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Chapter VII: The First Serve
The faint glow of Liz's phone screen lights up her room as she lies on her bed. Wyn's message pops up in their chat.
Wyn: Excited for Sunday?
Liz: Excited but nervous. You?
Wyn: Same! But we've got this. Let's pray it goes smoothly.
Liz smiles at Wyn's optimism. They chat a bit longer, exchanging thoughts about their roles and how their first Sunday service might unfold.
Moments later, a notification interrupts their conversation. It's a post from Brother Padilla in their altar servers' group chat.
Bro. Padilla: Good evening, everyone. This Sunday, we will be serving at the 7:30 a.m. mass in the Catedral Metropolitana de San Pablo. Please sign up below if you can attend.
Without hesitation, Liz and Wyn both respond, typing their names under the post.
Wyn: Here we go! Our first service!
Liz: Let's do this together!
Over the next three days, Liz and Wyn dive into their training, practicing everything they've learned. They baffle over the complexities of the tasks: the proper way to carry the candles, the sequence of assisting the priest, and the rhythm of the mass.
"Is it left foot first or right foot?" Wyn groans one afternoon as they practice their procession walk.
Liz chuckles, holding back her own frustration.
"Left foot! We've been over this!"
Though it's challenging, Liz finds inspiration in the thought of Bennett. Every time she feels overwhelmed, she remembers his encouraging words and the way he used to carry himself with grace during his time as an altar server.
I'll do this for you, Bennett, she thinks, pushing herself harder.
Sunday arrives, and the first rays of sunlight filter through Liz's window. The excitement and nerves wake her before her alarm even has the chance to go off.
She gets out of bed, takes a quick bath, and brushes her teeth. Her reflection in the mirror shows a mix of determination and anxiety, but she whispers to herself, "You've got this."
Downstairs, Dolores, Dominga, and her grandma are already setting the table for breakfast.
"Good morning, Liz," Dolores greets her with a warm smile.
"Today's the big day, isn't it?"
Liz nods, taking a seat.
"It is. My first service."
Dominga places a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of her.
"Don't forget to eat. You'll need your energy."
Her grandma sits beside her, placing a gentle hand on Liz's arm.
"You'll do great. And remember, Bennett would be so proud of you."
Liz looks down at her plate, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm nervous."
Her grandma gives her a reassuring smile.
"That's normal. But think of Bennett and how proud he'd be to see you following in his footsteps. Let that thought guide you."
Taking a deep breath, Liz nods.
"Okay. I'll do my best."
As the clock edges closer to 7 a.m., Liz and her grandma make their way to the Catedral Metropolitana de San Pablo. The grandeur of the building looms before them, its spires reaching toward the heavens.
Inside, the soft glow of the stained-glass windows bathes the pews in a kaleidoscope of colors. Liz spots Wyn near the entrance, already dressed and ready.
"Liz!" Wyn waves her over.
"Hey," Liz greets her, her nerves momentarily forgotten as they exchange smiles.
Liz's grandma pats her shoulder gently.
"I'll be in the pews. Just focus on what you need to do, okay?"
Liz nods, watching her grandma head toward the seating area.
As the two friends stand near the sacristy, waiting for the other servers to arrive, they chat to pass the time.
"I barely slept last night," Wyn admits with a laugh.
"Same here," Liz says, adjusting the surplice she wears over her cassock. "I kept running through the steps in my head."
Wyn grins.
"Well, at least we'll mess up together if something goes wrong."
As the minutes tick by, Liz begins to notice something odd. The sacristy remains eerily quiet, and no one else seems to be arriving. She exchanges a glance with Wyn, who looks equally puzzled.
"Where is everyone?" Wyn asks, glancing at her phone to check the time.
"It's almost 7:30," Liz says, her voice tinged with worry.
They step out of the sacristy and peek into the main hall of the cathedral. Apart from a few early attendees, the space is largely empty.
"Do you think they forgot?" Wyn wonders aloud.
Liz shakes her head.
"I don't know. Maybe they'll come in a bit?"
As they wait, Liz finds herself looking toward the altar. The ornate design, the flickering candles, and the stillness of the cathedral fill her with a sense of awe.
She closes her eyes for a moment, imagining Bennett standing beside her. In her mind, he's smiling, radiating the same quiet confidence he always carried.
"You've got this, Liz," she imagines him saying.
Opening her eyes, she takes a deep breath, her resolve strengthening. No matter what happens, she'll give it her all.
"Ready?" Wyn asks, her voice breaking through Liz's thoughts.
Liz nods, a small smile on her face. "Ready."
As the cathedral slowly comes to life with more attendees, Liz and Wyn prepare themselves for their first service—a moment they've worked hard for, a step closer to fulfilling their calling.
The grand bells of the Catedral Metropolitana de San Pablo chime loudly, signaling the start of the Sunday morning mass. Liz and Wyn stand near the sacristy, their nerves bubbling beneath their composed exteriors. Dressed in their crisp surplices, they watch as the procession begins.
The old cathedral servers march with solemn grace, carrying the seriales as they lead the parish priest to the altar. The congregation sings the opening hymn, their voices echoing through the high ceilings, filling the sacred space with reverence.
Bro. Padilla, standing near the front, notices Liz and Wyn among the servers. As soon as the priest reaches his chair, Bro. Padilla strides over to them, his expression a mix of relief and frustration.
"You two showed up," he says with a small nod of appreciation, but his tone quickly shifts.
"But where are the others? It's unacceptable for them to skip their duties without even informing me!"
Liz glances at Wyn, unsure how to respond. Wyn merely shrugs, her eyes widening at the unexpected intensity of Bro. Padilla's reaction.
After taking a deep breath to steady himself, Bro. Padilla looks at the two of them with softer eyes.
"Since it's just you two, we'll have to adjust. You'll be assisting the priest directly and collecting the offerings during mass."
Wyn tilts her head in confusion.
"But... assisting the priest? What exactly does that involve?"
As Bro. Padilla explains, Liz's mind drifts to a familiar memory—a flashback that feels as vivid as the present.
Liz is walking through the sacristy of the cathedral, her steps echoing in the quiet hall. Beside her is Bennett, his cassock neatly arranged as always. He points to various items in the sacristy: the chalice, the ciborium, the vestments for the priest.
"See these?" Bennett says, his voice patient yet enthusiastic.
"These are what you'll need to prepare if you ever assist during mass."
Liz listens intently as Bennett explains the sequence of tasks—how to carry the wine and water, when to bring the lavabo to the altar, and how to step back with reverence after each action.
"And don't forget to stay calm," Bennett adds with a grin. "Even if something goes wrong, the key is to act like it's all part of the plan."
Liz laughs, playfully nudging him. "Easy for you to say, Mr. Perfect Server."
Bennett chuckles and then turns to face her. His playful grin softens into something more serious yet tender.
"You'll be great, Liz. Maybe someday, we'll even serve together as husband and wife."
Liz's cheeks flush, and she shoves him lightly.
"Don't get ahead of yourself!"
He laughs, the sound filling the air like a melody.
"I'm just saying. You'd look great in white. I'll even throw in a bouquet."
The memory fades, leaving Liz with a bittersweet ache in her chest.
"Liz?" Wyn's voice pulls her back to the present.
"Are you okay?"
Liz nods, shaking off the lingering emotions.
"Yeah. I know what to do. I'll explain it to you."
Wyn gives her a skeptical look but listens as Liz recounts everything she learned from Bennett.
As the mass continues, Liz and Wyn step into their roles with quiet determination. The congregation barely notices that there are only two servers assisting the priest.
Liz takes the lead in preparing the altar, her movements smooth and deliberate. Wyn follows her example, fumbling slightly at first but quickly gaining confidence.
When it's time to collect the offerings, Liz and Wyn move through the pews, their hands steady as they hold the baskets. Liz feels a strange sense of calm, as if Bennett's presence is guiding her.
The choir sings the Agnus Dei, and Liz bows her head in prayer.
Bennett, I wish you peace, wherever you are.
After communion, Liz kneels at the pew, her hands clasped tightly. She closes her eyes, and another memory flickers to life.
In this memory, Liz is seated on a bench outside the cathedral, the evening sun casting long shadows. Bennett is beside her, holding her hand.
"Peace is the most important thing, Liz," he says, his voice soft.
"Not just peace in the world, but peace in your heart. No matter what happens, hold on to that."
Liz looks at him, her young heart swelling with admiration.
"I'll try, Bennett. I promise."
When Liz opens her eyes, the memory lingers in the warmth of her chest.
As the final blessing concludes, the priest offers his thanks to the congregation. Liz and Wyn remain standing near the altar, their hearts full of pride and relief.
Once the mass ends and the congregation begins to leave, Bro. Padilla approaches them, his expression now one of genuine gratitude.
"You two did an excellent job," he says, patting their shoulders.
"I'm proud of you both. I know it wasn't easy, but you handled it with respect and discipline. Thank you."
"Thank you, Brother," Liz says, her smile wide. Wyn nods beside her, a shy grin spreading across her face.
As Liz's grandma approaches, Liz turns to Wyn.
"See you next time?"
"Definitely," Wyn replies, and the two friends share a quick hug before parting ways.
Back at home, Liz's grandma sets out a plate of snacks to celebrate her first service. Dolores and Dominga join them, their faces lit with pride.
"How was it?" Dominga asks, her eyes twinkling.
Liz beams.
"It was amazing. Nerve-wracking, but amazing. We managed to pull it off, even with just the two of us."
Dolores claps her hands together.
"Bennett would be so proud of you, Liz."
Liz's smile falters slightly, the mention of Bennett bringing a pang of longing. But she nods, her voice steady.
"I hope so."
That night, as the house settles into silence, Liz sits on her bed with Bennett's photograph in her hands. She traces the edges of the frame, her thoughts a whirlwind of emotions.
"I did it, Bennett," she whispers.
"My first service. I wish you could've been there, but I know you were watching somehow."
She places the photograph on her bedside table and lies down, staring at the ceiling. A sense of peace washes over her, the kind that Bennett always spoke about.
As she drifts to sleep, she dreams of the cathedral, of Bennett's smile, and of the promise she made to carry on his legacy.
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