<°)))><
Zoe came into the room in her pyjamas. Her pyjama top had a rabbit popping out of a hat. Magic. Appropriate. She sat down beside Ruby.
“You okay?”
“Just a bit spooked.” Ruby propped herself up.
“I can understand that, and I can’t imagine what you went through or are going through. Sometimes it’s best to talk through things. But if you’re like me, you don’t remember much about the event. And that infuriates me—that they drugged us, and I can’t even remember any of the people there.”
“It’s okay, Zoe. The police are going to do their stuff.”
“That detective was quite cute,” Zoe said, regaining her composure. Her comment lightened the heaviness in the room.
“Married, but he gave me a card if you want to contact him.”
“Just as well we have good Christian values.”
Ruby pulled the covers up towards her neck. “Funny you say that, Zoe. Are you a Christian?”
“I’ve never been asked that before. I suppose I am. I always try and do the right thing, although I do have a weakness for men.” She gave Ruby a light punch. “Are you?”
“I’ve never been asked that before either. I just made the assumption that I’m not, because I don’t go to Church.”
“I go a few times a year and you can guess when that is. My parents raised me as a Christian, so I suppose that’s why I believe I’m one.”
“My parents never went to church and I don’t have a memory of God ever being mentioned in our household except Jesus being cursed.”
“Praises in my house and cursing in your house,” Zoe said. “Don’t get me wrong, I heard cursing in my house too. But I often wondered why they only cursed Jesus and not Buddha or some other god. Maybe we should go to Church together sometime and find the answers.”
“I think that’s a good idea. I believe we’ve just experienced something evil and I feel God may be the help I need to get through this.”
“Do you remember much?” Zoe said, positioning a pillow behind her back.
“No, thankfully. But my head’s not right. My mind is trying to sort out what happened. You know how you spoke about the moon on the barge.”
“The aspirin and pea discussion?”
“Yea, that. Well, I now realise the mind is more powerful than I gave it credit for. And it’s trying hard to patch up whatever it was that I experienced.”
“God must have brought those men along to save you.”
A shiver ran through her. “Maybe you’re right, Zoe. Maybe those men can help me.”
“Do you remember their names?”
“I remember one was Christopher,” Ruby said.
“I remember the other one was Wally. And I remember him referring to his friend as Churchie.”
“Maybe he can help recommend a church.”
They laughed but Ruby was serious. She needed this man’s help.
20 – Church and a man who sees things
JACK ARRIVED HOME LATE. He was tired, and sick of weekend work.
Erica gave him a hug as he entered the house. He looked into her eyes and saw something. He wasn’t quite sure what. Something was different.
“Johnny in bed?”
“He is. Told me to tell you that he loves you.”
Jack smiled, placed his arm over Erica’s shoulder, and strolled with her into the kitchen.
“Would you like a coffee?”
“Yes, lovely. Bit late but would be nice.”
Jack stood at the entrance to the butler pantry and watched Erica as she put her barista skills into action.
“Behind every great coffee is a great barista.” Seeing Erica lifted his spirits.
“Well, I had to learn, because your criteria for a great coffee was a lot lower than mine. Too many bad cups of coffee on the job have deadened your taste buds.”
“You’re right and I’m not complaining.”
“Was your day okay?” Erica asked.
