The Cat's Dowry and Other Short Stories

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  Pastor Frank Holyfield sat drinking his first cup of coffee of the day and picked up the local newspaper. He didn't always read it front to back, but today the rectory was quiet and he would take advantage of this to find out what was happening in his own neighborhood. Easter came early this year and the festivities had been a huge success. His was not a large congregation, and many of them were snowbirds, leaving the community for the summer. Frank's wife Sophia died five years before, leaving him at the age of 62 without companionship. His grown children lived in various parts of the country. They called him once in awhile, but rarely came to visit. When the grandchildren were young, they would come down every other year and go to Disney World. He couldn't remember the last time that had happened.

  He flipped to the inside page and saw Kristy's picture. After finishing the article, he put the paper aside and sat. His housekeeper, Martha, came into the kitchen and saw the blank stare on his face.

  "Pastor Holyfield you're as white as a sheet. Is everything okay?"

  "Yes, Martha. I'm fine. I was thinking that's all. I was figuring out how to best use my day." In truth, Frank was thinking about Kristy. She was a member of the congregation. He had known her for over three years. He had no idea that the secret of hers was part of her lifestyle. He was shocked. He thought back to that day last year when she worked on the Christmas pageant with him. All the other volunteers had left the hall except Kristy. She wanted to stay to finish the decorating.

  "Kristy, you have been such a blessing to this church. I wanted to let you know how much you are appreciated." Frank put his hand on her shoulder in a fatherly gesture.

  "Pastor Holyfield, I have received a lot of encouragement from your guidance, and my daughter has remarked how much being in attendance on Sunday's is more like family than going to church. I have to tell you how much you mean to me." Kristy put her arms around his waist and gave him a hug. Frank reciprocated and found they stayed too long in the embrace. Kristy looked up at Frank and said, "You know, Pastor, you are still a good looking man. You ever think about looking for some companionship in your life."

  "No Kristy, I haven't thought about it. If it happens, mores' the better, but I'm not looking at this point."

  Kristy pulled him down to reach her 5 foot 4 inch frame and brought her lips up to meet his. He responded in return with a warm affectionate kiss. The heat within him started to rise and he realized that what he started, he needed to stop.

  "Kristy, this can't happen. It wouldn't be right. I have my position to think about." His face flushed and he drew her to arms length.

  "I am sorry, Pastor, but I have been wondering what it would be like to kiss you for quite some time and I couldn't help myself. If you don't want to take this any further, I understand. But let me say that I will always be your friend and I hope you feel the same way."

  "I do, Kristy. I want to do whatever I can for you. I am old enough to be your father and I am your spiritual counselor. For those reasons, I cannot pursue any other relationship with you."

  Since that day, she did not come to the church without her daughter and that was rare. She called him several times and they had counsel over the phone. She said she didn't feel comfortable in front of him because he excited her and she did not want to put either of them in that position.

  He snapped back to the article in front of him. What if his number was in that black book? She had called him. She certainly didn't have two books and she couldn't have memorized his number. If he was in that book and his congregation found out, would they believe him if he said that, he was her counselor and nothing more? That would prove embarrassing. It would infect create a scandal and possibly the loss of his position not to mention the confidence of his parish. It is not always the act but the appearance of the act that would convict a person in the public eye.

  Then there was Kristy to think about and what about her daughter; she must know. That means the other children in her class know. Would she be coming back to the same school? The financial burden this must be putting on her must be horrendous.

  Frank quickly came back to the moment when the phone rang and he was required at the hospital to visit a dying parishioner. Frank decided at that moment that he would not be concerned with what had not happened yet and would deal with the present. It his name appeared in connection with Kristy's black book, the truth would be his salvation.