First Church of 100 Oak Valley in Christ's Name (24)

A Chapter by Joe

First Church of 100 Oak Valley in Christ's Name (24)

It was 6:50, ten minutes 'till showtime, and the seats were packed with church patrons. Some James Negus didn't recognize. Probably, he decided as he wiped the sweat from his face, those people staying up in the Woods. He coughed into his handkerchief, a harsh cough that seemed to be gravel against his throat. The fever and rough cough had come late Saturday night and he'd woken and had just made it to the toilet when his dinner had come up with a gray bile. He had been ready to call up to St. Claire for a doctor, but he only vomited that once and the purging had seemed to abate the fever a little. He had gone back to bed and woke up with the fever in high gear again. After the sermon, he'd drive out to St. Claire and see a doctor.

In the crowded pews, he saw Craig Black, the town's postman, Bridgett Love, the operator of 100 Used and New, the town's bookstore, and Les Morgan, who owned the 100 Suds laundromat, sitting together, Bridgett and Les laughing at something Craig had said.

Coming down the aisle, looking for a place to sit was a perfectly nuclear family that James had never seen before. One of the Cabin Families, as he called them. There was usually one or two attending his summer sermons. He didn't mind. In fact, he was glad that someone outside of 100 Oak Valley came to listen to him. It made him feel good. Well, he thought as he hacked into his handkerchief, usually it did. God bless it, he was coming down with some nasty bug or something.

"Hey,"

James jumped a little at the voice and the hand clasped on his shoulder. He turned around and saw it was Christian.

"Sorry I scared you, James," the assistant pastor said. "Wow, you don't look so hot."

James coughed into his handkerchief and nodded. "I don't feel so hot."

"You know, if you're sick, I can take over for you today." Christian offered.

"No," James declined with a shake of his head. "You have Junior Sermon to do and you wanted to speak with Billy and Willy."

"That's true," Christian agreed.

"Plus," James smiled weakly. "This is a home run sermon. Something for the books, and I'll damned if I miss it."

The two men laughed and James's turned into another harsh coughing.

Christian looked at the aging man concernedly and asked, "Are you sure you can do this, James? You look really pale and sweaty and that cough is pretty nasty."

"I've got my snot rag," James said, holding up his handkerchief. "And there's a cold bottle of water on the pulpit. After the sermon, I'm going into the city and seeing a doctor. I've got it all covered, Christian."

Christian nodded, looked at his watch, and said, "Look, I gotta head downstairs for Sunday School, but if you want, I can come with you to St. Claire after we're done."

"No," James shook his head. "I'll be fine."

Christian nodded and walked away, leaving James to stare out at his congregation. A large one, not knowing they were about to get the oral equivalent to a fireworks display. James laughed and coughed into his handkerchief and pulled out his sermon sheet, reviewing it with a proud smile. Yes, it was going to be a good one.

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