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heart. Thought more about the relentless voice that pounded inside her head.
    “Have a blessed week,” Pastor Ford said with a wave of her hand. “And hug someone on the way out.”
    Vanessa turned to the woman sitting on the other side of her. “Have a blessed week.”
    “You too, Vanessa,” the woman whispered when they hugged.
    Vanessa stood back, surprised that this woman—whom she’d only seen once, maybe twice—knew her name. She smiled, but before she could turn away, the woman added, “I’m so sorry to hear about your husband.”
    “Thank you.” Vanessa whipped around, ending the conversation before it began. She’d taken just one step into the aisle when the woman tapped her shoulder.
    “Vanessa, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I’ve been so curious. Didn’t you see any of the signs from your husband before he…killed himself?”
    Slowly, Vanessa twisted back toward the woman. For the second time that morning, she’d been shocked into silence. “What?”
    The stranger repeated her question.
    “Excuse me,” Louise interjected and grabbed her friend’s hand. “I cannot believe these people,” Louise muttered as the two marched toward the back doors.
    “Vanessa!”
    They turned, poised for battle right in the middle of the sanctuary. But both relaxed when they faced the smiling face of Etta-Marie, Pastor Ford’s assistant.
    “Hey, girl.” Etta-Marie wrapped her arms around Vanessa. “Good to see you.” She smiled at Louise before she continued, “Pastor Ford wants to see you.” Not waiting for a response, she turned; Vanessa and Louise followed her through the still exiting crowd.
    “Pastor will be right in,” Etta-Marie said once they were in the pastor’s office. “You know how folks are after the service. They want to be all in her face. I’ll go get her.”
    Once alone, Louise said, “Pastor wants to talk to you. There’s no need for me to be here.”
    “No, stay.” She paused. “What do you think Pastor wants?”
    Before her friend could answer, Pastor Ford swept into her office with a smile and enough energy to power a city. “No need to speculate about what I want.” The pastor grinned. “I’ll tell you.” She hugged Vanessa and then Louise.
    “I was glad to see you this morning.” Pastor Ford smoothed her St. John’s suit before she sat, then motioned for the women to do the same. “I planned on calling you when I got home this afternoon,” she said to Vanessa.
    “Is there something wrong?”
    “Definitely not.” Pastor Ford reached across the space and took Vanessa’s hand. “I just planned to check on you, but I’m glad you came to church. This is where you need to be.”
    Vanessa straightened her back. “I didn’t see any reason to stay home.” She smiled at the pastor before she turned to Louise. “I have a lot of support.”
    “And she needs it, Pastor. These people have been acting like they were hiding when God gave out good sense,” Louise exclaimed.
    “Really?” The pastor’s perfectly arched eyebrows rose.
    “Yes,” Louise continued, moving to the edge of her seat. “First Charlotte asked—”
    Vanessa held up her hand. “I can handle these people, Pastor.” She paused and added, “And when I can’t, Louise is right there to put everyone in their place.”
    Louise folded her arms. “You got that right.”
    “You’re a good friend, Louise. But neither of you should concern yourself with other people. Nothing you can do about them.” Pastor Ford faced Vanessa. “But there’s a lot you can do to help yourself. Can you be here in my office on Thursday at seven?”
    Vanessa frowned. Her intention was to never step back into this church. But she couldn’t tell Pastor Ford about her plans. Her pastor would never understand, never agree. Might even try to have her committed.
    “I don’t…know, Pastor. I’m not ready…to go back to working with the youth….”
    The pastor held up her hand. “It’s not about that.