It hadn’t dawned on me that the last place I would go search for Joey would be the last place I’d look: his local Christian Church, his hobby, his little heaven on earth. Being religious is a trusted sign. I never questioned his obsession, but the fact that he was Christian and I was Catholic, on top of that he was deaf and I was not, circled my head. His car was in the parking and thought to myself that I should just wait outside for him, but he was my world. My hands began to sweat because I didn’t know if I was allowed in. Would they know I was Catholic as soon as I entered? Would the Pastor say I didn’t belong? It made my heart race, my arms tingle, and my legs go numb just getting off the car. I walked in, pretty much hesitant, and God knew it. If he could see me, he’d probably dunk my head in holy water. Walking down the aisle reminded me of going to church with my parents, and how they prayed the saints for me a man my age, devoted to me and his faith, and raising their grandkids in the true Catholic church. Except that, at Joey´s church, there was no Saint Francis of Assisi, no Saint Peter, no Saint Joseph. And where was my Saint Michael the Archangel?
Claudia Duran. “The Back House.”- Excerpt of the novella “Bywater Lemon Trees.”
The gentle tapping of piano keys and violin strings being plucked and stroked played over the speakers. Kamila turned up the radio encouraging Moira to sing and dance with her.
“Oh well goodbye
Although I’ll cry
Ain’t that a shame
My tears fell like rain
Ain’t that a shame
You’re the one to blame”
Moira loved Fats Domino. He reminded her of her first school dance with her first husband. They were young barely sixteen and so in love. “I lost my virginity to Fats Domino,” giggled Moira. “How embarrassing! I think Barry White was playing in the background when I first gave it up,” chimed in Kamila. The ladies shimmied back and forth in the tiny kitchenette of the Bywater back house. They laughed and enjoyed the fond memories of their long-lost first loves. Both looked especially dressed, completed with done-up hair and make-up. “Why do we bother, it’s just gonna melt off in this heat,” retorted Moira through her bright flirty red lips. “Because for 10 minutes when we walk into the restaurant, we’ll look gorgeous and find you husband number three,” laughed Kamila.
On The Edge 
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