Chapter Two

Monday

Stephen drove to the front of the church and nearly drove by before noticing the front door was left ajar. He parked, walked into the empty foyer and noticed a door open in the alcove to the left that said “The Fellowship Room” on it.

In and out. A quick chat and I’m out of there.

He opened the door wider and saw Laura, standing by a coffee table, who turned to face him with a tight smile. They stared at each other for a long moment.

“Laura?”

“Stephen. I was hoping you would make it.”

“Am I in the right room?”

“Oh yes, the Fellowship Room. This is the place.”

Laura did not greet him as she would have any other guest, with a warm Christian hug, but instead busied herself arranging and rearranging items on the table. She talked quickly in a nervous chatter, without taking a breath and only stopped when she ran out of air.

“Yes, hello, please sit down; make yourself comfortable, my husband sends his sincerest apologies. He was called away to minister to a sick member of our parish in the hospital who took a turn for the worse apparently, and since we had no way of contacting you, he sent me in his place in case you or any other new member might drop by, since the Monday meeting for new members is advertised on our newsletter and website. I know I am a poor substitute for Reverend Roger and I know you were expecting to meet with him, and I could get his secretary to call you to reschedule a meeting, but I’m afraid it could not be until next week at the earliest. He’s leaving on a five city book tour tomorrow to promote his new book, “Lessons in Life”. Five cities in five days, he always says when he goes off on these book tours. Five cities in five days. He won’t be back until Saturday evening…”

“How exciting,” Stephen said, smiling, as Laura caught her breath.

“Have you read any of his other books?” “Lessons in Love” or “Lessons in Marriage?” Laura asked.

“Catchy titles, but no, I haven’t.”

“My husband is very proud of them. “Lessons in Love”, his first book, was a bestseller among Christian publications. His second book “Lessons in Marriage” is said to have helped many young married couples through some rough patches… Are you married, Stephen?”

Why did I ask him that? It’s none of my business.

“No… I had a girlfriend a few years ago, but never married… Anyway, he seems like a really great guy, Laura.”

“Yes.”

“Do you have any kids?”

“No not yet. But, maybe one day soon. My husband is always saying how he wants to “put a bun in the oven”.

Oh God, why did I tell him that? Too much information.

Laura sat stiffly in a folding chair during the awkward pause in the conversation, with crossed legs and a forced smile.

“Well, Laura, to answer your question, I don’t need to reschedule the appointment. I’m happy to talk to you. In fact, it’s a very pleasant surprise for me. And you are not a poor substitute.”

Stephen stared at Laura and smiled. Trying to escape from his gaze, she turned her back to him and faced the coffee table.

“Would you like a little sweetie, Stephen?” she asked.

Stephen stared at her faded blue jeans that hugged her