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John.
    He stormed out, leaving her door wide open. Simone approached the doorway of her office with a concerned look on her face. “Everything okay, Ms. Esther? I only stepped away from my desk for a moment. I took a potty break.” Simone pulled at the back of her dress.
    â€œYes, I’m fine, but thanks for checking. John barks a lot, but I’ve never known him to bite.” Esther shifted through papers on her desk. She lifted folders and looked under her desk.
    â€œHumph. My mama tol’ me all dogs got teeth, and if they got teeth, they can bite. And that John? He do be a big ol’ bowwow, but before you tell me to mind my business, I’ll go on back to my desk. Oh, your sister called. I told her you’d call her back when you were finished. And, the report you need is on the top of the middle file rack.”
    Esther laughed out loud. “Girl, that is your job, security. I don’t know how you do it, but if I need it, you know where it is.”
    Simone smiled and strutted back to her desk. “Don’t forget your sister called.”
    Esther nodded her head. She’d have to call her sister back later. She had too much work to do.
    Hours later, Esther decided to leave the office an hour early. She had been in three meetings and worked through her lunch. She was suffering from lack of sleep, and she was going home to get some.
    Her cell rang. Caller ID showed it was her sister, Phyllis. “You could have called me back. What was up with you and Mother Reed? Your conversation looked intense.”
    â€œHello to you too. You might want to tell a person hello before you start in on them,” Esther said, reading through her last e-mail.
    â€œOh yeah, well, hello. I really called to see if you heard the news.”
    â€œWhat news?” Esther responded to her e-mail and begin clearing off her desk.
    â€œReverend Gregory is taking a year’s leave of absence from church.”
    â€œWhat? When did this happen?” Esther stopped moving, stunned at the news. Reverend Gregory had been her rock since college.
    â€œAccording to the church grapevine, he notified the deacon board today. Of course, then our first lady called Mama. You know how tight they are.”
    â€œI can’t believe it. Pastor is dedicated to Love Zion.” Esther’s spirit sagged at the news.
    â€œNow you know that pastor’s daughter, Jeanette has those lung issues. She moved to Arizona for that job and was diagnosed after she relocated. She has pneumonia. They’re concerned with all her complications; she’ll no longer be able to take care of herself.”
    â€œShe’s worse?” Esther remembered sleepovers and church picnics with the vibrant, young Jeanette.
    â€œYeah, and after all that fasting and praying the church did.” Phyllis had a bad habit of murmuring and complaining through every church-assigned fast. Later, she’d point out that the person or situation wasn’t any better.
    â€œPhyllis, our fasting and prayers are probably what has pulled her through so far. You have to have faith. Remember, prayer changes things, and some situations are only broken through fasting and praying.” Esther resumed packing up her desk.
    â€œUh-huh, well, anyhow, I thought I would let you know. You being so church involved and all, and being a charter member of the ‘willing to do’ board. By the way, I still haven’t forgotten that you never answered my question about you and Mother Reed.”
    â€œNope, I didn’t. But thanks for the info. I took a personal day off tomorrow so I may swing by to see you. I’ll let you know.” The phone rested between Esther’s shoulder and cheek as she wrote a reminder Post-it and placed it on her calendar.
    â€œWhatever, Miss I’m Keeping Secrets,” Phyllis shot back as she hung up.
    Esther picked up her purse and headed out the door. She paused at the receptionist desk.