Arvin was never much of a church person since his praying as a child did nothin to help his mama or his daddy, he lost his faith in the lord, but his grandmother and step-sister went to church every Sunday and he loves them too much to decline.

Ever since the new reverend embarrassed Arvin’s grandmother for the Chicken livers she brought last week, he’s had to bite his tongue any time the man’s brought up.

But something interesting happened this Sunday. After the usual prayer and hymns, Reverend Preston brought out his daughter to meet the group. She was a shy girl, head bowed and arms hugging her bible. He made her presence known then pushed her aside to speak with some young girls, praising and such.

Everyone broke off to eat the usual church food and Arvin decided to check on the girl. She was scooping some mashed taters onto her paper plate when he appeared.

“Afternoon, ma’am.” Arvin greeted in his usual drawl, giving her a small smile but he sees her eyes zero in on the healing bruise around his eye. “don’t mind that. S’nothing.”

She moves along the table, grabbing some chicken thighs.

“So, your the reverends girl? Must be nice, having a holy man as a father.” Arvin bit his tongue. Just because her father is a son of a…you know what, doesn’t mean she is.