First Mates

by Cecelia Dowdy

  “I think that’s my mother! She told me I’d better be waiting outside,” exclaimed one child.

  Sister Mary removed her apron as she approached. “You’ll find everything for cleanup in the kitchen. It shouldn’t take you too long,” she told Winston and Rainy. Her heavy footsteps could be heard as she ambled out of the basement.

  Parents arrived to pick up their children. Soon, the only ones left in the messy kitchen were Rainy, Winston and Terry. Terry paced the floor. “I can’t wait for Michael to get here! We’ve got an important date today.” She gazed at her watch again.

  Minutes later, a tall, slender young man with hazelnut-brown skin entered the basement. “Michael!” Terry ran into his arms and they shared a deep kiss. Rainy turned away and opened a box of trash bags. The young couple seemed to be in a world of their own as they planned their time.

  After a whispered discussion, Michael pulled the keys from the pockets of his baggy jeans. “Come on, Terry. Let me take you home.” He smiled and jiggled his keys.

  As they shared another kiss, Winston pried them apart. “Why don’t you two help Rainy and I clean up this mess?”

  Michael kept his arm around his girlfriend. “We would stay, Mr. Winston, but I promised my mom I would be home in plenty of time to help with the yard work.” He checked his watch. “If I’m not home soon, she’s gonna get really mad!” Their excited voices filled the corridor as they walked up the steps, leaving Winston and Rainy alone.

  “You know, I’m worried about those two,” he commented.

  She pulled paper plates and cups from the table and threw them into trash bags. “I know. Me, too.”

  “How long have they been dating?” He poured himself a cup of Kool-Aid.

  She shrugged as she wrapped leftover cake with plastic wrap. “I don’t know. Until we started this program, I never really worked much with the kid. From what I can remember, they’ve been seeing each other for months now.”

  She placed the cake into the refrigerator and he dumped empty soda cans and bottles into the recycling bin. After placing the bins in the corner, he gazed at the couple through the window as they strolled to Michael’s car.

  “Terry is a good young woman. Her parents raised her in a Christian home, and I’m sure she wouldn’t do anything with Michael to shame herself,” said Rainy.

  He drank his Kool-Aid and threw the empty paper cup into her trash bag. He was so close that she could smell his cologne. As they continued to clean the tables, he cupped her cheek with his large hand. She dropped the plastic bag and languished the soft warm feelings as he stroked her cheek with his finger. He then abruptly dropped his hand and turned away. I’m such a fool for letting him get to me like that! Why can’t he learn to keep his hands to himself?

  “I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist touching you. Your skin is so soft, it reminds me of warm butter.”

  She swallowed and lifted her trash bag. For several minutes, the only sound was their light footsteps as they traveled the room, collecting trash. Friends didn’t touch and caress one another like that. She sighed and her heartbeat returned to normal as he changed the subject.

  “Back to Terry and Michael. I’m just saying that sometimes when things happen, it’s not as if people meant for them to happen, if you know what I mean?”

  Nodding, she continued her cleaning duties. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”

  “What do you think we should do?”

  She placed her loaded trash bag into a receptacle and walked into the kitchen. She dampened a rag at the sink and returned to the adjoining dining area, answering him as she wiped the tables clean of debris. “I guess we can pray about it. I know both sets of parents know of their relationship, and they must approve. Michael is a decent young man, and his parents are involved in the church.”

  “Rainy…”

  “I know, I know. It’s still cause for worry. I do know they’re together a lot, so I know they’re close. We’ll just have to pray that they don’t make a mistake.”

  “They might have already made one.”

  She pushed her rag aside and joined him at the table. “What do you mean?”

  “Remember the first financial planning meeting we had last Saturday? Well, you left early, so I helped the deacon to lock up. When we left, we saw a car parked in the lot, and it was Michael’s. The windows were steamy, so you can guess what they were doing.”

  She gasped. “But it was the middle of the day! Wasn’t it?”

  He chuckled. “I’m sure Michael doesn’t mind what time of day it is as long as he’s with Terry. Anyway, Deacon Barnes knocked on the window and told them to hightail it home before he called their parents. Do you know if there are other young couples who’ve run into trouble?”

  She gazed at the ceiling as she tried to remember. “There were a few unplanned pregnancies last year. Both girls had their babies. One of them kept her baby, and the other placed hers up for adoption. Unplanned pregnancies have not been an issue discussed in our small conservative church. The preacher says premarital sex is wrong, so there’s no need to have further discussion about it.”

  “Well, maybe when the other young people see what some of the effects of premarital sex can be, then they’ll reconsider being sexually active.” He folded his arms across his broad chest.

  “Are you going to become a member of this church? You’re so involved already.”

  His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “No, I’m not saying I’m becoming a member. I’m just saying that Terry and Michael need to be careful about what they do when they’re alone. You know, I wasn’t saved when I was his age, so I’m aware of the dangers of premarital sex when you’re young like that.”

  “So did you get somebody pregnant when you were that age?”

  “No, but I came pretty close a few times. You know how hard it is to plan for those types of things….” His brown eyes widened as he gazed at her. “Or maybe you don’t? I know this is none of my business, but have you ever had a pregnancy scare? I have and I was relieved when it turned out to be a false alarm.”

  She walked to the sink and rinsed out her rag. The basement recreation room still smelled like spaghetti sauce and garlic bread. She returned to the table. “You’re right, it is none of your business. You revoked the right to know about the intimate details of my personal life when you ended our romantic involvement.”

  She threw the rag onto the table, but before she could stalk away, Winston grabbed her shoulder. “I didn’t end our romantic involvement. I just said we should just be friends for now.”

  She pushed his hand away. “Well, I don’t want to talk about my personal life right now. As far as you and I are concerned, I just think we need to work on this financial planning seminar project because I honestly believe the Lord called us to serve the church this way. Our friendship, relationship or whatever you want to call it doesn’t need discussion. It just needs a whole lot of prayer.”

  He threw his hands into the air. “Don’t get so hyped up.” Voices, lifted in spiritual song, streamed down the basement steps. “Is choir practice going on?”

  She shook her head. “No. That’s the singles’ ministry. Rachel and Sarah should be up there. They always start the meeting with a song.”

  He grinned as he walked to the foot of the steps. “I like Sarah and Rachel. I’m glad I’ve been able to meet them since I’ve been spending time at this church. I admire the bond the three of you share.”

  “Yeah, we’re pretty close. If I had biological sisters, I’d want them to be just like Sarah and Rachel. Did you want to go to the singles’ ministry meeting? It usually lasts a few hours.”

  He nodded as he started walking up the steps. “Yeah, why not? We’re done cleaning, and I’d like to meet some more members in your church.”

  She gazed at the corded muscles peeking through his thin T-shirt as she followed him up the steps.

  Chapter Ten

  When Rainy returned home after the singles’ ministry meet
ing, she lay on the couch to take a short nap. The phone rang, shattering the silence. She groaned, wondering if she should let the answering machine take the call. She reluctantly abandoned the comfortable couch and answered the phone. “Hello,” she managed to say.

  “Rainy, have you been working too hard again?” Her mother’s strong voice carried over the wire, and Rainy felt like she was five years old again.

  “Mom, hi.”

  “We haven’t spoken to you in over a week. I told your father you were probably busy at your job and at your church. That congregation keeps you busy, doesn’t it?”

  “Yeah, Mom. How’s Dad doing?”

  “Oh, he’s fine. He’s out in the barn with Mark. One of the cows is calving tonight.”

  She recalled the late nights her father would sometimes spend in the barn, waiting for a new cow to be born. “How are Amber, Mark and Cindy?” Her brother Mark was married and they had a three-year-old daughter. She had a good relationship with the tyke, in spite of the distance in their living arrangements.

  “Little Amber is fine.” Her mother brought her up-to-date on the family. However, she could hear an apprehensive tone in her voice. Her mother sighed, and she knew something was wrong.

  “Mom, what is it? I sense that something is on your mind.”

  “Well, I’m not really sure what the problem is, but I think Mark and Cindy are having trouble.”

  “Trouble? You mean in their marriage?”

  She paused. “Yes. I want to talk to them about it, but I don’t want to interfere.”

  “This is the second time this has happened in the past year. Have they talked to Pastor John? He used to help a lot of people in our congregation.” She recalled the kind words married couples used to say about the pastor’s advice. He always said his advice came straight from the Good Book, but she sensed that he had a gift when it came to dealing with couples.

  “I’m not sure.” Her mother paused again, seemingly wondering if she should say more. Rainy heard the door open and her father enter the house. Soon he had taken the phone from her mother.

  “Hi, Miss Rainy!” her father boomed. After she had talked to him for a few minutes, she finally got off of the phone. Before she went to bed that night, she said a quick prayer for her brother’s marriage. Mark and Cindy seemed to be made for each other. Hopefully their problems would be fixed soon.

  Rainy spent the next few weeks praying for her brother’s marriage, hoping he could work things out with his wife. When she had weekly lunches with Sarah and Rachel, she brought them up-to-date on her prayer requests, and she also told them about how hard it was to work with Winston every Saturday, while still not knowing why he suddenly ended their courtship.

  She looked forward to seeing him every Saturday morning as his deep voice outlined basic financial skills to the church youth. However, too soon, it was time for the seminars to come to a close.

  On the last day of the seminar, she struggled to open her eyes. When she finally managed to awaken, she witnessed the bright fingers of sunlight spilling into her bedroom, illuminating the floral design on her favorite blue comforter. She blinked, still trying to clear her groggy mind. She snuggled beneath her blanket as she listened to the birds welcome in the new day. She was due at the church soon.

  She sighed as she closed her eyes, relishing the warmth of her cocoon of blankets. She finally pulled herself out of bed and stumbled into the kitchen. As the coffee brewed, she wondered how she would survive another Saturday morning in Winston’s company.

  Since it was the final session of the Youth Financial Program at Friendship Church, she felt torn. She was glad that she could end this weekly torture of seeing Winston without fulfilling their relationship—she also felt sad to see the program end. The thought of never seeing him again made her heart pound with trepidation. She took a deep breath as she said a silent prayer, asking the Lord for strength.

  A few hours later she wandered the grounds of Friendship Community Church. Children ran around long picnic tables, shrieking with laughter.

  She grinned at Sister Mary as she served another burger to a hungry child. Sister Mary can master anything to do with cooking. She gazed at the crowd of excited kids, teenagers and parents, seeking one person. She watched Michael as he stood away from the crowd with Terry. She wished there was something she could do to help the young couple. Winston’s apprehensions had proven to be merited. Terry was now pregnant with her first child.

  She walked around the picnic area, still seeking her financial advisory partner. She spotted Sarah and Rachel as they helped some of the older kids to organize a Biblical trivia game. She waved at her best friends, pleased they agreed to help with the Youth Financial Advisory Picnic.

  When she still couldn’t find Winston, she finally entered the sanctuary of the church. High-pitched screams filtered through the stained-glass windows. The tension eased from her body when she spotted Winston in the foyer, speaking to one of the parents. She walked into the sanctuary, deciding to approach him later. She sat on the cushioned seat and closed her eyes, relishing the cool temperature.

  “Rainy, what’s wrong?” Winston sat beside her in the empty pew.

  His blue jeans hugged his firm thighs and his cologne smelled tangy and enticing. Her heart pounded and her palms became moist. Would being this close to Winston always have this effect on her? She wondered if they would ever recapture the closeness they had shared on the cruise.

  “Oh, nothing…everything.” Her voice shook as she leaned back into the pew.

  “Well, tell me about it,” he urged as he caressed her shoulder. Her skin sizzled from his touch and she moved away. Since when had Winston become her confidant? He’d been so standoffish since they began working together that she wondered if she’d imagined the fun they’d shared on the cruise.

  “Look.” He touched her arm again. “You know we’re friends, right?”

  Friends? At this point, she hated using that word when it came to Winston. She wanted to be more than just a friend.

  “If you want to call it that,” she said sarcastically.

  “Rainy…” He sounded so tired, and she didn’t feel like arguing. She had too much on her mind.

  “I’m going home in a few weeks.”

  “Really? I’m assuming this isn’t an ordinary visit?”

  “No, it isn’t.” When he protectively placed his arm around her, her apprehensions disappeared. She settled into his comforting embrace as she told of the conversations she’d had with her mother over the past week.

  “So, your brother’s wife had an affair, and now she’s left him? That’s rough.” He toyed with her fingers.

  She nodded. “I knew they’d been having problems, but I thought they’d work them out. I never suspected Cindy would have an affair.” It was a shocking thought, and she still found it all so hard to believe. She still felt like she was in the middle of a bad dream, and all she wanted to do was awaken.

  “They have a daughter, right?”

  She nodded, pleased that he remembered so much about her family. “I feel bad for Amber. She’s so little. That’s one reason why I think I should go home for a few days. My father is beside himself, running that dairy farm. Mark is so depressed that he’s not much help.”

  “Your family is important to you, aren’t they?”

  Nodding, she settled into the crook of his arm and closed her eyes.

  Winston fingered Rainy’s long dark hair, wondering if she would be offended if he placed his lips against her temple. Thoughts of kissing her cluttered his mind until her sweet voice silenced his reverie.

  She opened her large dark eyes and looked at him. “Did you talk to Michael and Terry?”

  He nodded. “Yes, I did as a matter of fact. Michael told me everything.”

  She sighed, pulling herself from his embrace. “Terry talked to me. I guess you were right to be concerned about them.”

  “Yeah, I recall your telling me that your preacher says that absti
nence is the key to avoiding unplanned pregnancies. I wish Michael and Terry could have followed his advice.” He was silent for a few minutes. “You know, this is a terrible way for them to start the new school year.”

  “I agree with you. All we can do is keep them in our prayers.” Heavy footsteps pounded on the cranberry-colored carpet.

  He noticed the pastor approaching. He loomed over them, carrying a manila folder. “Hi, Reverend Marshall,” Winston greeted.

  “Hi, Rainy, hi, Winston.” He lowered his bulky frame into the pew and embraced Rainy before shaking Winston’s hand. Stroking his salt-and-pepper beard, Reverend Marshall’s eyes glowed with warmth and mischief as he gazed at them. “I just want you two to know that the whole congregation has been buzzing about the success of the Youth Financial Program. This is the first time this church has sponsored such an event for our youth, and it’s turned out quite nicely.” Staring at the empty pulpit, he continued his speech. “You know, you two work so well together that I want you to think about something for me, possibly pray about it.”

  Rainy touched his arm. “What is it you want us to pray about, Reverend?”

  “Well, number one, a lot of the youth look up to you, Winston. I wanted to know if you’d consider being a member of this church. I do realize you have your own church home, but you could become an associate member and then pray about becoming a full member.”

  “Reverend,” Winston began.

  “Just think about it, Winston. You don’t have to give me your answer now.”

  He nodded. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

  Reverend Marshall looked at Rainy. “What’s the matter, Rainy? You don’t like my idea?”

  “I’m not sure if it’s a good idea, Reverend.”

  “Well, you two work so well together, and I just assumed you’d want to continue serving the church in this manner.”

  Winston frowned. “Uh, did I miss something? Continue serving the church in this manner?”