The Sweet Escape-Jude

[Hannah Lynn (DELETED 8242)]

Hair l Wearing


Cake was on the agenda tonight in a bakery in the Honeymead area after securing the get together through email. Hannah had seen it once or twice before on her drives to the northern part of the city to do some climbing and hiking the rare few times she had a day or two off in a row. They both needed an escape from life, if only for an hour or two, for different reasons. Him; because of the things going on with his family, and her; because of the things going on at work...Or more specifically the demanding schedule.

Not a lot of thought was put into her wardrobe for the encounter with Jude today. Her hair was braided earlier in the day to keep her shoulders, back and neck cool from the summer heat. A few loose strands were tucked away with a bobby pin or two as to touch up the braid. Sandals adorned her feet, having been in tennis shoes most the day, as to allow them the freedom most, if not all feet appreciated in the summer time. An eternity bracelet, a matching gift Hannah had sent her sister last month as some sort of special meaning between the two girls, a pair of sunglasses and a sundress, complimented with a belt, as to keep the rest of her body cool in the summer heat. A purse a shade lighter than the belt was stuffed with her phone, wallet, the business card she got from Takano, lime flavored chapstick and a bottle of water before Hannah gave her two cats their typical parting pat and set off for her meet up with Jude at the infamous bakery that was known for its kolackies.

After finding a parking spot across the street, Hannah locked the car up and crossed the street after a few cars passed. Her sandals occasionally flopped against the concrete, a testament to the fact that the woman seldom wore those types of shoes before she slowed her pace as she came to the glass door with the bakery's logo and name on it. Eyes peered inside to look for Jude as Hannah entered, but came up empty. The strong scent of the wide variety of cakes and pastries didn't go amiss and her eyes wandered to the glass cases that held what the bakery had to offer within them. She never really did solidify a time with Jude, but she knew he would be here. And so, Hannah grabbed a small circular table near the right side of the bakery, placed her purse on the surface of the table and crossed her arms over it as she waited for Jude to arrive.

[Judah Marck]

As Jude finished up the last of his work for the night, filing a stack of documents back into the appropriate places, he began to consider whether he should have asked Hannah out for lunch instead. The sun was going down, the roads no longer shimmering with the summer heat and yet still the scents of it hovered in the air. His fingertips slipped beneath the collar of his shirt, tugging gently at the tightness where it pressed to his throat, stifling even in the cool airconditioning of his office. At work he wore a long black shirt with the customary white clerical collar, at the church he was Pastor Jude. He clocked out with a final note to his assistant who was going to lock up for him and slipped back into his office to change.

Smart jeans, rolled at the cuff, a printed shirt and a pair of light sneakers. Colour in his clothing and arms bared was a way of separating himself from his work, though he carried the principles he taught with him Jude still liked to feel like an individual. His left arm was heavily tattooed, all done within a four month period when he'd taken time away from his job, from his faith and decided to mark his body with his passions and his pain. It had helped.

Getting to the bakery didn't take long, he wasn't sure about the exact time they were meeting, it was a detail he'd forgot to note and so he felt a burst of surprise and glee when he saw Hannah was already there. It was followed, all too swiftly, by a nervous concern that he'd left her waiting and she might be annoyed at him. Jude approached with an open, albeit sheepish, smile. "Hannah... Am I late? Sorry, I totally blanked on picking a time, huh?" He laughed, pulling out a seat and dropping into it, foot tapping lightly with some of the remaining energy from his walk over. "You look lovely, so bright and summery." He remarked idly, already peering eagerly over at the display of cakes and baked goods they had to offer that day.

[Hannah Lynn (DELETED 8242)]

Hannah wasn't one to mind waiting, especially since she gave such a loose time frame. It was a night off, and so she tended to make the most of her nights off. Staying up later that she typically did, watching a program or two she had recorded earlier in the week, reading more chapters in a book than normal...things that made her day and nights off worth it. The money was nice and all, given the apparently almost unlimited overtime, but what was the point in having it, if you couldn't spend the money on things other than utilities and food?

When Jude entered the bakery, Hannah smiled and gave a small wave. The first thing she noticed was his bright style of clothing choice, followed by a tattoo she hadn't remembered before. Or maybe she hadn't noticed it being so large. Regardless, it had her attention for a few seconds before her eyes returned to his face as Jude moved to sit with her. She shook a head, smile still on her face, before assuring him he was fine. "My fault! I sort of left things casual. And no, I've only been here a couple minutes." Hannah's eyes glanced down to what she was wearing and nodded her head. "And thanks. Honestly, I got this last year back home when it was on clearance." She admitted with a small laugh. "I haven't had much, or any time to adapt my wardrobe since I've moved here." As she talked more, anyone would be able to hear that there was a foreign pitch and tone to her voice. Some accents more harsh on the beginning of the word, or towards the end of the word. "The humidity in Harper Rock isn't nearly as bad." Hannah moved the purse she had set on the table to her lap as her eyes roamed once again to the glass case. "What would you suggest as a thing I have to try here?" She wanted their time, however brief it might be, to be as laid back as possible without having to talk about things Jude didn't want to discuss.

[Judah Marck]

Jude's choice of shirt wasn't utterly usual for him, but it was sunny and helped improve his disposition after a trying few months. He had things to be grateful for, but in times of hardship and loss it was difficult to remind himself of that, sometimes you just needed to brighten up your life and that was what he was choosing to do. "Well, look at us, both too busy for the finer details."[/color He gave a laugh, hand slipping over his arm as she glanced it, rubbing briefly at the mostly vibrant tattoos that decorated the majority of it. "You look lovely, either way, Hannah so don't stress it. Time is a rare commodity these days, right? I'm glad you were able to make some to indulge, trust me, it's worth it!" He beamed, eyes returning to gaze longingly at the cakes display.

He'd been here many times over the years, with his wife, his son, with his family and friends. It held memories of laughter and hushed whispers over hot chocolate, linked hands resting atop the table and lips tasting of chocolate. They were good memories, bittersweet in some ways but this seemed an appropriate place to come if they were going to discuss the current issues and no doubt, some of the past.

"Their peppermint hot chocolate is incredible, but my favourite is the Turkish Delight. Dark hot chocolate, with rose syrup. It's delicious. The cakes are always good but the carrot cake, I know that sounds weird, but with the cream cheese frosting it's amazing! If you're a chocolate girl, the chocolate fudge cake is amazing or their apple pie is the most comforting thing ever." The woman behind the counter overheard his enthusiastic spiel and laughed, seemingly pleased someone was doing her job. She was an older woman, had worked there for years and recognised Pastor Jude. In fact, she'd joined his Church after a particularly impassioned discussion and often brought him something along when she managed to make it. "What takes your fancy, Hannah? Maybe we should look at the milkshakes, it is hot after all. You're right about the humidity, it isn't so bad. I've lived in Nevada and California, that's a whole other kind of heat again."

[Hannah Lynn (DELETED 8242)]

Hannah smiled and nodded at Jude's statement of being too busy. He really had no idea. Between a job that gave her ten...sometimes eleven hour shifts and then the task she was assigned with completing...busy was probably an honest understatement of Hannah's life at the current time frame. Things, she wouldn't say, outside of the work is keeping me crazy busy. It wasn't a lie; both her professional and personal life required Hannah to 'work.'

Her eyes moved to the cocoa machine, Hannah keeping that in mind for a time and day when the weather wasn't so warm. Some people could drink coffee, tea and cocoa's all year round, but Hannah seemed to only like them when the weather called for such things. Everything Jude shared was considered and weighed on by preference of season and particular tastes. Hannah had never been one to enjoy carrots in her cake, but if the cake had cream cheese, then it might not be so bad. Chocolate had never been a secret indulgent of Hannah's, so the apple pie was sounding like the winner given she liked apples, and pie and on an underlying note, the promise of something comforting was a sure seller.

Her eyes returned to Jude when she heard a question, followed by her name. The casual mention of a milkshake due to the warm weather wouldn't go amiss, and even caused her to nod her head. "I think a vanilla milkshake with a slice of apple pie sounds fantastic." It was pretty much an all American thing, she figured...pie and ice cream go side by side; something her sister never really understood or got behind. They differed not only in looks significantly, but in their tastes as well.

"Nevada and California?" Hannah asked, the tone implying that there might be some confusion, or he might need to tell a story, to which she added, "Yet, we're here in Canada. That's quite a change." She laughed after stating the obvious before shaking her head. "We all come from somewhere, I guess. No need to tell me every little detail about your life...Yet." Hannah smiled wider before she slowly stood up and grabbed a small clutch from her purse. "How about you? What tickles your fancy tonight?" Her eyes moved to the case of delicious bakery sweets as the woman made her way to the counter to place the order.

[Judah Marck]

Apple pie and a vanilla milkshake, that made him smile. It was a solid choice, so very American though, or at least that's what he felt about it. "Yeah..." He laughed, "Wouldn't peg me for a Cali boy, huh? I was born in Nevada but spent a lot of formative years in Harper Rock and in California. I have been back here permanently for quite a few years... But you're right, no need to know my life story, it's complicated at best." His tone was cheery, vaguely sheepish as he rose along with her, considering the question. "Pie sounds good and a milkshake sounds good, but i'm going to be a total weirdo and get a choc mint shake instead." He laughed, grabbing his wallet from his pocket as he joined her, waving idly at her purse. "Please, it's your first time here, let me treat you."

The older woman behind the counter smiled at Hannah and proceeded to greet Judah with a rush of warm, motherly German, tutting at him as she grabbed his cheeks and pinched lightly. He took it with grace, laughing and placing his hands over hers, giving them a squeeze as he gave her their order and then in English asked, "How are you, Helga? This is Hannah, she's a new friend." Helga looked between them, brows raised before relaxing into another warm smile. "Lovely Hannah, welcome!" Her expression faltered, voice lowering as she answered his question, "Oh, Pastor Jude, things are ok but I have to tell you..." She'd paused, looking dismayed, "I think I am to sell the bakery. My husband is not well, and he needs more care, I can not keep working as I have been. It makes me sad, but perhaps the new owners will let me work part-time for them, who knows?" There was a touch of hope in her voice but it was fleeting, trying to put on a brave face even in times of trouble.

Jude's hand took hers, clasping it. "We will work it out, come by the Church tomorrow before your shift and i'll help you look over things. Your community is with you, Helga." His expression was all patience, open and earnest as the older woman placed her free hand over heart and made her agreement. "Sit, sit, you two I will bring you your sweets." Jude pressed a bill across the counter, which she tutted at but took, knowing better than to argue. Jude shrugged apologetically at Hannah, without any explanation. This was his life, his role even within his own family. The problem solver, the one to turn to in times of trouble or when one needed a clearer picture. Jude had a terrible habit of adopting people, of taking on their burdens like his shoulders could carry the world and he hid his weariness behind a goofy grin. "God's work, and all that..." He whispered to her, without much conviction.

[Hannah Lynn (DELETED 8242)]

Hannah smiled at the 'weirdo' comment, only because that word made an appearance from her choice of words every now and again. She thought most people sort of forgot that word existed, or tend to not use it since it wasn't a very 'grown-up' word. At least that's what she had been told in some sort of aspect by her dad when Hannah told him about the 'weirdo' hanging around campus at odd hours of the day while she lived on campus during her uni years. Apparently she was supposed to use something more refined, or just not use the word at all.

Hannah gave the woman a small wave of her left hand as Helga addressed Hannah, right before the older woman started 'heckling' over Jude. The pastor comment didn't go amiss, and even got a quirk of Hannah's brow in his direction before it faded as quick as it rose due to the seriousness the conversation took between Jude; Pastor Jude that was, and Helga. There was a glimmer of hope in the woman's eyes and words as she mentioned new owners and desiring to work part-time, but Hannah had the feeling that new owners meant they would want to do things their way and maybe not Helga's way. Which would be a shame, because everything looked delicious and smelled wonderful.

There was the mention of the church for the second time tonight by Jude; once to her and once to Helga and Hannah realized now the possible correlations of him wanting to probably meet there. He probably had a very busy schedule for starters and another possibility was the fact that maybe, just maybe, meeting someone that wasn't part of his church in public was frowned upon. Not being an overly religious person, Hannah really had no idea how much his personal life was really personal; or at least allowed to be personal. Some jobs have very little balance, or blended together like that.

She nodded in thought at his statement and then pointed at the air between them. "Thank, you Jude. For the pie and the shake. Erm, is this okay? Us being here?" Hannah asked, a hand making a circular motion around the bakery's proximity. "I had no idea that you were a pastor." She said with a small shrug of her shoulders. "That's okay that you are. I don't mean anything by it. I mean, are there rules for this sort of thing? Could you get in trouble?" She took a small step towards the table she had been sitting at, but hadn't made a move to sit, until she was positive he wasn't going to get any flack for having pie with, well, virtually a stranger.

[Judah Marck]

As was habitual he waited until she had sat, ensuring she was comfortably tucked in before he took his own seat across from her, folding one leg across the other so his ankle rest against his knee and his hands clasped each other atop the table almost in the pose of someone used to prayer or great lengths of time sitting to think. Was this okay, she had asked, a question which had Jude giving her a perplexed expression and trying to ascertain her meaning. Ah, of course, he hadn't disclosed much to her about himself in the grand scheme of things. They'd spoken a bit and met once before, but it was a setting that had allowed for idle chit chat rather than getting to know you discussions. "You are quite welcome, and yes. This is totally cool, Hannah, though I mean i've broken enough rules to last me a lifetime and i'm still the Senior Pastor. St.Johannes is mine, as much as a Church can really belong to anyone, we are Lutheran." What he didn't mention was the great many shakes his faith had been given over the years, and how he wasn't entirely sure he believed in a god at all anymore, let alone one that would be petty enough to get mad over something as small as a tattoo or having pie with a pretty woman.

"I'm allowed to have friends, i'm allowed to date and while certain things are frowned upon i've proven myself enough to get the tiniest bit of a break. Believe me, people weren't super pleased when I came back after a few months away on mission with a sleeve of tattoos. That was... Interesting, but even that is becoming more acceptable in some churches." He rubbed his arm again, fingertips settling against the underside of his bicep, a flower with a beautifully realistic blue eye inside it tattooed there and it seemed to comfort him somewhat to trace the shape of it. "I guess we hardly know anything about each other. Maybe we should play twenty questions over pie, or you can just tell me a little about yourself?" He unclasped his hands, stretching one out across the table with his trademark grin in place, teeth flashing pearly white under the bakery lights. "Nice to meet you, i'm Judah Gasto Ric von der Marck, i'm twenty nine and the Senior Pastor at St.Johannes. I have a son named Augustine, I like to travel, play music and the study of history and theology. I'm a total dork, and you can just call me Jude." His hand waited for her to shake it, brown eyes full of amusement.

[Hannah Lynn (DELETED 8242)]

Hannah was sitting before Jude started breaking down her questions. When he did, she smiled, simply because she was pleased to hear that this wasn't going to upset anyone. Her eyes fell on the tattoo, noticing how he was rubbing at it as he spoke. Hannah would wait to see if he expanded on the tattoo, or not. He didn't, which was fine with her. While Hannah didn't have any tattoos, she understood how a great majority of people got them because of some sense of symbolism or meaning.

When the hand was extended and more words rolled off Jude's tongue, the tattoo was all but forgotten for the moment. She extended her own hand while listening and took everything in that he said. "Wow. That's quite an impressive last name." She said with a small laugh, before following Jude's lead. "I'm Hannah Woods. A twenty-eight year old Physical Therapist. No kids, but two cats. Magnolia and Amarillo, both aptly named for their coloring or markings." She paused thinking about her 'likes' or things she's done, as her hand remained nestled in Jude's hand, the shake probably lasting a little longer than it should due to her thinking. "I can't say I've traveled much-there are a few places on my bucket list, I guess you could say, but I guess you could say I enjoy the outdoors. I like hiking, rock climbing, and dare I even admit to...liking fishing?" She laughed before slowly pulling her hand back and allowing it to rest on her lap. Her younger sister would scold her for admitting such things, convincing Hannah those things weren't things that expressed femininity; more specifically her femininity, which apparently was something that needed to be displayed with the opposite gender. So, for the sake of getting her sister's annoying chiding out of her head, Hannah added in one more thought. "I like to read too. Realistic fiction mostly. I could sit in a boat for hours on a lake and just soak in the sun." She admitted as Helga returned with their orders, Hannah not yet making a move for either item yet.

"Your tattoo is...amazing. It must have taken a long time to get done." She commented, because it really was a wonderful, and colorful and deserved some attention before they progressed to a different topic. "I have to ask...since it's not a typical choice...How did you know that being a pastor was what you wanted to do with your life?" Hannah then moved to collect a fork and cut a small piece off of it before it found its way inside her mouth. She chewed it down before making a comment. "Oh, wow! This is really, really good." Hannah's blue eyes bounced, clearly pleased with the suggestion he made, and the choice she went with.

[Judah Marck]

Her hand was warm in his as he held it, no great surprise considering the weather but the weight of it was a comfort, Jude making no move to pull his back until she did. They shook, but it wasn't like two people meeting for the first time, that was a feeling that once gone was hard to get back. Oh, you could still get nervous or excited about seeing them, you could feel that strange fluttering feeling if you were still getting to know that person or perhaps had feelings that extended beyond the realm of friendship but fresh start? Brand new? That was a one time thing, and it was precious, even if it didn't go according to plan.

He'd figured she had to be close in age to him, she had a certain maturity about her and awareness of herself that only came with age. A cat person? He laughed, smiling at her words and taking in the little details as if he might need to commit them to memory to pull out like interesting pieces of trivia.

Hannah seemed uncertain about admitting her enjoyment of the outdoors, reluctant to impart that particular piece of information and Jude couldn't help but wonder why. His family often spent time outside, even if it was just to go to the park or go swimming, to do some physical activity. In California he'd grab his skateboard and roam the streets with Louvel, they'd go down to the beach and laze about all afternoon, perhaps play with a frisbee or toss a ball. As adults they'd both traveled a lot, though Louvel definitely took the rode less traveled over luxury and Jude on occasion liked a nice hotel room with fluffy white towels. In that respect he was a happy medium between Louvel of extreme adventure, and Gregor the king of comfort. There was a pang at the thought of his young cousin, of thinking of the two of them in the same line of thought.

He committed himself to focusing on Hannah's words, ensuring he heard each one before choosing to reply though she'd immediately tucked into her pie and he couldn't blame her. Jude, too, took a bite of his making a pleased noise of agreement. "Mm, right? So good..." She'd commented on his tattoo, and he glanced at it then, considering it. "Thanks, it was the last one I got. The piano was first, then the portrait and the flowers to tie it together and then this was for Anna. My wife." He clarified in an offhanded manner, his own brown eyes were warm, open in the way they looked at her as it reassure that it wasn't a taboo topic, Jude tended to be a fairly open book.

"I wasn't always sure, about being a Pastor, I mean when I was younger I was. My immediate family were religious, a lot of the others still carried it as tradition rather than genuine belief but it was a part of my life for a long time. I love languages, and history, I love studying different cultures and belief systems so Theology really appealed to me. I also did some psychology as part of it, which is where I met Anna, actually." He'd paused to take another bite of pie and a good sip or two of milkshake, it was good and exactly what he needed. "Let's just say i've had my fair share of youthful mistakes, and fun. I almost got kicked out of seminary school for my halloween costume... You'd think Jesus would be a good choice. Maybe not performing rock songs on stage with my best friend, Austin, dressed as Freddie Mercury." Jude's laughter was hearty, his grin cheeky and boyish. He adjusted a bracelet on his wrist, a simple band with a name plate that read W.W.J.D, it was a present given to him as a joke. "I considered leaving, not carrying on with my studies, some things really shook my faith but no matter what i'm GOOD at this, Hannah. People listen to me, they let me try and give a bit of my light to them, to inspire and it's rewarding. Some people have nothing, and I can give them a sense of community, of belonging and teach them the importance not of being utterly pious and perfect, but being moral and considerate."

Jude spoke with passion, with enthusiasm that had his cheeks lightly flushed and a sparkle in his gaze. He loved it, he loved that feeling of being a part of something, of being able to give knowledge and understanding, of helping people with their problems. Being needed. "It's about a lot more than believing in a God... Besides, I get to sing and play music, I get to expression my passion and love for life every day. I need it, that belief in something." His smile faltered, shifting to an expression that was almost bashful, a sheepish sort of shy turn of the head. "You know, there are a few good places to go fishing around here, and hiking... If you need a friend to show you, just want to hang out... Hannah, you seemed sort of uncomfortable mentioning it though. Why is that?"