Autumn was busy with her suitcases. They were getting full with all of the old, worn out gowns she had worn for a couple of months now. Her clothes wear out long before she does but, she knew it was only a matter of time now. She would take her leave from Zephyr gracefully at first. Then, like every year, she would pout and put up a fight. She would find at least one more sunny dress to wear before she gave her last curtsy and said goodbye.

It was during the first cold days that Runa found herself at Church with her mom. It wasn't like her to go without a fight. But Molly Walker was so happy to have her there. She must've introduced Runa to a hundred people. They all smiled and were so very friendly. Runa was smiling back, or at least she hoped she was. She didn't really remember. Everything was hazy these days.

"Well hello young lady," a tall man said to her. He looked familiar but she could not place him. He sure seemed to remember her.

"I'm so glad you could make it. We've all been praying for you," he said. He was the kindest person she had met today. He was older and yet he had a firm and friendly handshake. "Your mom is a wonderful lady. She loves you very much."

"Thank you," Runa said. She felt awkward. This was nice but everyone seemed to be concerned with how she was and they didn't even know her. It was almost too much. If she wasn't half out of it, she would have told them all to back off.

The church was beautiful. It had really pretty, stained glass windows and carved ceilings. But they had to sit on those hard, pews. She hated those. 'Why do people put themselves through this?' she thought to herself.

Then she felt like someone was looking at her; someone else besides everyone. She looked up and saw the Ravensdales sitting on the other side of the aisle from them. Grant was there too and he was looking at her. He smiled and Runa looked down. She folded her hands and acted like she was praying.

Runa felt her mom's hand on her back. Molly was so happy Runa had decided to join her. She could almost feel the tears welling up in her mom's eyes. She was used to the drama. Her mom could cry listening to a comedian. Any little thing could get her going. It was really ridiculous sometimes. One night, when Mendalie was spending the night, they watched a horror movie together. It was an old one about a boy who drowned and his mom went nuts and started killing kids for it. She found a way to ruin it by crying for the drowned boy.

The sermon seemed to go on forever. It was something about pitching a tent with Jesus and Moses. Runa didn't try too hard to understand it. It made her mom happy and everyone was saying, 'Amen!' Overall it was nice though; until afterward anyway.

Molly made her wait because she wanted Runa to meet the preacher. He was a young man really. He only looked about 30. He was smiling and speaking to several other people who hung around afterward. Runa sat on the front pew, trying not to fall asleep. The Ravensdales were hanging around too. Although it looked like Grant's father was ready to leave.

Grant came over and sat down right beside her. "Hello," he said.

"Hi," Runa told him, with a reserved smile.

"You look nice today," Grant said to her.

"Yeah," Runa said. She turned to her mom. "Mom, are you ready yet?"

"Not yet," Molly said, "hold on."

"Okay then," Grant said, standing up. "I'll talk to you later."

"Kay," Runa said, looking the other way.

The pastor finally walked over to them and the Ravensdales made a few polite hellos and goodbyes. Then they left.

"Pastor, this is my daughter, Runa," Molly told him. "Come on dear. Stand up."

Standing beside her mom, Runa was quiet and kept looking down at her feet.

"It's so nice to finally meet you, Runa. The Lord has definitely answered our prayers. If you knew how much your mom has been praying, you'd know how very much she loves you."

Runa just nodded and smiled.

"I do," Molly said. "She's my little girl."

"More like young woman," he said. "If only Michael could be here now. He loved you so much."

"Yes he did," Molly agreed. "He loved his little girl more than anything."

Runa stirred at this comment. Her eyes grew wide and angry.

"Yeah right," she said.

"Runa," Molly said, trying to quiet her.

"What?" Runa asked. "You really believe that crap?"

They both just looked at her.

"He loved his job and he loved leaving us behind!" Runa said.

"That's not true, Runa," Molly said to her.

"I'm tired of you seeing everything through your rose colored glasses, mom! He was never here. Not for me!"

Molly reached out to her but Runa pulled away and ran.

"Runa?" Molly called after her. "Runa wait."

"I'm sorry pastor," Molly said.

"It's okay Molly," he said.

Runa left the church with tears in her eyes.