ROSE

​

The next day at church, J is eager to dip out. No buffet with the church fam today. Soon as the pastor delivers the closing prayer, she immediately packs up the nurse’s guild area; white linens, water bottles, and random medical equipment that’s never used.

 

While she’s putting the "shouting" linens back on the shelf in the storage closet, the newly appointed youth pastor startles her with a flirty poke to her side.

 

Will: 

Boo!

 

J screams a little. Mostly annoyed, but slightly relieved it’s not a murderer or a monster or whatever she thought it could possibly be for that half of second span.

​

J:

Oh my God man!

 

Will: 

You need a ride home?

 

J: 

Nah I’m good.

 

Will: 
(trying to entice)

We can get ice cream?

 

J: 

You always say that.

 

Will: 

What?

 

J: 

Ice cream.

 

Will: 

I’m serious. Let’s really do it.

 

J: 

(stares for a second, contemplating a bit)

I’m good.

 

Will: 

You sure you don’t need a ride?

 

J: 

(politely)

I’m sure. Good lookin’ though.

 

J starts to walk out the closet to grab the rest of the items still in the sanctuary, but Will stops her with small talk.

 

Will: 

(overly casual)

Who was that with you at Bethlehem last night?

 

J looks at Will like why you care.

 

Will: 

You should bring him to youth night.

 

J: 

(recognizes his insecurity, unconsciously raising her brows)

I’ll let him know about it.

 

Will: 

You know I only be trying to look out for you.

​

J: 

(exhausted by the game)

It's not the only thing you trying to do.

​

Will: 

What’s that supposed to mean?

 

J stares at him like c’mon now.

 

J: 

I’m not gon’ spell it out.

It’s already awkward enough.

 

Will: 

Oh no no no. Why you say awkward?

We can't have that.

 

J: 

(staring in Will's face)

Ice cream?

 

Will: 

What are you saying?

 

J: 

It’s been like years at this point.

Like are you still trying something?

 

Will: 

C’mon, I ain't never really tried nothing.

 

J: 

(with her brow cocked)

really?

 

J maneuvers her way out the storage closet and heads back to the sanctuary to put away everything else.

 

Will:

(trying to whisper)

J. ... J!

 

J stops and turns around slightly annoyed.

 

Will:

I just wanna make sure we good.

 

His desperation is a complete turn-off and J starts to wonder how she was ever intrigued with this man-child.

​

J: 

(shrugs her shoulders)

I guess.

​

Will:

(thinking J is upset with him)

Is it cause I’m getting married, huh?

 

Not realizing how funny such a thing would sound from this type of person, J involuntarily bursts out a little snort laugh through her nose.

​

Will:

(placing his hand on her shoulder)

What's so funny?

 

J: 

(dropping her shoulder and sliding back)

Look, it's all good, but you'll just always be that 25 year old that was messing with a 15 year old. It's whatever now and I'm not trippin', but that's what it is, funny, awkward, all that. 

 

J stares at Will with eyes that dare him to formulate a response. He doesn’t, he can’t. She smiles, hits her 180 toward the sanctuary, and continues on about her business.