© Copyright 2006 by Charlotte Ann Zuzak

Oh, for Heaven’s sake, she thought. All I’m trying to do is to practice. Finally I’ve got the time this morning and it’s my last chance before tomorrow. Jan sighed as she walked into the church sanctuary and threw down her organ music on a back pew.

The church was full of young high school students chattering and painting in the choir area where the organ was located. They had chosen to help redecorate the church as part of their Sunday school project.

Jan put her fingers up to her mouth and gave an ear-splitting whistle. “Excuse me,” she yelled. The church fell silent as the students turned, wide-eyed, and looked at her expectantly.

“Oh, oh, it’s Ms. Talbot, the organ lady,” moaned one of the boys. “Ms. Talbot, we really need to get this church in shape for tomorrow. We’re just doing touchup work right now; won’t take us long.”

Jan smiled. Ronnie was really convincing with those puppy-dog eyes.

“Look,” she smiled, “I need to practice. The new minister will be here tomorrow. My teaching schedule has been crazy this past week and I haven’t been able to get over here. The one time I tried there were workmen all over the place. So please, give me a break!”

A tall, sandy-haired young man came forward and started to put out his hand. He pulled it back in embarrassment when he saw it was covered with paint.

“Hi,” he smiled. “I’m Aaron Webster. We do need to retouch a few places. If we can do it this morning, it will be dry tomorrow in time for services.” He turned to the teens that stood looking at him, paintbrushes in hand. “I see no reason why we can’t do our work quietly and let Ms. Talbot practice. I’d like to hear her play myself.” His smile was infectious.

Heads bobbed up and down in agreement.

“All right,” said Jan, trying to hide a grin. “I’m holding you to it.”

“Your name is Jan?” Aaron turned to her. “Jan Talbot?”

“That’s right.” She felt herself blush under his gaze.

“Okay. You go play. We’ll enjoy it!”

Jan sat down at the organ and lost herself in the music. She was pleased that she was playing so well after not being able to work at the organ all week. It was really relaxing, and she enjoyed the Bach that she had chosen for the new minister’s first Sunday.

Her mind started to wander. Who was this Aaron Webster? Really good-looking and probably close to thirty as she was. Jan had never seen him around town, but maybe he was someone’s relative visiting for the weekend who got roped into helping the kids. There were always a few of the students who took on too many projects in their junior and senior years and then forgot what they promised to do.

When she finished working on the postlude, she jumped as she heard applause from the first pew. Everyone had left except Aaron. He was sitting in the front pew with a blissful smile on his face.

“You are really good! This church is lucky to have you!”

His smile was like sunshine and reached his eyes. He had paint splatters on his handsome face and his Harley-Davidson t-shirt had seen better days.

“Thanks!” said Jan, feeling a pleasant warmth at his smile. “Those kids were really quiet. I didn’t hear them leave.”

“I threatened them!” joked Aaron.

Picking up her music Jan looked at him. “I haven’t seen you around here before. Are you new in town?”

“Yes. Just moved here.”

“What brought you here? What do you do?”

“I, uh, I’m a social worker. And you?”

“I teach English at the high school. I have the advanced students, which means a lot of work. Are you with the state?”

“Well, I work in all areas. How about a cup of coffee?” he asked, abruptly changing the subject. “I think there’s a fresh pot in the kitchen.”

Jan hesitated. She had planned on going antiquing for the house she had just bought. Not to mention basics like pots and pans and linens.

“Well, maybe a quick cup. I have things to do,” she said as she followed him to the kitchen.

Aaron poured two cups of coffee and set them down on the large table that served as a work area. The kitchen staff would soon be busy setting up for the potluck dinner to be held tomorrow on the church lawn to welcome the new pastor.

As they sat down Jan asked, “ Where did you move from?”

“I spent five years in Philadelphia. Quite different from Evergreen.”

“What do you think of our town? Maybe you’re having culture shock after living in the big city.”

“Oh, no,” he laughed. Evergreen is similar to the town I grew up in. That’s what I like about it. And you, are you from here?”

“No, I’m not. But I was offered the teaching position, and in my field jobs are scarce, so I came. It’s a nice place, but the social life for someone my age is not spectacular.”

“I can imagine,” he nodded.

Jan took a gulp of coffee and asked, “Are you married?”

“No, not yet.”

“Engaged?”

“I was, but the girl decided that she needed someone who made more than a social worker.”

“I would say there wasn’t much love on her part,” mused Jan.

“Well, it can be a tough life. And you? Anyone special?”

“No, not now. I broke off with a college boyfriend who decided that he preferred my wealthy roommate.”

“Tells you something about him.”

“Sure does. And now that they’re married, he has to ask her for an allowance!”

Aaron looked astonished and then burst out laughing. “At least you have a sense of humor about it.”

They finished their coffee and went out to the parking lot together. Jan walked as slowly as possible to savor the last few moments of the visit.

“Well,” she said as she opened her car door, “It’s really been nice meeting you and talking with you.”

“Same here,” said Aaron. “Do you live right in town?”

“I bought an old Victorian house across from the square. It sat vacant for a long time. Needs a lot of work, but I’m patient. Someone said that it should be listed among the historical landmarks.”

“I’d love to see it sometime,” said Aaron.

Jan’s heart gave a flip and she groped to think of something to say. Should she invite him over? Small town gossip was good at turning nothing into something. She did want to see him again.

“Is it one of those old houses with the wraparound porch like my grandmother’s house was?” he was asking.

“As a matter of fact it is!”

“I always loved going to my grandma’s house, especially in the summer when there was a soft summer rain. There was just something about sitting and watching the rain.” He turned to her. “Sounds stupid, doesn’t it?” he chuckled.

“Oh, no!” said Jan, shaking her head. “That’s why I bought the house. I love porch sitting. I think that air-conditioning sort of cuts you off from everything.

“I guess I’d better get going if I’m going to do any shopping.” As she turned toward her car she felt a jolt of electricity when their hands touched as he held the door for her. She hurriedly got in the car turning her face away so he couldn’t see her blush. He closed the door and bent down to talk to her.

“Are you going to the potluck dinner tomorrow?” he asked.

“Well, they do like to see the organist and choir turn up, so tonight I have to make something. My cooking is along the Lean Cuisine line, so I’ll have to go searching for the only cookbook I have.”

“Which one is that?”

“It’s called Cooking for Two.” She blushed when she thought about what she had said. “It’s left over from when I was engaged.”

“Well,” he laughed, “ maybe you can add some better memories to it. If you don’t have time to make anything there’s always more than enough food at these functions.” Aaron looked at her with an unspoken question on his face, and paused as if he were waiting for an answer.

“I’ll plan on going,” she smiled.

They said goodbye and he walked away, waving as he left. As Jan turned out of the church parking lot, she noticed him ahead of her on one of the most elaborate motorcycles she had ever seen! I guess that t-shirt said something about him, said Jan to herself.

The next morning Jan started playing the prelude, still not having met the new pastor, wondering if indeed there was a new minister. Maybe Reverend Rendall had not retired after all. Jan hoped this wasn’t true; he was a good person, but couldn’t relate to the young people. She hadn’t seen anyone resembling a clergyman with whom to discuss the music, so she went with what she had planned the day before. The opening hymn was announced and the choir and congregation stood.

She looked up as a tall figure in clerical robes came down the aisle with the readers for the day. Jan gasped, nearly missing a note. There, in clerical garb, was a freshly scrubbed Aaron. He glanced over at her and grinned. Jan felt like crawling under the organ, but made a great show of concentrating on the music and choir director.

He probably really thinks this is funny, thought Jan furiously to herself. He’s really having a joke at my expense. This is just great!

Aaron had the congregation on his side immediately with his warmth and smile. What he didn’t know was that Jan was smoldering and mad. The young people were especially attentive as he spoke, using no notes, walking up and down the aisle. He asked if anyone had noticed his Harley-Davidson t-shirt, and several hands shot up. Aaron assured them that he really did drive a motorcycle, and it was his transportation until he could get a car. He also told the parents that if they were worried about their youngsters driving motorcycles, he would be happy to organize a class on proper handling of the machine.

I could teach the class, thought Jan smugly. She had learned to drive a motorcycle from her brother, and during her last year in college it was her transportation to the next town where she did her practice teaching.

After the service Jan avoided the greeting line and went outside making herself available to help setting up the food. She held back as the lines formed around the tables on the church grounds. Jan had brought a cauliflower salad, deciding she’d had enough of pasta dishes that always covered a potluck table. There was one seat available next to a friend of hers and she moved rapidly to get to it before anyone else.

The members of the Women’s Guild were surrounding Aaron and he had no choice but to sit with them and their spouses. He had a smile glued on his face for everyone. Well, even ministers got in situations they weren’t happy about, thought Jan.

Aaron looked around at one point and spotted Jan. She pretended not to see him, and concentrated intensely on what her friend was saying. Aaron finally arose and moved in her direction while responding to compliments on his first sermon. Tapping Jan on the shoulder he made a slight move of his head to indicate he wanted to see her in his study. Jan cut off her friend, saying that she had to check on something on the organ. She followed Aaron into his study feeling a mixture of anger and curiosity.

“Social worker!” she said indignantly.

“Well, I am!” laughed Aaron.

“Why didn’t you elaborate?”

“Because being a minister can sometimes be a turnoff to a beautiful woman. I didn’t mean to take you by surprise this morning. I wanted to see you before church began, but my ‘cycle wouldn’t start and when I got here the church council was at the front door to greet the new pastor.”

“It really was a shock! I mean, there I was in front of the church and you come down the aisle grinning at me. And I hope you’re not assuming that I’m one of those women that would be turned off by the fact that you’re a minister!”

“Hey! I’m sorry. I realize it’s only been twenty-four hours that we’ve known each other, but I’d really like to take you out.” He touched her arm. “ I hope you don’t think I’m working too fast, but I really did enjoy meeting and talking to you yesterday.”

Jan started to walk away. Things were really moving. He didn’t seem like the type who should be desperate to get a date.

“I’ll have to think about it,” she murmured.

“Well, how about this idea? I have these tickets to the organ recital at the university. You’ve probably already heard about it.”

“Yes.” Jan was trying, not too successfully, to look as if she weren’t interested.

“Next Friday night at seven o’clock.”

“Okay. Sounds good.”

“I promise to have a car.”

“Oh, gee! My motorcycle is all tuned up, ready to go.” She grinned.

“Right!” he laughed.

Reaching for her handbag, she pulled a picture out of her wallet of herself about to give her small niece a ride on a motorcycle.

“Are you serious?” Aaron was astonished.

“Want to go for a ride later today, or will the church members be appalled?”

“You really drive a motorcycle? I know you have a car, but you also have a ‘cycle?”

“Yes to both questions. I had to keep up with my brothers. Want to go for a drive? I’ll show you!” Jan smiled.

“Okay! Say six o’clock, and we’d better get back outside! You know that people will gossip! You walk out first and I’ll come out after about ten minutes.”

They grinned at each other and walked back outside. Church dinners can be interesting, thought Jan, her smile reflected in her bright eyes.

THE END




HEY! and don't forget to e-mail Charlotte Ann Zuzak if you have a comment!


zuz@zoominternet.net

Author's Note: Charlotte has a bachelor’s degree from Albion College and a master’s from the University of Michigan, both in foreign languages. In addition to writing, Charlotte enjoys a career as church organist and accompanist for voice students at Grove City College. At the moment she is also studying the Celtic harp. She and her husband, a retired college dean, travel extensively throughout western and eastern Europe. In July ’05 they traveled to Poland. They have a daughter who is an MD.

Charlotte’s travel plans for 2006 include Spain, Russia and Sicily. She taught Spanish on the high school and college level for thirty years before turning back to her original major, music.

Charlotte’s poetry and short stories have been published in The Storyteller, Apropos, Cochran’s Corner, Hidden Oak and several other publications.





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