Sunday dawned like any other, and for Eary, it meant the weekly pilgrimage to the church. Creeping out of his bed, Eary tiptoed around his room. Carefully selecting a snazzy tie and dusting off an old jacket, Eary was careful not to wake Mote. The passed-out moteling lay unconscious on the window sill. Snoring loudly from his escapades the prior evening. Eary was honestly elated when Mote began drinking last night. It usually meant a late awakening for the moteling; some time to himself might help his chances with Ephraim.

Eary made his way down the hall to the bathroom. As he began to change, he anticipated the day to come. A day at church, along with Ephraim, was precisely what he needed to 'seal the deal.' 'Mote would only mess things up,' he thought as he gazed into the bathroom mirror.
"Ephraim always looks so nice on Sundays," he thought, staring back at his reflection.

Applying some gel to his hair, Eary worked it in a style other boys wore. He stood back to assess his appearance. The jacket was tight, and his bangs stood on end. He couldn't have looked less sure of himself. Spotting the aftershave, he generously applied it to every inch of skin on him. He smiled back to himself reassuringly as he left the bathroom.

As he made his way down the hall, Mote zipped out of the ajar door leading to Eary's room. Mote inquired,

"And where exactly do you think you're goin'?""

Eary rolled his eyes and replied, "Church, Mote. It's Sunday."

The boy felt a sinking in his gut as Mote zipped down and landed on his shoulder.

"After that creepy foreskin demon in the park the other night? You really think I'm gonna let you go, undefended, gallivantin' around? What kind of heartless moteling do ya take me for?" Mote protested.

Eary coolly replied. "The kind that runs away while I'm getting charged by that thing and then laughs at me while I'm covered in gore!"

Mote gasped. "I was going to call the police! I assumed you followed me."

Eary scoffed. "Uh-huh." As he headed down the stairs. "Just promise me you won't steal the sacramental wine again!"

Mote replied, crossing his heart. "I swear it! I'm only comin' along to keep ya safe."

Eary sighed as he headed downstairs.
"Yeah, yeah," he replied softly.

As he headed to the family car and embarked on the familiar road to church, Eary caught a fleeting, disapproving glance from Josh. Laced with jealousy, that look was all the confirmation he needed to believe in his newfound appearance.

Ever since the incident with the project on Friday, Eary's mind has swirled with possibilities and renewed hope in science. It had become painfully evident that he had been hiding from his feelings for far too long, and now, Eary was determined to draw them out.

As the family exited the car, they made their way to the entrance. It was locked, as usual. True to the routine, Ephraim's older brother, Jake, enthusiastically greeted the Olson's.

Jake stood tall at around 6'2, boasting a swimmer's build that he had honed during high school. His dark hair, akin to his younger brother's, was complemented by the same steely hazel-gray eyes as their father's. It was painful for Eary to see Jake, for he had once been inseparable from Eary's older brother, Luke. The two had been the closest of friends until that fateful day when Eary, his brothers, and the two Bennett boys had gone out together.

Yet, the shared trauma had bonded them all, and now, the 20-year-old man stood tall on his own merits in Eary's eyes. Jake was a calm and kind individual, fair to a fault, and often Eary's favorite babysitter, never allowing Josh to bully Eary.

"Good morning, Jacob," Delia greeted warmly, and Mitchell nodded in acknowledgment.
Jake, smiling back, replied, "Good morning, Olsons, good to see you all here."

The warm air and soothing ambiance greeted the family as they entered the church atrium. As Eary and his family continued on, Mote whispered,

"Hey, kid, I'm gonna take off for a bit. Get a scout on the perimeter."

Eary felt Mote's tiny body lift from his shoulder.
Eary whispered back. "Stay away from the wine!"

Eary rolled his eyes in annoyance as he and his family went to the church's backroom. The family strolled down the maroon, carpeted hallway, finally entering a spacious room nestled in the back of the church. Brian and Lisa Bennett stood welcome at a table adorned with doughnuts, coffee, and today's handouts. Pastor Brian greeted his long-time friends with an air of familiarity, sparking a conversation among the four parents.

Eary had always been fond of the Bennetts. Pastor Brian often led Bible study sessions, a subject in which Eary excelled, and the two engaged in deep discussions on faith and spirituality.

Tall stature seemed to be a common trait among the Bennett men, and Pastor Brian was no exception. He had once been in remarkable shape from his looks, but time had eased his physique somewhat. His salt-and-pepper hair had thinned in the middle, distinguishing the middle-aged man.

Lisa was a fixture at the church, dedicating most of her days to offering counseling and hosting events. Eary, accompanied by his mother, had spent countless hours beside her at bake sales and church flea markets. It had become such a normal part of his life that the Bennetts often invited him to their outings.

However, as Eary drew closer to the tall pastor's wife, he couldn't help but think,

"Things have changed here too."

She seemed to shoo him away now, even when he knew Ephraim was home. He had even asked his parents about it, but they always deflected the subject.

Lisa was undoubtedly a striking woman. Her eyes and hair were rich mahogany hues, with graceful traces of age etched into both. She radiated warmth and harbored deep affection for her family and the community she served.

"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett!" Eary chimed with untimely cheer.

"Good morning, Earhart!" Pastor Brian replied to the young man.

"Morning, Eary!" Lisa replied after her husband.

Eary smiled at the couple, but something suddenly caught his eye.

Across the room, Eary's gaze landed on Ephraim, who was leisurely savoring a doughnut and sipping his coffee. Ephraim sported a blue and white plaid short-sleeved button-up shirt, impeccably tucked into a pair of sleek black slacks. His hair remained damp but meticulously combed.

With an internal pep talk to quell his nerves, Eary approached and chirped,
"Morning, Ephraim."

Ephraim, looking somewhat weary, responded with a groggy. "Oh hey, good morning." He promptly refocused on his coffee, taking a deep sip.

Eary attempted a nonchalant conversation opener but couldn't help the underlying unease.

"So, how was your Saturday?"

Ephraim's response seemed casual, but Eary detected an evasive tone.

"It was good," Eph mumbled, glancing down as if to divert the question.

Sensing the conversation was going nowhere, Eary decided to gracefully exit the scene.

"Well, you look tired, so I'll let you be. I hope you feel better," Eary breezily remarked as he turned away, his heart a mix of anticipation and the looming reality of the finalization of his rejection.

Seated in a secluded row of chairs, Eary decided to spend the time away by fiddling with his cell phone. But from across the room, a familiar voice cut through the air like a beacon.

"Earhart! Come on over here, pal," Pastor Brian's warm smile beckoned Eary over.

Uneasiness crept over Eary, but when his father called for him, he put on a brave face and rose from his seat.

"Hey there! What are you doing all the way over there? Is everything okay?" Pastor Brian inquired as he placed a reassuring hand on Eary's shoulder.

Eary replied in his customary chipper tone, "I'm doing alright." But sensing Pastor Brian's concern, he chuckled and added, "Actually, I'm doing great!"

It was a white lie, a well-practiced art that Eary had perfected over time. Pastor Brian seemed satisfied with the response, and Eary excused himself with a reassuring smile, skillfully concealing the truth beneath his cheerful demeanor. Brian continued,

"That's the spirit! I need big smiles as we pass today's handouts!" He smiled, handing Eary a stack.

As the regulars flooded in, Mote drunkenly bumbled to Eary.

"Hey, buddy! *hic*" He slurred as he came for a landing on Eary's shoulder, reeking of wine. "I've always loved church *hic*. Reminds me of somethin', you know. I get to let it *hic* all hang loose; I get to breathe here, *hic*.

Eary's anxiety bubbled up inside as he nervously said under his breath,

"Oh, fuck."

As he nervously passed out the day's fliers, the undeniable looks of the parishioners left little to be imagined. His father quickly approached and pulled him aside. His eyes were intense as he coldly asked,

"Eary, have you been drinking?"

Eary promptly replied, "No, no. I accidentally spilled some of the sacramental wine. I should have said something I know."

Mitchell immediately interrupted, "Four bottles worth?"

Eary agitatedly glanced to his shoulder and then replied,

"Yep. Super clumsy."

Mitchell insisted on smelling his breath. One sniff and Mitchell announced,

"Okay...that's really odd. Where did you spill it? I don't see any stains, but you reek." Eary quickly responded, "On my shoulder! Just sniff."

As Mitchell did, he replied, "Whoa, now I smell it! It's like you have a tiny alcoholic on your shoulder."

Eary pierced his lips and nodded.

"Seems like it."

Mitchell nodded and, giving his son a concerned glance, walked away.

Slurring from Eary's shoulder, Mote said, "Look at that! We're a *hic* team! I line 'em up, you knock 'em *hic* down."

Eary replied, "Mote, you promised me!"

Mote exclaimed in defense, "What was I to do? It just sat there *hic* callin’ to me, Mote, Mote…”

Eary sighed, rolling his eyes.

He scolded, "You stay on my shoulder and don't touch anything else for the rest of the church, understand?"

Mote replied with a thumbs-up as the two reached the chapel.

As his family and the Bennetts took their seats at the front pew, the collection plates made their rounds. As Brian began his sermon, Eary wrestled a 20 away from Mote's sticky fingers. His voice resonated through the church, announcing,

"This Sunday, I would like to speak to the congregation about hope and miracles. Today, I want to explore the endless possibilities that God creates in our lives. As many of you know, my son Ephraim was miraculously granted a second chance!"

Eary couldn't help but roll his eyes internally. This was the one aspect of the church that always irritated him. Every few months, Pastor Brian would have Ephraim step up to the podium and recount the events of the night of his miracle. It puzzled Eary how Ephraim never seemed to tire of sharing the tale.

Eary's focus was broken by Mote's loud snoring on his shoulder. He shifted his attention to the podium and realized Pastor Brian had concluded his talk. Now, it was Ephraim's turn to speak.

The transformation In Ephraim was astounding. Gone was the dull disinterest that had cloaked him earlier. His eyes sparkled with a newfound vitality, and his entire demeanor shifted as he began to address the congregation.

"Hello, folks!" Ephraim's voice resonated with warmth and sincerity.

"As many of you already know, my name is Ephraim. I battled cancer when I was younger, and they told my parents I had only months to live. I clung to life for four years, and then a miracle unfolded one night near the end."

Ephraim's voice cracked, his eyes misting with emotion.

"I opened my eyes to witness the most beautiful blue light. I gazed down at my body, and it had been miraculously healed. I was in perfect health. With newfound strength, I got out of bed for the first time in years and hit my light switch. I scanned the room, and there was no trace of what had transpired."

Eary felt his stomach churn with guilt, sinking deeper into his chair. Ephraim's heartfelt narrative continued,

"My message, folks, is that just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there. The Lord surrounds us, enveloping us with His boundless love. I stand before you as living proof of that divine presence. Thank you."

The congregation applauded as usual as Ephraim took his seat.

Following the day's sermon, the customary meet-and-greet session commenced. Eary, as usual, found himself surrounded by a flock of elderly ladies. This demographic always seemed to gravitate toward him, but with quick thinking and some fancy footwork, Eary managed to elude his pursuers, making his way over to the snack table.

Mote, waking by the smell of snacks, exclaimed,

"Oh, thank God, food! I got such a hangover, be a sport and get your ol' pal Mote some coffee."

Eary recoiled in revulsion as the moteling gorged himself, only to deflate and begin again. Watching the spectacle, Eary concluded it was best to get the coffee, so he found the coffee machine by his way across the lobby. A moment later, he was taken aback by a voice that startled him from behind.

"Excuse me, young man, a moment of your time," said a slender man in his early forties.

He wore a tan button-up shirt tucked into jeans, his thin black hair greasy. His face resembled that of a pompous bird, and his eyes locked onto Eary's with an unsettling intensity.

"I am inquiring about the events of the night of the miracle your friend spoke of," the man continued, flashing a fictitious smile. "You're Earhart Olson, yes?"

Eary's blood ran cold. He quickly demanded, "How did you know my name?" His tone was defensive and suspicious.

The stranger explained," Your friend mentioned your name and gestured to you in the crowd. You are the sole witness, correct? Come with me!"

Frozen, Eary's body seemed to move against his will as the man reached out and grabbed his wrist, leading him toward the church's double doors. Just when Eary thought things couldn't get any worse, a young man appeared from his left.

"Eary! Mom wants to see you!" the young man, one minute older than Eary, commanded.

Suddenly free, Eary wasted no time in retreating to the safety of his mother.

Eary urgently called out, "Mom, Mom!"

Delia glanced casually at her son, asking, "What?"

Eary began recounting the tale of the creepy stranger. Josh, looking flustered, joined the conversation.

"Mom," he said, noticeably shaken.

He hastily informed his mother of the ordeal. Delia swiftly told her child,

"Josh, go get your father and Brian!"

When the fathers and Brian arrived, Eary recounted the harrowing events to the four concerned parents.

"Ephraim never said my name or gestured toward me once during the sermon," Eary nervously pointed out.

"I didn't, you're right!" Ephraim admitted, clearly shaken.

The fathers decided to examine the church's security cameras while Lisa and Delia had a private conversation. After a brief discussion, they returned with a grave expression.

"Ephraim, Josh," Lisa beckoned to the two boys.

They both sprang up from their seats and left the chapel with their mothers. A few minutes later, the boys returned and sat next to Eary. Given the circumstances, Josh put his arm around Eary, an awkward but comforting gesture. The two boys consoled Eary, offering him a chance to hang out at the Bennetts for the night.

Shortly afterward, two police officers arrived at the church. Josh whispered to Eary,

"Our parents must have called them."

As if on cue, their parents appeared, and the taller officer addressed Eary, saying,

"Hello, son. Are you Eary?"

Eary replied shyly, "Yes," the officer gently requested, "Can you tell me what happened? I just spoke to your folks about a terrifying incident that happened to you."

Eary recounted the tale, and then the officer turned to Josh, also asking for his account. Once they were done, the boy's parents and officers went to the atrium to confer. The three boys saw their parents' faces drop as they looked on.

The car ride home was quiet. Eary could sense his parents' anguish. He knew they were reliving Luke. Once the family entered their home, Mitchell and Delia instructed their boys to pack for an overnight stay at the Bennetts.