“It’s not all about that. And he’s never treated me badly. He respects me and what I do, and he’s never put me down.”
“So, you would open your legs for him because of that?”
Diane gasped. She had never heard her father say that to her before. Gilbert shook his head and pointed towards the door.
“Get out. I have some phone calls to make. Specifically, to your future husband.”
“What? Future husband?”
“You’re going to be marrying Brent, aren’t you? I need to tell him things have changed and you need the wedding moved up.”
Diane couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“Are you seriously saying that I have to marry Brent?”
“Why else? You’ve defiled yourself, so nobody is going to have you now. And Brent is willing to marry you regardless of what you’ve done. I think you should consider yourself lucky.”
Diane shook her head.
“No, Father. I won’t marry Brent. You can’t force me.”
Gilbert snarled, which had Diane jumping back.
“If you don’t want to be tossed out of this house and left on your own, you will do as I say!” he bellowed. “And you’re not to see Benjamin again. I forbid you from seeing that man.”
“What?”
“He should know better than to go after a woman who is not available, and I don’t want him corrupting you further. You are not seeing him again.”
Diane snorted.
“I’m an adult! How are you going to stop me?”
“Trust me, I’ll stop you. If you don’t want to be homeless and disowned.”
“You would kick me out for this?”
“I won’t have someone who disrespects our faith under my roof. If you want to have any chance of forgiveness, you will keep away from Benjamin and get married without a fight.” Gilbert turned away. “Now get out of my sight, Diane. I don’t want to look at you.”
Diane knew that she should, and she gladly left. But she collapsed on the stairs as she tried to go back to her room, and she broke down.
This was not how it was meant to go. What had she done?
*****
Gregory felt even worse after talking to his mother. That wasn’t supposed to happen. Normally, Moira would look at this from an outside perspective and give him a point of view that helped him out. Unfortunately, her point of view on his mess was that Gregory had messed up, and he really needed to think very carefully about his next steps.
Mostly what was going to happen to the future, and not just his. Diane’s had to be taken into consideration. She had a lot to lose by going against what she had been raised in, and Gregory understood that. He knew it was really hard for her, especially when she was desperate for her father’s approval. Diane might not say it out loud, but it was clear.
If his father was alive, Gregory would be doing the same under the surface. Although he was sure that his father would love Diane. She was down-to-earth and a calming influence on him, something that his father had lamented when he was younger.
His mother would certainly like her once they got talking. Gregory could understand her concerns, and they were valid, but Moira’s misgivings about a mismatched pairing weren’t enough for him to back off Diane.
He wanted her in his life. Now Gregory had to figure out what he was going to do. If Diane wouldn’t come to him, he would have to go to her.
Which meant facing James Gilbert. The pastor might not be as pleasant as he was in church once he found out what his daughter was up to. And that might work out against them. But sitting back with his thumb up his ass wasn’t going to work.
Gregory liked to be proactive, and he had always been there. He never waited for anything to come to him. Except for Diane. He had chosen to wait for her. But he couldn’t do it any longer, not when he knew things would be quite lonely if he didn’t have Diane in his life.
Who knew that the woman to bring him to his knees would be a religious girl?
It was getting near the end of the work day. Gregory looked at the clock, deciding for himself. Once he was out of the office, he was going straight over to Gilbert’s house, and he would demand an audience.
This could go really badly, or it could go well. He wouldn’t know until he tried, and how could he call himself a man if he didn’t face up to his own actions?
The thought of not seeing Diane again…he didn’t want to think about it.
His cell phone was ringing just as he was gathering his things together. Gregory growled and snatched it up. Part of him thought it was Jessica, having changed her mind and wanting something to do with him. He should have known that it was too good to be true.
But it was Clint’s number. Sighing, Gregory answered.
“Hey, Clint. What do you need now?”
“Gregory? This is Maggie.”
Gregory stopped.
“Maggie? Why do you have Clint’s phone?”
“It was easier to use his than call from a number you didn’t know.” Maggie hesitated. “I needed to talk to you. It’s about Diane.”
Of course, Diane would talk to Maggie about her problems. Sighing, Gregory slumped back in his chair.
“What about her?”
“Are you going to make her yours?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Because…”
Maggie’s voice tailed off, and Gregory heard some voices just out of earshot. It sounded like Clint was urging Maggie to say something.
“Maggie, what’s going on?”
“Pastor Gilbert has found out about you and Diane.”
“What? How did that happen?”
“Apparently, he was having lunch right next to you and your mom. He overheard you talking about Diane…,” Maggie sounded nervous, “let’s just say he knows that you two have been together.”