About a week later Rev. Tom was straightening up the pews of his church when he heard a quiet “Hello, Rev. Tom.”

 

He turned around to see Joan Kinney standing there.  She still had yet to stand trial and was released until the trial date due to her lack of being a flight risk.

 

When he saw the woman, the calm, kind reverend was gone.  In his place was a furious, unpredictable Tom.

 

“What are you doing here, Joan?” he asked in a deadly calm voice.

 

“I came here to ask if what you said was true, about you really being a homosexual.”

 

“It was the absolute truth, Joan.  I am gay and I am proud to admit it.”

 

“How could you?!  You are a holy man.  How could you commit such a sin?!”

 

“How could I?!  How could I?!”  Tom’s voice was now matching his emotions.

 

“How could you, Joan?  How could you watch your husband beat your children and not do anything about it?!  How could you have the nerve to condemn your son after not only all you did to him, but all he’s done for you?!  And most of all, HOW COULD YOU ATTACK AN INNOCENT PERSON SO VISCIOUSLY?!  Justin is the kindest person you will ever meet; no matter how long you live on this earth.  He’s also one of the strongest.  He refuses give up, which is one of the reasons why he’s still here, after what you did to him and after what that horrible Hobbs person did to him.  Now, I never want to see you again, Joan.  You disgust me.”

 

Then, just when he thought he was finished, Rev. Tom remembered what he had said to Brian once all those years ago and how little it was deserved.  This time, however, it was needed.

 

“Now get the fuck out of my church!”  Tom delivered in a coarse whisper.

 

Joan, mouth agape, left the church without a word.

 

Once he finished his work, Tom also left, he with a smirk on his face.