June 2008, Talk to Me excerpt

Introducing Nick Dixon...

Once inside the vestibule, the doors to the sanctuary were propped open for an easy entrance. I crossed over the threshold, mesmerized. The already beautiful sanctuary was transformed into a majestic playhouse, and the new setting seemed to spill into the hall as if the splendor couldn’t be contained.
The lighting gave the illusion that the pews had shrunk. Nick bumped into me as I walked admiring the changes. The transformation had the Mackenzie touch.
“You don't need any interpretation. Everybody knows the story of Christ's birth,” he said, suggesting in another section where we were three rows from the makeshift stage. I agreed, shook off my coat and followed. I knelt to pray then sat and rested my coat and Bible beside me. Stretching my legs I had just thanked an usher for a program of the night’s performance when Nick tapped me on my arm.
“You know I’m in love with her,” Nick said, his expression serious.
“Who?”
I followed the direction of his star-gazed eyes—Valerie.
I was about to say good luck, but thought better of it. Then I reconsidered. The brother needed to know what he was getting into. “She’s a piece of work.”
Nick blew out a deep breath. “Don’t I know it, but God knows it, too. She doesn’t know that the man she’s searching for is right in front of her. I’m waiting, watching, and praying for God to not only speak to her, but give Val the mind to hear what God has in store for her.” He grinned and nudged me. “You and Mackenzie can’t be the only happy couple in church.”
I wished Nick’s confession was an answer to my prayers and could possibly deliver Valerie’s tormented soul. The lights dimmed to my relief. I didn’t want to talk or think about Valerie until it was necessary. For the next hour, I lip-read some of the songs. When those around me put their hands together, I mimicked them. When their bodies shook with laughter, I laughed, knowing I had clearly missed the amusement.