Chapter 12: Beth
"Cowards, I'll draw first," said Julie. "Ten of clubs. Wow, that's high."
"Now you draw, Beth," said Becky Ann.
"That's not going to happen," said Beth. "I don't know why I agreed to this."
"Same reason you put your hand on his dick," snickered Julie.
"There's a demon in him that must be cast out, for Kelly's sake and for his own," said Beth. "He would be such a good man, I sense, were it not for this."
"Okay, I'll go," said Becky Ann. "Nine of diamonds. Hah! It's going to be Julie."
"No, Beth hasn't drawn," said Julie. "It's time, religious nutcase." She said this affectionately.
Beth said a brief prayer before drawing. "God, give me the strength to see this clearly. Show me the way to this man's heart so he can be cleansed of all sin and granted eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen."
"Amen," said Becky Ann. Nothing wrong with that sentiment.
"Draw a card, religious nutcase," prompted Julie. She had less patience with the nonstop Jesus given she had to share a room with Beth.
"Ace of clubs," marveled Beth.
"You go first," said Julie. "Great, I finally get the room to myself on Friday night."
"What does it mean?" Beth wondered.
"It means you're finally going to lose your virginity!" cheered Becky Ann. "Oh, I'm so excited for you. I can't imagine how thrilling it's going to be."
"I can do this, I am equal to this," Beth steeled herself.
"Take it from me, it's pretty simple," said Julie. "All you have to do is spread 'em."
"Hebrews 4:12, 'For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.' Thank you, Lord," said Beth.
"True, it does involve penetration," said Julie.
"Shut up, Julie," said Becky Ann.
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"Would you like some wine?" Scott asked. This girl sure didn't need any coffee. The tall slender ebony beauty sitting on his couch was shaking like a leaf. Wasn't this the religious one?
Beth sat nervously on Scott's couch, the one that faced the view. She wasn't of legal age. Then again, wine was a sacrament. "Yes."
He came out of the kitchen, followed by the dogs, Bonker and Clifton. He handed her the wine and sat down next to her on the couch. The dogs groveled at her feet. "I know what Kelly told me, but why did you accept?" he asked.
"I felt called," said Beth, looking at the opposite corner of the room from Scott. So close to him, his pull was mighty. "By angels or demons, I don't know."
"God decides such matters."
She looked at him pointedly. "We all know the difference between right and wrong."
"We aren't in a hurry. Relax," he said. "I'm at your service."
"I believe I'm here to give you grace," she told him, dark eyes flashing. "You know, the word 'grace' means 'unmerited favor.' It means God is offering you something you could never provide for yourself; forgiveness of sins and eternal life."
"Unmerited favor is an apt description of your impact on me in this moment," he smiled, stretched. "You're so focused, so passionate. Are you going to become a preacher?"
"That's my intention," she said, looking away. "What do you know of such things?"
"A year of my misspent youth was spent in a Catholic seminary," he said.
Beth turned and regarded him, shocked. "Why did you turn away?"
"It was a girl," he said, looking down and smiling shyly. "A young woman. Moreover, it was the realization that I wasn't called to be celibate. I think I read God's purpose accurately. Otherwise, I would never have met Kelly. I wouldn't be with you here, now, experiencing your grace, moved by your words. I admit to a visceral attraction to you, Beth. I believe you'll make a wonderful preacher."
"You would have made a good preacher," she smiled. "I feel a visceral attraction to you as well."
"Don't forget your wine," he said. They both took a great big sip. She coughed. He gently rubbed her back in support. The feel of her lithe slender back under his massive hand electrified him.
All was confusion for her. It should be a sin, a terrible sin for her to go on a date with her friend's boyfriend. Yet, so close to Scott, his giant warm hand on her back, she felt perfect, purposeful.
"Is it wrong for me to find you stunningly beautiful?" asked Scott.
"You do?" she blurted, then, "...no."
"Would it be wrong for me to kiss you?"
Beth felt his hot sweet breath on her face as he asked her. Her world was filled with Scott. "No," she moaned. Their lips met, tongues met, and spelled out the language of love in their mouths. Surely she could allow this. She felt Scott's hands roam. It felt so good. The kiss kept going and going. Scott's hand stroked one of her breasts through her blouse and bra. She jumped in unreasoning fear and the kiss broke.
"It's okay, it's okay," he soothed. "I have a question, if you don't mind."
"Certainly," she allowed. Her memory of the feel of his hands, lips and tongue reverberated in her.
"Kelly told me the four of you made an adult film, a masturbation video?" He wondered how a young woman who had masturbated to orgasm in front of a roomful of men could be so skittish.
"It wasn't porn at all, it was an instructional video," Beth insisted.
"I stand corrected, I misunderstood," he said.
"It's not even masturbation if you're doing it for instructional purposes, it's just instruction," Beth argued.
"It stands to reason," he agreed. He was getting the reason -- major league denial.
"I did it to help my friends," she justified. "Nobody, no men touched me. I was waiting all the time. I was only on camera a few minutes here and there. And I had a remarkable opportunity to proselytize to a group of people who really need faith. You don't find converts in a church, Scott."