“Pastor, we feel that you can benefit from a leave of absence.” The head of the church board, Brother Alvin White, advised.
“I assure you; I am ready, willing and able to perform my duties as the pastor of this congregation.”
“Be that as it may, you have been through a lot. Very publicly. Might I add.” Hannah wondered how this was in any way her fault. Did she ask her husband to humiliate her in front of the entire church? “As such, the board will have to insist you take a leave of absence until further notice.”
“But—” Hannah tried to interject. She didn’t want to be sitting home with nothing but her thoughts keeping her busy. No, she wanted to do what she did best and pour her heart and soul into the church.
“Pastor, it is our responsibility to do what is in the best interest of the congregants.” Brother White interrupted.
“And you too, Pastor.” Her own godmother, Letta Long, added. Great she was turning on her too. “Many of us have known you since you were born. This isn’t a punishment. This is an opportunity to heal away from prying eyes. We are looking out for you as well.”
That had been six months ago, and Hannah was still on her involuntary ‘leave of absence’. However, because her sister Lisabeth was married to a member of the board, Nigel Laurence, she had the inside scoop. They were finally ready to allow her to return.
Her sister and she arranged to meet up north at a café/spa for brunch. Hannah arrived first. While she waited, she placed an order for a latte. This had been the first time they had come to one of their favourite spots since Jeremiah’s announcement. Her life had changed so much since then. She was now officially a divorcee. The first one in her family. She tried not to feel the shame of it. After all, it hadn’t been her idea. Not that she had done anything to stop it. In fact, once she was served, she was ready for it all to be over.“Can I borrow your pen, please?”
“Don’t you want to read it before you sign Anna?” Her sister took the document from her hands. “Actually, I think you should have an attorney look over it before you sign anything. After the stunt he pulled, I wouldn’t put anything past him.”
Of course, Lisabeth had been correct, Jeremiah had slipped a clause into the document, giving him the house. The house that she purchased with the money her maternal grandparents had left for her. She didn’t want to live in it. Not after his betrayal, but she would be damned if he and his pregnant mistress lived happily ever after in the house she purchased.
Jeremiah didn’t want the divorce dragging out, so he had abandoned the quest for the house once challenged. Hannah ended up having to give him a lump sum in lieu of spousal support. She took it as penance. Her friend and lawyer Samantha had advised her to have a prenup and to add a cheating clause.“We are Christians and ministers of the gospel. There will be no divorce. So, no, I don’t need a prenup.”Hannah had been dead wrong. The saddest part was, if he hadn’t wanted to rush the divorce, Jeremiah probably would have fought for more and won.
Well, her marriage of sixteen years was behind her. Along with it was the agony of not being able to be ‘fruitful and multiply’. Her husband had grown frustrated with her inability to conceive. At first, he had been understanding. They would pray together for God to bless their union. Then slowly she found herself praying alone. Hannah would fast and pray. It came to the point it almost rocked her faith. Until twelve years ago, she stopped. She accepted what hand the Lord gave her. Even if that hand didn’t include natural born children. It wasn’t like she didn’t offer solutions. Jeremiah refused to entertain the thought of adoption. Now he had gotten what he wanted. How had he put it?“Despite my sinful actions, God has seen it fit to still bless me.”
Hannah had to physically shake off the memory.
“Hey, Anna.” Her sister greeted. Lisabeth was her little sister, but she always had a mature, wise vibe. Often, Hannah felt like the younger one. She stood and hugged her. The two sisters were very close. It was something Jeremiah complained about. Oddly, her sister’s husband never found issue with their bond.Because he isn’t an asshat.
Hannah sighed as she sat. Her inner monologue had become profanity filled these last months. She was working and praying on it.
“Sorry, I am late. Peggy couldn’t find one of her sneakers. I swear that girl can lose anything.” Where Hannah was childless, her sister had four beautiful children. Three boys and one girl.
“I take it she found it?”
“Nope, but Nigel rushed off and bought her a new pair. Making everyone late. Could we have sent her to school with a note and saved everyone the time and aggravation?” Lisabeth nodded. “Most certainly. You know how he is if she so much as looks like she wants to cry.”
“It’s sweet—” Hannah’s words and laughter died on her tongue at the withering look her sister sent her. Her brother-in-law was very much like their dad. He adored his children, especially his daughter. She admired that about him.
“Anyway. I’m starving. Are you ready to order?”
Hannah really wasn’t interested in eating. Ironically, she spent the last sixteen years watching her weight. Only to have Jeremiah’s betrayal be the best weight loss program she ever tried. However, she knew not to refuse to eat. Lisabeth would be on her case. So, she ordered a bagel and cream cheese and a mocktail. Lisabeth ordered as well. Her metabolism should have been one of the seven wonders of the world. She ate whatever and how much she pleased. Even with four children, she still wore the same size as when she was fifteen. In her sixteen years of marriage, Hannah had gained thirty pounds. That was with her continuously trying to take off weight. The dirty thirty, as Hannah had dubbed them, were now gone and took along with it twenty extra pounds. For the first time since her late teens, Hannah was comfortably wearing a size fourteen.
Once their orders were in. Hannah just stared at Lisabeth. When her sister wasn’t forthcoming. “So? What’s the word?”
Lisabeth sighed deeply. “You are my sister and I love you.”
“Lisabeth!”
“I’m only giving you the tea, so you have the heads up. Do not repeat what I tell you, and more importantly, do not act on it. You will get Nigel in trouble, and me along with him. Promise?”
“I promise. I just need to know what happens next.” She had done all the community gardening, crocheting, and quilting she could stand.
“The board thinks it’s time you return.”
“Yes.” Her triumph died on her lips as she observed Lisabeth’s demeanour. “But?” She prompted, immediately knowing there was a catch.
“You are to remain the co-pastor.” The news disappointed Hannah. She was hoping they would assign her as the sole pastor. “The board didn’t feel it was a good look to have a divorcee pastor running the church.”Wow!Her face contorted in disapproval. She refused to voice it wasn’t her fault. The board already knew that.
Lisabeth patted her arm. “I know, Anna, they are being totally unfair.”
