"Are Angels Real?"

Feedback on the general writing would be greatly appreciated, as well as on Pastor Thomas! I really need to know what people think of him and the vibe they are getting. Thanks <3

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The small chapel was quiet today, though that wasn’t unusual for a Tuesday afternoon.

“Well hey there, Sammy.”

She jumped a little at the voice, turning around in her seat to look to the back of the chapel, a smile of relief falling onto her face at the friendly face smiling back.

“Hi Pastor Thomas,” she replied, watching as he gracefully moved down the aisle toward her. The way he moved reminded her of Oliver and how effortlessly every movement seemed to be for him. Her smile wavered for a moment at the thought of him but as the smiling pastor came toward her she forced the smile back into place.

“No class today?” he asked, coming to sit down beside her, casually draping an arm over the back of the pew and bringing up his leg, resting his foot and ankle on his other knee. Pastor Thomas had been pastor at the New Hope Community Church for nine years now. Sammy could vaguely remember how things were before Pastor Thomas, and how boring church had been to her as a young girl at that time. When Pastor Thomas took over the congregation the whole mood of the church seemed to lift like one giant sigh of relief. He was funny and honest, sharing his own stories and giving her a sense that he really was one of them, just another human being trying to live within God. Sammy had never been extremely religious or involved with the church, helping with fundraisers and spaghetti dinners and occasionally singing in the choir when Mrs. Jennings was sick, but church always had been important to her. God was important to her. She didn’t question Him, not really, putting her full trust in him. Now, though, as she sat in the pew with Pastor Thomas, she couldn’t help but feel frustrated. She had hoped that this place of all places would help her find answers, but instead it just left her with many more questions.

“I had a test in my philosophy class, so I got out early,” Sammy explained and he nodded, both of them smiling, perhaps a little too much.

“So what brings you here? It’s lovely out, especially for this time of year! I’m surprised you aren’t out enjoying it.” Pastor Thomas was still smiling brightly. He didn’t seem to mind that Sammy was there, after all, the church was always open to those who needed it. Sammy knew he was right, though. Not necessarily about the weather, but the implied notion that her being there was certainly odd.

“I’m not much of a cold weather person,” she replied easily. It was the truth though she still couldn’t help but feel like she was lying to him. Pastor Thomas said nothing, watching her calmly. Sammy could understand his silence, though. He knew she was there for a reason. She sighed.

“Pastor Thomas, I was wondering… I know this might sound silly, but, do you believe in angels?”

The simplicity of her question seemed to catch him by surprise, but he smiled kindly, looking to his leather hands and then up to the stained glass windows above them where four angels stood together, staring back.

“Yes, I suppose I do, Sammy,” he said. “I believe that they are all around us, helping to do His work on a more, personal level.” She couldn’t help but notice the grin that played upon his lips. “Why do you ask? Do you believe in angels?” He laughed a little, smiling down on her like a small child.

“I think so,” she began with a little hesitation, frowning for a moment and looking up at him. “I mean, I do, I just… I don’t know if I believe in the beautiful creatures with giant wings that wear draped linens and carry harps and have halos, like all the pictures and movies show them. I think… I think they are more like us, like normal people.” Sammy paused, staring now at the same stained glass window Pastor Thomas had been gazing at. “And yeah… I think they work on a personal level, too.”

Her expression was very blank, concentrating on the vague, simple faces of the four men standing in the window. Pastor Thomas looked at her with soft eyes, putting a hand on her shoulder.

“I think that sounds like a reasonable belief,” he began. “It has often been said that angels walk among us, guiding up and pointing us in the right direction. Who is to say that isn’t to be take literally?”

For a moment she worried he was just saying this to appease her, but when she turned to him, seeing the smile and joy on his face, she knew that he believed it, too. She also got the feeling that she wasn’t the one to bring such an idea to him originally. He had already been a believer of these ideas before this conversation. This gave her relief, but also instilled more questions.

“Have you ever seen a angel?”

Sammy was not the only one who seemed surprised by her bold question. Pastor Thomas’ eyes seemed to drift away, still aimed at her though not actually seeing her. For a moment his smile faltered, but he recovered quickly, shaking his head with a small laugh.

“I think that I probably see angels every day, but, who can say for sure?” His smiled was kind again and it put Sammy at ease, even if it wasn’t the answer she was looking for. He glanced at his watch and moved in his seat, and she could tell he wanted to leave.

“I should probably get back to my office. If you need anything, or just want to talk some more, you are always welcome to come back.”

He rose gracefully, nodding to her before walking away casually, hands in his pockets and once again whistling a beautiful melody Sammy couldn’t name. She sighed, wondering if she had scared him away. Did even her own pastor think she was crazy? As much as she was a believer, and even though the bible specifically speaks of angelic encounters, even she had to admit that it did sound a little crazy to think that angels were walking among her. Again a sigh fell from her lips and she sink into the pew, unable to cast her eyes away from the four angels watching her in silence.