LIZZIE'S WORLD: A bagful of surprises

I am surprised when I look at my watch and realise that two hours have passed – and I have not nodded off at Jo and Johann’s dinner table. In fact, it’s been quite the pleasant two hours, with Gabriel displaying an ability to discuss almost any subject under the sun with authority and humour. I catch myself thinking that he’ll make a really nice boyfriend… for someone other than me.

As we dig our spoons into the lovely chocolate fudge cake and ice cream that Jo has served for dessert, Johann pipes up. “So are you two kids going to go on a date?” I turn to Gabriel and smile a tight smile; that’s a really awkward question; the truth is, I probably wouldn’t want to spend more time with him if I absolutely didn’t have to. He really isn’t my type. But I decide to keep it civil.

“I mean… yea,” I shrug.

“So go on, exchange numbers,” Johann urges.

“Oh, let them get it together if they want to. Stop forcing them,” Jo nudges him in his arm.

“Ok, then,” Johann says. “I just think you two would be really good for each other,” he says.

“Yea…” I frown. And it is at this point that I realise that I probably need to cut the night short. “So I should leave now,” I say. “I have an early day tomorrow.”

Jo opens her eyes wide. “On a Sunday? Where are you going? You never go anywhere on Sunday mornings.”

“I, eh… church,” I say.

“Really?” Jo’s eyes widen and she puts her hand to her chest.

“Yea, I have to be there early so…”

PERFECT GENTLEMAN

“I go to church too,” Gabriel pipes up. “Maybe we can go together.”

Oh dear. Now it looks like I’ll have to make good on my word.

“Now THAT’s a date I’d like to hear about,” Jo chuckles.

“I’ll walk you out,” Gabriel offers, standing up and pulling my chair out; he’s been nothing but a gentleman all evening, pouring my drink and pulling out my chair and things, and I have to say that I am impressed. But only slightly.

“You two kids play nice!” Johann teases as he and Jo stand up to hug me goodbye and I thank them for inviting me.

Outside, standing next to my car, Gabriel says to me: “Well, that was awkward. I’m sorry if you felt like they were pushing us together. I didn’t plan that.”

“I know,” I laugh. “But it was nice to meet you anyway.”

“So, church tomorrow morning?” he asks. Perhaps I should be honest and confess that that’s not really my thing, but on the other hand, it’s been a while… and I have heard that church is a pretty good place to find quality single men. Why the hell not? And so we exchange numbers and agree to meet and at non-conservative evangelical church the next morning just in time for the 10am service.

I wake up early the next day and immediately break out into a cold sweat. No, it’s not the thought of seeing Gabriel again that’s got me in a tizzy; it’s the effort of trying to find something to wear that is equal parts casual yet churchy. After quite a number of outfit changes, I settle for a plain pair of jeans, a t-shirt and blazer. I head out after a quick breakfast and get to church a few minutes ahead of time; nothing prepares me for the massive traffic jam constituting cars getting into the parking lot of the church; I had no idea it had gotten this popular since I was last here.

Anyway, after a great deal of struggle and some rather un-Christian altercations with other drivers, I find a spot, park and call Gabriel.

“I’m just in the worship room getting ready,” he says.

“Worship room?” I gulp.

“Yes,” he says. “Oh didn’t I tell you? I am part of the praise and worship team. We’re just deciding what songs to schedule. But let me know where you’re parked so I come meet you.”

In a few short seconds, Gabriel is at my car door opening it for me and bringing out his hand for me to grasp as I step out of the car. “Why do you look so surprised?” he chuckles.

“I mean… I wouldn’t have figured you to be this severe a Christian,” I say, my eyes wide open.

He laughs. “Come with me,” he says. And I follow him, waiting to see how the rest of the morning will unfold.