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“I really don’t know,” I told her.
Chapter Forty-Five
Daphne
Jace and I talked for a long time. By the time I left, I’m sure he had no doubts that I didn’t do this maliciously. But, he was still worried about how it would all come out and torn up about what to do about it.
I hated seeing him that way. I felt helpless and really angry with Bethany for stabbing me in the back. I called her as soon as I got home, but she didn’t answer. I left her a message and just asked her to call me back. I didn’t want to ask her anything in a message. I wanted to hear her voice when she told me that she did this, and why.
The next morning as I was straightening up after breakfast, she called me back. “Hey, girl! What are you doing?”
“I’m just straightening up, what about you?”
“I just came from my work-out. It was a good one today. It kicked my butt, though.”
“I’ve been thinking about joining a gym. How do you like yours?”
“It’s okay; there aren’t many in town, but I think this one is the best.”
I couldn’t do this. I just had to get it over with. “Did you go to the Diocese about Jace after you promised me that you wouldn’t?”
“What?”
“Please don’t act innocent here, Bethany. Who did you tell?”
She was quiet for a long time before she said, “I’m sorry, Daph. I’m so sorry.”
“Who did you tell? You promised me.”
“I know! I’m so sorry. I’m just a big gossip. Sometimes I don’t think before I open my mouth.” She sounded like she was on the verge of tears. Good, maybe it will make her think before she opens her mouth next time.
“Bethany, who did you tell?”
“This woman at the gym. She and I were talking, and she mentioned him…out of the blue. She said their church had a new priest and I said, ‘Oh, ours, too.’ We figured out we went to the same church. Then it just slipped out.”
“It slipped? How loose are your lips?”
“Daphne, I’m so sorry. Please, don’t hate me. I never meant to hurt you…or him, honest.”
I was furious with her, but at the same time, I could see that as with me telling her and starting this whole thing, she really didn’t have any malicious intent.
“Daphne, what happened? How did you know I told someone?”
“Because that someone went to the Diocese and Jace has been stripped of his duties while under investigation.”
“Oh, shit!”
“Yeah, you got that right. Poor Jace is a wreck. I’m so scared for him. He’s a good man, he’s just been confused and it wasn’t entirely his fault. I’m scared for him.”
“Oh, damn! I’m sorry. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. I am so sincerely sorry.”
I was on the verge of telling her she had done quite enough when I stopped myself. She didn’t mean to hurt me or Jace. Jace and I had to accept the consequences of our actions and it wasn’t Bethany’s fault. “I don’t think there is, but thanks,” was what I ended up saying.
I could hear the relief in her voice as she said, “Please call me if you hear anything.”
I didn’t hear from Jace for the next few days. I knew he was struggling and he was probably busy with the investigation, but a text or two would have been nice.
I felt like I was losing my mind sometimes, and at the same time, I was relieved that I hadn’t heard from the church yet. I didn’t think I could lie when in a room face to face with a bishop and a couple of priests. I would try, for Jace…but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t do it well.
