Leaving Yesterday

Tuesday morning Melita waited outside his office hands folded in her lap. The church secretary tried to make small talk but Melita didn't feel like talking and was glad when Reverend Sykes walked outof his office. She quickly stood up. "Come on in. How do you like this cold weather?" "It's too cold." "Well in a few more months Spring will be here and then Summer and then we can complain about the heat. He motioned Melita to one of the soft chairs in front of his desk. "How can I help you?" The quiet coziness of his office and the sincerity of his manner after months of hurt and loss released in Melita a flood of emotions. She opened her mouth to speak and instead of words a single sob escaped her. Wordlessly she began to cry. Pastor Sykes placed a box of tissues near her and she dabbed at her eyes. He sat calmly and patiently until she composed herself. And then Melita spoke to him of her mother's death, her estrangement from her father, her affair with raymond, the loss of her virginity and her deep loneliness and hurt. Pastor Sykes had no harsh words for her and let her talk until she had emptied her heart. Chapter Five