The Preacher's New Wife: A Short Story

Alesha replies simply, "You're most welcome, Reverend. I'm just doing the Lord's will. Your ministry has helped me a lot. You've been there for me and for my son. The least I can do is support you for as long as I can. And my son appreciates you too."

The pastor interrupts, "Just to say to your face and in front of our mutual sick friend here, if I had met you when I was single, I could have easily married you, if you would have accepted, of course. And even now, if our church culture did not frown on it, I wouldn't mind having you as my beloved concubine, which, back home we call a side-squeeze. I feel strangely saddened that it's kind of late for that kind of thing between you and me."

Alesha smiles blushingly, and her pastor returns a weird type of grin.

Two months later, in a phone conversation, Alesha asks the pastor: "Do you and the first lady have life insurance?"

"Of course," Rev. Willie says. "Our denomination encourages every pastor to have life insurance, since churches don't do a great job caring for pastors' widows. Julia and I have a quarter million dollar of life insurance on each of us. But why did you ask?"

Alesha says, "I don't even know why I asked you something like that."

Early one Saturday morning, Alesha makes the 4-hour drive to visit her son who's in jail for a drug-related violent crime three years ago. In three weeks, Byan Grealy, Alesha's son should be out on parole. Alesha has supported Byan throughout the five times he's been in and out of prison. Lately the 35-year-old has been asking his mother, "When I get out this time, what can I do to thank you, besides me staying out of jail?"

In the past, Alesha would tell her son, "I don't want anything from you. I just want you to grow up, get a job, stay away from drugs, don't get in trouble. That's all." To which Byan would say, "But I want to do something personal and special for you, Mom. You deserve it. Just tell me what you want."

The day comes for Byan to walk out of jail, and Alesha is right there as usual to take him home, to her house, where he's to stay until he can get back on his feet. That's been the routine these 15 years when Byan has toyed with the revolving door of the prison system.

"Byan, you know how you've been asking me, I don't know how many times, about what you can do for Mom to show you appreciate me, to show how thankful you are for my being there for you?"

Byan nods, as the living room clock strikes 11:55 PM.

"Well, I have an assignment for you. If you do this one thing for me, it will change my life, because I'll finally get married."

"I can help you get married? But Mom, I thought you've given up on finding a husband. Did you not say on your 50^th birthday that it no longer mattered whether or not you got married?"

"Forget what I said at age 50. I'm 55 now, and I want to get married. I have found the right man, a man of God that won't cheat on me like your dad did. I need your help to make it happen, Byan."

"I promise. What can your only son do for his sweet little mom?"

"I want you to take out the pastor's wife, and I'll wave whatever money you owe me for the last 15 years. You can even live in this house for as long as you want, because I won't need it. Can you do it?"

Byan tries to conceal his shock. "Mom! How many times have you told me that Mrs. Willie is your best friend and prayer partner? Remember the first lady prayed for you when you had breast cancer, and you got healed. And you want me kill her so you can marry Rev. Willie?"

Alesha retorts, "You've asked me for years what favor I want from you. Now, I'm asking you to do something simple for Mom for a change, and there you are wanting to cop just like you've always done! What am I ever going to get out of you for 9 months of pregnancy plus thousands of dollars?"

Byan pauses for what seems like an hour, trying to take in the thought of sacrificing the rest of his future to satisfy his mom's longing desire for a husband. Finally but firmly, Byan says, "I will. When?"

"ASAP!" is the instant reply from Alesha.

Byan lays out his plan. It will include a visit to the gun shop, followed by a visit to the bar down the street. On his calendar, he marks Wednesday, when it's time for midweek service at the church.

Since Mrs. Willie is rather routine in her route to church, Alesha finds it easy to explain to Byan which street Mrs. Willie is likely to be on, as she drives to church.

It's 7 PM on Wednesday, just dark enough in the Fall. Byan takes his post behind a deserted house on the lonely, narrow street about three blocks from the church. As Byan spots Mrs. Willie's SUV, he leaps in front of the vehicle, with his gun pointed at the pastor's wife, who's going at 40 miles per hour, in a rush to get to church in time. (Her husband gets on her every time she's late for service, but her chronic tardiness is one of those bad habits the man of God has resigned himself to.) Seeing the nose of the gun, Mrs. Willie panics and pounces hard on the accelerator, slamming it to the floor. The SUV slams into the nearest electric metal pole before tipping over into the ditch, and then rolling over several times. The gun goes off, and Byan takes off, successfully fleeing the scene before the police arrives.

Between heavy breaths and sweats, Byan shoots a text message: "Mom, I've done it! I think she's dead! It's your fault, Mom. You did this to that innocent woman, your Bible teacher. Now, who's the criminal? Who deserves jail time this time?"

As Duport Road Baptist Church plans Julia Willie's home going service, Alesha volunteers to oversee the decorations and food. During the funeral service, Rev. Willie totally breaks down during the funeral, prompting a visiting minister to deliver an impromptu eulogy.

"First Lady Julia Willie was a shining example of a true child of God. For 20 years of marriage, she remained faithful to her husband. She served her family well, as her 5 children here will attest. The women of the church loved her Bible teaching style. And she was such a prayer warrior. As we all celebrate her life and home going, each of us can take comfort in knowing that Julia Willie is in the presence of Jesus now, the Savior whom she served with all her heart. Let's follow her example."

Twelve months have passed since the burial of Julia Willie. And the relationship between Pastor Willie and Alesha has blossomed like wild grapes. When the pastor breaks the news to the church elders, everyone is pleased about the wedding. One church leader gossips to another, "What a relief! Frankly, I've heard some of our members whispering about how our pastor is on the brink of sexual sin with Alesha Sanders, though they give him the benefit of the doubt."

For the flamboyant Alesha, the wedding turns out to be a rather simple one. But the church family makes it very special, though some of the closest friends of Mrs. Willie refuse to attend; it's not that they dislike Alesha, but because they love their deceased first lady, and they still can't handle seeing another woman as their preacher's new wife.

One night after their honeymoon, Alesha Willie says to the preacher before dawn, right after they have made love, "Something has been bothering me. For days now I've lost my appetite, as you know. And I haven't been able to sleep either. Let me ask you something: Do you know what killed Julia?"

The minister can hardly believe his ears. He snaps, "What do you mean? You know how my wife died. She had a wreck. She ran into a pole, and the SUV fell into a ditch and rolled over several times on Ferry Street. The picture of the accident is even in the newspaper. Am I missing something?"

"I know she died in a car accident," Alesha replies, "but do you know what really caused the accident? Don't you want to know? I mean, would you believe me if I told you?"

"OK, go ahead. I'll believe you. I don't think you've lied to me before, or have you?"

"My son pulled a gun on Julia, and that's why she lost control of her SUV. I just had to tell you that. My conscience has been taunting me. I hear Julia staring at me in my sleep, sometimes screaming at me. She knows that my son and I killed her!"

After a moment of silence, the preacher says, "You know, some years back, I almost jokingly suggested that you should get rid of Julia, so I would marry you. But I didn't let the words out, because I couldn't imagine you doing something like that. So I was wrong? You are that kind of person?"

"I guess so," Alesha says, as she snaps out of bed and heads for the bathtub. "Are you coming for us to shower?"

"Bathe as quickly as you can, and get some clothes on," Rev. Shedrick Willie can't help but shout the words. "I'm on the phone with the police. So good it's Sunday morning. I'll turn in my resignation at church today. I can't live with this, and I can't live with you."

To that, Alesha asks, "And do you think my son and I are going to jail by ourselves?"

» left by Linda Dewitt

from Oregon 3 years 54 days ago.

Strange story Mogama but very believable in this day and age.

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» left by Mogama 3 years 54 days ago.
118 fans. Follow Mogama on twitter!

Thanks for reading, Linda. Just trying my hand at the fiction thingie. Hopefully this remains nothing more than a fictional scenario. ~mogama~

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» left by Ken McCreless

3 years 40 days ago.
84 fans. Follow Ken McCreless on twitter!

Bit of a cliffhanger there, Mogama. Not bad at all.

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» left by Mogama 3 years 40 days ago.
118 fans. Follow Mogama on twitter!

Thanks, Ken, for your comment. Maybe the movie version is next. ~mogama~

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