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Syrup And Grease

Ian was leaning on the car, waiting for Steve and Nancy to return with Lynn. He had just gotten Bradley buckled into his car seat and was talking to him through the window.

“What are we going to watch today, buddy?”

“Arthur.”

“Arthur’s Perfect Christmas? Alright! I love that one. We can get your blocks out and build something, too.”

“Blocks!”

“Gee, what are those kids doing out by themselves?”

Bradley turned around to look, but couldn’t see past the sides of his car seat.

“I think those are Lynn’s friends. I guess your mom and dad should be coming out now.” He could see the little one waving to someone. “Oh, here they are.”

Two couples and the kids split up and went their separate ways.

‘So, where’s the aunt?’ He wondered. ’Why should I care?’

“Uncle Ian!” Lynn yelled as she waved to him.

“Hey, kiddo. All ready for some Christmas fun?”

“Yay! What are we going to do?”

He opened the car door for her to climb in. “We can go home and do a bunch of chores. Then we’ll have liverwurst sandwiches and pickle juice.”

“You’re not going to get a wife with ideas like that.” She climbed into her booster seat and let him work the buckle.

Ian laughed and smushed her hat down over her eyes. “Just kidding, Lynn. Bradley called for Arthur’s Perfect Christmas.”

“That’s better.” Lynn said. “Are you coming back with us?”

“Yes, I have to stop on the way and get some syrup.”

“What for?”

“I’m making waffles when we get home.” Nancy said. “Can’t have waffles without syrup.”

“Yay! Waffles!”

“Yay! Waffles!” Bradley echoed.

“I guess it’s unanimous.” Ian laughed. “I’ll see you guys at home.”

“See you shortly.” Steve said as they pulled away.

Ian waved and watched them go. When he turned to get into his Blazer, he found the Hannons still standing there. ‘Are they waiting for her? What’s keeping her?’ He smacked himself in the head. ‘What do I care? I’ve got to go get syrup.’

Suddenly, she appeared.

He was halfway into his seat when he caught a glimpse of her emerging from the church. The late morning sun shone on her golden hair like a shimmering halo. It had looked darker inside the church. Out here, it was brazen and fluttering in the light wind.

‘Oh, man. Get in. Don’t let her catch you gawking at her like a school kid.’ Ian jumped into the Blazer and slammed the door. ‘Smooth, idiot. Start the car and drive to the store like you’ve still got two functioning brain cells in your head.’
Ivy had lingered in the church under the guise of using the Lady’s Room. She stood there staring into the mirror.

‘What’s the matter with you? So what if he sees you? He’s probably long gone by now, anyway.’

She sucked a deep breath, fussed with her hair a moment longer and left the bathroom. As she crossed the nave from the bathroom to the exit, she peeked into the sanctuary and straight down the aisle.

‘Nice church for a wedding?’

She stopped to look down that center aisle to the altar rail. She saw a tall figure standing there, looking back at her. A chill shot down her spine and she pulled her coat closer.

‘It’s just Dustin helping his dad clean up. What’s the matter with you? Wedding. Pfft.’

She hurried outside. Holly would probably be getting irritated by now. They were standing there at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for her.

“Aunt Ivy. Come on. I’m cold.” Chelsea said.

“Sorry, sweetie. Let’s go get in the car. Where did we park?” She scanned the parking lot for Frank’s car and spotted the moss green SUV.

The door was hanging open, and so was Ian’s mouth. He abruptly jumped into his vehicle with a slam and drove away.

‘They’re all looking at me. Aren’t they?’

They were. Chelsea was shivering. Frank had picked her up and tucked her into his winter coat to try to warm her up. Holly was silently fuming. Kendra had a wiseacre grin. Ivy didn’t know which was worst. “Sorry, guys.”

“Well, come on already.” Holly huffed as she trudged toward their minivan. Frank and Kendra followed along. Chelsea peeked at her aunt over her dad’s shoulder.

Ivy looked at the church as she followed them to the van. ‘Pretty inside. Pretty outside. Would be nice for a wedding, I guess.’

Everyone piled into the van and buckled up. Frank got them on the road, heading home. Holly turned on the radio and found some Christmas music for the kids to listen to.

“See anything interesting?” Kendra asked.

“No. You?” Ivy said, not even believing herself.

Her niece shrugged. “I liked the windows.”

“Yes, stained glass is pretty.”

“You must have liked the windows in the back best.”

Ivy let that one go. “I thought the music was nice.”

Kendra nodded.

“Chelsea, tell us some more about Sunday School. What was that you said about the churches?”

“They were greasy.”

Kendra’s brows furrowed. “What does that even mean?”

“I don’t know. Mrs. Tribbett said they were in ancient grease. I was going to ask why anyone would build a church in a bunch of old grease, but they didn’t have telephones or video calling. I guess it was the best they could do.”

Kendra put her face in her hands and shook her head.

“Honey, Ancient Greece is a place.” Ivy explained. She got her phone out and pulled up a map. “See? Greece is a country in Europe on the other side of the ocean from us.”

“That makes so much more sense.” Chelsea said. “I wish Mrs. Tribbett had a map.”

“What else did you learn, sweetie?” Ivy tucked her phone back into her coat pocket.

“This guy Paul wrote a bunch of letters and the churches kept them to study.”

“Why?” Kendra asked.

“Mrs. Tribbett said he met Jesus, so they figured he knew stuff.”

Ivy smiled. “That about sums it up. Anything else?”

“Lynn’s uncle talks about you a lot.”

Holly turned around to smirk at her sister.