Outrunning Shadows

Chapter 11: The Bald-faced Lie

Chapter 11





The next morning, Andrew got David off early so he could make Houston in time for supper at his dad’s house. David’s parents were divorced. His father was a native Texan and his mother was a native of Plattsburgh, New York. They had lived in Tarrytown, outside of New York City. They divorced when David was 14 and his little brother Mikey was 10. His mother got custody and David’s dad moved back home to Houston. David and his father had always been close so David made the trek from New York to Houston every year. Normally he flew, but had always wanted to drive it just to see how long it would take. Andrew’s book delivery was a convenient excuse to try it.


When David drove away, it was about 8:30 on Sunday morning. Andrew went back inside and picked up the phone. It was time to try to smooth things over with his neighbor.


“Hello, Engrid, how are you this morning?”


“Good.”


“Um, would you mind if I came to church with you?”


“I’d like that, Andrew. Since I play the organ and all, I have to be there awfully early, so you might want to drive yourself.”


“That’s fine. Can I ride with you? I can explore while you get warmed up.”


“That would be very nice. I generally leave around 9:00 so I can get things situated before Sunday School.”


Oh. He hadn’t planned on Sunday School.


“Well, maybe I’ll skip Sunday School this week.”


“Well, the men folk would love to have you join them. They need a fresh face now and then.”


“Maybe another time. But I will be there for the main service. It’s at 11, right?”


“On the dot. I’ll see you then?”


“Sure thing, Engrid. Say, does Evan go to church there?”


“Yes. He’s a Sunday School teacher, you know.”


“He is?”


“Sure is. He’s great with the kids. Those kids just love Evan. It’s good for them to have a solid male role model to look up to. With all the mess on TV, it’s nice for them to see a good man for a change.”


“That’s definitely true Engrid. I’ll see you.”


“See you there, Andrew.”


He hung up the phone. Evan was a Sunday School teacher? That had never occurred to Andrew before. It bothered him a little that after all their conversations the last week, Evan never once mentioned even attending a church, let alone teaching Sunday School. He’d have to find out what that was all about.


He went upstairs to get dressed. He was debating with himself whether or not to go to Sunday School or not. Part of him wanted to go but part was saying to stay out of it. In college, he had taken a few religion classes, but when it came to theological discourse, he was largely unarmed.


He sat on the edge of the bed, one black sock on a foot and the other in his hand. He decided he would go to Sunday School another time. About 10:30 he got into the Pathfinder and backed out of his driveway.


Once he got there, he sat in the parking lot. He wished he’d ridden with Engrid, that way he would have someone to help make introductions. He got out of the Pathfinder and walked towards the main entrance. The church was a small Presbyterian church out in the country away from the main town. It was a little country church. It was red brick with white trim work around the windows and eaves. It had a nice white steeple on it with a little cross way up at the top. It looked like something out of a picture book. He’d never really gone to church before. He imagined southern church women in their floral dresses, fancy hats, gloves, and high heels. There were a few dresses, but no hats and no gloves. Most of the women were wearing slacks of various colors and flats. A few of the middle aged women were even wearing sandals and denim jumpers with teddy bears and flowers embroidered on them. Obviously they were school teachers the other 6 days.


Fortunately, as he approached the small huddled crowd by the door, he recognized Betty from work. He didn’t know she went to church here, but it was nice to see a familiar face among so many strange ones.


“Well hello, Andrew!” Betty greeted him warmly.


“Everyone, this is Andrew Garrison, he and I work together.”


“That’s lovely,” an elderly woman in green said. “I’m Georgia Haltam.”


There were a ton of other introductions, but most of the names slipped away despite Andrew’s best efforts to remember them all. Betty hurried him away and they went inside. She could sense that he was nervous and had no idea what was going on.


“So, Andrew. What made you decide to drive all the way out here?”


“Engrid Matthews is my next door neighbor. So, I heard about it through her.”


“Yeah, I think I remember hearing something about that. You can sit with my husband and I if you want.’


“That’d be nice. If that’s okay.”


“I wouldn’t have offered otherwise,” she teased. He smiled.


“Where is your husband?” Andrew was looking around at the unfamiliar but likeable and friendly faces.


“He’s around somewhere. With all these people around, Sunday School must have already let out.”


A few people stopped by to introduce themselves to Betty’s friend from work.


“The people are nice.” Andrew observed.


“Oh, they’re wonderful.”


“How was Daytona? When did you get back?”


“It was fantastic. We got back last night. I wanted to stay an extra day, but Worth had to get back.”


“Ah. How long have you been here?”


“I grew up in this church. Worth grew up at the Baptist church in town. We’ve only been married a year and a half.”


“Oh, okay.”


“Do I seem older? I’m only 25. Worth’s about two years older than me.”


Engrid and the choir suddenly appeared through a door at the front of the sanctuary. Engrid walked quickly across and seated herself on the piano bench. The choir got in place behind the pulpit. The pastor walked out and sat in a large chair behind the pulpit. Andrew’s eyes got big. That preacher didn’t look like any pastor he’d ever seen.


“What’s the pastor’s name?” Andrew whispered to Betty.


“Her name’s Michelle Creighton. She’s a good preacher. We were a little worried- with her being a woman and all, but she’s turned out to be good.”


Worth appeared at the end of the pew and was properly introduced to Andrew. As Andrew was looking around, the door at the back of the sanctuary opened again. A stream of elementary school aged kids came filing out and joined their parents in the pews. Following behind them, were a few other people. They were all young women except one. That exception was an exception to so many rules. That exception was God’s gift to the sighted people of the world. That exception was proof that God likes to show off. Evan either didn’t notice or opted not to acknowledge Andrew, but went and sat down. Apparently several of the kids were unclaimed. One young woman sat down, three what looked like about fifth graders sat next to her and then Evan sat on the other side of them. Several older kids were on the row behind them. Apparently, one of Evan’s jobs at the church was crowd control.


The service went very smoothly, and soon was complete. Betty had been right; Rev. Creighton was a very good speaker. As Andrew was standing up, Engrid intercepted him as several others were headed in his direction.


“I’m so glad you came!” Engrid said.


“So am I. I’ll have to come back again.”


“You certainly will,” Mrs. Haltam called out from behind Engrid’s back. As Andrew was engaged in conversation with Betty, Worth, and Mrs. Haltam, he noticed a figure standing just on the edge of his peripheral vision.


Evan was standing, waiting his turn. As Andrew excused himself and walked over to Evan, a four year old ran up and wrapped her arms around Evan’s leg.


“Hold me Mr. Evan!” the child implored.


“No, Sarah, you’re mother’s waiting for you outside.”


“I don’t want to.” She folded her arms and scowled. Evan acquiesced and picked the child up in his arms. She was so excited; she wrapped her arms around Evan’s neck. “Thank you Mr. Evan.”


“You’re welcome, Sarah. Now go outside.” He put her down and she scampered toward the door. Andrew couldn’t help but smile. Evan was so awesome that it was just sickening.


“I see you’ve been busy.” Andrew remarked.


“Yeah. They’ll keep you on your toes,” Evan smiled. He couldn’t help but look into Andrew’s eyes. Then he snapped back, remembering where they were. As much as he loved this place and its people, it scared him to death that they might one day learn his terrible secrets. He did that just in time. One of the fifth graders he had been guarding earlier stopped by.


“Mr. Grayson, my mother said she wants to talk to you.”


“What’s the matter?”


“She wants to know what I’m supposed to bring for the camping trip next weekend. I think I’m supposed to bring chocolate for the s’mores, but I can’t remember.”


“I don’t know. Ashley’s in charge of that. Go ask her.”


“Evan, are you busy tonight?” Andrew asked, getting Evan’s attention back from all the passers by.


“Not that I know of.”


An older woman stopped by, “Evan, do you know if the Bible School curriculum has been ordered. I was asked to write a check on the treasury, but I don’t know how much to make the check out for or whom to make it out to.”


“Um I ordered it last month. I put the invoice in your box.”


“Oh. I wonder if my husband picked it up. He’s bad about that. He’ll get stuff for me out of that box and then he’ll go right out and lose it.”


“I made a copy. I call you this afternoon. They’re supposed to bill us once it arrives. I had them deliver it to my house so I’ll get it.”


“Good.” She was satisfied and so walked away, “See you next week!”


“Evan,” Andrew said, “Would you mind going with me to the movies in Columbia?”


Another elderly woman stopped, “Evan, I got the volunteers list together for you. I managed to get 15 gift boxes for the women’s shelter.”


“That’s terrific Norma but I thought Engrid was in charge of that. I don’t know anything about it.”


“She is in charge of it, but she said that you’re better about sending thank you notes to people than she is.”


“Go ask Dorothy if she would do it. She’s got better handwriting than I do.”


“Oh, okay.” Norma shuffled off.


“Evan, would you go with me to Columbia tonight?”


Evan smiled very faintly and held up a finger to shush him. Andrew got shushed in favor of a dottering old man.


“Mr. Williams!” Evan said rather loudly, “Did you get the standing order renewal forms for the fall quarter’s Sunday School material?


“I surely did, Evan, thank you. I don’t know what I did with the other one you gave me. I must have put it away somewhere or other. I’m sure glad you made a copy of last year’s form.”


“I didn’t. I just called the publisher and they sent us another one.”


“That was nice of them.”


“They want our money,” Evan joked. Mr. Williams caught it and laughed.


“Evan, how many do you think I should order?” he said, turning around just as Andrew opened his mouth to speak again.


“That’s up to you. Georgia would know more about that than me- she keeps the attendance records. So you might want to go ask her.”


“I’ll do that.”


“Andrew, I…”


“Mr. Evan!” It was Sarah again. “My mother says that you’re funny.”


Evan was clearly confused. “Do you think I’m funny, Sarah?” She nodded her head. “Are you funny, Sarah?” She shook her head. “Why not? I think you’re funny.” She looked up at him. “But, Mr. Evan, I don’t want to be funny.”


“Sarah, being funny is a good thing.”


“I don’t care. I don’t want to be funny anymore. I’m never going to be funny ever, ever, ever again.”


“Why not?”


“I don’t know. I just don’t. But you can be funny if you want to.” Having given Evan permission to be funny, Sarah scampered off again.


“Andrew, I would love to go to the movies with you tonight.” Evan finally said as the crowd had cleared a moment.


“You’re popular around here.” Andrew observed.


“My problem is that I don’t know when to say no.”


“It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it.”


Andrew and Evan walked back out toward the parking lot.


“What are you doing for lunch?” Evan asked.


“Nothing. Say, do you want to come to my house for lunch?”


“Actually, I’m supposed to invite you to Engrid’s house for lunch. Mom, I, and Dora are having lunch there and she wants you to join us.”


“I wonder why she didn’t ask me when I talked to her on the phone this morning.”


“It’s Engrid. Who knows?”


“True. Who knows? I don’t even think Engrid knows half the time.”


“No kidding.”


“Are you riding back with me?” Andrew asked.


“Yeah. I rode with mom, but I told her you’d drive me back.”


“How generous of me.” Andrew said sarcastically.


They got in and drove back toward town. Once they got back, Evan walked home to change. Andrew wasn’t sure what the logic was in riding back with him. The logic was that Evan wanted to be near Andrew. He didn’t like not being near him. So, if it meant walking home in his church clothes, then so be it. It was a mystery to Andrew how things had changed between Evan and himself in the last thirteen days or so. Two weeks ago tomorrow was the day Evan sat in his office and decided that Andrew was obnoxious, irritating, a city boy, and a snobby know-it-all. Now Evan went out of his way to be close to Andrew. If those boys hadn’t needed refereeing during church, Evan would have sat with him then. There was plenty of room between Andrew and the end of the pew for another person.


Andrew went into his house. As he was walking towards the stairs to go up to his bedroom, he heard a beeping sound. He went into the kitchen. The light on his answering machine was flashing. He walked over to it and pressed the button.


“You have one new message…Hi Andrew, this is Penny, I was wondering if I could drop by sometime. The other day at Engrid’s you seemed like a nice person to get to know. I don’t know if you want to or not, but if you want to talk to me, just give me a call, my number is 555-8532. Thanks and have a nice day. Bye. End of new messages.”


Hmmm, Andrew thought to himself, Penny would be a good person to get to know better. He went upstairs to change clothes. He was concerned that either he or Evan would do something at lunch to give themselves away. He wasn’t sure what Engrid would think of the two of them together. At least they would still have a friend in Dora. He felt that Dora was going to be an enormous asset in the months and years ahead. After changing into a nice top and pants, he went back downstairs. There was a knock on the door. It was Engrid.


“Andrew, could you help me with something before lunch?”


“Sure. Do you think we’ll have time?”


“They’ll wait. I had dinner ready before I left for church, so all we have to do once people get there is heat it up.”


“Oh. What’s the matter?”


“Well, I’m just worried, is all. Dora said something to me a couple of days ago that’s just got me worried. I worry a lot, so I’m sure it’s nothing.” She said.


“Let’s go to the living room.” Andrew suggested.


Once there, they sat down in the chairs on either side of the end table. Andrew was nervous. What had Dora said? It didn’t take her long to spill the beans about Evan and Andrew.


“The last week, Evan was over here for dinner, wasn’t he?”


“Yeah, he was. We were trying to work out our differences so to speak.”


“That’s nice.” She put her hands on her knees. “So, you were just talking and working out your differences?”


“Yes, why? Was there anything else you wanted to say?” He was afraid to ask.


“Well,” she hesitated, “That night, Dora was talking to me on the phone. I saw Evan come over here. After the two of you not getting along, I was afraid you were going to fight, but then Evan was all dressed up, which never happens, so I didn’t know what was going on. Then you two seemed to be getting along, from what I could see through the kitchen window anyway.”


“What did Dora say?”


“Well Dora said a lot of things, which Dora tends to do. She more often than not says more than she should which is probably what I’m doing right now.”


Andrew looked at her with confusion- trying to stifle the rising panic in his throat.


“Well, you see, Dora said that you and Evan might be like Morgan and Nathaniel.”


“Okay.”


“I guess you wouldn’t know who they are, being new around here and all. Morgan was a young man who used to help Dora out and all with her yard work and things kind of like Evan does for me. He and Evan are the same age- 27. Morgan moved away permanently, I guess, and then Evan came back here. Morgan’s been gone several years, so when Dora mentioned him, it took me a while to remember who she was talking about. Then I remembered and I hope that’s not what’s going on here.”


“I’m not following.”


“Of course you aren’t- because I’m not making any sense at all. Morgan and Nathaniel, you see were, um, well, how do you say….together, shall we say.”


“Together? Meaning?”


“Oh don’t make me say it- you know what I mean.”


“It’s not a bad word, Engrid, you can say it out loud.”


“No. You know what I mean. They were…you know….together.”


“They were homosexuals?”


Engrid visibly cringed at the word. “Yes, that’s it. Dora said it jokingly, but then the more I thought about it, the more I worried about it. I can’t imagine that my Evan is…well…you know…that way. He’s too…you know….not that way.”


“Well, Engrid, I can assure you that Evan and I aren’t together. We’re still working on being friends. Evan doesn’t even like me, remember?”


“You seem to be good friends all of a sudden.”


“We’re trying to learn to live with each other because we think a lot of you.”


“I don’t understand.”


“We don’t want anything between Evan and me to get in the way of your friendship with Evan or with you developing a friendship with me. That’s all. Evan and I are just interested in your wellbeing.”


“I appreciate that,” Engrid was visibly relieved, “I don’t know what I’d have done if it turned out that you two were…you know…together.”


“Just out of sheer, morbid curiosity, what is your opinion of homosexuality?”


“I just don’t know, to be honest. The ones I see on TV are just disreputable people- all that pink and frilly junk. I’ve got no use for it. But Morgan and Nathaniel never did anything like that.”


“In college, I met a lot of gay people, who were perfectly normal people.”


“I guess you probably did meet a lot of those kinds of people in college.”


“Say it...” Andrew teased, smiling.


“I just can’t,” Engrid said, with a slight smirk curling around the edge of her mouth.


“Say it. You thought Evan and I were ….”


“Well, I never thought you were, I just wanted to make sure. It was Dora who suggested it.”


“But, to some degree, you thought Evan and I were….” He motioned for her to fill in the unfinished sentence.


“Okay, okay, just to make you happy. I thought you and Evan were gggaaayyy.” She said it very slowly as if it left a terrible taste in her mouth.


“Now see, that wasn’t so bad. You thought Evan and I were gay and we’re not, so let’s go back to your place and have some lunch.”


“That sounds like an excellent idea,” Engrid said, standing up. They walked toward the door discussing what Engrid had fixed for lunch. The relief Andrew felt was tinged with guilt for having lied to Engrid to her face.