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said.
         “What are we, nonfriends? What happened to our invitation?” Lil asked in a hurt voice.
         “You know you don’t need an invitation. You’re always at Sunday dinner anyway, you moocher,” Beth said playfully.
         “You’re invited also Richard.”
         “This is one dinner I wouldn’t miss,” Richard said.

 
     
    CHAPTER 9
     
     
     
        Beth sitting next to her mother in the front row pew watched her father at the pulpit. He was so distinguished looking she thought to herself. He stood at the pulpit scanning all the faces of the church members as his sermon boomed through the congregation. His silver hair was still full, parted on the side and lay comfortably in place. His olive skin glowed under the lights. He removed his black wire rim glasses and laid them on his Bible as his deep brown eyes searched the crowd and he spoke of the Ten Commandment emphasizing fidelity, family and friendship.
         Beth’s head lowered in a prayer of forgiveness as she thought about her self gratification. Her mother reached over, took Beth’s hand and held it.
         “Fidelity, respect, tenderness, devotion and friendship are just a few of the ingredients needed for a happy marriage,” father Masters was saying.
         Oh how she wanted to find that man who would offer her these things so she could finally be rid of her virginity, Beth thought as she listened.
        “A roving eye will destroy the sanctity of a marriage every time. Don’t you believe, it doesn’t hurt to look. It hurts every time and in the end it kills. It will kill the marriage,” he said as his voice rose in a booming tone.
         The organ began to play. The members accompanied with voices rising loud sending their prayers and praises. The sermon was done. The singing and prayer has ended. Now members began to move about. The men shook hands and patted backs. The women embraced and kissed on the cheeks. Conversations and mingling continued long after the service was over. People were slow to make their way to their cars to head to their next destination.
          Beth’s mother hurried into the house, slipped off her heels and slid into comfy, pink slippers. Beth inhaled deeply. The house smelled of cinnamon, chicken, ham, apple pie. What a glorious appetizer to the nose Beth thought.
         “Mother, you have overdone it again,” Beth said as she noticed all the food and desserts which lie on the kitchen table and counter.
         “Your father helped honey. There is no better way to celebrate than a family meal and I’m anxious to meet your new friend.” Beth’s mother said.  
         The doorbell chimed. Beth hurried to admit the first dinner guests. She hugged Cornflower and then Tommy in greeting. She kissed Kelly and showed her cousins to the sitting room. The door opened again as her father hurried in.
         “I didn’t think the church would ever clear out,” he said moving forward to shake Tommy’s hand and kiss Cornflower and Kelly on the cheek. “You three live so close but you’re like strangers since you married,” Beth’s father said.
         “We don’t mean to be Uncle Harry. Time has been tight since Kelly was born. Tommy works the night shift and I work the day shift. That way we save on daycare. When we are off on the same day, we spend our time together as a family,” Cornflower said.
         “Now that is what my sermon was about, family. Stop by the church one Sunday as a family,” he replied and kissed Cornflower’s forehead and eyed Tommy.
         “Yes sir. We will,” Tommy replied.
         Beth’s phone vibrated in her pocket. She checked the caller ID and answered. “Hello Andrew. You’re not standing me up are you?”
         “Not a chance. I’m outside.”
         Beth ended the call and threw the door open, “Come on in and meet my parents.”
         A horn blew to get Beth’s