Saints & Sinners pt 2 (Two Wrongs...)

SHERITA JOHNSON

Sunday, 1pm

Reverend Johnson has just finished a sermon entitled Faith During Times of Turmoil. It was a powerful message and brought many members of the congregation to tears. A few members of the church gathered after the ceremony.

“Hmph. I don’t like this new pastor. I don’t trust him.” said one of the older ladies

“And I aint one to gossip, but I heard his wife is a straight up hoe. She done been with Deacon Thomas.” said another.

They grew silent as the First Lady approached them.

“How are you, Ms. Johnson? That’s a lovely dress you’re wearing!”

“Thank you. Did you enjoy the sermon?”

“Yes, it was lovely”

Sherita Johnson left the ladies and mingled with other members of the church as she left. She could feel their eyes burning a hole into her back. She tried to keep her affairs private, but that was nearly impossible at a small church in a small town. She knew that word was spreading about her affair with Deacon Thomas and other members of the community and she had to find a way to keep her husband from finding out. She contemplated leaving him but she knew that it wouldn’t be right. He had a reputation. He was perceived as a devoted father and a loving husband, so divorce was not an option. She wondered what would happen if he found out about her infidelity.

Sherita always tried to be faithful but her husband was always gone. She needed someone to hold her, even if it was only for a moment. At first she felt bad about cheating on her husband but as time went on she didn’t care. Apparently her husband didn’t care either, because he pretended that everything in their marriage was fine. She arrived home to an empty house 15 minutes later. Her husband was still at the church and her children were with friends. She thought about calling Deacon Thomas, but decided against it. She began preparing dinner for her family when her husband called.

“Hello?”

“I’m not going to make it to dinner tonight. I have to go to Atlanta for a conference. I’m sorry”

“Why didn’t I know about this? It’s not on your calendar...”

“I’m sorry. It’s a last minute trip. I love you”

Click

She stood over the sink holding back tears. She didn’t want to continue cheating on her husband but she needed someone to make her feel better. She was tired of being neglected and lied to by her husband. She wanted someone that cared for her. She called Deacon Thomas and they arranged to meet at a nearby hotel.

REVEREND JOHNSON

He was tired of lying to his wife. He knew that his secret would eventually be revealed and he thought about telling his wife the truth. They have been married for over 20 years and she still wasn’t aware of his double life. She didn’t know about his dark secret.

It’s a secret that he’s ashamed of. It’s a secret that would devastate his wife and ruin his career. He stopped at a local payphone...

“Yeah, I’ll be there later tonight. Have it ready when I get there”

He couldn’t keep lying to his wife. His double life had to end, one way or another.