Chapter 1
"Abbey, I got a phone call today."
"You did? From whom?"
"Somebody I knew quite well and wants to see me while she's in Washington tomorrow."
"Well, who is it Jed? Don't keep me in suspense."
He rolled over to face Abbey. They both were in bed, but were still reading.
"Abbey, I knew her many years ago and she had a profound influence on me. At least until I met you."
"Jed! Who is it? And why are you having so much difficulty telling me about her? An old girlfriend?"
Jed had been a theology student when they had first met so the idea of a serious girlfriend prior to her was a strange thought. Abbey knew he had not had many encounters when they had first 'done it'. In fact, though she had been a virgin, she had experienced more things than he had so she had coached him through their first time. But he had been a quick learner and soon she was experiencing things she had never dreamed of. In fact, there was this one time….
Abbey quickly shook her head. This was not a good time. He seemed too distracted for sex.
Jed shook his head. "No. Not an old girlfriend. An old teacher. From my senior year."
Abbey twisted her head to better see her husband's face. Jed had gone to all Catholic schools. His elementary school was Our Lady of Sacred Heart and his high school had been his father's New Hampshire Academy until his senior year when he had transferred to All Saints. And his only teachers at All Saints had been Sisters.
Nuns? His visitor tomorrow was a nun?
"Jed, who's coming?"
He looked at Abbey and then dropped his eyes to the sheets. He seemed to counting every thread of the sheet until Abbey reached over and forced his head back up.
"Jed, is the teacher a Sister? And she taught you when?"
"High School."
Inside, Abbey was dying to know what secrets he was hiding. The brilliant man, the caring man, the sexual man. Why was he so upset about a former teacher wanting to see him? That made her even more anxious to know why he was so hesitant to see his former teacher.
"That's great. In fact, why not invite her up to the Residence for dinner? There are no functions tomorrow night and I would love to hear her stories."
"Are you sure, Abbey? I mean, you could be disappointed if you knew what she could tell you about me."
That only made Abbey more curious.
"Absolutely! About seven?"
"I'll tell her."
"Well, you sound real enthused."
"I'm okay with it."
Abbey changed her mind and decided that Jed needed some distraction. To hell with the early wake-up calls.
"Good, now about your promise during dinner for fireworks tonight, I'm ready."
She sat up and pulled her nightgown over her head, to leave only bare skin in plain view.
Jed's body reacted physically. But Sister Margaret was on his mind. And that did nothing to put him in the mood he wanted to be in.
"Not tonight, Abbey."
Abbey looked at him, confused. Normally, it would have taken Jed only two point six seconds to attack her. Her body had already started aching in anticipation of his onslaught.
Whatever he shared with this Sister Margaret must be very big.
Jed turned his back on his naked wife and switched off his light.
But sleep was a long time coming.
For both of them.