Blood on the Leaves by Jeff Stetson

Author:Jeff Stetson [STETSON, JEFF]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
ISBN: 9780759511910
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 34

REYNOLDS AND HIS family attended early morning service at the Reverend Matheson’s church. The choir sang “Search Me, Lord.” The unusually brisk air felt warm in comparison to the arctic chill that greeted them once inside. “Go ahead and search me, Lord. . . .” The congregation remained cordial to the children and courteous but distant toward Cheryl. “Shine the light from heaven on my soul. . . .” Reynolds, on the other hand, saw nothing but scorn followed by backs that turned on him quickly and often. “If You find anything that shouldn’t be . . .” The Reynolds family sat in their normal seats in pew eleven, but there were several vacancies on either side, and spaces in front and behind that created a circular divide. “Take it out and strengthen me. . . .” The Reynolds clan had become an island unto itself, surrounded by hostile waters and shunned by once friendly neighbors. “I wanna be right. I wanna be saved. And I wanna be whole.”

The Reverend Matheson gave a subdued sermon, which fit the occasion. It had something to do with the struggle between Cain and Abel, good and evil, trust and betrayal. Several times Reynolds thought he should stand or raise his hand and be identified in the unlikely event that anyone in the place hadn’t gotten the clear parallels. When the service ended, Reynolds tried to make a quick exit, but one of the deacons cornered him at the rear of the church. He relayed a message that the pastor had requested him to wait.

Reynolds asked Cheryl to take the children to the car and wait for him. He stood alone in one corner of the vestibule until the Reverend Matheson arrived.

“I appreciate your seeing me, James.”

“This isn’t going to take long, is it, Reverend? My family’s waiting, and I need to—”

“I’ll make it brief,” the Reverend Matheson cut him off. “It would be better for all concerned if you stayed away from the church for a while. I’ve made arrangements with Pastor Hayward in Madison. He’ll be happy to handle your spiritual needs.”

“Any reason in particular I’m no longer wanted as a member of your congregation?”

“I believe you know the answer to that, James. If not, I suggest you pray for guidance.”

“I’m just doing my job, Reverend.”

“I wonder how many crimes against humanity were justified with that phrase.” He inched closer toward Reynolds. “How does it feel to be a Judas?”

Reynolds didn’t flinch. “I could never be Judas, Reverend. That would make your son Jesus. And you know how ridiculous that sounds.”

Several members of the choir walked past and acknowledged the pastor, who blessed them as they left. He returned to Reynolds, who’d been kept on hold, and addressed him in a sad, resigned voice. “Might be a good idea if you and your family found another place to worship on a permanent basis. I don’t believe I can offer what you need.” He turned and left.

Reynolds stared down the long center aisle of the church and noticed a large statue of Jesus on the cross.

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