(The interior layout is done. Now we just need the final wraparound cover and the Library of Congress control numbers. Sometimes those can slow things down quite a bit. Hopefully, they won’t this time around. This weekend, I’m taking off for a retreat about the calling God places on us. Thank you for reading and may God multiply His blessings on you.)
Jan
Friday, September 10
I didn’t have time to be hurt or angry because Donna met me as soon as I stepped into the kitchen. “How is he?”
Her concern was understandable. Phil had battled high blood pressure all his life and died of a stroke in his mid-fifties. Phil’s father died even younger. Now David was following the pattern. All of them were pastors.
“It’s high. Clinically high. I told him to make an appointment Monday.”
“He doesn’t need the ER?”
“If he was having any other symptoms, I would say yes, but it’s been inching up over the last four or five years, so we knew this day was coming.” I had to drop my eyes. “Plus he’s under some extra stress right now.”
“He should take some time off.”
He may not have a choice. “I’ll check it again in the morning. If it’s still high, I’ll call Dr. A. I’m sure he’d see him, even on a Saturday.”
Donna reached and squeezed my hand. “Thank you,” she said softly. “I can’t help but worry, you understand.”
“Of course. Thank you for taking the kids to eat. I know they enjoyed it.”
“It was our pleasure.” She kissed Grant and Maddie, and Neil followed her, kissing Maddie’s cheek and shaking Grant’s hand. Then she and Neil each hugged me before they slipped out the back door.
As soon as the door closed, Maddie stood up. “I’m going to bed.”
“Everything okay?”
“No,” she said. “But sleep is the only thing I have control over.”
I smiled at her gentle wisdom. “Dad and I talked. We’ll be okay.”
“What if they make him give up the church?”
“Then we’ll be thankful I have a good job.”
“But he’s not preaching Sunday. What will we do?”
“I’m sure he’ll come up with a plan.”
Continue reading UNDONE Chapter 6