He raised his voice. “Wait, don’t go. I want to tell you why it took me so
long.”
She threw her hands in the air and said, “Forget it. It doesn’t matter.”
“Sure it does. I know that I was supposed to come home early tonight, so I could
help out around here but I just couldn’t make it. I had to meet with a young
man who’s heading down the wrong path. He goes to court next week and he could
be sent to prison for up to five years.” He shook his head and said, “It’s sad.
His momma spent every penny she had trying to keep that boy out of jail, but I
don’t think it’s going to work this time."
“…His momma?” She raised her eyebrows suspiciously. “…Whose momma?
"You know, I can’t tell you that.”
She grunted.
“But I can tell you this. I wouldn’t have stayed away tonight if they didn’t
need me.”
“Oh, I believe you," she said, dryly."You never could say no to a woman. Could you?”
He closed his eyes and allowed the anger to pass over him. “Lizzie Mae, how can
you stand there and say that? You know how important the ministry is to me.” |