Chapter Twenty-Five
O Holy—good night, what s that?
Beau
If Ivy presses any closer, she ll be sitting on my lap. Not that I mind. What I mind is that she s only leaning into me like this because she has nowhere else to go. My mom and I have created an Ivy sandwich.
A little bit ago my mom tried making more room by reaching an arm around Ivy the same time I did, which meant my mom and I were holding hands for a moment. That was a weird moment.
But all these other moments where I ve been able to sit here pretending Ivy s squished against my side because that s where she wants to be are wonderful moments.
Janey ruins the wonder when she stands and slides out of the pew, giving Ivy ample room to scooch away from me. Probably for the best. It is Christmas Eve. Pretty sure I m supposed to be focusing on the birth of our Lord and Savior, not how close to me Ivy West is sitting.
Janey joins Crystal up front on the stage.
Crystal s known for having a great voice and Janey knows sign language, so I m not surprised Dad corralled them into performing O Holy Night.
Beautiful song. Between Crystal s powerful voice and Janey s motions in the dim candlelit church, the night really does feel holy.
Until something swoops past their heads.
Janey doesn t flinch, but Crystal s shoulders hunch for a split second. She continues singing and Janey continues signing the words, but whispers have started. Heads are tilting upward. When another shadowed swoop passes over our heads, we all realize what it is.
A bat. Song must have woken him up wherever he was hanging out in the rafters.
He continues dive-bombing our heads, flying from one end of the sanctuary to the other, while Crystal keeps singing and flinching, and Janey makes even more sweeping hand motions that I m pretty sure aren t sign language anymore.
Ivy is back in my arms. With every swoop she squishes closer, quietly squealing and giggling like several other members of the audience.
I ve never loved bats more.
Don t worry. I chuckle as the song ends and the audience laughs and applauds Janey and Crystal for making it through the entire song. I ve got you.
Do not let go.
Sounds like a plan to me.
When Dad returns to the stage, the bat must ve disappeared back to his hiding place. No more swoops. The audience quickly settles while Ivy remains close to my side.
Everything s as it should be.
And if I need more proof, Dad provides it the next second by adjusting his glasses and saying in his signature deadpan style, I tried telling him the altar call wasn t typically until the end of the service.