Chapter Eighteen
Lucy Camden Kinkirk was sitting in the church's main meeting room across from the church's five Deacons: Lou, Brian, Susan, Heather and Edward. She had called this unscheduled meeting to let them know about a decision she had come to.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she said, "a few weeks ago, something happened that required me to re-evaluate my life, and my career as a minister. I also had to consider what is best for my family, especially my children; as well as for the good of the congregation. I have come to a very difficult but necessary decision. I am offering my resignation as the Minister of Glen Oak Community Church."
For a minute, there was an awkward silence. The Deacons weren't sure they heard that right. Finally, Lou spoke up.
"Luce, I don't understand. Why?"
"In the past few months," the minister replied, "I have been unfaithful to my husband on two separate occasions. The first was with the former Associate Minister here, Chandler Hampton. The second was with my friend and Chandler's wife, Roxanne Richardson. I've never wanted to admit it until now, but I've come to the realization of what I am. I go both ways."
"And?" asked Sue rhetorically.
"That's it," said Lucy. "I had sex with two people who weren't my husband, and I liked it. One of those people was a woman. Do I have to spell out to you what I did with them?"
"We are quite aware of what you've done," said Ed. "Chandler talked to us about it about a week ago. He figured that's why you wanted to meet with us today, which is why he excused himself from this meeting. Roxanne told him the whole story, about her and Kevin, then her and you; soon after you, Roxie and the gang returned from Hawaii. She told him, quite bluntly, that both you and she are – um – bisexual. Chandler forgave her, and she forgave him for his infidelity, but they realized their marriage was at an impasse and they couldn't take it anymore. So, he and Roxanne have filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences."
"He knows Roxanne slept with me?" Lucy cringed.
"Yeah," replied Heather.
"And she knows he slept with me, too?"
"Yes."
"What about their daughter? I mean, both their children – Roxie's pregnant, after all."
"They've agreed, for the sake of their children, to joint custody," said Susan. "Chandler's accepted a job back East, at a church in the Bronx; and he used his connections to help Roxanne get a job as an investigator with the Manhattan District Attorney. They're moving at the end of the month just as Ruthie and Peter start school.
"From what they tell me, they're still going to live in the same house, just in separate bedrooms. They don't want to traumatize little Catherine any more than she already is with her problems and all. Turns out they found the perfect program to help her with her learning disability. Apparently, it's had great success."
"Well, at least they can still be friends," said Lucy, "although that living arrangement kind of reminds me of the one Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson had even after they divorced. But Roxanne and I are friends. Why didn't she tell me?"
"I guess she still hasn't gotten over her telling Chandler the truth," said Lou. "She needs to come to terms with herself before she can mend the breach with you."
"I don't know what breach there could be," said Lucy sarcastically. "She and I got as close as two women can possibly get."
"Regardless," said Brian, "we're not going to accept your resignation. You're a human being, and you made a mistake. Presidents have done worse things than you and they didn't have to resign."
"Politicians are members of the Second Estate," pointed out Lucy. "I'm a member of the First."
"Meaning?" asked Lou.
"A call to serve God is always more important than the call to serve the people. I failed my God."
"You've shown genuine contrition for your mistakes, and that's all God asks of you," said Sue. "There are many ministers, politicians and public servants, people in general, who reject God totally. Call Him God, Allah, Yahweh, the Grand Architect, the Great Spirit – whatever. People are out there who live their lives as if everything is relative. Others go out there with their faith on their sleeves believing that God is on their side. You, on the other hand, have said many times you want to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. You want to be on the side of God.
"And that makes you very different. And when I go to the polls, read about the issues, makes decisions in my own life – just the rest of us around this table – I ask myself, 'What Would Jesus Do?' And by that, I mean not what others think Jesus would do, not what others tell me to do, but what I think Jesus would do. I might be right, I might be wrong. But if at the end of the day all things considered I have put myself at the side of God, rather than having Him on my side, that's all that matters. We are justified by our faith, and it is through that faith that God forgives our sins, no matter how society may view them. Even ministers like yourself."
"But I tripped up in the worst possible way," said Lucy, on the verge of tears. "Jesus would never have condoned something like this. I'm not worthy to be His servant; not anymore, anyway."
"Who in this damn world are," snapped Lou, "those stupid televangelists; the politicians who proudly proclaim their contempt for Muslims; the people who serve at soup kitchens but live contemptible lives the rest of the week?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh come on, Luce, your husband is a cop. He regularly busts people for minor drug offences. And he grumbles all the time that they're probably going to get way more time for possessing a mere 90 grams of cocaine for his or her own personal use, than the corporate scion who steals 90 million dollars from his or hers' employees pension fund. Who has done more harm to the world? By right, the drug addict should be given a chance to turn his or her life around and the big-shot should be rotting away in a damp dark cell. In the real world, we've been scared into thinking that druggie is the worst threat. You had sex with only three human beings: your husband, your former colleague, and a woman who happens to be his wife. Who gives a damn?"
"A lot of my parishioners aren't as opened minded as you are," said Lucy. "Most of the rest are, but there are a lot of people who think people like me should be burned at the stake! And, for what it's worth, Roxanne slept with a woman before."
"You don't think many of your parishioners are that way? You don't think we've cheated on our spouses?" asked Heather. She glanced sideways at Susan. Susan nodded back and winked.
"Oh no," said Lucy. "Not you two?"
"Ten years ago," said Susan. "Both of us were in the seven year itch stage. Eventually we broke it off and admitted the truth to our respective husbands. They forgave us and that was the end of it."
"In fact," said Lou, "we're all guilty of adultery. On that basis, it'd be high handed of us to demand your resignation, or accept one from you. We're not even going to put you on probation. However, your parishioners do ask a higher standard of you. So take the advice that Jesus gave to Saint Mary Magdalene when he chased away those who would have stoned her: 'Go and do not sin again.'"
"The prostitute that Jesus forgave and Mary Magdalene was not the same woman," pointed out Lucy, laughing. "The DaVinci Code may be a load of baloney, but that's one point Mr. Brown got right."
She sobered up, and then continued, "Of course, Mary Magdalene was a sinner as well, but that she was chosen to be the first person Jesus spoke to after his Resurrection proved she was an even more faithful disciple than the Twelve Apostles, and more proof than any that women should be ordained."
"Our sentiments exactly," said Heather, "which is why we hired you in the first place. She was definitely the most faithful disciple. If I had it my way, she would have been the first to lead the church, not Saint Peter."
"Maybe I'm following more in her footsteps than that of Jesus. Regardless, Lou, you're right. I can't do that again – with a man or a woman."
"One thing more," added Lou. "Tell Kevin. He needs to know the truth – soon. I know you love him, and sometimes loving someone means facing up to your darkest secrets. Tell your parents too. You're an adult and you can make your own decisions, but Annie and Eric have the right to know if their daughter has been sleeping around."
"Thanks, guys," said Lucy. She rose from her place at the table, followed by the Deacons.
"Oh, one more thing," said Ed. "How are Ruthie and Peter?"
"I don't know where they are. All I know is that they're under CIA protection; as are Shelby and Rod; and Patty Mary and Uncle George. The CIA isn't exactly the kind of people I'd want to protect me, but they must know something."
"You know who the assassin is?"
"Kevin and Roxie told me, but I'm under court order not to say anything. Chances are, you've probably figured out who it is anyway."
"No," said Heather, "and even if we knew we wouldn't endanger your sister and brother-in-law, or their friends and certainly not your uncle and Kevin's sister."
"Thanks," said Lucy. "Well, at least I now know what my sermon will be for this Sunday. 'Be Not the Hypocrite, Like Me.'"
The group left, leaving Lucy alone. How am I going to explain to my precious Kevin, she asked herself, that I'm that way?
She pulled out her desk reference Bible, and pulled it open at random. The page landed on Ecclesiastes, her finger touching Chapter 3. She began reading, "To everything there is a season ..."