By The Light Of The Exit Sign

Yesterday before dinner Hubby Tony and I walked up to church, where I installed the week's slide show of activities on the three monitors placed around the campus. I realized that I had gotten one of the slides wrong, so after dinner I drove back up to correct the mistake.

Thanks to the time change it was already dark at 6:30 pm.  Although the parking lot was half full from a soccer game going on, there was no volleyball practice in the parish center gym.  The building was dark and the door was locked. I let myself in with my limited access key and had started messing with the TV screen in the lobby when I heard a tap on the door.  When I looked up I saw a man who looked to be in his late 60s or early 70s motioning at me to let him in. Although we live in a safe area I momentarily hesitated, but that seemed rude. After a couple of seconds I decided he looked harmless and opened the door a crack.

The man explained that 'they' had talked to someone in the parish office who directed them to this building.  He said they were getting married in the church this weekend, and wanted to practice their dance for the reception in the multipurpose room tonight.  Could they?

I was torn about what to do.  On the one hand I'd be leaving in just a couple of minutes and the couple would be alone in the building.  On the other hand he didn't look like he could cause any problems, most of the building was behind a locked door, and there would be some evening meetings starting at 7:00.  I told him I though it was a beautifully romantic idea.  The man stuck his head out of the door and yelled over to his fiancee to come in. Several minutes later the woman (who looked to be about the same age as the man) arrived carrying a small boom box.

They thanked me profusely.  I left the building as they were headed towards the multipurpose room, and I said a quick prayer that I had done the right thing.  As I drove away I realized that the room would be pretty dark.  Its overhead lights are controlled by a timer, although there are a couple of dim emergency lights and two large plate glass windows on the north side of the building that would let in some light from the parking lot. 

I had another errand to run, and after I finished it my curiosity got the better of me.  I had to see what was going on, so I drove through the church parking lot, stopping at one of the large windows. Sure enough, I could see the couple dancing in the middle of the room.

Five years ago today: Emergency Or Scam?