Restoreth My Soul (Psalm 23 Mysteries) by Debbie Viguié

lunch. She stared at it, wondering why someone had parked as far away from the church building as they could. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end and she felt the urge to get back in her car, lock the doors, and drive away quickly.
    She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. This had to just be paranoia. It was the PTSD rearing its head.
    There is nothing wrong or sinister about that car , she thought.
    She didn’t believe herself.
    She was parked right up next to the building. It was only a few steps toward the entrance. She couldn’t just stand there in the parking lot all day and leaving was ridiculous.
    She took a step toward the entrance, then another, feeling panicky as she left the safety of her car behind.
    She was almost at the entrance when she heard an engine rev. She twisted around and saw the car driving toward her. She tensed, getting ready to flee, but it turned and headed for the exit. A moment later it was gone.
    “You’re being ridiculous,” she whispered.
    She headed through the gate area and was soon walking past the sanctuary. She could hear people talking inside. Across the way she saw someone walking into the gym. She walked up to the office door. She could hear laughter coming from one of the classrooms across the way.
    You see, everything is perfectly normal here, there’s nothing to get upset about.
    A piercing scream caused her to jump.
    “That’s it!” she heard Geanie shriek inside the office a moment later.
    Cindy paused just outside the door, wondering what on earth was going on.
    “I quit!” Geanie screamed.
    The door flew open and her roommate ran past her crying.
     

7
    So much for normal , Cindy thought, as she turned to see where Geanie was running to. Her friend was making a beeline for the parking lot and after only a moment’s hesitation Cindy chased after her.
    “Geanie, wait!” she called.
    The other woman didn’t slow up, though. By the time Cindy made it to the parking lot, Geanie was already speeding away. She stood for a moment watching her car as it left the parking lot. Then she glanced around nervously, checking to see if the black car from earlier had returned.
    It wasn’t there which made her feel a little bit better as she stood debating what to do. Should she go after Geanie? She didn’t even know if she was heading home or somewhere else, though.
    She pulled her phone out of her purse and dialed Geanie’s phone. After several rings it went to voicemail.
    “It’s Cindy. Call me and tell me where you are. I want to help.” She hung up feeling frustrated and useless.
    She turned on her heel and headed back to the office. Maybe she could at least find out what had happened. As she neared the office door she heard raised voices. Before she could go inside Dave quickly walked up to her and shook his head.
    “Come with me to the Youth Room,” he said.
    Cindy hesitated for only a moment before following him. She didn’t know who was arguing in the office, but she did know that she didn’t want to be a part of it. Once inside the Youth Room Dave closed the door and led her through the large room which had scattered couches and massive pillows and beanbag chairs all over the floor.
    In the very back of the room was his office and she took a seat on the couch as he collapsed into the chair behind his desk. It was only then that she realized that his hands were shaking.
    “Dave, what happened?” she asked, leaning forward.
    “Geanie quit.”
    “I heard her yell that, but I don’t know why. I didn’t get a chance to talk to her.”
    He grabbed a bottle of antacids off his desk and popped a couple in his mouth. After he had finished chewing he looked at her. “Royus.”
    She stared, waiting for more of an explanation.
    “They’ve been going at it for the last hour or so.”
    “Was this about the Christmas program still?”
    “Yes. Neither side is giving an inch. They’ve both dug trenches and are settling in.”
    “No compromise