It was just two years after we had set up the 1800 square foot bookstore with the coffee bar in its final location on East Yale Road the main street in our hometown that my world as I knew came crashing down.

In the last five years, we had taken the magazine stand we had opened in a twelve foot by six foot booth growing it into what it was today. We had been given its name by our customers who called it an Epic place.

On Fridays and Saturdays, we held open mic nights which had turned into a night were budding musicians came to show their developing skills or writers came to read their latest piece of poetry. It came to be a place where thoughts were expressed in freedom without fears of repercussions. Coffee sales and books exploded on those nights since we were open to midnight.

My wife's best friend came into the store early one June evening asking if she could talk to me privately. Ruth was a first nation lady who was a member of the church in which I served as head pastor. After pouring us each a strong coffee we headed outside to sit at one of the curbside tables to chat.

“David please shut off your cell phone because we have to talk about a personal situation that you are not aware of. Maria has been talking about and planning to divorce you for a long time. It's going to happen soon since she now believes this store can now support her,” Ruth said seriously.

“I left the cell on the counter so the staff can answer it. We won’t be bothered unless it’s something major. Please explain why you believe that?” I asked. “Is she having an affair?”

“Not that I am aware of, but she has been spending a lot of her free evenings with a couple of your single male tenants. She has made a lot of new questionable friendships over the last few months outside of the church that you may not be aware of. I doubt any of them know about her ongoing mental health problems or about her long term issues,” Ruth said quietly so no one would hear her.

“Ever since her first breakdown, I have noticed a change in her personality so I can't say she’s not having an affair. But even more important is the fact that I can no longer say I know her so I can't say she wouldn't,” Ruth explained with sadness.

“Why do you believe that?” I asked seeing the worry on her face.

“Since you opened at this location, a group of us ladies from the church meets regularly here for coffee and during these sessions Maria has freely expressed somethings she shouldn’t have. Maria has mentioned things that are making those who attend question your ongoing relationship. She has made it perfectly clear she had never planned to marry you,” she responded.

********

I knew Ruth spoke the truth. My mind flashed back. I had flown into New York arriving at the end of that first business day because I had attended my grandfather’s funeral. Finding that I had arrived just in time to join the meet and greet party. It had a free open bar, so I was drinking double Brown Cows when I caught Maria looking at me.

An older alpha male was standing beside where she was sitting and was doing his best to gain her attention. She was wearing a tight red dress that hugged her slender frame coming to rest about two inches above her knees. Her dark blue eyes, ruby lips, and long brown shoulder-length hair brought out the natural beauty in her face. Her smile seemed to brighten up the place. From my point of view, she appeared to have all the curves in their right spots.

My friend noticed my interest in her almost right away and said that she was one that he would not kick out of his bed if she was coming across. I laughed and replied sarcastically be careful because that’s the girl I'm going to marry. After joking about it with him, I moved in, ending up sitting right beside her as a spot had become available. As soon as the alpha male noticed our mutual attraction, he moved on, looking for new fish to fry. We talked for hours and agreed to go out for dinner that Wednesday night.

After pausing Ruth, went on. “Maria told us how you chased her despite the long distance between the two of you. At first, she thought it would tire out fast, so she was playing you while she kept looking for the type of man, she had her eyes out for. She wanted to marry an older man who was rich who could pay for the kind of lifestyle she wanted. You were five years younger. The problem was your determination. Everyone was amazed by it. Maria admitted that your morals were superior to anyone she knew. It made her frustrated because when the two of you got overheated you would stop before you went too far. Even though Maria had told you she wasn't a virgin you still stopped and took a shower,” Ruth said before pausing to take a drink.

“Maria said you explained to her that until you found out where the relationship was going, you didn’t intend to go too far. It was that standard that forced her to compare the others that were chasing her to you. She said they all seemed to fall short. The more you chased her the harder it was for her not to fall. No matter how hard she denied it, all her friends could see that you had captured her heart,” Ruth said before adding, “finally, she had to admit she had fallen in love.”

That brought back a lot of good memories. The sixteen-hour driving time from my home to hers. The huge long-distance telephone bills on both sides adding up to big bucks. From the day we met to the day that we got married we had only seen each other’s seven times, six of them long weekends. We had shared a common bond as we had grown up with troubled backgrounds.

Her mother had escaped during the Hungarian Revolution with Maria. After living in Paris for a year they had come to the United States. Her father had died in a Russian prison because he had been involved in the resistance. At least that was what all were told. Maria was the oldest of six, each having a different father; four brothers and one sister. In her teenage years, she had been placed in foster homes because she was too much like her mother. Their personalities were so much like each other that they could not communicate.

“Maria's biggest problem with you was that she was not able to get you between her legs,” Ruth said with authority. “She, like you, found herself being stretched monetarily because of the distance. That was what pushed her into saying yes. She was enormously proud of your appointment as a Junior Pastor and tried to become a good pastor’s wife, but she missed her former wild child life. In less than three years, you went from a small apartment to the 4400 square foot place you call home. She worked beside you as you remodeled it room by room. Then in year four. your first son came into the world. You wanted her to become a full-time stay-at-home mom, but she insisted on working. Then six years later your second one came. Maria was overwhelmed and felt trapped because she had never wanted children. She feels that was what caused her first mental breakdown to occur.”

I was in total shock. I asked myself if I had been blind. I tried so hard to give her the lifestyle I thought she wanted that I had missed what she was saying or trying to explain. Was I really to blame?

“Maria says she finds you frustrating because of your refusal to argue or speak out in anger. To her, it is not normal for a man to walk away until he is calmed down. She says that proves that you are not a real man because you will not hit her with your fists. You know that every man involved with her mother had been abusive perhaps that’s why Maria sees you the way she does,” Ruth said in honesty.

“Ruth, Maria grew up in a broken home. I grew up in a home where my parents could be considered as controlled alcoholics. Unless you had seen them sober you would never have known they were drunks. There were times when they drank to the extreme. I can remember hiding underneath the bed because of their loud screams during arguments brought on because of the alcohol. At those times everything the one had done to the other regardless of what it was, was brought back up and maxed out to cause the most hurt and pain. We learned young that there was no forgiveness or love in our house. The only reason they stayed together was that they refused to give their children up,” I replied.

“When I was ten, my oldest sister got married that summer and my father’s best friend, an alpha male, moved in because of the unbelievably bad winter weather the same year. They worked at the same plant but on different shifts. The plant ran three eight hour shifts seven days a week. When one was on days the other was on nights, so they did not see much of each other. I shared a bedroom with him because it had twin beds. My older sister got mine. I awoke one night to discover my mother and him sharing their charms in the passion of making love. When I got the courage to confront her the very next day, she denied it had happened and accused me of lying,” I explained.

“So, to protect her secret she had to destroy me. From that point on, my life became a living hell. I caught them a few more times and the product of their relationship was my younger sister. My dad started drinking more heavily to mask his tears and pain. I guess he no longer saw himself as a man,” I continued. “I made a vow way back then never to speak out in anger. The reason I never slept with Maria was because I was trying to decide if she was good enough to be my children’s mother. I had to believe before I committed that she was not like my mother.”

Ruth looked at me as if she were seeing me anew again and asked if Maria had known. I told her not until after the birth of James my second son. Her female psychiatrist had called me in for a few sessions. I learned at that time that Maria blamed me for her mental health problems. After a few of these sessions, she told me that she may never be able to get Maria to see that I was not responsible. That doctor also said my own childhood had affected my outlook and walk in life. If Maria still blamed me, it explained what Ruth was revealing.

“As you well know, Ruth, her mental health breakdown's have been huge. Over the last ten years, she has had four. I'm beginning to believe based on what you are telling me that Maria's doctor might be right,” I said. “Maria's love has turned to hate because in her eyes I am the cause of all her mental problems.”

“You’re not the problem, David,” Ruth said firmly. “I told her to look at what you have accomplished as her husband since she got married. She had to admit that you started this business just to get her out of the house. For years she would not even leave your front door. You started this store in a flea market by setting up a small booth. As her confidence started to grow you expanded the store, finally making it a real business as if you were rewarding her for her huge improvements,” Ruth stated.

“Now she is claiming you built this last location to trap her. She gives you no credit for what you’ve done. I remember when you re merchandised the stock in this location, changing the stocks layout. It ended up doubling your sales. She denigrated you for weeks until she saw the results,” Ruth noted. “She then said it was the best thing she ever had ever came up with. The problem was, according to her, she had to bitch for months for you to get it done.”

My life was being dissected right before my eyes. It brought back a memory from when I’d taken Maria back to meet my parents for the first time. I’d called my dad to ask if they were going to be home during the time I planned to visit. He said yes. Are you coming, home stranger? Are you getting married? I had said yes. It would be the second time I’d come home in nine years. I’d run away from home at sixteen. I got through school while working in fast food.

While we were there they were on their best behavior. We finally found the wedding ring set we wanted and got engaged in the mall parking lot. That night my dad warmly welcomed Maria into the family.

He spoke, “Son you went fishing and caught yourself a good one. Maria welcome to the family. Don’t you know you’re supposed to throw suckers back in.”

Remembering his words now had me wondering if I had been a sucker for Maria all my life.

“Ruth!” I asked. “Why are you telling me all this tonight?”

“David, Maria is about eight weeks pregnant. If you didn't know, it doesn't look good. She started months ago ditching her longtime friends who are members of the church. I don't want to be stuck in the middle. As a result, I had to end my relationship with her. She said she wasn't surprised. In anger, she accused me of doing you on the side. I got so mad I slapped her face. She just laughed. I warned her to get her head out of her ass or else she was going to lose a good man. Maria said, what good man? David is just as blind and stupid as his father. His head is so far up his ass he won't realize anything until it’s too late,” Ruth said with tears. “David, I'm afraid it might be too late.”

“Anything else you can think of that I should know,” I asked?

For years I put my wife’s needs and my children’s needs before mine. I was seeing with wide open eyes where that had brought me. I was hurt but relieved because sister Ruth just might be giving me the chance to savage something.

“Only that your lines of communications have been compromised. Not only here but at home and even the church. I have seen print outs of actual conversation you have had in the church office,” Ruth explained. “She has someone doing it for free. For example, Maria showed me part of the chat you had with Bill Johnston concerning his sexual preferences.”

I went white as a ghost. Until she mentioned that, I had some doubts. If it came out about Bill’s sexuality, both he and I would be booted out. The elders would be forced to clean the house because of the loss of trust. Questions were flowing through my mind. I was wondering if I was now dealing with what my father faced. Had I treated him so wrong? Was I just reacting as he had?

“Ruth, I love you like a sister and I want to thank you for the courage you had to find to come forward with this,” I said in complete honesty. “Do you know how far she has gotten in her plans?”

“Those who are helping her are starting to organize the paperwork for the divorce. They plan to involve the church, social services, the police, and the courts. They feel by hitting you hard and fast from four different directions it will keep you off balance. The more you’re hit with, the less chance you will have to figure out what’s really going on,” Ruth said sadly.

“Thank you for giving me an edge. I only hope that when it’s done, we will still be friends,” I said with a smile. “Maria is going to learn the hard way that I can protect myself, thanks to you.”

********

The rest of the week went by quietly except for a few hours on Friday. I could see that my soon to be ex-wife kept looking at me with puzzlement in her eyes. It seemed that whenever I left the store my cell phone got left behind. I was using the time to verify that what Ruth had told me was factual. It had been.

I contacted my lawyer to get working on things. As he said, sometimes the best offense was a strong defense. I know it’s an old sport ruse. Yet he was right because I needed to foresee what moves she would make and find ways to overcome them. On Sunday I gave Maria one last chance to save our marriage.

My Sunday sermon dealt with forgiveness, love, and mercy in the family relationship. It was nice to see how the parish responded with many wives having tear-stained eyes. After a late brunch, I went back to the store. I was waiting for an acquaintance. It was almost six in the evening when Big John walked in the front door. Noticing him, I grabbed two long ice teas and headed outside.

“Okay, John what is the shimmy?” I asked as I sat down. “Was the information I was given right?”

John is a bruiser of a man. He is tall and wide. I thought he’d make a good linebacker in a football game. He worked part-time as a collector of sorts for the man on the side when payments got behind. Most of the time he ran a construction team and did quite well. I knew him because one day he’d stopped to personally thank me for something I’d done. Sadly, because I had no clue to what it was, I had to ask him what he was talking about. He was one of the ones I had contacted after Ruth’s conversation with me.

That was when I learned that a former employee of mine named Sharron was a distant cousin’s niece. As a result, the extended family felt they owed me big time. Big John had made it clear that if I needed something it could be done with no questions asked.

Sharron Hubbard, when I first saw her one chilly fall evening, looked out of place standing on the corner walking back and forth. She was marking her territory just like any of the street workers would. She was a natural blonde, five foot seven with a lean, tight body that oozed sexuality with every step she took. She had a well-defined eye-catching butt with long legs and firm inviting thighs that were designed to be wrapped around a man tight. The way she was dressed you knew she had class. If you knew the street, you knew she did not belong.

Something else was going on with her life that had brought her to this point in desperation. Just by the look of her you knew it was not drugs. The street people soon learned she was not to be influenced, encouraged, or touched. If she were, that person would have to answer to me. I kept my eye on her, waiting, as I figured it would not take long.

Finally, about three weeks later, on an extremely cold night near closing she came into the store and asked how much a small coffee cost. She started counting out the pennies in her clutch purse to see if she had enough. I told her to put her purse away and poured both of us an extra-large cup. She was surprised that I first warmed the cups up. Then I took hers and mine and sat down at one of the inside tables. She joined me and wrapped her hands around the cup to warm them up. We just sat there. I was giving her time. I was looking at the saddest blue eyes filled with despair I’d ever seen.

Finally, after all had left and the doors locked, I said, “I must know why?” Her response almost broke my heart.

“My husband of eight years walked out of our marriage just after our first child was born. I guess he just could not see himself as a father. I'm in my last year at the local university and it’s too late to qualify for student loans. Social Services have refused to help. I'm almost three months behind on my rent. Thanks to the food bank I'm able to eat but I have had to sell some of my furniture to keep the utilities on. I don't want to quit school. I can't find a job, so I decided to sell myself on the street. It’s been three weeks. I've been a complete failure at that too. I haven't been able to sell myself once. Since my family can't help me, I'm at the end of my tether,” she said with tear filled eyes.

I smiled and said, “that stops today. Tomorrow is a new day. While you’re at school I will have some friends move you and your possessions into a rent-free apartment. After school, bring your baby here with you. You can start working here and watch him at the same time. It only pays minimum wage, but it will be forty hours a week and the hours of work will allow you to stay in school.”

“Why?” Sharron asked as the tears flowed.

I replied, “At one time I was in a situation just like you. Out of the kindness of a stranger I got a helping hand.”

She later learned while working at the store that there had been a lot of interest in her. Out of respect for me, no one would touch her. When she inquired why she had been told that everyone had been helped by me at some time or another. Most of them felt I was their friend. David spread the word that you were not to be touched, they said, so we made sure you weren’t. You did not belong on the street so David explained that something else in her life was going on and until we find out what, we can’t help her.

Little did I know that doing what I considered was a good deed back then would provide me with a way to have doors opened that would have been remained closed.

When they held the graduation event at the university Sharron asked me to be her escort. I had gladly gone against my wife's wishes. Sharron had been asked to say a few words and she proudly told all her story which concluded with the fact that she was going to be working for the government agency that refused to help her.

“David, it’s really bad! Thanks to the passwords and codes you have provided my contacts have been able to trace it all. Your home, the church, and this store computer are all contaminated. They have been turned not only into data sources but listening devices also. We traced it back to a man named Tony Landers who is a tenant in one of your apartments. He is a tech specialist who works for the government over at the prison,” John said. “As for your cell phone, all it takes is a text and it’s in. Get yourself a new cellphone and don't have anything transferred, otherwise it will be contaminated. According to inside sources, Tony has been shooting his mouth off talking about his new girlfriend who is getting her divorce. It sounds like she is going to end up being loaded.”

I now had a name. I just had to connect the dots. Tony Lander was a six-foot-two single alpha male, solid and thick. He was nicknamed the undertaker just like the wrestler. He had the street rep of being a prick. Most of the street people steered themselves away from him.

“John, stop by tomorrow, by then I will have a new cell phone. I will need you to get the unlisted number to Sharron. Right now, I feel she's one of the few I can still trust,” I said earnestly.

“That I can do. I talk to her regularly because she has asked me to keep an eye on things. You know she hasn't dated anyone since she met you. She has been asked out a lot since she started working for Social Services, but she always declines. I had to ask her, why? She told me that there was someone she loved who had problems that would sooner or later come to the boil. When it broke, she wanted to be there for them when they started rebuilding,” John said. “So, I report to her and wait. I'm curious about who it might be. Other than that, she is enjoying her job. Sharron told me to let you know unofficially that they are beginning an investigation into your relationship with your children.”

I looked at John in confusion. “Why is she risking her career over me?”

“She's just giving you what you gave her my friend,” John laughed. “Unconditional love. Just so you know, her divorce is done. She did not take her maiden name back but took the last name of someone she honored and loved.”

********

I was shocked because what John had disclosed had proved what sister Ruth had been claiming. Maria’s plans must be further along than we thought. Later that evening my oldest son walked into the store. Adam had caught a ride with a neighbor who was driving in from near our home. I asked him if he was staying until after closing time and going back home with me. He said yes. I was glad because I could see there was something on his mind.

“Dad,” Adam asked. “What is a facade?”

“Why?” I asked.

“I heard Mom tell someone on the phone that she has to keep the facade up for just a few more weeks than it will be all over,” he said. “I think I know what that is but I’m not sure. Mom is pretending to be in love with you but hasn't been for a long time. It took me a long time to discover that she was having a serious relationship with a man I don't know. I learned his first name is Tony.”

Physical or emotional?” I asked. “You know that either way it is wrong because we’re married?”

“I know but I honestly don't know!” my son replied.

“I guess you’re old enough to know. Your mother is about eight weeks pregnant. I discovered the rumor was true by calling the local abortion clinic to confirm her appointment. I was told it was set for next Friday. When it was disclosed to me by a family friend, I had to verify for myself if it was true. For the record, I’m not supposed to know. The baby is not mine. My lawyer is already taking steps to ensure a DNA sample is obtained when she has it done. I need it to be able to prove it’s not my child in court and for the church elders. The church can fire me if it was mine for allowing my wife to take a life. I've received information that your mother is about to file for a divorce,” I explained with seriousness.”

I watched as my eldest drew all the information in. He appeared to be surprised by what I had just revealed to him. After giving him a few moments to digest what I had stated I went on.

“It’s going to get cold and dirty amazingly fast. You are old enough that you will be able to decide who you want to live with. The court will force James to stay with his mom. She will be trying to use social services in an attempt to have them declare that I am an unfit father. I would not be surprised about anything she tries. Adam be prepared. She may try to claim in court that your brother and you are not my sons. So, during our doctor’s appointment on Monday, they will be drawing blood for a DNA test. I may need to verify using science to the court that you are mine,” I said with authority.

“You knew, you knew, I can't believe you knew,” he said with a large smile. “Mom figures you know nothing about whats going on.”

“Adam, those with mental issues have what we call fragmented minds. They lose memories and understandings which forces them to re-form the remaining bits of memories they have into a pattern that makes sense to them. To those who have accurate knowledge, they know it has no basis of truth but it's logical to all others. That is why you are seeing that your mother has a bunch of new friends that seem to believe what she is saying. Most end up destroying everything and everyone around them. I'm surprised we lasted this long,” I said. “The other side is that if I had filed for divorce those who know us would have claimed I was running away from my responsibilities as a husband, a man, and a Christian. In the eyes of the church, I would have been such a failure that they would have been forced to remove me. So, I expected this might happen but didn’t know when.”

********

While our family doctor’s appointment went off well considering that I had our doctor served. It took a while for him to calm down. I explained that I knew he could not explain anything about my wife's medical condition. He was surprised that I knew about her appointment with the clinic. When I told him, they were being served so that I could prove the fetus wasn’t mine, the doctor realized just how serious I was.

“She’s planning to serve me with the divorce papers,” I said. “I must make sure my sons are really mine in case she claims that I am not their father. With her mental health history, I have no choice. I wish that you could confirm my belief that’s she’s in a breakdown again.”

Dr. Fitzpatrick reminded me he could not reveal anything but admitted that the steps I were talking under the current situation were reasonably thought out and explainable. He asked if the abortion clinic had been served. I said yes it has but they only have to provide a dna sample of my wife and the aborted child. I had to have fetus tested and compared to mine because of the complications caused by her direct actions.

When John showed up at around seven pm, I told the staff I was headed out. We walked out of our store to the corner where the Army and Navy bar was. He was a member and could sign me in. We both ordered two large drafts. As soon as we were served, I slipped him a piece of paper. It contained my new phone number, my lawyer’s address, and phone number. The last was the address and name of my doctor’s office. John looked at the list and a smile came over his face.

“Tell Sharron not to contact me until she has talked to Steven Pollard, my lawyer,” I said. “When she sees him, she’ll understand why.”

“He handled her divorce and did not charge her a thing,” John said as he clued in after seeing the smile on my face. “Son of a bitch you paid for it. Didn't you?”

I laughed. “Just promise me she will never know. The problem is I now need something handled because I can't get it done in a legal way. I expect Maria will be serving me my divorce papers any day. I need her medical records to show up at my lawyers in a way that can't be traced. My second wish is that I could find a way to take down Tony Landers in such a way that will leave him the impression that his involvement with my soon to be ex has brought this down on him.”

“Sharron said you were a man who drew a line and when you did you would give no farther. Once you stood your ground there was no way of backing down. The street people seem to agree,” John said. “Do you know who James and Shariah Duncan are related to? They were a couple you helped if you remember.”

“Honesty I don't. When I first met them, they weren’t married. James looked more like a bum as he was picking up butts off the street because he didn’t have the money for smokes. Shariah worked part-time at the Turbo gas station. Both of them seemed lost and had no direction. I saw James as a diamond in the rough when I gave him a job and some self-respect. Once he cleaned up, I introduced them to each other. They did the rest. Kept their jobs, went back to school got married and the rest is history,” I explained. “ Their meeting gave them both someone to believe in. With that believe they moved mountains. Now that she has gotten her three children back, they have bought their first home and are regulars at Sunday service.”

“Shariah is Sean McKay's granddaughter. He's currently doing the back end of fifteen for money laundering. He knows it’s due to your masterful touch that the family’s lifelong problem was able to get his great-grandchildren back. I'll have my contact let his contacts know how you can be shown the proper respect,” he said seriously. “Most of the street people move here because they have relatives in the pen. Every one of them, because of your approach towards them, feel you walk on water.”

“John, my grandfather on my mother's side was the only person who knew I was going to run and why? He taught me to be nice to those around me on the way up because they were the very ones, I would need on my way down,” I replied. “As a result, I respect everyone until they show me, they don't deserve it.”

“Your grandfather sounds like he was a wise man!” John spoke.

“He had to be,” I said. “He raised sixteen children and was nothing but a poor dirt farmer all his life.”

I don't know how; I didn't care because for the first time in my life I was drunk. John and I had to be kicked out at the closing time. Somehow, I made it back to the store. I must have, because I woke up lying face down on the carpet floor, barely making it to the bathroom before I vomited.

********

“Uncle John!” Sharron said firmly. “You should be ashamed of yourself. You know my David doesn’t drink that much. You shouldn’t have allowed him to get drunk.”

Sharron had always called her cousin, uncle out of the respect and love she had for both his wife and him. John’s wife dotted on her son and babysat him for nothing. Johnnie at the best of times could be a real shit disturber. If he had done anything to embarrass David she would draw and quarter him.

“Now don't be mad darling. You know it might have been the best thing for him,” he giggled. “That poor man has been carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders for a long time. With his wife's mental problems, he's basically raised those two boys of his on his own. I learned last night she’s had four breakdowns these last ten years. Hell, we were both celebrating his upcoming freedom. He would have stayed if she hadn't thrown their marriage away. Now he believes his obligation to her is done. As a result, I got him to open up. So, tell me, when did you know you owned his heart?”

“I knew it after working for him for a few months. The verbal abuse he took from Maria just for hiring me was extreme,” Sharron revealed. “Maria hated anyone he made friends with or those who he tried to help. Anytime he spent dealing with others was time she felt belonged to her. The bitch has no respect, no understanding, or compassion. Giving a person a free cup of coffee was taking money away that she felt belonged to her. I have wanted to kill that bitch so many times. I still can't understand how David remained so calm.”

“The only time I ever saw him defend himself was when she in anger demanded that he fire me,” Sharron stated. “He went silent. I could see the anger in his eyes. He said nothing until he calmed down then he loudly said with a cold determination so all in the store could hear it. “If anyone goes Maria, it will be you and if you go it will be for good.”

“I offered to quit but David said no. He said to me I gave my word and I’ll keep it,” Sharron explained. “That was the day I fell in love with Scott because even though I tried to explain that it did not matter he would not accept it. He ended the conversation by saying I gave my word; I keep it even if it does not mean a thing to anyone else it does to me.”

“I realized it last night when it slipped out that he had covered the cost of your divorce. You know he paid your dead beat ex fifteen grand to just get him to sign off,” John said as Sharron broke into sobs. “Shit I thought you knew! Now don't forget to talk to Steven. David feels things are finally coming to a head within the next few weeks and is preparing by putting things in order. Let me know when it’s done, and I’ll give you David’s new number. One question though; when are you going to tell that man, he has your heart?”

********

Debra Preston, an African American middle-aged lady, was a field officer who was working in the office catching up on her paperwork. While she was walking by Sharron's cubical, she heard soft sobs.

“Sharron, if you feel you need to talk, come into my office,” Debra said.

Debra closed the door to her office after Sharron walked in and asked her what it was all about. By the time Sharron explained it all, she’d calmed down, but Debra was sobbing. Sharron did not know that Debra had been given the assignment by their boss to investigate the charges laid out against the Pastor, David McGregor.

Debra got Sharron to reveal her former married name so she could verify the facts. If they could, it would go a long way to dispel a lot of the charges laid by Maria. It surprised Debra that neither Sharron nor David had admitted their true feelings to each other. Could it be proved that Maria had mental health problems? If she could, it would make her claims a lot less credible. After Sharron had calmed down and returned to her cubical Debra took a few minutes trying to figure out why this case so important to her supervisor?

Maria was frantic because her soon to be ex had not come home last night. That was not like him. When she opened the store, she had discovered his cell phone sitting on the counter. That explained why her calls weren’t answered, but not his actions. So where was he and why? He always kept her informed about what was going on. So far, he had been acting normally. She was glad because it appeared that he still had no clue. Now, something appeared to be wrong. She had to find out what. Had he stopped playing by her rules?

She called the church three or four times only to get the message that the service was temporarily unavailable. That was not normal. She needed to keep control as she was fighting the feeling that it was slipping away. She had called Tony to see if he had learned anything. He had not. She texted her new friends to keep an eye out for David’s car when they were out. She spent the day waiting for someone to get back to her.

The church was in panic mode. David had called an emergency meeting of all the deacons and any elders who could attend. He’d informed them of his pending divorce. He explained in detail how the communications had been compromised stressing that as a result, if anything of a personal nature got out, the church could be sued. When the staff was informed then talked to and questioned privately, the financial planner ended up admitting to an internal theft of church funds. The police were called, so were ATT’s our communications supplier security. Thus, an investigation had begun.

David talked to the head deacon privately to arranged time off so he could find a new place to live for himself and hopefully his sons. The deacon told him to hold off looking for a place until he talked to his wife. He then suggested that David take the time to take his sons on a vacation for at least a week while he worked on finding him the right place.

“We will have your assistant step in until you come back,” the Deacon explained. “That way we will have time to sort the church's mess out.”

Maria arrived home a little later than normal to find the house quiet. As soon as she opened the side door, she realized the boys were missing. After searching the house, she noticed the note taped to the fridge. It was from David. He explained that he'd been tied up with the police most of the night because of problems within the church. While it was being investigated, he was going to take his sons to the lake for a fishing trip for at least a week. David said he would return when the elders informed him that the police were done.

Maria was pleased because David was being David. When he most likely was feeling guilty about not giving the boys enough quality time, he'd overcompensate by doing something like this. No doubt the boys would be doing a lot of unexpected stuff and would talk about it for weeks. It reinforced in her mind that David still had no clue as to what she was doing to him. With them out of the way, Maria called her lover, Tony. An hour later Tony Lander was noticed by the head deacon Paul when he walked into David and Maria’s house with a couple of suitcases.

********

Thursday morning saw Steven Pollard arriving at his office early. It was going to be a remarkably busy day. After turning on the lights he headed into the break room to start the first pot of coffee of the day. That was when he noticed the large interoffice manila envelope with his name on it sitting at the small table. Undoing the clasp, he opened it up, pulling the contents out. He read the typed note saying it was from friends of Pastor David. Beneath it was four files.

They turned out to be copies of the medical records of all of David's family. Steve was ecstatic. It was a gold mine. Using his cell phone, he took pictures of the envelope, the note, and the four files just in case he had to prove how he came into possession of them. While he waited for the coffee to finish brewing, he took them to his secretary’s desk. He left a sticky note saying copy and file. Send a copy to social services ASAP. The timing could not have been more perfect because David's Sharron was his first client of the day.

The files were on their way when Sharron showed up right on time. Steven's secretary told her to directly go in. Steven explained to her that David expected his divorce to start soon. As a result, David was afraid that Maria was going to claim that they were having an affair, so he needed a declaration of facts dealing with everything about the relationship from the very beginning. It took his assistant three hours to get it all done. It was five pages long. Afterwards Sharron returned to his office.

“Sharron this is a power of attorney from David giving you the legal right to act on his behalf if the need arises,” Steven explained. “He believes that Maria is going through another mental health breakdown. He told me to warn you that she will be more unstable and dangerous the harder she falls. With her state of mind, she could do anything and most likely will, so watch your back at all times. This is a letter for you to read from him before we can proceed.”

Sharron tore open the envelope and read the first handwritten note.

Sharron, Steve has been instructed to give you a check from my trust account set up with him. About eight months ago I refinanced my four apartment buildings, taking out as much equity as possible, knowing that if I got divorced, my wife would be entitled to at least half. Since Maria will most likely get the court to order Steven to disclose what he is holding, I need to get it out of his hands. I want you to open a joint account in both our names and deposit all the funds. Once it clears, invest most of it in short term guaranteed banknotes. That way if anything happens to me both your son and you are taken care of.

Attached were photocopies of all his vital information. That was when Steven handed her the check for one point one million dollars. Steven saw Sharron's tears starting to flow.

“He believes in me that much?” Sharron sobbed.

Steven laughed with a big smile. “He doesn't even know you can set the account up as David and Sharron McGregor. When do you plan on telling him?”

While still reeling with emotion Sharron said. “Steven, you know I love him so much that it hurts. I wish there were more I could do. With the church, his wife, and his children I knew there was no hope, so I kept my feelings hidden.”

“I don't know how he does it, but I believe he knows how you feel. That man is always one step ahead of the game. This morning by magic I found his soon to be ex’s, his children’s, and his medical records in the break room. I have sent copies to your boss,” Steven said.

With that said, Steven handed Sharron a copy of her son's new birth certificate which now had her former husband’s name removed and her son’s name now legally changed thanks to the court order he had obtained.

“Wow, you did it; I'm so pleased since you thought it could not be done,” Sharron said with a smile.

“I got your ex to swear out a declaration of facts stating that he had forged your signature on the original. I got a court order and submitted it without your knowledge. The rest was a piece of cake. Since your son is so young, he will never know,” Steven said.

“How can I ever thank you!” Sharron asked in sincerity.

“Marry David as soon as you can and name your next one after me. We both know you were made for each other and besides it’s unique love story I can tell the rest of my life,” Steve replied.

********

Cora Porter had been made the area supervisor just over two years ago when her boss retired. Cora was nearing her early sixties and was quite religious. She was known to be tough but fair. Cora required that her staff leave no stone unturned when searching for the truth. Debra Preston was not surprised to be called into her office. As she headed in, she couldn’t help wondering what case her boss was looking for an update on.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

It had to be David’s, she assumed because her thoughts reminded her what Cora had said when she handed her his case. He's a pastor; a leader in the community and our investigation is likely to become public news. If the charges are true, he will end up being completely ruined. Keep it super quiet. Find out if Sharron and David are related. Make it your top priority. Debra was right and spent the next half hour explaining what she had discovered so far.

“Thank God!” Cora spurted out in relief. “I was afraid our church was going to lose the best pastor we ever had. So, it’s your belief that Sharron and David love each other but neither knows how the other feels. David doesn’t know that Sharron has taken his last name. The reason I had to ask is that we received copies of all the McGregor family medical records, by courier from Steven Pollard’s office.”

“Wow! What do they show?” Debra asked.

“It shows in detail, Maria’s long term mental health issues and that the doctor has diagnosed that she’s going through another breakdown. It shows that he had set up an abortion for her late last week. David's file shows that he is in the process of proving it was not his and has gone as far as ordering a DNA paternity test on his kids. More importantly, there is no mention in any of the files that would support the abuse claims made by Maria. Do you have anything you’re able to share?”

“Did you know that Sharron's former husband left her in their eighth year, just after the birth of her son? She was in the last year of her university course. She had asked our department for help. We turned her down. I got her former married name and checked the file. We believed at the time that her husband would step up. We were wrong; he quit his high paying job and moved out of state. She got so desperate that she tried to sell herself on the street,” Debra said with regret. “You were the one that handled her case. Too bad we didn’t follow up.”

Cora’s face went white and her whole body shook. Debra could see that her boss was experiencing guilt, remorse, and regret. Debra knew that at time they were operating with no supervisor and that there was no follow up to make sure the files had been closed properly after a final visit.

“David put the word out on the street that Sharron was not to be touched. Since it came from him, they listened. When she finally met him, David got her to disclose her situation. It was David who gave her free rent and a job in which Sharron could watch her baby while she worked. All this has been verified by my clients. None of them have anything bad to say about David or Sharron, but Maria, that’s another story.”

“Do tell,” Cora said, showing more interest than normal.

“For example, one night a couple came into the bookstore when David was working to ask him if he could spare a few dollars for some food until their student loans came in the next week. David asked them how much they did have left in the house to eat and they said not much. Instead of giving them money he went back into the supply room and came back with the biggest chicken they had ever seen. It seems a local farmer had dropped off the cleaned birds that very afternoon. He gave them that, then pulled forty dollars out of his wallet. He told them that it should be enough to tide them over until their check came in,” Debra explained. “When Maria found out, she denigrated and verbally abused him publicly for a month because he had given away something that they could have used.”

“My husband has always said that David walks tall and carries a small stick,” Cora replied. “My husband is the head deacon at our community church. When David left town with his kids on Monday, he told me that Maria had her lover move right in. He has digital proof that he's been there ever since.”

“Maria's complaint is part of the package she is presenting to the court. She brought it in with her when she put forward her claim. It even has her lawyer’s name,” Debra said. “I did not tell Sharron that Maria is claiming that David is the father of her son.”

“I guess that explains why Sharron had requested time off this morning because of a lawyer’s appointment. David must have been getting prepared and needed to dispute the possibility of false claims. David's greatest asset is his ability to look at all the possible outcomes of a situation from all sides and prepare himself for whatever happens. It is what keeps him so calm. When you complete your report, send a copy of your findings to Steven Pollard. Since he has helped us out, let’s do the same for him. Be sure to put my failure to follow up on Sharron in the report,” Cora said.

“Well, it won't be complete until I interview him, but there's now no doubt Maria was trying to get us to destroy him,” Debra said. “If we hadn’t received the medical reports, she most likely would have got away with it.”

“So now we know why Sharron has refused all offers for a date. Most of the men call her a cold fish. Her heart wasn’t in it,” Cora said with glee. “Because it already belongs to someone else.”

It was twelve-thirty when Sharron returned to her desk and immediately got down to work. Her mind was thinking of what if's and other dreams, so she found it hard to get into her routine. Though she tried not to be, she was worried about David and the problems he was having to face. Sharron was surprised when Cora interrupted her and asked her to follow her to her office.

“First of all, young lady, I now know about your relationship with my pastor and his soon to be ex,” Cora said firmly. “My husband, Paul told me that David has taken his sons on a fishing trip for a week so he can explain to the boys and help them adjust. He will be returning to town on Monday. I want to apologize for the way I handled your case two years ago. I should have followed up and didn't. It was a rookie mistake, but I wasn't. Thank God for David for saving us all. As for David, he has been cleared of all the charges made against him thanks in part to Steven Pollard, but his file will remain open by state law for six months.”

.

Sharron sighed in relief. “Thank you for letting me know.”

“Starting the first of the month, you’re being promoted to a regular field caseworker. It’s a salaried position. So, I changed your timecard for today to reflect field training work,” Cora said. “My husband is the head deacon of our church. David calls him boss. Since David and the boys left, Maria's boyfriend has been staying with her. Debra will be sending Steven Pollard all our information. We know that she is accusing him of adultery with you, child molestation, along with physical and mental cruelty. She's also claiming your son is his.”

“Dammit, David did it again. I don't know how he does it. He always seems to know. He got a message to me through a mutual friend that I needed to see Steven Pollard. That is why I need the time off this morning,” she said, “how is he otherwise?”

“When was the last time you actually talked to him, may I ask?” Cora said.

“The night of my graduation from the university. He proudly escorted me, against his wife's wishes,” Sharron said. “He wouldn't even give me a congratulatory kiss.”

“A friend of his took David out Monday night and got him drunk. Paul said it was the best medicine that David could have ever received. David said he awoke to find all the stress and pressure gone. When he left that day, he was relaxed. Thank God. With what he's gone through he was overdue for a heart attack. When he returns, he will be moving into what had been my parent’s home. It’s on our property so I have arranged a cleaning crew so that it’s ready,” Cora said, noticing the relief in Sharron's face. “He's agreed to rent the furnished place for a year.”

“Do you know why I changed my name to McGregor?” Sharron asked.

“To honor the man, you loved but thought you would never have,” Cora replied. “Let’s go to lunch I have someone you have to meet. It’s my husband, Paul and we’ve got some planning to do.”

********

Monday morning found my two sons and I parked in front of a warehouse store to pick up the pre-shaped packing boxes I would need for moving. While the boys finished their breakfast from McD's, I went in and paid for the stuff I’d ordered. It was nine o'clock in the morning when we pulled into our driveway. Once inside, the first thing I did was type up a letter for my soon to be ex and print it. Using wardrobe boxes, we quickly packed and loaded all my hanging clothes. Next came everything else. My tools, personal books, and church-related stuff came last. The computer, the desk, chair, and related supplies were loaded to. Adam and I went through my personal tools. I allowed him to choose what he wanted to keep; the rest went with me. I removed my household keys and tucked them in the envelope with my letter, leaving it on the kitchen table. After kissing my son's goodbye, I took off my wedding band giving it to my oldest son, saying ‘you’re the man of the house now, this should be yours.’

It was an hour later that I started to unload my stuff in my new place. The 2400 square foot, two-level, three-bedroom furnished house was perfect. It even had a small eight by ten room that would be great for my home office. One phone call had the electricity on. I was just about done when Paul walked up.

“David, Cora has supper just about ready so why don't you join us. That will give us a chance to get caught up in the church business. Besides, you look like you’re ready for a break,” Paul expressed.

So, we headed up to the main house after I’d washed myself up. By the time we reached the patio, Cora was standing there holding a cold beer for us. Man, it tasted good. For some reason, Cora was walking around in an extremely happy mood. I wondered why. After Cora went back inside to work on supper, Paul told me our financial planner had been charged with theft. Our total loss was over seventy-five thousand dollars. Two fellow staff members were under suspension, pending final decisions being made by the district attorney’s office. The hacking of our communications had been linked to Tony Landers’ apartment and the local state prison. Charges would soon be laid. I pretended to have no clue.

********

Maria pulled into her driveway noticing that her husband’s car was not in the garage. By the time the garage door came back down, the boys had the side door open to allow her in. They were excited, both trying to tell her what they’d done, what they’d eaten and what exciting things they did with each other. She asked if they knew where their father was? The boys got noticeably quiet. Adam pointed to the envelope laying on the kitchen table.

. “Dad's not stupid, Mom,” he said, “he told us about your plans and prepared us for it last week! We helped him move out.”

Adam and James watched their mother’s face go white. After taking his letter out, she saw his house keys fall to the table. It read; I know about your abortion. I know your lover was sharing our bed this last week. I know about child services. I leave you the house keys. I have taken what I wanted. I will have the store locks changed tomorrow. You can pick up your termination papers and final check any day next week. Now you’re free to have Tony Landers move back in.

Maria started to cry because it was not supposed to go this way. She wanted him down, out and destroyed. Living with the street people he always helped. She was losing the chance of revenge. Since he had destroyed her life, he had to pay. She swore she would find another way.

********

Paul and I were in the middle of our second beer when we both heard the front doorbell ring. I saw a huge smile come across his face, so I knew something was up, so I just prepared myself.

“Cora has developed a remarkably close relationship with a coworker thanks to what has been going on at her work, the church and with you. I think she's gone overboard. Her coworker had needed the states Social Services help at one time, and she screwed up. Cora now says she's becoming the daughter she wished she had. My youngest son had wanted to ask the lady out the first time he met her, but Cora shut that down fast. After talking with me, Cora got me to agree that things had to be made right. Sorry, David, we’re both sandbagging you tonight,” Paul said. “I think you will be more than pleased with the result.”

Paul was not a schemer, so I was in complete puzzlement trying to figure out who we both knew that they wanted me to meet. There was Sharron but no one knew how I felt. She was just one of many that I’d helped. I heard steps approaching, stood up and turned towards Cora and her friend. I was completely shocked. Sharron looked stunning.

“David, I believe you have met my coworker. In fact, I know your old friends,” Cora said in glee. “This is Ms. Sharron McGregor. Sharron this is David.”

Before I could even open my mouth, Sharron had run into my arms. I don't know which one of us started crying first. To this day, we never forgot our first kiss, with tears of joy running down our faces. We were both emotional wrecks, but we didn’t care. I couldn’t believe she’d taken my last name.

“Cora lets go into the house and give them some privacy,” Paul said just before he headed into the house.

Cora and Paul watched the two of us locked in each other arms, realizing that we were finding it hard to accept that we were together after so long. It brought back memories of when Paul was in the army and how lovingly those homecomings were. Paul wondered if David was finally being rewarded for all those painful years. It gave both Cora and him a deeper appreciation of how these two young lovers felt. They were both incredibly pleased at how it had all gone.

“Were we like that when I came home from halfway around the world?” Paul asked.

“Remember dear, we were able to communicate with letters from each other almost every day. We could express our love to each other. David is a pastor; a married man with children who couldn’t openly admit anything. If Maria hadn’t started it, David would still be at her side trying to do what he thought was right. It was her conduct that allowed this to happen tonight. Perhaps it’s the best thing she's ever done,” Cora explained. “The release of their built-up emotions are overwhelming them. For them, finding a release for the first time must be like the walls of Jericho coming down. Knowing what we know, I am immensely proud of both of them because in trying to protect each other they set a high standard for us all. Let’s pour some champagne to celebrate with, as we explain how their meeting came to be.”

Sharron and I finally parted when Cora and Paul came out, but we kept holding hands. We could not help but notice the glow on their faces. Meeting her was so long overdue, but it made a lot of things complicated for me with the church. I knew I had to consider handing in my resignation as the pastor. I was still a married man in the eyes of God and the law.

“We had a very shortened service on Sunday. It still went more than a good hour overtime because we had to explain to the parish what was going on. We disclosed the theft, the compromising of our communications and the investigations going on. What took the longest was what was going on outside the church with myself and Sharron. The deacons had met earlier and decided on a course of action, but we felt we needed to get our parish’s approval,” Paul said.

“I stood before them and informed them about the false charges laid against you. I made it clear that social services had investigated and found them untrue,” Cora broke in. “I disclosed the fact that Maria had had an abortion. That medical records proved the child was not yours. Maria by her conduct has left the church. Paul explained how he had a video of Maria's boyfriend moving in while you were away. Sister Ruth then stood up and spoke.”

“Ruth explained that you had been living in a loveless marriage ever since your wife had her first breakdown. She talked about the verbal abuse your sons and you had endured. Ruth said the Maria she knew no longer existed. To many, that was a shock. I was enormously proud when she admitted that it was, she who told you what was going on. Ruth's final point was that she believed Maria was in a mental health break down that she was had reached the point where she would be capable of doing harm to others including herself,” Paul said. “I then explained because of the circumstances of what had been learned that the deacons had agreed to recognize David as already being divorced if the rest of them agreed. Every adult stood up to show their approval.”

“That's when I said that Maria was trying to smear your good name and explained how I had met Sharron through our work. I admitted my failure as her social worker. I told them how you had stepped in to turn it all around. I had to disclose it all so I could prove that the charges of adultery against you were not true. I hope you’re not mad, David. I know that you’re a very private man. I did it because I wanted to explain that I felt the two of you were in love but had never acted on it.” Cora said.

“I explained that you would be living in what used to be my parent’s house. Since we had all agreed to recognize you as being divorced, I reminded them all that during the time of Jesus, for a man to be viewed as married all it took was for him to take her to his tent. Isn't that what Joseph did with Mary. I said for divorce all he had to say is ‘I divorce you’ and it was considered done. So, the deacons proposed that when Sharron has an engagement ring on her finger, they will consider you acting as man and wife biblically. I can gladly say the parish is in full agreement,” Paul said in glee.

“So that is why we set this up,” Cora joyfully said. “The rest is up to you two. We have done all we can. Let's go eat.”

Paul asked me if I wanted to lead in grace, but I declined because I was so emotional. Having Sharron beside me openly was still consuming me. I could not stop looking into her eyes. Both of us had huge, big-faced grins. The meal was over the top. Cora had really put on a spread. Steak, baked potato, a cob of corn, and a salad. As Cora cleared the table before getting dessert, they noticed that I had gotten quiet.

Cora, concerned, asked. “David, have we done something wrong?”

“No, I have!” the three of them looked at me like I was crazy, “I have been so wrapped up with seeing Sharron that I forget to ask where and how the munchkin is.”

Sharron laughed.

“David, John McGregor is staying with Uncle John and Aunt Margaret tonight because I did not know how late I would be. He is an active two-year-old boy who keeps me quite busy,” she said with a wink and a smile. “I have to warn you that Uncle John expects you to learn some serious Irish songs because he likes to sing when he's been drinking.”

Cora, Paul, and I were flabbergasted until she explained. “Steve Pollard had his original birth certificate thrown out by court order because of my ex admitting it was fraudulently created. So, when he submitted the corrected form, his name was changed, and you were registered as the birth father. So now you’re the dead beat dad of my son.”

Paul and I retired to the den while the ladies tidied the kitchen. I thanked them for doing what they had done. I had to admit; I was still in shock. Paul pointed out that Sharron had proven she was going to wait forever. That kind of love is rare and hard to find. If I, were you, I would take her to the jewelry store and get that diamond tonight because neither of you is going to sleep. Become Joseph and then take your Mary to your tent. So that's what I did. After saying good night, I asked her to drive me to the mall as I needed to get a few things. She just handed me the keys to her car.

We went to Jarod's where she picked out a three-ring set. After purchasing it, I got the big diamond out and got down on my knees. Sharron blushed and said yes.

We went to her apartment so she could grab some clothing then went back to our new home. Sharron took a picture of the ring, sending it to both Cora and Aunt Marge. She carried on texting the two of them until we got back. Cora had told her that she would be doing field training according to the timecard so as not to worry about coming in. I know you will want to move in asap. Have David drop by so Debra can honestly say she talked to him.

I wish I could say that we spent the night making mad raw passionate love. I can't. We were still floating on air. I told her I regretted not taking her out for a romantic dinner, but Sharron just laughed.

“This has been a romantic dream come true. I think I fell in love with you over our first cup of coffee when you gave me hope and a chance to dream,” Sharron explained. “How many can say they had a whole parish bring them together dear?”

We ended up falling asleep on top of the bed still fully clothed; our bodies locked together. We both woke up many times because our minds needed convincing that this was real.

********

Everyone could not help but notice how upbeat Cora was that Tuesday morning when she walked in more than a few minutes late. Her face seemed to glow. Some were wondering if she had gotten lucky last night. Cora loved it when her plans turned out better than expected. With her married sons so far away the grandchildren's visits were almost nonexistent, and she looked forward to having a little one around again.

Sharon and I met John and Marge at Denny's for breakfast. It was good to see little Johnnie. He took to me like a fish in the water. Once Sharron decided what she wanted to keep, we got to work. The items we would be putting in storage we loaded first. Using the wardrobe boxes, it did not take long to get that part done. Then we loaded up the baby furniture and went back to unload while the girls cleaned out the apartment. On the way back we dropped the stuff at the storage unit and returned to load what was going to Goodwill. By one, we appeared to have it all done so Sharron went to work.

It was nearing four when I went to the counter at the social services office to see if Debra was in. She was so I waited for her to come out to get me. When she greeted me, she was shocked to see me with a two-year-old and a diaper bag in my arms. As we worked our way back to her office, Debra spoke.

“I thought your children were older.” she said, “So I'm wondering who this little boy is with you?”

I laughed and responded, “This little fellow came back into my life thanks to some very special friends.”

“My office is right here.” She said, “Come on in.”

“Not without me you won't,” Sharron said appearing at my side, sliding her hand into mine. “Anything being done with David now has to include me.”

Debra's mouth dropped in surprise. Sharron giggled, her face glowing in pride. She then held up her left hand and said he's promised to make an honest woman out of me as soon as he is free. Debra screamed her congratulations. Sharron then introduced her son. Very quickly the hall filled up with people wondering what was going on. Cora slipped in and took Johnnie from me while ordering everyone to break it up. As Debra made some notes in my file, I heard someone say now I know why I never got to first base. The four of us spent the last hour talking.

Sharron and I stopped at the grocery store before we went home, just to pick up a few basics to tie us over until we stocked the house. Every married man knows quite well it’s not worth arguing with a woman on the price or brand of household supplies. Every man stupid enough to open his mouth has already lost the battle.

We took two carts. I pushed Johnnie while following his mother around. I was entertaining him as Sharron filled them up. I did not notice when or how Maria and Sharron met up. I just heard the swearing and looked up to see Sharron walking up to her. Their eyes were flaring. Their nostrils looked as if they could blow flames.

“Maria, you stupid bitch, I have been waiting for this day,” Sharron said getting in her face.

“I knew you two were involved,” Maria said as she raised her hand, slapping Sharron hard.

It left a red mark. Maria started calling her every foul name in the book. Sharron's first blow hit Maria in the gut. Maria swung back just as hard. The catfight was on. I stood back, not wanting to get between these two determined ladies. Their anger was edging them both on. It was drawing a lot of attention.

“Maria, you blame him for your pathetic life. I praise him for saving mine. You threw what you had away just to get your revenge. Bitch, it’s not going to work,” Sharron said. “So, I have to thank you for driving him to me. I claim him. He's mine. Go after him bitch, and you’re going after me. I can be just as dirty as you because I learned how to be by watching you.”

They charged at each other. Hands and bodies hitting each other in such a way as to maximize the hurt. It was Sharron that took Maria down to the floor before landing right on top of her. The way Maria landed her hip was going to be sore for quite a while. Both were landing punches as they went. The store staff finally showed up to break them up. As they led Maria away, she yelled ‘we’re not done. I'm going to make you pay.’ Sharron yelled back, ‘go for it bitch.’ Sharron, in front of all, gave me a deep kiss then hollered, ‘Maria, remember, I fight for my man. Maria started crying. It wasn’t going according to the plan. I knew she was losing it.

********

It was ten o'clock in the morning and I was sitting at my store, having appointed a new store manager and two new assistants when I got served. The paperwork contained a court order freezing all our bank accounts. I was restricted from being within 500 feet of her or my kids. It proved my thinking right. I was beating her at her own game. I called Steve Pollard’s office and requested a copy of the store’s incorporation papers so I could prove ownership of it because things were coming to a head. I had my staff fax him a copy of the divorce papers.

A few minutes later, my soon to be ex-wife’s youngest brother pull up on his motorcycle. After getting off he walked over to me.

“Listen asshole, you hit my sister or touch your sons again I will kill you,” He spoke, “she told me everything. I know about your illicit affair and your new son.”

The fool was buying her lies!

I laughed, “Are you sure about that? Maybe you should ask Tony Landers, the man she’s shacked up with. Better yet, have you talked to our sons.”

His face went red when I said I’d recorded his threat and would pass it on. He was an asshole who had never really grown up. He worked to buy his drugs while still living at home. I also had a video of when he tried to get my oldest son to buy grass for him because he owed his dealer too much.

It was about one o'clock when Maria walked through the store’s front door with two police officers. It was funny because the locksmith was changing the locks. One was a female, one a man. She had a court order to take possession of the store because it was a marital asset. Once it was served, they wanted me to leave the premises.

That's when I pulled out the corporation papers showing that it owned the store and that I was just a corporate representative. The male police officer left the store and when he came back in, he said the court order had been voided. I handed my soon to be ex her termination papers. She lost it and screamed. It wasn’t going according to her plans.

I raised the question of entrapment. The police asked why? I showed them my copy of the restraining order. They led Maria out the door trying to calm her down. I smiled knowing that in their logs it would not look good for Maria.

I had gotten Johnnie finally settled down for the night. This house was slowly becoming a home. Sharron and I had prepared our first meal together while Johnnie entertained himself in the highchair. The little two-year-old was getting quite attached to me.

I walked into the master bedroom to discover Sharron was in the shower. I quickly undressed and slid in behind her. Using the body soap and a washcloth I began to soap down her body as I discovered it for the first time. From the top of her neck, I massaged her down with lathered soap using the gentlest of touch. Slowly, I worked down her back and along her sides heading towards her waist. Reaching around, I soaked the washcloth then worked more body soap before using the same technique on her soft full rear cheeks making sure my finger explored her folds. I continued my exploring, soaping down the outside and the inside of her thighs; not stopping until I had reached the back of her feet.

Standing up, I got her to turn around so the water from the shower was hitting the back of her body. I started with her face, soaping down her facial cheeks between planting kisses. Soaping down her neck and the front side of her shoulders; moving down the top of her chest until I reached the orbs of her breasts. I slowed down, making sure I gave that area of her body extra attention. Her nipples were erect as my soapy washcloth and my hands lingered quite a while before continuing down over her tummy.

Once again, I soaked the washcloth and put more body soap on it before doing the front part of her thighs, then moving steadily downward till I had completed her legs. She had stepped back into the water allowing its gentle spray to run down the front of her body. I was on my knees when I moved into her Y. I started kissing its outer lips, then I explored it with my moist tongue. Sharron must have found what I was doing very erotic because she was already moist. Using my tongue’s tip, I began to explore the inner side of her outer lower lips. I could hear her moans, so I pushed right in. I could taste the sweetness of her juice as it flowed into my mouth.

I flicked my tongue around, looking for her man in the boat that was being soaked to the extreme. When I found it, I went at it like a kid licking a popsicle. I could feel her hands on the back of my head. I wondered if she was holding my head or steadying herself. The hot water was running out, but I did not stop until she climaxed at least once. Then I got up and turned the water off.

Sharron met me in a deep tongue exchanging kiss as our bodies met together naked for the first time. My stiffness pressed into her.

I love you was whispered to each other before separating to climb out and dry off. I used the soft towel patting each wet spot down until she was done then she did the same for me. Naked we climbed into our bed for the first time. I could see the passion, the love, and the fire in her eyes.

“No man has ever worshipped my body like you did or treated it with such tenderness and respect,” Sharron said. “Now I want to mount you, drawing you into me while looking into your eyes.”

So, she did. There was no further foreplay. She climbed over me with her legs bent and her body resting on her knees she guided my manhood to her and lowered herself down. The heat of her womb was consuming. Her wetness and tightness engulfed me as she slid down further. Finally, my testicles rested against her flesh. I arched up as she moved down, and our mouths and tongues met. We were filled with the need to share a deep long kiss.

Thus, we began making this our lover’s dance, with both of us trying to put the needs of the other first. I let her ride me as she saw fit, watching her body movement. Our passions were exploding. I was trying to see it through her eyes. We both realized we were giving ourselves fully to the other for the first time. I could tell she was having a mini organism the way her body suddenly stopped then started again, breaking the flow of the moment. Once she recovered, we started again working at building each other to the very edge. Using my fingers, I ran them up and down the sides of her body before focusing their attention on her nipples. I twilled them back and forth. Then stretched them before releasing as I tried to discover what turned her on. When she said ‘now,’ I released, shooting my seed as deep into her as I could. Each time my manhood pulsed; her muscles gripped me more.

Sharron collapsed upon me with my semi hardness still inside her as she moaned, “It was so good.”

********

Little Johnnie woke me up before the alarm clock went off, so I got up to get him after throwing my pajama bottoms on. I brought him to our bed after I got him ready for the day. Sharron looked so peaceful and contented this morning. Johnnie and I started horsing around and it was his giggles that woke her up. Sharron slowly opened her eyes. She had a huge look of contentment shining through.

After Sharron left to drop off Johnnie before she went to work. I started to prepare the outline for Sunday’s sermon. It was based fully on Mathew 5:7 “blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.” I wrote it to explain how God sees everything. That sometimes the littlest thing one does can be an act of mercy upon another. By the time I was done, I had used eight scriptures and two illustrations in the forty-five-minute sermon. With research time it had taken me over four hours to get it done. From this point, I would start to memorize it. I emailed my assistant his copy.

It was time for me to get back to my regular schedule. My assistant, who served as our youth pastor, had stepped up big time. We normally split the office duties. He went in in the mornings while I took over for the afternoons. The office was open to the members three days a week, but we were both on call twenty-four seven.

After a shit, a shave, and a shower, I got dressed in a suit. I called our receptionist informing her I was now back on my regular schedule. She said, ‘good see you after lunch.’

After supper, I went into my home office. I took the printed copy of my sermon and began working on it. Each time I rehearsed it; changes were made. I had to get the sermon to the point where it seemed natural. Sharron stood at the entrance of the room watching me as I worked it. I was still dressed in my suit. She smiled, noticing that my hands were always moving unless I was reading the scripture I was stressing.

“I could watch you all day,” Sharron said. “Each time you pause I see your mind working. You’re improving it by finding out by discovery what works better.”

“Each sermon outline I compose has a certain theme, with major points mentioned. The rest comes by working it through in my mind. Another person can take it and make it their own,” I replied. “Like Jesus, I try to simplify it to the point that those who hear it that day will take it with them when they leave. A great teacher leaves an impression of thought in those who hear them in their mind.”

Friday night I was at the store doing paperwork when my youngest son, James showed up. At ten years old he was big for his age. As soon as I saw him, I knew he was upset. His clothes were dirty. His face was tear-stained. I grabbed a couple of cokes and muffins and led him to the last table furthest from the store’s entrance.

“What wrong, James?” I asked.

“I heard Mom and Tony fighting loudly. I got scared,” James said.

I could relate to that. As a child, I could remember feeling the same way. I explained to him why he had never heard his mother and I argue like that.

“James, for a lot of people, what your mom and Tony were doing is quite normal. Sometimes serious discussions get overheated because of its human nature that causes our emotions to get us carried away. There is not much I can do. Neither of them will listen to anything I say,” I said with natural concern.

“Can I come and stay with you for a few days?” my youngest son asked.

I got up after explaining that I would be right back. I went into the file taking the restraining order out. I gave it to James and allowed him to read it.

I waited for him to hand it back to me before I spoke.

“James, I would love to be able to say yes. Sadly, the court order your mother got makes that impossible. I’m in a situation where if I took you home, I could be arrested and jailed.” I explained.

Just then, one of the clerks showed up and said “It’s your wife on the phone. She’s demanding that she be able to talk to you.”

I brought James into the small office and asked him to remain quiet before I clicked the phone’s speaker on.

“Hello, Maria, what do you want?” I spoke.

“James saw Tony and I fighting. He’s disappeared. I think he is on his way to you. If you see him send him home. The court order makes it clear that you are not allowed to have any contact with him. If you don’t send him home. I will contact the police department. If he is with you, you are dead meat,” Maria stated. “I would love to see you in jail.”

James heard that and ran out. He told a clerk ’Tell my dad I was never here,’ before leaving the store. By the time I got off the phone and through the door, he was gone. I called the police station and explained what had transpired. I faxed them a photo of him from my wallet. After receiving it the officer said dispatch will send an alert out.

I called Sharron to let her know what had been going on. She knew I was worried.

“Stay at the store. The elementary school routinely teaches children that if they’re in danger to call 911. James just might do that. If he does, they will transfer his call to the child services emergency helpline. Only they can overrule the state court order,” Sharron explained. “James ran to protect you.”

I knew Sharron was right. Being a worrywart dad is not good. I kept walking in and out of the store trying to see if he was around. My staff being supportive, they kept telling me things would be fine. It took about an hour before I received a call from social services. James had done what Sharron thought.

I disclosed, to the representative, about the court order and why? I also stated that I’d been investigated by the local office and that I had been cleared. The problem is that I still had the court order standing against me.

“I’ve got James on the other line. Will you take him in and keep him if you could?” she asked.

“Yes, I have rented a three-bedroom furnished home. There is room for James and his brother if he wants to come. The problem is, James heard his mother say that she would have me thrown in jail if she caught me with him.”

“Give me a fax number. I will send you a temporary custody order that will allow you to keep custody until the issue is fully resolved. I will also inform the local police department,” She replied.

I agreed joyfully.

“Your son is on his way to you at the store,” the agent stated.

I called Sharron to let her know that she was right.

Sharron must have been watching for us because she was at the door before, we got out of my car. James ran into her arms as if they were old friends. While she had worked for me, she had spoiled him rotten.

“Grab Johnnie, we got to get James some clean clothing, something to eat and a shower,” Sharron said. “I’ve already got his bed made up.”

So off we went to Walmart then Macy’s. Like most, we ended up getting more then we needed. Sharron finally got James to try on a suit. He balked but she put her foot down explaining that since she would be going to my church for the first time. We both must present ourselves together at our best.

“James, first impressions are often misleading. With what is happening with us all right now we have to present a united front for your dad,” Sharron explained. “I will be more inspected because they know you are his son.”

James asked, “Will everything about us being together be questioned?”

“Indirectly, yes. They will be watching how we react to each other together and with little Johnnie. Although they have already approved of what we’re doing publicly, what they personally feel maybe something different,’ Sharron expressed.

“James, she’s right. Apply it to yourself for a second. Ask yourself if any of your friends have said one thing about you to your face and something else to a mutual friend behind your back,” I added. “That’s the situation that Sharron and I are in, put simply.”

I was pleasantly surprised by how James accepted his new reality. It surprised me when he told Sharron right out, that Sunday morning, as she inspected him in his new suit.

“I don’t think I like the term stepmom and using your name just seems too formal. Is it ok when I’m asked that I refer to you as my second mom?” James asked.

“Yes of course,” Sharron replied. “If you agree to be our ring bearer when we get married.”

I was worried but would not admit it. As the four of us entered the church I realized that I had not needed to be. Paul and Cora were waiting for us. As soon as we arrived, Cora took little Johnnie into her arms. Soon she was telling all she was his godmother. Sharron was introduced as my intended. Quite a few comments were made about her ring. Everyone commented on how beautiful she looked. I agreed fully with that. I heard James explaining to his friends that soon Sharron was going to be his second mom. Paul opened the service then invited me to the platform.

Although Sharron had heard me repeatedly as I worked out my sermon, I have to say her attention to me seemed a bit extreme. Sharron, James, and John sat with Paul and Cora. Uncle John and Aunt Marge were sitting on the other side of her. It was their first time in our church.

I focused on the beatitudes which are in the fifth chapter of Matthew. I brought out the point that applying Christian standards had brought relief and blessings into my life. Every man knows it’s their spouse that keeps peace in their house. Too often we take them for granted. Other times instead of asking, we assume. Don’t forget, my dear ladies, these words can apply to you. That brought out a few smiles and chuckles. I ended the sermon with the scripture found in Hebrews were the bible writer implied “do not accept another man’s sin for they will be added to you on judgment day.”

“Look at me and my situation;” I said, “it’s the sins of another that brought what happened to a head. None of us could stop it yet we must deal with the circumstances and move on. We forgive, but never forget and remain forever guarded because of it.

After the service, I went to the front entrance with Sharron at my side so introductions could be made. She got more than a few tips on how to be a pastor’s wife. The eight of us went out to brunch. During brunch, Marge commented on how well she liked the sermon. Sharron then explained about watching me working on it.

“I never realized just how much prep work it takes. Even the sermon today was a little stronger and different,” she said.

Paul convinced James to work with him on the farm. Little did we know that he would develop a love of the land. James would end up being a farmer like his namesake had.

We had peace and quiet for a couple of weeks. My first court appearance was soon coming up regarding the divorce. One of my regular staff was sick; as a result, I worked the store that Tuesday night. I had locked up, vacuumed the floors, cleaned the tables, preparing the store for the next day.

As I walked out the back door at midnight into the darkness I was attacked. I felt the knife going into my side just before I went down. The next thing I knew I was in the hospital.

I was still coming out of it. Not knowing where I was when I heard a voice calling out. What they said did not make sense in my mind. I opened my eyes, seeing nothing because everything was a blur. I just knew someone was holding my hand. I felt exhausted drained and tired. All I wanted to do was go back to sleep. I wanted to close my eyes. ‘Fight it,’ a voice kept saying. You’ve got to stay awake. I forced open my eyes trying to focus. Slowly, I followed the voice. Driving me towards a clearing in the fog.

“He’s awake!” Cried Sharron in relief, “he’s going to make it. God heard my prayers.”

Almost instantly, doctors and nurses surrounded me. Lights were shone into my eyes. The stethoscope felt cold upon my chest. My blood pressure was being taken, so was my heart rate. There appeared to be a bunch of tubes flowing out of me.

“Welcome back, Pastor, we thought we lost you for a while. It was a tight race,” A doctor I did not know said. “Sharron, your wife made us fight like never before. She was right when she said my David’s too stubborn to die. She’s been here all night waiting for some good news.”

“Can I see her.?” I asked with my eyes still fighting to open.

“I’m here baby. Cora and Paul are here to. They’re in the surgery waiting room.” Sharron said.

“What happened?” I asked.

“You got stabbed seven times after leaving the store,” Sharron said. “Uncle John went looking for you when you didn’t come home. It was he that called 911 while trying to slow down you’re bleeding. They didn’t believe that you were going to make it; I did. They had to use eight pints of blood during the night. Your inners had been torn apart that much.”

The doctor said, ‘he’s stabilizing; all his vital signs are good. If he has no infections or flare-ups, he’ll be released in about a week.’

I looked at Sharron, seeing the worry and stress upon her face. She was tired and needed rest. Looking around the room, I noticed it was eleven. It must have been in the morning because there was daylight flooding through the window. Sharron leaned over, kissing my cheek just as her tears of relief let go.

I wished I could hold her, but I didn’t have the strength. Thankfully, the call button lay at my right hand. I pushed it and the nurse’s aide came in. I asked her to find Cora and Paul and get them to come in. She found them. Cora got Sharron to settle down. We talked about my ordeal and how I was coping with it. Sharron explained that both our boys were with Marge and John. The nurse came in and requested that they do not stay long because I needed to rest.

“They caught the guy who stabbed you,” Paul said. “He is a mentally challenged adult with the mentality of an eight-year-old. He has admitted that he is a friend of Maria’s.”

Sharron said “Cora, Paul when I last talked to Steven Pollard, he warned me that David thought Maria could be dangerous. That’s when I was given the power of attorney for my David.”

“The question is, will the police be able to tie the attack to Maria or does she escape again. If no money changed hands, there is only the suggestion. Which won’t hold up in court,” I explained. “Sharron, let Uncle John know he’s not to do something stupid.”

They said their goodbye’s because they could see I was falling asleep.

It was ten days of living hell for Sharron before I was released. Cora and Paul stood fully beside her. Paul and James were developing a deep friendship. Everything they did together on the farm was pure enjoyment to both. Paul said his own boys never bonded in the way that he and James had. Everything he does seems natural to him. When I explain something to him, he listens, thinks about it, and then asks what if we do this or that. I must admit that boy of yours has gotten me thinking about a lot of things. Together we have changed a few practices for the better.

As soon as I was home that Friday morning, Sharron started to relax. Marge and John were coming over for dinner on Saturday. It came out that Sharron’s greatest fear was that I was going to make her a widow before we were married. I picked up my cell and called Steven’s office, leaving a message for him to call me.

Johnnie was down for his afternoon sleep. James was in the fields with Paul. I was still weak, so I was laying down on the master bed watching a rerun of law and order when Sharron joined me. I took her in my arms. We just cuddled while whispering I love you to each other. It turned out it was something we both needed. We were reconnecting our intimacy in a perfectly normal way.

James came running in yelling “Mom, Dad where are you.”

Sharron replied. “Laying on our bed watching tv, why?”

James ran in all excited, “Grampa Paul wants to sponsor me in 4h. If it’s okay with you guys.”

We both smiled and said that it was great. He was off and running to let his new grandpa know he had our approval. Four h would introduce him to kids his own age who were into farming.

Sharron smiled, “So now I’ m just Mom. Paul is now grandpa. I wish it could be that simple for us adults.”

“It will get better soon I promise,” I said. “We are going to have to start planning our wedding.

********

John and I were walking around the house. I was slowly building my strength back. Marge and Sharron were inside working together to prepare our evening meal. James was helping Paul clean out the barn for the first time. If I were right in my thinking, the shower in the laundry room would be used for the first time due to country life.

“Make sure you can account for most of your time between next Tuesday to Thursday,” John quietly stated. “Something going down where the words frame up and entrapment is going to be used. There may be some collateral damage incurred.”

“As long as it doesn’t involve my oldest, I’m fine with it,” I said. “I don’t want or need to hear the details beforehand.”

“Sharron is still flying high. She’s never been so happy,” John said. “Marge said it’s like she’s found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Now, if only we could get her relationship with her parents back on track.”

“She doesn’t talk much about them. Perhaps if she did, she might find it’s not as big as she makes them out to be!” I spoke. “Until she’s ready to, I won’t push it.”

“Her father had lined her up years ago with someone who had lots of assets. She told him she was not going to become someone’s broodmare for a roof over her head,” John explained. “They just grew apart after that, leaving her mother stuck in the middle.”

I smiled and suggested, “John, arrange a surprise engagement party and invite them. If you need funds to pull it off, let me know, I will gladly help. Set it up so it happens after a Sunday service. That way it will seem natural because we always get offers to go out for Sunday brunch.”

John laughed. “You’re a sly one, but it’s a great idea. That way you can be introduced to the whole family. Everyone will see for themselves that Sharron has made the right decisions in her life. Most know you by your rep. Without saying a word, Sharron’s father will be shown that he was wrong.”

My assistant did a wonderful job handling the service. I enjoyed sitting beside Sharron and James listening to someone else. Marge and John were now becoming regulars. Steven Pollard was there with his wife, which was rare. After the service, he said I was now legally separated. I told him I wanted the divorce done fast. Offer them the house and the apartment buildings. I keep the store, the children and pay no child support. Also, make me a new will with Sharron entitled to everything.

Steven said. “I thought you were being over-generous until I remembered that you had refinanced the apartments. You’ll come out way ahead.”

“Yes, but in six months to a year, I will own them again because Maria will not pay to have a property management team run them. She’ll end up being foreclosed on,” I spoke. “She was never able to see value in anything I did.”

********

Thursday afternoon, I was in the church office after having a long discussion with a member about her relationship with her youngest son. For the most part, it was me listening as she let it all out. He had been developing some major problems brought on by friendships with people she deemed not acceptable. Nothing they said or did seem to work. I said he’s declared his independence. He believes he knows it all. Prove to him he doesn’t. How she asked. I said take him back to your roots for a month. Back to the old country with the outhouse, the different customs and life. Let him experience what it was like when you were growing up. Make him participate in it just like you had to, just to have a place with a roof over your head and something to eat. The length of time must be long enough for him to appreciate what you have done to give him the life he has. If that doesn’t work, nothing will.

Sometimes people must be hit with the truth in such a way it overwhelms them. The church’s secretary stepped in saying that the police were here with my oldest son. He and his uncle had been caught in a drug sting. Adam could be charged as an accessory after the fact. Seems he was sitting in the car his uncle was driving while he was in buying the grass. Adam looked scared stiff.

I told the detective that his mother had custody and that he should be taken to her. I was under court orders to stay away from him.

“Pastor, we can’t. She got arrested today with Tony Landers. They’re both sitting in jail,” he spoke.

“Best call Judge Donald Rotterdam and asked him how he wants to handle it. I can’t afford to be sent to jail because of this,” I replied. “You can use my office to call him.”

Adam looked at me. “Dad it was a stupid mistake. I had no clue what Uncle Gordon was doing. We’d been at grandma’s, and he offered to drive me home. Wait till she finds out her cars been impounded.”

“Either way you may still have to go to court. Because you’re a juvenile and it’s your first offense you’re looking at community service. Association has just bitten you in the ass,” I explained. “Plus, with your mother in jail, the judge is going to come down extra hard on you because he may view your actions with more seriousness because of the conduct of your parents.”

Dad, I’m telling the truth,” Adam said.

“I believe you are. I know you. The problem is those you will be facing don’t,” I pointed out. “How do you prove what you say is true. You can’t. Your mother’s credibility is shot. With the court order out against me, even my credibility is in doubt. Let this be a life lesson. Learn from it. The only one protecting you is you. Try to think things out.”

The officer came out and said I will take your son to the station, and we will watch him till after your meeting with the Judge. He is expecting you to drive over to his office right now. While driving over I called Sharron and explained what was going on. She said she’d make the third bed up when she got home.

It took about an hour. The judge told me he had called Social Services who made it look like I was a saint. Maria came across as a demon out of hell. He did not like it when I broke out laughing. I couldn’t stop. I thought the situation was funny.

“Pastor, I talked to the police officer and got him to reconsider his threat of laying of charges against your son. The fact that your son was telling the truth about the car being his grandmothers gives credibility to his story. We agreed that if it went to court, he would get off with a warning because he did not commit the crime. The police offer will make Adam report to him for a few weeks. I think you're being over-generous with your offer of asset split in your divorce. Her lawyer has accepted it gratefully. I’m granting the divorce,” the judge said. “Your lawyer is bringing me the paperwork for approval, and we will be making it official tomorrow. After the customary ninety days, it will be done. I have voided the restraining order. Custody of the children will be decided when and if she gets out of jail.

I thanked the judge and went to get my son. I texted Steven to ask him to find out what the details were concerning my ex. When I arrived at the police station to get my son, I learned that my ex had been taken to the psych ward at the hospital for seventy-two hours of observation. Before heading to my new home, we went back to pack some of my son’s articles of clothing. The house was a disaster. It looked like it had been ransacked in a home burglary.

“Did your mother go off her meds?” I asked Adam.

“I don’t know dad. Since the separation, I have been staying with friends. Coming back when I figured she would not be home just to change my clothes and shower as needed,” Adam stated. “Even the maid you had coming in quit.”

We packed up what we thought was worth keeping, dropping it off at a laundry service to be cleaned. No way was I going to stick Sharron or me with it.

“Dad, I stayed with mom because of James. I knew he needs me to replace you,” he said. “Mom really became unstable after you left. I think she lost it totally when she lost James. Tony had no clue really. He was just a fool in love with a female who had money. Do you think Sharron will allow me to move in? I did her wrong when she was working with you. I guess I believed Mom.”

“Tell her privately when you get the chance what you just told me. I’m fairly sure I know what her answer will be. In all relationships we have son, we have to work out the problems we create directly,” I stated.

“Dad, in December I will be old enough for my learner's license. These past few weeks have forced me to grow a little. It’s been you that kept the family together. I know that now. I was just too blind to see. Do you think I could spend the rest of my summer working with Pastor Seth in his youth ministry?” Adam asked.

In total shock, I stopped the car. Looking at him I said, “Really, why?”

“I don’t know if I want to spend my life in the ministry like you, but it’s something I’d like to explore before I close that door,’ he answered.

I handed him my cell phone and told him to talk to Seth. I let them work out the details. Seth was excited. I was pleased with the maturity of my son was showing.

Getting off the phone, Adam said. “Seth says I need to get a couple of suits or at least a sports jacket or two and dress pants, shirts, and ties, for official church functions. Blue jeans and T-shirts are okay for social things.”

“Never confront Seth publicly. If you don’t agree with something, ask him in private. Just like you do me. Open communication is important as a minister. Tact is one’s greatest asset. Learn to use it like the pen you write with. You can say ‘lady your looks could stop a clock,’ or you could say ‘lady your look makes time standstill. One would be taken as an insult, the other a compliment,” I suggested. “The only time it’s fitting to be an asshole is when you have invited someone out behind the barn door.”

Sharron had dinner almost ready when we got home. Paul and Cora had taken James and Johnnie so we could talk. While I set the table, Adam and Sharron had a private talk. I knew it went well because they were both smiling when they came back. I was shocked when Adam asked if he could say grace. He did amazingly well. After dinner, I left them alone as I went to work my sermon.

I came out of my home office to hear voices in the kitchen. Paul and Cora were here visiting with our three sons.

“Adam,” Paul asked, “Since you’re going to get your learners in a few months would you like to learn how to drive a tractor?”

“Yes, I would, but we will have to work out a schedule because for the rest of the summer I am going to be helping Pastor Seth in the youth ministry. I asked dad if I could, but he said I had to work it out with Seth myself, “Adam said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Sharron said. “Meet me at work tomorrow. After picking up Johnnie we can go shopping to get you the proper attire you’re going to need. While picking out stuff tomorrow remember that you’re not only representing your dad and the church but God”

The look on Adam’s face was priceless!

“I never saw it that way,” Adam said honestly. Paul and Cora laughed.

“Most don’t,” said Cora. “It’s something that is no longer considered important enough to be taught by most parents these days. Most people Sharron and I deal with have no respect for anyone or anything. Yet they all respect your dad.”

“Adam, when I was your age, I got mouthy. I figured I knew it all and as a result, I disrespected someone. When my dad heard about it, he took me out behind the barn. It was the first time he took off his belt and used it on me. He wasn’t angry, he was angry to the extreme. It was like he went mad. To this day I remember it well. He said my conduct had made him look bad,” Paul said.

********

Big John walked into the bookstore on Friday to let me know the surprise party was on for Sunday, after the service. I’ll leave it up to you whether you tell Sharron her parents will be attending Sunday service. They will be coming with us so we will slip in just before the service starts.

It was later towards the end of the day that Steven called me. It seems that Maria and Tony were arrested for illegal wiretapping, theft of government property, and money laundering. The charges had come down from the State Attorney General’s office. Of course, both were denying it all.

I was doing my usual bookkeeping in the office when one of the clerks handed me an envelope that she found lying on the coffee counter. It was addressed to me. It contained a note. It read. They will both get a dime {ten years) if they’re lucky. Expect a donation to the church to cover their losses. Thanks again, my unknown friend. Sean McKay.

My sermon was received well even though I had thrown a couple of curveballs into it. I did it to catch a few off guards. Boy did it ever work. It dealt with the blessing we take for granted. It hit home to quite a few. After ending the sermon, I asked Pastor Seth to close with prayer. I had told him about the planned date for our wedding while asking him if he would honor us by doing the service. He stepped up to the platform as I went down and stood beside Sharron as the parish sang. When we were done, he asked us all to sit down.

“It’s exceedingly rare a pastor can say he receives an unexpected blessing. Even rarer is when two come in the same week,” Seth said. “David, Sharron, and Adam, will you join me please.”

We did.

“On Friday I got an unexpected phone call. It seems that our pastor’s son wanted to work with me in the youth ministry. His father wisely said he had to work it out with me. I am pleased to announce that Adam McGregor will be my assistant for the rest of the summer. If he likes it, he will continue it part-time throughout the school year.”

The parish clapped.

“Secondly, I’m told David’s divorce has been granted. I was asked by both Sharron and David to officiate at their marriage on the 28th of November. It will be held right here.”

Everyone stood up and clapped. Then Seth led us in prayer. It was noted that Adam had held Sharron’s other hand in prayer with me.

It took a while for us to get away; everyone had questions. Big John waited till almost the end before telling Sharron and me about the surprise engagement party being held for us. He had to explain to Sharron that Marge had gone ahead and would be meeting us there.

It was a bring-your-own-bottle event with whatever food you might share. The legion hall was packed by the time we arrived. Before we went in, Adam asked if he could get rid of his necktie. I responded by taking mine off. Sharon then told him to undo the top two buttons of his shirt. In we walked, with me carrying Johnnie, Sharron, and my boys arm in arm. The first thing we heard was they’re here. Then a big congratulations.

We were expected to go through the food line first before there was a mad rush. I had Sharron go first. Marge came over and took little Johnnie, taking him directly to Sharron’s mother. I didn’t know it would be the first time she held him. It was a two-hundred mile trip for them, and they would be staying with Marge while they visited. We were sitting down with our plates when Sharron looked for him. It took her a few tries, but she found him.

“Mom, Dad. What a wonderful surprise. What are you doing here?” she asked walking towards them.

The room suddenly went quiet. Everyone knew their history and were waiting for what was next.

Sharron’s father spoke. “John called me because he said he had a problem. The problem was my daughter’s future husband wanted to meet me. I asked John what he was like. John said he’s the best. Knowing John as we all do, I had to find out for myself. For once John wasn’t exaggerating the truth. From what I’ve been hearing, he’s been understating it. David, I will be proud if you allow me to call you a son.”

Sharron ran into his arms just like she did when she was young. Somebody yelled, ‘crack open the bottles the party is on.’ Throughout the afternoon my sons heard often how respectable they looked. Adam was impressed by the attention he was getting from all the girls his age. Once the music started, Sharron’s father asked her to dance.

“Give Johnnie to me, Mom, I’ll watch him while you’re on the floor,” Adam said.

Whether it was what Adam had said or dancing with her father, Sharron was being twirled around the floor with tears of joy in her eyes. John pulled me aside, pouring us a cold draft.

“We did it right, David. At church this morning, Sharron’s father, a diehard, old fashioned Christian, eyes watched your every move. He said he was overly impressed with your sermon. He still had no clue who you were. It was seeing the three of you at the end of the service that broke him. He never expected that. He still can’t believe that Sharron is going to be a pastor’s wife.” John said. ‘Sharron’s problem with her family is now history.”

I finally got the chance to meet her parents. Sharon and I took them out for Sunday dinner. We took them to Clarks, a family restaurant that served good basic food. When her mother learned how bad it had gotten, she almost lost it. Sharron and I held nothing back. My sons put their two cents in. Both of us learned a few things that we did not know. By the end of the meal, it was all out. I got told quite plainly there would be no more Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, it was just mom and dad.

The psychologists and psychiatrists all agreed that Maria was medically incapable of standing trial. She was now suicidal and ended up being committed. Her fall, I had to admit, was the worse I’d ever seen. Tony Landers didn’t get a dime he got fifteen. I bought the apartment buildings back when her lawyer put them up for sale with no money down. With the interest so low I got an open mortgage for thirty years knowing I would pay it off in ten. I hired the old property management group with the same terms as before.

It’s been six months since our wedding. Paul and Cora sold us a two-acre piece of land off the back corner of their hundred and fifty-acre farm. We are busy building ourselves a new six-bedroom home. Everybody is excited about the new granddaughter coming into this world.