The gorgeous woman bolted up from her seat, blushing furiously and struggling to breathe evenly. Her eyes were wide as she covered her mouth with both hands, slowly shaking her head. She looked embarrassed, horrified, and confused simultaneously, but there was something else in her eyes, as if she had reached some breaking point and now loathed herself. As if she had lost some internal battle.

Concerned, I stepped forward, reaching to her a little. “Are…are you alright?” I asked gently.

She looked at me with mouth agape. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, though I wasn’t quite sure if she were speaking more to herself and to God than to me. She remained still for a moment, searching my face. Suddenly she snapped out of her reverie and, grabbing her bag, hastily swept out of the pew and made for the back exit.

My brow furrowed anxiously, and I followed.