Father patrick was a tall slim man in his sixties with a little gray hair and round glasses. He had been standing with his fellow priests, deacons and a few seminarians. they had also been watching the match, they rarely missed out on such events since it was a tradition everyone had to attend any celebration that happened on this island. He was the oldest priest on the island and just as older wine gets better, he was loved by lots of people, not Muriel, she didn't know him anyway and wasn't planning to attend any mass which to her were Sunday gatherings she clearly classified as wasted free time. It was her time to go for an early morning swim and random yoga at the beach, when everyone was busy at the hill. She had seen a special spot where the water was a little deeper, she had seen it while at the cliff the other day and had noticed no one swam from there. Most people focussed on the main front waters and the spot was obstructed by big rocks,and part of the hill. As people found treasure on several islands, she had found a swim spot on the island. It wasn't so big but she could have her personal swim time without worry of being interrupted by islanders. She didn't waste time wondering whether there was some legend reason people never swam from this side, but who cared anyway.
Whenever father Patrick led mass, it was a happy day for people, he always touched people's hearts differently with each verse. He usually led with various deacons and seminarians, it was part of their training into priesthood, though the determined ones were the ones given a chance to stand with him at the altar, it was such a big achievement. He was so influential that many young men on the island ended up joining the seminary to follow his footsteps and it was very respectable to be a holy father or priest.
Charles often attended Sunday mass, he wasn't totally a believer but atleast he had seen his wife doing so. She had even started up an orphanage and had left the priests in charge of it, that explained the close relationship between the Adams family and the church. As for the orphanage, the whole island contributed to it's welfare but not as much as the Adams family did and for that, the whole church was forever grateful to the them. Father Patrick often made visits to the orphanage some afternoons to check how work was being carried out, if the children needed anything, or played football with them and sometimes helped out in the farm. He always went with a deacon or a seminarian. Charles went there a few times, sometimes with father Patrick but Muriel wasn't willing and he had noticed she wasn't planning to blend in with any one. She spent most time reading her novels and on Sunday mornings, he wasn't sure where she ran off, perhaps she was at the back or outside church. He had talked about her with father Patrick and finally had concluded he would find some time to engage with her.
'Honey, have you met father Patrick, it would be great if you spent some time with him.' He had told her over dinner. She looked somewhat surprised, hadn't expected him to talk priests this soon.
'Dad, am not going to church, nevertheless spend time with a priest' she paused her fork in space.
'Get involved, a youth club, a swim team, I want to see you invest time in anything other than those books' his eyes were on one of her large volume novels right infront of her at the table.
'No, thanks' she replied
'Am not going to force anything on you but you must, sooner or later, you choose.'
'Don't you miss work?, your winery?' She asked desperately 'I do, but your mother would....'
'Don't make this all about mum, am not hungry anymore, excuse me' she stood up and walked upstairs to her room, she knew Charles meant what ever he said especially if it concerned her mother. She went up with her plate of bacon, Charles was so good at cooking bacon, even if he was a poor chef with most dishes, so.. she wasn't involving this delicacy in their fights, he just smiled while he shook his head slowly.
Julie always picked flowers from the Adams backyard every Saturday afternoon. She usually saw Muriel through her window or made it a point to drop a white rose at her window every time she didn't find her and then would proceed to church, she claimed she wanted to learn the music instruments and also decorate the service hall before prayers the next day, but that wasn't enough to convince Muriel to tag along. So Julie usually went with Bruce. He had brown hair, hairy arms and was wordy, with dark eyes, a tan island skin and quite tall. Julie had introduced him to her a week ago, as the best pianist on the island, though he had hardly said anything, the first time they were together, all three. though he was really good at the piano.
Charles made sure they got up so early, it was just 7, yet a Saturday. Did these guys pray on Saturday too? The question crossed her mind, though she could see people doing laundry and playing at the beach. The level of idleness at the island actually amused her. They went uphill, Charles was having a little chat with father Patrick and she knew it somehow was about her. She didn't mind them, she just loved the landscape of the island. It had enough space for any big project, it was good for an investment, or perhaps just free land to help out some of their businesses in California. She hadn't noticed her dad was now next to her 'well, spend time at the church today, I have some online meetings to handle
'Its a holiday...'
'Yeah, money knows no holiday' he replied with his arm around her shoulder. Father Patrick was still smiling at her as she watched Charles walk away downhill 'Muriel, your dad just told me a little about you, not to forget, your interest in joining any youth clubs' he had a clear voice for his age. She couldn't help but laugh in her mind, how could Charles lie this well. Didn't he understand she was 20?, was he preparing her for the church or serious business, and this old guy, couldn't he read the disinterest through her emotionless eyes staring at him blankly as he said alot of stuff, They walked through the church gardens, atleast she was glad they weren't going inside 'father Patrick, you sent for me?' A gentleman approached them.
'Muriel, this is the choir pianist, he could help you join the choir' Then he turned to Bruce 'she's new here...help her out today, I have a lesson to conduct, And...I'll meet you for Bible study after' he said to her before he joined some priest who was passing the opposite direction, he normally had lessons with the seminarians.
She was glad it was Bruce ' thank God, you came, i was beginning to run out of words' they walked along, he had loved her sense of humour from the first time he had met her. 'so you wanna join the choir?'
'No, I wouldn't even think about it....'
'Well, Am the pianist...'
'Yeah, I've heard you play, a few times..'
'Well, i wasn't aware...' He was both surprised and flattered, he tried to hide the smile. They walked to a church shade, there were different people, doing their own things, some were in music practice, others playing instruments, others just lying in the grass enjoying the various symphonies 'Alot goes on around here' she had noticed the sudden attention
'Don't worry about long introductions, am sure everyone has heard about you' Bruce replied
'What about me,'
'The rich California' he replied with a joking dry laugh.
'Christ!, Bruce what spell did you use to get her here?' Julie hugged her with excitement , she had tried for ages but in vain
'Father Patrick did' Bruce replied. They sat at the wall of the shade, Bruce introduced her to the rest. She could see everyone was trying to make her feel comfortable, so she pretended as though she had picked interest in the piano. On some days, after music practice, it was time for community work such as picking berries or apples, fishing, and other stuff but Muriel always found a way to dodge it. She had only picked tea once and that had happened abruptly before she knew the routine and came back with a sprained ankle and a bunch of dry leaves in her hair. She swore not to go back, afterall, she didn't contribute much to the work except worrying Bruce all time, he was either removing dry logs from her path or helping her on steep slopes cause she was in black mini heels, they were the only kinds shoes she had come with except a few slides for the beach and besides, the most shoes she wore in California, to an extent she had lost a sneaker contract because she failed to wear the sneakers to the meetings.
*patience patience patience..... i love y'all*