TWENTY-FIVE

KAINE

"I don't even know where to begin with you, Kaine." Deacon Arnold Parish threw his glasses onto his desk and rubbed his eyes. "You realize I have to fire you." 

"I understand that Reverend," I replied, tight-lipped. 

"What the hell were you thinking?"

 It took a lot for the honorable Rev. Parish to use four-letter words so I knew he was upset. "I thought you were above the rumors swirling around but it seems I overestimated you." 

"Reverend, I deeply regret desecrating a holy place." 

That wasn't really true. I regretted not a damn thing but had to make a halfway sincere apology. 

"My mistake was in being self-absorbed and foolish enough to bring my private life into a public house of worship."

The deacon blinked. 

"God is all-knowing and all-seeing, Kaine. You know that. He sees what happens in your bedroom as well. He knows that you lured a young girl into your bed like a predatory wolf! Have you no remorse for those actions?!"

He was practically frothing at the mouth in rage. I didn't expect him to understand my position. His Christian worldview was strict and pious. But I would never apologize for or misrepresent my relationship with Maggie.

"With all due respect, Rev., she is an adult. As am I. I never manipulated or lured her to my bed. We were both unattached, we have much in common, and our relationship just blossomed as naturally as any other would." 

"She's nineteen years old!" he bellowed. "What could you two possibly have in common?" 

"Caring for the homeless," I shot back. "Feeding them and making sure they stay warm. Giving back to the world rather than taking from it. We support each other and lift each other up. We are better examples of God's love than half the people in this church." 

I sat back in my chair defiantly.

"And if you must know, we even like our coffee the same way."

Deacon Parish did not look convinced from my answer. 

"You really think a relationship with this girl will work out, Kaine?" 

"I don't think, I know," I replied. "She and I have something special. I'm one-hundred percent sure of that."

The Deacon sighed and rubbed his eyes again. 

"My final business with you comes to the decision of whether I should blacklist you to other churches or not. What do you think I should do, Kaine?" 

I shrugged. "The decision is ultimately up to you, Rev. And I'll respect whichever conclusion you reach. I have never harmed or mistreated anyone who has stepped into a holy house of worship. My only crime is falling in love with and pursuing a relationship with someone younger than me." 

The deacon only rolled his eyes and sighed again. 

"I only pray that when you get over this rebound from your divorce, you'll learn from the mistake and choose a suitable, Christian woman next time."

He raised a cautionary eyebrow at me. "The girl's mother has told me some very disturbing things about her." 

"I'm sure she has," I said with an eye roll of my own, not willing to argue about Maggie's mom. "Are we done here, Reverend?"

He nodded curtly and handed over an envelope with my final paycheck inside.

"On a personal note, I'm sorry to see you go, Kaine," he said kindly. "You're a good pastor. The community here loved you. I just wish you used your brain in this matter." 

"The heart wants what the heart wants," I answered as I accepted the envelope from him and shook his hand. "Thank you for the opportunity, Reverend." 

"God bless you, son. I'll pray for you."

And I'll pray for you to become more open-minded. Not that it was likely. 

My phone rang the moment I left his office. It was my lawyer with good news, I hoped. 

"Hey Chris," I answered as I speed walked my way out of the church without looking back. 

"Hey, Kaine. We've made some good progress," he said. "Turns out Rachel requested a divorce dismissal, which anyone can do with the county clerk before the paperwork reaches the judge. Her so-called special connections are pure bullshit." 

"Just as I thought," I muttered as I got into my car. 

"The county clerk will be reaching out to you to ask if this dismissal is something you want as well," he continued. "If you say no or don't respond at all, the divorce will proceed as normal."

"That's exactly what I want," I replied. "Any progress on the paternity test?" 

"Unfortunately, that will have to wait until the baby is born," he replied. "Sorry, buddy. That drags things out a little longer."

"I don't mind waiting. Just as long as the truth comes out." 

"Justice will be served, my friend. Don't you worry." 

"Thanks, Chris," I said sincerely. "Anything else?" 

"That about does it for now. I'll keep you posted." 

I thanked him again and hung up the phone. That mess with Rachel was slowly getting cleaned up but I wouldn't be satisfied until I had my girl in my arms. 

I merged onto the freeway and hit the gas. I moved over into the fast lane and drove just fast enough to keep the cops from pulling me over. 

The mental image of Maggie's mother marching over and slapping her when they caught us burned into my mind. I would have punched that awful woman if Rachel hadn't gotten in my way.

She dragged my poor, crying Maggie out of the church by her hair without even letting her put her pants and underwear back on. 

My Magdalene's cries killed me. I tried to run after her but Rachel kept blocking my way. Stupid me didn't have the heart to shove a pregnant woman out of my path, no matter how evil she was. 

By the time I had my final meeting with the deacon the next day, Maggie hadn't answered any of my calls or texts. It wouldn't surprise me if her parents took her phone away like a child. 

But now, I was on my way to get my girl and never look back. We were done with this place and could finally be ourselves. We could love each other openly and be free.

I pulled up to Maggie's house within twenty minutes and rapped at the door. 

No answer came so I knocked again, louder and more insistently this time. 

The door finally cracked open and her mother's beady little eye stared at me from the other side. 

"What are you doing here, Pastor Cross?" she hissed, but then abruptly giggled. "Oh excuse me! I suppose you're not a pastor anymore." 

"I'm here for Maggie," I said flatly, refusing to rise to her bullshit. 

"She's not going anywhere with a pervert like you!" came the answer.

"That's for her to decide," I shot back. "She's an adult and can make her own decisions." 

"A stupid, slutty girl like her can't be trusted to make her own decisions," her mom cackled. "That's why we've sent her away."