Page 160 of Healing Eleanor

He returns to the podium. “Our soul wouldn’t be a soul without the flesh—our body. And there are times when our soul feels heavy, weighed down by things we can’t explain. Hurts from the past, regrets, or even fear of the future.”

My heart clenches. Everything he says feels like it’s meant just for me. I know why I’ve been led here. It’s God wanting me to hear this.

“This is why we must remember God’s faithfulness in the past, cry out to Him in the present, and trust in His plan for our future.”

Tears threaten to fall. Every word resonates deeper than I could have imagined. They answer questions I don’t even know how to ask.

I fumble for a pen in my purse and start taking notes, trying to hold onto every insight.

When the service ends, the pastor prays over the congregation, asking the Holy Spirit to search our souls and reveal what’s weighing us down.

As he says amen, I open my eyes and realize a single tear has fallen down my cheek. The weight I’ve been carrying lifts completely from my shoulders.

Dillon takes the stage and plays one final song. The backboard reads Waiting by Healing Place Worship. As he sings, I lift my hands into the air, feeling freer than I have in my entire life—because I will, in fact, praise Him anyway.

His voice carries every word so beautifully that I can’t help but sing along, following the lyrics on the screen.

When the song ends, I don’t want to leave. I want to live in this moment, to feel this way forever. It’s like shaking up a soda bottle, but instead of exploding, the fizz spreads through my entire body, filling me with energy I don’t know I have. It’s like climbing Mount Everest with no training, yet standing at the summit anyway. It feels like dancing in the rain.

As everyone starts filing out, I realize I’m awkwardly in the way, though no one seems to mind. When a gap appears in the crowd, I slip into the lobby.

The room quickly fills with people talking, laughing, and sharing in the warmth of the service. I hesitate, unsure if I should wait for Lily.

But thankfully, I don’t have to.

Arms wrap around me from behind in a fierce hug. “I’m so happy you’re here!” Lily squeals into my ear.

When she lets me go, I turn to give her a proper hug. “Me too,” I say softly.

“How did you like it?” she asks, bouncing on her toes, her eyes sparkling.

A smile spreads wide across my face. “I loved it,” I beam.

She takes both of my hands in hers. “You have no idea how happy I am for you,” she whispers.

“Lily—” a voice calls out. “Oh—there you are.” Evelyn weaves through the crowd, a surprised smile lighting her face. “Eleanor! How wonderful to see you, honey.” She leans in for a warm hug.

I hug her back. “I’m happy to be here.”

Gabriel walks through the doors, Dillon and Nik not far behind. “Eleanor,” Gabriel greets, coming toward me with open arms. “I can’t believe you’re here right now.” He laughs.

His laugh is contagious. “Me neither.”

Dillon offers a hug next. “It’s good to see you, Eleanor,” he says, his smile genuine.

“You too,” I reply, adding, “I had no idea you could sing like that.” I point toward the room, the one I’ve learned is called a sanctuary. “I swear I had chills the entire time.”

A faint blush rises on Dillon’s cheeks. “Ah, that wasn’t me, that was the Holy Spirit, but thank you.”

My eyes drift to Nik. He stands back, hesitant, cautious, but not angry. I force a slow breath in, knowing I’ll have to be the one to close the distance.

The group starts chatting among themselves, but Nik and I stay locked in a quiet stare. I take a slow step toward him, testing the waters. He tenses slightly but doesn’t move. When I finally stand in front of him, the urge to throw my arms around him is almost irresistible, but I hold back.

“Hi,” I manage, looking up at him.

A small smirk tugs at his lips. “Hi,” he says, uncrossing his arms and sliding his hands into his coat pockets.

I take an anchoring breath, gathering every ounce of courage I have. “Ca—can I talk to you?” I fumble slightly. “Alone?”