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He waited for me to say something. Anything. But I still looked like a surprised beluga whale, half agape and afraid to move because I couldn’t remember if I was wearing my TMJ headgear as I needed to do while driving because I always clenched my jaw on long trips. My hand crept to my chin, and I felt relief wash over me realizing I hadn’t put it on yet.
He frowned, watching my fingers frantically wander over my face as if I’d forgotten to wax my mustache, but he continued. “But whatever was between us back then is gone now. The person I was when I fell in love with her all those years ago is gone. She has changed with time, matured, and we are complete strangers aside from the brief history we had when we weren’t even adults yet.”
He went on, giving his shoulders some slack. “We want completely different things, her and I. Church is very important to me, whereas she worships the gym. I want to see the world—she wants to explore Ikea. She wants twelve children, and I can’t see myself having a family with her at all. Believe me when I say Carolyn and I were a good part of each other’s lives, but only in the past...”
“It’s none of my business, Eli.” I swatted away all my stoic feelings momentarily and tried just to listen. Technically, it wasn’t my business, but I wanted to hear it anyway. I hoped he would continue.
“But I want it to be your business, Katie.”
My cheeks reddened. Is that so?
“It was too late for Carolyn because I want to be with you. I knew it from the moment we met, just those few days ago. I know it sounds crazy, but my soul recognized yours. I’ve been praying about it and… from the moment I saw you, Katie, I knew you were going to be special to me. I just surprised myself at how fast it happened. You are all I can think about.”
I didn’t know how to respond. Inside, my heart was doing a victory lap. Ineeded to sit down before my legs went weak under me.
“I’m about to go visit my mom.”
“So—if I’m not overstepping here—” Eli tried to change the subject back, or at least I think he did because I interjected.
“Yes, I’ll go out with you!” I still hadn’t let go of my car door.
He laughed wholeheartedly. “How about I properly take you out when you return?”
“I’d like that a lot.” I felt overwhelming joy.
“Hi, Eli?” We both looked at each other in fear. He because he didn’t know where the voice was coming from and me because I did.
“This is Katie’s mom! I am listening to your arraignment, I mean—disclosure, gah, I’m sorry, proclamation—” a part of me died inside as she spoke, “—and know that I couldn’t be more thrilled about this whole thing, but could you be a dear and just quickly give me your social security number and mother’s maiden name, and I’ll be out of your way.”
Eli’s eyes went to the inside of my car where the voice was coming from and saw my mother on the video call. Or at least saw the center of her glasses as the phone was much, much too close to her face to make out even a sliver of her appearance.
“Of course, I totally get it. How about I text it to Katie, and she can forward you that info?” He laughed, flashing his perfect smile, and I melted into him for a hug.
The second of silence turned out to be too much for my mother. “Just to be safe, why don’t you send me Carter’s, too?”
Dolly let out a small bark at the sound of Carter’s name.
“MOM!” I called back, giggling in embarrassment.
We all laughed, and I again felt the peace of the Holy Spirit wash over me.
EPILOGUE
FROM WAGS TO WEDDING BELLS
After a wonderful season of dating, all my previous romantic failures became clear to me. Eli and I were meant for each other and blended into each other's lives nearly effortlessly. We quickly fell into a great routine. On Friday nights, we would go to dinner and a movie, while on Saturdays, we would take the dogs on long walks and to the park. It was interesting to see that anything from sitting next to him in silence at the movie theater or eating a plate of messy spaghetti to walking uphill while trying not to sound like I needed an oxygen tank—everything with Eli was exciting. And the best part was that he felt the same way about me.
As a couple, we decided as a couple that he would start attending my church on Sunday mornings, and he’d continue being a youth leader during the week at his church. And immediately, he wanted to get involved at mine, and so after the first service, he talked to Pastor Bill and Julie about a new idea for a fellowship program that he wanted to hold weekly at the Bark Park. They loved the idea, and every Tuesday night after that, a group of members would head to sit on the Pawrents park benches, where we would share laughs and wisdom, such as my advice to always wear muck boots to the dog park.
On a crisp Sunday morning, Eli and I walked up the steps at church where we were greeted by Pastor Bill and Julie at the door. Pastor Bill chatted up with Eli momentarily, asking him about the game yesterday. Julie said a few people were inside waiting for me in the pew.
As I peeked in the doors, Judy was standing where we normally sat, motioning me over. She saw Eli and hugged him. Jenna and her family were fillinghalf the pew, as well as Samantha and Mitchell from the pet store.
“I took your advice and went to the pet store you recommended. I may have found just what I was looking for.” She blushed and Mitchell laughed.
Then, to my disbelief, I scanned the pews behind us and found Micah sitting with Carolyn. Eli and I looked at each other in wonder, both mouths agape. Thankfully they took the cue and answered the unspoken question. Micah had been attending since the week we met, but the coupling was very surprising, yet made total sense.
“We met at the gym last week.” Carolyn shrugged, grinning ear to ear. “I told him I was looking for a new church since moving back, and he said he heard great things about this one.”
