CHAPTER 29

On Monday, she was given more responsibilities. She would be helping at the church and painting the classrooms for the Sunday school. She admitted to John that she "don't know how to paint."

"You'll learn," he replied.

And she did. But first she helped out with the classes. Angie Zao was a single mom and had a daughter, Erin, the same age as Alice. She taught a class to children aged seven and eight. Bethann, the daughter of John's dancing partner Marlene, was also Alice's age. The five and six-year-olds were under Marlene's supervision. Becky, the nurse, taught the three- and four-year-olds while Haetel and Sharon took care of the children older than 10.

Charlotte knew what she needed to do as soon as she spotted Becky. She went to Becky's room after class.

"Oh, Charlotte," Becky said as she closed Bibles. "Do you need something?"

"Yes. I need to apologize. I'm sorry I was so rude to you." Becky stored the Bibles away. "After your ordeal, I think you're entitled to be a little rude."

"That's incredibly kind and considerate. Thank you.

Becky smiled. "I hope your time at Bible school and in Horseshoe is enjoyable."

Charlotte smiled back at her. "I'm trying."

"And don't be too harsh on poor John."

Charlotte scrunched up her face. "I'll think about that one."

Becky continued to giggle as she worked on the painting.

Painting was really simple, especially with the roller she'd been given. In the mornings she helped with the classes and in the afternoons she painted. Everything was going nicely.She found she loved working with the kids, and they seemed to like her. It was easy since she was often like a kid herself. The mothers were talking to her, too, and she wasn't treated like an outsider.

Or a criminal.

On Thursday Angie got a call that her grandmother had fallen, and she rushed off to take her to the hospital in Temple. Charlotte was left in charge of the class. After the reading and lesson from the Bible were finished, they sang a few hymns before Charlotte decided it was time for a change of pace.

"Okay." Her hands were interlocked. "Ready to have some fun?"

They exclaimed, "Yeah!"

"Move all the desks and chairs back."

They shook their heads, but they were smiling, even Alice.

"Okay. Sing after me?" And Charlotte began to sing the lively rock song."

The kids yelled, instead of sang, but that was fine.

She clapped her hands, kept singing the song, and the kids joined in. They were getting into it and she called, "Conga line" pulling Alice behind her and the other kids followed suit. "Everybody sing. Loud! 'Jeremiah...'"

They marched around the room, singing, laughing and having fun. Pastor Roland had a frown the size of Texas on his face as he stood in the doorway. Peyton saw him and came to a complete stop. The kids bumped into her.

"Ms. Lily, may see you in the hall, please?" His tone was so sharp it could have cut through a T-bone steak, includ ing the bone.

"Read your Bible verses," he said to the children.

Charlotte entered the hallway after him. He turned to face her as he shut the door. "Where is Angie?"

"She had to leave because of an emergency."

"Your actions are highly inappropriate, Ms. Lily. That song is unsuitable for tender ears."

"It was just fun."

"I do not approve of it. The class is just about over, and hopefully Angie will be back tomorrow. Wait with the children until their parents arrive. And no more of that kind of singing."

He walked away with quick steps, his haughty nose stuck in the air. 'Good grief, what a...' She didn't finish the thought. She was in church and would exercise good manners.

John noticed Roland rushing towards his office and immediately sensed something was wrong.

'Now what has she done?'

He got to his feet as the pastor entered his office.

"Oh, John, good, you're here," Roland said as he spotted John. "We have a problem."

How many times had he heard that line concerning Charlotte? "What happened?"

"Ms. Lily is not working out?"

"You have to give her time, Pastor."

Roland leaned over and whispered, "She's singing inappropriate songs to the children."

John frowned. "Like what?"

"Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog."

"Excuse me?"

"You know the song. Drinking some wine, real good wine, or something like that. The kids are not there to learn such things. I can't have it. You'll have to find her something else to do."

"Did you ask her to stop?"

"Yes."

"And...?"

"I told her she had to stop and she didn't say anything."

"So the problem is solved?"

"John, it would be best if you found her something else to do."

"Now, Roland, she does a great job with the children. Even the parents have expressed their opinions, and really I have no other options."

"John, I'm sorry."

He clenched his jaw for a second. "Roland, you do believe in second chances, don't you, being a minister and all?"

"Sure."

"Well, then, that's all Ms. Lily needs, then, I suppose.

"John--"

"She's doing a good job painting the rooms, right?"

"Yes."

"T'll have a talk with her to make sure there are no more misunderstandings?"

Roland pointed a finger at him. "You do that. One more chance. That's it."

John plopped into his chair with a sigh and a curse.