Pastor Rick

Written for:

1518824

Invalid Item  [] by A Guest Visitor

May, June 2009 round


Saturday evening. Marnie had gone off to bed early, and Bob sat in the living room reading, when he heard a noise in the kitchen. He grabbed the baseball bat for protection, and found Pastor Rick sneaking in, and almost killed him.

"Stop. Bob, it's me, Rick." This startling alarm saved Rick from certain injury and possible death.

"Pastor Rick." Bob lowered the baseball bat that was about to hit the intruder's head. "What are you doing here? Why didn't you knock or ring? I thought you were a burglar. I was about to take your head off."

"Sorry Bob. I'm not thinking straight. The door was ajar and I just pushed it open. I've been doing that a lot lately. I didn't want to risk running into Marnie. I need to talk to you. You're the only one who can help me."

Bob saw Pastor Rick as a fire breathing Evangelical that held a spell over most of the people in the small town of Faithful. Rick seemed to have the conviction of his faith, but you never know with these opportunists. Rick said and did all the right things. He certainly had an impact on the town. Marnie had completely bought into the whole religion stuff, and it was having negative impact on her marriage with Bob. Bob was a non believer, but didn't try to dissuade others from believing. Rick appeared as pure as fresh fallen snow. And to everyone in town, he was. Although not friends, Bob and Rick shared a mutual respect for each other.

Bob and Pastor Rick were both long term residents of Faithful. On several occasions they had the opportunity to serve together on community boards and projects. They had fierce debates that highlighted their philosophical differences, but solidified an intellectual bond of admiration.

As president of the local Chamber of Commerce, Bob was often asked for public comments on business issues, and how they affected the community. Rick was also asked for his commentary, from a moral, ethical, and religious perspective. He could always find a Biblical quote to support his assertions. Bob, on the other hand, always presented facts and logic, to support his views.

The two had debated often in public forums about local issues. They never resorted to shouting or personal attacks, but their disagreements provided entertainment, and information, for those in attendance. Each was quoted several times each year in the local weekly newspaper, The Faithful Fountain. Their stances could not be farther apart, so it was hard to understand how they could speak so civil to each other, and about each other. They never saw each other outside these formal venues.

Bob's wife, Marnie, was spending more time with the church than with her husband. Their once strong union was being tested, with her growing religious activities. More and more, Marnie resented Bob's lack of belief, and disdain for the church. Marnie was falling under Rick's charismatic spell. Bob was worried he was losing her.

"Why would a God fearing preacher like you, need advice from an infidel such as I? You know we don't think the same." Bob feigned a formal tone.

"I know. But this isn't about faith and belief. I'm not even sure if I have any faith and belief left. It's about facts and events – real events. In spite of your lack of faith, I know you are intelligent, logical, and honest. I need that right now, more than I need faith."

"I'll do what I can. You know I don't hold our opposing views against you. I am just not prepared to buy into your preaching – in spite of Marnie. She buys into all of it. What is it you want from me?" Bob was suspicious of Rick's motives. Rick was known to try all sorts of tricks to convert non-believers.

"I want to tell you some things. But I want your assurance that you won't share them with anyone – especially not Marnie. If you agree, I want you to look at my situation and give me your honest advice."

"Your secret is safe with me. I'm not sure I can help, but I'll try." Bob started to believe that Rick was being honest and open.

"Thanks Bob. I need that. I know everyone looks up to me. I have to set an example. I really believe in what I preach – or at least I did. I'm not sure now."

"I saw an open door, just like I did tonight." Rick started. "I wanted to see what was on the other side. I would never plan something like this, it just happened. I guess that's what they all say. But it's true. And you know what? It feels good. I like whats on the other side of the door, and I don't want to go back. My background tells me it's wrong, but my heart tells me the opposite. I'm torn. What do I do?"

Pastor Rick continued his tale. Scandalous for a small town preacher, but oh so common. His life was changed forever.

Always calm and logical, Bob listened. He knew what Rick should do, and told him.

******

"Thanks Bob." Rick appreciated the advice. The two of them stood before the church entrance. Bob had agreed to meet Rick at the church, before the Sunday service. The congregation would be arriving in less than an hour. "I am really sorry to surprise you with all of this."

"What surprise? I've known all along. I just didn't know who."

"Now why am I not surprised? Are you coming to watch?" Rick quizzed.

"No, I think you'll do fine. Besides, it's not my type of place; I might melt if I go inside. Good luck."

"Thanks to you, Bob, I don't think I'll need any luck. I guess I likely won't be seeing you again."

"Probably not." Bob walked home to send Marnie off to church. She and the other parishioners were in for a life changing surprise.

Rick entered the church, confident that things would be OK – much different, but OK.

****

"Please sit down," Rick started his sermon. "I have some things to tell you."

"I'm not going to quote any scriptures. You know them as well as I do. I'm sure you could find passages that condemn what I'm about to tell you, and I could find passages that defend my actions. You can choose to condemn if you wish, but I have no intention of defending. Nor will I issue the standard apology that comes with these types of revelations. I am who, and what I am, and I will not spend any energy defending, or apologizing."

"Garrett?" Pastor Rick smiled at the middle aged mechanic sitting in the front row. Garrett managed a nervous smile, and walked up to join Rick at the pulpit. Rick rested his hand on Garrett's shoulder, and looked directly at the audience. He could hear muted gasps from the congregation.

"Garrett and I will be leaving the church, and the community of Faithful." Rick continued. "My only hope is that I have left you all, with some inner strength, that will allow you to continue your purposeful lives."

The parishioners sat stone-faced as Rick, no longer Pastor Rick, continued his uplifting "sermon" for another ten minutes. He was able to relay personal experiences he had, with almost every family seated before him. He spoke with firm pride and conviction.

"...and I remember the time that I prayed all night with Carla and Ben, beside young Cody's hospital bed." Another account of his connection, with the good people of Faithful.

"I guess to wrap it up; I would like to tell you how much these past ten years have meant to me. I have tried to improve your lives, in the only way I know how, with love. I love you all, even though you may decide to no longer feel the same towards me. I do not look for your forgiveness. I don't believe I need to be forgiven. God bless each and every one of you."

Rick put his fingers around Garrett's forearm and guided him down the stairs that lead away from the pulpit. From the eerie silence in the pews, Rick heard a solitary clap, then another, and another. Within seconds, the over half of the congregation arose, to give Rick a standing ovation. Through the corner of his eye, Rick saw Marnie, standing among the crowd, clapping and smiling, almost smirking. The others of the congregation, sat in stunned silence, as he and Garrett held their heads high, on their way to the church entrance – never to be seen in Faithful again.

****

"Bob, are you home?" Marnie shouted, entering the front door, as she returned from the extraordinary church service.

"In here." Bob shouted back from his chair in the living room. He stood, and stepped toward Marnie, as she appeared in the entrance.

Marnie had a silly grin on her face as she whispered to Bob, "What makes me think that you had a hand in this? It has your fingerprints all over it."

"What are you talking about?" Bob tried to sound ignorant to the subject on Marnie's mind.

"You know exactly what I am talking about." She stormed over to Bob, threw her arms around his neck, and planted a passionate kiss on Bob's partly opened mouth.

"We're gonna be OK." She stated, as if she knew the future with absolute certainty.

(approx 1585 words)