ANA Reborn by Carl Facciponte - HTML preview
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Chapter 15
he few days to their Friday appointment with T Paul passed quickly. Ana and Martha walked into Francine’s office at two o’clock.
“Francine,” Ana said, “I’m going out with Martha for a late lunch. Would that be a problem today?”
“I don’t know. Will you be taking Rhett with you? He has a heavy workload, and I don’t want him missing too much time. They’re working out some structural joint issues.”
“Nope. Just a girl’s lunch out.”
“I guess it’s okay,” Francine muttered.
As Ana and Martha turned and walked out of the office and were out of ear-shot, Francine’s irritation spilled from under her breath. “It galls me that Ana thinks of herself as a human instead of an intelligent machine. Where does she get off?
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That’s how Gabriella stole my Jim and got him killed by his wife.”
The two women hailed a cab for the ride to Christian Fellowship Church. Ana gave the driver twenty-five dollars for the fifteen-dollar fee.“Still a heavy tipper, Ana?” Martha asked with both amusement and sarcasm in her voice.
“You bet. Paul taught me an amount that may not mean much to some people could make a world of difference to another person. Besides, AI Concepts pays me pretty well and provides for most of my needs. I need little money, except of course when we go shopping together. You can be such a terrible spending influence on me!”
Martha smiled. “Hey, leave me alone,” she said. “But your clothes are killers, right?
The women walked to the old red brick rectory behind the church. Martha rang the doorbell.
“I hope Alexi answers the door instead of Paul,” Ana said, fidgeting. “I’m not sure how it would feel to see him abruptly. The last time I saw him, he said he never wanted to see me again and didn’t want me to see Alexi, either.”
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“Wow,” Martha whispered.
Ana shook her head. “Yet, I still love him.”
The door latch clicked, and the rectory door swung open.
“Hello, Martha. It’s so good to see you again,”
Paul said with a sincere smile. “It’s been a while.”
The afternoon sun illuminated his trimmed, short brown beard and highlighted the flecks of gold in his gentle brown eyes.
“And who did you bring with you?” Paul asked as he extended his hand in greeting.
Ana sucked in her breath as she reached for his hand and shook it.
“This is my friend and co-worker, Ana. She’s my moral support,” Martha confessed. “This is the first time I’ve met with a minister outside of a social situation, so I asked her to come with me.
Guess I’m a little nervous.”
Paul waved his hand towards the living room as he ushered the two into the room. “Please, come on in. Take a seat on the couch. I just made some coffee. Would you like a cup?”
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Ana spoke up without waiting. “Yes, I would.
Black, please. Is it strong? I love strong coffee.”
Paul’s forehead wrinkled, and the light went out of his eyes for a moment. He spoke in a pensive tone, “I used to know someone who worked with Martha. She also loved strong black coffee and espresso. Did you know Gabriella?”
“No, I didn’t,” Ana lied. “She was before my time. I’m pretty new at AI Concepts. I’ve heard about her, though. Was she a nice person?” she asked tentatively.
“She was the best. I wish I wouldn’t have…”
Paul’s voice trailed off. “But that was then, and this is now,” he blurted. “Sorry for getting somber. There is just something about you which reminds me of her, although you don’t look like her.”
Suddenly Paul came to himself. The sparkle returned to his eyes, and the smile came out of hiding. “Coffee for you, Martha?”
“Yes, please. With a touch of crème and no sugar.”
Paul walked to the kitchen. He returned a few moments later with two dainty porcelain cups, 142
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hand-painted with lavender petunias, on matching saucers. He set his own oversize black pottery mug with a handle big enough to fit four man-sized fingers through solidly on the end table next to his worn leather chair.
“Chivalry or sexism with the choice of the cups?” Martha joked. The corners of her mouth moved upward, and her hazel almond eyes twinkled as they narrowed in jest.
Her words had the intended effect, and a flustered Paul stammered, “No, no. Not at all.”
Recovering quickly, he added, “It’s just that two pretty ladies deserve nice cups. My cup fits me better, plus it holds a lot of coffee. I suck the stuff down.”
The women laughed. “I’m teasing, Paul,”
replied Martha. “All in good fun, but it’s not why we are here today. My boyfriend is in the military and was reassigned to Afghanistan for six months to train the government troops. I’m apprehensive about it. He’s assured me it’s pretty safe where he is going, but I still don’t like it. Something doesn’t make sense to me.”
Ana stared into Paul’s eyes as he and Martha talked. This is killing me. So near to him again. I 143
want to go over and squeeze him close to me. I’m falling hard for Rhett but still love Paul. Here I go again, loving two men at the same time. Glad little Alexi isn’t here. I would utterly break down. How can humans live with feelings like this? It’s so hard.
Martha continued, “It’s tearing me up, and I know you counseled Gabriella a lot. I need someone to help me develop whatever her strength was. I’m not saying it quite right. Does that make any sense at all to you?”
“Yes, it does. Can I assume Ralph is the boyfriend in question?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, just clarifying. I’ve met him before. I can see the fear hidden behind your eyes.” Paul nodded his head as his eyes became even softer with compassion. “Gabriella had the strength she did because she developed a faith in God. It gave her a rock to stand on when she needed it. Are you a person of faith, Martha?” Paul asked.
Martha thought before responding. “Well, I wasn’t, but Gabriella got me thinking about the possibility there might be a God. I know it took you a lot to convince her about that.” Ana winced at the words. Martha continued, “but I believe 144
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her faith was real. I also think it’s what got her killed, but I have no proof.”
Paul gave a start. His voice choked. “The news said she was the only one killed. I thought that was unusual, with a terrorist shooting randomly in Times Square. I feel a little responsible because I’m the one who talked faith to her.”
“I can’t believe it was a random thing. But you gave her something which made her life so much fuller and worthwhile. She would explain to me how you guys talked about God, and I always seemed to poo-poo it, but in reality, I was listening.
Ana’s left eyebrow raised in surprise to hear she had some effect on her friend.
“Faith made her something special, and I guess I want that something, too.” Martha’s voice took on an almost pleading tone. “Can you do the same for me, Pastor Paul?”
Paul reached over to Martha and took her hands. “I would be delighted. Let’s finish our coffee and set up a schedule to meet twice a week. Would that be okay with you?”
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“It would be perfect, Paul.” Martha smiled.
She flushed as a ripple of guilt washed over her for noticing how warm Paul’s hands felt on hers.
Ana watched their exchange and took mental notes.
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