the long train stretching out into the night and decided her sister needed to pitch in. Livia waved to the waiting parishioners as she headed out to the parking lot. A filthy song bled out from around the windows as she banged loudly on Kyle’s roof. Kyle jumped and glared.
Kyle hit the automatic window button and turned down the radio at the same time. “What the hell, Livia? You scared the shit outta me.”
Livia’s eyes bugged at her sister’s comment. “Kyle McHugh, why would you play that horrible song outside a church? Who taught you your manners?”
Kyle closed her phone and gave Livia the finger. “You did. So don’t act all high and mighty. And last time I checked this church was empty.”
Livia stepped aside so Kyle could see the line of people on the sidewalk behind her.
“Holy crap, what’s happening here? An emergency bingo meeting?” Kyle asked loudly.
Livia shushed her. “Just get out and help me. It’s midnight mass.”
Kyle got out and walked at Livia’s side toward the building. “I’m sorry? Midnight mass? Did Christmas Eve just sneak up and bite me on the ass?”
Livia squeezed Kyle’s arm in the way she hated. “Just help me get them inside.”
To Kyle’s credit, she followed Livia’s lead and they became mobility’s version of a bucket brigade. Kyle was welcoming and friendly from the door of the retirement complex to halfway up the sidewalk where Livia took over. Livia made small talk and introductions until she met Cole at the church door. Cole’s eyes grew softer every time he saw Livia with another church member. As the last patron made his way through the church doors, Kyle pulled Livia aside.
“Please don’t make me go in the church. I don’t want to go to mass.” Her eyes were frantic.
“Kyle, we went to eight years of Catholic school. You can handle one little mass.” Livia reached for her sister’s arm again.
Kyle skittered away. “Livia, I’m positive that church will blow up all action-movie style if I put one toe in the door. I haven’t been such a perfect Catholic school girl.”
Livia held her palms open in disbelief. “What have you been up to? I swear we’re having a long conversation as soon as this night’s over.”
Kyle continued as if Livia had not spoken. “And also the old people are freaking me out. They smell like moth balls, one guy pinched my ass, and I think that last one…” Kyle peeked around Livia to give last gentleman in line a smile and a little wave. “He just crapped his pants.” Kyle’s whisper had gotten squeaky.
Livia rolled her eyes. “You’re ruining the beauty of the moment. Fine. Go back to the car, but play some less hellish music. No cursing.”
Kyle kissed Livia on the cheek and skipped off to her car. Livia closed the church doors and scanned the room for a spot. Bea had a space next to her just Livia’s size, so she waved and smiled her way to the seat.
Bea was still in a chatty mood. “Livia, what brings you to our little clandestine service? It’s not advertised.” Bea had put on pearls and makeup for the occasion.
“I had to give a message to Cole,” Livia leaned in to explain. “I had no idea this went on in the middle of the night.”
Bea practically glowed as she looked at Cole. “This little church has been so lucky to get Mr. Cole. He’s like our adopted son. He has yet to choose a path for certain, but we really like to let him feel how proud we all are of him.” Bea nodded in the direction of the altar door. As if on cue, another older man entered, dressed in priest’s vestments. “I’m surprised Cole let you stay. What we do here is slightly unconventional.” Bea looked suspicious and in-the-know at the same time.
“I’m in love with his brother.” Saying this out loud to Bea felt like jumping out of an airplane—thrilling and irreversible. In that instant Livia knew her love for Blake was as real as the church walls around her.
Bea took in Livia’s face with wise
Kyle hit the automatic window button and turned down the radio at the same time. “What the hell, Livia? You scared the shit outta me.”
Livia’s eyes bugged at her sister’s comment. “Kyle McHugh, why would you play that horrible song outside a church? Who taught you your manners?”
Kyle closed her phone and gave Livia the finger. “You did. So don’t act all high and mighty. And last time I checked this church was empty.”
Livia stepped aside so Kyle could see the line of people on the sidewalk behind her.
“Holy crap, what’s happening here? An emergency bingo meeting?” Kyle asked loudly.
Livia shushed her. “Just get out and help me. It’s midnight mass.”
Kyle got out and walked at Livia’s side toward the building. “I’m sorry? Midnight mass? Did Christmas Eve just sneak up and bite me on the ass?”
Livia squeezed Kyle’s arm in the way she hated. “Just help me get them inside.”
To Kyle’s credit, she followed Livia’s lead and they became mobility’s version of a bucket brigade. Kyle was welcoming and friendly from the door of the retirement complex to halfway up the sidewalk where Livia took over. Livia made small talk and introductions until she met Cole at the church door. Cole’s eyes grew softer every time he saw Livia with another church member. As the last patron made his way through the church doors, Kyle pulled Livia aside.
“Please don’t make me go in the church. I don’t want to go to mass.” Her eyes were frantic.
“Kyle, we went to eight years of Catholic school. You can handle one little mass.” Livia reached for her sister’s arm again.
Kyle skittered away. “Livia, I’m positive that church will blow up all action-movie style if I put one toe in the door. I haven’t been such a perfect Catholic school girl.”
Livia held her palms open in disbelief. “What have you been up to? I swear we’re having a long conversation as soon as this night’s over.”
Kyle continued as if Livia had not spoken. “And also the old people are freaking me out. They smell like moth balls, one guy pinched my ass, and I think that last one…” Kyle peeked around Livia to give last gentleman in line a smile and a little wave. “He just crapped his pants.” Kyle’s whisper had gotten squeaky.
Livia rolled her eyes. “You’re ruining the beauty of the moment. Fine. Go back to the car, but play some less hellish music. No cursing.”
Kyle kissed Livia on the cheek and skipped off to her car. Livia closed the church doors and scanned the room for a spot. Bea had a space next to her just Livia’s size, so she waved and smiled her way to the seat.
Bea was still in a chatty mood. “Livia, what brings you to our little clandestine service? It’s not advertised.” Bea had put on pearls and makeup for the occasion.
“I had to give a message to Cole,” Livia leaned in to explain. “I had no idea this went on in the middle of the night.”
Bea practically glowed as she looked at Cole. “This little church has been so lucky to get Mr. Cole. He’s like our adopted son. He has yet to choose a path for certain, but we really like to let him feel how proud we all are of him.” Bea nodded in the direction of the altar door. As if on cue, another older man entered, dressed in priest’s vestments. “I’m surprised Cole let you stay. What we do here is slightly unconventional.” Bea looked suspicious and in-the-know at the same time.
“I’m in love with his brother.” Saying this out loud to Bea felt like jumping out of an airplane—thrilling and irreversible. In that instant Livia knew her love for Blake was as real as the church walls around her.
Bea took in Livia’s face with wise
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