The Alpha and Omega of Eve

"Calm down. We have enough for everybody!" Eve called out to the picnic-goers who were crowding around the lunch table. "Please form yourself into a ordered line and we shall serve you soon."

It was just after Sunday mass and the parish had set up its picnic. The church did this every week to relieve stress; local chefs made food to be eaten and who in turn were paid by the town's treasury. The course this week were beef sandwiches, potato salad, and corn on the cob. Which was provided by "Brandon's BBQ", a homegrown restaurant.

Eve smiled as the people controlled themselves, watching as teenagers from Appleton High gave out plates and forks. She moved herself away to get a better view. Feeling relieved at sorting out the crowd, she headed towards a rambunctious horde.

"Now please put down those juice box children! Please just take one!" Sister Thalia exclaimed. Eve rolled her eyes at the younger sister. She was only 16 years of age, and even though Eve was only three years older than the girl, Eve felt like she was Thalia's mother! Thalia was both paradoxically meek and stubborn, and Eve did sometimes feel flustered, but she was apart of the parish nonetheless

Currently the girl was trying to get ten or so kids from taking multiple juice boxes. Her stature only being 5'0 made her appear as if the children were drowning her! Thalia was probably too ashamed to get some help, which would've actually have been a sound move. Eve stalked over and quickly began to speak.

"All right! Remember the conversations we always have? Don't go acting like you lot don't know what i'm talking about!" Eve announced as a few kids shrunk into themselves. "I keep telling you the same thing and that is: there is enough for every single one. Hey don't go walking off Jake, I see you. As I keep saying, if we have leftovers we will give it to you if you ask. So any child with more than one juice box, kindly place them back."

The kids swiftly apologized to Thalia as they put down their second, or third and sometimes fourth, juice boxes onto the table. After a few minutes of that, the kids dissipated, gravitating towards their parents.

"Oh thank the Lord." Thalia proclaimed. "I'm so sorry, I thought I could handle it. But those kids kept crowding around me and I didn't...."

"Say no more, Thalia." Eve interrupted the girl "You know I'll always be there for you. And so will Mother Nikki and Sister Grace and Sister Ester."

Thalia beamed at that and Eve left to look around for any problems plaguing the picnic. Turning to her right, Eve saw Sister Ester coming towards her.

"Eve, my dear! May I ask for your favor!" Ester exclaimed. She may have been bald, and had obvious crows feet in her eyes, but the woman held a certain air of vigor around her. Her booming laugh, or playful demeanor, made anything she spoke about sound splendid.

"Sure thing, Sister Ester. What do you require?" Eve replied.

"We're out of water and the teens are occupied at the moment. May I ask that you take a few cases from the vans outside the park? I would help, but Nikki is setting up the games right now and needs me."

Eve nodded at that, to which Ester grinned widely. The half-African girl watched as the older woman made her way to the Mother of the parish. Sighing, Eve went towards her assignment.

Parked just at the outer rim of the park were three vans. And as Eve got closer, she saw that a certain boy was there.

Standing on the side of one of the vans was Beckham E. Dowd. Looking distinctive with his black pompadour, long limbs, and a hawkish nose. A senior of Appleton High, nevertheless, he was someone enamored with Eve. As she was under an oath, Eve could never recuperate his feelings. But that didn't mean she couldn't enjoy his company, even if he wasn't her type to begin with.

"Sister Eve. How are you?" Beckham spoke aloud as he saw her approach.

"I'm doing well Beckham. Are there still cases of water in one of the vans?"" Eve replied.

The boy nodded. "Do you want some help with them? It wouldn't be too much of a hassle for me."

" I would and thank you for offering." Eve made her way over to where Beckham was standing, the boy moved behind the van he was near. Opening the doors, Eve could see the water cases stacked on top of each other. Beckham and Eve worked to get them out of the van, finishing after two cases were put down.

"I think these are enough. Lets bring them back to the picnic." Eve said to Beckham. Bending down, she was about to lift one of them up but she stopped. What felt like a cold hand brushed the back of her neck. Thinking it was some joke by Beckham, Eve turned around and saw...