Page 28 of Bless This Hot Mess

“It doesn’t take much actually,” Ronald shot him a flirty grin.

“To Jesus!” Japheth finished, beaming right back and having totally missed the cue,as usual.

“What do you say?” Rebekkah cleared her throat. “Ronald?”

Ronald dribbled the ball a few times, then stopped, staring at them, “I’m thinking…”

The ball came to a halt. He looked at them both one last time. “I can’t.”

“What? Why?!” Japheth and Rebekkah chorused.

Ronald sighed, catching the ball and holding it under one arm. He looked down for a moment, as if searching for the right words, “I love to sing. But I alsolovebasketball. When I entered that talent show, I had to think hard about what I love most and what I’m best at.” He took a breath, eyes softening, “What you’re proposing is really tempting. And not just because I think you’re both fine. Believe me, I can see it all. Us. Together, doing this.”

Rebekkah blushed, “Wait, what? Really?”

Ronald looked up at her through his lashes, the hint of a grin playing at the corners of his mouth, “Yeah, you guys are kinda adorable in a weird, churchy way.”

Rebekkah beamed, then quickly recovered, adopting a serious tone, “I think you’re cute too. Like, absolutely, positively, one hundred percent cute. More than baby ducks.Verycute.”

“And that’s what makes this so hard,” Ronald continued, holding up a hand before they could say anything more. “Because I can see us, all together, even if it’s just singing. But… I’ve got a try-out for the Harlem Globetrotters tomorrow. That’s why I’ve been out here driving to the hoop every day. I’ve already got my bus ticket. I leave tomorrow evening.”

“So, driving to the hoop is a real basketball thing?” Japheth blurted, his heart sinking. “And you’ve got like an… audition?”

“Like a try-out,” Ronald corrected, his face earnest.

Rebekkah’s smile faltered, “But… is there anything we can do or say to change your mind? Anything at all?”

“Anything?” Japheth offered.

Ronald shook his head, “I’m sorry. You seem like very nice White people. Strange but not scary.”

“Thank you…?” Rebekkah managed, unsure if she should feel flattered or insulted.

Ronald gave them a small, apologetic smile. “It was nice meeting you both. I was just messing with you earlier. Everyone on the planet knows who Jesus is. I just don’t believe in religion, but hey, good luck with that radio thing.”

And just like that, Ronald was gone, sneakers squishing on the asphalt as he dribbled the basketball, disappearing down the court without a backwards glance.

Japheth watched him go, the weight of disappointment heavy on his heart. “That’s… it?”

Rebekkah’s face twisted in confusion, mirroring Japheth’s disbelief. “What just happened?”

“I don’t understand,” Japheth said, throwing his hands up in the air. “We… we giddied-up. We let God! I climbed that step ladder…”

Rebekkah nodded solemnly, “All the way up to the highest shelf.”

“Where it wasdusty!” Japheth added, incredulously.

“And precarious,” Rebekkah sighed, shaking her head, “on that rickety ladder.”

“And we opened up that dream again,” Japheth continued, his voice taking on a disbelieving edge, “We said, okay, You’ve got a plan for us? We’re game. We’ll play.”

Rebekkah’s voice was tight with frustration, “And we show up here and not only can Ronald sing, but he can alsosang! And he’s magic! He can fly.”

“And hold up those shorts with… with… wellmagic!” Japheth added, his voice cracking slightly. He let out an exaggerated sigh, “And we werethisclose to a threesome, which was totally unexpected.”

“I nearly fainted,” Rebekkah admitted, her hand fluttering to her chest.

“And then he just… leaves?” Japheth threw his arms out, utterly baffled. “I mean, he was here and thengone.”