Free Marja McGraw - Bogey Man 02 - Bogey's Ace in the Hole by Marja McGraw Page A

thought of Addie, and headed for the Jeep.  Chris and Mikey followed behind, taking their time and talking about an upcoming NASCAR race.  I sighed and climbed into the front seat, waiting for them to catch up to me.  By the time they reached the car, they’d moved on to baseball and football.  At least they were going with me.
    Arriving at the church I took note that the parking lot seemed fuller than normal, or maybe that was my imagination.
    We trooped in and found seats next to Constance.  Chris sat between Mikey and me, and I held his hand.  The service began, and after opening prayers, the choir sang and we warbled with them.  The pastor gave a sermon on the Good Samaritan, and I couldn’t help wondering if he knew something about what had been going on.  At least it was something that Chris was interested in hearing.
    And then Lila’s big moment came.  Pastor Findlay announced that we were in for a special treat on this particular Sunday, and he introduced her.  She walked up to the edge of the stage and cleared her throat.  The music began to play, but Lila took a step backwards.  The music stopped.  She cleared her throat again and stepped forward.   She looked so small and alone up on the stage.
    I could see Jasmine and May sitting in the front row.  Their back s were straight and they leaned forward slightly.
    I glanced at Lila and saw her gaze at her friends, fear showing on her face.  The music started again.  Lila opened her mouth, and after a brief hesitation, the voice that came out was not that of the teeny tiny, shy woman I’d come to know. It was huge, and beautiful, and inspiring, and I saw her fear melt away.  While she sang I saw the years drop away from her face, replaced by peace and soft lines.  She sang The Lord’s Prayer, as I’d never heard it before.  She wasn’t just singing it – she was feeling it.
    Halfway through the song I glanced at Chris.  He was smiling a Chris smile, not wearing Bogey grin.
    I turned back to Lila and watched her intently.  I knew there were some notes that were hard to hit because they were so high.  I’ve heard the expression about someone having the voice of an angel so many times, but in this case it was true. As she came toward the end of the song where the words were, For thine is the Kingdom, And the power, And the glory , I held my breath.  Her head pointed upward, her eyes were closed, and her hands were lifted up toward heaven.  She hit each and every note like a pro.  I knew that Forever was an even higher note yet.
    Realizing I was squeezing Chris’s hand in anticipation, I let it go, only to tent my hands and place them against my mouth.  Lila sang the high note with ease and grace, said a soft Amen , and lowered her head.
    Not a single sound came from the congregation – until Mikey started to clap.  Chris glanced at him and followed suit.  Pretty soon everyone was clapping, not something that happened often at our church.
    Lila appeared to be embarrassed and backed away.
    Pastor Findlay grabbed her arm and pulled her gently forward.  “Lila,” he said, “I hope you’ll sing again at a future service.  You’ve blessed us today.”
    Lila rejoined the choir , quietly accepting smiles and hugs, and the pastor said a last prayer before everyone stood up and began filing out the door.
    Chris, Mikey and I waited outside the church to tell Lila how much we’d enjoyed her solo.  Jasmine and May joined us.
    “I’ve never heard her sing by herself before,” May said.
    “She’s been hiding her light under a bushel,” Jasmine commented.
    “She’s definitely got talent,” Chris added.
    “Even I liked her,” Mikey said.  That was quite a compliment, coming from my son.  When I sing around the house, he either plugs his ears and runs outside to play or turns up the TV, and I’m not all that bad.
    Lila joined us after a few minutes.   She was smiling from ear to ear, and looking happy.  The Church Ladies