Lynn saw it though.
From down the hall, she recognized it for what it was—lionesses on the prowl.
Lynn tried, unsuccessfully, to excuse herself from her conversation with Tami. Meanwhile, Jackie changed tactics in the blink of Beth’s tear-filled eyes.
“Are you… coming from teaching Sunday school?”
Beth frowned at the abrupt topic change. “Yes, I teach the fourth and fifth graders.”
Jodi and Darla exchanged glances.
Jackie’s head tilted. “Do you think you should be doing that right now, in your situation?”
Beth’s stomach dropped. “What do you mean?”
Darla hesitated, then spoke gently, as if trying to cushion the blow. “Sweetheart, in light of your recent… condition… do you really think you should be teaching?”
Beth’s confusion deepened.
Jackie gave a slow, deliberate smile, her tone taking on the kind of measured patience reserved for wayward children.
“What Darla is trying to say, Beth dear,” she began, voice smooth but unmistakably sharp, “is that in light of your recent… activities… do you really believe you’re the best person to be molding the young minds of this church?”
Beth’s stomach twisted, but she said nothing.
“In leadership,” Jackie continued, “one must always be mindful of how we live our lives and whether our actions cause others to stumble.” She gave a small, knowing shake of her head. “We know about your marriage to that young man you brought to church last Sunday.”
Beth’s breath hitched.
“We’re sure you would never want to lead one of your students astray.” Jackie let out a heavy sigh, her lips curving into a pitying smile. “So, I’m sure you can understand why we feel it would be best for you to step down from teaching… at least until you get your life and your priorities back in line with the Word of God.”
She paused, her hands falling unnaturally still. Then, as if to seal her judgment, Jackie reached forward and tapped Beth on the breastbone with the edge of her Bible.
The weight of the moment pressed down on Beth’s chest.
Her voice was quiet, hesitant. “You don’t think I should teach Sunday school… because I got married?”
Jackie gave an exaggerated sigh, pressing her hand to her chest. “It’s not that you got married, Beth. It’s why you got married.”
Beth’s breath came short at the venomous tone. “What does that mean?”
Jodi’s lips curled.
“You know.” Darla pressed a hand to her mouth and nodded toward Beth’s stomach, eyes wide in exaggerated innocence.
It took a second for Beth to understand.
Then her world tilted.
She sucked in a sharp breath. “You think…I’m—?”
Jackie reached out, patted Beth’s arm, then quickly withdrew her hand, brushing her fingers off like she’d touched something unclean. With a sigh, she made her final move.
“It breaks my heart to say this,” Jackie said, tapping a set of perfectly manicured nails against her chest. “Especially since I’ve been a friend of your mothers for years and have watched you grow up in this church. But I feel it is my duty. After all, I am the head of the shower committee.”
She paused dramatically, letting the weight of her words settle. Then, with an equally dramatic sigh, she raised her voice—just enough to ensure the entire fellowship hall could hear her next words.
“We will not be able to host your baby shower—you understand, of course. Church showers are exclusively for women who do not conceive their babies out of wedlock.”
