Free Dimensions of Genesis by Danielle Q. Lee

of
air.
    Ahead of David, the curving roads meandered
with purpose as the black asphalt hugged the earth. The land
allowing rivers of highway to mar its complexion.
    David was not looking forward to facing the
empty house alone. He wished his daughter was home this weekend.
Occasionally Tiffany would spend the weekend at home, but never
alone. She always had a friend or two staying with her at the Blake
house.
    Giggling and loud music would emanate from
her room for hours on end. A barrage of make-up and hair
accessories strewn across her room as the girls would give one
another make-over after make-over.
    He missed his little girl.
    Looking at his watch, he saw it was
afternoon. He'd stayed longer than anticipated at work to complete
paperwork on Tony and to contact his relatives, informing them of
Tony’s passing.
    Passing? He pondered the word for a moment,
what exactly does that word have to do with dying?
    To pass would indicate a continuous movement.
Passing on, going on, and moving ahead. All this confused David
even more. The ghost story earlier that day and the coincidence of
Tony's last words were too much for David. He had no idea what to
think of it all.
    Exhausted, he turned into his driveway; ready
to put himself and his obscure day to bed.
     

Worry
     
    Father Gabe delivered the host to each set of
open hands, his eyes never focusing on any individual face.
    His thoughts obsessed endlessly, rewinding
and replaying the moment when his lips met Lily's. The scene would
begin sweetly, with passion and desire. His lips touching hers. In
the next moment, the scene would morph into heartbreak, Lily’s face
etched with pain.
    He didn’t even notice the seductive and
teasing smiles he received from the female parishioners. Even the
impending exorcism held no priority within his worries.
    Only Lily’s face, the moment she left,
haunted his memory. The look of betrayal as she fled the church
room.
    How could I have reacted so childishly?
Regret swelled inside as he prayed mass would be over soon, so he
could find his Lily. He also prayed God would give him the strength
to resist the temptations that were burning inside of him.
    After mass was done, Gabe searched the church
for Lily’s parents. He scanned every face that wandered about the
room. With everyone leaving at once, it was difficult to locate
anyone. From the left side, he finally heard something familiar,
Quinn’s telltale laugh, from the far side of the room. Elated, Gabe
moved hurriedly through the crowd.
    Gabe tried to calm himself as he approached
Lily’s mother. Mr. Donovan had apparently already taken his leave
to enjoy his traditional post-mass cigar.
    “Mrs. Donovan.” Gabe said politely, “Have you
seen Lily?”
    Maggie smiled wide as she greeted Gabe.
“Well, I was going to ask you the same thing. She came to the
church early to visit with you. We thought she just sat somewhere
else during mass.” Maggie’s eyes filled with worry. “You mean to
say you haven’t seen her today?”
    “Oh yes,” Gabe sputtered, “earlier this
morning, she was here…but…” he searched his mind for a reasonable
explanation. “She…said she wasn’t feeling well and left before the
mass began.” The guilt inside for lying literally made him
nauseous.
    “Oh my, well, I should hurry home to make
sure she is okay.” Maggie quickly gathered her things and walked
out of the church, still buttoning up her sweater. Quinn and
Sheridan, now thirteen, dawdled behind her as they gawked at some
teenage boys.
    Gabe retreated to his apartment upstairs in
the church and swiftly changed out of his ceremonial robes.
Retrieving his helmet and leather jacket from the coat
closet, Gabe noticed Lily’s white sweater hanging at the far
end. Taking her sweater off of the hanger, her intoxicating scent
drifted from the fabric, caressing Gabe’s face. His mind clouded
with worry as he raced out of the church to find her.
    As Gabe’s bullet bike meandered along