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There’s a man I recognize who opens the back door and welcomes us in as we enter. It’s huge in here, but a lot of it is still under construction. Straight ahead is a big open walkway, and I can see the front of the church from here.
We’re all walking fast now as more people join us. They’re the people who work with my dad, although I don’t really know their names or positions. They don’t talk to us much. And I don’t pay much attention when they talk to Dad, giving him instructions and things to remember.
As a family, we meet together at the front of the church. Large black doors loom ahead of us, and I stare at them in confusion. Those aren’t church doors. Not like our last church.
“Okay, so we’ll greet them outside before welcoming them in. Melanie, you lead the ladies to the nursery. Let them see you checking your boys in and then they’ll do the same.”
My father touches my shoulder and stares down at me. “Adam, I want you to stand here and greet the congregation. Understand?”
“Yes, Dad,” I reply proudly with a nod. I’m not nervous. I’ve been the greeter hundreds of times at our last church. I can do this in my sleep. But as one of his employees hands me a box of programs, I stare at them, confused.
This is a lot more than we’ll need.
For the next few minutes, everyone seems to be running around frantically. One of the men my dad has worked with a long time, Mark, talks with him in private near the door. With nothing better to do, I eavesdrop on their conversation.
“Make sure to talk about that new club that opened down the street. We need to promote family values.”
My father nods while reading the paper Mark gave him. “Yes, yes. House of sin…desecration of our good city. This is great.”
“Encourage tidings for this mission. As a community, we can have that club closed down,” Mark replies.
“Their donations would fund the legal team we need to pass this bill through legislation,” my father says.
“Perfect,” Mark says, clapping him on the shoulder.
I turn toward my mother, who’s busy fixing Caleb’s tie. “Mom…”
She glances up at me.
“What’s Dad talking about?” I ask. “What club are they trying to take down?”
When she looks in their direction, I notice the way her features stiffen like she’s annoyed. “None of your concern, Adam. Don’t worry about it, love.”
A moment later, my father rejoins us, but Mark stays on the sidelines. And when the assistants finally open the doors, my family is all standing together like we’re posing for a Christmas card, smiling and waving.
When my eyes adjust to see the crowd waiting out front, my smile fades and my eyes widen. This is a lot bigger than the congregation we had at our last church.
My dad steps out first, waving at everyone with a big, proud smile. Once their cheers and applause have faded, he makes a little speech while I stare in surprise at everyone waiting to come in. Dad had been getting more and more popular at our last church, but I had no idea it was like this. Is this from that book he wrote?
The next thing I know, he cuts the ribbon and then the congregation is all rushing in. They smile at me, thank me, and take their programs one by one. Then Dad positions himself at my side, placing a heavy hand on my shoulder as he helps me pass out programs.
We do that together, and when he glances at me during the chaos of it all, he smiles, and it feels so good because he never looks at me like that.
The crowd of people slows down, and during a quieter moment, he squeezes my shoulder. He’s happy, and I wish he could be like this forever.
And I don’t know why, but I want to show him I’m old enough now. I’m not a kid anymore and he can include me in things that he doesn’t include the younger boys in. “So, what were you and Mark talking about?” I ask.
He responds with a confused expression, so I continue.
“Some club you want to shut down.”
His jaw clenches as he inhales through his flared nostrils. I’m nearly as tall as him now, so when he turns me toward him, I can look directly into his eyes. “There are people in this world who threaten the values we hold close, Adam. Temptation our community shouldn’t be exposed to. It’s our job to protect these good people, Adam. It’s our job to protect their souls. Do you understand?”
Silently, I nod.
Then he glances around the giant entryway of this new church. “This will all be yours someday, Adam. You want that, don’t you?”
Do I? This wouldn’t be so bad. I could get used to all of this attention. Plus, the people are all so nice.
