Chapter Seventeen
Eric returned early Friday morning. He apologized to Annie and Lucy for losing his temper, acknowledging that his use of the epithet "battle ax" was totally uncalled for. Then he asked Lucy if he could speak to her mother, alone.
"Sure, Dad," said Lucy.
"Don't go too far, there's something I want to talk to you about."
"I'm due over at the church, Dad," said Lucy. "Whatever it is, I hope it can wait."
"Sure, Luce, no problem," said Eric.
When Lucy had stepped outside and driven away, Eric asked his wife to follow him to the office. Rather than sit behind the desk, however, he took one of the "visitors" chairs and turned it sideways, so he could talk to Annie face to face without any obstructions.
There was a long pause after the two sat down. They did nothing but stare at each other for a whole minute. Finally, Annie couldn't stand it anymore.
"Eric, what is it?" she asked.
"It's over, Annie," said Eric flatly. "You and me, maybe it's time to go our separate ways; at least for a while. It's taken a long time for me to admit it, but I haven't been totally honest with you either; and when a husband and wife can't communicate with sincerity, it's time to throw in the towel."
Annie nodded slightly. Maybe it was for the best. But there was something she couldn't understand.
"Why are you telling me this now?" Annie asked her husband. "Is there anyone I don't know about? Or is it someone I know about?"
Eric hemmed and hawed; but one look from Annie and he knew that she knew.
"You want to know if I have been unfaithful to you and to the vows I made before God and the law. The answer is yes. Yes, Annie, I have been having an affair," admitted Eric, feeling totally ashamed of himself.
"Is it someone I know, Eric?" repeated Annie.
"It is, Annie. To make matters worse, it's someone we've helped once before. In so doing, I broke part of the commitment I made as a minister never to get emotionally involved with parishioners or anyone else we were helping."
"So? Who is it?"
"It's Shelby's mother - you remember Lucy's old friend; the one who only wanted dinner with us because she was starving after her mother's welfare got cut off."
"Her?" Annie was stunned. "Does Shelby know that you rocked the Kasbah with her mother?"
"Of course she knows. She found out weeks ago. To be fair, she was actually empathetic about it all. She didn't approve, but she told me she knows what it's like; since she decided she wants to be a minister, too."
"Good for her - well, the part about becoming a minister. So when did it happen, Eric?" Annie crossed her arms in front of herself. "And why?"
"Well, as to 'why,' I'm not going to say 'it just happened' because there's not a single excuse for it, but it did. I'm sorry. To answer 'when,' the answer is that it happened over the Christmas holidays. Shelby decided to spend Christmas over at her college, so with her mother alone I thought she could use some company. To make a long story short, I suspected you were cheating on me so I thought I'd get my revenge, and I seduced her. We ended up having four or five 'nooners,' the last one was on New Year's Eve, when Shelby apparently changed her mind and elected to spend the New Year with her mother. She walked right in on us. She promised not to say anything about it, knowing how much it would embarrass the church."
Annie showed not a single jot of emotion.
"You have every right to be mad at me, Annie," said Eric. "If you just jumped out of that chair and attacked me, I'd deserve it."
"I'm not going to, Eric," said Annie calmly, "because you're right. Last summer, while you were out of town for a couple of days, I did have a one- night stand. It was - you're never going to believe this - it was Joe James. Remember, the father of Sarah James, the girl that Simon wanted to bring home as a 'pet'?"
"May I ask why?" inquired Eric.
"Well, he was getting lonely. He had had a girlfriend for a number of years, but that didn't quite pan out, and he was on the rebound and I guess I had sex with him out of sympathy. For what it's worth, Sarah found out too, but she also promised not to say anything. Still, that's not an excuse, Eric, and I'm sorry too."
"I didn't mean, why him. I meant why, period?"
"There's no reason why people cheat on each other, Eric," replied Annie in exasperation. "Nearly every married couple faces that kind of inducement at some point in their union. I'm just surprised that with seven kids, five of whom are sexually active, and two grandchildren with three more on the way - it took so long for us to finally give in to what we've both always wanted - to expand our horizons. Not that I haven't been tempted before. But Joe's only the second man I've ever slept with. You, by your count, had at least twenty women before you met me; and you had sex only with me for twenty-eight years. The clock was just ticking, you know it was."
"So, it's over then? You're going to move in with him?"
"No, Eric," said Annie. "Again, he and I only did it a few times before Sarah James found out about it. What? You're not going to move in with Shelby's mother?"
"Of course not," replied Eric. "But even if I hadn't cheated on you, I guess I would have wanted to tell you it's over anyway; and maybe it was for the best that it was now rather than later when I really blew my lid. Maybe when all is said and done, I guess I just fell out of love. I'll always love you for being a friend to me all these years, and for being the mother of my seven children. But I just can't live with you anymore. It's for that reason, primarily, that later today I will be resigning as Minister. I'm on my way to tell Lucy she's got the church."
"Whoa, let's back up a minute," said Annie. "What do you mean by 'primarily'?"
"Well, I can't just tell the Deacons I'm quitting because I cheated on you, Annie. They'd never buy that and they'd refuse to accept my resignation. There is another reason why I have to leave now, which is the reason I'll be giving the Deacons."
"What is it, Eric?"
"The Colonel's sick, Annie. He's got Hodgkin's disease, and at this stage of his life the doctors don't see much point in treatment. Neither does Dad. Well, neither does Mom. Somehow she got it too. The doctors insist that's a complete coincidence - and Matt's confirmed that for me. But they both took out living wills, saying that they don't want emergency life saving treatment. They just want the plug to be pulled when the time comes. So, I'm going to Buffalo so I can spend whatever time they have left making their lives comfortable. Julie's also taking a leave of absence, so all three of us including George can be there when our Mom and Dad die."
"Oh, Eric, I'm sorry. I don't know what to say."
"Saying that you care is enough," said Eric. "I reckon you told Ruthie and Peter about you and me having that snit already, so if you want to tell them about this, that's fine - but they have to keep this to themselves. I'll tell Lucy and the other kids, and their respective spouses the same line, before going back to Buffalo tomorrow. I'm crashing at Chandler's, so I won't be bothering you tonight."
"I will tell them. If it's okay with you, Eric, I also have the separation papers right here, as we discussed on the phone - but don't you think you should say goodbye to the congregation?"
"When my parents die, then I will explain it all to them. I can't say enough I want to keep all of this quiet for now."
Annie handed him the separation papers. Eric quickly read through them and signed them, promising the first support payment would come within a week; as he had already gotten employment as an interim minister at a mega-church in one of Buffalo's suburbs - their minister, a well known figure in evangelical circles, had died suddenly and they need a "tide-over" until they could find a replacement, even if it was someone who generally scorned televangelists as Eric did. Eric had gotten the job only when he promised that while he would not back off from expressing his views from the pulpit; neither would he rock the boat.
He handed the papers back to Annie, saying he would send for the rest of his belongings within a month. As he got ready to leave the parsonage for what he realized might be the final time, Annie said: "Eric?"
"Yes?" Eric turned around.
"Thanks for the memories."
"No. Thank you."
Eric and Annie kissed one last time. Then he picked up his bag and walked out the door.
Annie stood in the doorway for a whole minute, not sure whether to celebrate or to cry. Finally, she just sank down and rested her head in her hands, much like The Thinker, totally lost in thought.
Over at the church, Lucy was furious at her father for even considering cheating on Annie; and the minister was just as angry at her mother for contemplating betraying Eric. But having dealt with troubled couples herself, she understood as well.
"Just promise me you two won't get a divorce unless you're both absolutely certain that your differences are irreconcilable," said Lucy, hugging her father.
"Does this mean you forgive me?" asked Eric.
"Yes, Dad, I forgive you," said Lucy. "I forgive Mom, too. Even if I couldn't, I know God would."
"Are you ready to take over the church, Luce?"
"No, I'm not, and I don't think the Deacons will hear of you quitting even if the Colonel and Grandma Ruth are ill. Take a leave of absence and think that over too. You've been here 27 years now. Maybe if you hung around a little while longer, you could get '30 and out.' I'm seven months pregnant, remember, Dad? Let Kevin and me have some time to get Charles and Jennifer into kindergarten and this little one into some good daycare, and then I'll consider it. Right now, I'm honored to be your protégé as well as your daughter.
"But if you're asking if Chandler and I can take care of things while you're in Buffalo, of course, we'll 'keep the situation well in hand,' as Mighty Mouse would say," laughed Lucy, hugging her father. "Give John, Ruth and George my love!"
"Good luck, squirt," said Eric. "I'll be back as soon as I can - hopefully, it won't be long, maybe a couple of months."
"What'll happen to George?" wondered Lucy.
"His natural father, Will, is still alive. But they both miss California; and Will put in at the CIA for a transfer out West. They'll probably move in with Julie and Hank and their kids."
"If you and Mom make it up, would you consider letting them move into the parsonage? I'd have no objections to that."
"If Annie and I did; of course I'd want my brother to live with us. But to be frank, it'll take more than just saying 'I'm sorry' to patch it up, Luce."
"Well, maybe the time apart will be good for both of you," said Lucy. She pointed a finger at her father and added, "As long as you don't sleep with anyone while you're in Buffalo!"
A horn honking came from the parking lot.
"That's Chandler and Roxanne," said Eric. "I'll call you when I get there."
"I love you Dad."
"Love you, too."
Over at Chandler's place, Eric called Matt, Mary and Simon. All were nonplussed by the turn of events, but they all shared Lucy's sentiment that Eric should use the time to evaluate his relationship with Annie.
Ruthie and Peter, having been apprised of the situation by Annie, came to the same conclusion but told Annie she should do the same regarding Eric. As for themselves, the two teenagers decided they needed another pause in their intimate relationship. This time, they'd wait to have sex again, until they knew for sure how Ruthie's parents decided to resolve their impasse. But they both agreed they wouldn't stop making out - they had too much fun doing that. Sighing, they settled down taking their turn babysitting Sam, David, Jennifer and Charles while cramming for a couple of important tests.
Eric returned early Friday morning. He apologized to Annie and Lucy for losing his temper, acknowledging that his use of the epithet "battle ax" was totally uncalled for. Then he asked Lucy if he could speak to her mother, alone.
"Sure, Dad," said Lucy.
"Don't go too far, there's something I want to talk to you about."
"I'm due over at the church, Dad," said Lucy. "Whatever it is, I hope it can wait."
"Sure, Luce, no problem," said Eric.
When Lucy had stepped outside and driven away, Eric asked his wife to follow him to the office. Rather than sit behind the desk, however, he took one of the "visitors" chairs and turned it sideways, so he could talk to Annie face to face without any obstructions.
There was a long pause after the two sat down. They did nothing but stare at each other for a whole minute. Finally, Annie couldn't stand it anymore.
"Eric, what is it?" she asked.
"It's over, Annie," said Eric flatly. "You and me, maybe it's time to go our separate ways; at least for a while. It's taken a long time for me to admit it, but I haven't been totally honest with you either; and when a husband and wife can't communicate with sincerity, it's time to throw in the towel."
Annie nodded slightly. Maybe it was for the best. But there was something she couldn't understand.
"Why are you telling me this now?" Annie asked her husband. "Is there anyone I don't know about? Or is it someone I know about?"
Eric hemmed and hawed; but one look from Annie and he knew that she knew.
"You want to know if I have been unfaithful to you and to the vows I made before God and the law. The answer is yes. Yes, Annie, I have been having an affair," admitted Eric, feeling totally ashamed of himself.
"Is it someone I know, Eric?" repeated Annie.
"It is, Annie. To make matters worse, it's someone we've helped once before. In so doing, I broke part of the commitment I made as a minister never to get emotionally involved with parishioners or anyone else we were helping."
"So? Who is it?"
"It's Shelby's mother - you remember Lucy's old friend; the one who only wanted dinner with us because she was starving after her mother's welfare got cut off."
"Her?" Annie was stunned. "Does Shelby know that you rocked the Kasbah with her mother?"
"Of course she knows. She found out weeks ago. To be fair, she was actually empathetic about it all. She didn't approve, but she told me she knows what it's like; since she decided she wants to be a minister, too."
"Good for her - well, the part about becoming a minister. So when did it happen, Eric?" Annie crossed her arms in front of herself. "And why?"
"Well, as to 'why,' I'm not going to say 'it just happened' because there's not a single excuse for it, but it did. I'm sorry. To answer 'when,' the answer is that it happened over the Christmas holidays. Shelby decided to spend Christmas over at her college, so with her mother alone I thought she could use some company. To make a long story short, I suspected you were cheating on me so I thought I'd get my revenge, and I seduced her. We ended up having four or five 'nooners,' the last one was on New Year's Eve, when Shelby apparently changed her mind and elected to spend the New Year with her mother. She walked right in on us. She promised not to say anything about it, knowing how much it would embarrass the church."
Annie showed not a single jot of emotion.
"You have every right to be mad at me, Annie," said Eric. "If you just jumped out of that chair and attacked me, I'd deserve it."
"I'm not going to, Eric," said Annie calmly, "because you're right. Last summer, while you were out of town for a couple of days, I did have a one- night stand. It was - you're never going to believe this - it was Joe James. Remember, the father of Sarah James, the girl that Simon wanted to bring home as a 'pet'?"
"May I ask why?" inquired Eric.
"Well, he was getting lonely. He had had a girlfriend for a number of years, but that didn't quite pan out, and he was on the rebound and I guess I had sex with him out of sympathy. For what it's worth, Sarah found out too, but she also promised not to say anything. Still, that's not an excuse, Eric, and I'm sorry too."
"I didn't mean, why him. I meant why, period?"
"There's no reason why people cheat on each other, Eric," replied Annie in exasperation. "Nearly every married couple faces that kind of inducement at some point in their union. I'm just surprised that with seven kids, five of whom are sexually active, and two grandchildren with three more on the way - it took so long for us to finally give in to what we've both always wanted - to expand our horizons. Not that I haven't been tempted before. But Joe's only the second man I've ever slept with. You, by your count, had at least twenty women before you met me; and you had sex only with me for twenty-eight years. The clock was just ticking, you know it was."
"So, it's over then? You're going to move in with him?"
"No, Eric," said Annie. "Again, he and I only did it a few times before Sarah James found out about it. What? You're not going to move in with Shelby's mother?"
"Of course not," replied Eric. "But even if I hadn't cheated on you, I guess I would have wanted to tell you it's over anyway; and maybe it was for the best that it was now rather than later when I really blew my lid. Maybe when all is said and done, I guess I just fell out of love. I'll always love you for being a friend to me all these years, and for being the mother of my seven children. But I just can't live with you anymore. It's for that reason, primarily, that later today I will be resigning as Minister. I'm on my way to tell Lucy she's got the church."
"Whoa, let's back up a minute," said Annie. "What do you mean by 'primarily'?"
"Well, I can't just tell the Deacons I'm quitting because I cheated on you, Annie. They'd never buy that and they'd refuse to accept my resignation. There is another reason why I have to leave now, which is the reason I'll be giving the Deacons."
"What is it, Eric?"
"The Colonel's sick, Annie. He's got Hodgkin's disease, and at this stage of his life the doctors don't see much point in treatment. Neither does Dad. Well, neither does Mom. Somehow she got it too. The doctors insist that's a complete coincidence - and Matt's confirmed that for me. But they both took out living wills, saying that they don't want emergency life saving treatment. They just want the plug to be pulled when the time comes. So, I'm going to Buffalo so I can spend whatever time they have left making their lives comfortable. Julie's also taking a leave of absence, so all three of us including George can be there when our Mom and Dad die."
"Oh, Eric, I'm sorry. I don't know what to say."
"Saying that you care is enough," said Eric. "I reckon you told Ruthie and Peter about you and me having that snit already, so if you want to tell them about this, that's fine - but they have to keep this to themselves. I'll tell Lucy and the other kids, and their respective spouses the same line, before going back to Buffalo tomorrow. I'm crashing at Chandler's, so I won't be bothering you tonight."
"I will tell them. If it's okay with you, Eric, I also have the separation papers right here, as we discussed on the phone - but don't you think you should say goodbye to the congregation?"
"When my parents die, then I will explain it all to them. I can't say enough I want to keep all of this quiet for now."
Annie handed him the separation papers. Eric quickly read through them and signed them, promising the first support payment would come within a week; as he had already gotten employment as an interim minister at a mega-church in one of Buffalo's suburbs - their minister, a well known figure in evangelical circles, had died suddenly and they need a "tide-over" until they could find a replacement, even if it was someone who generally scorned televangelists as Eric did. Eric had gotten the job only when he promised that while he would not back off from expressing his views from the pulpit; neither would he rock the boat.
He handed the papers back to Annie, saying he would send for the rest of his belongings within a month. As he got ready to leave the parsonage for what he realized might be the final time, Annie said: "Eric?"
"Yes?" Eric turned around.
"Thanks for the memories."
"No. Thank you."
Eric and Annie kissed one last time. Then he picked up his bag and walked out the door.
Annie stood in the doorway for a whole minute, not sure whether to celebrate or to cry. Finally, she just sank down and rested her head in her hands, much like The Thinker, totally lost in thought.
Over at the church, Lucy was furious at her father for even considering cheating on Annie; and the minister was just as angry at her mother for contemplating betraying Eric. But having dealt with troubled couples herself, she understood as well.
"Just promise me you two won't get a divorce unless you're both absolutely certain that your differences are irreconcilable," said Lucy, hugging her father.
"Does this mean you forgive me?" asked Eric.
"Yes, Dad, I forgive you," said Lucy. "I forgive Mom, too. Even if I couldn't, I know God would."
"Are you ready to take over the church, Luce?"
"No, I'm not, and I don't think the Deacons will hear of you quitting even if the Colonel and Grandma Ruth are ill. Take a leave of absence and think that over too. You've been here 27 years now. Maybe if you hung around a little while longer, you could get '30 and out.' I'm seven months pregnant, remember, Dad? Let Kevin and me have some time to get Charles and Jennifer into kindergarten and this little one into some good daycare, and then I'll consider it. Right now, I'm honored to be your protégé as well as your daughter.
"But if you're asking if Chandler and I can take care of things while you're in Buffalo, of course, we'll 'keep the situation well in hand,' as Mighty Mouse would say," laughed Lucy, hugging her father. "Give John, Ruth and George my love!"
"Good luck, squirt," said Eric. "I'll be back as soon as I can - hopefully, it won't be long, maybe a couple of months."
"What'll happen to George?" wondered Lucy.
"His natural father, Will, is still alive. But they both miss California; and Will put in at the CIA for a transfer out West. They'll probably move in with Julie and Hank and their kids."
"If you and Mom make it up, would you consider letting them move into the parsonage? I'd have no objections to that."
"If Annie and I did; of course I'd want my brother to live with us. But to be frank, it'll take more than just saying 'I'm sorry' to patch it up, Luce."
"Well, maybe the time apart will be good for both of you," said Lucy. She pointed a finger at her father and added, "As long as you don't sleep with anyone while you're in Buffalo!"
A horn honking came from the parking lot.
"That's Chandler and Roxanne," said Eric. "I'll call you when I get there."
"I love you Dad."
"Love you, too."
Over at Chandler's place, Eric called Matt, Mary and Simon. All were nonplussed by the turn of events, but they all shared Lucy's sentiment that Eric should use the time to evaluate his relationship with Annie.
Ruthie and Peter, having been apprised of the situation by Annie, came to the same conclusion but told Annie she should do the same regarding Eric. As for themselves, the two teenagers decided they needed another pause in their intimate relationship. This time, they'd wait to have sex again, until they knew for sure how Ruthie's parents decided to resolve their impasse. But they both agreed they wouldn't stop making out - they had too much fun doing that. Sighing, they settled down taking their turn babysitting Sam, David, Jennifer and Charles while cramming for a couple of important tests.