Carrie And Me: A Mother-Daughter Love Story Part 28

She reaches back into her bag and grabs a pad of paper and a charcoal pencil. Opening the pad, she brushes the page three times with the back of her hand and begins making bold strokes. F.M. sits up straighter in the driver's seat.

Kate smiles at him. "Relax."

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one being stared at."

"F.M., do you ever take that hat off?"

"To shower, to sleep, and in church. That's it."

"You go to church?"

"Of course I do. Don't you?"

"Nope. Never been."

"Not even when you were a kid?"

"Nope."

"Wanna go with me on Sunday?"

"I hope you're kidding."

"It's fun."

"Fun? Church?"

"Afraid to find out?"

"Not me."

Everyone gathering outside the Baptist church is very dressed up. Kate, still in her now very wrinkled club clothes, feels awkward and out of place. F.M. is still wearing jeans, but his hat is off, his hair combed neatly, and he has a sport coat on. They are walking toward the entrance to the church.

Kate clutches at F.M.'s arm. "I don't think I can do this."

"Why not?"

"Look at me!"

"You look fine."

"What I look like is weird next to these people."

A black woman approaches, wearing a large hat, gloves, and a frilly dress-her Sunday best. She's smiling. "Hi there!"

"h.e.l.lo." F.M. flashes his grin in response.

"Haven't seen you two around before."

"Just pa.s.sin' through, ma'am."

"Name's Beulah. Beulah Tynant."

"Franklin Marshall Taylor, and this here's Kate."

"Well, h.e.l.lo there, Kate. Aren't you pretty as a picture."

Kate self-consciously smooths her dress.

"I sure am glad to see you both here. We got a lot to celebrate today! Now, you all go in and getcha a seat. I do believe it's going to be standing room only today, praise G.o.d! I'll see you inside!"

Kate turns to F.M. "I can't do this."

"Of course you can."

"Well, let me put it this way, cowboy, I don't want to." Kate holds her ground as F.M. gives her a good long look.

"Okay. I don't want to force you. Mind waiting for me?"

Kate looks around. "No, I guess not."

"I'll see you in a little bit, then. If you need me, you know where I am."

He enters the church. Kate stands outside, watching the last members of the congregation go into the building. After the large doors shut she sits on the steps. It's not long before she hears an electric organ and voices raised in song. The sound of the gospel music is exciting, even through the heavy church doors.

Kate sits and tries to resist, but her feet are tapping to the rhythm. She looks at the doors of the church. Before she knows it, she's slipping inside.

The church is packed with people. There's a huge choir, and even a band. People are standing and clapping, shaking tambourines and raising their hands in the air. Kate leans against the back wall of the church, letting the sound and the joy wash over her.

After the service, as people file out of the church, F.M. sees Kate standing against a large tree across the lawn. He walks over to her.

"You get bored out here, Kate?"

"No."

"Wanna get some breakfast?"

"Sure."

Beulah comes over. "Kate! I hope you enjoyed the sermon."

"It was nice."

Beulah hands her a new Bible. "Here. I want you to have this. A little memento of your visit to Caldwell Baptist."

Kate takes the Bible and stares at it.