AN: Rated T for mention of abortion and rape. Also features some homophobia/sexism. Just a heads up. However, it doesn't mean that there isn't any humor to be found in the story… besides all the angst and arguing.
The nature of scandal
"I simply cannot believe it…. The shame…" Ichabod was baffled.
Abbie, for once, agreed. They had just spoken to a minister who had embezzled money from his congregation and to the journalist who had discovered it. Spoken to wasn't the right word though, they had in fact torn the two apart as they were literally trying to scratch each other's eyes out.
"To abuse their trust like that…" she replied. "And to think that the parishioners do not want to press charges, still keeping him on a pedestal…" She couldn't wrap her head around that one.
"I meant the journalist," he said. Abbie looked at him with the question written on her face.
"Her? What has she done?"
Ichabod snorted. "You have to inquire? Surely…. An unwed woman, pregnant no less, wearing her shame like… like a trophy.." He could hardly say the words. "For someone like that to attack a servant of God…." He could not understand it. The woman had worn tight clothing which had only drawn further attention to her body and the state it was in. No shame at all!
Abbie swallowed hard. This was one of those moments… She was in half a mind to strike back, asking if getting rid of the 'shame' was a better course of action, but decided against it. The ensuing discussion could make her too emotional. Many years ago, still in high school, she had accompanied one of her friends, Carol, who was in a difficult situation. Surely he would not be able to understand that either… How women could be trapped between a rock and a hard place.
She opted not to respond at all. The case was closed anyway. The journalist would stop hassling him, lest she wanted a restraining order and the reverend would walk away scot free. Justice indeed!
Ichabod eyed her. She did not seem pleased. Did she really agree with this? Women raising children without fathers, even choosing to? Fallen women without any deference to those who brought God's word, however flawed His servants might be?
Abbie decided to ask him a question in return. "So you think his parishioners are doing the right thing? Letting him off the hook just like that?" She snapped her fingers.
"Perhaps they are practicing the art of forgiveness."
It was Abbie's time to snort. "That's easy for him. Forgive and forget; let's pretend nothing happened!"
"It's a very Christian thing to do. In fact, perhaps the very highest…" he continued, unsure why she would be so cynical.
"The way I see it, is that he has wrapped them all around his little finger. They do not even question him, just because of his position. You'd think that would be more fit, no 'fence, for your time…"
"None taken… Am I to understand that you do not believe in exemptions based on high positions?"
"No," she said, almost angrily. "The other way around, I would say. Abuse of one's power, of the trust people placed in him. If it were up to me… he would be punished more severely, not less."
"And she should not be punished at all…" he inferred, thinking it over. "Not even threatened with this order of restraint... Although her virtue is shattered, her reputation will remain entirely unscathed."
"Somewhere else she could have won a journalistic award… for uncovering such a scandal." Abbie pushed the argument even further.
Ichabod remained silent. The nature of scandal had definitely changed over time, that much was certain.