Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
As the service started, I couldn’t help smiling. Worth on one side, my mom on the other, my dad welcoming folks in his radio-worthy baritone. It was everything I’d ever wanted, and when Worth gave my hand a discreet squeeze, my heart swelled to almost painful proportions. I’d wanted this for years, and not simply my schoolboy crush on Worth, back when I’d wanted the hot high schooler as a status symbol. No, I’d spent the past fifteen years wanting this. A loving partner to show off, sure, but also someone to hold my hand, to value my time and energy, to understand why I loved this place so much and what it meant to me and why I came back week after week, long after any familial obligation was over.
“Wow, he’s good. And look at the kids. Cute.” Worth whispered to me as Cal and the choir did a lively number about Jonah that got all the kids in the service hyped. I followed Worth’s gaze to the family two pews over, a pair of moms who came into the coffee shop often with their blended multicultural family of adoptees. Maybe someday…
“Super cute,” I agreed, continuing to hold Worth’s hand. “Bet our kids wouldn’t be so well-behaved.”
It was a blatant fishing expedition, but Worth merely squeezed my hand and gave me a far more indulgent look than I deserved. “Your kids? They’d be dancing in the aisle and climbing the altar.”
“Guilty.” I floated happily along on a cloud of someday as the choir took their seats so my dad could continue the theme of Jonah and the true meaning of faith and forgiveness. As always, my dad spoke and signed his sermon, a comforting familiarity. However, I was too caught up in Worth’s nearness to absorb most of the familiar lesson, and indeed, I almost missed standing for the final hymn.
I’d also wanted someone for the after-church socializing, a reason to leave early, someone to exchange knowing glances with, someone to be proud of, all of that. Bring on the sappy, mushy, sentimental stuff. I was all for it. I’d been the single guy at far too many events not to enjoy every moment of having Worth by my side.
And that it was Worth, specifically, made a huge difference. Sure, he was handsome and well-dressed and the guy who lit my bedroom on fire, but he was also Worth. Kind to my mom, using his returning signing skills with her and her friends, and quick to heap praise on me and the coffee shop whenever he could. In sum, he was the perfect boyfriend.
“So glad you made it. You both need a day off. You work too hard.” Signing quickly, my mom greeted us with a playful scolding as we gathered at their nearby house for lunch. In addition to Worth and me, there were several friends and neighbors, pleasant chatter filtering from the dining room and backyard to the living room.
“Sam’s the one who does most of the work,” Worth said loyally, pausing so I could translate. “I get to play around with the espresso machine all day. It’s fun.”
“I’m thankful you could join us for lunch, Worth.” Both speaking and signing, my father came into their cozy living room, having exchanged his suit for rolled-up shirtsleeves and an open collar. Taller than me with far less hair, he had my nose and wide hands. A pair of wire-rimmed glasses perched on his face, precarious as always.
“Thank you for having me.” Worth gave him a hearty handshake. “Good sermon, sir.”
“None of that sir business. It’s Peter.” Dad clapped him on the back as he steered us toward the dining room and adjacent patio where the others were gathered. “And thank you. Jonah is one of my favorite lessons.”
“If only everyone’s prayers for rescue worked like that.” Worth’s tone was almost wistful. I pulled up short in the dining room doorway, eager to hear how my dad might respond.
“I like to think all prayers are heard. Sometimes, the answer isn’t what we hoped or comes in a far different form than we wanted.” Dad echoed Worth’s thoughtful tone. “To me, Jonah and the whale has always been more about forgiveness than a reward for faithfulness.”
“Yes, because God had to forgive Jonah.” Worth nodded.
“No, Jonah had to forgive himself for disobeying God. And let go of his anger at God.”
“Oh.” Worth’s mouth made a perfect circle. “Maybe I need to re-read that entire passage.”
“Maybe so.” Dad gave his shoulder a friendly squeeze. “And I’m here if you need to talk through it.”
“Thank you, si—Peter.”
“Now, enough deep philosophical talk before the food.” Dad seemed to pick up on Worth’s tenuous mental state and adopted a lighter tone. “I’ve been desperate to know what you think of Sam’s big plans for his house?”