Christmas Grace, Signing Seeds by Lynn Donovan

Author:Lynn Donovan [Donovan, Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Astraea Press, LLC
Published: 2014-10-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

That unshakable dread filled Grace’s heart. It had taken everything she had to make herself go to the church. Even though it had been her own decision to go to all the Christmas rehearsals, instead of, as Barbara had said, on the last rehearsal night. She knew it was the right way to do this. Still, she had talked herself out of it three times. But then, three times she forced herself to override the excuses and get ready to go. She released a heavy sigh and pulled on the large, black-glass door. Somehow she’d get through this.

“Well, looky here!” Barbara squealed from the stage. She hurried over to Grace and took hold of her hands. “I’m so happy ta see you. But I told you, you don’t have to come ’til the week before Christmas Eve.”

Grace lifted her chin and set her jaw. “No. If I’m gonna do this, I’m gonna do it right. I’ll come to all the practices before the program.” Grace pursed her lips and squeezed Barbara’s hands. Then she released her grip and approached the other members. Ron, Lucy, and Cynthia each came up and hugged Grace warmly. As she hugged them, the dread of seeing everyone no longer hovered in her senses. Even Jeremiah, the young drummer, saluted her with his sticks. Tears stung her eyes as they each expressed their joy in having her back on the team. The lead-weight of grief in her heart lifted slightly. She allowed herself to smile, and the gesture felt good, too. How long had it been since she had let herself smile? Not counting the day she ran into Barbara. Maybe this was a new trend, a welcomed new trend in her life.

“Places, everybody!” Barbara clapped her hands, and everyone stepped over to where they normally stood. Grace knew where to stand, in front of the harmony singers. A spotlight burned down on her shoulders. It had been set for her illustrations several years ago and had never been moved. She grinned, knowing this spot was her place at the Praise and Worship performance.

Barbara slipped behind the keyboard and gave the initial chords. The singers sang their note. “Ahhhhhhh.”

Grace signed, singing.

Ron announced, “Grace is in tune.” The others chuckled, including Grace.

Barbara winked at her. “Okay. Let’s start with The First Noel.”

Jeremiah clicked his drumsticks. Click, click, click, click…

The team began to sing.

Grace signed in large fluid motions, as if she were dancing with her arms. A peaceful sensation washed over her, and she breathed deeply. How could she have dreaded coming? This was where she belonged.

The chorus was repeated and the next stanza began.

A young woman, about Grace’s height, but a little heavier, carried a highchair through a back door of the sanctuary. Grace continued to sign with the singers, but curiosity distracted her mind. Although the sanctuary was only forty feet deep, she couldn’t see the woman’s face. Still, something about her seemed familiar. Her golden-brown hair was cut in a cute chin-length bob. Highlights differentiated the top from the bottom.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.