At the Church Building Committee

Chapter 14

On Tuesday evening, Goldie tapped away on her laptop, recording the discussion from the church Building Committee. Eight other people sat at the large round table in the church basement. Pastor Thomas refereed the conversation, which was going in eight different directions. Goldie typed furiously, trying to keep up.

She wouldn’t be surprised if her laptop started smoking.

         “We need a good architectural firm.” Joe Cranston, one of the deacons, waved his hand in the air. “I still say we hire Milton, Trager, Reeves, Fitzsimmons, and Krober to do our church building design.”

         Goldie typed out his comment, getting lost after Reeves.

         “But they’re too expensive.” Frieda, as the owner of the Kaffee Klatch, was on the committee.

         “I agree with Frieda.” John Zeller, another business owner, nodded toward the pastor. “They charge 12% of the total cost. That’s outrageous! We need someone who only charges 8%.”

         “Or less.” As the treasurer, Wayne Huchel was taking his own notes.

         Ryan’s face popped into Goldie’s mind. If only they could hire him as their architect. But she and Ryan were on the fritz, as Frieda would say, and it would be awkward to be in meetings with him.

         “Okay.” Joe huffed out a breath. “Let me talk to Melvin Whitlock. I’m sure he would only charge us 7%.”

         Pastor Thomas shook his head. “He’s designed two nightclubs in Knotty Pine, and everyone knows it. I wish we could find a Christian architect.”

         Goldie typed out his words, then added “Ryan is a Christian” next to it. With a little gasp, she deleted her comment.

         The pastor stood. “Since we can’t come to a consensus, let’s conclude our meeting. I want each of you to pray specifically for a good, trustworthy architect who won’t charge us too much.”

         Should Goldie mention Ryan?

         Pastor Thomas dismissed them, and the level of conversation increased as the committee members left the room. Goldie closed her laptop and stored it in the case.

         Frieda sat down beside her. “Why were ya dating that grinning guy last night?”

         Goldie frowned. “Grinning guy? Oh! Brian!” She laughed. “He did have a toothy grin, didn’t he?”

         “But why were ya dating him and not Ryan?”

“It’s a long story.”

         “I have time.” Frieda folded her hands on the table and settled in her chair.

         Goldie sighed. “I was supposed to date Brian on Friday night, but he had an accident at work and ended up in the hospital. Ryan came by my house and pretended he was my blind date.”

         “Pretended? How did Ryan know about the blind date? What happened when he picked you up?”

Even though no one else was in the room, Goldie leaned toward Frieda and lowered her voice. “He came to the door and handed me a letter from Jessie.” She tapped her lips with her finger. “Come to think of it, he was trying to talk, but I kept cutting him off. I thought he was the almost-mute Brian, and I was nervous. It didn’t help that he was so handsome. I was trying to do the talking for both of us.” Her shoulders drooped. “I never gave him a chance to explain.”

“Then you should ask his forgiveness.”

Goldie looked at Frieda, a flash of anger zipping through her. “He should ask my forgiveness! He had plenty of time to spell out his predicament!”

Shaking her head, Frieda pursed her lips. “Goldie, see here now. I watched you and Ryan at the Kaffee Klatch. You have that chemistry a couple needs. No matter how it happened, you need to get back with him.”

Goldie thought about that. They did have chemistry! “Oh, Frieda! I’ve made a terrible mess of things. Ryan came by my house yesterday morning, and I think he was going to explain then, but I was mad about him being an imposter.” Her heart plummeted. “I was so mean to him. I’m ashamed of myself.”

“Well, then! You can start over.”

“Ryan will never forgive me.”

“You’ll never know unless ya ask.” Frieda placed her hand on Goldie’s arm. “He seems like an even-tempered guy. Forgive him in your heart for being an imposter, and then ya need to ask his forgiveness for being mean. I say he’ll grant it.”

Goldie nodded. “He deserves another opportunity, but I don’t. I deserve a guy like Brian Choderski—no, that’s not right. Choderhumski?”

“Chodakowski.” Frieda clicked her tongue. “Don’t sell yourself short, Goldie. Ryan really likes ya. Give him a chance.”

* * *

More tomorrow. Until then, God bless!