Only Prompts - 26. Prompt 848: "That was the last thing I ever expected to see."

"That was the last thing I ever expected to see."

“Was it?” Neil leaned back in the wooden pew. He glanced down at his hands and picked at a dry cuticle. “They’ve been together for years. ‘Bout time they got married.”

“You believe that? That people who’ve been together a long time should get married?” Alex looked up at the stained-glass window. His eyes moved to the next and then to the front of the church. The enormous crucifix held his gaze.

The wooden cross creaked loudly. Alex’s eyes shot to Neil who seemed not to have heard.

I suffered mightily.

Alex’s prominent Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. Reaching up with long, slim fingers he dabbed at the sweat on his forehead that beaded as Jesus’ eyes moved to meet his own.

Blood ran freely from the Saviour’s five holy wounds.

I suffered mightily … for you, Alex Gleason. For you!

“Oh, shit!” Alex pulled himself up using the pew in front to steady himself. His eyes still fastened on the crucifix.

“Hey, Alex? You okay? What is wro—” Neil peered up and slowly rose.

Alex stumbled from the pew to the aisle. Confetti lay in pretty coloured dots on the tan carpet.

You cannot escape our sight, Alex Gleason. No matter where you run. I suffered for you.

“No! NO.” Alex’s brain screamed while from his mouth came a whisper. “You didn’t suffer for me. You’re not real, you’ve never been real.”

The young man stumbled down the aisle and out of the open doors of the church. Stopping short, he watched from behind the others as they waved off the bride and groom.

Chest heaving, Alex stood, fighting for control, and grateful for the sun and fresh air. From his left front pocket, he pulled a cotton handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his face.

“Whoa, A … what the fu…heck? Are you okay?” Neil whispered as he joined his partner on the cement stairs.

The crowd of family and friends walked down the church steps, laughing and chatting about the lovely and long-awaited wedding of their loved ones.

Alex turned to his boyfriend. “Did you hear anything in there? The wood creaking?”

“What wood? Like the pews you mean?” Confusion breezed across Neil’s handsome face. “It’s an old church and they are original I think, so they could have …”

“No. Forget it. I hate churches and all that goes with them.” Alex pulled himself together. Straightening his tie and shrugging his jacket back into place. “Next wedding in one, don’t ask me to go with you.”

The crowd was now mostly dispersed as people made their way to the parking lot. The pair started slowly down the stairs together. Neil reached for Alex’s hand.

“A … are you okay? What happened in there?” Neil felt the dampness on Alex’s palm. “You seemed … like scared or something.”

“Churches scare me. All that crap does. I hate it.” Alex gave Neil a tight-lipped smile and squeezed his hand. “Thanks.”

A quick grin of acceptance reached Neil’s lips and was gone. “What about receptions? You okay with those?”

“Is it in a church?” Alex released Neil’s hand as they arrived at their silver Volkswagen Golf.

Laughing, Neil unlocked the driver’s side door. “No, it’s at the Marriott.”

Alex slid into the passenger seat and pulled over his seat belt. “Thank Christ for that.”

the end