PRAISES (A Short Story)
“We are saying thank you, Jesus…”
Those were the first words that rolled out of my mouth. Lord knows I was not feeling grateful. On the contrary, I was indignant.
At her for the incessant burning sensation lodged in my chest. At me for letting her and at God for watching idly as I descended into what felt like hell.
I stood uninterested, with the microphone in my firm grip. For a minute, it felt like I was holding onto her neck. I did not notice that the song had expired, and the congregation had their eyes on me.
I flashed back into reality and mumbled some words that did not end up in song. The whole church looked at me, puzzled. I glanced over at the choir director as he held his hand open in confusion. I’m sure he was wondering what happened to his favorite praise leader.
Between the blankness in my mind and the pain in my chest, there was only one song on my lips. A song way too unpalatable for this holy gathering.
I looked back at the congregation; their faces blurred into the face of the Ghanaian beauty that just walked out of my life. All I wanted to do was die, and dead men sing no praises.
So, I got on my knees, lifted holy hands and began to cry.
This is an excerpt from my new book ‘The Anatomy of Heartbreak’. Out soon.*
*Dont forget to clap 50 times, if you enjoyed this story.*
