I wiped my cheeks on my sleeves, though my skin was still damp, my eyes were gritty from crying. My legs felt like jelly as I crossed the street, drawn forward by the music.
As I stepped up the church's stone steps, the singing grew louder.
The doors of the church were wide opened.
I hesitated at the threshold. What if I didn't belong here? What if God didn't want anything to do with someone like me?
Maybe, I could just try.
It was cooler inside. Inside, the sanctuary glowed. Rows of wooden pews stretched toward the altar, which was draped in soft white cloth. Stained-glass windows with pools of color onto the floor: ruby, sapphire, emerald, gold.
A small choir stood to the left, swaying gently as they sang.
"You are not alone…"
My breath caught in my throat.
I slipped in as quietly as I could, edging along the wall. Nobody looked my way. Everyone seemed lost in the music, heads bowed, eyes closed.