“Angelique and I didn’t work out mainly because some of her views didn’t jive well with mine, and my family did not take a shine to her. I’m family-oriented, and though I would still marry someone my family didn’t approve of if I believed in my heart that they were truly the one for me, I had doubts, too.”
“What doubts did you have?”
“Angelique was an atheist.”
“Yes, I know that. I don’t think someone’s religious beliefs, or in this case, lack thereof, can tell you if they’re a decent person or not. Especially in this day and age. Satan goes to church every Sunday. He arrives on time, and stays late.” Linda’s eyes grew larger, as if some big ball of fire had rolled through the room and set everything ablaze. “Evil is up and at ’em twenty-four-seven. No rest. No naps. It’s tireless. It’s the hardest worker I know.”
“Well, yes, there is good and evil in the world, honey. Thank God for discernment, right? His forgiveness of our transgressions is what we all need to learn and appreciate. I prefer to look at the glass as half full,” Linda offered.
“Yes, forgiveness is definitely important. I’m trying to work through that. Not there yet, and not really worried about it right now anyway.”
“Oh, but you have to, sweetheart. Forgiveness is the key to our own mercy, you see?” The woman looked at her with sad eyes, as if her words alone would change the tide. Make a left thing go right.
I don’t have to do a damn thing, Ms. Cottage.
Kim cleared her throat. The room began to feel a little hot.
“Jeremiah says, 31:34 34, ‘No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.’ Do you believe in the word of God, Kim?” The woman leaned forward, her expression serious.
“I believe in good and evil, Mr. and Mrs. Cottage. I believe in people being held accountable for their actions, even though sometimes we may not agree on whether a punishment fits a crime. I believe in not judging people when we haven’t walked in their shoes. I’ve seen a lot of wrong coming from so-called Christians and non-believers alike, so I don’t put too much stock in what someone says they believe, and what scriptures or words of wisdom they can quote.” The woman’s complexion deepened. “Actions speak louder than words. Walking the walk and talking the talk. Lip service is easy. Telling people what to do, when they wouldn’t follow their own advice, is also easy. Being human and authentic is not.”
I don’t have the same views as my mother. I believe in God, but so-called Christians put Africans in slave boats and chains, and told them the Bible said slavery is good, and that they should obey their masters, so they can miss me with all of this… This Andy Griffith doppelgänger I’m sitting next to, and his Betty White, Rose-Nyland-looking-ass wife from Golden Girls. She needs to hush.
After an awkward silence, Kim spoke a bit more calmly. “I don’t want to get into a religious discussion though. People feel very strongly about things like this, and if we get off the path, that will defeat the purpose of this visit. But I appreciate you sharing your views with me and—”
“Please don’t get me wrong, Kim. Now, in my old age,” he said, pointing to himself, “I’m more open-minded. I’ve seen all sorts of things in my line of work before I retired, and it really opens your eyes. I was naïve to some degree when I was with your mother, but with all of that said, I still believe people should have similar religious beliefs before getting married.”
“Okay. I see. I respect that. Was there anything else that you felt was a red flag about my mother?”
“She was also a feminist.” Kim cocked her head to the side and bit her tongue. Her first inclination was to yell, ‘And?!’, but she kept her mouth closed. “Again, that’s not a problem.” The man either caught her vibe, or was simply finishing his train of thought. “But for who I was at that time in my life, a very young man, and how I saw the world which in reconsideration was rather myopic, if we’d stayed married, Kim, it would’ve turned from bad to toxic. Been a complete disaster. I loved her dearly, but we weren’t evenly yoked. I’m also family-oriented, like I said, and my family is quite traditional, and they, uh… they didn’t like Angelique’s views.” He offered a watery smile. “I also had issues with some of her philosophies, and Angelique felt like I didn’t stand up for her when my family voiced their concerns to her. She believed they treated her badly when they met her after our engagement.”