every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:14 (NIV)
During worship service the next morning, Cooper could barely keep her eyes open. She’d arrived late, missing the first set of praise songs, and tried to sneak in as the music leader paused to introduce a new band member.
As Cooper peered around in search of a vacant seat, Jake stood up and waved her over to his row. The empty chair was situated between Jake and Quinton, but Quinton didn’t even glance in her direction. His eyes were fixed upon the plus-sized woman onstage as she smiled at the congregation and accepted the microphone from the lead singer.
“Thank you so much for welcoming me to Hope Street. My goal is to integrate a few Spanish hymns into our eleven o’clock service so that our Spanish-speaking friends feel at home.” She indicated a cluster of dark-haired worshippers seated in the first ten rows. “So let’s start with one that you all know. ‘How Great Is Our God,’ which translates to ‘Cuan Grande es Mi Dios.’ Please stand and sing with me!”
Jake had to elbow Quinton in the side in order to bring the big man back to reality.
“She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen!” Quinton breathed in awe as he rose to his feet.
Cooper studied the woman. She had a large bosom and a full, high rump encased in a chestnut-colored skirt suit. When she turned to the side, moving forward with small, dainty steps, Cooper thought she bore a close resemblance to a hen. Her hair was full-bodied and glossy. It flew out around her face in rows of brown corkscrew curls. The most remarkable thing about her was the joy that seemed to fill her body and burst forth from her throat as she sang. Her dimpled cheeks and radiant smile were infectious and her voice rolled over the congregation like a river of milk and honey.
“You’re right. She’s beautiful,” Cooper agreed and couldn’t help but smile. The woman’s rapture was contagious and the congregation sang the unfamiliar Spanish words with delight, grinning up at their music leader.
When the song finished and the congregation resumed their seats, Quinton followed the woman’s every move as she walked off the stage. “She teaches Spanish in Church Hill,” he informed his neighbors. “She even bought a house on one of the most rundown streets so she could truly be active in the community.”
“What’s her name?” Cooper asked.
“Gloria May.” Quinton spoke the name with relish, as though each letter melted on his tongue like a piece of fine chocolate. “Sounds like poetry, doesn’t it?”
Cooper waited to respond until Pastor Matthews finished his opening prayer and began reviewing the morning’s announcements. “How did you know she was a teacher?”
Quinton pointed at the back of the program. “Her bio’s listed here. No mention of a husband, either,” he added brightly and then finally tore his gaze away from the back of Gloria’s head and looked at Cooper. “Did you have a rough night?”
“Yes, and I didn’t have time to put cucumbers on my eyes, so you’re stuck sitting next to a zombie.” She yawned widely. “Not that I have any cucumbers.”
“Did you stay up ’til midnight painting with Nathan?” Quinton nudged her playfully in the side.
Cooper dropped her eyes. She’d barely thought about Nathan until she heard his voice on her answering machine earlier that morning. “No, I was doing something much more interesting.” She yawned again. “Tell you about it later. And Nathan won’t be joining us for Bible study. He decided to spend the whole weekend with his friend.”
Both Jake and Quinton yawned shortly afterward. “Stop that!” Jake hissed. “Don’t you know yawns are contagious? The whole row’ll be doin’ it in a minute. ’Cept for Savannah.”
“You can make people react just by saying the word,” Quinton informed Jake. All three friends leaned over to watch Savannah as Jake described how tired Cooper looked and mentioned that she’d been yawning over and over again since her arrival. Sure enough, Savannah’s hand rose up to cover her mouth as it stretched into an elongated oval.
“Where’s Bryant?” Cooper inquired as she stifled a giggle.
“On the far side by the door.” Quinton subtly pointed in that direction. “He brought his coworker—that single mom he’s mentioned a few times. I think they’re officially dating now.”
Cooper clapped silently. “I remember him talking about her in the fall. Her name’s Jane, right?