Divorced and Free

Chapter 2

Jude fixed her makeup in the car before they turned into the parking lot of the church. He had gotten mad because she suggested meatloaf tonight instead of a roast and busted her lip after he enjoyed himself.

"Jude, you know, Sunday is always Sunday dinners, idiot." He pulled into his space. "Don't embarrass me this morning, I'm up for deacon and want this."

Jude was getting her bible and purse out of the car with her getting out, "I know, Dear." He quickly ran over to her side of the car and jerked the bible from her and shut the door, making the perfect couple act again. Waving at people getting out of their cars and waiting for church to start. 

Cole grabbed her arm a little to tight to gesture her inside, "And if I don't get it, you will be sorry tonight." he whispered. Like a lightbulb being turned out, he turned into a different person. Being gentle to the other wives and cutting up with husbands, even joking with kids. 

Jude found their spot and sat down. She wasn't allowed to speak for that long to anyone so it was just best not to speak to anyone but the usual hellos and how are yous. She opened her bible to where the pastor was going to be preaching at, as well as opening her husbands the same way. Jude kept her head down because if she looked at someone to long, she would be in trouble. 

She felt her cousin, Gatlin sit beside her and her husband, Deacon beside her. "How are you, Jude?"

Jude's face lit up. Gatlin was known for traveling, now. She started in Scotland, where Deacon's from and fell in love. She just got back from her honeymoon, they drove route 66. "Gattie!" She finally said. She hugged her cousin. "How was the trip? Where did you get your skirt?" Gatlin was wearing a skirt that went to her ankles that was strips of old skirts sewed together and a red tank top. Nothing to revealing.

"Great! This? I made it from old shirts that we wanted to keep. I'll make you one." Gatlin told her all the sights and showed her pictures of everything. She showed her pictures of her and Deacon's two dogs, Beau and Dixie at the beginning and the end.

Cole heard his wife's laughter and excused himself from the conversation he was having. He walked behind his wife and put his hand on the back of her neck, "Hey Gatlin, it's great to see you." He sing songed. He looked down as his wife looked up.

Gatlin smiled, "Hey Cole!" Gatlin smiled brightly at him, "It's great to see you too. How is life treating you."

Jude felt her husband's grip on the back of her neck tighten more and more as his conversation with her cousin continued. She winced one time and saw Deacon's hand going to her.

"Are you alright?" He asked her. Deacon moved his hand to her back, which cause sudden relief soon followed by terror as her husband's grip was replaced with his calm hand.

She gained her composure, "I am. Sorry, you know women and their shoes. Always trying to fit in them." She giggled at herself. She moved her back quickly to get Deacon's hand off before Cole got mad, "Gatlin, where is the next place you are going to visit?" She slid closer to her husband who had moved to the pew seat beside her.

"We have decided to move into our own home. We've lived in a RV for over a year. We enjoyed the experience, got to see all the national parks, drove route 66, even got to travel through Canada and see the northern lights. Deacon just got a job as a fireman and I start Monday at the equestrian to help teach kids to ride." Gatlin gleefully said, "Where do you think would be the best place to look to move to?" 

"Three Lakes." Cole said, "It's a great community based neighborhood. We are thinking of moving there." She flashed his award winning smile at the couple.

The service was about to begin. Gatlin and Deacon stood up to find their seats. Jude watched Cole check her younger cousin out, "Invite them to dinner Monday, dear." He demanded.

Jude grabbed her bible and whispered, "Yes, dear."

After the service, Cole started his campaign. Jude watched her husband go to all the elders of the church and kiss up to them. She grabbed their things and walked to just a little bit outside the door and waited for her husband to be done. Each wife greeted her and she smiled, making small talk with them. Nothing more than asking how kids were and the recipes for desserts. 

When the pastor's wife came up to her, she talked a little about Cole wanting to be the new deacon. She kissed up to the wife, invited them to dinner one night so that they would know that her and Cole were no different out of church than in church. Or let them think that.

Cole grabbed his wife's waist when he was done talking himself up. "What are the two most beautiful women in the church talking about?" he asked in a charming nature, all smiles to the pastor's wife.

"Jude here was telling me about her famous chicken pot pie that she wants to serve us one night. She said she would talk to you and get back with us. I can not wait. I think you will be a great deacon, Cole." She turned back to Jude, "And I will have to get that recipe if it is as delicious as you say."

"That is why I married her," Cole's smile got bigger. His hand went to Jude's butt. "God gave her the talent of cooking. Roast is today. I am starving." His hand squeezed tightly, "We are going to head on home, though. We will see you Wednesday!"

They all said their good byes. When Cole got in the car after closing Jude's door, he looked at her. "Dress up." He demanded. Jude pleaded with him not to on church property but he ripped her skirt till there was nothing covering her lap. Heavily, he shoved his fingers in her, making her cry. "Oh baby, you know when we get home, I will make you feel amazing before my client. You did amazing back there." 

His fingers were rough. Jude winced every time he slammed them in her. She glanced out the window and saw her cousin's new husband watching. She faked the best smile she could till Cole started pulling out onto the road.