Chapter 3: A Hallowed Hallelujah
"Amen." The woman smiled as she pulled her head up from the Bible nestled between her legs.
As the light broke from between the clouds she couldn't help but smile with glee at the beautiful morning before her. Little did she know years ago that there would be such a glorious end to the disaster known as her life or even that she would be here, in this place actually praying to a God she had denied for so long. Even when her reasoning was staring, hallowed, and empty before her, she still ran from the only faith she had ever had. But it was days like this that made the years of running worth the shattered days and tearful nights.
"It is mornings like this that make me happy to be alive." Her husband smiled he strolled from the bedroom in nothing but the purest white towel, "My beautiful wife basking in a glow almost as radiating as her. How can a man such as myself be so lucky?"
"Dear, luck has nothing to do with our partnership. If luck had anything to do with it, you would have lost me before you even had the chance." The woman smiled as she played along, "If you want to thank anyone you should thank hormones and long work hours that prevented you from having any form of a normal social life. The abnormalities of your career choice is the main reason we are here." The woman smiled defiantly, sure she had won the argument.
"Fate." The man smiled as his wife's sunk, "You are describing the fate that brought us together."
"Fate is an excuse for the non-scientific. I believe in facts and rational. After all these years you should know at least that much." The woman protested her point.
"One of these days I will make you believe in fate. If it is the last thing on this earth I do, you will believe." The man chuckled lightly, sure his wife knew she had already lost the bet.
"Nope, not going to happen."
"Woman of little faith, I made you go to church didn't I? And now you are usually the one dragging me kicking and screaming every morning. If I was capable of convincing the completely rational to do something based solely on the faith of the unseen, I can do anything. Now hurry that pretty little ass little lady or we will be late for church."
With a sly smile and meek disposition the woman approached her husband with a proposition she knew he could never refuse. Sure, he always the punctual on the Sabbath but he was still a man and as a man certain desires could not be denied.
"Why don't we just do a little kicking and screaming here instead?" She giggled as she tugged the white scrap of fabric donning his waist, knowing in that instant where ever she would go he would always follow.
Four years, six months earlier...
"Oh God..." Brennan gasped as her eyes flickered open in the morning light, "How the hell do you do that?"
"I am just that good baby." A man fifteen years her junior smiled, "Now that I have done my part, you're going to do yours right?"
"Matthew, I told you I do not condone those activities." Brennan gasped as she tried to catch her breath, "You should want to learn and improve your rational thinking, not just pass a class and obtain a grade."
"I know but..." The young man smiled as he enveloped his suitor in his arms, "Woman, you wear me out. After nights like this I barely have enough time to sleep; what makes you think I am going to have time to study some stupid facts I am just going to forget? The art of seduction is one that is always in demand but can you even tell me the last time you had to use quantum physics?"
He was right, as much time and attention she was demanding did have to take a toll on his time for study and reflection. There was something those chocolate orbs of his, this inner draw that brought her night after night to grovel for just an ounce of release. At least in the arms of a faithless lover she could keep the flicker of love lost alive.
"Your right." Brennan confirmed, slipping from beneath the covers and strolling into the bathroom, "It was silly of me to engage in such a primal release when you have other affairs that should be occupying your time."
"So you're going to..." Mathew growled as his belongings began to form a pile in his lap, "What the hell are you doing Tempie?"
"It seems this sexual relationship has run its course." Her voice shook as she spoke, not sure if to run or cry at the sorrow that was finally edging it's way back in. "When this relationship started I had not concluded that it would affect your schoolwork. It was bound to end this way," She tried to speak with confidence but her voice came out as a mere whisper, "it was irrational for me to think that a male of your age could possess the skills needed to keep up with both your schoolwork and a sexual relationship."
"Fine." Mathew snarled as he collected his few possessions and made his way toward the door, "But you'll regret this Tempie. It may not be now or even in a week, but one day you will look back and wonder if it was all these men or that you were really the reason they all left you." And with a slam of the door, he left her with the knowledge of why all her lovers had fallen away to others.
Collapsing against the warmth of the sheets that had once held her part-time lover and only friend, the tears began to flow from deep within. Letting her eyes roll close with a pitiful whimper, Temperance finally let go of weight she had been carrying for so long. Memories of a happier time began to shuffle through but it had been a pain she had dealt with for years. A time when there was love and peace, not the war that was raging deep within her soul. The only time in her life when she was truly happy.
"Dear God..." Brennan finally whispered against the void, wondering if the faith her former partner had spoke so fondly of could truly save her now.
