Free Save Me by Eliza Freed Page B

spending every Sunday morning with you. Some weeks it’s not possible, though. Do you still sit in the same place? I like to sit in the back.” Naughty. Always so naughty.
    “Why am I not surprised? I actually sit with Butch now, and Marie if she comes, which is often. It’s nice.”
    “Why don’t you ever go to the contemporary service?”
    “I don’t know,” I say, but I do know. This one feels like church. It reminds me of my mother. “Oh, and it’s Communion today.”
    “Good, I’m hungry.”
    I shake my head.
    *  *  *
    We are a little late. Apparently even church is not a significant enough commitment to keep my husband’s hands off me. Pastor Johnson is going through the announcements and he nods, smiling at me and the sight of Noble by my side. We enter Butch’s pew from the outside. Marie is on the aisle, then Butch, me, and Noble—one big, happy family. Noble puts his arm around me and my wedding ring catches my eye. I still cannot believe we’re married. Noble is my husband.
    I lean my head on Noble’s shoulder and get lost in Pastor Johnson’s words. We stand as the congregation prays for the forgiveness of our sins and we silently confess.
    Dear Lord, please forgive me for loving Jason as I married Noble. Not to make excuses, but it wasn’t as bad as it seems. Jason and I are never going to be together again, and I love Noble tremendously. I took my vows after walking out of a room that held my first love. I promised to love Noble, forsaking all others. I’m okay with it, but I suspect you’d like it to be a much cleaner severance prior to the marriage ceremony.
    I am rambling in my head. Trying to talk myself out of the emotions I know are wrong. Pastor Johnson absolves us.
    “I needed more time,” Noble whispers in my ear, making me forget about my sins and reminding me I’ve married my playmate. The congregation sings and I glance up at my naughty Noble. His is wearing the look that usually makes me tear his clothes off him. Maybe it’s not a good idea for him to come with me every week.
    Pastor Johnson’s sermon focuses on the power of prayer. It’s the most important thing we can do as a congregation. I haven’t prayed since my wedding day. According to the pastor, I should be doing it every day, alone and with Noble. I look up at him again and he’s watching me. I lay my head back on his shoulder. It’s a very lucky head.
    The service ends and I am finally able to laugh out loud at Noble.
    “You are Presbyterian, right? This is your church? You seemed like you had no idea what was going on.”
    “I don’t remember all this. After Sunday school I stopped coming except for Christmas Eve.”
    “Perhaps if you weren’t so naughty all the time you could fit your confessions into one time period.”
    “I blame you,” he says, and I turn to him, wounded. “You bring out the best and the worst in me, Charlotte. Without you I’m actually a very boring guy.”
    I roll my eyes. Noble has never been boring a day in his life.
    We file out of the church. Marie walks next to Butch, ready to lend a hand if he stumbles. She’s good to him. I turn from her to Noble and realize he is walking in the exact position next to me.
    Pastor Johnson gives me a generous hug and shakes Noble’s hand vigorously. We are the youth contingency in the 10:30 service. The earlier generations seem pleased with our company. I say hello to Mrs. Battaglia. I think she’s related to Jenn, but I can’t remember how. She pulls my head down to her lips and whispers in my ear, “Your new husband is very handsome.” She releases my neck and winks at me, all of which makes me blush. My eye catches Noble’s and I see he’s confused.
    “I know. He’s perfect,” I say, and the words float off my lips as the content of the conversation registers with Noble. He winks at me and gives Mrs. Battaglia his noblest “good morning.” She is enchanted and I can’t blame her.
    “Will we see you both next