The Wrath Walker (The Wrath Series Book 1) by Matthew Newson (moboreader txt) 📕

That place had felt like home when dad was alive, and maybe it could be that way again for me one day after everyone forgot about my previous work troubles. As I stared at the building, I felt pressure from within to go inside, and it only grew as I fought against it until I couldn’t take it anymore. I hadn’t gone to church or talked to God in years, and it just seemed better that way. I had failed my God, my father, and the town by not seeing all the terrible things I had unwittingly gone along with. But there I sat, compelled to go into the lion’s den. I thought about starting my car, but I got out of it instead and slowly walked toward the building. I looked around to make sure I wouldn’t accidently run into someone I used to know. I didn’t want the hassle of sneering looks or the embarrassment of being asked to leave by someone who was well acquainted with my past. The service had already started, so I could easily sneak in and sit in the back so no one would notice me. All the door greeters had already taken their seats, so I quietly slipped into a chair in the back without being noticed.

Phillip Martin was still the pastor of the church, and he and I used to be somewhat close. He was about fifteen years older than me, but he always seemed very knowledgeable on life’s issues. He was also always ready to talk whenever I had a problem. He scanned the room as he preached his sermon, and as he did, he saw me in the back. I was busted, and I knew I wasn’t getting out of there without him talking to me. He preached for another twenty minutes, and I felt a small bit of relief from the despair that whirled within me from his comforting and reaffirming words.  As I tried to get up and leave, Phillip, finished his sermon and the ushers passed around small pieces of bread with tiny cups of grape juice for communion, which I knew I was unworthy to take, let alone hold in my hand. I felt boxed in, and if I were to get up, I’d clearly be noticed, and then I’d hear the comments from the people around me as I left. The next thing I knew, my phone went off in my pocket, and it was Phillip. He texted and asked me to stay and talk with him after the service. He must have sent that message right when he left the podium while the ushers worked. Phillip had returned to the platform by the time the ushers made it to me, just in time to see me refuse the sacraments. He led the people in prayer, and then they all partook of the Lord’s Supper.

As soon as the service ended, Phillip, exited the stage and was standing behind me within moments. It made perfect sense the pastor would know all the routes around the church in case they needed to make a quick get away from angry or clingy church members.

“Hey Brandon, I’m glad you came by. How are you doing?”

“To be honest, I’ve been better, and things have gotten a whole lot worse for me. I don’t even know why I’m here. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be dumping my problems on you.” I made an awkward turn to leave.

“No, it’s fine. How about we go and talk in my office, so we’re not interrupted?” Phillip had a genuine smile on his face.

I wanted to go, but I really needed help. “Sure, that sounds good.”

As we walked to his office, people had just started to file out of the sanctuary, but we were able to avoid them. He got away with a quick hello or God bless you, as we walked to his office.

“How did you get from the platform to the back and the other side of the church so fast, Phillip?” I asked.

“I’ve been pastoring here a long time, Brandon, you get to know the fastest routes around a large building after a while.”

I smiled to myself about my earlier assumption being correct.

Phillip had one of the largest churches in the city, but it hadn’t always been that way. The church had started out in a small metal building, but Phillip had grown the church rapidly throughout the years and built larger structures as he could afford them. As we entered his office, I noticed his suit and office seemed a little too nice for a pastor, but then again, his church was big and seemed to still be growing. I also wasn’t going to knock him for having nice things, because Phillip deserved to have some nice things after all the good he had done for others. His office looked like a high-end library with beautifully stained wood walls, one wall being dedicated to shelving books from the floor to ceiling. Then there were the hand painted canvases of Jesus that hung on the other walls, and I noticed faint scratches in the wood along the right side of the painting located closest to Phillip’s desk. That told me he had a safe installed in the wall behind the painting, and the hinges were too small for the portrait to swing out without touching the wall. I figured he thought no one would notice, and if he went with any bigger hinges it would probably make the painting stick out too much and give away the location of the safe.

Phillip took a seat at his desk, while I took the one across from him. We had many talks start like that when I’d attended church there, and at least that part felt familiar to me.

“It’s really good to see you again, Brandon. Have you decided to come back to church?”

Spoken like a true pastor, and I had to smirk