Glass Hearts [BL] Chapter 48: Miracles Happen

I wiped my cheeks on my sleeves, though my skin was still damp, my eyes were gritty from crying. My legs felt like jelly as I crossed the street, drawn forward by the music.

As I stepped up the church’s stone steps, the singing grew louder.

The doors of the church were wide opened.

I hesitated at the threshold. What if I didn’t belong here? What if God didn’t want anything to do with soone like ?

Maybe, I could just try.

It was cooler inside. Inside, the sanctuary glowed. Rows of wooden pews stretched toward the altar, which was draped in soft white cloth. Stained-glass windows with pools of color onto the floor: ruby, sapphire, erald, gold.

A small choir stood to the left, swaying gently as they sang.

"You are not alone..."

My breath caught in my throat.

I slipped in as quietly as I could, edging along the wall. Nobody looked my way. Everyone seed lost in the music, heads bowed, eyes closed.

I hovered near the back, unsure what I was supposed to do.

My chest was still tight. My hands were trembling in my lap.

I bowed my head, trying to blink back new tears.

Should I kneel? Should I sit? Should I just stand here until I stopped shaking?

A woman near the aisle gave a warm, smile. She didn’t say anything... she just nodded her head, like she was telling it’s okay to be here.

And that was all it took.

For a mont, I just sat there, listening to the harmony.

I didn’t know how to pray.

Not really.

I’d never been the person who showed up to church every Sunday. Never learned the words by heart.

But sitting there, all I could think was...

Please.

Just that.

Please... don’t take my mom.

Please don’t make lose her. I don’t know how to fix this. I don’t have the money. I don’t have a plan. I’m so scared. I’m so tired. Please... help .

A tear slipped down my cheek. I wiped it away, but more kept coming.

And... I don’t know what’s happening with and Dominic. Or with at all. I think... I might be gay. Or at least I want... him. Is that wrong? Am I bad for wanting that?

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Please. Just... let keep my family. Let figure out who I am.

It wasn’t eloquent. It wasn’t even a proper prayer.

But it was honest.

My shoulders shook as I silently cried. No loud sobs this ti. Just quiet, shuddering breaths, tears soaking the back of my hand.

Nobody disturbed . Nobody stared.

The choir kept singing.

"You are not forgotten..."

A warm breeze drifted through the church doors, carrying the scent of candle wax and sothing sweet...maybe incense.

I let the music pour into the cracks inside .

I could almost believe...

That maybe there was still hope.

And then, out of nowhere, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder.

I flinched, lifting my face just enough to see the soft shape of a man’s robe beside .

Standing beside was a priest, maybe late fifties, with a kind face frad by silver hair. His brown eyes were warm and soft, like he’d seen a thousand broken hearts and still believed each one could heal.

"Hey there, son," he said quietly. "Everything will be okay."

I swallowed hard, unable to speak.

He gave a soft smile. "Stop worrying so much. Miracles happen," he said softly. "Sotis in ways you least expect. Just... don’t shut people out. Let the people who love you help. And trust that God sees your tears."

I nodded.

He patted my shoulder. "You’re gonna be alright. Just take it one day at a ti, okay?"

I nodded, blinking fast, my throat aching.

He leaned in a little closer. "And rember....sotis help cos from places you least expect."

He gave a soft, reassuring smile..a smile that made new tears spring into my eyes.

Then he squeezed my shoulder one last ti and slipped quietly away down the aisle.

I sat there a mont longer, trying to steady my breathing.

And for so reason... I felt lighter. Like maybe the universe hadn’t completely forgotten after all.

I pushed out through the heavy church doors, cool night air rushing against my skin.

My eyes were still puffy, but I wiped my face, took a deep breath, and started heading ho.

The streetlights were buzzing overhead, painting long shadows across the brick walls.

I was still replaying the priest’s words in my head, when I froze at the sight in front of my door.

Mr. Warren...my landlord, stood right there at the entrance.

Shit. The rent.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, bald, with thick black eyebrows that seed permanently angry. He was flipping through a notebook, muttering numbers under his breath.

My heart slamd into my ribs.

I’d totally, completely forgotten about rent.

I swallowed hard and forced a grin. "Uh... Mm.. Mr. Warren..."

He looked up sharply. "Rivera."

I winced. My palms were sweaty. "Listen, I... I ant to co talk to you. I’m just... things have been really crazy lately, and—"

He held up a hand, cutting off. "Relax, kid. I’m not here for you tonight."

I blinked. "You’re... not?"

Mr. Warren gave an exaggerated sigh. "Mrs. Diggs already paid two hundred bucks for you."

My mouth fell open. "Wait... what?"

He waved his notebook in the air. "Yeah. So now you’re down to four hundred you owe . I’ll be back for it in a week."

I stood there, mouth hanging open. "Mrs Diggs... she did that for ?"

Mr. Warren rolled his eyes. "Don’t make a big deal outta it. She’s always ddlin’ in everyone’s business. I’ll be back next week for the rest. Don’t make chase you."

"Thank you sir. I’ll get you the rest. I promise. I just... need a little ti."

He gave a look that said you better... then turned away, stomping down the hallway.

And imdiately started banging on the next apartnt door so hard, the wood rattled.

"Hey! Garcia ! I know you’re in there pretending you can’t hear ! Your rent is late again, lady!"

His voice echoed down the hall, as he banged on the door.

A muffled voice inside squeaked, "One more week, please!"

"Two days." Mr. Warren shouted. "Or else, I’m taking your TV!"

I stood there frozen, half horrified... half relieved.

Not because Mr. Warren was yelling at soone else.

But because...for once, it wasn’t .

And because Mrs. Diggs...

God.

She’d actually helped . The priest was right.

Help cos from places you least expect. Miracles truly happen.

I walked over to my apartnt door.

I didn’t know how the hell I’d ever pay her back.

But I knew one thing:

I was gonna be grateful for that woman forever.