Chapter 10: The Pastor

It was a little out of town, but on a good road. I pulled up in front of a nice house next to a small church that had an all-black congregation. The girls just looked at me. I said, “Get out and I will introduce you to the pastor who is going to marry us.” They got out of that truck so fast you would have thought it was on fire. We walked up on the porch and was greeted by a nice-looking black woman and her husband. Both looked to be about 40 years old. After the introductions we were invited into his living room.

As we sat down he says, “I hear that you three want to get married, to each other is that correct?”

We all nod our heads in the affirmative.

“Well let’s get one thing clear from the get-go. I can only marry you in the eyes of the Lord, Jesus Christ. The state of Mississippi is not going to issue you a marriage license. Is that fine with all of you?”

Again, we nod in the affirmative. “Fine, then let’s get to know one another. Jack, I know a lot about you from one of your mechanics, a fellow named Amos who is a member of our church. He speaks highly of you. Says your family has lived on that farm for over 50 years, that you were a Marine Captain with two tours of duty in Viet Nam. I see you have the scars to go along with that. He tells me you lost your whole family in a terrible wreck right after New Year last year. I am sorry to hear that. Becky, I know a little about you. You see Deputy Waters is also a member here and he told me what happened to you last year. Now Ginger, all I know about you is that your Uncle Pat is the sheriff and has been for almost 20 years. What I know about him is that every black person in this county respects him. He always treats them with respect. That is saying a lot for a Mississippi county sheriff in these times. Is there anything else anyone of you would like to add?”