“Can we go swimming?” Justin asked, peering out the uncurtained window.

“I don’t see why not,” Asher said. “That’s why I made you bring your trunks.”

They changed and followed the winding path down to the water and spent a long while there splashing and swimming. How different things were going to be. Already he felt like one of those divorced fathers on television who always just buy their kids pizza and let them do whatever fun thing they want. He knew things couldn’t stay that way. And he also knew that missing him would only get worse.

The day before, he had received the call from Caleb Carey he had been expecting: the deacons had met and had called a church-wide meeting to vote if he should be kept on as their pastor or not. Lydia had said she would pick up Justin after the meeting, no emotion whatsoever in her voice, as if she was already treating the shared parentage of their son like a business deal.

That afternoon Zelda cooked early on account of the church meeting and after their swim Asher hurried Justin to get ready so they could be there on time. They loaded their plates with chicken, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, a slice of tomato so red Asher’s mouth watered.

Once they were settled at the table Asher said the blessing and while he still had ahold of Zelda and Justin’s hands he turned to his son. “Whatever happens between me and your mother, we’re a family. You remember that, alright?” Justin looked back at him blank-faced. “There’s all different kind of families. Alright, now?”

Justin nodded and scooped potatoes into his mouth.

After supper Asher strolled down to the river to study on what he would say to the church when they voted him out. He knew they would. Zelda’s and Kathi’s votes would likely be the only ones in his favor. And if they didn’t, he would resign. He watched the river and listened to the mockingbirds singing in the willows. Heat was rising from the lush hills around him, moving in over the valley and causing a thin white haze to swim over the ridges in the distance. After a time he stood and made his way back to Zelda’s. Through the kitchen window he heard Zelda: “Your parents wouldn’t want me to tell you this but I want you to be prepared, alright?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You’re older than they think you are,” she said. “Your daddy’s fixing to lose his job at the church. I want you to know what’s going on. But you can’t tell them I told you.”

“I won’t.” Justin sounded like he was just fine with the notion of Asher losing his job. Maybe he hoped that Asher would so he wouldn’t have to go to church every time the door was cracked.