Read Online A Constant Reminder by Lolah Lace - Free Book Online Page A

pounds.”
    Quincy walked away fast enough to blow a few sheets of loose paper off the table and onto the carpet.
    Sadly Roxanne didn’t feel bad. If she had to hurt Quincy to get him to stay away that was what she would do. She was damaged goods. She didn’t have time for guys in her present situation.
    Thinking of a man touching her body made her sick to her stomach. Then there was the matter of this pregnancy. What was she going to do? Acting like this wasn’t really happening was getting old. She had to man-up. Whatever that meant.
    Roxanne had to finally admit she needed help. Where could she get the help she needed? Where could she turn to gain some clarity in such an unclear situation?
    The next day she decided to go to First Baptist Missionary Church. Roxanne walked slowly down the center aisle. She took notice of all the beautiful artistry and craftsmanship that went into the eighty-year-old church.
    Pastor Gregory was the man to see. He had been handed down the historical church from his father. This church and this congregation had been in the Gregory family for decades. The Gregory men were upstanding pillars of the community.
    Pastor Gregory was a well-groomed man. He was very attractive for his age. Roxanne placed him somewhere around fifty. He was married for twenty-five years and had four kids. Roxanne had always respected him. She had never heard any bad things about him. He was one of the few men that didn’t look at women like they were sex objects. There was always the possibility that he was good at hiding his lust but he really seemed like a man of God.
    Pastor Gregory took notice of Roxanne and he met her halfway down the red carpet.
    “Roxanne Potts.”
    “Hello Pastor Gregory.”
    Pastor Gregory held out his hand in a motion to direct Roxanne into a seat in a pew. Roxanne soon remember that she liked that he wasn’t all touchy feely. A lot of those church guys were perverts always trying to get hugs so they could push your breasts into them and feel you up. The Pastor was different. He didn’t hug on all the women. She liked that about him. They both sat side by side in the pew.
    “How are you doing?” He asked.
    Roxanne shrugged.
    “How’s college?” The pastor asked.
    The pastor knew everybody’s business. He remembered she was in school at Northern University.
    Pastor Gregory was easy to talk to. So his parishioners spilled their guts regularly. Roxanne knew he had secrets that could set the entire town ablaze if he ever decided to blab.
    “School is fine I guess.”
    “Just fine?”
    Roxanne noted how concerned he looked. He could be a very successful talk show host. She mused. “Well I’m having a hard time but not with school.”
    “Making a decision.”
    “Yes sir.” How did he figure that out? Was he clairvoyant? “There is something happening and this is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to face.”
    “Have you prayed and asked for guidance?”
    “Yes, it just seems that no matter what decision I make I will end up not having everyone’s approval.”
    “You don’t need any man’s approval. Your blessings come from God. Sometimes the worst trials and tribulations are actually blessings in disguise.”
    Roxanne didn’t want to confess her recent trauma but she knew her words would be safe with the pastor.
    “I was attacked by a stranger. I didn’t report it to the police. I didn’t go to the doctor after the attack. Now I’m pregnant.” The words jumped out without any candor.
    “You’ve been to see a doctor about the pregnancy.”
    “Yes I’m definitely pregnant. I never believed in abortion but this situation is different.”
    “It is different but not unique. This has happened to other women and you need to know that you are not alone. You should hold firm in your beliefs. You shouldn’t let any man, monster or devil in disguise kill your spirit, change who you are inside or corrupt what you believe in your heart. You feel me?” Pastor Gregory smiled.