Businesswoman Chapter 197

A few steps into the church and Entrepreneur Paul Atkinson paused. This brief interruption in his stride made him think of the crucifixion. He saw Jesus of Nazareth in pictures as a child. He always possessed facial features that opposed his own. At the same time, he knew that the contradictory nature of faith took him on a horrific journey. Misdirection, snares, and unanswerable questions popped up along the way. He walked towards the pastor.

“Mr. Atkinson, it’s a pleasure.” The pastor, Mrs. Allred Beckington, had slick back black hair and glasses. Her peppiness and clear skin belied her forty-five years.

“Pleasure, Pastor,” Atkinson replied.

“I’d say I’d love to see you on Sunday, but I know….”

“Yes, you do.”

“What brings you into the house of God today? Did you want to cleanse your soul?” Pastor Allred suggested with a straight face.

“No, nothing like that. One of my proprietors attends your church.”

“Oh, who is it?”

“Chris Kellinger.”

“Ah, one of my deacons.”

“I just sought after him because I thought I’d be able to find him here.”

“It is Bible study,” Allred responded matter of factly.

“Right, so he’ll be here, no?”

“It starts in a half hour. You should come

and stay,” she pushed in a soft way. Her starch, checkered white blouse and black slacks made her look like she stood on a chessboard. She shifted her weight and seemed taller. Atkinson’s dress shirt and blue jeans matched what the parishioners wore as they filed into the hall adjacent to where the two chatted.

“I’m just trying to get in touch with him. I tried to call, text, go on socials, and even used email.”

Allred chuckled a bit. “The last refuge seems to always be the church, no. Did you try his home?”

“Yes.”