She began to speak in rapid Haitian Creole and even though he grew up hearing it, Guy could barely keep up. He hadn’t realized how big of a deal it was that he didn’t go.
He shook his head. Who was he kidding? He knew, he just chose to ignore it like everything else that didn’t fit his agenda.
“How long have you been going?”
“This was my first time, but I’ve been to Bible study twice.”
“Oh, Guy, I am so happy. I knew you would be fine in Freedom Lake. Who does the Bible study?”
He sat back. “Everyone seems to take a turn doing a lesson. Just a group of us from high school.”
“Oh,” her voice lowered. “Girls, too?”
He grinned. Mother’s never changed. “Wi.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know if you remember them but Jo Baker, Chloe Smith, and Michelle Thomas.”
“Michelle?” She pronounced it the Haitian way.
He paused and looked at his cell. “Is something wrong?” Had she known they had dated? They had tried to keep it secret from everyone.
“No, no. I’m glad you’re going back to God, pitit gason.”
Something was off, but he didn’t have the energy to figure it out right now. “Me too, Manman. I need to go, but I’ll call you this weekend. The girls miss you.”
“Kiss and hug them for me.”
“Will do.”
Guy rubbed his face. It was a relief to talk to her without the usual tenseness. He could only thank God for that turn of events. Thank You, Lord. Please keep propelling me forward.
Since he was on the phone he dialed Michelle. He didn’t want to wait until the weekend to see her.
Her honeyed voice filled his ears. “Hey,” she answered softly.
“Hey, Chelle Belle.”
Silence greeted him, but Guy had a feeling she had a smile on her face. “I wanted to know if you would like to come over for dinner one day this week?”
“Definitely.”
“Fantastic. Any favorites?”
“Whatever you make is fine with me.”
“Even better.” Now he had to figure out what to cook since she had been so amicable. “How about Wednesday night?” Was two days too soon?
“That works.”
“Great, see you at five.”
“Bye.”
“Bye, Chelle Belle.”
His good mood soared higher. Today would be a good day.
MICHELLE SAT HER PURSE down on top of her office desk. Her bungalow had gone from a cozy sanctuary to a minefield. Ever since she came back from her date with Guy, Jo had been giving her the silent treatment. She had always feared that people would shun her if they knew she’d had an abortion. Who knew not talking about it would be grounds for harsh treatment as well.
She shook her arms and rolled her neck trying to ease the tension from her body. She missed her best friend. Missed being able to joke around or talk seriously if she needed to. What was she supposed to do? The irony wasn’t lost on her. In order to have her friend back, Michelle would have to tell Guy what happened a month after he left and risk him leaving all over again.
Michelle wasn’t naïve. No way Guy would take the news well. What man would? She just didn’t see why she had to bring it up now. They weren’t together when it happened and now that they were, the past needed to remain that way. The past.
She closed her eyes, weary from it all. It was moments like this she was convinced no good could come of their relationship.
“Knock, knock.” Tanya stood in the doorway, a cup of coffee in her hand. “I thought you could use a cup. Usually, you’ve grabbed one by now, but you haven’t been by the coffee maker once.” She sat the coffee down on the desk. “Everything okay, boss?”
“Tanya,” she sighed. “It’s really okay to call me Michelle.”
Her nose wrinkled. “I can’t. I was raised to treat certain people with respect based on their occupation alone. And you’re my boss. I can call you Miss Thomas or boss.”
She shuddered. There had to be something better. Miss seemed so old. “We’ll argue about that later.” She studied her secretary. “What’s wrong with you?”
Tanya sat down in the office chair across her desk. “Nightmares.” She stared off then met her gaze. “Do you ever get them?” she asked softly.
She had told Tanya of her past experience. Michelle didn’t know why but she wanted Tanya to know she understood the anguish. “Too often.”
Tanya nodded. “I guess that means they’ll never stop.”
“I don’t know. I’m hoping they will. It’s one reason I’ve been talking to God lately. My friends swear that He’ll forgive me for anything, but I just don’t know.”
Forgive yourself.
She rubbed her arms, warding off the chill of the Voice. Forgiving herself was impossible. Didn’t that minimalize the horridness of her sin? She didn’t want to put herself in that predicament ever again. If...and it was a big if...if she ever got pregnant, she would carry the baby to term. Be the mother the child deserved. One who would give her all without a backward glance at life’s current circumstances.
Tanya offered a hesitant smile. “My mother told me I was going to hell and that I was no longer welcomed in their home. So I doubt your friends are right. God condemns people like us.”
“No.” The word shot out of her mouth like a clay target for skeet shooting. As much as she struggled with believing God could forgive her, somehow, she knew He didn’t condemn her. “I disagree.”
“But, I thought you weren’t sure.”
“I wasn’t, but when you said He condemns us, it just felt wrong.” Michelle rubbed her furrowed brow. “Tanya, would you like to come to one of the Bible studies? We get together every Friday. Maybe something will resonate within you.”
“Really? You wouldn’t mind?”
The hopeful look in Tanya’s eyes cemented her invite. “Not at all.”
“Thank you. I’d like that.”
“As soon as I know whose house it will be in this Friday, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks, Boss. Back to work I go.”
She watched her walk away. There really had to be something better than boss.
Chapter Twenty-Six
