'John' hadn't been doing so well the rest of that week. He'd barely gotten the church cleared up in time for Sunday service, barely had enough time to clean his robes and straighten himself up.
        As he stood in front of the altar, setting everything up for communion, he looked over everybody that had arrived early, speaking politely while the acolyte prepared to light the candles for service. He sighed silently as he watched the next group to file in. Gary appeared tired, Rick seemed curious and still pissed. They almost contradicted one another. The two almost seemed out of place. Rick's shirt was done all the way and Gary wore a nice dress shirt, each taking a seat closer to the front pews. 
       The brunet stepped from the altar and wandered towards Cathy as the woman walked in. "Good morning," he greeted. Every morning, he helped her to the bench. She'd hurt her hip last winter and hasn't been the same since. "You're such a gentleman," she praised, being grateful 'John' didn't rush her as she sat. "Thank you." She smiled politely up at 'John'. "You're most welcome. Your list is right there, as usual, and I marked the pages, just to make it easier on you today. It's been a rough week for all of us." Cathy nodded, flipping to the first page. "I heard about that. Such a tragedy."
       "Yes, it definitely was. Have a good morning, Cathy." 'John' patted her shoulder gently, walking off and adjusting his robes as he made his way down the aisle. "Go ahead. And, remember, you have nothing to be nervous about. Nobody's watching you." 'John' ushered a young girl up the aisle. It was her first time acolyting and she was nervous. "Can you come with me? You did it for Jenna!" 
       It was true. 'John' had walked one younger girl down once before, though that had been his mistake. Now the more nervous kids had the opportunity to walk down the aisle with him by their side helping. "You only get this once," 'John' reminded her. She nodded and stuck out her hand, holding the candle carefully. 'John' smiled at her parents, each giving him silent thanks as he carefully took the younger's hand and led her up to the altar. "Bow," he whispered, pausing and bowing with her. He followed her up, standing to the side. "Outside, inside," he reminded, pointing at the candles. Angie nodded, "Thanks, pastor." 
       'John' smiled, laughing lightly as Angie pulled a face, reaching for the top candle. "Here." The pastor guided her to step closer, lifting the rod for her. The flame made contact with the wick and the candle was lit before the two repeated the process on the other side. "Two more," he reminded her, waiting patiently as she lit the communion candles. "Extinguish!" he hurriedly whispered, stopping her from bowing with a lit rod. She nodded, embarrassed, and bowed after putting the fire out. 'John' led her to the side benches, taking the rod and setting it in the holder. 
       "High five." He held his hand out, gaining a weak high five from Angie as she looked ready to pass out. "Hey," he whispered, reaching into his pocket. He grabbed his phone, pulling up a games app. There was nothing she could get into that would cause trouble anyway, but the acolyte couldn't be seen from the bench, given her small stature. He turned the sound effects off and handed her the phone. "Don't get caught," he joked, smiling as he walked away and stood in front of a pedestal. He heard the triple ringing of the three bells, grinning as Yvette stepped away from the bell and resumed her position at the back of the room.

       "Friends, visitors, I bid you good morning!" 'John' called out with a smile. "Good morning, pastor," came the regular reply. 'John' adjusted his papers before himself, clearing his throat. "Before we begin service today, I would like to take a moment to talk with all of you about a very serious event that occurred within this church just this past Wednesday. Almost all of you heard of the massacre, as it were, that occurred here. There have been many of you coming to me, voicing your concerns and fears. I would like you to understand this. I am living proof, as I always say, that the Lord simply takes time perfecting his plans. We will overcome this, and I assure you our town will return to its peaceful nature. Those that were killed have a small memorial being held tomorrow afternoon, in the park. I only ask that you keep looking ahead and continue having faith in the Lord, for He brings peace." 'John' waited patiently for the 'Amen's and courteous applause to die down before he smiled politely, grabbing his hymnal. "Join me in the singing of hymn 87. In honor to our Savior, congregation please rise."
       'John' smiled warmly as everybody, save for little Angie, stood, singing quietly as Cathy continued playing on her piano. Every so often, he would find Rick staring as though he couldn't believe this was the kid he used to know, watching the man's eyes dart away. When the song ended, 'John' walked closer to the front of the altar. "Today, the Epistle will be delivered by one of our most trusted elders. Connor, would you do the honors?" 'John' smiled as the older man approached the altar, standing in front of a pedestal now while 'John' sat patiently on a bench across from Angie. 
        Connor spoke smoothly, running through the Epistle before carrying on the announcement that was for Jacob to deliver the second bible reading. The pastor watched as Gary listened intently, grinning as he saw the man actually paying attention to what was being said. Rick, on the other hand, didn't seem to know what to do with himself. He sat and watched, but he didn't appear to be listening very well. 'John' shrugged. Guess you can't have it all, huh?
       As the bible was closed and Jacob resumed his seat among the congregation, 'John' approached the center of the altar again. "Before I deliver today's sermon, I would appreciate it if I could have the children from bible class up here with me for just a minute." 'John' waited patiently as very hesitant children were ushered from their seats, walking down the aisle and surrounding 'John'. Even Angie had left his phone on the bench, joining them. "Can you guys still sing  'Jesús me ama'?" he questioned. Many of the children nodded, some reminding the others before they all seemed to have it. "Okay. We're gonna have you sing it again. Can you do that?" Again, the children nodded. 'John' had them wait a minute while he moved to address the congregation. "The children are going to sing 'Jesús me ama' for us again. For those that don't know, it's the Spanish version of 'Jesus Loves Me', a personal favorite of theirs." 'John' spun to face the children, kneeling on one knee in front of them as they crowded around him. "You guys ready?" Again, they nodded, smiling like children usually did when they were excited. "1... 2... 3!"

"Cristo me ama, bien lo seSu palabra me hace verQue los ninos son de aquelQuien es nuestro amigo fiel
/// Si, Cristo me ama ///La Biblia dice asiCristo me ama, me salvoEn la cruz por mi murio;Mi pecado perdono;Vida eterna me dono
/// Si, Cristo me ama ///La Biblia dice asiCristo me ama, me salvoEn la cruz por mi murio;Mi pecado perdono;Vida eterna me dono

Cristo me ama de verdadY me cuida en su bondad;Me conduce el buen pastor,Es mi guia y protector
/// Si, Cristo me ama ///La Biblia dice asiCristo me ama, me salvoEn la cruz por mi murio;Mi pecado perdono;Vida eterna me dono"

       'John' mouthed the lyrics with them, helping them remember a bit. When they finished, he stood up, clapping and leading the rest of the congregation to clap with him. "Excelente!" 'John' laughed, high-fiving each of them as they left the altar. "They love singing that song," he laughed. "If any of you bring friends to our next class, you can be the teachers and show them the song!" The congregation laughed at the sound of childish cheers, each being happy at the thought of being teacher.

       'John' quickly made his way back to his pedestal, waiting for the laughter to die down as he adjusted his papers. "Now you get to hear me drone on again, huh?" he joked, sparking up more laughter, as he finished adjusting his papers. 
       "We're all very well aware of what goes on in our little town. It's a small area, news gets around fast. But imagine if this was Jerusalem, if there was a problem in an area so big news took forever to get around. Nobody would have heard about it, nobody would have known there were problems to be solved. People would be left clueless, wondering what was going on in the world. But, somehow, news got around. It got around quickly about seers, Christ the Lord, every day wars of that time. And do we know how? It wasn't because of cell-phones, or email, or anything like that. We didn't have technology back then, didn't have anything to tell us what was going on in the world. We hadn't yet mastered the technique of praying a pigeon could take our letter where it was meant to be, hadn't fully developed mail. Sure, there were systems, but there were people in the world left without knowledge of what was going on. There were people so out of the loop, they weren't even aware that their own parents had died. They didn't have any way to know. But news still got around. Can somebody tell me how? How would news get around if there was nobody to talk about it, if nobody knew in the first place?"
       "Through Christ!" 'John' heard. He hadn't actually expected an answer but smiled all the same. "Exactly. Through Christ. He came to people through their dreams, He planted the knowledge in their minds. He made everybody into some form of a seer, gave them a bit of insight. The same thing he did when giving them that insight is what he does today. He directs you, like a moral compass. He gives you insight, tells you stories that explain right from wrong. He gets you information you never knew you needed. He still provides today. He's still there. But we have so many people in this world, denying his existence. So many people falsifying what you know is right. That's why he gives us the visions, the knowledge. He saves those that believe, those that need saving. His hand is always extended, but very few take it. If we could trust Him so well then, without doubting Him or fearing Him, then tell me why we can't do it today? Why can't we put our faith in Him, like we used to? Why can't people just believe? I want all of you right now to understand this: never stop believing. It gets hard, it really does. It can get to be impossible, even. But never give up. He's there, He's always going to put you where you need to be, make sure you get the information you need to receive. He will provide, you just need to trust in Him."

       With that, 'John' shut off the overhead light for the pedestal, stacking his papers back together, and listening to the slight chatter. People grinned and nodded in approval at him as 'John' smiled proudly. Even Gary seemed moved by what he said, smiling warmly at the brunet. It was there again, that proud parent smile.
       While the collection plates were passed down the rows, 'John' prepared for communion, uncovering the silver dishes containing all he would need as he laid them neatly. He walked forward and grabbed the collection plates when it was time, stacking them carefully and setting them on a small shelf, out of sight of the congregation. 

       "It is through the sacrament of Holy Communion that we can feel whole again. Christ moves within each of you, within your heart, guiding you. I ask that you join me in this morning's Communion prayer." 'John' watched as everybody closed their eyes, approaching the platters and setting them up as he spoke.

       "Christ, Jesus, on the night in which He was betrayed, took bread. Take eat, for this is my body. He poured the Holy wine, calling: Take drink, for this is my blood in the new testament, shed for the remission of all your sins. The Lord taught us his prayer, and I intend to use it. 
       "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,  thy kingdom come,  thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen." With that, the brunet nodded once, watching the Elders gather those participating in communion. To 'John's surprise, Rick and Gary were of the first group, approaching the bench and standing patiently among everybody else. 'John' grabbed the wafers, spinning. "Welcome to the Lord's table," he greeted. Everybody knelt, Rick and Gary following along with whatever everybody else did. "Take eat, this is the body of Christ our Lord." He repeated the phrase as he went down the line, placing a wafer into the outstretched palms of every member. He smiled warmly as he approached Gary and Rick, glad that they had at least shown up, for whatever reason, and sat through his sermon. "Take eat, this is the body of Christ our Lord," he repeated, carefully placing a wafer into both sets of hands. 
       As he finished, he watched the elder carry down with the smaller glasses of wine, 'John' hearing his phrase. "Take drink, this is the blood of Christ, shed for the remission of all your sins." He smiled, grabbing the Chalice and offering it to those that preferred tradition. He finished and approached the group again. "The Lord bless you and make His face shine upon you. Abide in His peace." He drew the symbol of the cross and watched as everybody filed away, resuming their seats as 'John' moved through the other groups.

       When every group had passed through, 'John' smiled, accepting his own personal communion before setting the dishes back beneath the white cloth, as he was expected to do. "Before we finish off today's service, I have an important announcement to make to you all. We all know that, two years ago, I spent six months at a mission in Minnesota. Certain events have led to some issues and it is with a heavy heart that I say I will be leaving again. I will be present for two more services, but I am leaving the state. This time, I won't be able to come back. I've accepted a permanent position." 'John' smiled softly at the congregation, hearing light sounds of complaint. "It's going to be difficult, leaving such a wonderful group of people, but I'll make sure my replacement is just as good." 'John' nodded to scattered applause. "Hymn 231, everybody."
       As the congregation sang, 'John' took his phone back and guided Angie through the process of extinguishing the candles and marching back down the aisle. They were halfway back when the hymn ended, 'John' hurrying Angie along just as people began to surround him. He spent quite some time explaining that he had simply found a better position, and that personal struggles made it hard for him to live there. Both were true, in every sense, as well, and many wished him luck for the next two weeks. 
       As the church cleared out, 'John' hung his robes back up in the small closet, grabbing his phone and small knapsack. Sam had decided to sleep in this morning. "Cat's already out, so let it sleep," he'd grumbled, turning back over. 
       "Good morning," he greeted, smiling as he wandered to Cathy once again. He helped her to her feet. "Oh, thank you. I wish my son was so polite." 'John' gave a courteous chuckle and helped Cathy with her things, waving as she hobbled away with her cane. "Be safe, Cathy!" 
       "You, too, 'John'! I wish you luck." 'John' smiled politely, stepping outside now after locking the area up. He found Rick and Gary patiently waiting outside, not suspicious at all.
       "What made you come to service today?" he questioned, finding that Rick must have driven and had parked near 'John's own vehicle. Gary shrugged, "After everything that's been going on, I figured I could use a bit of an uplift. He wanted to come out and see for himself," Gary added. Rick groaned, "You always throw me under the bus."
        "Well, I'm glad you two came out. I wish you could've seen more. I really am leaving to Minnesota, in two and a half weeks." 'John' tossed his knapsack into his car, leaning over the top of it now to face the two. "Yea, that got me, kid," Gary admitted. "You keep leaving when things get bad, and I can't blame ya." 
       "Not always, and it's not always when they get bad. But they're going to, and that's why I'm leaving. Because you," he pointed at Rick, "just spent almost five and a half years thinking I was dead, getting freaky with whoever that was, and you," he pointed to Gary, "had to spent all that time knowing you did this. It's gonna get bad because you know I'm alive, and so does everybody else. I spent five years forgetting everything. I'm not the same person. With any of you around, it's bad for me. So I have to leave."
       "You really don't," Rick grumbled, shoving his thumbs in his pockets. "But I do, Rick. I have to. And I really am sorry I never told you I was alive, but that was the point. The whole point of this was so I could run away without actually leaving. I didn't expect to pull you off of a bridge, to watch you speed across the damned thing a million times. But you got better, and so did I. It's destructive with any of you in my life. You had a girl, you can find somebody else again. And you can stop worrying about me." He addressed both of them, looking seriously over the hood of his car. "It's bad when we're talking, and I can only assume it's because I love power. So I need to get out, because I can't be anywhere near that again."
       "But you're alive, and, and I don't care what anybody says, that means you're still in power. Forever, until you're dead. You came back, you're automatically in power." Rick seemed to actually be trying to drag the brunet back to hell. "If they don't know I'm alive, then you still have it. I'm done. I'm not coming back. This is me, for the first time ever, telling you no. My answer remains, and it's a no. I'm finally happy with who I am, Rick. I don't have people chasing after me, I don't have to wonder about what people think about me. I haven't even thought about dancing in a while! I've been a functioning member of society. I don't have to wonder where I stand with you guys, don't have to wonder where I'm going in life. I run it, I'm certain of who I am. I'm not Morty Smith anymore. I'm John Schelan. I'm a pastor, I teach a Spanish bible class, I cook and clean all day. I'm a pastor/classic housewife. There's nothing more to me. That's all gone. It's been forgotten."
       'John' watched as Rick seemed to be arguing with himself, staring from the brunet to the sky and back down. "So Morty really is dead," he stated. It wasn't a question. It was factual. 'John' nodded. "I suppose you could put it that way. I'm not that person anymore. Besides," he laughed lightly, "I'm too old to be a daddy's boy anymore. It's in the past, Rick. I guess that was the land of make-believe, where I thought I had it all. But I live in the real world now. Boring, adventure-less. Safe, where I'm not running for my life, wondering if I should run from you again."
       That one seemed to hurt Rick. The man seemed to stop his thinking and stared directly at the brunet now. "You ran from me this time, and not just from everything else?" 'John' shook his head, "That's not what I meant, Rick. I ran from everything. But you were always the bigger problem. I meant it, that day I killed Jack and left you that note. I still mean it. But you're like the switch, and I'm the bomb waiting to go off."
       "¿Todavía me amas?" Rick questioned softly. 'John' laughed, "Ojalá no lo hiciera. I wonder if that makes me a bad person, but it's true. I have to go guys. I guess feel free to stop by, once you wrap your heads around this one." Rick sighed, giving a 'yea, whatever'-type wave and lit a cigarette, leaning against his car while Gary pulled 'John' into a hug. "Sometimes I don't remember who you were, and I wish I did. Don't go to Minnesota. Bring Morty back to life," he whispered. The brunet sighed, pulling away now. "Goodbye, guys. Stop by the house if you want. Gary knows the way."