Spencerville

boyfriend.”
    “She’s done nothing wrong. If there were any improprieties, they came from me.”
    “That’s very noble of you, Mr. Landry. I know you think I’m being very old-fashioned, and I thank you for humoring me.”
    “I’m not humoring you, I’m listening to you, and I understand your position and your concern. I assure you my relationship with Mrs. Baxter has been strictly platonic.”
    “Well, see if you can be the strong one and keep it that way.”
    Keith looked at Pastor Wilkes and, against his better judgment, or perhaps because he had to tell someone, he said, “To be honest with you, Pastor, the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.”
    Pastor Wilkes seemed momentarily speechless, then said, “I appreciate your honesty.” He added, “And am pleased you remember scripture.”
    Keith stood and said, “I should be going.”
    Pastor Wilkes took his cane and stood also. He walked Keith to the door, they went out onto the porch, and Keith saw that the meeting was still in progress. He wondered how many witnesses Gail and Jeffrey had assembled to confess to their dealings and intercourse with the devil. Keith turned back to Pastor Wilkes and said, “Apparently you knew more about me than you indicated when I sat down.”
    “Yes, but I didn’t know if you were the type of man I could talk to. I saw that you were, and I gave you unsolicited advice and information. I hope you’re not offended by the advice and that you keep the information to yourself.”
    “I’m not offended, and I’ll keep this conversation to myself. But I am concerned that people are talking about me.”
    “Mr. Landry, you came home to a small town that is very troubled, and ironically, one of our problems, the problem of Mr. Baxter as public official and as husband, has become your problem. But don’t let it be.”
    “Why not? Why should I do less than the people in that church?”
    “You know very well why. Examine your motives, and consider the consequences of your actions.”
    “Pastor, since I left Spencerville, I’ve served as a military officer in various capacities, and all of those capacities had life-and-death consequences, for me, my colleagues, and, between us, for this nation.”
    “Then you don’t need a sermon from a country preacher.”
    “But I appreciate your concern.”
    Pastor Wilkes put his hand on Keith’s shoulder and looked him in the eye. “I like you. I don’t want to see anything happen to you.”
    “Me, neither. But if something does happen, will you see to the arrangements here at St. James?”
    “Yes… of course.” Pastor Wilkes took Keith’s arm and said, “Let me walk you to your car. Help me down the steps.” As they walked, Wilkes said, “Keith… may I call you Keith?”
    “Of course.”
    “I know that something is going on between you and Annie Baxter, and, to be quite honest, I’m not totally opposed to it. But you must go about it the right way, or it will never be right for either of you.”
    Keith replied, “I’m still not admitting to coveting my neighbor’s wife, Pastor. But I’m listening.”
    “Good. Listen, and forget where you heard this.” He said, “She, the woman in question, is in an unhappy and unhealthy marriage, according to her pastoral counselor. Her husband is an adulterer and a verbally abusive man. I may be from the old school, but I listen to the young pastors, and I’m convinced that she has to leave that marriage before it becomes dangerous. He’s become enraged at the suggestion of counseling, and neither the pastoral counselor nor the wife in question sees any hope for a change.”
    Keith did not reply. He found his car and stood beside it.
    Pastor Wilkes continued, “Divorce is acceptable under these circumstances. After her divorce, she is free to do whatever she wishes. You, Mr. Landry, must be patient and must not become part of the problem. This is a good woman, and I don’t want to see her hurt.”
    Both men stood in the dark, a faint light coming from the church windows casting shadows over the gravestones. Keith said, “Neither do I.”
    “Mr. Landry, I’m sure your intentions are honorable, but the only honorable thing you can do now is to break off any contact with her. Things will work themselves out with God’s help.”
    “And without my help.”
    “Precisely.” He asked, “Do you or do you not intend to stay here to live?”
    “I did, but I’m not certain now.”
    “I think your presence