Forgive and Forget, Repeat by Kalen Cap

Patrick saw Mrs. Marlow approaching him. He ducked into the men’s room to avoid her.
Every time Mrs. Marlow had spoken to him in the past year, she’d forgiven him for a disagreement that had occurred while Patrick served as the young adult member on the vestry. Apparently, Mrs. Marlow had taken the admonition to forgive and forget to heart in its most limited sequential form. She kept forgetting that she’d already forgiven him. The incident she forgave him for was allowing outside groups to use the facilities for their meetings. The measure had narrowly passed over Mrs. Marlow’s protests. She claimed that allowing those groups to use their building would undermine the church’s purity of mission. Less than a year later, Mrs. Marlow had championed using the rent money the groups paid the church to purchase pendants for the choir to wear during recitals.
Let it go, Patrick told himself.
He glanced in the mirror and recognized a look of guilt. He didn’t like avoiding people. But he couldn’t tell whether Mrs. Marlow was truly forgetful, or if she was needling him relentlessly on purpose. She seemed a perfectly capable woman otherwise.
Patrick left the restroom, relieved to see that Mrs. Marlow had gone elsewhere. He went into the sanctuary and sat at his usual spot. He supposed he was a little far back for the evening service, but he wanted the comfort of the familiar. During Sundays that he worked an early shift at the department store, he found it important to take care of himself in little ways later in the day.
His eyes closed and his breathing slowed as he listened to the soothing music being played prior to the start of service. Then, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He swung around and found himself directly facing Mrs. Marlow.
“Patrick, I’m so glad to see you,” Mrs. Marlow said
“Hi, Mrs. Marlow. Nice to see you too.” Oh, man, that’s the biggest lie I’ve said all month.
“As soon as I saw you this evening, I knew I had to speak with you,” Mrs. Marlow said, her eyes furrowed.
“Uh huh.”
“How should I say this? Oh, I’ll simply be direct. I want you to know I hold no grudges over our disagreement while on the vestry together. I realize how young you were then, and still are, I might add. I know in my heart of hearts that I was right.” Mrs. Marlow paused to wipe away a tear. “But, I want you to know that I’ve moved beyond any ill feelings resulting from allowing those heathen groups to defile the sanctity of our church home. Now, now, let’s not start the argument again. I see that challenging look in your eyes. You’re a fighter, you are. I only came to you this evening to forgive you. I realize you’ll see the light someday, and I do commend you for participating in church business. Not many in your generation have the gumption to do that. I suppose the congregation can hardly expect you to be skilled in such matters without experience, can we?”
“Are there any names to add to the prayer list?” the deacon at the church podium asked. The obligatory microphone feedback hurt Patrick’s ears.
“Oh, dear. I’d best get back to my husband. Thank you, Patrick, for hearing out an old woman. I feel a burden’s been lifted from my shoulders having had our little chat.” With a nod and a smile, Mrs. Marlow hurried off.
Patrick looked blankly after her for a moment, then turned back artound.
“Let’s hold the Stewart family in our hearts,” the deacon said and paused.
Patrick had to restrain himself from laughing following Mrs. Marlow’s antics. He had the feeling he’d be forgiven repeatedly by her for years to come.