Booze King

"Hey man, you coming over?" my friend, Bobby, asked as I left class.

"Maybe in a little bit, there is some business I need to take care of first."

Bobby winked at me. "Catch ya later then, Booze King."

Booze King. A nickname I had gained my freshman year since I could out drink anyone. It was during Passages that many of the Seniors challenged the Freshmen to a drinking contest. I had won, though the next morning I had woken up with a massive hangover. Now only Freshmen that thought highly of themselves challenged me to drinking contests. Unless I was really upset, I only drank on weekends.

Picking up my things I headed for the library, hoping to see Lina there. The few times I had seen her, she was on the fourth floor sitting in the middle of the isle, reading, instead of sitting at one of the study desks provided. I had seen it so often that I wondered if she was a space case and would forget where the book went if she took it out of the isle. If she wasn't in the library, which she wasn't today, then she would be in her room in Trimble Hall. Her door was constantly closed, while the others on that floor had only closed their doors when sleeping or while they were over at Bobby's dorm room.

I knocked on her door, but as I did it creaked open a bit. 'Wish I had my gun,' I thought, finding this just as strange as her comments had been.

"Lina?" I called, stepping cautiously into the room.

Everything was clean. Well, cleaner than most other dorm rooms because there was not much in there. The bed was made with a single fleece blanket and small pillow. A MLA citing text sat on the nightstand next to the lamp. Her bag was on the floor next to that. The mini bookshelf was bare save the framed picture of Jesus Christ on top. The closest only contained an empty duffel bag and a single, sleeved, light blue dress. I had just turned the next corner to explore a little more when I heard a scream. Running out, I found Meg standing on a chair.

"Where is it? Where is it?" she repeated, searching the floor for something.

"What?" I asked.

"Keith. Thank God you're here. There was a mouse. A large one."

"You mean this mouse?" Lina asked, behind me.

Meg screamed again as I turned. Lina held the dead mouse in her hand. I knocked it from her hand.

"Don't you know those are filled with diseases?!" I asked.

Lina didn't look at me. She was looking to where the mouse had fallen, close to the garbage can. Ignoring my question, she turned to retrieve the mouse. I grabbed her arm.

"Leave it alone, Lina."

She pulled out of my grip and picked up the mouse before walking down the hall to her room.

"What is she going to do? Keep it?" Meg asked.

I just shook my head then went to her room. I knocked.

Lina didn't answer.

"Lina, I know you're in there. Can I talk to you a minute?"

She still didn't respond.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, I left for Bobby's room in Todd Hall. It was nice since we lived on the same floor. I could hear music coming down the hall from Bobby's room. The girls that came to his room, walked around in bikinis of different patterns. Each always had a favorite guy or two that they liked to mess around with.

Jessica was one that was always there for me. She greeted me tonight with a kiss and a beer. As the hours passed, Jessica worked her usual magic when she wanted to distract me and it almost worked, but I was still having a hard time forgetting about Lina. The question she asked before class, the comments, and the mouse. Come to think of it, I didn't really know her that well.

Sunday morning came and I stared out the window. I don't know why I was there since the light made my hangover worse. I was about to turn away and go back to sleep when I noticed Lina walking along the path that runs towards Wyatt Hall. Where was she going? Didn't she have church today? She wasn't wearing the dress I saw hanging up in the closet. She was wearing black pants and her red coat. Over her shoulder was her book bag. I watched until she walked between the trees before I turned and pulled on some pants and a shirt. Then I grabbed my jacket to follow. Maybe Lina wasn't as perfect as she seemed. I had to check this out.

I had to grab my sunglasses to help block the bright sun. My steps carried me quickly towards Wyatt Hall. Lina had just turned onto Union Avenue as I reached the parking lot. I followed a little ways back and watched her cross 6th Avenue. Slowly I shortened the distance between us as she neared South 12th Street. When she turned the corner, I called out to her, wondering if she would look shocked that someone had seen her.

She turned with a slight smile on her lips. "Good morning, Keith. What brings you out here?"

"What brings you out here?" I asked. "Shouldn't you be in church?"

"That's where I'm headed, though it doesn't start for another hour. Do you want to come with me?"

"How far is this church of yours?"

"Pearl Street."

"Then why don't you drive? Or ride the bus?"

"I don't have a car and I don't spend money on Sundays"

"Damn, girl. How do you get around?"

"Please don't swear around me. I…. Keith, are you okay?"

I felt nauseated, but I couldn't get the feeling to leave.

"Keith?"

Turning away, I threw up in the gutter. I felt her hands on my arms. My tough guy act was over. Never before had I let anyone know how sick I was after partying like that and here I was being helped by Bible hugging Lina. Shame and anger filled my heart. When my heaving stopped, Lina's hand moved to my forehead.

"I'm not sick," I said, pushing her away.

"If you are okay then I need to continue walking to church." She turned and started walking away.

"Why don't you ask for a ride? These streets are dangerous," I said.

"I'll be okay."

"If you're that insistent, will you at least let me walk with you?"

"Only if you want to," she said.

Standing a little taller, I walked with her. Up and over a few hills to a parking lot with two similar looking buildings in it. They looked different than the Christian church I had attended when I was younger. Already several cars filled the parking lot. A few were coming and a few were leaving.

"Which building is it?" I asked.

"This one," Lina replied, pointing to the one that was closest to the corner. "The other building is the institute building where we learn more about the scriptures."

"The Bible classes you go to sometimes?"

"Those I attend on campus, but other classes are held here."

"Other Bible classes? How many Bibles does your church believe in?"

"Just one. There are also other books, besides the Bible, that we consider scripture. As for the classes, they are essentially the same, just held at different times so more people can attend."

Lina opened the door to the church and invited me in. Inside the church was also different from the one I had attended when I was younger. I was expecting being able to walk directly into a chapel, but instead I found myself at the corner of two halls. Music and children's voices came from several rooms in the hall to my left.

"Bible classes for children?"

"They learn about more than just the Bible. We call it Primary."

"Primary? Huh."

"If you want to stay, the chapel is down the hall and to your left." She turned and moved down the hall where the children's voices were coming from.

"Where are you going?"

"To the lady's room."

My head was still pounding. The music sounded really loud, like it was in Bobby's dorm room. A few soft voices were speaking just around the corner to my right. Slowly I walked down the hall. I might as well stay and walk her home after. A few men walked past with pasted smiles on their faces and forced hellos. There were more classes being taught in this hall as well. What kind of church was this?

I found a foyer and the chapel at the end of the hall. Now this looked somewhat familiar. The chapel was quite and the stand was empty. There was no huge choir practicing their songs before the meeting started. Only two other people sat in the chapel with their heads bowed. There wasn't even a crucifix or a statue of the Virgin Mary behind the pulpit. Everything was so still I hardly dared breathe. I sat near the door, feeling a little out of place in my black clothes. All the men I had seen were wearing business suits and the few women were wearing dresses.

Being a soldier, I never thought I thought I would feel so out of place or self conscious. I did. I folded my hands and leaned forward waiting for Lina to come. I hadn't been there for five minutes before another man in a business suit walked in and started talking to me.

"Hi. I don't believe I've met you before," he said, extending his hand to me.

"I'm Keith. Keith Noctis," I replied, shaking his hand.

"Nice to meet you Keith. I'm Bishop Bower. Are you new to the ward or just visiting?"

"Just visiting. I came with Lina."

"Oh. Well, welcome. We're glad you could join us."

Bishop Bower shook my hand again then moved to greet the others.