(Based on a true experience)

Martha glanced in the mirror at her reflection. Her graying hair was pulled upon her head into a soft bun and all she needed now was just a little color to her cheeks. She gazed at William pensively and asked, "You're going to try and stay awake this time, aren't you, my darling?"

William looked at his wife in an offended manner. "What are you talking about? I don't sleep in church. I'm just resting my eyes. I can hear everything that's being said, my dear."

Martha doubted it, but took his word for it as she watched him get dressed for church. William was a member of the church choir and sang tenor. He enjoyed singing and was a devoted member who supported the choir by attending every practice. He was a short pudgy man with a gray mustache and thin gray hair. He was in his late sixties and had a jovial laugh that would make the most sober person break into a smile.

In the past, their young niece, Jenny, would always whisper to Martha, "Is Uncle William sleeping?"

Then she would reply, "No, dear. He's just resting his eyes."

No one, except for Jenny, ever questioned the fact, but everyone seemed to know otherwise and could not prove it. Many a time, young Jenny would accuse him of sleeping in church and he would adamantly defend himself by saying, "Oh no, I'm not sleeping. I'm just resting my eyes, Sweetie. I can hear everything that's being said."

When they arrived at church, Jenny immediately claimed a seat beside her Uncle William. Beside Jenny sat her little six-year-old brother, John. Jenny was a quiet and serious young lady. She was a pretty teenager with long blond hair, the color of wheat, and her eyes were as blue as the lake.

After an hour and a half, the Bishop announced that the choir would sing the closing song. Jenny looked at Uncle William and noticed that he was resting his eyes and breathing deeply.

As Jenny watched the choir walk up to the choir seats behind the pulpit, she nudged her uncle and said, "Uncle William, the choir's going up. See?"

When Jenny nudged him, he was a little startled, but he quickly opened his eyes and grabbed a hymnbook and stood up. Jenny watched Uncle William as he slowly edged himself out from between the benches and proceeded to walk up to the choir seats.

Martha's eyes widened as she asked, "Why is Uncle William going up to the choir seats?"

Jenny giggled. "Don't know. I just told him that the Women's Choir was going up because I thought he might want to open his eyes and listen. Next thing I knew, he was standing up and he left in a hurry with the hymn book in his hand."

Uncle William stood among the women with his hymnbook in hand. After a moment, he quickly scanned the choir and noticed there was not a man among this bunch of women. . .and then it dawned on him. His face quickly reddened with embarrassment. It seemed to spread from his face down to his neck. He took the edge of his shirt collar by two fingers and gently pulled on it to let the heat from his neck escape. Humiliated beyond words, he bowed his head and quickly walked back down to the bench where his family was seated. His faced was flushed and he said nothing as he sat down on the bench.

Jenny giggled and leaned over to her uncle and whispered, "Uncle William, why did you go up to the Women's Choir?"

"I'm not ever coming back to church again," he said in a firm and embarrassed tone.

"What?"

"Never, Never, Never."

Uncle William was somber, his face was flushed, and he seemed not in the mood to talk. Jenny knew he was not serious and she giggled as she looked at her aunt who was trying very hard to suppress a smile.

Young John looked up at his sister and asked, "What's wrong?" He seemed oblivious of the whole situation.

When church was excused, then William and Martha disappeared quickly and headed for home, with the encouragement of William, of course. He said that he was not in the mood to stick around and they needed to get dinner ready for Jenny and her family.

After everyone arrived for dinner, William hoped that no one would mention the incident that happened at church. He already felt humiliated enough when a few people walked up to him and teased him about sleeping in church or being the only male soloist in the women's choir, but he took it good-naturedly.

Just then John burst into the living room and hopped up on William's lap. He was a cuddly young boy and he hugged William tight.

William chuckled, his eyes brimming with joy. "Well, well. How's my lad this fine day?"

"Just fine, Uncle William. And you?"

"Couldn't be better."

"Good, because I was worried about you."

"Worried about me?" William ruffled John's hair and chuckled, "Why on Earth would you worry about me?"

"Well, 'cause I figured out what happened at church when I heard all the whisperings."

William furrowed his eyebrows and frowned. "What whisperings?"

"Oh, that you're the newest member of the women's choir."

Everyone let out a burst of laughter that could be heard all through the house and down the road for a block or two. He had been caught and he had been caught good!

Suddenly William jerked his head around and stared at the family with a very solemn expression. His lips were in a thin tight line and his brows had a deep crease. "It's not funny!" William said gruffly. "Not funny at all!"