Free A Chance at Love by T. K. Chapin

tightly tangled up knot of rope, and someone was yanking on it, making it more and more painful with each moment. My throat felt like it was being choked in the moment. Painfully, I said, “Okay.”
    After I hung up with Emily, I thought about what Joanie had said about doing a run-in. I knew she was going to be at the church that evening. It seemed like a bit of a dirty tactic, but I couldn’t stand not knowing anymore. Something within me was pressing Emily onto my mind more than ever. Church was only a few days away, but I didn’t want to wait until then. I wanted to go now.

CHAPTER 10
    T hat afternoon, I headed down to the church to finally meet Emily. With weeks of conversations and only the sound of her voice in my ear, she had stolen my heart, and I wanted the truth. Part of me felt that I deserved it, while the other part feared what the secret could be. The late January air was still a bit chilly outside as I got out of the car in the church parking lot, but that didn’t keep the sweat from pouring off of me.
    My eyes focused on the front doors of the church. This is it , I thought to myself as I shut my driver side door. Walking across the slushed snow and water mixture in the parking lot, I made my way up to the church doors.
    Placing my trembling hand on the handle, I thought to myself, you sure you want to do this? She isn’t going to be happy, and you’re probably not going to enjoy this secret. Giving myself a confirming nod, I yanked open the door and went inside.
    Hearing commotion from in the sanctuary, I walked over to the window that looked in. When my eyes fell on Emily, my heart fluttered.
    “Kyle,” a man said behind me, startling me. Turning around, I saw that it was Tom.
    “Hey.”
    He looked behind me over my shoulder and smiled. Looking back at me, he said, “I didn’t expect to see you again.”
    “What? Why? I’m here to see Emily.”
    “So you’re okay with it?”
    “Okay with what?” I asked, glancing over into the sanctuary.
    He raised an eyebrow and said in a soft tone, “She hasn’t told you—”
    “Told me what?” I interrupted.
    He shook his head and said, “I’m staying out of it.” Turning, he went down the hallway. Following after him, I caught up to his side and grabbed his arm to stop him.
    “Just go into the sanctuary. I’m not going to be the one that tells you.” He shooed my grasp away and left me in the hall.
    My heart began to pound as I went back down the hall toward the sanctuary. What is it? Will I be able to handle it? I began to pray for God to help me with my failing strength.
    Opening the sanctuary door, I went inside and walked the aisle. “I just want to watch.”
    “Kyle?” Emily said from the stage.
    “Hey, Emily . . .” I said with a shaken and worried voice. “I couldn’t wait anymore. I think I love you.”
    Her eyes began to water.
    “Hey, guys, let’s take a break,” one guy said to the other cluster of kids on stage. They all left and went around a wall behind the stage.
    Continuing down the aisle, I approached Emily as she stayed on the stage. “I’m sorry if you’re upset with me. I just couldn’t take it anymore. I don’t want to wait. I’m falling for you, and I have so many emotions that are going through me. Not just right now, but every single day, Emily.”
    As I came up the stage stairs, she interrupted me. “I’m blind!”
    My eyes immediately focused on her eyes. The room fell completely silent. Her emerald green eyes looked blankly out into the room, but they appeared normal from what I could see. “You can’t see anything?”
    She quickly shook her head as I came up to her. She dipped her chin into her palms and began to cry. “You can just leave now. I understand if you can’t do this.”
    My pounding heart wasn’t pounding anymore. Instead, it fluttered, and a peace and calmness was over me. I wasn’t upset. Placing my hands onto hers, I felt a surge of warmth shoot up through my fingertips.