Boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
After the service, Marie hurried Victoria to the back of the church where the pastor stood talking with each person before they left. “Ah, miss Marie! It is very good to see.” As he spoke he looked toward Victoria and smiled. Marie quickly introduced the two before another couple came up behind them.
As they walked out, Victoria breathed in a gulp of the cold air and realized she had been holding her breath near the pastor. There was something about the way he looked at her; like he could see straight through her mind, to the confused and doubting thoughts that lurked there. To her relief Marie did not push any questions as they started walking back. Just a few buildings down from the church, Marie suddenly turned and began to enter a small yellow building. “Wait, where are you going?” Victoria asked while scanning the building. A peak in the windows revealed tables situated on both sides of the building and Victoria quickly gathered that it was a small café. “Come on; let’s get a hot chocolate or something.” A little bell caught the door as they entered the quaint room. Fire burned brightly in a fire place, which was situated in the corner of the room, helping to take the chill out of their bones. Marie led them to a couple seats at the bar as someone yelled from the back room. “I will be with you in just a moment.” True to her word, moments later a tall blond haired woman entered the room and smiled brightly. “Let me guess, chocolate?” She sent a wink in Victoria’s direction while watching Marie shake her head. “You know me too well, mom.” It took a moment for the word, mom, to register in Victoria’s mind and then she realized that in her ignorance, she had failed to consider that some of the girls were from the same town. “And what would you like?” Victoria noticed that she had been staring and quickly averted her eyes to the menu written on a black board. “I think I will try the chocolate ice cream.” Feeling had still not returned to her feet from the cold outside but she was suddenly felt hot enough to melt the snow. She didn’t have to be embarrassed and it made her feel foolish for losing control.
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