Lindsay was on her way to see the pastor as he had promised to look around for a job. "She had told him she really didn't mind how menial the job was."
"That was three days ago. He told her when to return to him and she was on her way there. She hoped he had some sort of good news for her because she really needed a break."
"Thank God the church is a walking distance from her home otherwise she would have been stranded," she thought.
"The previous days she had gone to town with a couple of her c-v in the hopes that she would get lucky in a matter of time and she had to transport herself to and fro."
"Her mother had given her some money which wasn't much considering it was what was left from the sale of their family's business and a larger share had been given to Luka, the first son."
"Her mother was also on several medications and had used a part of the money to purchase them and do her routine blood work."
"Nevertheless, she hadn't expected it and wanted to refuse but her mother wasn't having any of it."
"That money had been a lifesaver even when Matt was hospitalized and she had been feeling helpless at the situation and angered at her husband's pig- headedness," she recalled.
"The walk to the church was peaceful regardless of her inner turmoil, she was following a shortcut to get to the church and there weren't a lot of people at that time of the day."
"It was probably because they had gone about their various businesses. She did hear the faint sounds of the children in the neighborhood calling at each other loudly and squealing as they played."
"Lindsay loved the community she and her husband had chosen to live in. He bought the house just before the wedding after they had both inspected it and had fallen in love with it."
"They had both quickly identified with the church, it wasn't that they were staunch church goers but they tried not to isolate themselves and supported the church without hesitating."
"Now she was glad they did because the show of hospitality from them these past years was mind-blowing," she thought. Lindsay almost bumped into a large stone as she walked.
She saw the building and hastened her steps saying to herself, "I might as well get to it, I will take whatever may be the outcome, in stride."
The church was always open and the pastor's office was behind the church and there was a connecting door from behind the pulpit.
Taking in a deep breath, Lindsay entered the church. "There were a few people sitting at separate angles on the pew and she sighted his wife in, what appeared to be a deep conversation, with an elderly man."
"Hello dear," the pastor's wife called out to her as soon as she saw Lindsay hesitant move in her direction, "come on over, the pastor has got some good news for you," she announced with a gentle smile.
Lindsay, now feeling encouraged got close enough to her to return the smile and exchange pleasantries.
Her elderly companion who now looked faintly familiar looked up as well and said, "hello, Mrs Michaels," before fixing his gaze back on the pastor's wife.
Nodding briefly at him, she left them and made her way to the pastor's office all the while thinking that, "all the church members must really be feeling sorry for her because her family's ordeal was not secret."
Unconsciously drooping her shoulders she finally knocked on the office door and a cheery masculine voice admitted her inside.
"You are here, thank God, and how have you been my dear," the broad faced genial looking African-American middle-aged man spoke the words from behind a large desk.
"Still hoping for the best Sir," she replied, her shoulders still drooped without knowing it and a compassionate expression crossed the minister's face.
"He was thinking of how miserable the young woman looked," then thought to himself, "just how unfortunate life could get especially when one was not expecting such."
"The Michaels had been a great blessing to his congregation. Her husband was known to be an avid giver who had given to other denominations for years. He was grateful when they moved to their community," he recalled.
"The Lord will not forsake you and your family my dear, believe that the church is praying for you. Your family is never far from my prayers and will help anyway we can," he said in a reassuring voice.
Moved by his words, Lindsay only nodded, feeling close to tears and didn't trust herself to speak. She moved closer to the table and sank into a chair after he gestured towards her to sit.
Reaching for a tissue from the little box on his table he extended it in her direction and she took it gratefully dabbing at her wet cheek not surprised that she was tearing up.
"Lately it seemed to be a habit of hers, if she didn't know any better she would have suspected a pregnancy. Without intimacy between her and Rex for years now, it wasn't it," she reflected.
After a few seconds of allowing her to compose herself he said, " I do have an offer for you but it is nothing flamboyant or exciting but it would put a few dollars in your pocket."
"This is music to my ears, his wife did say something about, " a good news," she suddenly recalled. She looked at him eagerly, "not worried about the possible nature of the job."
"Our church accountant is moving to another parish on personal request and although I can easily get another replacement, I want to give you position," she heard him say.
"Wow!" she thought to herself, "wondering how something like this came up just when she needed help the most?"
"Miracles do happen at the eleventh hour after all," she surmised.