Behind Blue Eyes
Copyright© 2025 by DB86
Chapter 24
At the end of the service, Reverend Marsden was busy greeting his flock on the church steps.
“You were awesome, Mom,” Benji said, squeezing Janice’s hand as they walked up the aisle.
“I wouldn’t call it awesome, embarrassing myself in front of the whole town. I did enjoy the sermon. It was as if Reverend Marsden was speaking directly to me.”
“You’re a brave woman, Janice Cooper. I want you to know how much I admire your strength.” Robert said. “That old man was right, it took guts to do what you did.”
“Or outright stupidity,” Janice laughed. “By the way, don’t let Marcus hear you calling him ‘old man’.”
“Noted,” Robert said and moved his head to the side and held Janice’s hand in his. “You’re very brave and very special. Benji is blessed to have known your unconditional love.”
Janice’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Reverend Marsden shook Janice’s hand when they came out of the temple. “I hope you enjoyed the service, Janice.”
“I did, Reverend. The band’s performance was really good,” Janice said. “You have a rare gift for speaking to the heart.”
“May I expect to see you next Sunday, Janice?”
“You may,” she said with a smile.
“That’s really good news.” Reverend Marsden’s smile got bigger. He turned around to face Robert. “What has brought you back to Middletown, Mr. Campbell?”
“A plane and a rented car,” Robert grinned.
They all laughed.
“My son and I came to spend Thanksgiving with Janice as a family. This Thanksgiving will be the first time our family is together for a holiday,” Robert said, looking at Janice.
“Rain and Rolf are joining us, too,” Janice explained.
Reverend Marsden nodded. “Family is an important thing to us all as Marcus reminded us. How long are you planning to be in town, Mr. Campbell?”
“I guess that depends,” Robert said without taking his eyes off Janice.
Janice tilted her head to the side and looked at Robert not knowing what to expect.
“I’m trying to convince him to stick around for good,” Benji said with a giggle. “I like Middletown better than New York.”
“What about your school? What about your friends?” Janice asked her son.
“I don’t like going to a private school. Nothing there but a bunch of stuck-up snobs,” Benji explained, winking at Rain. She winked back at him.
Robert smiled and ruffled his son’s hair. “Benji can be mighty persuasive when he sets his mind to something. By the way, where did you learn the words ‘stuck-up snobs.’”
“Aunt Rain,” the boy confessed.
Rain gave Benji the thumbs up.
“Oh, boy, now we know who’s going to spoil him,” Janice laughed, shaking her head.
“Dad has been talking with Mr. Ronan,” Benji said, trying to divert attention from him.
“The town’s lawyer?” Janice’s eyes widened in surprise. She couldn’t believe her ears.
Robert nodded.
“I heard Dr. Ronan is thinking about retiring. He has been serving as the town’s lawyer for thirty-one years,” Reverend Marsden chimed in.
Janice ignored him and asked Robert, “Are you thinking about taking a job locally?”
Robert looked at Janice and nodded. “I am. I’ve been talking with the mayor, and there wouldn’t be any obstacles to hiring me to be the town’s new lawyer.”
“Wow!” Janice exclaimed. Her thoughts spun so hard that they made her dizzy. Robert was certainly full of surprises.
“I think it’s great that you and your son are thinking about settling in Middletown. We always welcome good people in our community,” Reverend Marsden opined. “Now, if you excuse me,” he pointed to the line of worshippers waiting for him.
Janice looked around. Everyone had suddenly disappeared leaving the two of them alone. Rain and Rolf had taken Benji to the playground to play with other kids.
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