A/N-This chapter is based on the episode, 'Have Faith'. Mary Jo meet Charlene and Julia's preacher and well, fell for him ! She felt 'dirty' dating him so they broke it off. I don't know why they NEVER let Mary Jo be happy in a relationship but...that's where my fun comes in!

Happy reading and Happy Veteran's day!

~Dead ~

Mary Jo and Charlene stood on the side of the street in their coats, gloves and scarves around their necks and Charlene says. "Wow, that was a good parade". Mary Jo nods her head and Charlene then says. "Thank you for inviting me Mary Jo". Mary Jo says. "I tried to get Suzanne to come along but when I explained that it was a parade, not a pageant and that we would be outside standing; well, that's when I lost her, she wouldn't have come unless you put her on a mirrored car and gave her a fur coat to wrap herself up in". Charlene snickers and they go around a corner and Charlene gasps and Mary Jo asks her. "What is it Charlene?"

Charlene turns to her and says. "That's Revered Chapman up there! Do you remember him Mary Jo? He's the one you dated but broke it off because you felt...well, you know". Mary Jo rolls her eyes then says. "Yes, I remember Charlene. Come on, we're going to have to go that way, the car is that way". Charlene then says. "I was just afraid you would be uncomfortable since...". Just then Revered Chapman and his family comes around the corner and when he sees Mary Jo, he smiles and says.

"Mary Jo!" She looks at him and smiles and she says. "Hi Gene". He puts out his hand to shake hers and he asks. "Well, how are you doing?" She nods her head then says. "I'm fine...oh, you remember Charlene?" He nods his head, puts his hand out for Charlene to shake hands then he says. "Yes, I do. One of my finest members of the church I ever had". Embarrassed a little, she says. "Oh yes, that's right. Charlene was a member of your church, I forgot." He says to her. "Don't be, it was 20 years ago. Charlene, how's your baby...girl? Right? And your husband". Charlene graciously smiles and she says. "Yes, it was a girl, Olivia. She's graduating from college in a few months and Bill is to retire from the Air Force". He smiles and says to her. "Oh, I'm glad to hear that, how's your family Mary Jo?" She nods her head then says. "Everybody is fine. Quinton is a director/ producer for Atlanta playhouse and Claudia is about to have her first child". He smiles then asks her. "Did you ever get married?"

Mary Jo looks at Charlene then says. "No, I never did". He then says. "Well, don't give up. You got to have faith". Charlene asks. "Did you ever get married Revered Chapman?" He then beams from ear to ear and says. "'Bout 15 years, I'm to go meet her on the other side of town, she had to go take her Uncle home. He was the one who spoke in the parade" Charlene and Mary Jo look at each other than Charlene asks. "Major Becker is your wife's uncle?" He nods his head then says. "Yes, she loves him a lot. It's amazing that he survived three wars, Korea, Vietnam and Desert storm and now he is the oldest living survivor of his own family"

Charlene then says. "It was so amazing to hear him talk. I wish my husband could have heard him" He nods his head then says. "It makes just giving them a wall in dedication seem very small in comparison doesn't it?" Mary Jo and Charlene nod their heads and they all three turn to see the wall he talks about. Across the street, they look at a 10 foot by 8 foot wall with brightly colored 3-D pictures drawn on of pieces of every war that America has experienced. Revolutionary war, Civil War, World war one and two, Korea and Vietnam. Desert Storm and Iraq and Iran. And with the names of the soldiers of the wars on a smaller wall beside them, the ones that lived or lives now in Atlanta.

They all chock up then Revered Chapman turns to Mary Jo and says. "Well, I have to go Mary Jo. It was nice seeing you and Charlene" They shake hands and Mary Jo and Charlene say 'Bye' and they start to leave when Mary Jo spots a rather handsome man walking slowly by the memorial and she looks more closely then sees it is someone she recognizes. "D.P.?"

He looks at her and smiles and says. "Hello". Mary Jo smiles and asks. "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't coming in until next week". He tells her. "I wasn't, but I read in the papers about this dedication and I just had to come and see it." He points to a name in the 3rd row and says. "See? That's my father, he served and died in Korea before I was born" . Mary Jo nods her head then after a few minutes of respectful silence, she says. "Oh, this is Charlene from the office. Charlene, this is D.P. LeBoof"

They shake hands then he says. "Nice to meet you". D.P. then says. "Well, I was about to go get a bite of supper, would you ladies join me?" Mary Jo looks at Charlene with daggers in her eyes and Charlene understands then says. "I 'm sorry but I have to go meet Bill. I'm sure Mary Jo can stay of course"

Mary Jo then says. "Well, being as I need to eat also..." She laughs nervously then says. "Goodbye Charlene". Charlene waves a small goodbye then quickly walks off and D.P. asks Mary Jo. "Well, since it's just us, would you like to walk around before we go to my car?"

Mary Jo smiles and she realizes that the wind doesn't seem so cold anymore and she remembers Gene saying, "Have faith" then she says. "No, I wouldn't mind a walk at all"

He smiles at her and they go walking down main street with the leaves of Autumn falling around them the men in the painting seems to be watching the couple as they walk.

A/ N-I just had to throw in my respect to the Armed Forces with veteran's day this week.

Sand n' Sable