The Vicarage Bench Anthology by Mimi Barbour

furnished in dark cherry wood furniture. There were two small sofas covered in a golden brocaded material and angled around a square coffee table. The old mantel around the fireplace had been sanded and painted a pale gold to contrast the furniture. By the hearth was a set of brass fireplace tools.
    A fluffy ivory afghan, artfully arranged over the brown leather rocking chair, added a soft touch. Now that Jenna’s hidden talent for knitting had been passed on to an ecstatic Lucy, it made the cover, knitted with her very own hands, that much more precious. The starched doilies, scattered over the polished wood, dated the room. Jenna hated them but Lucy had insisted they be displayed because her grandmother had made them and in Lucy’s mind they were a treasure to be exhibited and not stuck away. The soft lighting from two expensive pole lamps swathed the room in golden hues, and the words “good taste” were foremost in the minds of the guests as they stepped over the threshold.
    Lucy was proud of herself and thrilled with her new environment, and Jenna knew that Lucy couldn’t wait for John to see what she’d accomplished—because, after all, Jenna was all thought and no action.
    Jenna was also feeling proud of Lucy, who now walked erect, head held proudly, displaying her beauty. She was no longer cowering from life and had begun to open up to the neighbors and make new friends. She was much happier, and it saddened Jenna that the upcoming separation would mean goodbye. On the other hand, she knew it was time to leave, more than time.
    Jake had promised that her body was being well looked after and she believed him, believed in him, but she wanted to be back living in it—almost as much as she wanted Jake.
    What’s that all about? Her mind was boggled at how often Jake filled her thoughts, and only Lucy knew of the steamy X-rated dreams that filled her nights. She had never before experienced sensual desires like the ones Jake had aroused in her. Thinking of him brought reactions in Lucy’s body that tattletaled on where Jenna’s thoughts were heading. She’d get a swift rebuff from Lucy, who wanted her own thoughts of John to affect her body, not someone else’s fantasies.
    Meanwhile, after spending all these many weeks sharing the mind space of the gentlest, most considerate person she’d ever known, Jenna was more than ready to make overdue changes to her own behaviour. Lucy’s personality traits had rubbed off, and Jenna would be the better person for it. She was glad her thoughts weren’t so sour anymore, and she was ready to improve her own life.
    A pealing doorbell announced the late arrival of Dr. Andrews, who looked quite pleased and definitely satisfied. He shook hands with everyone and accepted a glass of Guinness before settling in the comfortable leather chair the other two had courteously left for him.
    Jake, who couldn’t contain himself another moment, broke out with, “Give us the straight goods, Dr. Andrews. What have you come up with?”
    While the doctor described the arrangements he’d made, based on assumptions only, because there was no proof or precedent, his listeners were astonished at his genius. Considering it was their futures in the balance, they simply prayed he knew what the hell he was talking about.

Chapter Fourteen
    “You’re here,” said Marnie. Relief rang in her voice and her shoulders sank inches as she released a deep, noisy breath.
    “Yes, of course. Did you think you were imagining me?” the old man asked, a smile tugging at the corners of his moustache-covered mouth.
    “I guess not, but you have to admit that the bizarre happenings of the last few months would lead any sane person to question themselves, Dr. Andrews.”
    He chuckled. “That’s true, I suppose. But I thought I’d convinced you of my identity the other day. I explained the whole story to you. I told you how I came to be with you at the exact moment you needed me.”
    For the last forty-some