Watching

Part of the Glass Castle series
 (The church is a warm shelter)

          “They don’t even look cold.”

          “Isn’t that a marvel? And in this blizzard!” Makio pulled her cloak around her a little more snuggly. ‘Pleasure’ is supposed to be such a cool name brand, but I sure feel chilly. She stepped behind a tree so she wouldn’t be seen by the pilgrims passing by.  Shondelle did the same.

          “They aren’t even all bundled up like we are!” Shondelle whispered.

          “Shh! I don’t want them to know that we are observing them!”

          There was longing in their eyes as they watched a happy pair make their way up the steep incline to the Glass Castle with seeming ease.

          “As far as I could tell all they had on was those flimsy looking white robes, but they seemed warm enough. Even comfortable!” For some reason Makio’s eyes felt misty.

          Shondelle swallowed a lump in her throat before speaking. “I think the warmth comes from within them somehow. “

          Makio nodded; “And that’s why they radiate so. Look! They are coming from all directions! Look how they scale the steep cliff with such incredible ease. How do they do it? And why?“

          “Today is what they call ‘The Lord’s Day’. I think that means that their King will be in their midst and they all want to be there. They go out among us to labour, but on the first day of the week they all flock back--” she laughed, but it sounded sad, “To be recharged.” 

          “And they all look so beautiful in spite of the terrible weather conditions in the world around them.”

          “I wish I could go with them.” Makio’s voice throbbed with yearning.  (to be continued)      

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