Excerpt From “George”

“My brethren…I implore you to pray for my lost daughter and her friend…whoever he may be…” Reverend Kilgore preached to his “flock” that night at his church. He and his wife hadn’t heard anything in regards to Babs or the sedan. The boy? Who cares. Babs mom was beside herself with grief, and just wanted her little girl back home in one piece.
“Why did she run away Reverend? Who did she run away with?” one of the parishioners asked bluntly, catching the good reverend off guard.
“That’s a personal matter, Mr.White…but thank you for your thoughts and prayers!” Reverend Kilgore thanked him, sounding more like a spokesman than a father. If news got out why Babs did run away, he knew he and his family would be shamed out of town. He was doing the Lord’s work for the lost people of Sparrow and the surrounding area. He had to keep his image as a man of god, no matter what.
“I heard she was running around with that Johnny Sumpter!” an old lady stood up and said, “You know he used to be on the football team, before he got hurt…but he’s a little punk anyway!” she added, then waved her fan in disgust before sitting back down.
Another parishioner stood up, “Yeah, his old man owns the garage at the end of town…good guy.” he said, “But Johnny won’t have anything to do with him..”
The Reverend threw up his hands to calm them down, “Like I said, Brother Robinson, this is a personal matter and we need your prayers please.” he smiled a nervous smile, then glanced over to his wife in the front row. Their eyes locked, knowing that maybe they can’t hide the facts forever. Time will tell, but for now they want Babs back and that punk-ass Johnny-boy in jail. God will deal with him in time.