“I’m sorry. Good morning.” She followed him into the kitchen. “Smells good.”
“The doctor said I could start doing a little more. So I thought I’d surprise you with breakfast.”
“Thank you and when I get back from walking Simon and Winnie…”
“I already did that,” he said proudly.
“You did? When? How?” She sat at the counter. “I went downstairs and Tommy helped me.”
She smiled and shook her head. “Okay, after breakfast, I’ll walk them around the corner.” He looked at her smiling and thought even with her hair tied in a scarf and her face not yet washed, she was beautiful. “I’m going to clean up and then enjoy this amazing breakfast.”
“Okay.” She got up and he watched as she walked around the corner t
o the bathroom. Being married to her wouldn’t be so bad. He could help her grow in the things of God and she could teach him how to love again. He sat down at the counter massaging his thigh.
“Starting without me?” She patted him on the back as she walked back into the kitchen.
“Not exactly.”
“Here,” she picked up a plate and stacked a couple of pancakes on it and placed it in front of him. “You cooked so I’ll serve.” She turned to get the bacon off the stove and when she turned back he was smiling. “What?”
“Nothing. Thanks.”
She knew the routine after two weeks of playing live-in girlfriend. Sean always bowed his head and prayed over his food. She had grown accustomed to the ritual and began joining him. He reached over and took her hand in his and said the blessing. Saying in unison, “Amen.”
“Coffee?”
“Yes, thank you.” She filled both cups and placed the French press back on the counter.
“This is different. We’ve never sat at the counter for breakfast. It’s kind of nice. How did you sleep?”
“Good. I managed to get through the night without taking a pain pill.”
“Good. Well, from the taste of this breakfast and the way you took care of Simon and Winnie, seems you won’t be needing my help much longer.” His heart sank to the bottom of his stomach. He knew this day was coming. He just thought he had another few days. “Let’s see how you do today, and maybe Winnie and I will get out of yours and Simon’s hair day after tomorrow.”
He feigned a smile of delight accompanied by a statement he didn’t want to believe, “Maybe, we’ll see.”
Chapter 43
WHEN SHE WALKED INTO THE church she looked at her watch, it was eleven forty-five. She was a little early. She looked around the lobby and read a pamphlet lying on the information table. The door opened quickly and a young woman rushed out and almost knocked her down.
“Excuse me.”
“No problem,” Kyla replied.
The door didn’t close fully, allowing her to hear what was going on inside. She stood to the left of the door and the familiar voice captured her attention. Pastor Mike was speaking. She peeked inside and there were only women seated. All their heads faced forward, looking at Pastor Mike. The young woman walked back and startled her again.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“No problem. Seems I’m in your way.”
“No, you’re not. Are you going in?” she asked.
Kyla looked at her watch and the thought of sitting inside beat waiting out in the cold foyer. Besides, the person she was meeting with was a little busy at the moment. “Sure.”
She followed the young woman inside and slid into the back row. She looked around and there were all types of women… black, white, Asian, Latino. Some were well dressed and others looked like they had just come in from the working girls night shift. And a few looked like they were homeless or a little less fortunate, as well as a few soccer mom types. It was clear these women had very little, if anything, in common. She thought maybe this was some sort of support group for the less than stellar women, and the more polished professional women were there to volunteer to help them get back on their feet.
A well-dressed blond woman a couple of rows in front of Kyla stood up and asked, “So Pastor, you’re saying it’s my choice, that if I want better, all I have to do is change? I thought once I came to God, He would instantly change me. I mean I really like sex but I don’t want to be a slave to it? And I don’t like the hold it has on me. I want to be free.” And she sat back down.