You both rode your bicycles
to the small church
along the lane
and parked your bikes
against a tree
in the churchyard
out of sight from the lane
will there be anyone in there?
Milka asked
as you tried
the old wooden door
don't think so
people only come here
one Sunday in the month
you said
you opened the door
and walked in
it smelt of damp
and oldness
and no one was there
you walked up the aisle
and looked at the old pews
and stained glass windows
people still come here?
she said
guess so
you said
kind of old isn't it
you stood looking
back at her
her dark hair
brought into a ponytail
her jeans and green top
do you like the place?
you said
for what?
she said
to visit
you said
been to better places
she said moodily
thought you
were going to take me
somewhere
we could be alone
and kiss and such
she added
looking around the church
we are alone
you said
yes but hardly
the place to kiss
and do things
she said
we can kiss here
you said
then what?
she said
she walked down the aisle
looking about the place
you watched her
we could have ridden
to the pond place
and did more
she said
let's just sit
and get the feel
of the place
you said
she reluctantly walked
back to you
and you sat in
one of the pews together
I wonder how many couples
have walked down
this aisle as man and wife?
you said
a few unfortunate couples
I guess
she said
you smiled
some make a go of it
you said
don't get any ideas
she said
I'm not ready
for that stuff yet
do your brothers
still needle you
about going out
with me?
you asked
not any more
they got bored with it
in the end
besides you're
their friend
and I’m just their sister
they said
you ought to see a quack
after going out with
she said unsmiling
and my mother
trusts me with you
which is annoying
why annoying?
I wanted her to be worried
that I was doing things
and have her look at me
like I was a no good whore
you laughed
what for?
to see her reaction
she trusts me
you said
well she shouldn't
Milka said
not after
what we have been up to
it's not always
what you do
it's what people think you
do that makes them
judged you
you said
I don't like this place
she said
let's go elsewhere
ok
you said
and so you got out
of the pews
and walked out
of the church
and got on your bikes
and rode off
into the Saturday morning air
giving her moving hips
as she rode
a happy stare.