Here is the first half of Chapter 10, enjoy!
Chapter 10- Sunday
Leo Martin stopped outside the Glen Oak Community Church. He had taken the Reverend and Mrs. Camden's offer to attend church today. But, that was before Simon's accident. He was pretty sure that no one would notice him today, least of all Jen. He hoped that she was okay and that Simon hadn't hurt himself too badly.
"Well, here goes everything." He said to himself, walking into the church.
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Simon and Jennifer were clearly not speaking to each other. Jen rode with the Reverend, Mrs. Camden, Ruthie and the boys. Simon waited and rode with Lucy, Robbie and Matt.
When Jen arrived at church there were a million things on her mind. She didn't expect to see Brad there and almost ran over him, lost in her own thoughts.
"Whoa, sorry Brad!"
"It's okay Jen, I was looking for you. Can we talk for a minute?" Brad said softly. She looked at him, standing there so uncomfortably on his crutches.
"Sure, have a seat." They both sat down on the bench next to the entrance to the sanctuary.
"I came to church today so I could apologize to you. I'm sorry that I got Simon drunk last night. He called me and said that he was having some problems and needed a night out. I should have been more responsible, I know Simon is not like that, but I let him drink anyway."
"Thank you for your apology, but it isn't necessary. Simon is a big boy, he knows that he should and shouldn't do. It was his decision, not yours. How are you feeling?" Brad couldn't believe what he was hearing. Even though he and Jen knew each other through Simon, he had never actually sat down and had a conversation with her. He was surprised that she could be this level headed about everything that had happened.
"I'll be okay, as soon as my ankle heals. You know, Simon really loves you. He told me all about it last night. I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive him."
"I don't think that will be the issue." Jen said softly, as she noticed Leo Martin walking towards the church.
"Church is going to start any minute, we should take our seats. Thanks for the apology Brad." She said, standing up.
"No problem." He said smiling as she walked away.
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Jennifer took her seat on the pew in between Mrs. Camden and Lucy. Simon sat on the end of the pew behind them next to Matt, trying to slouch out of the gaze of the parishioners. Jen hoped that he wouldn't see Leo Martin come in at the last minute, but as it turns out, that was unavoidable.
Leo walked right up to Simon, obviously unaware of the scene that was about to take place.
"Hey Simon, I heard about your accident. I'm glad to see you're okay."
"Yeah I'm okay, no thanks to you." Simon stood up, pushing Mr. Martin back into the center isle. "Stay away from my girlfriend." He said, low enough that most of the Camden family heard, but no one else.
"Simon, stop it! He didn't do anything. This isn't the place..." Jen tried to stop him, but Simon cut her off.
"No you stop it, now you're defending him? I don't need this." Simon stormed to the back of the church and out the doors just as the organist began playing.
Leo just stood in the middle of the isle and watched him go.
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As the parishioners filed out after church none of them had the heart to ask Reverend or Mrs. Camden about Simon's blow up. At least this took the attention away from the accident, Reverend Camden thought to himself. After the last of them had left, Eric walked up to Annie.
"I think you should give Dr. Downes a call, we probably need her at the house for this." He said softly.
"I'll do that on the way home. Jennifer is riding back with Matt, Lucy and Ruthie so she won't hear. I really didn't want to tell her this way."
"I'm afraid we don't have a choice." Eric said, as they both walked to the car.
About a half an hour after church Jennifer heard Mrs. Camden's voice up the stairs. "Jennifer, could you come down to the living room please?"
"Be right there." She answered, wiping her tears and heading down the stairs.
Jennifer was surprised when she walked in the room. Sitting on the couch was Reverend and Mrs. Camden, as well as her counselor, Doc Laura.
"Have a seat Jennifer, there is something that we need to talk to you about." Dr. Laura said, motioning for Jen to sit next to her.
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