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Gertrude Wallace would hope that her pastor was being a respectable man, and responsible. But… after his apathy to Lucille and the ongoing divorce, and that new girlfriend of his. She was not sure anymore.
It had been a cold autumn day when her pastor, Cyril, had given her a phone call and asked her to come to the flat.
Gertrude had enjoyed her stroll to the flat, her place of worship other than the church they would use once a month.
She went up the stairs of the flat, stopping to knock on the door once before Cyril opened the door.
Walking into the flat, she looked at Cyril. He looked stressed, and almost fearful of her.
"Mrs. Wallace," Cyril greeted.
"Pastor Robinson," Gertrude greeted back.
"I have called you here to discuss… a personal matter," Cyril said.
Cyril gestured to the sofa. Gertrude sat down on it, placing her hands on her lap.
"I have made some errors of judgment," Cyril said.
Gertrude resisted making a face like she was not a grown woman and instead some teenager.
"Yes, you have." Gertrude said.
"And the worst of all was letting myself pretend that I moved on from Lucille, and consequently, now, Rosalind has ended up in the family way," Cyril said.
Gertrude turned to look at Cyril, she could not believe what he just said, praying that it was a dream.
She let out a disapproving tsk. "I did not approve of her, and I have not approved of your rash decisions, she is young, and your standing in the community!"
"I have realised that," Cyril said like this was a simple game and not destroying a girl's moral standing, especially a midwife's.
"You have? Did you realise that when you practically shunned your wife after she suffered greatly?" Gertrude asked.
"I know you do not approve of Rosalind-" Cyril tried to brooch the subject before Gertrude interrupted him.
"I do not, she is a lovely girl, and naive, but she is not yours, especially after how you've treated her as your move on from Lucille!" Gertrude snapped.
"I have made errors," Cyril said.
"That is one word for them, what will you be doing?" Gertrude asked.
"I will have to marry her, sooner than I would have wanted to, but our marriage will be a happy one," Cyril replied.
Gertrude laughed hard at that, she smiled at him, but it was not a kind smile.
"I do not believe that, especially after your last marriage and what your wife suffered," Mrs. Wallace said.
"Lucille wasn't suitable," Cyril said.
Gertrude stared at him, she could not believe the man standing in front of her had once been kind-hearted and a loving husband to Lucille.
"You have become someone who I do not recognise," Gertrude said, she hoped her words stung.
Cyril shook his head, he did not look pleased.
"I would like your help in discussing how to approach this with the other church members," Cyril said.
"I do not think something is not making sense for you, I will not helping you with anything going forward, especially after you have soiled that girl, and for her sake I do hope she realises what kind of man you are." Gertrude said.
"What are you saying?" Cyril asked.
"I am saying, Pastor Robinson, that I will no longer be supporting your church, have a blessed day." Gertrude said.
She left Cyril standing in his cowardice.
Gertrude was disappointed in the man that Cyril had become over the last two years, she was thankful that Lucille had left, even despite her circumstances.
Now… she just hoped Rosalind would see what kind of man he was, and despite her beliefs, terminate their child.