Like Sheep Gone Astray by Lesile J. Sherrod Read Free Book Online

made the right decision to reschedule his meeting with Pastor Green. He knew Pastor Green was still at the church. When he'd called to cancel their meeting, Pastor Green had stated that he would be in his study for a few-more hours.
Maybe if we finish this dinner soon I'll be able to catch him before he goes home,
Anthony pondered. It doesn't look like
Terri is up to much more celebration
.
    A new song droned out of the stereo. The soft drumbeat brought Anthony to his feet. “Can I have this dance?” He reached for Terri's hand. She pulled back and threw her embroidered napkin on the small table.
    “Look,” she sighed. “I'm tired and I know you originally had other plans for the evening.” She plastered a smile onto her face. “Why don't you go and do whatever you were going to do and we can finish this celebration another time.”
    Anthony tried not to look too eager to leave as he put on his coat and grabbed his briefcase. He barely noticed Terri on the telephone as he closed the front door behind him.
    “Cherisse, what's Plan B?”
    The crisp fall day had given way to a bitter cold evening. Remnants of a passing rain shower had left behind the aroma of wet, decaying leaves. Anthony turned off the car radio and rolled down his window, listening only to the swish of passing cars over the slick suburban streets and the rampage of his own thoughts. He rehearsed and restructured and rehearsed again in his mind what he would say to Pastor Green. There was no way to pretty up the confession or avoid its consequences.
    He thought of Mr. Haberstick and knew that tonight was just the beginning, the first step. He would need to tap into a reservoir of courage he was unsure he had. And that pool of courage would have to last for the coming weeks, maybe months. He thought of Terri. How would she be affected?
I should have thought about all of this six months ago
.…
    By the time he neared the church parking lot, the sun had completely disappeared into the western horizon. He wondered at the headlights pulling out of the small gravel lot. He did not recall Pastor Green saying he had another meeting tonight. Plus, the dark Crown Victoria did not look familiar. “Must be a visiting clergy friend,” Anthony muttered to himself.
    Anthony was glad to see both the vestibule and the basement lights on in the church. It did not look like Pastor Green planned on leaving anytime soon. He stomped down the narrow, red-carpeted steps. When he knocked on the slightly opened oak door of the pastor's study, he was surprised to see Pastor Green looking startled in his chair.
    “Anthony!” he exclaimed. “I did not hear you come in. I was just think—” He stopped abruptly, blinking and sighing. “We really need to talk,” he continued, concern in his eyes. “Come in.” He motioned toward a couch. “Have a seat. Please tell me, what is going on with you these days?”
    Anthony sat down on the green sofa. He placed his briefcase on the floor beside his feet. “I hope I'm not disturbing you. I saw another car leaving as I came. Did you have any other meetings planned this evening?”
    “Oh no, nothing planned. But I'm glad you have come. I did just have a visitor. His name was Kent Cassell, a detective from the sheriff's office.”
    Anthony raised an eyebrow. “A detective? Is every thing okay?”
    “I'm not sure. He asked about you, Anthony.”
    Anthony felt his heart skip a beat as Pastor Green continued. “He wanted to know how much you had contributed to the fund for the new Sunday school classroom wing. I'm not sure what this is all about, but I know that God is still in control.”
    Anthony swallowed hard. “Pastor Green,” he began, “the reason I wanted to talk to you—needed to talk to you—was to let you know that I'm …” Anthony paused and sighed before continuing. “I want to step down from my ministerial duties.”
    Pastor Green leaned back in his desk chair, his eyes never leaving Anthony's.
    “I want to