I wish to thank all who have offered feedback to make this a better series.
A.M.
Pastor Sarah and Barbara talked about what life was going to be like now that she wouldn’t have to worry about money to be able to provide for Jason.
They had been watching the TV coverage and laughing about how frustrated the reporters were when they couldn’t find out why Jonathan Anderson, Jr. was handcuffed to the bed. Either no one at the hotel knew or would say anything that had happened. He had met a woman in the restaurant for dinner, but no one knew if she was in his room. They were trying to figure out the significance of the fact that religious programming was playing on the TV in his room.
The reporters had followed him to the campus, but campus security had not allowed them into the administration building.
Barbara had printed out the reports from the two bank accounts to show her parents, so that they would no longer have financial worries for her welfare.
When Samantha arrived in Atlantic City, she and Angie called Barbara who hit the speaker phone so that Pastor Sarah could be part of the conversation. Right before they called, they had faxed a copy of the forms to Barbara.
“Did we do ok honey, Angie asked Barbara.”
“OK? You guys are the best. How did you get him to sign all those forms and agree to all the terms?”
“I let him play with my tits while I made up things that each form said. He was so preoccupied that he just signed everything without reading anything.”
“So how did you get him in handcuffs? Sarah wanted to know.
“I told him it was a regulation for my safety, even though I have a black belt.”
“Wow! You have a black belt.” Barbara said.
Samantha, who was on the extension, said, “She dates a guy who wears a black belt to hold up his pants.”
“Actually, the handcuffs was the easiest part. He sort of thought that made it a little kinky. Said he uses handcuffs himself sometimes.”
“His father was really a nice guy.” Samantha said. “And boy was Jonathan’s wife pissed off. I was already in his office and had showed him the papers before the wife appeared. She told Mr. Anderson, Sr. what a bastard his son was and that she found him handcuffed to a motel bed. She also said, she flushed the handcuff key down the toilet. As far as she was concerned he could rot in that bed.”
Samantha went on to say, “Barbara, Mr. Anderson Sr. asked me to tell you how very sorry he was for the way his son had treated you and said to assure you that the money will be in the bank on time every month. He walked me to the back door to avoid the reporters and asked if I thought you would allow him to visit sometime to see his grandson.”
“He called Jason his grandson?” Barbara said as she started to cry. “I would love to have him visit.”
“On another topic,” Sarah said, “How is the penthouse?”
“Wait till you see this place!” Angie said. “This is as nice as any condo in Atlantic City. It is right on the beach with a beautiful view of the ocean. Nice restaurants within the block and about five blocks from the Casinos. We are having the locks changed as a precaution. We will send you a set of keys.”
“I have to go. Barbara said, “My folks just pulled in the driveway. I love you guys and will never be able to repay what you have done for me.”
“Your account is paid in full.” Samantha said. “Angie does this stuff for fun. It is the tough stuff she gets paid for. I rather enjoy it myself.
After she left, Sarah said, “We need to get together. I want to hear all the details of how this came down.
“You mean like, “I can tell you that of the 986 colleges and universities, a larger percentage of women picked you than any of the other teachers and professors.”
“You really said that, and he believed it.” Sarah said.
“Hook line and sinker baby.”
“Good work you guys. I have to go meet my company.”
Sarah looked out in time to see Barbara run to her dad who picked off the ground as he hugged her. When he put her down she hugged her mother and they were all almost in tears.
“Mom and Dad, I want you to meet the greatest boss in the whole world. This is Pastor Sarah.” and turning to Sarah, she said, “Pastor Sarah, meet the greatest mother and father in the world.” They greeted each other and all said how much they had heard about each other.
“Where is this fancy new office, you were so excited about?” her father asked.
“We will go see that in a minute, but come inside, I have something else to show you.”
When they walked into the office in the parsonage, Sarah said, “I will leave you folks alone.”
“No, please don’t go.” said Barbara. “Without you and your angels, this could have never happened.”
“Angels?” Barbara’s mother asked.
“Yes” Barbara said, “Real angels named Samantha and Angie. They proved that Jonathan Anderson Sr. is Jason’s father and he will have to pay child support until Jason is 21, plus provide for his education.”
“Anderson?” said Barbara’s father. “That is the name of the guy they found in handcuffs in a motel room. Is that man the father of Jason?”
Sarah and Barbara started laughing and Sarah said “The Lord works in mysterious ways.”
Barbara picked up the printout and said “He has to pay $2,000 a month child support and $3,000 a month to an endowment for his education. I will be able to send him to the best private schools.” She showed them the bank statements and the signed documents.
“How did the angels do this?” her father asked.
“I am not sure you want to know daddy. And I am sure I would not be able to describe it to you.”
“Was it legal?” her mother asked.
“Let me say, it was more legal than the way this man raped your daughter.” Sarah responded. Her parents both cringed when they heard the words “raped your daughter.”
“We are so happy for you.” said her father.
“Speaking of my grandson,” her mother said, “Where is Jason?”
“He is in daycare. As soon as I show you my office, we can walk to the daycare to get him.” Sarah excused herself as Barbara took her parents to see her office.
They could not believe the beautiful furniture, carpets and artwork in the office.
“I have never seen a church with offices this nice, said her father.”
“You have never seen a pastor like Pastor Sarah either.” said Barbara.
She showed them the sanctuary and as they were walking down the hall, they met Walter and Martha who were getting things ready for the volunteer painters that would be there tomorrow. They were putting the paint, drop cloths, tape, brushes and rollers in each of the rooms and hallways, as well as making room assignments for the painters.
Barbara’s mother asked, “How many volunteers are you expecting?”
“I can hardly believe it,” Walter said, “seventy-five people volunteered plus a professional painting crew of 10 men have volunteered to paint the sanctuary. With a few drop-ins, we could have 100 people working here tomorrow.”
“What are you going to feed them?” Barbara’s mother asked.
“We will probably just get a batch of pizza brought in.”
“You will do no such thing!” Barbara’s mother said, “These angels are going to dine on Louisiana Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo and homemade bread. After we pick up Jason, dad and I will go get the fixings.”
“Bring me the receipt.” Walter said, “we will reimburse you.”
Barbara’s father said. “This is our gift for everything this church has done for our daughter.”
As they walked to the daycare, Barbara told her parents she was in love and that they would meet Jeremy and his parents at dinner tonight.
Looking at her father, her mother said “This sounds serious.”
Barbara had a folder with the paste-ups of the brochures for Mrs. Buckley’s approval.