Free One April Fool by Amity Maree Page B

volunteering her time and efforts to write, type, and print the weekly church bulletin.  When the prim and proper Penelope was standing beside Father Smith, receiving a certificate for her five years of service, was when April struck. The distraction was the singing telegram, while a program was being passed out to everyone. The woman delivering the telegram to Father Smith was enthusiastically singing, “I Honestly Love You”, while his face grew redder and redder with embarrassment.  At the end, when she finally quieted a bit, the woman sang that the greeting was from Penelope Winslow, with love.  People in the front gasped and April thought that Penelope was going to pass out!  Her eyes got big as people gave her harsh looks, and as Father Smith frowned at her.  Best of all, in April’s opinion, while everyone was watching the scene unfold in front of them, the programs were passed out.  April could hear the reactions from the church members in attendance as they read the comments that were written to sound funny, but were a bit nasty, and not at all true.  At the very bottom of the last entry, in the smallest font possible, were the words ‘April Fools’!  April had loved writing every last word of the program and telling a few people what she really thought of them.  She also thought it very funny that Penelope Winslow would get the credit. People were already grumbling, and finally a man in the third row stood up.  His wife was one of the choir members who led the singing during Mass.  April hated the woman’s voice, and described it as sounding like a ‘cat screeching in the middle of the night!’
     
    “Ms. Winslow, I am offended.  Why do you find it amusing to insult and hurt people’s feelings? My wife donates her time and talents just as you do, and you have turned an evening that should be one filled with pride at our accomplishments into one of distress.  How can you expect my wife to lead the singing when she is hearing your criticism of her voice inside her head?  You owe Cynthia, and every other person you ridiculed with your questionable comments in your attempt to be funny, an abject apology!”
     
    “I most certainly agree!” the mother of one of the servers said in a loud voice, and others joined in.
     
    Penelope looked around, her eyes wide as saucers, and then she burst into tears and ran from the room.  People stood around afterwards, their angry comments sounding out of place in a gathering to praise people for their good works.  Father Smith tried to calm everyone, and finally called for quiet as he offered another prayer, one asking that the congregation find forgiveness in their hearts for the April Fools prank played upon them.
     
    April couldn’t wait to speak to Charity and Maureen after the event was all over and people started leaving the hall that was attached to the large church.  She made sure they were completely alone before she let out a giggle.  “Did you see Copperhead’s face?”
     
    “I cannot believe you pulled that off, April!” Charity whispered.
     
    “That old witch deserved it,” Maureen hissed.  “My husband is getting impatient to get home, so I have to go.  Be careful that she never finds out it was you, April.  She would see you fired in a heartbeat!”  Maureen hurried off to leave with her husband.
     
    “At least she knows what it’s like to be criticized in front of people now.  It probably won’t change anything, but it was fun!” April said, giggling.
     
    “I just cannot believe you actually had the nerve!  Copperhead won’t be able to show her face for a long time without reliving this all over again!” Charity predicted, laughing.  “You are one brave woman, April!  But, I am with Maureen.  Never, but never, let her find out it was you who planned this prank or she will go after you with a vengeance!”  Charity said she had to run, but April talked her into spending a few more minutes with her, listening to