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My stomach drops like a rock. Here we are again.
Dad must have talked to him.
Ministry. It’s always about ministry. No one in the church community has any genuine interest in me or what I have to say. It’s all about fixing my broken pieces even when I’ve always felt whole just as I am.
“Do you need me to take vacuum duty tonight?” Sofia asks from behind me, making me jump.
“I think we’re fine,” Brandon says. “Let’s just get the chairs stacked and call it a night. I’ll make sure the vacuuming gets done after second service tomorrow.”
Sofia sets her hands on her hips, pretending to frown. “We are absolutely not leaving here tonight without vacuuming.”
Brandon frowns. “I don’t want to put you out. You both already do so much.”
A look flashes in Sofia’s eyes so quickly that it would be indiscernible to anyone else. But this is my big sister, and I know her better than even our own parents.
She hates that he lumped me in the same category as her, as if I help as much as she does.
Because even though she won’t admit it to herself, she knows I’m not really a Christian, and someone who doesn’t believe in God doesn’t deserve the honor of being the Mary to her Martha.
“The whole reason I’m here is to help you with the things that don’t normally get done,” Sofia says. “As a matter of fact, I wanted to ask if you need any PA help this week. I have Wednesday off, and I’d be happy to fill in.”
Brandon shuts his eyes and runs a palm over his forehead. “That’s very kind of you, but to be honest, I’m not sure.” He smiles sheepishly. “Not having a PA means I’m also in charge of scheduling, and I haven’t made a schedule for the volunteers yet.” He chuckles. “You’d never think I once owned a business with the mess I am right now.”
I frown. “What happened to your PA?”
“She’s on maternity leave,” Sofia says, smiling. “And Pastor Brandon thinks he can do it all.”
He shakes his head. “I miscalculated. The problem with volunteers is it’s a hassle to arrange and schedule everything. It becomes a job of its own. And Daisy normally does so much more than typical PA tasks. She has a bachelor’s in church history, so she helps me with sermons. I didn’t realize how much I needed her until she went on leave.”
Sofia’s eyes grow wide. “Mari has a history degree.”
Heat creeps into my neck. Where is she going with this?
Brandon licks his lip. “Yeah, I know.”
“And she’s been looking for some kind of volunteer or internship position before she starts graduate school.” Sofia looks at me. “This is perfect. You can fill in for Daisy’s last few months off. Mom and Dad would be ecstatic.”
My mouth falls open. Why the hell does she want me to do this? She knows I’m not suited for…
Oh my God. She planned this.
My gaze rushes over Brandon’s face, but he looks just as baffled as I am. Maybe he’s not in on her scheme.
But Dad is. Maybe even Mom too.
And how can I say no? In the two months since I graduated, Mom and Dad have been paying my portion of the rent on the apartment Sofia and I share, which they said they wouldn’t do unless I found an internship or was volunteering somewhere. Not to mention the fact that they had to fund an extra two years of college after I changed my major, which my dad loves to remind me of whenever he wants something from me.
“I’d love to help,” I say, my voice strained.
Something strange and unreadable flashes in Brandon’s eyes. He clears his throat. “I don’t want to put you out. It’s a lot of hours to work without getting paid.”
“It’ll look great on my resume.” I force a smile. “We’ll call it an internship. Make sure you throw in some theology education, Pastor.”
His gaze drops to my mouth, and my stomach flutters. I wasn’t even trying to flirt with him, though I usually only call him Pastor as a tease when I want to fluster him.
“Well…” He swallows. “I guess it’s the perfect situation.”
Sofia grins. “Yay! Mom and Dad will be overjoyed when they find out.”
