The Unusual Occurrence Of Mote
Chapter 4: Pearls

Sunday dawned like any other, and for Eary, it meant the weekly pilgrimage to church. Creeping out of his bed, Eary tiptoed around his room. Carefully selecting a snazzy tie and dusting off an old jacket, Eary was careful not to wake Mote. The passed out moteling lay unconscious on the window sill. Snoring loudly from his escapades the prior evening. Eary was honestly elated when Mote began drinking last night. Eary made his way down the hall, to the bathroom. As he began to change, he anticipated the day to come. A day at church, alone with Ephraim, was exactly what he needed to 'seal the deal'. 'Mote would only mess things up,' he thought to himself as he gazed into the bathroom mirror. "Ephraim always looks so nice on Sundays," he thought, gazing back at his reflection. He applied some gel to his hair, working it in a style he had seen on other boys. He stood back to assess his appearance. The jacket was a bit too tight, and his bangs stood on end. He couldn't have looked less sure of himself. Spotting the aftershave, he generously applied it to every inch of skin on him. He smiled back to himself reassuringly as he left the bathroom .

As he made his way down the hall, Mote zipped out of the ajar door leading to Eary's room. Mote inquired, "And where exactly do you think you're goin'?"" Eary rolled his eyes and replied,"Church, Mote. It's Sunday." The boy felt a sinking in his gut as Mote zipped down and landed on Eary's shoulder. Look over, Mote protested, "After that creepy, foreskin demon in the park the other night? You really think I'm gonna let you go, undefended, galavantin' around? What kind of heartless moteling do ya take me for?" Eary coolly replied."The kind that runs away while im getting charged by that thing, and then laughs at me while I'm covered in gore!" Mote gasped."I was going to call the police! I assumed you followed me." Eary scoffed."Uh-huh." As he headed down the stairs. Eary continued, "Just promise me you're not going to steal the sacramental wine again!" Mote replied, crossing his heart."I swears it! I'm only comin' along to keep ya safe." Eary sighed as he left his home."Yeah, yeah."

As he headed to the family car and embarked on the familiar road to church, Eary caught a fleeting, disapproving glance from Josh. That look, laced with jealousy, was all the confirmation he needed to believe in his newfound appearance.

Ever since the incident with the project on Friday, in science, Eary's mind had swirled with possibilities and renewed hope. It had become painfully evident that he had been hiding from his feelings for far too long, and now, Eary was determined to draw them out.

As the family exited the car, they made their way to the entrance. It was locked, as usual. True to the routine, Ephraim's older brother, Jake, greeted the Olson's with enthusiasm.

Jake stood tall at around 6'2, boasting a swimmer's build that he had honed during his high school years. His dark hair, akin to his younger brother's, was complemented by the same steely hazel-gray eyes as their father's. For Eary, it used to be painful to see Jake, for he had once been inseparable from Eary's older brother, Luke. The two had been the closest of friends until that fateful day when Eary, his brothers, and the two Bennett boys had gone out together.

Yet, the shared trauma had bonded them all, and now, the 20-year-old man stood tall on his own merits in Eary's eyes. Jake was a calm and kind individual, fair to a fault, and often Eary's favorite babysitter, never allowing Josh to bully Eary.

"Good morning, Jacob," Delia greeted warmly, and Mitchell nodded in acknowledgment. Jake smiling back, replied, "Good morning, Olsons, good to see you all here." As the family entered the church atrium, they were greeted by the warm air and soothing ambiance. As Eary and his family continued on, Mote whispered, "Hey kid, I'm gonna take off for a bit, get a scout on the perimeter." Eary felt his tiny body lift from his shoulder. Eary whispered back. "Stay away from the wine!" Eary Rolled his eyes in annoyance as he and his family went to the church's backroom. The family strolled down the maroon, carpeted hallway, finally entering a spacious room nestled in the back of the church. At a table adorned with doughnuts, coffee, and today's handouts, Brian and Lisa Bennett stood in welcome. Pastor Brian, with an air of familiarity, greeted his long-time friends, sparking a conversation among the four parents.

Eary had always held a fondness for the Bennetts. Pastor Brian often led Bible study sessions, a subject in which Eary excelled, and the two engaged in deep discussions on matters of faith and spirituality.

Tall stature seemed to be a common trait among the Bennett men, and Pastor Brian was no exception. From the looks of him, he had once been in remarkable shape, but time had eased his physique somewhat. His salt-and-pepper hair had thinned in the middle, distinguishing the middle-aged man.

Lisa, who was a fixture at the church. Dedicating most of her days to offering counseling and hosting events. Eary had spent countless hours beside her at bake sales and church flea markets, accompanied by his mother. It had become such a normal part of his life that the Bennetts often invited him to their outings.

However, as Eary drew closer to the tall pastor's wife, he couldn't help but think, "Things have changed here too." She seemed to shoo him away now, even when he knew Ephraim was home. He had even asked his parents about it, but they always deflected the subject.

Lisa was undoubtedly a striking woman. Her eyes and hair carried a rich mahogany hue, with traces of age gracefully etched into both. She radiated warmth and harbored deep affection for her family and the community she served.

"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett!" Eary chimed with untimely cheer. "Good morning, Earhart!" Pastor Brian replied to the young man. "Morning Eary!" Lisa replied after her husband. Eary smiled at the couple, but something caught his eye.

Across the room, Eary's gaze landed on Ephraim, who was leisurely savoring a doughnut and sipping his coffee. Ephraim sported a blue and white plaid short-sleeved button-up shirt, impeccably tucked into a pair of sleek black slacks. His hair remained damp but meticulously combed.

With an internal pep talk to quell his nerves, Eary approached and chirped, "Morning, Ephraim."

Ephraim, looking somewhat weary, responded with a groggy. "Oh hey, good morning." He promptly refocused on his coffee, taking a deep sip.

Eary attempted a nonchalant conversation opener, but he couldn't help the underlying unease. "So, how was your Saturday?"

Ephraim's response seemed casual, but Eary detected an evasive tone. "It was good," Eph mumbled, glancing down as if to divert the question.

Sensing the conversation going nowhere, Eary decided to gracefully exit the scene. "Well, you look tired, so I'll let you be. Hope you feel better," he breezily remarked as he turned away, his heart a mix of anticipation and the looming reality of the finalization of his rejection.

Seated in a secluded row of chairs, Eary decided to while away the time by fiddling with his cell phone. But from across the room, a familiar voice cut through the air like a beacon.

"Earhart, come on over here, pal," Pastor Brian's warm smile beckoned Eary over. Uneasiness crept over Eary, but when his father called for him, he put on a brave face and rose from his seat.

"Hey there! What are you doing all the way over there? Is everything okay?" Pastor Brian inquired as he placed a reassuring hand on Eary's shoulder.

Eary replied with his customary chipper tone, "I'm doing alright." But sensing the concern in Pastor Brian's eyes, he chuckled and added, "Actually, I'm doing great!"

It was a white lie, a well-practiced art that Eary had perfected over time. Pastor Brian seemed satisfied with the response, and Eary excused himself with a reassuring smile, skillfully concealing the truth beneath his cheerful demeanor. Brian continued, "That's the spirit! I need big smiles as we pass today's handouts!" He smiled, handing Eary a stack.

As the regulars flooded in, Mote drunkenly bumbled to Eary. "Heeeey buddy! *hic*" He slurred as he came for a landing on Eary's shoulder, reeking of wine. Mote continued, "You knows, I always loved church *hic*. Reminds me of somethin', you know. I get to let it *hic* all hang loose, I get to breath here, *hic*. Eary's anxiety bubbled up inside as he nervously said under his breath "Oh, fuck."

As he nervously passed out the days fliers, the undeniable looks of the parishioners, left little to be imagined. His father quickly approached and pulled him aside. His eyes were intense as he coldly asked "Eary, have you been drinking?" Eary quickly replied "No, no. I accidentally spilled some of the sacramental wine. I should have said something I know." Mitchell immediately interrupted "Four bottles worth?" Eary agitatedly glanced to his shoulder, and then replied "Yep. Super clumsy." Mitchell insisted on smelling his breath. One sniff and Mitchell announced "Ok, that's just really odd, Eary. And where did you spill it? I don't see any stains, but you reek." Eary quickly responded "On my shoulder! Just sniff." As Mitchell did he replied "Whoa, now I smell it! It's like you have a tiny alcoholic on your shoulder." Eary pierced his lips and nodded "Seems like it." Mitchell nodded, and giving his son a concerned glance, walked away.

Mote, slurring from Eary's shoulder, chimed in "Look at that! We're a *hic* team! I line 'em up, you knock 'em *hic* down." Eary replied "Mote, you promised me!" Mote exclaimed in defense "What was I to do? It just sat there *hic* callin' to me, Mote, Mote..." Eary sighed, rolling his eyes he scolded "You stay on my shoulder and don't touch anything else, for the rest of church, understand?" Mote replied with a thumbs up, as the two made their way to the chapel.

As his family, and the Bennetts, took their seats at the front pew, the collection plates made their rounds. Eary wrestled a 20 away from Mote's sticky fingers, as Brian began with his sermon. His voice resonated through the church, announcing, "This Sunday, I would like to speak to the congregation about hope and miracles. Today, I want to explore the endless possibilities that God creates in our lives. As many of you are aware, my son Ephraim was granted a second chance at life-miraculously!"

Eary couldn't help but roll his eyes internally. This was the one aspect of church that always grated on him. Every few months, Pastor Brian would have Ephraim step up to the podium and recount the events of the night of his miracle. It puzzled Eary how Ephraim never seemed to tire of sharing the tale.

Eary's focus was broken by the sound of Mote, snoring loudly on his shoulder. As he shifted his attention back to the podium, he realized that Pastor Brian had concluded his talk. Now, it was Ephraim's turn to speak.

The transformation in Ephraim was astounding. Gone was the dull disinterest that had cloaked him earlier. His eyes sparkled with a newfound vitality, and his entire demeanor shifted as he began to address the congregation.

"Hello, folks!" Ephraim's voice resonated with warmth and sincerity. "As many of you already know, my name is Ephraim. I battled cancer when I was younger, and they told my parents I had only months to live. I clung to life for four years, and then one night, near the end, a miracle unfolded."

Ephraim's voice cracked, his eyes misting with emotion. "I opened my eyes to witness the most beautiful blue light. I gazed down at my body, and it had been miraculously healed. I was in perfect health. With newfound strength, I got out of bed for the first time in years and hit my own light switch. I scanned the room, and there was no trace of what had transpired."

Eary felt his stomach churn with guilt, sinking deeper into his chair. Ephraim's heartfelt narrative continued, "My message, folks, is that just because you can't see it, it doesn't mean it's not there. The Lord surrounds us, enveloping us with His boundless love. I stand before you as living proof of that divine presence. Thank you." The congregation applauded as usual, as Ephraim took his seat.

Following the day's sermon, the customary meet-and-greet session commenced. Eary, as usual, found himself surrounded by a flock of elderly ladies. This demographic always seemed to gravitate toward him, but with quick thinking and some fancy footwork, Eary managed to elude his pursuers, making his way over to the snack table.

Mote, waking by the smell of snacks, exclaimed "Oh thank God, food! I got such a hang over, be a sport and get your ol' pal Mote some coffee." Eary recoiled in revulsion, as the moteling gorged himself, only to deflate and begin again. Watching the spectacle, Eary concluded it was best to get the coffee, so making his way across the lobby, he found the coffee machine. A moment later, he was taken aback by a voice that startled him from behind.

"Excuse me, young man, a moment of your time," said a slender man in his early forties. He wore a tan button-up shirt tucked into jeans, his thin black hair greasy. His face resembled that of a pompous bird, and his eyes locked onto Eary's with an unsettling intensity.

"I am inquiring about the events of the night of the miracle, your friend spoke of," the man continued, flashing a fictitious smile that sent shivers down Eary's spine. "You're Earhart Olson, yes?"

Eary's blood ran cold, and he demanded, "How did you know my name?" His tone was defensive and suspicious.

The stranger explained, "Well, your friend mentioned your name and gestured to you in the crowd. You are the sole witness, correct? Come with me!"

Frozen in place, Eary's body seemed to move against his will as the man reached out and grabbed his wrist, leading him toward the double doors of the church. Just when Eary thought things couldn't get any worse, a young man appeared from his left.

"Eary! Mom wants to see you!" the young man, one minute older than Eary, commanded. Suddenly free, Eary wasted no time in retreating to the safety of his mother.

Eary urgently called out, "Mom, Mom!"

Delia glanced casually toward her son, asking, "What, what?"

Eary began pouring out the tale of the creepy stranger. Josh, looking flustered, joined the conversation. "Mom," he said, noticeably shaken, also informed his mother of the ordeal. Delia swiftly told her child. "Josh, go get your father and Brian!"

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When the fathers and Brian arrived, Eary recounted the harrowing events to the four concerned parents. "Ephraim never said my name or gestured toward me once during the sermon," Eary nervously pointed out. "I didn't, you're right!" Ephraim admitted, clearly shaken.

The fathers decided to examine the church's security cameras, while Lisa and Delia had a private conversation. After a brief discussion, they returned with a grave expression.

"Ephraim, Josh," Lisa beckoned to the two boys.

They both sprang up from their seats and left the chapel with their mothers. A few minutes later, the boys returned and sat next to Eary. Josh put his arm around Eary, an awkward but comforting gesture given the circumstances. The two boys consoled Eary, offering him a chance to hang out at the Bennetts for the night.

Shortly afterward, two police officers arrived at the church. Josh whispered to Eary, "Our parents must have called them."

As if on cue, their parents appeared, and the taller officer addressed Eary, saying, "Hello, son. Are you Eary?"

Eary replied shyly, "Yes," the officer gently requested, "Can you tell me what happened? I just spoke to your folks about a really scary incident that happened to you."

Eary recounted the tale, and then the officer turned to Josh, asking for his account as well. Once they were done, the boy's parents, along with the officers, went to the atrium to confer. As the three boys looked on, they saw the faces of their parents drop.

Driving home, Eary couldn't shake the question that had been on his and Josh's minds since the police showed up at the church. "Mom, why did you look so shocked when you were talking to the police earlier?" he leaned in closer, eager for her response.

"Oh, boys," Delia began with a hint of regret in her voice, "we need to have a talk."

Mitchell interjected, "Josh, I need you to brace yourself." Josh looked confused and nervous. "Why?" he questioned cautiously.

Delia sighed heavily, her voice weighed down by the impending revelation. "Because Decan is missing. And they think it might be related," she said, her voice resonating with the tragedy of it all.

"What!?" Josh erupted, quickly concealing his tears. The car fell silent as Delia began to educate her children on what to do in such a situation. Eary watched his softly sobbing brother, and despite the awkwardness, he placed a reassuring hand on Josh's back

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