Finding Home (altered version)

Finding Home


Claire stood outside her motel room breathing in the fresh air. It was a nice day outside. She took a sip out of her water bottle, not because she was thirsty, but because she was bored. She wore her usual outfit of flip-flops, jeans, and sleeveless top with a little bit of jewelry and makeup. Purple clouds were forming and she was exhausted from the long drive to New Orleans. Where had her day gone?
At least I get to see Martin. Finally. She told herself. Martin was her boyfriend. They’d been together for two months now, but she had never seen his face; only written to him and called him a couple of times. They’d met over the Internet. She’d been told that this was not a wise way to find her soul mate, but she didn’t care. They would meet tomorrow, at Basken Robbin’s. She smiled at the thought of seeing him. He seemed so sweet. And so what if she didn’t know whether or not he believed in God? How could someone that sweet not be a believer anyway? She shrugged off the thought.
She suddenly caught herself closing her eyes. She jerked her head back up and shook her head. Sighing, she turned, and retired to her room.
She fell back on to her bed. Lumpy. Had to stop checking into these cheep hotels. She closed her eyes and told herself that she would get ready for bed in a few minutes. The sun slowly went down and there was a knock at her door.
That’s odd. She thought.
She went to the door and found that she couldn’t open it. Frustrated, she yanked it open, nearly hitting herself in the nose and saw a woman with long black hair in hand cuffs and tears, standing next to a policeman. She screamed, slammed the door, and opened her eyes. A nightmare of her past. She thought she caught a glimpse of light from her window from the corner of her eye. Turning her head, she saw that it was morning. She sat up and realized she’d spent the whole night lying on top of her bed, clutching a bottle of water to her chest. She laughed softly at herself and then gasped when she saw the time. Ten o’clock. She had to meet Martin in two hours and it was an hour’s drive to the ice cream shop. She zipped open her bag and pulled out her hairbrush. Quickly she began running it through her short brown hair and at the same time, she was trying to undress. Finally she threw the brush down, making a loud clang on the bathroom tiles and took a fast shower.
She jumped out of the shower, dressed, blow dried her hair while brushing her teeth which hadn’t worked well the first few times she’d tried it but she was used to it now, and brushed her hair out once more. She rushed out of the bathroom. Ten twenty-two. And she still had to get a bite for breakfast.
She grabbed her flip-flops and in her panic, grabbed her keys. She locked the door and got in her car. She slipped on her flip-flops and drove off to McDonald’s. Her dream hung in the back of her mind, but she boldly choked back the tears and pressed the accelerator down further.

She sat in the McDonalds driveway, fruit salad in hand, staring intently at the clock in her car. It changed to ten fifty. She would take off in five minutes. She finished her salad and threw the plate in the back. Ten fifty-four close enough. She took off once more, and finally was able to drive in peace, knowing she had enough time.
She adjusted her rearview mirror so she could see herself and put on make up in between stoplights. She had beautiful blue eyes, dark brown hair, slightly pale skin, and she was about five foot six and she was eighteen years old, a year younger than he. Would he like her? Did he go for looks in a girl? If he did, would she be pretty enough? Suddenly she felt nervous.
Finally she came upon the Baskin Robbin’s they were supposed to meet at. She parked her car and entered the ice cream shop. It was completely empty except for a guy that looked to be about her age. He wore a backwards baseball cap and a loose shirt. He had sad green eyes but he was smiling at her. Was this really he? Why did she find it so hard to believe?

“Claire?” he said.

“Martin?”

“Uh-huh.”

She grinned and quickly took the seat across from him. He had two large milkshakes in front of him. Slowly he slid one to her. She smiled and daintily sipped it. He began talking to her and asking her questions. She felt that they were getting off to a pretty good start. He was as nice as he’d seemed over the phone.
There was something wrong about him, yet he was so right. She felt like she was falling in love, and she let it happen despite the fact that she really hardly knew him. Leaving behind every bad feeling she had for him, she absorbed every word he said. After all, everyone has their faults, right?
Her mind suddenly began to wonder. She looked around the room, but Martin didn’t seem to notice. A man stood at the counter, paying for his ice cream cone. He was in his… fifty’s? She thought. As he turned around their eyes met and lingered for a moment. She jerked her eyes away and started listening to her boyfriend again.

~*~ ~*~



Thump! “Uhhhhh.” Claire groaned. She’d rolled onto the floor. She ran her hands through her hair and looked around. The covers had come down with her and the pillow had hit her in the face. She sat up and looked at the clock. Ten thirty. Slept in again. But that was okay, she could relax today… Couldn’t she?
No, you have to work today remember? You have a temporary job at Ruby Tuesday’s.

“Ahhhh!” She threw the pillow at the clock and covered her head with her blanket.

Well this isn’t going to get you anywhere. Stop being lazy and get up!

She stood and put her hands on her hips, frowning. Then she took a shower and went on her way.
She pulled into Ruby Tuesday’s and walked in. A lady stood at the entrance holding a menu.
“Just one?” She asked, a fake smile pasted across her face.
“Actually, I’m here for a job. I – I’m Claire.”

Her smile vanished, “Oh,” She reached under the desk she stood behind and pulled out a nametag and threw it at her. Claire barely caught it and murmured a thank you then put it on her shirt.

“And this.” The rude lady said, throwing an apron at her. She tied it on with a frown. The lady rolled her eyes, “Follow me.”

She led her to a small bar. “You work back here. Your job is simple, take orders, deliver it to the kitchen in back, and bring the food out when you hear the bell ring. Clear?”
“I know,” She said. And glared at her as she walked away.

A thin lady with long black hair came from the kitchen. She had soft black eyes, pale skin and long eyelashes. The expression she wore was soft and kind. She saw Claire and smiled. “You must be Claire.” She said.

“Yeah, and you are?” How did she know her?

“Jacqueline. Nice to meet you anyway. Need anything?”

“No,” She said, “Just.. I’m curious.. Cause the lady that led me here..”

“Oh Victoria,” She said with a scoff. “She’ been here a while. Just ignore her attitude, she’s not the friendliest person.”

“Okay, thanks.”

A short lady and her younger daughter came and sat at the bar. Claire took their order and sent it to the kitchen. It was hot and smelled like grease. She left quickly and came back to see that someone else had come by. It was man and woman. But she had seen the man before. Where? Oh… He was the man from the ice cream shop! And he was with a woman slightly younger than he.
Probably his wife.

She shrugged and went to take their order.

“What would you like to…” She stopped as the man looked up at her and she suddenly felt stripped of the guard she had up. “…Drink?”

The woman looked at her husband and then at Claire. “Water,” He said and his wife nodded in agreement. Claire walked back to the kitchen slowly looking up at the ceiling.

“You okay hon?”

She jumped in surprise. “Uh, yeah, uh who are that guy and his wife? Do they come here often?”

Jacqueline peered over her shoulder at them. She shook her head, “Nope, never seen them before. Why?”

“I…” Claire shook her head and went straight to the kitchen without replying. Her heart beat a little faster.

That night, she sat on her bed watching television when her cell phone rang. She felt through her purse and pulled it out and flipped it open, “Hello?”

“Claire?”

“Martin,”

“You wanna go out?”

“What, now?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“Well, I guess so.”

“Great, I’ll be there to pick you up in ten minutes.” Click. Claire closed her phone and put it back in her purse. She put on some lipstick, brushed her hair and slipped her flip-flops on. A few minutes later, there was a knock on her door. Martin. She opened the door and greeted him.

“Come on, let’s go, I’ll buy you something to drink.”

She smiled and took the passenger’s seat. Within a few minutes they pulled up to a bar. Martin got out and opened her door for her. She hesitated, and then finally got out.
They went in and sat at the bar, and Martin ordered two beers. Claire took a sip and put one hand over her mouth to keep from spitting it out. She turned her head so Martin wouldn’t see and swallowed it. Could she drink at the age of eighteen legally? She shrugged off the thought. She forced down a few more drinks until she’d finished the glass. Martin laughed and ordered another. She forced down half of it, and then started liking it. She drank the rest with a smile on her face and asked for another.
After she finished that one, she kept drinking more till she’d lost count. She became dizzy and a little confused. She stood up and swerved from one side to the other laughing as hot tears rolled down her cheeks. She felt someone wrap his arm around her waist and saw Martin supporting her, smiling nervously.
“Let’s go home.” She’d thought he said.

“Oh no!” She exclaimed with a laugh, “I’m already having so much FUN!” She kicked one leg out. “I’ll just walk home baby. Bye bye!” She waved her hand dramatically.

She thought maybe Martin was giving her an odd look but she didn’t care and made her way outside and began walking the wrong direction.

“Claire!”

“Go away! I’m fine. I’m HAPPY!” She spun around in circles and caught a glimpse of him walking towards his car. She walked along the street for about another hour, laughing and crying the whole way. She banged against a brick wall. Realizing it was a restaurant, she peered inside the window. It was crowded with people. She laughed and pressed her face harder into the window. Suddenly she saw the man again. He was alone and his eyes met her eyes exactly. It was like someone had just slapped her across the face. Like she’d just woken up from a dream and she was back in reality. She gasped and stepped away from the glass. She tried to walk but she lost her balance and twisted her ankle forcing her to the ground. She sat up and curled up against the wall of the restaurant. Softly crying she looked up at the night sky.

Under her breath, she murmured, “God… What have I done?”

~*~ ~*~


A drop of drool began rolling down the side of her face. Ewe! She thought and quickly wiped it up. She sat up quickly and stared at the clock. Eleven? Oh no. Suddenly her stomach felt weak. She rushed just in time to the toilet. She moaned and clutched her stomach. A hangover?
She found a bowl under the sink and crawled back into bed. She turned on the television and picked up the phone, ordered a pizza and slumped back into her bed.
What do you think you are doing? You wasted yourself. Look in the mirror Claire! You’re a mess. Get control over your life before your life gets control over you.

She choked back a tear when she heard a knock at her door. She opened it and paid for her pizza, threw it on the bed and grabbed a piece out of the box shoving it into her mouth. Her cell phone rang. She picked it up.

“What?”

“Uh, Claire, babe, are you okay?” Martin asked.

“No.”

“Do you want to go somewhere? Get out?”

“No. I don’t feel good, I’m taking the day off.”

“Okay… bye?” – Click. She hung it up and threw the phone across the room. How dare he do this to her? Picking up another piece of pizza, she quickly ate it, and went back to sleep. When she woke up, it was four o’clock. Now what?

She rolled over and groaned. Her conscience kept telling her to get up. So she went to the bathroom and took a long hot bath. She rested her head on the side of the tub and sighed. She tuned out everything that had happened these last few hours and calmly recalled the quiet times she used to have with her mother. She wanted to cry, but it wouldn’t come out.
The following morning was Saturday, she had another day off from work and she was supposed to move into an apartment today. She got dressed, packed her stuff and drove to her apartment, The Creole Landing. She got to the apartment and looked around. The apartment doors were outside. It looked pleasant to her. She stood observing it when she saw a movement over to her left. Turning, she saw an alligator, looking at her. Her heart stood still.

“Need somethin’ ma’am?”

She jumped and spun around. In front of her stood a short, plump, friendly-looking man with black hair and a black beard.

“Uh.. Yeah… I think I have a room reserved.”

He smiled, “Alright, well, come on, let’s get you moved in. By the way, my name is Sam. This way.”

He escorted her up a flight of stairs and they stopped at a room number 206.
“Here you are,” He said handing her the keys, “No smoking indoors. Anything else you need?”

“No thank you. Bye.” And she shut the door. She walked up to a small mirror on the wall and looked at herself. Her eyes were dark and bloodshot, her hair was frizzy and she looked depressed. She smiled at her reflection in an attempt to cheer up and ran her fingers through her hair. She blinked a few times and was less than surprised to find it did no good

It turned out to be pretty nice. She had a small living room, bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom. She threw her bags onto the bed and began unloading it. Just when she thought that she’d emptied the last bag entirely, she felt something square and lumpy in the side zipper.

“What is that?” She murmured to herself, “It does seem like I put something…”

She opened the zipper, revealing a small leather bible with her name printed on the bottom right corner. Her mother had given it to her after she’d accepted Jesus as her savior when she was seven. She’d read a couple of chapters from Genesis a few months ago and had not so much as looked at it since. She slowly began to open it, and then closed it quickly. She looked around and spotted a small desk beside her bed. She opened the drawer to it, threw it in, and slammed it shut.

Her cell phone rang and she looked at her purse a moment dreamily before she finally decided to pick it up. She took it out and said, “Hello?”

“Claire, you feelin’ any better?” It was Martin again.

“Uh… yeah, sure.”

“Are you still at your hotel?”

“Uh, um, no, I’m at The Creole Landing. I just got moved in.”

“Well, I’m coming over to take you out. Feel like taking a little walk?”

“Yeah, uh, I guess.” She stammered still a little distracted.

Martin came to her door ten minutes later. They went into town together and walked along the streets. A flood of comfort washed through her as he took her hand in his. Martin stopped at a jewelry store.

“Wait here,” He said, a twinkle in his eye, and he walked in.

Claire sat on a bench next to the jewelry store and waited. A few minutes past, and he still hadn’t come out. Leaning her head back against the brick, she closed her eyes. She saw a man in a black suit reach down to pick her up.

“And so we meet again,” A man’s voice said.

She jumped with a gasp and sat up. And there sat the man, right next to her on the bench. He was smiling. He had gray hair, and brown friendly eyes. He held out his hand and she slowly shook it.

“You know,” He said taking a deep breath in, “It occurred to me the other night when I saw you looking at me through the window that I did not believe in coincidences. Because believing in God and believing in coincidence are two things that don’t go together. Do you see what I mean?”

Claire stared at him, partly shocked and partly annoyed she asked, “What’s your point?”

“My point, my dear girl,” He said, “Is that I believe the reason we run into each other so often is because God wants us to. Either I need to see you, you need to see me, or we simply need each other for whatever the reason may be.” He took a slip of paper out of his pocket and handed it to her. “My name is Pastor McAndy and that is my phone number. And you are?”

“Claire.”

“Claire… well, Claire, if you ever need me, I’ll be a phone call away.” And he walked away just as Martin came out of the jewelry store. He held a black rectangular box. He handed it to her.

“Open it,” He said with a grin.

She did and there was a pearl necklace inside. “Thank you…” She said and her voice trailed off.

Pastor McAndy, Pastor McAndy…

Claire sat upright in bed the next morning, glaring at her alarm clock as it continued beeping. Eight o’clock. Why was she tired anyway? It wasn’t early. She struck the top of her alarm with the palm of her hand and pushed it off the dresser. She opened the dresser drawer and took out her bible, looked at it a moment, considering reading it and then slammed it atop her dresser. It had haunted her ever since she’d taken it out.
She dragged herself out of bed and went to work. It was a busy day and she was tired and just about to go home when Jacqueline stopped her.

“Wait Claire!”

Claire turned around and smiled, “Yeah?”

“I was wondering if you would come have lunch with my brother and me.”

“Um… Sure,” She said, “I didn’t know you had a brother.”

“Oh yeah we live together. His name is Braden. Are you sure you feel up to it?”

“Oh yes,”

They both got in their cars and Claire followed Jacqueline. Soon, they pulled into the driveway of a small white house. It had a porch out front surrounded by white vincas. Claire followed Jacqueline up to the front door where she opened the door with a key. They walked into a small, tidy living room with a couch and a small screen television.

“Braden!” She called and shrugged when she heard no reply, “He should be home from work soon. The kitchen is this way. It’s not set up yet, so you can make yourself at home while I work on it. Coffee?”
Claire nodded. Jacqueline handed her a cup of coffee with a lid. She took a sip and went to sit in the chair in the corner as Jacqueline left. She stared at the screen, and thought about whether or not to actually turn it on. She looked at the pictures that hung on the wall. One was a long rectangular picture of….twelve men? They all sat a table that was piled with food. There was one man in the middle and all the other men in the picture seemed to be excited except for him. His face was calm and patient. She smiled. She’d seen this picture before when she was a child. Her mother kept it in the kitchen. What was it called? The Last Supper? She continued looking around the room and noticed a picture of a cross above the television.
So they’re religious.
The doorbell rang. Braden. Claire sat up quickly as Jacqueline came to the door and opened it, greeting her younger brother. He looked to be about twenty. Brown, almost black eyes, and short black hair just like his sister. His complexion was like his sister’s also: a pale white. He was slightly taller than her, slightly muscular, and his eyes had the same friendly sparkle. All in all, they were a lot alike.

Jacqueline introduced him to Claire and they shook hands. Then they all went into the kitchen and sat at a small table. Suddenly, both of them folded their hands together and closed their eyes. Then Jacqueline began to pray. Claire did the same, feeling slightly uncomfortable. She used to do this too, though. Why had she quit?

“…Amen.” She said and everyone opened their eyes. They had a nice small meal, fried chicken and cream of corn.

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Braden said to Claire, “Jacqueline talks about you a lot, you must be good friends.”

Claire nodded and kept eating, not knowing what would happen if she looked up from her food.

“How much longer are you staying here?” He asked.
“A few months,” She said, “I need to earn more money before I take off again. Besides, I like it here, despite the alligators.”
Jacqueline and Braden both laughed at this.

“You’ll get used to it,” Jacqueline told her, “They’re pretty common down here, just keep your distance.”

Claire stayed after the meal and helped Jacqueline clean up. Then Jacqueline and Braden both escorted her back out to her car and asked her to go to the movies the next day.

“I’d love to,” She said and left as the two siblings waved goodbye.

She went back to her apartment and fell back onto her bed. She looked up at her bible. Should she open it? No, she still wouldn’t do it.

Why not Claire? What is there to be afraid of? It’s just a book after all, remember? Don’t tell me that you’re afraid it might actually tell you things you don’t want to hear.

Without bothering to change into pajamas, Claire got into bed. She reached up to flip the light-switch off, feeling her heart go out with it.

~*~ ~*~


Claire sat in between Jacqueline and her brother. She held the tub of popcorn and chewed it quickly as the climax was near. It was dark in the theatre and hardly anyone was there other than an older couple up front.
Jacqueline’s heart beat a little faster and she gripped Claire’s hand tightly. Braden had glanced over when this happened and choked back a laugh but Claire saw and smiled.
The three of them got up and left together at the end. They exited the theatre laughing and smiling as they talked over the movie. Claire was having a nice time when suddenly her smile vanished. She looked across the street and saw Martin standing there, staring at her with anger in his eyes. What was wrong with him?

She went back to the apartment and sat watching television. She had her cell phone next to her, expecting Martin to call and explain why he’d looked so upset. She waited an hour, still no call. Finally it grew late, and she gave up and went to bed.

She tried calling again the next morning, let it ring twenty times before she finally gave in and hung up. Martin had caller ID on his phone and he wouldn’t pick up for her. She pulled into the Ruby Tuesday’s driveway and went in to work. Jacqueline noticed that she looked troubled and asked about it.

“Just… some problems with my relationship.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” She said with a sympathetic smile, “I didn’t know you were in one.”

Claire nodded, “For almost three months now. His name is Martin and things are just a little messed up right now.”

“Oh I’m sorry honey. Do you want to talk about it? We could go out again for lunch if you want.”

Claire smiled appreciatively, “I’d like that.”

“Alright then. Braden works at a private restaurant about five minutes from here. It’s a steakhouse, is that okay?”

“Sure.”

So when they got off work, they went down to the steakhouse together and sat and talked. Claire felt closer and closer to truly being at ease as the minutes flew by. Braden took their order and delivered their food. As they finished up their steak, Braden came back and set two pieces of chocolate cheesecake pie in front of them.

“Braden,” Jacqueline said, “We didn’t order this.”

“I know,” He said with a smile, “It’s on the house.”

“Thanks,” Jacqueline said in a surprised tone. After he’d walked away she said, “That’s unusual. He usually gives us a discount but never anything like this.”
Claire opened her mouth to say something when her phone rang. She picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Look out the window,” He said.

She did and there was Martin, glaring at her from across the street. She gasped, “What’s wrong? I don’t understand.”

“You know what’s wrong!” He yelled, “I’ll be at your apartment in two minutes.”
She hung up and jumped from her seat. “Uhhh, I gotta go.” She said and left, feeling guilty for leaving Jacqueline just like that. She thought she saw Braden watching her leave, disappointment in his eyes.

Claire sat on her couch staring at Martin who was standing in front of her, waiting.

“What is it?” She asked.

“It’s you and that – that guy!”

“What guy?” She asked, confused.

“Oh please,” He said, throwing his hands up, “That guy that you’ve been seeing. At the movies, at his restaurant.”

“What? That’s ridiculous, we’re just friends.”

“Yeah…right.”

“You’re paranoid.”

“I’m not hanging out with other girls behind your back.” He growled.

“I can’t even have friends?” She asked, shocked.

“There is no such thing as having a guy friend. It’s me and no one else.”

“You insane!”

“I am not insane! And I’m not your boyfriend either.” And he walked out slamming the door.

Claire’s eyes filled with tears. She lay down on the couch and hugged a pillow. Her head was spinning.

Lord, what do I do?

And then, as if God were answering her prayer, she looked over at her purse and remembered that she still had Pastor McAndy’s phone number in there. But should she really call him about this?

Of course you should! Pick up the phone and call him.

And so she did.

“Hello?” He said after the phone had rung for the fourth time.

“Pastor McAndy?”

“Claire. Is everything okay?” He’d been quick to recognize her voice.

“No, I need to talk to you.”

“Alright,”

“Can I come over?”

Claire drove to his house and there he stood at the door, waiting. She ran in and before she realized it, her eyes were filling with tears. Mrs. McAndy came in, and took her hand and led her to the sofa. She began telling them everything, bursting into tears as she went. She told them more about her life than she’d ever told anyone. She felt a connection with these people that she’d never felt before. She found herself viewing them as her parents.
It grew late and Mrs. McAndy gave her supper and offered to let her sleep in their guest room. She did, and fell asleep within minutes. Why was she so comfortable here?

Because you’ve found it Claire… You’ve found home.

Claire went home the next day. She went to her room first thing and picked up her bible. She opened it to the book of Proverbs and read for an hour straight. Then she set it down, took a deep breath in, and said a prayer.


She went to work that day and found Jacqueline looking at her and smiling more than once.

“I’ve changed, haven’t I?” She asked her just as she was about to leave.

Jacqueline smiled, “Yes. What happened?”

“My boyfriend broke up with me and for the first time in five years, I turned to the bible. I think we’re apart for the better.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Why don’t you and Braden come over to my house for lunch today? It’s the least I could do after all you’ve done for me.”

Jacqueline smiled in surprise, “Yes, I’ll call him right now.”

So they all gathered in Claire’s little apartment and ate a small meal of grilled cheese and tomato soup. For once, they were all three laughing and enjoying themselves like a family without the odd uncomfortable air that Claire had made before.

“I need to make a phone call outside,” Said Jacqueline, “If you don’t mind.”

Claire nodded. So Jacqueline went outside and Claire began cleaning. Braden got up and started helping her.

“How much longer are you staying?” He asked again.

Her cheeks turned red and she turned her head and smiled. “I don’t know. A month at least. I like it here. Plus I’ve made friends.”

“What about your family?”

“My mother died when I was ten, I never knew my father and I never had any siblings. If I do have any relatives, I don’t know them.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Just then, Jacqueline came back in. “There was something I meant to ask you Claire,” She said, “Me and Braden go to Friendship Baptist church where Pastor McAndy preaches and we wondered if you’d like to start attending.”

There was a pause for a moment, and then she said, “Uh, sure. When?”

“Sunday at ten o’clock is when it starts. Let me write down the address for you.”

The following Sunday, Claire attended a church service for the first time since her mother died. She worried that she would feel like a misfit and maybe they would even treat her like one. But she was wrong. Every one greeted her with a friendly smile. She was more into the church service than she’d ever been. She closed her eyes when Pastor McAndy quoted a verse and envisioned her mother saying it to her just before she kissed her goodnight.
After service, the three of them had lunch at Jacqueline’s house and talked.

“How did you like service?” Braden asked Claire, smiling.

“I loved it.” She replied, “I’d always considered going to a church but I just let the thought slip each time. Somehow I was afraid.” And then, after thinking about what she’d just said, she blushed deeply. But the sibling’s eyes were filled with understanding and she could see that they had a real passion for God.

You want to be like them don’t you? Don’t worry; you’re on your way.

Several weeks went by and she attended the church faithfully and extended her stay in New Orleans. She loved the church. Being there with Jacqueline and Braden gave her a feeling that she couldn’t describe.
One day, as she was about to drive home from church, Jacqueline approached her and asked, “I wondered if you would like to join the church choir?”
Claire did not reply at first. She had been in a choir before and she had a gift for singing that she did not often used, so in the end she said yes.
Two weeks later, she was standing on stage, next to Braden who was holding a guitar, singing to “Come, now is the time to worship” as the congregation followed along. The music stopped and Claire looked at Braden with an appreciative smile. Then she looked at the front pew and smiled at Pastor McAndy, her best friend.

Braden walked with her back to their seats and when they were seated he leaned over and whispered, “I was amazed at your voice. I truly underestimated your singing abilities though you didn’t know it. I wrote a song for you and I wanted to ask you to sing it.”

She whispered back, “I’ll sing it.” I’d do anything if you asked.

So Claire went home with them that day and Braden sang the song for her. She clapped at the end and eagerly grabbed the lyrics, ready to learn it. Jacqueline would peer into the room every few minutes and smile, a twinkle in her eye.
She stayed for a full hour, singing the song over and over till Braden’s fingers were purple, her voice was hoarse and she’d memorized it by heart.
After they’d finished, Claire picked up the lyrics and walked out to her car, Braden following close behind.

“Bye,” She said smiling, “I had a great time. I guess I’ll be singing this Sunday?”

He nodded, “See you then.” And she left.

~*~ ~*~

Claire walked the streets of New Orleans almost every day now, but never saw Martin again. She was shocked to find herself looking for him.

He got over you pretty quickly, didn’t he? Looks like he’s already packed up and made another profile on Eharmony.com

She frowned and kicked a pebble. Turning she looked over and saw an older woman with long nails, shuffling a deck of cards at a small card table. A fortuneteller. Should she? She did want to know her future…so badly. Slowly she approached the lady who looked up at Claire with sly eyes. She started to feel uncomfortable.

“Do you wish to know your future?” She asked.

“Yes…” She replied and stood stock still, because Pastor McAndy stood twenty feet away, looking at t-shirts and he had not yet seen her. Or had he? She looked around and saw all the odd balls who lived here. Was she really going to become one of them?

“Deary?”

She jerked her head back. “Yes,” She said again, “And that’s why I’m not going to ask you what it is.” She slammed her bible down on the card table and walked away, leaving it there for her.

Bravo Claire.

She walked along for a little longer and stopped at the restaurant Braden worked at. She opened the door and peered in. There was Braden, taking a younger man and woman’s order. Her cheeks grew hot and she walked back out.

You have feelings for him. But not the feelings you had with Martin…No, this is real.

A smile came over her and she began to walk faster.

Weeks past, Braden wrote another song, and Claire couldn’t seem to leave. She fell in love with New Orleans, and everything in it. Then one day, as she sat in Jacqueline’s house eating dinner with her and her brother she announced, “I’m staying in New Orleans for awhile. Maybe for a full year.”
Jacqueline smiled and hugged her and Braden smiled too, but his smile seemed shy somehow. Claire looked at him a moment then pulled her eyes away. As she was walking out to her car, he stopped her and asked to drive her home. That night after he drove her home and walked her up to her door, where he told her goodnight, adding quietly, almost in a whisper, “I’m glad your staying.” And then kissed her on the cheek, turning quickly to leave.
She touched her cheek gently and then went into her apartment. She closed the door and looked at her feet, smiling.

Just a crush? Maybe, maybe not.

Claire shook her head. After all, who gets over a relationship as quickly as she did with Martin? Didn’t that seem a little cold-hearted? And suddenly it all rushed in on her and she realized it for the first time.

You never did care for Martin. You never did cry again. It all happened in one night and then you were okay. And why are you so attached to New Orleans anyway? Or is it New Orleans you’re attached to, hmm?

She went to bed, but she couldn’t go to sleep. She lye there, looking up at her dresser where her bible used to be.
“God has made someone for me,” She thought, “He has a plan for me. Is Braden part of it?”
She reached up and took her diary out of the drawer and began reading. As she read, she realized how self-centered and depressing every entry had been. Her heart sank and she felt ashamed. Soon, she lay asleep, with the notebook laying open, next to her. She woke up late and gasped, then settled down again, realizing it was Saturday; she didn’t have to work. So she lye her head back down. And just as she was dozing off, her phone rang. She reached for her purse and took out her phone and flipped it open.

“Hello?” She said, her voice hoarse and scratchy.

“Claire, it’s Braden.”

Her heart stood still and she sat up quickly. He’d never called her before. “Hey… how are you?”

“Good. I need to tell you something.” He sounded serious. She sat up and cleared her throat.

“What is it?”

“I think I’ve located your mother.”

She held her breath in shock, “W-what? How? I thought she died. Oh, my word, Braden tell me”--–

“It’s a long story, but it looks like her name is Anne Harris, she had one daughter and they were separated ten years later. I’m not for sure yet, but so far all the pieces fit and I think she’s still alive. Can I come over?”

“Yes, yes, please do and hurry.”

“Okay, bye.” Click.

Claire made her bed as fast as she could. She put on jeans and her nicest top, a black silk tank top. And right as she was finishing her hair and makeup, she heard a beep outside. She rushed to the window and saw him approaching the staircase. She smiled softly at him and he waved to her. A warm feeling came over her and she waved back, unaware of where she would be because of him in a matter of months…