Read Online Beneath the Tombstone (The Tombstone Series) by Martin Cogburn - Free Book Online

“Mainly he just wants to
brag about his latest money making scheme, trying to rub it in my face.” She
shook her head like she couldn’t quite grasp the concept of someone bragging
about money they didn’t yet have. “I mean, does he think I haven’t hurt enough
as it is?”
    Jason
cocked his head back slightly enough it went unnoticed as he sat down next to
Misty, once more. Why didn’t Susan just quit answering the jerks calls? Seeming
to read his mind, Susan sighed. “I know I should probably stop answering when
he calls but, I don’t know, I guess if I didn’t answer I’d always wonder if
that was the one time he was calling to, you know, say he was sorry or
something like that.” She looked away and pressed her lips together in an
attempt to keep the bottom one from trembling.
    Jason
just sat in awkward silence, but Misty, in what seemed to be one swift,
graceful move, was at her sister’s side. “I guess I should be thankful that
Denton hasn’t shown much interest in our son,” Susan spoke, shaking her head as
she turned to look at Misty who, in turn, took her hand and patted it gently.
“Unless he changes, it’s probably best if things stay that way.” She paused and
tossed her hands in frustration, adding, “And now I feel guilty for saying that
because, you know, he has deprived his son of a father. But at least
I’ve never had to fight with him over custody.”
    They
all sat in silence for a moment then something in Susan’s mind made her smile.
She wiped her eyes and sniffed. “When Ken came home from his game the other
evening, all he could talk about was Uncle Jason this, Uncle Jason that,” she
said, looking first at Misty then at Jason, giving them both a teary eyed
smile. “I’m just so thankful that you guys are a part of his life.”
    “We
are too. He’s a special little guy,” Misty complimented.
    “He
sure is,” Susan sighed, her tone that of happiness under a burden. “He’s not
like any other kid I’ve ever seen. And he loves going to church. He’s always
asking if Uncle Jason and Aunt Misty are going to be there this time.” She
smiled at them as she added, “I wish you would. Ken would have a fit...
 in a good way, of course,” she clarified, laughing a little as she wiped
one of her red eyes once more.
    Jason
sat in awkward silence, unsure of how to respond. He had expected the invite.
It seemed that his sister-in-law would never completely give up on them
becoming churchy. Church was fine. He was glad she found… whatever it was she
found there, but Jason knew that church wasn’t for him or Misty either one.
    Right
before he was going to politely decline her offer, Susan mistook their silence
for contemplation. Thinking they were actually considering it, her eyes light
up. “It would mean the world to Ken,” she exclaimed. “He thinks so much of you
and the Lord both. He wouldn’t know what to do with himself if y’all got together,” she added with a laugh.
    Her
determination made Jason feel bad about doing so, but he was going to have to
explain that they just weren’t interested. But before he could, she went on.
“Christ has made such a huge difference in my life, and now I want everyone,
especially those that are close to me, to experience this awesome feeling. Do you
know what it’s like to have all your past sins and mistakes forgotten? I do!”
she exclaimed. “It is amazing!”
    Jason
felt as if he was being backed into a corner. Unable to control the annoyance
building up inside, he defended himself by saying, “Well, of course, some
peoples’ mistakes are worse than others.” Oops, was that out loud? He couldn’t
believe that he had just said something so cruel. Judging by the expression on
his wife’s face, she couldn’t either.
    Susan
looked a bit surprised at his bluntness but didn’t appear ashamed of her past
errors. “That is true,” she agreed. “In the eyes of people some sins are
greater than others, but in God’s eyes