Continuing the marriage wasn't an option for Ashley. She hadn't decided between her other options, but she knew she couldn't continue to live like this. Although she was pretty sure he was seeing someone else, he still scrutinized her every move, phone call, email, and mileage on the car. 

One day Kevin asked her to sit down because he had something to say.

It was a perfect marriage--on paper. They had both had their trials.  Kevin had been in a serious accident as a teenager which left him with some physical discomfort and lot of guilt. Ashley's first marriage had been an unwise decision, which she deeply regretted.  With no children, she left the marriage and renewed her commitment to God.

They met through mutual friends who thought they were perfect for each other. After dating for two years, they married with the blessings of family and friends. 

Kevin had grown up in a foreign country as the oldest child of missionaries. Fluent in two languages, he started a new sales position and was overwhelming successful. He purchased a house two months before the wedding, with the blessings of his soon-to-be wife.

Ashley had grown up in a strict Christian home, earned her college degree, and acquired a teaching position.  It has broken her parents hearts when she chose to marry her first husband. Now they couldn't have been more pleased with her decision.

Thus two Christians, successful in their careers, and committed to God joined their hearts and hands to start a new life together. It was a perfect marriage--until

Ryan was young, energetic and the apple of his father’s eye.  They did everything together.  Mr. Fields had grown up poor as the child of migrant workers.  The family followed the crops and Anthony Fields was forced to attend three or four different schools every year.  There were gaps in his education on graduation day, but he was determined to overcome his difficult beginning. 

The week before graduation, Anthony Fields was hired as a custodian at an engineering firm.  He started the job the Monday after graduation.  He was assigned the evening shift, working from 5:00 p.m. until the offices had been cleaned and made ready for the following workday.  On his breaks, Anthony read in the many engineering books in the different offices.

One evening, an engineering team was working late to meet a timeline for a client.  Anthony made it a point to hang around outside the conference room and listen to their conversation as much as possible.  He was surprised that he understood some of the verbiage used among the team.  Eventually one by one, the engineers began to go home, leaving Mr. Trahan alone to complete the project.

Soon Anthony heard Mr. Trahan using language, indicating frustration.  Anthony took a deep breath and entered the conference room. 

It was time to get ready for work.  Time to put on the uniform.  Time to pin on the badge.  Time to strap on the gun holster.  It was the time of day James hated the most.  He sat by the front door dreading the long hours ahead.  There had been a time when he was the one putting on the uniform, badge, and gun.  Now he spent his days sitting in his wheelchair and waiting for Christina to come home.

I live in a quiet neighborhood where we know and help each other. I was born here, went to school here, graduated, went away to college, and returned to remain in my hometown for the rest of my life. I’m not one of those people who could hardly wait to leave their home and set out into the world on their own. I was content here. I like that I know my neighbors and they know me. Oh yes, there are some drawbacks like even thinking about a clandestine meeting will have the preacher and city council on your doorstep. But for the most part, I was happy and didn't plan to leave. However, last fall things changed for me.

The phone woke me and I turned groggily to look at the clock. It said 1:13 a.m.Who would be calling me at this hour? "Hello?" I said in a daze.

  Kelsey was excited. She had waited a long time for this day. It was the first day of school. She had gathered her school supplies at least a month ago.  She had visited her new classroom several times. 
Once when she was going down the hallway toward the room, the principal told her to stop running.  How
could she explain to him that she was just so excited to be here?  Her mom had made her a special lunch last night and put it in the refrigerator.  Kelsey and her mom had gone shopping to pick out the perfect outfit for this day. Kelsey wanted a red one.  Red like the pictures of old schoolhouses.