Johnny started his day with a heavy heart, the weight of his actions pressing down on him. He drove to the church, seeking solace and guidance from Pastor Sheard. As he parked and walked into the quiet sanctuary, he felt the familiar sense of calm that the church always provided. The early morning light filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the floor.
He found Pastor Sheard in his office, the pastor's face lighting up with a welcoming smile as Johnny entered. "Johnny, it's good to see you again," Pastor Sheard said, motioning for him to sit down. "Are you feeling any better, son?"
Johnny took a seat, his mind swirling with worry. "No, I'm only feeling worse. I keep thinking about what I've done."
The pastor frowned. "You did what you thought was necessary to protect Michelle. It's a heavy burden to carry, Johnny. But you must face the consequences of your actions."
Johnny nodded, the weight of his guilt almost unbearable. "What should I do now? I've been hiding since Monday, and I don't know how to face Michelle. I fear she'll resent me for what I've done, even if it was to protect her."
Pastor Sheard's voice was gentle but firm. "You need to stop hiding. Go back to Michelle and be honest with her. She may not agree with your methods, but she'll understand that you did it to protect her. She's not foolish; she knows you've always looked out for her."
Johnny felt a glimmer of hope. "Do you really think she'll forgive me?"
The pastor nodded. "I promise you, she will. She knows you did what you did out of love and protection. Now go to her. She needs you, and you need to be there for her. It is only a matter of time before someone discovers that woman's body."
With newfound courage, Johnny left the church and drove to Michelle's house. As Johnny drove to Michelle's house, his mind churned with the events of the past week. The memory of Madeline's lifeless body haunted him, but he had no regrets. He would do it again without hesitation if he had to. There was nothing he wouldn't do for Michelle and he hoped she would be appreciative of his actions, no matter how reckless they might have been.
"Michelle isn't foolish; she knows she wouldn't have survived if you didn't do what you did. She may not agree with your methods; however, she is thankful for everything you do for her. She will forgive you, I promise."
He kept thinking about Pastor Sheard's words; they echoed in his mind, offering some solace. He had done what he had to do to protect Michelle. She would understand, eventually.
Pulling up to Michelle's house, Johnny took a deep breath and forced a smile. He slowly walked to the woman's front door, his heart pounding out of his chest. His heartbeat only increased as he knocked on the door and waited for the door to open. However, as soon as Michelle opened the door and saw Johnny's face, she threw her arms around him and cried, "Johnny! Where have you been? You had me worried sick."
Johnny smiled, hiding the dark truth. "I've been with Pastor Sheard, sorting some things out. That minion camped out in front of the church convinced me to turn my life over to God."
Luckily for Johnny, Michelle hadn't been to the church all week so she believed him without question. "I can't believe you're finally changing your ways. Anyway, you're here now and I'm so happy that you are. Come in, we've got a lot to catch up on."
"It's quiet and empty here," Johnny said, noticing the bare house. "Where is Beyoncé?" he asked as they settled in the living room.
"Beyoncé is upstairs resting. We've been in here packing all day. You know we still plan on leaving on Sunday and it's now Friday. Besides, she's been worrying about me constantly. She thinks Madeline is still a threat and so do I," Michelle confided.
