“Isn’t that the same thing?”
“No, it isn’t. My father is a fair, compassionate, godly man. I’m certain that he’ll listen to all sides and make a thoughtful, biblical decision.”
“Thanks, that’s all I really want.” Cate breathed a heavy sigh, as tears welled up in her eyes.
Matthew took her hands in his, “Cate, it’ll be all right.”
“I hope so, Matthew.”
He put his arms around her, and pulled her close, “Whatever happens we’ll make it all right.”
“Do you have any idea when your father wants to have the meeting?”
“In about thirty minutes.”
“Thirty minutes! What about the music program?”
“He wants you to get someone to take your place.”
“Catlin’s my assistant, I’ll need to inform her and go over a few details.”
“Sure, I’ll walk with you.”
Cate was glad for company; she felt like one of the early Christians about to appear before Nero or Diocletian. They found Catlin and briefed her on what needed to be done. Now it was time to face the “trial” in Matthew’s office. She was nervous; she couldn’t help it, and prayed silently that the Lord would give her wisdom, strength, courage, and a sense of His peace and presence, as she faced her accuser. Matthew offered her his arm as she walked boldly into Matthew’s office where his father, his mother and Miss Janet waited.
Dr. Kennedy sat at Matthew’s desk, with Mrs. Kennedy and Miss Janet on his left. He asked Cate to have a seat in front of the desk. Matthew escorted her and took the seat next to her.
As she sat down, she felt a sense of courage, strength and peace that she had prayed for, and best of all a distinct awareness of His presence. She breathed a sigh of relief, as Dr. Kennedy began.
“Miss Jones, may I introduce myself. I am Marcus Kennedy, Matthew’s father and founder of this mission agency and school,” he nodded to his left, “and this is my wife, Martha.”
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Cate said politely.
As Cate spoke, Mrs. Kennedy rolled her eyes in Miss Janet’s direction.
Dr. Kennedy maintained a formal mood, “Thank you Miss Jones,” He glanced toward his wife and Miss Janet, who were obviously irritated with him, and continued, “Well, Miss Jones, it seems we have a problem.”
“Yes, sir,” Cate answered, surprised by how unaffected she was by his statement.
“From what Miss Janet tells me you are a divorced woman. Is that true?”
“Yes, sir, it is.”
He glanced at Matthew, “Did my son know that you were divorced when he hired you?”
“Yes, sir, he did,” Cate looked first at Matthew and then back at Dr. Kennedy.
Once again, he surveyed his son’s face and asked, “Did you tell him you were divorced?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What part did David Barnes play in your being hired?”
“Matthew told David that he needed a teacher and David told him about me.”
“What did he tell Matthew?”
“He told Matthew that I felt that God wanted me to teach in a mission school, but that I was divorced. He asked Matthew if that would prevent the possibility of hiring me. Matthew said no.”
“So both Matthew and David knew, from the very beginning, that you were divorced.”
“Yes, they did.”
Dr. Kennedy looked directly at Miss Janet while he continued to question Cate, “Did you in any way try to hide your marital status?”
“No, sir,” Cate said, “I did not.”
He turned his eyes to his son, “Matthew, did you know my long standing rule not to hire divorced people?”
Matthew met his father’s eye contact, “Yes, I did.”
“Then why did you hire Miss Jones?”
“Because I checked her out thoroughly, and everyone gave her their highest recommendation as a teacher. David knew what kind of Christian she was,
and
the particulars of her divorce. It wasn’t her fault. Her husband left her for another woman. She had biblical grounds for divorce. He did not;
he
divorced
her
. Knowing all of this, I hired her and she has been an excellent teacher.”
Dr Kennedy listened intently to his son. It was apparent the two had great love and respect for each other.
“I see,” Dr. Kennedy turned his attention back to Cate. “Miss Jones, I know you feel like you’re on trial here and that I’m the judge and jury. I’m sorry for that, but I need to have a clear understanding, so I need to ask you some more questions.”
“That’s fine, sir.”
“Okay then, if you had not come to Ecuador, could you have gotten a teaching job in the United States?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Had you had a teaching job prior to coming here?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Where did you teach?”
“Glendale Elementary School, Kansas City, Kansas.”
“How long did you teach there?”
“Three years.”
“Why did you leave that job to come here?”
“Actually, I left that job to go to teach in a mission school in Mexico.”
Dr. Kennedy paused, considering her answer, “You taught in Mexico?”
“No, sir, that job fell through because of funding issues.”
“That occurred just before you came here?”
“No, sir, it occurred a year before I came here.”
“I see,” Dr. Kennedy asked, “What were you doing right before you came here?”
“Attending seminary and working part-time at a pre-school.”
“And, you found out about this job through David Barnes, who found out from Matthew.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And, you took this job because…you felt God was leading you here?”
“I did, yes, sir.”
“And, you never tried to hide the fact that you were divorced.”
“No, sir. I didn’t. It’s not something that I’m proud of, but I never tried to hide it. I felt that the people who needed to know, knew.”
Dr. Kennedy removed his glasses and folded his hands as if in thoughtful prayer, “Thank you, Miss Jones, for being so forthcoming. You have given me much to consider in making my decision.”
Impatient with his approach, and venting her frustration, Miss Janet asked, “Do you mean that you are going to consider keeping her as a teacher while you’re deliberating on a final decision?”
“Janet, I want to be very fair to Miss Jones. Therefore, I want to consider the matter carefully,” Dr. Kennedy answered.
Miss Janet’s eyes blazed, “I do not see what there is to consider. Your policy has always been not to hire divorced people.”
“That
was
the policy.”
“Do you mean to say that you are considering going against your own policy?” Miss Janet bristled with unvarnished anger.
“I
am
considering it.”
“Marcus!” Mrs. Kennedy gasped in disbelief.
“Why in the world would you change the policy to accommodate
this woman
?” Miss Janet shouted.
Dr. Kennedy looked directly at both his detractors, “I’m not considering changing it to accommodate this woman, but to be in line with the scriptural allowances for divorce.”
“I
cannot
believe this. Of all people, I thought that
you
would do the right thing.” Miss Janet shouted again.
“Me too!” Mrs. Kennedy expressed obvious displeasure.
Realizing the situation was escalating, Matthew stood, “Dad, before this thing goes any further, I need to tell you and mom something.”
“Okay, son,”
Matthew looked directly at his mother and Miss Janet, “I’ve asked Cate to marry me.”
His father’s expression did not change, but his mother’s eyes widened and her mouth flew open. Miss Janet gasped.
Cate looked at Mrs. Kennedy and Miss Janet, “Don’t worry, I said no.”
“That’s not what you said,” Matthew corrected. “You said maybe.”
“I’m sorry Matthew, but
now,
I am saying no,” Cate directed her words at his mother and Miss Janet.
Miss Janet quickly tried to turn the tables. “
There
, you see what kind of woman she is. She led your son to believe that she’d marry him, but now she won’t.”
Mrs. Kennedy shook her head in agreement.
“The way you two looked at her when you heard about his proposal, I would have said no too,” Dr. Kennedy replied.
“Marcus!” Mrs. Kennedy said angrily.
“Martha, your friendship with Janet has compromised your ability to see this thing clearly. I believe you to be much more compassionate and forgiving than you seem to be at this moment.”
Miss Janet interceded for her friend, “Marcus, it’s
you
who can’t see clearly. This woman is making a fool out of you and your son.”
Cate and Matthew were shocked at Miss Janet’s boldness and Dr. Kennedy was nearing the end of his patience.
“Janet, you seem to have an ardent, unreasonable dislike for Miss Jones. You wanted an immediate decision so I’ll give you one, but you’re not going to like it. My decision is that Miss Jones can continue as a teacher at the mission school, and from what I have seen and heard, my son would be a fool to take no for an answer to his proposal.”
“Well, you can be sure of one thing, if she stays, I’ll go,” Miss Janet threatened, loudly and adamantly.
“
That
,” Dr. Kennedy said, “is entirely up to you, however, from what I have witnessed here today that might be a good thing.”
Miss Janet was dumbstruck.
“Dr. Kennedy, she doesn’t have to leave.” Cate spoke calmly, with steadiness of purpose, “I will.”
“But, Miss Jones, you don’t have to leave.”
“Yes sir, I believe I do. Miss Janet has given her life to this school, and I don’t want her to leave because of me.” Turning to look directly at Miss Janet, Cate continued. “Miss Janet I’d like to thank you for all of the past kindnesses that you have shown. I’m sorry that things turned out like they did between us and I hope someday you’ll change your mind.”
Miss Janet moved nervously in her chair, turned her head away, but remained silent.
Cate turned to Dr. Kennedy and summoned up the courage to finish. “If it won’t be too much of an imposition for Matthew to get someone to cover my classes for the rest of the school year, my resignation will be on his desk this afternoon.”
“Cate please don’t,” Matthew’s voice held sadness.
“Matthew, I have to.”
“Miss Jones, I’m sorry that you have chosen to leave us. I would have liked to get to know you better. However, if you are sure leaving is what you want, Matthew will make arrangements to take care of your classes,” Dr. Kennedy said.
“Yes, sir, it is what I want. Thank you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go clean out my desk.”
“Of course my dear,” Dr. Kennedy stood as Cate resolutely rose from her chair and left the office. He looked pointedly at his wife and Janet, “Now, do you see what kind of woman she is? It seems to me that you both could learn a lot from her.”
Matthew hurried after Cate, catching up with her as she entered her classroom. “Cate please don’t quit.”
“I have to.”
“No, you don’t. Didn’t you hear my father?”
“Didn’t you hear Miss Janet, and didn’t you see your mother’s face?”
He took her in his arms, “Cate, you can’t leave.”
“Matthew, I can’t stay. I just can’t,” she answered with sadness and regret.
“Please,” he begged, “marry me and stay.”
“Matthew, I can’t marry you,” Cate tried to let him down as tenderly and compassionately as possible.
“Cate, if you marry me, we don’t have to stay here.”
“Who’ll run the mission agency and school if you leave?”
“I don’t know, but I do know that I want to be with you.”
She knew there was no way to avoid hurting him, so she spoke plainly. “We can’t do that to your parents, and I can’t do it to you.”
“Do what to me?”
“I can’t marry you when I don’t love you with my whole heart.”
Matthew’s voice was quieter, “I–I was hoping you did love me, like that.”
“I know, and I wish I did. I’m sorry, but I don’t.”
“There’s no hope, no changing your mind?”
“There’s always hope,” Cate answered.
“I don’t think so, not for us. I suspect that there’s something you’re not telling me. Right?”
“I don’t think you’d like to hear the answer to that,” Cate hugged him and softly whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Matthew forced a slight smile and changed the subject, “I think you were about to clean out your desk when I stopped you.”
“And write my letter of resignation.”
“Would you like some reluctant help?”
“Sure,” Cate took his arm and walked toward the desk. Realizing that she would need a box or two, Matthew went to find them, while Cate sat down to write her letter of resignation. It was as if she were operating in two worlds-one visible and the other invisible. She looked at the children’s pictures on the wall and saw them for the first time. Her eyes focused on an ant as it scurried over the leaves of a potted plant. From the point that Matthew informed her of his father’s presence, she had been in unceasing prayer. During Dr. Kennedy’s interrogation, she felt a sense of total peace. She was intensely aware of God’s presence and power, and she knew no matter what happened that God was in control, and would work out His will. When she told Dr. Kennedy that she would resign and leave, she was sure she was following the “still small voice” of God’s leadership. She was just as sure that He was leading her to leave Ecuador as she had been sure of His leadership to come there.
She completed her letter just as Matthew returned. He handed her the boxes and she handed him her letter of resignation. He sighed and put it in his pocket. They both worked at packing her things, the entire operation taking only an hour. When it was finished, Matthew walked her out and offered to drive her to the Garcias. Cate asked for a few last favors.
Sure,” Matthew said, “I’ll do anything you need me to.
“May I use a phone to call Dr. Patterson?”
“Of course,” Matthew answered, as he led her to the phone in his office, which had been long since vacated by his father, mother and Miss Janet. He stepped out of the office to give her some privacy. When she finished her call, she asked, “When we get to the Garcias’ house, will you wait while I pack my things, and if they are not there will you help me find them, as well as Kim, David and Sarah so that I can say goodbye?”