16 CHRISTA WENT TO CHURCH

Waking the Sunday morning thinking she must be still sleeping, crawling out of the bed, "Oh boy, I feel so drained.'

Recalling the argument they had before he fell asleep. Just thinking about her on the hard floor, he didn't fall asleep until three-o-clock.

I need to get some more sleep, but the family is here. And Mom and Dad will expect everyone down for breakfast.

Glimpsing his watch, 'It is half eight, I could freshen up then get Christa to wake up and freshen up before we go downstairs.'

Observing the counterpane folded neat and resting at the foot of the bed. When his phone ring, seeing private, wondering. 'Who could it be that is calling,' answering. "Hello, good morning, yes, this is Tom speaking.

Annette, yes my dear, it is good to hear from you. I am sorry about last evening I was very busy and there were so many minor things that needed my attention.

Yes, my dear, lunch sounds wonderful. Yes, yes, tomorrow at the Dragon King sounds wonderful.

Very well, yes twelve will be fine and I am looking forward to catching up on old times."

Raising his head to see his parents standing at the door. Knowing he had locked the door last night. "Mom, Dad, I didn't hear when the door open?"

"We thought you and your new wife will be still sleeping. And we didn't want to disturb you, but it seems she is not here?"

Thomas bends his head as he whispers silently. "They didn't want to disturb us, yet they enter without considering if we were in bed."

Looking around, "Well, as you can see I am alone, I just woke up and Mom, Christa made her request last night to Mrs. Marva that she will prepare her meals. So I will appreciate it very much if you don't make any fuss."

"What nonsense, that's the servant's duty."

"Mom, it's not nonsense to her, she cannot use certain dairy products, so she wants to fix her meal. Now please leave her alone, she was good enough to help us out and our family. So we were not faced with any embarrassment."

"Thomas, you know nothing about this young lady, so why on earth did you jump into a marriage? I hope she is not the cocky type?" His mother said.

Unable to tell anyone the truth of what transpired and none of them need to know that, it is between us and I didn't want her to return to her home.

I know my lifestyle wasn't right, but she was a chaste young lady and very pleasing. My only problem now is for her to accept this marriage, and this house as her new home.'

When she repeated, "Thomas, what nonsense, you are saying, you know that's the servant's duty, and you should have told her so."

"Mom, it's not nonsense to her, she cannot use certain dairy products. So she wants to fix her meal. I don't want a repeat episode like last night.

Now please leave her alone, she helped pull us out of that embarrassing position. And tell me, Dad, did you have an answer?

Didn't you hear all the whispers and comments, and you were getting very frantic. A little more of your behavior and you might have ended up in the hospital.

At that moment I was left with no choice. Especially when you were carrying on so loud.

You didn't leave me any options? As you know I am the only one left to get married. I don't know Christa but as time pass, we will slowly learn about each other."

"So, the person you were conversing with on the phone a few minutes ago. Tell us what part that person will be playing in your marriage?"

"Dad, that's a friend, I only met her yesterday at the airport while I was waiting to pick up Christa.

We were schoolmates, and she was abroad for over eight years. It's just lunch we are having so why the fuss?"

"I just hope so Thomas, because while people converse over the phone. Listeners can twist it around and jump to the wrong conclusion. So be careful, you are married now."

"I know Dad, but as I said, it is just lunch and there is no need to worry."

"Are you coming down for breakfast?" His mother asks.

"In a while Mom, after I freshen up."

"We will be waiting," his dad responds.

At the breakfast table, Thomas thought the children were with their parents, but it was only his family. Their spouses and children had returned to their homes.

Noticing Christa entering through the side door. Wearing one of the beautiful baby blue dresses I got her, also her friend Michelle was with her.

'Did they go somewhere? She looks so beautiful. I know my decision was right and one day soon, she will make me proud.'

Hearing Aliza asking them, "Where, did they go?" Michelle responds immediately to Aliza's question which I so wanted to ask.

"Christa and I planned last night to visit the Church she got married in this morning. And I hope you all didn't wait for us?"

Noticing the bag in her hand, hearing her say. "Excuse me," then turns towards the kitchen.

Thomas thought,' She must have bought the milk and a few things she does eats?

'Oh Lord, if only we were on good speaking terms with each other. It would have been wonderful if we had gone to church together.'

Bending his head just listening to what Michelle was saying. "That Christa's eldest brother is a Pastor.

And at her home, every family member attends Church service on a Sunday morning."

"Mish, so why didn't you tell us. We could have gone with you?"

"Sorry Sabrina, but I don't think you had the appropriate clothes. And besides, Christa had to get a few other things for herself. Now I am really hungry and everything smells so good."

"Thomas, will you call your wife, so we can start our breakfast." His mother said to him.

Michelle responds to Tom's mom's remark. "Aunty, Christa won't be eating anything now, last night she was not feeling well. So she eats early this morning before we left for church."