pte

s in the

ceal whispers. Women in wide-brimmed hats murmured during altar calls. Deacons tightened their greetings into nods. Additionally, the pews, which were once full of Sunday worshippers, now bore the marks of absence. Elijah felt it most during communion. His hand, once steady with the bread and wine,

ied her role in a drama she no longer wished to perform. Even as mothers drew their children nearer, she continued on past the church with her head held high. She now went shoppi

tter was read by Lydia without hesitation. She carefully folded it, tucked it into her Bible, and said, "Of course." A divide grew once more inside the church. Some of the younger members whis

was submitted by the organist. The youth director stopped showing up. "Consequences of Hidden

er Baptist Church every Sunday morning. Now, it curled around whiskey glasses and dr

dges, like velvet that had been rubbed too much. She never talked about her past, only hinted at it with half-smiles and smoky eyes. They said

Wright, was consumed by a desire that he baptized as sin but indulged as salvation. No one knew that the man who preached fire and brimstone held Lydia like a prayer in the dark. They met in quiet motels and once, even, in the church rectory. She only addressed him as "Caleb" in private. He was "Reverend" in public-stoic, strict, and holy. She cherished him. Or she thought she did. Or perhaps

hat didn't. No one asked. Not even her mother. None, not ev

outrun a past t

d, bourbon sweat in the air. Lydia wore a backless gold dress a

pped outside to breathe. Tha

der the flickering streetlight, cigarett

h?" Ashes were flicked, he said.

lipped. "You'v

rupted. "Don't act like

a knife, reopening wounds she swore had

bbed he

cream. She di

r slammed

lley, still in his black

t he

p forward. "I won't repeat it." Victor eyed Lydia, then slowly released her. "Didn't k

. Caleb moved closer, checking her fac

u ok?" h

hispered. "B

ce. And for a moment, she let

d." His voice was thunderous, his hands clenched as he preached about temptation,

in a modest floral dress, her

r looked

vely voice, dear," she said, but her smile was all teeth. "Y

n fled. That night, Caleb

passed.

urch, heart in her throat. The se

isn't taking vis

ven

hesitated. "E

Halo. But her voice cracked during her

room mirror, she

at Caleb predicted. the one he attempted to silence on Sunda

e was done being