Fated Dinner Part 1:

Chapter 13

Part IV: Dinner

Chapter 1:

"You should order some food, it'll combat all that alcohol you've been drinking. You've got an appointment at four, right?"

"…Yeah, how did you know that?"

"I know you as no one has ever known you, Katherine. I know the pain you're hiding from right now, and I know what you're trying to run away from."

Katherine couldn't look at him. She didn't know who this man was, or why he was so interested in her. The man waved a hand to a waitress, who brought over two coffees. Katherine almost asked for another beer before the man looked at her, slightly cross.

"I think you've had quite enough, don't you?"

"Not really," she said, trying to put on a brave face.

He sighed, saying, "Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler; whoever is lead astray by them is not wise."

She c****d her head at him slightly.

"What is that, Socrates?"

"Proverbs."

"Oh…"

"You have often claimed to know the word of God, but when was the last time you actually opened up a bible? When did you last attend service, or even pray?"

"What is your point?!"

"My point," he said, eyes darkening. "Is that you have abandoned the LORD, your God. You seek love and compassion in the hearts of man, they who love themselves before all others, instead of the one who loves you most of all."

"You want me to praise God?!" she said, growing angry with this man. "Where was God when my child died! Where was he when I wanted to die?!"

The man looked her squarely in the eye, and spoke calmly, even pleasantly.

"Where he always has been. Watching over you, and your child. He took that life to his chest and loved them. As you broke his heart in trying to kill yourself, he placed the urge upon your friend to check on you, and end up saving your life."

"I don't believe you," she said, lying.

She knew this man wasn't lying, wasn't even capable of lying. But if he was telling the truth, then it meant accepting what this was, and she couldn't do that.

"I AM the truth, Katherine. You ask how I know these things, how I know you. I am he who knew you before you were in the womb. I am the one who has seen every moment of your life before you have even lived it. I am the one who loves you beyond all else."

He handed one of the cups of coffee to Katherine, and as she took it, she saw his palm had a hole in it, the size of a very large nail.

"You… You're not…"

"I am that I am, child. You feel abandoned, and like you are in pain, unloved and uncared for."

Tears broke from the corners of her eyes. He had no right, no damn right!

"Asshole!"

"You lash out because you want it to make sense, but you cannot understand the plans of heaven by thinking of them with an earthly perspective. How can the ant grasp how large the oak tree is? How can you grasp the plans of God when you do not want to leave the earth?"

Katherine stared at him, knowing every word he spoke was true and she broke down, sobbing. The man stood, and put his hoodie around her shoulders, rubbing her arms gently. Despite her anger, her rage and her grief, she couldn't help feeling relaxed, even loved.

"I am he who has seen your pain, child, felt it as my own and bore it for you. Do not think you must suffer alone, either on earth or in my father's kingdom."

"Why did this all happen to me?" she asked, holding herself under the dark hoodie.

"Everything happens exactly as it must. You have made yourself reliant on no one, because you feared weakness, but just because you are strong, does not make you invincible. You are a powerful woman, crafted in love to be entirely unique. Tom was not the one who was chosen to be yours, but that does not mean that there is no man for you."

"Sure feels like that."

"And so it should. If there was no pain, everyone would destroy themselves. Most do anyway. You will get through this though, child, and I am here to help you, as are many others."

"But how do I know they won't hurt me too?"

"How do you know that the sun shall rise in the morning? How do you know that the earth is round?"

She trembled slightly.

"…Faith…"

He smiled, took a sip of his coffee and straightened.

"Do not forget the light when you are in the darkness my child, it is the only thing that keeps the shadows at bay. If you do not hold it within your heart, they will consume you."

Katherine cried softly, drinking the coffee he had left for her. She knew he was right, and that she had a lot of work to do on herself, but somehow… she knew she could do it. Perhaps it was because she didn't have to do all by herself anymore, and that was perfectly ok.

She felt a true relaxation come over her, and felt herself slowly grow very, very sleepy. Until her head hit the table.

"You ok, sweetie?"

Katherine sat up quickly, feeling very awake. Glancing around, she saw she was sat at the bar, empty beer bottle in hand. She looked up into the face of the bartender.

"Think you've had enough for now, you need the number for the cab?"

"Yeah," said Katherine, feeling the alcohol slowing her brain. "Please. I think I had a bit too much."

As she stood, she stretched, feeling the soreness in her muscles. The bartender gave her a number and she pulled out her cell phone. As she began to dial the number, she paused, instead dialing her mother.

She picked up on the second ring.

"Hey kitten," she said, the smile evident in her voice. "What's going on?"

"Hey mom," she said. "I was wondering if you could come pick me up? There's some things I want to talk to you about. A lot's happened recently and I was… wondering if maybe you could pray with me."

"Of course baby, I'll be right there."