Memories Forever

Chapter 9 - Feelings and Expressions

He couldn’t help stare at her as she fell asleep in his arms last night. He marveled that his young childhood playmate was growing up so fast with such a beautiful perfect figure, lovely brown eyes, a sonorous voice and an enchanting laugh. He had hidden his feelings for her when he turned 16. With a four year age gap, he had refused to act on his feelings towards her until she was old enough.

He looked down at the beauty in his arms and hugged her tighter, she seemed to enjoy it. Karen was his sweetheart and even though a guest in her parent's home, he will enjoy his time with her whenever he can. He lifted her chin to him and asked her in his husky voice ‘Baby…have you ever been kissed?’

She turned beet red knowing that Archer knew quite well that she had not had any boy kiss her ever and so she tried to look away from him by taking her face down but he kept her chin up and leaned in, his breath fanning her face. Karen looked up and was about to say something, when his lips enveloped hers in a gentle kiss.

She leaned into him as Archer continued grazing over her lips with his lips. ‘A-r-che-er’ she purred. That seemed to ignite a fire in him as he crushed his mouth over hers, guiding hers in response. This was Karen’s dream come true and she was fully in the moment.

He knew he had to stop now and get going downstairs before someone came looking for either of them. He pulled away after the deep and passionate kiss and went out of the room quickly to continue his chores, leaving Karen breathless and bothered

Karen stood still in her room for a full five minutes after Archer left, touching her lips and smiling foolishly. She was giddy and in love. Her crush was finally into her she thought. She couldn’t contain her happiness as she hurriedly got bathed and ready to go downstairs to join the family for breakfast and then church

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Somewhere near the edge of the city, in Middletown, two brothers were discussing in the living room. It was 7am and Kyle was getting ready to leave for the airport.

‘So I’ll come by your school to see you next month when I come to Granville for a conference’ Kyle said to his brother

‘Okay Bro…’ Ephraim answered happily. Kyle his older brother, with a two year age gap, had always been as close as twins. Their brotherly bond was tested this past year, it had been many months they had seen each other because Kyle had been overseas for a year training as a Realtor in one of the finest firms in New Wieck.

‘I am glad to be done with my exchange program in a few weeks. I will visit home more frequently now’ Kyle promised

‘You better’ Ephraim warned him laughing and slapping his shoulder as they both laughed.

‘How is school though? how is Architecture going?’ Kyle inquired

‘Cool.’ Ephraim replied ‘Now just getting the hang of it. My first year was rough’ he continued, grimacing as he remembered the tedious schedule and how he had to really pray and subdue all challenges faced with the dorm system, his desire to start a fellowship group and then making new friends. Things became easier in his second year

‘Oh I can imagine… You can do excellently well bro just put your mind to it’ Kyle encouraged

‘Yeah, thanks man.’ They embraced, did the guy handshake and Kyle reached for his bag

‘You are not coming with us to church?’ Ephraim observed

‘No I told dad I’ll attend the 10am service at the branch when I get into New Wieck. My flight leaves at 8am and so can’t wait for the 9am service here. Kyle ended sadly. He knew Ephraim was billed to minister today and sad that he would miss it

‘Oh okay. Well stay spiritual bro…. remember’, Ephraim said clasping his hands on his shoulder

‘Yea...my young pastor. I will'. Kyle remarked ‘Hey I don’t even know why you still went ahead to study at the University when you could just go straight to the seminary, continue the family tradition. He teased, quirking his eyebrow at him

‘Yea.. tradition that you jumped and passed’ Ephraim laughed. ‘And yea I will attend a theological school but as my Masters after I am done with the Bachelor in Architecture. I intend to be a lay pastor so I can still practice as an architect.

‘Oh okay, great’ Kyle smiled, proud of his brother

‘Yeah…my intellectual young pastor in the making’ Tim Reynolds remarked proudly as he walked in on his two sons

‘Good morning father.’ the boys chorused

‘Good morning boys.’ He replied as they both walked to where he was standing

‘Heading off Kyle? Tim asked his son

‘Yes sir’ Kyle replied lifting his bag up

‘Kay l’ll be in NW next week. We have a retreat there at the church branch. I’ll be coming with mum’ their dad said

‘Okay cool dad…I’ll be there to receive you guys’ Kyle beamed in reply

‘Thank you son’ his mum said, walking in to call them for breakfast. ‘Come eat boys…Breakfast is served.’

‘Mum..I have to leave now’ Kyle whined.. ‘my flight…’

‘Nonsense Kay…. Have a piece of toast at least’ she stated firmly. Kyle grumbled as the rest of them laughed, walking out to the hallway to get to the dining room

They were interrupted by the doorbell...

Agatha went to open the door, and found a smiling Melissa at the door. ‘Good morning mum, dad’ she chirped, smiling and entering the house

‘Hello dear’ her mum replied, hugging her and stepping outside with Tim to see the Grahams’ who had brought her home

‘Melissa? I wondered where you were, thought you won’t be here to see me leave’ Kyle called out to her feigning an angry face

Melissa laughed and ran to her brother Kyle, jumping on him and hugging tightly. ‘Leaving already?’

‘Yeah I told you girl’ Kyle told her, ‘Is she always this forgetful?’ he asked his bother. Ephraim shook his head at them laughing as they all got into the dining room.

‘Oh so sorry. I was at my friend Gina’s birthday party last night and we finished too late so her mum called mum to explain I’d be sleeping over.’ Melissa explained her absence. ‘They are outside, brought me home personally’

‘Yeah I was to attend the gathering, Phoenix invited me to come share the Word with his friends but had to drive here straight from the youth program at the community center. Kyle and I had some activity planned’ Ephraim said, Melissa nodding and settling down to plate her breakfast

Agatha and Pastor Tim waived goodbye to their friends, Gina’s parents, as they got in their car to leave ‘See you in church Pastor’ they called out

‘Sure Graham’ Pastor Tim replied, coming back in with his wife to meet the kids at the dining table. ‘Okay people let’s eat quickly and get going to church and the airport' he said the last bit pointing at Kyle

The family had come together for the memorial service of their granny. It was an annual event every year since Agatha’s mum passed. It was always nice to see their three kids under the same roof again. Melissa would be going off to college in another year and that would leave the house all empty, save for her and Tim her husband. His pastoral work and her work with the women at the community center was more than enough to keep them occupied, happy and content.

They quickly ate their meal and headed their respective ways

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Back at the Lordwicks’, Emma tried to round them up for the 9 am church service. ‘C’mon guys let’s get going, we don’t want to be late for church’

After ten minutes of bellowing and prodding, Martin finally got the whole lot into three different vehicles and they set off for church, a chapel close to the edge of Middletown city. They went that far to church because it was pastored by his former classmate and revered gentleman, Tim Reynolds. They had been close buddies and prayer partners a long time before Pastor Tim was called into full time ministry.

Martin and Emma did their bit in church and were among the church leaders there. They alighted from their cars and went into the hall. Karen, Felicia and Gretchen made to go the teens church hall as usual, but an usher redirected them to the main church hall, saying there was a combined service with the adults that day.

The girls huffed. ‘Oh that means we get to listen the boring adult service’ whispered Karen laughing

‘Shh shut up..’ Felicia chided laughing

‘Well it’s true.. ours is more exciting. We have dancing, drama and word drills that are much fun’ Gretchen concurred with Karen as they walked to the pews

‘And loud you mean’ Archer remarked, joining the conversation behind them, chuckling lightly

‘Yea yea, because you would know right?’ Felicia threw back at him with an eye roll, not convinced the boy had ever gone to church before coming to live with them

‘Ofcourse I do…I was an altar boy back in my town.’ Archer said proudly, taking his seat beside them

‘Mmhmm’ the girls chorused in disbelief, Karen turning to look at him, remembering his hot and passionate smooch a few hours ago and then shaking off the thoughts.

He winked at her knowing fully well what she was thinking. He chuckled as she mouthed ‘we are in church’

Karen shook her head aghast, mumbling a ‘sorry Lord, forgive this silly boy’