Next Time I Fall

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

“Oh my God, who was that guy?” Kathleen held her coffee mug with both hands and smiled in between sips.

“No one really.” Eric walked past her and hung the leash on its hook in the utility room. “What are you doing up already? You never get up early.”

“That’s a good question, and I saw how you were looking at him.”

“Who?”

“The guy! The hottie in the tank top with the cute little doggie.”

Eric walked over to the console table by the door and picked up the vacation Bible school flyer. “The good reverend…the one who was here yesterday.”

“The Mormon!”

“Baptist, but it doesn’t really matter. Both religions hate gays.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Hm, he didn’t seem to hate you.”

“I’m gonna go take a shower. Then we can do brunch.” He walked over to the stairwell and grabbed the banister, ready to head upstairs.

“And I saw how he was looking at you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He quickly raced up the stairs.

“You’re not fooling me!” she yelled. He’d already reached the top step and was rounding the corner into his bedroom. “I know you!”

He slammed the door then leaned against it, closing his eyes. Of course, she was right. He had noticed how attractive Steve was. How could he help it? And it had even seemed like the younger man had been flirting with him. He’d kept staring at Eric’s chest, practically drooling.

No, this was wrong on so many levels. He’d just gotten his heart stomped on by a younger man who couldn’t admit who he was. The very last thing Eric wanted was to become in any way involved with a closet case hiding behind religion.

He pushed off from the door and stomped across his bedroom into the master bath. He’d sooner go the Grindr route than begin fantasizing about men of the cloth. Max might have been a romantic dead-end, but this Steve guy was a complete stop. There wasn’t even a road to drive down.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Elementary school students, those in the first through fifth grades, would have been Steve’s first choice to teach Sunday school. They were by far the most receptive, and generally the most enthusiastic in terms of participation and interest. But Faith Baptist Church already had volunteer teachers for that age group, and the single vacancy when he arrived was with seventh and eighth grade boys, ages twelve to fourteen.

He liked working with teens, too, but not so much as a Sunday school teacher. He served as a leader and chaperone for the youth group which met on Thursday nights, but that mainly consisted of supervising a planned activity. They did something fun like bowling, skating, or even going to Christian concerts. When away activities weren’t planned, they had game nights and discussion groups. Steve sometimes led them in prayer or offered a brief devotional.

Sunday school was different. The adolescent and pre-adolescent kids who attended Sunday school usually were not there by choice. Unlike the younger children, they really didn’t find anything enjoyable about getting up early on Sunday, dressing up in nice clothes, and going to a boring class. Most were compelled to be there by their parents, and most came from religious homes. There wasn’t a lot Steve could say to them that they hadn’t already heard a million times before.

He tried to be creative in his lesson planning, usually including some sort of interactive activity. For his lesson on this particular Sunday, he offered a brief commentary on friendship, discussing the relationship of David and Jonathan. Eight junior high boys comprised his audience, and after their devotional, he served three flavors of donut holes and chocolate milk. They then split into two groups and played Bible Trivial Pursuit for the remainder of the hour.

At precisely 10:45 a buzzer sounded, alerting the group leaders it was time to wrap things up and dismiss their classes in preparation for the morning worship service in the sanctuary. Steve led his group of boys in a closing prayer before they filed out to head back to the main part of the church.

“Pastor Warren.” Luke, one of his pupils, had lagged behind and now stood in the threshold of the classroom door. Steve looked up, acknowledging him.

“Yes, Luke?”

“I really liked your talk…what you said about friendship and stuff.”

“Thank you.” Steve looked the boy in the eye. In many ways the young man reminded Steve of himself a few years earlier. For the most part, Luke seemed taciturn. He didn’t insert himself into the group discussions in an extroverted manner. He kept more to himself, but when called upon, he always got the answer right. Even at his age, he knew a lot about the Bible. “Coming from you, that means a lot.” Steve smiled.

The boy’s cheeks began to flush and he looked down at the floor. “Uh…I guess I better get out there…I mean, before I’m late.”

“You still have time. Want this last donut hole?” Steve held out the plate.

The kid shook his head, smiling meekly. “Thanks anyway.” He then turned and exited rather abruptly. Steve shrugged and picked up the donut hole, devouring half of it in a single bite. Luke would only be in Steve’s class for a couple more weeks. When the new school year started, he’d begin the ninth grade and advance to a different Sunday school class. Steve would likely still see him in youth group, though. He was a good kid, and Steve would certainly miss him in his class.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sundays weren’t easy for poor Felix. He had to be alone most of the day, and Steve worried about him. After morning worship service, Steve headed back home to check on his pet. He let Felix into the backyard then hung out with him a few minutes before finally heading next door to the Mathers’. They’d extended a standing Sunday dinner invitation to him the day he’d moved in and become associate pastor.

David and Evelyn Mathers had almost immediately assumed a parental role in Steve’s life, especially Mrs. Mathers. Like Steve’s own mom, she insisted he needed to eat more and was constantly offering extra helpings. It didn’t help his waistline that she was an amazing cook.

They had three kids of their own, two teenage boys and an eight year old girl. Steven genuinely enjoyed the Sunday afternoon meals, gathered around a dinner table as part of a family.

When Steve arrived at the Mathers’ that Sunday, he was quickly ushered into the living room by the pastor and introduced to another guest, someone Steve wasn’t expecting. “Steve, this is Rachel Tompkins. The pastor motioned toward her, and Steve stepped over to the sofa where she was seated and extended his hand. “Go ahead and have a seat,” the reverend said.

Steve took his seat beside the young lady, approximately his age, carefully allowing a couple feet of distance between them.

“Rachel just completed her degree at Grand Rapids Baptist college. She’s an accountant.”

“Congratulations.” Steve looked at her, still smiling.

“Thank you. I’m working just as a junior partner right now, just started with a local firm a few weeks ago, after graduation.”

“That’s awesome.”

“And Rachel’s single,” the pastor added.

Steve gulped, then nodded.

“She’ll be joining us for dinner.”

As they glanced at each other in that awkward moment, Steve felt like he’d suddenly traveled back in time. His mother used to try to set him up with girls, and the introductions were never pleasant. What was he supposed to say in a moment like that? She seemed very nice—pretty as well—but dating really didn’t interest him yet.

When Mrs. Mathers called them to the dining room, Rachel took a seat next to Steve and a string of questions ensued from the pastor and his wife. They made a point to mention Steve had a dog after Rachel mentioned her new puppy. They asked both Steve and Rachel questions about their Bible colleges, emphasizing similarities.

After dinner, to be polite, Steve invited Rachel to his house next door to meet Felix. When he opened the back door, Felix came running—more like lumbering—excitedly, tail wagging, and Rachel squatted to greet him. Felix liked her, so Steve took it as a good sign. “If you’re interested in youth work, our group is going miniature golfing Thursday.”

“Really? That sounds like fun.”

“We could always use another chaperone. We usually have about ten to twenty teens who show up.”

“I’ll think about it…thanks.” She looked up and smiled warmly.

“All the information’s in the church bulletin and on the church website. We’ll meet at the church at seven.”

She rose to her feet. “Steve…may I call you Steve?”

“Please.”

“Steve, please forgive me. I appreciate what Pastor and Mrs. Mathers are trying to do, and I really like you. You seem very nice…but—”

“I’m not ready for dating right now,” Steve blurted out. “I like you too, but I’m really only interested in friendship.”

She sighed, obviously relieved. “In that case…I’ll be happy to join you Thursday. I do love working with teens.”