Lovely Shadows Read Online Free PDF

again.
    “Thank you for helping me. I don't know what I would do without you.”
    Then he was gone.

    Grandpa was in fine form Sunday morning. He stomped around the stage, pounded the pulpit with his fist, his voice rang loud and clear through the microphone. Luke and I sat in the front pew reserved for the Reverend's family. I wore my yellow sundress with white-striped wedge sandals. Luke looked handsome in his usual khaki pants and button-down dress shirt. We played our part well. Our Bibles were tucked under our folded hands. We had a notebook opened between us. People probably assumed we were diligently taking notes. In reality, we played the box game. You draw rows of dots then try to make as many boxes as you can. Sometimes I win, sometimes Luke wins. Either way, it passes the time. Luckily, Grandpa was preaching an old message so we'd be out of church before noon. Billie, who sat four rows back, and I planned to hang out afterward. Grandpa had not accepted any dinner invitations. Luke and I were always expected to attend.
    The dinners were typically dull. I hated schmoozing the old ladies. Grandpa was still kind of young, only in his early sixties. The spinsters in the church were forever chasing him; the older ladies with unattached daughters were constantly trying to hook him up. Grandpa politely declined every offer, yet they still came. Luke once asked Grandpa why he didn't pursue a new relationship. He explained he promised to love Grandma even in death. Both Luke and I thought it was crazy.
    The message was about Jesus and the Samaritan harlot at the well. I knew the story like the back of my hand. Of all the messages he could have reused, I couldn't believe he choose this one. It was like some sort of joke straight from God himself. How ironic on the same weekend I start thinking about losing my virginity Grandpa preaches a message on the dangers of sleeping around. Instead of feeling some shame for my thoughts or actions, all I could think about was seeing Levi again. His family went to the Lutheran church on the other side of town. They were always done by eleven. Looking at my watch, I estimated we'd still be here for at least another forty-five minutes.
    “Your turn,” Luke hissed at me.
    I glanced down at the sheet, calculated my next move, then drew my line.
    “One more for me.”
    Grandpa was still pontificating. The temperature in the church rose, even with the air-conditioner on full-blast. Several women used the bulletins to fan themselves. The hours I spent folding those stupid sheets, wasted.
    Thankfully, the sermon wrapped up much sooner than I expected. Luke and I stood next to the Reverend and shook hands with the congregation as they filed out the door. We were petted and patted, hugged and kissed. Luke and I were like celebrities. As the last of the members pulled out of the lot, we helped the elders check all the doors and rooms to make sure everything was locked and empty. Grandpa clicked the deadbolt then got into the Lincoln.
    “Will I see you at home?” he asked. Sunday's curfew was six. Grandpa reasoned no one needed to be out late on God's holiest day.
    “We're meeting friends, but we'll be home for dinner.”
    He nodded. “May the Lord guide your every step.”
    We watched him pull out then we went in the opposite direction.
    “Man that was brutal,” Luke complained, unbuttoning the top of his shirt.
    “We've sat through worse. Look, it's only twelve-thirty.”
    “So what's the plan?”
    “Want to hang at Billie's?”
    He looked out the window so I couldn't read his expression. “Whatever.”
    I didn't comment. I'd lost that argument too many times.
    “Please tell me your mom broke down and turned on the air,” I begged Billie when we arrived. Sweat poured down my back.
    “Not a chance. Hey Luke.” She smiled widely at him.
    “Hey,” he mumbled, not looking at her.
    I rolled my eyes. “Can we hang in your room?”
    “Sure. I'll grab some ice cream sandwiches and we