GRANGER TY CODY CHAPMAN - MIDNIGHT SERMON

Granger Ty Cody Chapman is a creative writer and actor who holds an Associates in Arts degree from Western Piedmont Community College. He works in writing stories, scripts, and poetry. Granger has been in over ten plays as an actor from scholar to collegiate level with an expertise in improv. He has also worked hands-on with setting up lights and working as a stagehand. Granger is knowledgeable in photo and script editing. Granger is currently enrolled in the Bachelor’s in Creative Writing for Entertainment degree program at Full Sail University located in Winter Park, Florida.

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​Midnight Sermon

​Things troubled Reverend Phillip Franks more than usual. He had been questioning his calling in life. He was the son of a preacher and following in his father’s footsteps had always seemed to be his calling. With his father’s recent retirement, Phillip questioned if this was actually his calling as well. Late on a Sunday night after his first sermon at the church, Phillip found himself driving down the lonely road to clear his head. Along his path, Reverend Phillip passed by a young woman on the side of the road with her thumb out looking for a ride. All the cars before him had passed her by, but something inside of Phillip’s head spoke to him and it said, she needs you. He would pull his pick-up over on the side of the road before exiting his vehicle without fear. The same voice that had spoken to him to tell him that this woman needed him was reassuring him that he was safe.
            “Hey, ma’am, is there anything that I can help you with?” he asked.
            The woman turned to look at Phillip and for the first time he was able to see her face in full detail. She was a beautiful, pale woman even with tear stains running down her cheek.
            “I… I seem to have lost my way wandering. I am trying to get back to where I came from. There is a man that is looking for me. I can’t keep him waiting. I would hate for him to leave me behind,” she replied.
            “Do you not have a cell phone to be able to contact him?
            She would only shake her head.
            “He doesn’t have a cell phone. He is a strong believer in spiritual connections. I am sure if I can get back, he will be able to find me there.”
            “Come on. I’ll give you a lift.” The girl’s face lit up with joy. “Oh, thank you so much, sir. He will be so grateful for your help.”
            Phillip led the girl back over to his truck before stepping into the driver’s seat himself. It was much colder than it was when he first got out. He  rolled up his windows, but it didn’t break the chill.
            “My name is Phillip Franks,” he said. “What can I call you?”
            “Abigail. Charmed to make your acquaintance.”
            Abigail had a vintage touch to her. She didn’t wear the modern clothing or hairstyles. It was a little thing about her, but he found it relaxing. For some reason, she reminded him of his mother.
            “Well, it is nice to meet you, Abby. Mind if I call you Abby?
            She shook her head with a slight smile on her face. “That is just fine. That is what my parents used to call me.”
            Phillip noticed by the way that Abby spoke that her parents must no longer be with us. To mind his own business, he just steered clear of that subject.
            “How far do you need to go?”
            She looked out the window to see her whereabouts.
            “I’m not sure how far that I wandered off. It’s okay. Once I get there I will be able to remember.”
            Phillip couldn’t help but to be distracted by the big smile on her face. She hadn’t stopped smiling since he had picked her up. He felt like he was doing the right thing but something about Abby seemed a bit off. She was just different than anybody that he had ever met but he couldn’t place why.
            “I really appreciate your help, sir. I know that he will appreciate it as well. What do you do for a living?”
            Her sudden question broke his train of thought. He saw her staring at him while questioning him. Although, something told him that she already knew.
            “I am a third-generation pastor.”
            “I can tell that you are a good man, Mr. Franks,” she said.
            She would bow her head to him as a sign of respect as Phillip smiled.
            “I really appreciate it. Sometimes, I don’t know if this is my calling in life.”
            He felt a hand on his shoulder as he looked to see her hand.  Her eyes sent chills down his spine.
            “You don’t know how many cars passed me by before you showed up. There was something made you stop to help me.”
            She was right, as he remembered the voice in his head.
            “Hold up. This is the place.”
            “Are you sure?”
            In the midst of trees, there were no signs of life.
            “Yes, this is it. I am positive.”
            He wasn’t positive with her decision but followed her direction. He pulled his truck over on the side of the road.
            “Thank you so much, Pastor. He will be here to get me soon.”
            “Do you want me to wait around until he shows?”
            “Oh no. I am safe here. He will get me.”
            She was almost in a rush, thanking him again and again before exiting. As he pulled back on the highway, his headlights shined on a cross right ahead. Something about this cross stood out, causing him to stop the truck and turn back. He was stunned as Abby walked off with a man in a robe. She turned back to him and waved goodbye. The two glowed as they disappeared into darkness. He stumbled back to the cross to read, In Loving Memory of Abigail Renner. He never had to look back again.