Sunshine Valley

Shared grief

     Dillon couldn’t pour a cup of coffee. His hands trembled every time he tried. Evie gently placed her hands over his. “Let’s go to church.” She caressed his cheek. He nodded okay. 

     Pastor Sam stood behind the pulpit. When he looked up and took stock of the congregation, the sermon he had prepared left him. Evie thought he was staring at Dillon. He went to open his mouth. No words came out. He shook his head, hiding his face. As he looked back up. It was obvious he was losing the battle to maintain his composure. He did this, three times. Looking at the congregation, then looking away. Finally, he sat on the top step of the stage, next to the pulpit and wept. 

     Dillon leaned over. He was going to be sick. He thought. Evie placed her hand on his back. He never told Evie why he stopped going to church. If he had, it was a half truth. God letting her leave him was the half truth. Yes, he was bitter over that. But Pastor Sam refused to preach either of his parent’s funerals. He never gave Dillon a reason. When Evie first moved back to Sunshine Valley, she had asked Dillon when he lost his faith? Satan had been slowly chipping away at it. He saw that now. 

     Dillon turned to Evie, his eyes heavy with tears. He kissed her on the cheek, resting his forehead on hers. 

     They heard a thunk, pulling their attention to Pastor Sam. He was now on his knees. His arms were outstretched and he was still crying. “I’m sorry!” He wailed. “I’m sorry.” He wrapped his arms around his head. 

     Dillon whispered in Evie’s ear. “I love you. I needed to be here today.” He walked toward Pastor Sam, kneeling in front of him. 

     Pastor Sam raised his head, putting his hands on Dillon’s shoulders. “I’m sorry. I have sinned out of pride. I HAVE SINNED.” He shouted. Dillon wrapped him in a hug. Which seemed to cause Pastor Sam to cry that much harder.

     One by one, the residents of Sunshine Valley went to the front of the church. Bradley, Patty, Sarah. Other deputies Evie recognize but didn’t know their names. Sara and her family. Della and Bill. Simon. Chris and Kim holding their baby. Everyone was crying. Some old hurts were being addressed. Some new ones were being let go of. 

     Jack leaned over to her, “go on hummin’ bird.”

     She kissed her dad on the cheek before walking to the front herself. God filled her with the urgency to sing ‘Amazing Grace’. And she did just that.