CHAPTER 10: THE CHURCH STEPS

Every Sunday in Brighton City it was a tradition to attend the Sunday Church Services especially for The Anderson Family and The Peterson Family. They would always attend the morning service that started at nine o’clock which lasted two hours. The Anderson Family and The Peterson Family along with other families were known for their generous offers not only to the society but also to the Brighton Church which helped with the contribution to the growth and development of the city by helping the homeless and those suffering from poverty.

On this particular Sunday the church service was going to be different especially for Rose Anderson and Alex Peterson as it was going to be their first time ever meeting at the Brighton Church and in public. By 08:50, The Anderson Family and The Peterson Family along with other families had arrived at the church and were all seated at the front row. Each family greeted each other with Sunday blessings and then prepared for the Pastor to begin the service. Alex Peterson sat next to his mother who sat next to her husband. His grandparents sat next to their son George Peterson. Alex had been glancing around as if he was looking for someone. His eyes were quickly searching around the church when he spotted Rose Anderson seated on the other side next to her mother and brothers. He glanced at her for a very long time hoping he would get her attention and she would turn around and see him. As he was just about to give up, everybody stood to begin the service and it was at that moment Rose turned her head and met eye to eye with Alex. They stared at each other for a mere ten seconds, smiled at each other and nodded their heads. Once the service introduction had concluded and everyone was asked to be seated, Alex and Rose glanced at each other with a smile and were seated.

The Pastor residing the Sunday Service this morning was Pastor Everson a well acclaimed Pastor known for giving powerful church messages and a great contributor to the Brighton Church and Community. His service today focused on ‘love, service and stewardship, prayers and faith’ which included some wonderful Bible verses and blessings throughout the entire service. The service ended shortly after eleven in the morning. Pastor Everson thanked everyone for coming and participating in the service including the choir and the contributions received from everyone. He ended the service with a wonderful prayer and blessing and then as always he would stand at the entrance of the church to greet and thank everyone who came for the service wishing them a wonderful blessed day. He especially thanked The Anderson and The Peterson Family for their continued efforts and support not only to the church but also to the Brighton Community.

Outside the church Rose was seen talking to her brothers Jeffrey and Thomas while their parents were talking with The Peterson Family and Pastor Everson. When Alex came out of the church he walked over to join Rose and her brothers. He greeted them asking what they were talking about; their conversations included topics about their weekend celebrations and their plans for the rest of the day.

Thomas: Alex, I hear you have a date with my sister later in the afternoon?

Alex: Yes, we plan on going to watch a movie then dinner and spend some time together before going back home. I will definitely make sure to bring her back home safely and before midnight.

Jeffrey: No stress Alex, we know you will take care of our baby sister (putting his arms around Rose) making sure she has a wonderful time. You are a nice decent man Alex, just don’t disappoint us.

Rose: Guys, alright enough, you are going to scare him. I appreciate you all looking out for me, I am sure Alex knows how important I am to you, mum and dad, he knows to be careful (looking at Alex) or else things won’t be looking good for him at all.

Thomas: Well, you heard my sister Alex; her words are also our words.

Alex: Rose is a very fine special woman, amazing, smart and beautiful. I will be respectful, kind, and will treat her well and with absolute care and promise to cherish and love her.

Jeffrey: (looking at him seriously) Please do remember those words and what you said today standing outside Brighton Church.

As they were about to continue their conversation they were interrupted by their parents.

Mrs. Anderson: Hello Alex, nice to see you again, oh sorry, hope I wasn’t interrupting your conversation?

Alex: No, no Mrs. Anderson, nice to see you again and as always looking very beautiful and elegant (shaking her hand).

Mrs. Anderson: Oh what a nice charming young man, thank you for your compliments Alex. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, I would like to formally introduce you to our children; this is Jeffrey my eldest son, Thomas my second son and our daughter Rose.

Rose: Pleasure meeting you Mr. and Mrs. Peterson (shaking their hands).

Jeffrey and Thomas: Pleasure meeting you Mr. and Mrs. Peterson (shaking their hands).

Mr. Peterson: Yes, I had heard of The Anderson children and all the incredible things they have been going for Brighton City. Our city is very lucky to have such fine young talented entrepreneurs, very proud of all three of you.

Mrs. Peterson: Very nice to finally meet you. Your parents must be very proud of all of you and all the wonderful and incredible work you do for our city, you should be proud of yourselves. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, you have raised fine, lovely, handsome, intelligent and beautiful children.

Rose, Jeffrey and Thomas: Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Peterson for your kind words and compliments.

Mrs. Anderson: Oh no, I do the best that I can as a mother with the support of my husband (standing next to her) the rest was all our children who learned everything on their own and we as parents are truly grateful for not only having them in our lives but also are very happy and proud parents.

Mr. Anderson: Your son Alex Peterson is no exception either, I was telling my wife and children the other day of how he left a great and deep impression after his presentation last Friday at The Everton Bright Company. His intelligence, talents, diplomacy and professionalism but what stuck with me the most is the fact that he is very well disciplined and a very well-mannered and educated man. These are the characteristics and abilities that are very hard to find in young people these days especially in our society and community. He is truly a fine admirable young man with great skills and great potential and will truly do great and amazing things not only for Brighton City but around the world.

Mrs. Peterson: (Mr. Peterson and his parents standing next to him) Oh bless you and thank you for the wonderful compliments and praises to our dear son Alex Peterson. We are truly proud of our son and everything he has accomplished and succeeded in doing for himself and his life.

Mr. Peterson: Our son has truly grown and matured having his own thoughts and learning how to be independent. He always surprises his mother, grandparents and I in ways we truly never expected surpassing his own expectations. We are truly very proud of him and have always encouraged and supported him. We also truly believe he will do great and wonderful things in the future not only for Brighton City but around the world as well.

Rose: Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, thank you very much for your nice and encouraging words, they truly mean a lot not just to me but also to our family. You truly do have an amazing son and have raised him very well. I am honored and grateful to not only have met The Peterson Family, Alex Peterson but to also have the privilege of working with The Everton Bright Company. I thank you for your continued support, believing in me and I promise we will not let you down (Rose motioning to Alex to also say something).

Alex: Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, it was a great pleasure to finally meet you in person including your sons Jeffrey and Thomas. You are all too kind, thank you very much for your kind words, your words of encouragement, support and wisdom. My family and I are truly honored, appreciative and grateful for all and everything you do and have been doing for Brighton City. I most importantly would like to thank you for having confidence in my work ethics and for believing in me and giving me even more confidence to work with your lovely daughter Rose Anderson and The Anderson Construction Business on our five year collaboration project of constructing a mall in Brighton City. Finally, I am very happy to have this wonderful opportunity of meeting your daughter Rose Anderson, she is one of the kindest, most intelligent, and beautiful person I have ever met. Working with her will be one of the greatest gifts The Anderson Family has ever given not only to me but to The Peterson Family (putting his arm around Rose). I look forward to working with her and learning a lot from her as well and we promise that we will work very hard on this project and not disappoint you and my family.

Alex’s words and promise brought smiles and satisfaction to The Peterson and The Anderson Family. They were not only pleased with how respectable, diplomatic and polite Alex and Rose were but also very proud of how they have raised their children knowing they are the best gifts ever given to their families.

The families prepared to head over for their regular Sunday family luncheon. The Peterson Family always had their luncheon at The Rossi Restaurant that was very well arranged and prepared by the manager of the restaurant. The Anderson Family on the other hand always had their Sunday family luncheon at The Crown Plaza Hotel which was always pre-arranged and organized by the hotel manager, and since it was their hotel, their meals were on the house. The Sunday family luncheon has always been a family tradition held every Sunday after the church service for both families. This was a great way for the families to not only spend time together but to also catch up on their previous weekly events, other issues, family matters and weekly celebrations while preparing for the week ahead. It was truly an important day for The Anderson Family and The Peterson Family as it showed the love, the support, the encouragement, the happiness and the stability not only amongst themselves but also as a united strong and happy family.