Ellie Mason

BEING born and raised in a christian house hold my father always reminded us to be careful of our surrounding and to not fall into temptation. What is temptation anyway? Is that like eating an ice cream when you know you’ve already had one, or is it when someone offers you a beer and you take it. I know what it means- generally- anyways, but then he’d say something very peculiar. “Ella any times when temptation is near the devil will soon be too.” Sound very extra right, yeah I know.

Most people think that the devil is this thing that’s painted red, has horns, and a tail all the while walking around with a pitch fork. Sorry to disappoint the devil is beautiful, a charmer, tells you exactly what it is that you want to hear. He might your next door neighbor, or he might be the weed you spend time smoking behind the school, he might even be the most attractive bad boy in town. The point is the devil is a temptress and strives to see us fall from grace. That’s what my dad says anyway who knows really, but I have a tendency to believe my father- he has never lied to me.

My father, Anthony Mason, is the pastor of a little town called Madison, in the state of Georgia, it's a very small town roughly 3,979 well- 3,780 because Mrs. Torres will be having her baby in a couple if week. Most people call him Pastor others call him Pastor Mason, but me I call him dad.

He has always been an exemplary pastor/ father for us. My father was married to great women he met her when he first opened his ministry here in Madison. She was a local women, very humble, very loyal, and successful. Eleanor Mason the pastors wife as she was known for was a very beautiful and delicate women, and I say was because she is no longer a pastors wife.

That was until she realized that a very wealthy man had came to town and offered her the world. My father and mother were married for 7 years. I like to believe that they loved each other at some point of there life, but he wasn’t enough for her. I was 14 when she decided that she no longer wanted to be married to my father, and Jack- well- he was 19. My father always made it a priority to make us understand that it wasn’t God’s plan that they remained married and that God always has something better when one thing is taken away. To say the least my mother abandoned us for money and power, last I heard she was traveling the world with her new husband.

Dad said it didn't effect him, but their were nights when I’d climb down stairs and he’d be in prayer. I sit by the stairs for hours listening how he prayed for each one of his flocks and lastly he’d pray for my mother, for her- redemption- he made it clear all he wanted was for our mother to come back home and remind me and Jack that she loved us, but it seems as if dad has been praying for four years now and nothing has happened.

Growing up being a pastors kids was tough we were always expected to do the right thing and act the right way. Why? Oh, well because in such a small town, like Madison, everyone knows everyone business. It seem like in places like this gossips spreads a lot more wilder than fire its self as if the towns people thrive off it. For a while when my mother left we were the talk of the town so people would say that my dad would beat my mother, others would say that had an affair, and other- well they’d say he was the one who hand an affair. Dad, well dad, was unbothered by it he didn’t care. The Mason family didn’t care about rumors in general we were stronger than that.

Me and my brother, Jackson Mason, use to go to public school when we were little,but the kids use to make fun of us. They would call us names like; goody goodies, they would make fun of our parents, and they would make fun of us because our father use to use me and my brother as examples during all of his sermons. It wasn’t until my brother actually punched like two kids in the face because they were bothering me that my father decided that it was time to be home schooled. The good thing about that is that I’ve never been hurt, or betrayed, or even cried which I’m grateful that pain does not come easy to the Mason family.

So, here I am a 18 year old virgin who has never even been looked at in a romantic way or even asked out on a date because everyone is to terrified of my father, but that’s okay. Its doesn’t bother me primary because I love what I do; the choir, the youth groups, the bible study lessons its all my favorite and I wouldn’t change it for nothing in the world. Me and boys, being my brother and father, well were stronger than ever.

I was brought back to the sermon when dad called my name, “When Ellie and Jack were just kids as most of you know my wife left me for what ever the reason might be, but God and my children were what keep me going. Forgiveness brothers and sisters that is what I’m referring to here.” I smiled at my father when I felt a hand cover mine. I turned to see Jack sitting right next me and smiled at him.

When the service had finally wrapped up I went to the back of the church into the little music room dad had set up for me.

Playing the piano was one of my favorite things to due sometimes when I felt lonely I would come back here and play for hours. I sat on he bench and ran my fingers over the keys making the room fill up with the roaring sound of the beautiful instrument. Inhaling and exhaling I began to play the song I remember my mother would sing to put me to bed.

On Monday he gave me the gift of love,

Tuesday peace came from above,

Wednesday he told me to have more faith,

And on Thursday he brought me the gift of grace.

And then on Friday he told me “Watch and pray”,

And then on Saturday what to say,

On Sunday he gave me the power divine

To let my little light shine.This Little Light Of Mine,

I’m gonna let it shine,

This Little Light Of Mine,

I’m gonna let it shine,

This Little Light Of Mine,

Yes, I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine Let it shine, Let it shine

I had my eyes closed when I heard a shuffle behind me when I turned I saw Jack walking next to me, "Hey sis." He tapped my shoulder and pointed to the bench. Understanding that he wanted to sit I scooched over and he sat next to me, "Ellie."

"I know what your going to say Jackie, but is it wrong to miss her even if she did leave us." she tuned at saw Jack looking down at the piano keys.

He pressed one and then another, "No its not wrong, but understand she isn't coming back you have to make peace with that. Your not a child anymore it would be unfair for me lie to you." He wrapped his arms around me shoulders well I laid my head on his.

"What if she does want to come back, but she's to embarrassed. God say's we have to forgive the people who hurt us. Especially our parents." I said looking up at his face.

He looked down at her eyes and saw the sincerity in them, "Dad wants to see us in the temple he wants to introduce us to a new kid that just got to town." I looked up at him with confusion.

"New kid we never get new kids here. What's his name?" She asked as he took her hand looped it around his elbow.

"Uh, I'm not sure I think he said something like Charlie Hayes He's from like London or France something like that." I smiled internally because I love knew people. As a matter of fact my job is to make them feel as welcome as possibly. I was like the welcome committee for the whole town its true the Mayor himself had said so.

"Oh sounds exotic." I replied when I saw him for the firs time, and boy was dad right wherever temptation appeared the devil would soon too because -well- charlie might be the devil himself in disguise.