THE PEACE

A new guy arrives at her church one Sunday. He walks across the floor and takes a seat with hymn book and service sheet in hand, one row away from her. She evaluates his striking apprearance. Chocolate brown hair, short, cut into a fluffy style which exposes the back of his neck inside the collar of a black shirt with matching black jeans and trainers. He is bearded in the same colour as his hair, well groomed and shaped. Obviously takes care of himself or has a stylist.

He looks round nervously, green eyes, blue?  cannnot see from here. Long, dark eyelashes. Tallish  5' 11 perhaps?,  beautiful face with pale skin, slightly rosy cheeks. Definitely straight with inviting, full pink lips. She imagines his kiss to be soft and warm. He reads the service sheet and looks at watch - no wedding ring - checks mobile phone - text from girlfriend maybe? - surely not - she would have kept him in bed. He knows nobody here. Must be late twenties or so. Stands up and puts his jacket round the back of the chair - her hormones are racing at this vision and an open shirt revealing some smooth skin and upper chest hair.

The service begins while he enchants her - she finds him too exciting and goes to
his bullet points;

sings hymns

prays

devout

into worship

not interested yet in other people

has come here to honour God and Jesus

She cannot focus or concentrate and loses her place in the service sheet. Finds it again but he is too distracting.  The sermon and service continues and goes to The Peace. He turns round and runs his fingers through his hair. She wants to do
that.  Instead she leans across, offers her hand and says 'peace be with you',
he says the same in return. They lock eyes briefly but he looks away shyly, shakes hands with others and sits down. A lady priest shares The Peace with him and it is overheard that he lives in this road - the same one as the church. It is his first time here and the priest asks him to stay for coffee at the end and say hello to people.

She becomes jealous of this lady priest and wishes she could have said something more.  Is he a communicant she wonders - yes he is, as he eventually takes his place in the communion line opposite her admiring gaze. He is breathtakingly beautiful at such close proximity. She fantasises and apologises to God for not fully concentrating on the service.

Post communion the gorgeous man returns to his seat first. She glances at him as she returns to hers. He notices and gives her a slight smile - she reciprocates.
He then looks serious and returns to the service sheet. She watches him still and considers what his reaction would be should she lose control, lean over and kiss the back of his neck. Shock?  Surprise?  would he or God forgive her? She would never be welcome in this church again and her relationship with this community would be over. His new experience of this community would be ruined. She manages to keep control of her feelings but only just. They return to the service sheet and she feels guilty and prays to God for absolution. The service completes and they all receive God's blessing. He sings hymns and prays - not all guys sing -so attractive to see a man unafraid to show his love of God but this one does. This is probably an indication of his potential as a lover - dedicated and demonstrative.  He stands up and walks to the back of the church, running his fingers through that thick, soft hair again. Is he feeling awkward?  should she approach him , exchange introductions and offer coffee? No harm in that as she would be getting them for other people too.

She finds him unbelievably sexy and romantic as he stands there but he is oblivious to her attentions.There is a slight relief in her and some disappointment as he checks his mobile again and heads for the exit and is gone. He is approached by the Vicar who is no doubt thanking him for coming and making a fine welcome. Mr. Sexy seems friendly enough and she would have loved to have discovered his name.

At this point she is shaken rigid and reminded that her own loving husband is waiting for her to return home. She should go and admire him, make love to him and lose herself in his beauty, thank God for him and not the new guy here.
She nows feels ashamed for what her imagination is capable of producing.  She eventually goes home, praising God for her own wonderful man.

The 'new guy' attends church on two more Sundays. She keeps well away, ignores him , does not offer her hand in Peace. Several more weeks pass and 'he' has not been seen. Maybe he is away or is attending another church but it is none of her business or concern and she must not be interested.

All she can do now is file away the romantic dreams, forget and carry on.