is it merry (it's kind of merry)
Riley's passed Queen of Angels Church multiple times on her way to work, to the pizza place just down the road, but she has never gone in. She's not even Catholic anymore. She doesn't carry a rosary, doesn't pray, hasn't been to confession in over six years. She's not sure she even believes in any sort of deity. At least not a benevolent one.
But Christmas is coming up, and her stomach is filled with dread. No one will care if she goes in, and no one will know. So she pushes the door open and goes to sit in one of the pews.
Someone's lighting a candle in the corner, a few people are praying, even though it's past nine o'clock.
Riley sets her purse down and looks at the altar, the crucifix above, and the stained glass. It's a far cry from the church where she grew up, which makes it easier to stay. She wonders if she should pray, if anyone's even listening.
Probably not. She looks at the ground and tries to remember why she ever believed in the first place.