Second Chance Reunion

Ian lowered his gaze. What should he say to his dad? The truth might be a good idea. Taking a deep breath, Ian looked up at his dad. “I came here to pray.”

Jordan smiled. “That’s good to hear. Would you like to share your prayers with me, so I can pray for those things, too?”

“Let’s go to lunch. We can talk about them over our meal.” Ian turned toward the door. “I can drive.”

“Okay. I’ve got to grab a few things from my office before we go. I’ll be out in a minute.”

Ian wasted no time getting to his car. He got inside and pressed the buttons to lower the windows. While he waited for his dad, he figured he had a few more minutes to pray, but he barely had time to get into his vehicle before his dad appeared. “That was quick.”

Jordan chuckled. “I may be getting old, son, but I’m not that slow. Where are we headed today?”

“How about that mom-and-pop place just down the road?” His dad was still young at fifty-eight. He had a little gray hair at the temples and a few more smile lines than he used to have, but he could easily be mistaken for a man at least a decade younger. Folks were often surprised to know that Jordan had a son Ian’s age and even more surprised that he had two older brothers. “Suits me. I had a light breakfast, so I’m hungry and ready for lunch.”

Ian didn’t say a thing. He usually would have agreed, but today his stomach was tied in knots. He wasn’t sure how much he could eat. With the hope of limiting any conversation, he turned on the radio, tuned to a Christian music station. That did the trick. His dad started singing along.

When they reached the restaurant, they walked in silence across the parking lot. Inside the hostess led them to a corner table covered with a red-and-white-checked tablecloth and laid the menus on the table. Ian settled on the Windsor chair and picked up a menu. He looked it over, but all the choices swam before his eyes. He couldn’t focus because thoughts of Annie consumed his mind. The waitress took their drink orders and returned momentarily with them and took their meal orders.

Crossing his arms, Jordan sat back in the chair. “Are you ready to tell me what you were praying about?”

“Not really, but I suppose it has to be done.” Ian wondered whether he should start with Annie or the budget crisis at The Village. Neither topic was something he wanted to mention, but he wished to talk about Annie the least.

A frown furrowed Jordan’s brow. “Have you fallen off the wagon?”

Ian laughed halfheartedly and shook his head. “No, Dad, nothing like that. I need to talk to you about what happened at the board meeting on Monday.”

Jordan grimaced. “Sorry I asked that question. I should’ve known better.”

Ian hated that his dad had asked that question, but he understood his father’s rationale. He’d missed the signs of substance abuse before, and he wasn’t going to do it again. “I don’t fault you for asking. My former addictions are something I’ll always have to live with.”

“So what happened at the board meeting?”

“The board is threatening to close The Village because donations are down and the financial situation is critical. You know how much that place does for people and how much it means to me.” Ian gave his dad a recap of the board meeting.

“So they asked you to tap us for more money?”

“Yeah. I know you already give, but is there any way you could see clear to increase the amount and have the congregation become more of a partner with The Village?”

Jordan steepled his fingers under his chin as he continued to lean back in his chair, his elbows on the armrests. “You know we’ve had our disagreements over the years about your work there, and we usually steer clear of the subject.”

“Yeah.” Ian prepared himself for a lecture from his dad on how giving money to The Village was to spend more money on something that ultimately would never succeed. His dad was probably going to say he agreed with Bob Franklin.

“You know that it isn’t really up to me. The church elders are the ones who allocate where money goes, but I can certainly call for more volunteers.”

“You will?”

Frowning, Jordan nodded. “Why does that surprise you?”

“I thought you weren’t sold on what we do at The Village.”

Jordan nodded. “In the beginning, I was skeptical that the concept would work, but I’ve had a change of heart. I’ve seen what you do and how much the center helps people.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

Jordan shrugged. “I thought the fact that my congregation agreed to support the work spoke for itself. Guess you needed to hear that.”

Ian nodded, realizing God had affirmatively answered one of his prayers. He hoped that boded well for his prayers concerning Annie. “What do you suggest I do to gain more support from your congregation?”

“Talk to the elders.”

“Really?” Ian would rather stand in front of a judge and jury. They might cut him more slack than the elders of this church. His past behavior hadn’t made him any friends on the church board.

Jordan nodded. “I believe you’re capable of persuading them. After all, you’re a lawyer and good one at that. Plead your case.”

Before Ian could respond to his dad’s praise and pep talk, the waitress brought their food. Jordan said a prayer, and then they ate in silence for several minutes. The whole time Ian’s thoughts were centered on Annie. Telling his dad about her was his next big hurdle.

Jordan took a gulp of water, then looked at Ian. “Would you like me to put you on the agenda for the next board meeting?”

“If that’s what it’ll take.”

“I have confidence in you, son. They know you’re a good man.”

Ian tried to keep the surprise off his face. “I thought they didn’t think much of me because of my former behavior.”

“Not so anymore. They’ve seen how you’ve turned your life around.”

“They don’t mind that I don’t attend your church?”

Jordan shrugged. “Why should they? They know you work at The Village. It only makes sense that you would attend church there.”

“That’s good to know.” Ian could hardly believe how this conversation was working out. Even though he’d been having a lunch meeting with his dad every Friday for years, they’d never talked like this. Why had he doubted God could turn what Ian had termed a difficult conversation into a conversation that enhanced his relationship with his father? This outcome gave Ian the courage to talk about Annie.

“Then I’ll put you on the agenda for next week’s meeting.” Jordan took another bite of his sandwich.

Ian took a drink of water, then cleared his throat. “There’s something else I need to tell you about The Village.”

“You’re dating that pretty blonde who heads the women’s ministry.”

Ian chuckled. “No, Dad, but it does involve a woman. Annie.”

Jordan put down his sandwich and stared at Ian. “Annie? What does she have to do with The Village?”

Trying not to convey any emotion, Ian quickly recounted how Annie had come to be there. Then he held his breath as he waited for a response. Ian had no idea what his dad thought about her these days.

“You didn’t say how you’re feeling about Annie’s presence there.”

So his dad wasn’t going to say what he thought about Annie. Instead, he turned the question on Ian. “It hasn’t been easy. That’s what I’ve been praying about. Since she’s shown up, I’ve had to tell Melody about my past. At least, I haven’t had to explain to anyone else.”

“What did Melody say?”