Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20A | 20B | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25-26 | 27 | 28-29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35-36 | 37 | 38A | 38B | 38C
PART I
SPEAKING IN TONGUES
38-D
(C’mon now. I didn’t promise you ALL the answers.)
“I’m curious,” Trey said when Albright’s food came and he dug in without so much as a thanks. “What’d your wife do to get Scarritt run outta town?”
“My wife was part of that congregation long before Scarritt was hired, before she joined our church, so she left a couple of friends behind, then her friends left when Scarritt was hired. She went to them, laid it out raw. They told their husbands. Things snowballed. Rumors and secrets came out.”
“Scarritt’s women?”
“Named names, but better than that. Marina is the Scarritts’ grandchild.”
Trey grunted. “I knew it had to be somethin’ like that.”
“This is what I know or have pieced together. Since most of it’s rumors from bitter cuckolds, although TJ knew enough I could connect some dots, take as many grains of salt as you need. The Scarritts were living in Chicago. He had a much bigger congregation there, going on a thousand. Their daughter got pregnant by an older well-established congregant. A deacon. They sent the girl away somewhere to have the baby, but when Marina turned up on their doorstep, Scarritt confronted him.”
“And do what?” he asked, wondering how this connected to his grandparents’ need for revenge.
“The deal was, Scarritt would raise the baby as their miracle baby, but the deacon had to pay for her upbringing.”
“Seems reasonable.”
“The deacon wouldn’t play. Scarritt threatened to expose him publicly as the baby’s father, but the deacon knew about Scarritt’s stable of female parishioners, which included the deacon’s wife—”
“Oh. I see. Their daughter was revenge. Scarritt’s wife isn’t corruptible.”
“That’s what I think. Scarritt didn’t know the deacon knew, and the deacon ambushed him. He didn’t bother to threaten. He just took the pulpit and called Scarritt out publicly. He named names. The husbands were not forgiving.”
Trey whistled. “Why’n’t they sell her?”
“He wanted to, but the missus wanted a second chance at raising a godly girl who would stay and take care of her in her old age.”
“Marina had a lot of freedom for a girl she was trying to keep home.”
“She was so strict with their daughter, she ran wild just to spite them. They assumed Marina would be as willful and the missus was careful to give her just enough freedom. Then she let her run with Dot in spite of the fact that we’re Mormon because Dot’s defiantly straight-laced, whereas Marina’s impressionable. Unsure of herself. She also made sure Marina was well dressed but not turned out well and then was more than happy to let her stand next to Dot. If you get my point.”
Trey nodded. “I figured that out as soon as I saw the missus all got up in high fashion, a permanent wave, and makeup. Dot knew that too.”
“Yes. It surprised them when you took to her, but the missus thought you’d break her heart, then that would teach her a lesson she’d never repeat and live at home forever. Since Marina does all the housework, she freed up the missus’s time. Throw in school and Dot dragging her everywhere around town and the missus can do whatever she wants whenever she wants. On top of that, Marina made all the missus’s clothes.”
“Scarritt wanted her out of the house and was willin’ to marry her off to me to do it, the sooner the better, but makin’ a good show of abiding by the calendar nudge nudge wink wink.”
“Yes.”
“But here’s Marina. She gets a good grade in home ec and geometry, more pin money than her schoolmates, time to read and sew to her heart’s content, and freedom a preacher’s daughter doesn’t usually get, and she’s happy. An’ all she’s gotta do is keep the house, make fashionable clothes, stay uglified, and step’n’fetch for the missus?”
“Yes.”
“Why’d he want her gone then? Benefits him as much, an’ I know he’d rather Marina do the cookin’.”
“I suspect he was planning to take his spoils and run off with a parishioner, but hadn’t finished laying his groundwork.”
“Huh. So they did right by her, all this business not countin’.”
“All this business ends with you at the altar.”
Trey huffed. “Have you asked her opinion? What’d she want with me now, after all that?”
“Has any pregnant girl of her station ever been given a choice? She can go away, have the baby, give it up for adoption, then figure out how to make her way in the world, or she can marry the father. You’re the better alternative.”
“I run a gin joint, gamblin’ den, burly-q, and whorehouse and I’m the better alternative?”
“It does not matter what she wants, capisce?”
“That don’t answer the question.”
He sighed. “Liz thinks she’s still sweet on you, although that’s probably because you’re the first man who’s paid attention to her. I have reason to believe you won’t disappoint her. Am I wrong?”
Flattered by Albright’s approval, Trey shook his head. “Are you a praying man, Preacher?”
“Bishop, if you please. Of course I’m a praying man. Why?”
“You know how cons get outta jail an’ they found Jesus in the joint and now they’re peace and love and whatnot? You ain’t that. You got out at your peak and then suddenly went straight just ’cuz your woman did. Women get religion without life kickin’ ’em in the ass. Cats like us don’t or can’t and we don’t follow our women to church an’ we don’t go from bootleggin’ to foalin’ just ’cuz. We sure as hell don’t have enough pull with Boss Tom to get him to agree to something he already said he wasn’t gonna do on pain o’ torchin’ an’ Gio told me a while back you’re one of us. What’s your story?”
Albright pursed his lips. “Sometimes,” he began slowly, “God needs muscle and he uses feral men to do his dirty work. I’m not bishop because I’m especially spiritual. Sometimes I don’t even know if I believe half what the church teaches and half of that time, I don’t care. But I’m a better, happier man for being part of these people. I’m bishop because God knows I’m the only man around who’s moral enough to walk the straight and narrow path, and immoral enough to know when to hop off it to do what God wants done to protect them and build his kingdom on Earth. I also have access to the Machine and Mafia to help fight off an angry mob of godfearing Christians.”
“That’s why you let your elders keep Boss Tom’s books?”
Albright nodded.
“Machine. Mafia. Mormons. You got western Missouri covered. Answer the question.”
Albright’s tension and willingness to stand Trey down seeped out and then all Trey saw was a weary man. “My predecessor,” he said low, “was just like you and me, only he came to the church an ex-con who found Jesus and turned peace and light. He found us, my wife and me. Dot. She was a baby. Long story short, Liz joined the church. I wasn’t having any of it, then he came to me and said, ‘I’m tired and I need a man like you to take my place.’”
Trey listened, rapt.
“Liz wanted out of the Machine, and my point of view was changing now that I suddenly had a daughter. But who was I to be the head of a bunch of people who thought God called me to lead them? I knew it was bunk. What’s God going to do for me? Here they are, choosing a life that makes them social outcasts and puts a target on their backs to boot, and if God wants me to lead them, he’s going to have to make it worth my while.”
Trey nodded.
“‘Peace,’ he said. That wasn’t enough. I could take my wife and kid anywhere out of the Machine’s reach and get that. I came up on a farm. I foaled my first when I was thirteen because I was big for my age, then I fell into tending the animals. I could go to school, make a good living, set up shop anywhere else, but my wife wanted to stay. She had friends here, in the church. She was shaping up to be a good woman and I liked that side of her. I still wasn’t going to do it, but then she told me she had faith that I could do the job and she would be with me every step of the way. You may not believe it, but having the faith and help of a woman you love is some kind of drug that’ll make you think you can conquer the world.”
Trey laughed.
“It’s taken me a long time to come to terms with God, if not what the church teaches, but to my mind, religion gets in the way of a man and God and I’m not much on middlemen. I still don’t have peace. I’m not there just to preach, just to spread God’s love and wisdom, just to succor the poor and needy. That’s my wife’s job and those in my congregation who are good at it. I’m there to give comfort to people like you and me and Gio, and help them go straight. I’m there to protect the whole community. To do those things, I have to be who I’ve always been, and be able to maintain my connections to my past. I can’t do what I do with somebody right on top of me giving me thou-shalt-nots, so I’m the bishop.”
“Your people know your past?” At Albright’s nod, Trey said, “An’ they’re jake with you?”
“About half. I have members who don’t like that someone with my past is the bishop, they don’t like that I’m on speaking terms with TJ and Lazia, and they don’t like the men who come to me for absolution—which we don’t actually do, by the way—but I remind them that church is a hospital for sinners. I have one sermon and I preach it when the griping gets so loud I can hear it. God gave us two rules: Love and listen to him, and love and serve your neighbor. Virtue and morality follow.”
“No wonder you don’t believe in hell. You’d end up in it.”
Albright chuckled wryly. “You could look at it that way, but we’ll get ours on Judgment Day. God doesn’t hand out mercy without administering justice, and vice versa. And God’s been known to break his own rules.”
“So you’re God’s underboss.”
Albright nodded.
“And you think I’m his soldier and you’re giving me an order.”
Albright nodded.
“And if I say no?”
“You won’t. I’ve just given you everything you want and settled your obligations so you can capitalize on it.”
“An’ I surely do appreciate that,” Trey said fervently. “When and where’s the wedding? Get my affairs in order, buy a house, all that. She can’t live here.”
“Haven’t planned it yet. Simple. Quiet. I won’t pay for a big wedding.”
“I will.” Albright looked surprised. “Least I can do. I could do worse.”
“You’re nowhere near good enough for her.”
“That is a correct read on the situation.” Trey chucked his head toward his office. “’Mon back. I’ll set you up.”
38D
If you don’t want to wait 2 years to get to the end, you can buy it here.
You got western Missouri covered.
More interesting part of the country than I ever imagined.
Branson?
“My dad says Branson is what Vegas would be like if it was run by Ned Flanders.”
What happens in Branson… no one even cares about.
There’s only one thing worth going to in Branson, which is Silver Dollar City.
Chapter 38D
It’s like you’re daring Q
I bought like ten copies of your book Moj and so far I haven’t enjoyed a single page.
You have to open it first.
He can’t, they’re the foundations for his book fort.
Listen, I’m very busy.
I mean, yeah, they’re bricks, so …
When it was delivered the receptionist thought I was getting material dropped off.
C4?
What is this Dust? CSGO?
A brick of coke?
Finally through chapter 38. This being broke into four parts tempted me more than ever to just pick up my Kindle and read it all. Lots to take in. I think I’ll go back and read them all in one sitting and make sure I got it all straight.
I’m not a romance guy (or maybe I am?) but I’m really hoping that both of our young couples have a happy ending. I suspect a few twists and roadblocks are still to come, though.
Well, this is a romance from Mo, so I assume happily ever after. It’s not like it’s a Scandinavian comedy.
The definition of a romance is a story with the focus on the couple and with a happily ever after (HEA). Even books not marketed as romances can have an HEA, but perhaps the main story wasn’t the romance. I have lots of stuff going on in my books, but in the end, *I* am always focusing on the relationship between the hero and heroine, even if the reader loses sight of it. Everything I set up is to serve their relationship. I am also generally heroine-centric, which is something most genre romances are not.
And with Marina, that heroine-centric thing was especially tough with a sheltered 16yo girl.
But you’ve done it very well. It was fun watching Trey coax her out of her shell. And now this very adult shit happening to her.
I assumed Trey and Marina will be alright, Gio and Dot are the question marks for me. No spoilers! 😁
I don’t think they’ve started adding spoilers to cars at the time the story is set.
I thought most romance novels were pandering to women’s fantasies.
Ian Fleming and Zane Grey would like a word.
Shakers of the Purple Martini
Oh. Very nice.
I really like Bishop and Sister Albright. I look forward to spending more time with them.
All I will say is, remember what Rev says about how he came to be bishop.
*touches nose
So you’re the one who stole the coke.
The Lord works in mysterious ways.
In a threesome?
I didn’t see it mentioned today, so join me in wishing happy birthday to two of the most prominent philosophers of our time.
“It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.” — Thomas Sowell
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” — ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson
That is a pair of heavy hitters.
I did see a blurb about Sowell ‘going strong at 93’ or some figure. Didn’t make the b’day connection.
Many happy returns!
Sowell’s early life was no picnic, he really is a self made man, probably paid off his student loans early and every thing.
More than I can say.
#metoo
I was thinking about drinking, but then I thought better of it. So I drank something better.
I had some beer with dinner.
A little limoncello now.
#metoo
I opened a bottle of locally made rye that’s been in the cabinet for a few years. Some Shiner bock for a chaser, and top it off with brother Arturo. And it’s a beautiful summer night.
*content sigh
Vodka + Algerian pineapple pop
Bit too summer for my taste – I had to install the AC today, enjoying the hell out of that but miss fresh air.
Bourbon on the rocks. I zoomed for a bit. It’s 100 degrees out. I came back inside.
Back in the 70s here but high humidity as so often – once I break the seal with AC it’s hard to do without until summer is over.
70’s ?
Shit. I have to get up before the sun to enjoy that.
Chapter 38D
Another bra size. Mojeaux knows her audience?
Their daughter got pregnant by an older well-established congregant.
Boss Tom gave Scarrit a double.
but the deacon knew about Scarritt’s stable of female parishioners, which included the deacon’s wife—”
Nice.
“It does not matter what she wants, capisce?”
Albright isn’t an Italian name.
“An’ I surely do appreciate that,” Trey said fervently. “When and where’s the wedding? Get my affairs in order, buy a house, all that. She can’t live here.”
“Haven’t planned it yet. Simple. Quiet. I won’t pay for a big wedding.”
“I will.” Albright looked surprised. “Least I can do. I could do worse.”
“You’re nowhere near good enough for her.”
“That is a correct read on the situation.” Trey chucked his head toward his office. “’Mon back. I’ll set you up.”
Seems a bit too pat.
Oh, you know me better than that.
Thanks Moj, taking me down trails I certainly didn’t expect. Who’d thunk the Bishop was in all these twists and turns?
Everyone I know are just trying to get through life with out stepping on any cracks.
So far no one has died so we have that going for us. Another week of waiting, waiting
Hot dog, meet hallway.
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/real-life/fit-gran-who-bedded-over-30321415?int_source=nba
FFS that website is a dumpster fire.
Flaunt this 🖕.
ALOL
From the
cesspoolsidebar:Size 22 influencer flaunts bust and back in seductive date night outfit
Size 22 influencer Abby Bible took to Instagram to show off her stunning date night outfit – many of her followers praised the curvy bombshell for the gorgeous look
Curvy? I guess that’s technically correct. Check out her curvy back boobs.
Music for Abby (and Chafed)
That is far from a size 22.
And that’s UK. I looked up the conversion and it would be a size 18 US. Seems sus
No, she’s about a size 32 US.
Agreed. That is NOT a size 21 on this planet.
Happy for her she has her fans.
Baffled at why I or anyone else should give a shit.
Does The Star still show conventional T&A or is it all plus-size stuff now?
If her fans truly cared they’d tell her to lose some weight before she dies at 45 from heart failure.
I think that’s part of the kink. Sort of like how you get off on being abused by my masterly Firsting prowess.
“…amused by my bastardly Firsting weakness.”
FIFY
It’s an evolutionary thing. No matter how gross or disgusting a women is, there’s some guy out there who has a biological drive to stick it into her. I’m not sure if the same holds true for the gays, but it is definitely true for straight guys.
Knew a guy in the Army who wouldn’t touch anything under 275.
You knew Tres back in the service?
hehehe… I see someone beat me to it
HUSHAAAAA
FIRST MOTHER-FUCKER!
No, you’re definitely not the first to fuck his mother.
Could someone please give me the Zoom link? k thx
Hier.
I might join after I finish last night’s GlibFlick.
Danke schön!
Rust solo force wipe. No tech tree! Don’t know what that means? Don’t worry!
“Who places 30 bags??” I know you’re all asking me, and I’m here to tell you: in Rust, you rez at sleeping bags (or beds, later on).
Willjum is another Rust streamer. He economizes on his base builds.
Uhhh I think that’s all you need to know.
Hazzie means hazmat suit. Arctic hazzie is that version of the hazard suit.
For Neph
GO HOME MOJ nobody cares.
I think you need to put down the alcohol and go to bed.
And you’re telling me that. That’s a wakeup call.
Not gonna happen. I put the alcohol down for nobody.
Moj knows I don’t mean it, anyway,
True, but Bro’s not wrong …
You know I’m sorry, Moj.
I sent your book to me sister and her son and daughters. Well, books. I bought a brick of them. I promise I’ll read it someday. It’s just that I’ve bought all Tom Wolfe’s novels, and how do you put those down? And then I bought the Three Body Problem series, and come on, a man named Cixin Liu? Or Liu Cixin? In any event, there’s priority. Also bought a bunch of Michael Crichton novels because I haven’t read those in ages. And there’s Michener books on the table… The Covenant was astonishing, honestly. I always wanted to name a dog Swartz. And I need to reread Shogun for the FX series that’s coming out. You know they’re adapting Shogun? I’m excited.
Shit, my uncle died this year and he was all about Ian M. Banks. So there’s that guy I have to read. Apparently he’s tremendous. I’ll let you know.
The question and answer to why I’m single in a paragraph, here.
Nobody asked, dude, they just assumed.
I mean it would be nice if
Yeah, but they didn’t. Take it as you will.
And now I’m banned from Glibs for another month. Goodbye, my lover! Goodbye, my friends!
I apologize for being rude and interrupting the ladies on Zoom tonight.
Hmmm…I didn’t see that happen. Did I miss something?
Good morning, sounds like you all had a bit too much fun last night.
I’m out and trying to catch malaria. It’s a long weekend but I don’t have any plans… It’s too hot.
Good morning, Lack, Nerfy (NNM), and 4(20)!
It’s 74 degrees and raining lightly here at Tranq Base, but not nearly enough rain to dissuade me from being out here. A normal weekend for me, since I have to work Monday, so no special plans except indulging in a nap this afternoon and grilling either burgers or brats. (The ribeyes come out Tuesday!)
Sounds awesome!
Seems like the spice was flowing last night
Jose Cuervo?
G’d morning!
🌄☕
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Psk09J-ZqXU
🎶🎶
Good morning, Sean! What kind of meat are you defending/protecting today?
😋
I’ve got 4 strips for tomorrow. Supposedly, bone in ribeyes are on sale today. Might get me some of those too.
👍🏼🥩🥩🥩🥩