Jesus Freaks: Sins of the Father(45)

He sounds surprised and I laugh. “What is it with you people?”

“You people?” His eyes bug out in amusement.

“Yes. You people as in you and Eden. Haven’t you known each other for, like, a hundred years?”

“Yes,” he murmurs as his cheeks turn red.

“And don’t you think she’s gorgeous?”

Jonah’s eyes flick to mine for a minute before looking sideways. “Kennedy,” he whispers in full embarrassment. It’s his turn to feel twelve.

“Sorry. Just…think about it, huh? You two would be perfect for each other. She sings, you play guitar—or whatever it is you’re doing with the worship team. She wants to be a pastor’s wife, and you’re like a Roland-in-Training.” I swallow hard over the last words, always second-guessing if I’m giving something away.

Jonah looks shocked as his eyes move back to my face. “You think I want to be a pastor?”

I sigh. “Oh, Jonah, before I came here, I assumed everyone came here for the purpose of leading a church. Cut me some slack.” Behind me, the bell rings, indicating an impatient customer. Can’t they see I’m setting up true love here? “Sorry, I gotta go. Think about it, k? And don’t you dare tell her about this conversation.”

Jonah looks shaken, but maintains his pleasant demeanor as he raises his hand. “Hand to God.”

“Thanks…I think.”

Jonah goes back to his seat and I return to my post to find Roland standing at the counter, looking quite amused with himself.

“Did you ring that bell?” I offer as my greeting.

He nods. “I did.”

Chelsea pokes her head out of the storeroom, where she’s been stocking coffee for the last half hour. “You okay out here, Ken?”

I nod and she goes back to her task.

“Ken?” Roland questions with a comical look on his face.

I shrug. “She’s the only one who does it. Here’s to hoping it doesn’t catch on.”

I like Chelsea a lot, and appreciate the non-Carter kids my age I get to talk to. She’s full of all kinds of questions about student life there, many of the same ones I had before enrolling. She looks at me like she’s viewing some circus sideshow and I manage to piece together some understanding for the way Joy looks at me if that is the way I look at her. Like she’s a freak.

“Do you want a drink? I know I told you to come so we could talk, but I’ve got like an hour and a half until my break.”

Roland’s eyes scan the menu behind me. “Just a coffee.” He shrugs as if the menu behind me is overwhelming. It kind of is.

I chuckle. “Yes, of course. Regular, decaf, half-caff?”

“Half, please.”

“Meet you at the end of the counter.”

Roland and I haven’t spent any time together in the last two weeks due to quizzes and studying and me wanting to take things slowly. He sends me texts regularly to check in with how things are going. Our conversations largely stick to coursework, and while I know he’d like it to go deeper, I’m thankful for the space at the moment.

“Here you go.”

“Thanks. Can we still talk on your break?” He takes the cup and begins sipping it black.

I shrug. “I guess. It’s going to be an hour—”

“And a half, I know.” Roland puts up his hand and smiles. “I’ve got notes to work on, so I’ll stick around here.”

“Cramming for tomorrow’s sermon?” I tease.

He laughs and adjusts the strap of his messenger bag across his chest. “I like to polish a bit before it all tumbles out of my mouth.” He toasts the air with his cup and makes his way to a booth in the back of the cafe.

Scanning the space, I see Jonah and his two friends laughing. They look completely normal in this setting. Just a few attractive college students drinking coffee. What makes them different to onlookers and eavesdroppers, however, will undoubtedly be their conversation. I wish I were a little closer to hear just what they’re saying. My assumptions, though, are once again proven wrong as I watch one of them move his hands in the air in the shape of a woman’s figure, moving in for the waist and out for the hips.

My mouth falls open, and I’m caught gawking at the group of them when Jonah’s head turns to the side and he spots me. Embarrassed at the whole thing, I quickly turn around to busy myself with something. Anything. Unloading the sterilizer is the first and most pressing task, and one that will keep my back to Jonah.

Of course. Of course they’re still guys. Just like I’m still a normal girl even though I go up on the hill. A month ago, watching guys engage in such behavior would likely have gone unnoticed. Elicited an eye roll at most. Seeing it from the godly men at Carter first fills me with the Oh my word, no they didn’t, and then I’m calmed by the Yes, yes they did. Because they’re normal people. Thank you, Jesus.

Once I rationalize that I’m more thankful to see slices of their humanity peeking through their Divine exteriors, I’m calmed and can go about my duties behind the counter.

Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Jesus, that they really are just people.

For the next hour, Word is slammed. The building is located across from a cinema that shows both new releases and classic movies, so pre and post shows the coffee shop is buzzing with activity. Chelsea finished her stocking job and moved out onto the floor with me during the first five minutes of the rush, and is still spinning circles around me as orders are called in left and right.