Contingency (Covenant of Trust) by Paula Wiseman Page B

slightly “And I intend to keep them. That’s uh ... that’s what my dad ... he taught me that. Honor your commitments.” He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw so tightly it shook.
    She touched his face, and a single tear escaped from his eyes. She slipped her hand behind his head, and he let her guide it to her shoulder. “I love you,” she whispered, and he let go and sobbed. She held him, rubbed his back, and cried with him. “You are so much like your dad ...”
    He raised up and shook his head. “I’ll never be half the man my dad was.” He shifted and looked at the floor in front of him for several moments. When he finally spoke, the words came softly and tentatively. “Walter and Jim are giving me Dad’s spot.”
    “ As a managing partner? That’s wonderful.”
    “ It’s kind of a junior manager. They still have final oversight.”
    “ Still, at thirty-six, that’s an amazing accomplishment.”
    “ But I didn’t earn it.”
    “ You did. They didn’t have to give it to you.” He frowned again and wiped his eyes. “I know how hard you work, Chuck—”
    “ I gotta go.” He eased around her, and reached for his suit jacket.
    “ Why doesn’t it matter when I say it?”
    “ What?” He slipped his arm in the jacket sleeve.
    “ When I say you work hard, or you’re a good attorney, you blow it off.”
    “ Bobbi, don’t start on me right now.” He straightened his tie and adjusted the silk in his breast pocket.
    He was grieving and he had no idea how to process it. She had to believe that, to push down the hurt and anger welling up inside her. If he felt safe with her, venting it to her, then she’d be safe for him. “All right, should I plan on you for dinner?”
    “ Go ahead and feed the boys. Don’t wait on me.”
    She took his hand in hers. “I’ll be here when you get home. I’ll help you anyway I can.”
    “ You can’t help me.”
     
     
     
     

Confession
     
    Sunday, July 31
     
    When Phil Shannon smiled at her, Bobbi dropped her eyes, wanting to avoid another round of tears. Chuck hadn’t come for Bible study and he had yet to appear in the worship service. He failed the first test of his sincerity and commitment. Counseling was going to be a sham. Chuck would go through all the motions, make a good show, and then they would split. He would walk away without any guilt. He tried, after all.
    Stop thinking about Chuck! I’m here for worship. Concentrate.
    But he told her about the confession. He said he would do anything, whatever Phil said. Maybe after she kicked him out of the house, he didn’t feel free to come to church anymore. She hadn’t meant that at all.
    She flinched when Joel touched her and asked for a pen. She fished one out of her purse, then slipped an arm around her son. Joel talked with Chuck yesterday afternoon, but he hadn’t relayed the details to her. Had it gone badly? Maybe Chuck wanted to speak to Brad privately before risking a public encounter with his son.
    Bobbi mumbled her way through the first hymn, then settled back in the pew. She already deflected several questions about where Chuck was this morning. ‘He was in Kansas City this week,’ she said, which was the truth, just not the whole truth.
    The truth is, I’m in church. It’s not going to do me any good if I’m zoned out through the whole service.
    Pastor Phil Shannon stepped into the pulpit and welcomed everyone. He smiled at her when he passed. Maybe he knew how awkward it would be for her, so he had cautioned Chuck to stay out of sight.
    Did Chuck even have church clothes? Was he still living out of his suitcase? Suddenly, she felt harsh and coldhearted for not letting him get his things yesterday. She should at least call him this afternoon and arrange a time when he could do that. Monday would work. She’d be at school all day Monday.
    As the ushers stepped up to collect the offering, she thought she caught sight of her husband out of the corner of her eye. She turned to