Damaged by L.M. Lee

Author:L.M. Lee [Lee, L.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-03-27T18:30:00+00:00

THE FIRST PART OF GEORGE’S baptism goes by without a hitch, although I am painfully aware of various eyes locked on Oliver, and as I am standing beside him, in turn landing on me. It’s hard to look at him, and I don’t understand how he’s even standing. His face is discolored and lined with cuts and scrapes, and there is noticeable swelling around one eye. How can he do these things to himself? Anger shoots through me each time I glance his way.

Anger, yes, with sorrow as its companion.

There are a couple dozen of us gathered inside a small nondenominational church. The building is small and white-walled with maroon carpet speckled with flecks of green. There are benches inside the main room, and framed psalms on the walls. The smell of coffee and lemon-scented cleaner fight for dominance.

Oliver shifts, his arm brushing mine and causing mayhem to ensue inside me. I set my jaw. Now is not the time to be thinking of sex. Even with his battered body and face, he stands straight, his broad shoulders proud. Dressed in black slacks with a pale blue buttoned-down shirt that accentuate his fit frame, even injured as he is, he exudes poise.

I can’t help the frown when my eyes meet his.

“Don’t look at me like that. It only hurts when I breathe,” he murmurs, one corner of his mouth lifting and lowering before it truly smiles.

Yesterday, he was a shell, broken in uneven halves. Today, he cracks jokes. Amazing.

“Let us now celebrate in little George Monroe’s place in God’s hands.” Ken Landon smiles as he lifts George in front of him. He is the official for the ceremony, and has kind blue eyes.

Applause breaks out, along with well wishes.

Oliver and I are officially George’s godparents, and stand at the front of the room, along with Rose, Chet, George, and Ken. When George is passed around the group, and it’s Oliver’s turn to hold him, he shuts down. Uncomfortable shifting and murmurs take over the calmness of moments ago. Ken waits awkwardly for Oliver to accept his nephew.

When Rose’s eyes fill with sadness, I can’t take it anymore. I nudge Oliver sharply, and he jerks into motion, gingerly reaching for George. The room collectively holds its breath. It would be funny, in a different setting. But it isn’t, because I know who Oliver sees as he takes George into his arms.

He holds George stiffly. George babbles, raising a tiny fist, and then he smacks Oliver on the cheek. I choke back laughter at the shocked look that crosses Oliver’s face as George smiles.

Oliver’s mouth curves in a faint smile, his eyes darken as his features soften, and he nuzzles the side of his face to George’s temple. His eyelids shut. His whole body relaxes. He looks…peaceful.

George coos, his fist opening to better explore the edges of Oliver’s jaw with his hand. Oliver opens his eyes, his smile widening as he looks at his nephew. I swear the room is cheering on Oliver instead of the baptism as it explodes in clapping.

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