Chapter 60

The service ended as I was in the middle of my contemplations. We go up to leave. Several people stopped by to greet McKayla. She introduced me as her "friend".

Is that what I was? Her "friend"? I stood by, trying not to look obviously infatuated with her, but at the same time, not wanting to appear aloof or snobby. I smiled a lot and didn't say much.

The people at her church were warm and friendly. A part of me felt as if each one were scrutinising me, as if they knew and were going to shout it out at any moment. But they said nothing of the sort and soon we were back in her car. The top was down and our hair whipped around in the warm breeze. We held hands.

"Want to go out or get something at home?" she asked.

I just shrugged. I didn't care as long as I was with her.

She drove back to her house and made a full breakfast. Once again, she wouldn't hear of me helping her out. I sat on a barstool at the end of her counter as she talked and cooked.

McKayla set a plate of bacon, eggs, hashed browns and toast down in front of me. "Thanks for going to church with me, Paige. You didn't have to and I appreciate that."

I began to nibble at my food. There were some things I wanted to ask, but I didn't know if this was the time. I looked up and her eyes were on me. They seemed to bore right through me.

"You're wondering why I go, aren't you?" she said softly.

My reply stuck in my throat. She flashed a knowing smile.

"I wonder that a lot myself."

"Why the Catholic church?" I blurted out. "Why not one that's more..."

My voice trailed off.

"More what?" she asked, an impish grin on her face. "More gay?"

I was relieved that she could at least find something funny in this conversation. "Well ... yeah."

She shrugged. "I grew up Catholic. It's not something you just give up. They're not so bad ... despite what you think about the Pope."

I blushed and looked away.