The Harper Generations: Country Roads

Visiting the local minister

Misty

Since Preston was eager to ensure he could perform Sunday services, he convinced our parents to visit the local minister. Why? Preston wanted to reason with the local minister that allowing him to perform Sunday Services would be beneficial.

Beneficial, my ass. And Grandma Naomi helped Preston unknowingly with his plan when she phoned the local minister and asked us to visit him. When my dad and mom tried to object, Grandma and Nana kept them busy with wedding preparations.

Tino, Preston, and I climbed into the SUV and drove to town to speak to Pastor Smith. It was more like confining the pastor to his bathroom for the unforeseeable future.

I sat in the front passenger seat while Tino drove. "I can't believe you're plotting to keep a pastor from church because you want to perform the service," I told Preston.

"Well, if you keep your trap shut, no one will suspect a thing. I got tired of lying low while everyone had fun," Preston said.

"What fun? We have a freaking demon hunting our asses while dealing with Misty's crazy granny, who died mysteriously," Tino said.

"Oh, come on, Nash. Do you think that whack job died mysteriously?"

Tino glanced at the car's rooftop before lowering his gaze on the road. "No."

"Exactly. This psycho-demon doesn't understand boundaries. It also doesn't understand us, if you catch my drift."

"Unfortunately, I do."

"Now, you and Maggie keep the good padre busy while I work my magic."

"And how do you expect us to do that?"

"Don't talk about your relationship, for starters. No one wants to rehash your stupidity. The few hundred times was enough."

Tino gripped the steering wheel and glanced at me. "Would it upset Uncle Pat and Aunt Rowan if I let a bear eat, Nixon?"

I snorted. "The bear would take one bite and walk away."

Tino chuckled.

"Try to leave me with a bear and see what happens," Preston mentioned, glaring at us.

I pulled my lips inward, trying to stifle a laugh.

*******
Valentino

Well, Nixon is his old moody self again. He gets that to remind me of my history with Mags. I used the car's GPS to find the pastor's house, so I wasn't driving aimlessly around.

We pulled up to a white vinyl-sided ranch-style home and got out. We walked to the front door, and I knocked. A few minutes later, a man appeared.

"Are you Pastor Smith?" I asked.

"Yes, and who might you be?" He asked hesitantly.

"I'm Tino. This is Misty and Preston," I said, pointing at them.

They smiled and waved.

"Oh! Right. Naomi Reeves phoned me and said you wanted to visit. She said you had some questions," he said.

More like Nix wants to confiscate your church for the day. We nodded in response. He stepped aside and let us inside. We entered and followed him to the living room, where he graciously offered us a seat. We were going to hell for what Nix had planned.

"Would you like anything to drink?"

"Do you have coffee?" Preston asked.

"Oh, I don't drink coffee in the evening. I prefer an herbal tea so I can sleep."