Searching for Anna By Jenifer Carll-Tong
Chapter 20 - Exposed
Just as Mary had predicted, attendance at Phoebe's second Sunday was half that of the first Sunday, and even less than that at her third, but she wasn't deterred. In fact, she was much more relaxed in front of the smaller crowd; unlike the first Sunday when most of the service had become a blur, she felt much more focused and at ease behind the pulpit.
It helped having Wendell in the middle of the sanctuary smiling at her throughout the sermon. And though she didn't like to admit it, Will's presence seemed to be a comfort to her as well.
Besides Wendell and Will, all of the women from the greeting committee and their families were there, including Mrs. Smith, who actually gave Phoebe a slight smile and wished her a 'good day' on the way out. No one tried to skip past her at the door. Mrs. Wiggins and her family were the last to leave the little church.
"I really enjoyed your sermon this morning," said the quiet woman. Mr. Wiggins stood next to her, saying nothing and looking straight ahead. Phoebe wondered if he disapproved of her, but she chose to ignore the stern man and instead to focus on his wife's kind words.
"Thank you, Mrs. Wiggins. I'm so glad to hear that."
They left with their three children following close behind. A few parishioners were milling around outside the church involved in various conversations, including Will and Jack Simmons. When Will saw that Phoebe was finished at the door, he excused himself from the conversation and approached her.
"I enjoyed today's service immensely. Your father would be proud. It was like listening to one of his sermons."
An unfamiliar sensation ran up her spine as he hopped up the steps, closing the distance between them. He smiled at her, his blue eyes sparkling against his neatly cropped dark hair that was brushed back from his face.
He added, "But served up in a much prettier package," and gave her a wink, causing another sensation, one she was accustomed to experiencing with Will Caffey.
"Why do you have to do that?" she asked.
"Do what? Compliment you?"
"Give me a compliment that I really appreciate then ruin it by tacking a flirtation on the end."
"You misread me," he said. "Flirtation is for schoolboys. When I compliment you, I mean what I say."
"Thank you for comparing me to my father," Phoebe answered, "but please refrain from addressing my looks when others might hear you. I want to be taken seriously as the pastor of this town."
"I will try my best," Will responded. "But if you look pretty, it will be difficult for me not to think…or say it."
She was ready to argue more, but Will was already bounding down the stairs and untying his horse.
Phoebe was about to go back into the church when she noticed Wendell was now talking with Jack. When she saw that the conversation was at an end, she got his attention and motioned for him to see her.
"You need somethin', Pastor?" the boy asked.
"Yes Wendell, I could use your help inside the church."
He followed her inside.
"Oh, would you do me a favor?" she asked as she walked toward the pulpit. "There are two black books on the back row. Could you bring me the one that says Strong's Concordance, please?"
Phoebe stood at the front of the sanctuary waiting for Wendell to bring her the book. He stood there looking for some time. Finally, he picked one up and brought it to her.
"Here you go, ma'am."
Phoebe took it from him and read the cover. She held the book against her stomach and looked at him kindly. "You can't read, can you Wendell?"
The boy blushed and refused to look her in the eye.
"I can, I just forgot which book you said you wanted," he said, starting back down the aisle toward the back pew. He came back with the other book. "Here you go. Concordance."
She did not take the other book from him. "Don't lie to me."
The young man's face flushed bright red. When he said nothing and refused to look up, she put her hand on his shoulder.
"Wendell, I was just testing my theory. Neither of these books is a concordance."
Wendell shook his head slowly. "I'm sorry Pastor Albright. I'm sorry I lied to you."
"I'm not upset. I just don't know why you felt you couldn't tell me the truth. There's nothing to be ashamed of."
"But I am ashamed. You and Will are about my only friends here in town, and you are both the two smartest people I've ever met. I didn't want you to think I was too stupid to be your friend."
"Oh Wendell! Our friendship isn't based on your ability to read or not. You have been a good friend to me, and I'm sure Officer Caffey would say the same. I didn't ask because I wanted to embarrass you. I asked because I want to help you. If you will allow me, I would like to help you learn to read."
"I'm just too stupid to learn."
"Stupid? That is one word that I would never use to describe you. And I'm sure your supervisors at the mine would agree with me. You are an intelligent, hard-working young man. If you weren't, you wouldn't have been able to fool everyone into thinking you could read all this time. Now, I can't force you, but I would really like to help you learn."
Wendell was quiet. Phoebe waited patiently for him to respond. She was praying that God was working on him in her favor.
"How 'bout I come by Monday after evenin' supper?"
