Demon
Chapter 40

Ron

Margaret is happily chatting with all of her friends, bringing them up to speed on the development of my relationship with Brenda. It would have been preferable not to have everyone in New Mexico know how much I regret having an affair, but it’s the truth, so I suppose she’s entitled to share it. We are smiling and nodding along. Eventually, people start saying their goodbyes and heading towards the door. Gabe and Natalie long since got bored and wandered off, but Gabe has returned and is slouched in one of the pews kicking his feet and waiting for us to finish.

Brenda finally says, “Okay, I think we should all be heading to the restaurant. I made reservations for noon, and we shouldn’t be late.”

Margaret is yacking with some of the last stragglers who are still here. “Yes, dear, we’ll be right along. We’ll meet you there, all right?”

I look around and realize that Natalie still isn’t in here. “Where’s Natalie?” I ask Brenda. She stares around with me.

“I’m not sure. Maybe in the library? It’d be like her to replace something to read while she’s waiting.”

I’m about to head over there, but Caroline says, “Why don’t you three go ahead, and I’ll bring Natalie over in my car.”

“Okay, sure,” Brenda says. “Come on Gabe, lunchtime!” Of course this is the main event for him, so he eagerly rushes out of the church to the car.

I walk to the front holding hands with Brenda, and replaceing ourselves in the foyer alone for a moment, I take the opportunity for another kiss. I run my hands down her back, feeling the satiny dress clinging to her luscious body.

“Thank you, Mrs. Cadwell,” I tell her, after we come up for air.

“You know, that isn’t anything new. I always just kept your name, since it was easier that way with the kids.”

“I know. Won’t stop me from gloating about it all over again.”

She laughs and grabs my hand, and we follow Gabe out to the rental car.

Margaret

I’m so pleased that Brenda and Ron have finally sorted out their relationship. And it is so lovely to have the chance to show them off, and of course the grandkids, to all my friends.

We’re lingering, gossiping about some church business, when Brenda and Ron leave with the kids for the restaurant. Caroline comes back into the sanctuary and interrupts my conversation. “Mom, do you know where Natalie is?”

I wave her off with my hand. “Brenda and Ron already left with the kids. We’re supposed to meet them at the restaurant.”

“Oh,” she says, sounding surprised for some reason. “Okay. I’ll go over now, then. You and Dad should come along too.”

“All right, darlin’, we’ll be there soon.” I turn back to my friend. “I missed what you just said?”

Brenda

Mrs. Cadwell. Ron is right, my actual name might not be changing again, but it has a whole new meaning now. I feel so warm and wonderful.

We’re the first ones to the restaurant, and we go ahead and sit at our table. Gabe digs in to the tortilla chips they bring out while we’re waiting for everyone else to arrive.

Caroline comes in the door, and Ron waves her over to our table.

“Isn’t Natalie here?” she asks while she’s hanging her purse on the back of her chair and sitting down. “Mom said that she was with you guys.”

What? “No, we thought she was coming with you.”

“Huh,” she says. “Well, Mom and Dad should be right behind me, I’m sure they’ll scoop her up and bring her.

“Did you check the library?” Ron asks.

“Yeah, but she wasn’t in there, or on the playground or in the ladies’ room. Then Mom said that you had both of the kids with you, so I followed you here.”

Ron and I look at each other, worried.

Gabe says, holding another chip, “Don’t worry, she’s fine.” He scoops up some salsa, clearly unconcerned about his sister.

Um, okay.

It’s only another couple of minutes before my parents arrive. Without Natalie.

“Mom! Where is Natalie?” I’m starting to feel frantic.

“What?” Mom says. “I was sure that she left with you!”

Ron gets up, all business, but I hear the stress in his voice. “I’m going back to the church. Gabe, stay here with your grandparents.”

“I’m coming,” I tell him, and we head out.

It’s only a couple of miles away, but it seems like a very long drive. What could have happened? I feel my adrenaline skyrocketing, my heart pounding with anxiety.

When we get to the church, Ron strides ahead of me through the open front doors, shouting “Natalie?”

I get inside a few seconds later. Someone must still be here, since they haven’t locked up yet. Ron is heading off towards the kitchen area.

“Natalie?” I yell, starting to run down the hallway towards the back, the opposite direction from Ron.

“Here! Here!” Pastor Lyman comes out the door of his office, and to my massive relief there is Natalie right behind him, in her glowy dress.

Ron comes running up from across the church where he had gone. “Natalie! Where were you?”

Natalie seems surprised. “I was right here, talking to Pastor Lyman.” She glances to the side, her eyes narrow, then she looks back over at me. “I’m so sorry Mom, I didn’t know it was time to go yet.”

Pastor Lyman looks sheepish. “I apologize. Natalie and I just got to talking, and I think we lost track of time.”

This is so confusing. “You’ve just been here talking?”

“Yes, it turns out that Natalie is quite the biblical scholar. Once we got going on that, I think that we both forgot about everything else. I haven’t had such a stimulating discussion since Seminary!”

Ron and I goggle at each other. I feel a little shaky, the adrenaline rush starting to subside.

Natalie’s forehead wrinkles, as she looks back and forth between Ron and I. “I really am so sorry, Mom, Dad. I didn’t realize that anyone was going to be worried. I just really wanted to talk about the bible.” Her face full of remorse, she reaches out and takes both of our hands.

Phew. Okay. I’m starting to calm down, and feel better. Of course she’s fine. I glance over at Ron, and see that he’s going through the same thing. Just now feeling it sink in that there is no need to panic.

“All right,” he says, “we know you didn’t mean any harm. Please just keep track of time better.”

She nods her head fervently.

Pastor Lyman says, clearly abashed, “I’m so sorry that you were worried. It really is my fault. I should have been paying attention to what everyone else was doing. It’s just that your daughter is such an engaging young person, we both got completely lost in our discussion.”

I chuckle a bit shakily. “Yes, we’ve heard that before. We don’t blame you.”

Natalie looks up at me as she squeezes my hand. “Mom, would it be okay for Pastor Lyman to come to lunch with us?” She looks over to him. “If you’re not busy, of course?”

I look at Ron, then the pastor. “Of course, we would love to have you join us. We’re going to Garduño’s.”

He grins. “I’d be delighted. I was going to eat a snack at my desk for lunch, but I think I’ve worked up quite an appetite with all this intense theological discussion we were just having. Thank you!”

Natalie smiles all around, clearly pleased that everything is working out just fine.