The
candlelight burned into Liz’s eyes and she blinked, noting that the small
pinpoints of light were there even when her eyes were closed. She hadn’t even noticed that she had been
staring so intently at the nearest row of candles. She was exhausted. She could barely keep her eyes open, but
Jackie kept nudging her in her ribs every time her head nodded. She didn’t even have the slightest idea how
long they’d been here or what time it was.
All she knew was that it had to be well after midnight.
Jackie and Liz had fought to get out
of the house that night. Their parents
had been clearly less than thrilled about their going to the church so late at
night.
“Where are you going?” their mom had
asked as the two girls made their way to the front door.
“It’s Christmas Eve,” Jackie had
said, like this was the most obvious answer in the world.
“Thank you, but we already know
that,” their father had said.
“Well, on Christmas Eve, there’s a
midnight candle service at my church.”
“Is that why you’re wearing those
scarves again?” their mother had asked.
“Yes, and I don’t see why it
matters. Look, it’s our choice if we
want to go to a church service. Just let
us go.”
Reluctantly, their parents had let
them leave. Not that Jackie would have
let things happen otherwise. They would
have ended up at the church even if Jackie had to sneak them out the attic
window.
