There weren't many trees downtown, but the few in the plaza blew in the wind as Erica walked to church. She squeezed her girlfriend's hand, trying to steal her warmth. The two women hurried, they didn't want to be late for their first church meeting. Erica glanced at Helen, jealous of her long hair covering her ears, keeping her warm. Erica stopped for a moment to brush Helen hair from her face. Feeling the eyes of strangers, they walked, rather than kissed. It was a feeling Erica hated, the feeling that she couldn't just be her. Helen gripped Erica's hand as a man under the influence of who knows what approached them, asking for money. Erica said hi, trying hard not to judge his situation, not to breathe in his stench, as the walked hurriedly by. It was still before 10 in the morning, the clouds overhead making the day gloomy and dark.
"Church kicked us out," Helen said, the tone of her voice clearly showing she was reliving the feeling from the day the were told not to come back if they were going to be gay. "I can't believe where we're headed."
"It's a different church," Erica promised. "If I can't go there, hold your hand and tell people you're my girlfriend, we'll get the heck out."
The couple turned the corner. A group of young men, speaking a language they couldn't recognise walked rapidly towards them. Erica felt small, intimidated. She squished into Helen as they passed the group. A car raced down the street, moments later sirens followed.
Finally they were at the church, not its own building, but a rented space among commercial real estate. A pride flag flew next to the door, already putting Erica at ease. The two women filed in as a woman with short white hair stood up to welcome everyone to church. Erica and Helen found two chair near the back, and hoped they could become wallpaper. The singing and sermon passed. A song they recognised, a new song. As the service came to an end, they thought about sneaking out quickly. The same woman who started the service, stopped them before they could.
"My name's Betty," she said, extending her hand.
"I'm Erica, and this is my girlfriend Helen."
Erica held Helen's hand, holding it to make it clear exactly what type of girlfriends they were.
“You’re more than welcome here,” Betty said, not even flinching, “There are cookies and coffee at the back if you have time to stay and chat a bit.”
Erica breathed out deeply. She hadn’t realised she’d been holding her breath all morning. Betty introduced her to others, not leaving out the fact that they were girlfriends. Their relationship could be celebrated, not hidden. Erica held up her cookie to Helen, offering her a bite. When Helen turned, Erica removed the cookie and stole a kiss instead.
“Such a cute couple,” Betty said to another elderly churchgoer, loud enough to be overheard.
The women kissed again, and then Erica finally shared her cookie.
"Church kicked us out," Helen said, the tone of her voice clearly showing she was reliving the feeling from the day the were told not to come back if they were going to be gay. "I can't believe where we're headed."
"It's a different church," Erica promised. "If I can't go there, hold your hand and tell people you're my girlfriend, we'll get the heck out."
The couple turned the corner. A group of young men, speaking a language they couldn't recognise walked rapidly towards them. Erica felt small, intimidated. She squished into Helen as they passed the group. A car raced down the street, moments later sirens followed.
Finally they were at the church, not its own building, but a rented space among commercial real estate. A pride flag flew next to the door, already putting Erica at ease. The two women filed in as a woman with short white hair stood up to welcome everyone to church. Erica and Helen found two chair near the back, and hoped they could become wallpaper. The singing and sermon passed. A song they recognised, a new song. As the service came to an end, they thought about sneaking out quickly. The same woman who started the service, stopped them before they could.
"My name's Betty," she said, extending her hand.
"I'm Erica, and this is my girlfriend Helen."
Erica held Helen's hand, holding it to make it clear exactly what type of girlfriends they were.
“You’re more than welcome here,” Betty said, not even flinching, “There are cookies and coffee at the back if you have time to stay and chat a bit.”
Erica breathed out deeply. She hadn’t realised she’d been holding her breath all morning. Betty introduced her to others, not leaving out the fact that they were girlfriends. Their relationship could be celebrated, not hidden. Erica held up her cookie to Helen, offering her a bite. When Helen turned, Erica removed the cookie and stole a kiss instead.
“Such a cute couple,” Betty said to another elderly churchgoer, loud enough to be overheard.
The women kissed again, and then Erica finally shared her cookie.
