"We Can Never Be Together" Kiss

1966

"You look very handsome," Abbey told him as she straightened his tie. She immediately regretted it. It was inappropriate to say such things to him. She tried to move past it without him noticing. "You have all your notes in order? You don't want to quote the wrong verse in the middle of your sermon like you did last week."

He smiled softly. "No, I numbered the pages this time, like you suggested." This was his favorite part of the week. Getting ready to deliver a sermon with Abbey. She always helped focus his mind on what he was about to say. He never got nervous in front of crowds, but he did often get distracted. She kept him grounded. He was so blessed to have her as a friend. "I don't know what I'm going to do after I've taken my vows and I get assigned to my own parish somewhere and you're not here with me before every sermon."

"Someone else will be able to bring you a glass of water and make sure your hair isn't out of place." She turned away so he wouldn't see the moisture forming in her eyes.

He grabbed her hand. "Abbey…"

She turned back at him. "You don't want to keep the parishioners waiting."

Jed pulled her hand, making her stumble into his arms. He put one hand at the back of her neck and kissed her.

Abbey pulled away. "Please don't do that." Her voice was pained.

"I'm sorry."

"No, I'm sorry." She turned and left the room.

Jed was left in a sea of swirling thoughts and emotions. Any focus on the sermon that Abbey had given him had flown right out the window. He was on his way to being a priest, and she had a steady boyfriend. They couldn't be together. Not now, and likely not ever. Not with the way things were. Jed had a lot to think about. He had some decisions to make. But now was not the time. He took a deep breath and looked down at the notes in his hand. He walked out to the altar to give his weekly sermon at Notre Dame.

"Today, I'd like to talk about courage. All throughout the bible, stories teach of having the strength and fortitude to do what is right, even when the odds are against it. God wants us to trust in our judgment of what is right, of what is his will. God wants us to be brave enough to follow it."

Author's Note: This story is the prequel to Bartlet History 2, Changing Majors.