Covet Thy Neighbor

atheist around here all the time?”
    “I want you around here all the time.”
    The statement made me jump. It took me a second to realize he meant he wanted me around to help with the outreach. Right?
    I forced a grin. “Is this part of that whole ‘love thy enemy’ thing?”
    Darren frowned. “You’re not the enemy, Seth.”
    And still, we kept looking at each other.
    My heart pounded. This wasn’t the time or place. And Darren? I couldn’t. I just—
    “Well, I’m not your enemy now,” I said. “But we’ll see what happens if we’re on opposite sides on the dodge ball court.”
    “Oh, really? I’ve had more practice than you, you know.”
    I clapped his shoulder and we started toward the kitchen. “I guess we’ll see if it’s done you any good. I mean, as long as you’re not scared.”
    “Scared?” Darren raised an eyebrow. “Bring it on.”

    “I can’t believe he nailed me right in the goddamned face.” I rubbed the tender spot above my cheekbone.
    Darren laughed as he followed me up the stairs to our apartments. “I told you, didn’t I?”
    “I thought you were kidding.”
    “I never kid when it comes to dodge ball.” He paused. “And I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for introducing a few new vocabulary words to my kids.”
    I didn’t even try to appear sheepish as I glanced over my shoulder. “You really think they’ve never heard anything like that before?”
    “I’m sure they have. But probably not echoing through a church sanctuary.”
    “Okay, fair point.”
    We stopped in that hallway between our apartments. Immediately, the awkwardness started creeping in. Something about this place, apparently. It always felt like we were hovering in some neutral space, like this hallway was some level of Limbo. There was always that feeling like we were at a crossroads.
    Darren cleared his throat. “By the way, I know I mentioned this before, but what you did for Josephine, that was . . . that was really great.”
    “Yeah, well. I don’t know if I did much for her faith. Sorry about that.”
    “At this point, I don’t care.” Darren scratched his neck. “I’m supposed to tell her to have faith in Christ, but the way Josephine sees things right now, that faith is the reason she’s in this mess. What she needs now is a roof over her head, food in her mouth, and people who won’t throw her out on the street.” He exhaled and lowered his hand. “So that’s the part I’m trying to take care of.”
    “Looks like she’s off to a good start, then. With everything you guys are doing.”
    “We do our best. And I really do appreciate you going down there tonight. I think you’re exactly what those kids need.” A faint smile curled the corners of his mouth. “Even if a church isn’t your favorite place in the world.”
    I shrugged. “Well, it’s a lot different from the other ones I’ve been to. And so are . . .” You. You’re the polar opposite of what I know. You shouldn’t be. You shouldn’t exist. I rocked back and forth from my heels to the balls of my feet, trying to do something with all this nervous energy. “You’re not like other ministers I’ve known.”
    “I used to be,” he said quietly.
    I stopped moving. “Really?”
    Darren nodded and leaned against his door frame. “I told you I’m from a family of missionaries. I was a pretty hardcore evangelist when I was younger.”
    “So, what changed?”
    “I spent two years in Africa.”
    “Missionary work?”
    “Yeah, but it wasn’t one of those ‘go in and convert the natives’ things.” He shifted a little, shoulder still pressed against the door frame. “I mean, it was, but we were also helping this village get on its feet after one of the civil wars. Putting in some wells and things like that.”
    “So Peace Corps type work.”
    “You could call it that.” His eyes lost focus. “And it’s another world over there, you know? People dying of things we don’t even think about anymore.” He swallowed, and I thought he might’ve shuddered. “I’ll never forget this kid I met there. By the time he was eight years old, he could handle an AK-47 and he’d helped bury most of his own family, but he’d never tasted clean water.”
    “Oh man.” I swallowed. “I can’t even imagine.”
    “No, you definitely can’t unless you’ve seen it.” Darren shuddered. “So anyway, some of the guys I was with, they were talking one night about how blessed we all