Preacher Dom

by Lucian Bane

  She put the Bible on her lap and opened it, smiling as she again pushed that errant strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m ready to do this. You tell me what to read.”

  The scripture of Jesus and the prostitute came to his mind. “Look up John chapter 8. You can find the names of the books at the front, table of contents.”

  “Got it,” she said, eagerly flipping the pages and scanning with her finger. She turned and when she found it, she glanced at him. “Don’t watch me.”

  “Why?” Daniel couldn’t keep from asking, mostly because he desperately wanted to. “Never mind,” he said, turning his head to look out his window.

  “Fine, you can watch,” she said, with great distress.

  “No, no, I won’t watch. Not this time. But next time. If you want.”

  “Okay, deal,” she said, relieved. “Chapter 8. Starts with…” She took a deep breath. “I just realized I haven’t read anything out loud since… maybe grade school,” she cried. “Let me read it to myself.”

  “Please, no!” Daniel said. “You didn’t forget how to read, just take your time.”

  “Uuuuuugh. Okay, here it goes:

  1 …Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

  2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.5 In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

  But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.”

  “Oh wow,” Nineveh said. “Great answer!”

  9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

  11 “No one, sir,” she said.

  “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

  Daniel waited with his eyes closed, sure the sound of her sweet voice reading the Word could hypnotize him. At hearing sniffling, he turned, finding her wiping her eyes. He watched her, not wanting to disturb the beautiful moment she was having, only waiting to hear about it.

  “I like Jesus,” she whispered, making Daniel smile again. “He reminds me of you,” she added.

  “Well, He is the one I try to emulate.”

  She looked at him and the glow of her blue eyes stole his breath. “You’re very good at it,” she assured with little nods and stuttered breaths. “I wonder who I’m supposed to emulate,” she asked, in childlike hunger.

  “The same man.”

  She immediately looked worried. “But… I’m not a man. What about the woman things? Who do I follow for that?” she asked in all sincerity.

  “Well, there’s this saying you may have heard. What would Jesus do?”

  She shook her head after thinking. “No. Never heard of it.”

  “It just means if Jesus were in your shoes, what do you think he would do.”

  “How would he ever be in my shoes?” she wondered, confused.

  Daniel had to chuckle. “It’s more just the principal thing. What principal would Jesus use if he were a woman in your shoes? Who Jesus is, surpasses gender.”

  She contemplated that, nodding. “I get it. Right. Duh,” she said with a light laugh. “Where do I read more about Jesus?”

  “The first four books of the New Testament is called the Gospels.”

  “The Gospels,” she repeated.

  “The life of Jesus as told by four different disciples who followed him.”

  “Wow,” she said, holding the Bible to her chest again.

  “You can have it,” Daniel said, deciding he wanted her to have it.

  “Have what?” she wondered, confused.

  “My Bible.”

  She looked down at it and back at him, confused. “I can’t… you can’t just give your Bible to others, can you?” she whispered.

  At seeing she had some misconception in her mind, he resisted a smile. “Why couldn’t I?”

  She put the Bible in her lap, staring at it. “Because it’s… yours and it’s God’s word. I don’t think you should give it away,” she said, looking at him more convinced than ever.

  He had to look away from her, shaking his head at the ridiculous way she affected him. “I want you to have it. It’s mine to give.”

  “But… why, Daniel?”

  He let his laugh go and looked at her. “I’m not forsaking God, Nineveh. I’m sharing Him with somebody that I care about.”

  The look of disgust on her face made him laugh more. “What now!?”

  “I’m sure God wouldn’t approve, Daniel. And I mean I know that there are a hundred Bibles in the world, but this one is yours. I can tell you’ve used it a lot too,” she opened it and proved it by flipping the worn pages. “This is like a soul diary, this has all your prayers and all your struggles and journey with God, you don’t just give it to a stranger. And don’t say we’re not strangers and that we met yesterday or whenever. You know what I mean. I’m not taking it.” She put it down between them. “I’ll get my own Bible. And I’ll mark it all up and wear it out, probably worse than you did because I have so much more to learn. It’ll have my name in it, my address and everything. Why are you laughing at me, what’s wrong with me doing all that? Is that not right?”

  “Oh my God.” Daniel hit the steering wheel in response to what she did to him.

  “What!” she cried, “why are you so pissed?”

  “I’m not fucking pissed,” he said, exasperated.

  “Then what? Can’t I do all that? I mean isn’t that all good for me to do? Start my own journey with God with my own Bible?”

  He grabbed her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it and placed it back in her lap. “It’s perfect,” he assured. “You have my blessing.”

  Daniel started the car, needing to not be confined to a space while she did shit that drove him crazy to have things he wasn’t supposed to with her.

  “What did you do that for?” she finally asked when they got on the road.

  “I was… blessing you,” he said, leaving off that he was also indulging in one small taste of what some fortunate dude would have with her one day. Already, he knew he’d never forget the feel of her skin on his lips and the hunger to tear into her entirely.

  “You kiss people when you bless them?” she wondered, sounding offended.

  “You don’t have to,” he said.

  “Then why did you?”

  “Because I wanted to bless you.”

  “But why like that? Why not say God bless you, Nineveh? Why put your lips on my hand?”

  Wow, she was pissed. “I’m sorry,” he said, ready to repent. “I’ll never use that method ever again.”

  “Well, good,” she said. “Pretty sure God wouldn’t be cool with it. I’m not playing around with this Daniel, I’m serious about God and… Jesus. If He’s going to be my Dom and I’m going to be His sub, that means you have no business putting your lips on any part of me.”

  Daniel was flabbergasted at this news. “So you’re seriously making Him your Dom?”

  She looked at him with that determined, pure gaze. “I don’t see why not? You said that’s what He is. We submit to God, I’m His sub, is there a problem, is it the terms you’re tripping on? Do you want me to call it something else? It’s not like it’s sexual Daniel,” she said in disgust, as though he were thinking that.

  “Can I get a word in?” he asked, glancing at her.

  “Fine, what?”
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  Having the floor so suddenly left Daniel floundering to gather his thoughts that she’d scattered to kingdom come. “I just, I’m not used to seeing people make such a turnaround in their life. Usually it’s a slow process. Gradual and ongoing.”

  “Well, I’m not perfect,” she accused. “I’m just making plans, is that so bad? Are you saying I’m moving too fast?”

  “No, I said I’m not used to seeing it.”

  “Okay, fine, but is it bad to move too fast? You’re the teacher, I’m just asking. You know a lot and I respect you and trust you and expect you to straighten me out if you see me going… awry. Or is it astray?”

  “You’re not going astray or too fast, Nineveh. There is no set speed to go, I’m just telling you,” he reiterated carefully, “that I’m not used to seeing such progress at this speed. You don’t need to feel like you’re doing wrong just because I’ve never seen something done, I’m not a God guru.”

  “You’re not?” He glanced at her and found her grinning at him. “Kidding, I know you’re not.” She giggled at him then shook her finger. “I think I know what your problem is.”

  “Oh, please, do tell me,”

  “You’re a little afraid I’ll get my own Bible and wear it out more than yours and learn more than you and then you’ll have to come to me for answers.”

  Daniel couldn’t hold back his laughter. “You think you can win God over that quick, huh?”

  She raised her brows and tucked her chin. “You’re looking at Class 5 stalker material. God I got your #. I know where you live Jesus.”

  The I know where you live Jesus had him rolling. “You’re wrong,” he finally managed, turning down the road to his house.

  “About what?”

  “About how I feel with you and The Man. I’m not jealous at all.”

  “Well, that’s interesting to hear, Daniel, but I never said you were jealous. Oh hold on, I’m getting a direct feed from The Man.” She cupped her hand at her heart, implying that’s where he was speaking. “Uh huh.” She nodded, widening her eyes and looking at him. “You don’t say. He actually is jealous?”

  Daniel pulled onto his Gramma’s street, beginning to wonder if she were actually hearing the truth because, he was very much jealous if he was honest, and he was very honest.

  “You have company?”

  Daniel’s heart sped up at seeing the brand new looking white Toyota in the drive way. “You know anybody that drives that?” he asked, pulling up behind them, suddenly worried. “Stay in the car. Keep the doors locked.”

  Chapter Nine

  Sudden fear rode the soaring joy that had filled Nineveh seconds before they pulled up. She had never felt so… free. And happy. She had Daniel to thank for that. Maybe she was going too fast. But at least she no longer had the sick obsession for him. God had helped her with that ever since she’d made her vow with the Daniel fast.

  The door to the house opened and Daniel walked to the car, eyeing her. He came on her side and opened the door. “Who is it?” she asked.

  “An old friend,” he said. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

  Her joy returned and she got out the car. “We can get the stuff later? Do I look okay to meet your Gramma?” she whispered.

  “You look fine,” he said.

  His cool tone found its mark, and she forced the pain back. Maybe he didn’t like the friend visiting.

  At entering the house, his grandmother met them first. “Ohhhh, is this the infamous Nineveh?”

  Nineveh couldn’t stop a rush of emotion when the woman embraced her like real family. “Nice to meet you Ms. G.”

  The woman pulled back with a stern look. “Not Ms. G, Gramma G for you, young lady.” She ended with a mischievous smile, her blue eyes twinkling in a way that restored Nineveh’s giddy joy.

  Nineveh realized Daniel wasn’t there and before she could ask, his Gramma whispered, “One of the women he spent seven years for in prison for is here to see him.” She ended with a happy look and nod at Nineveh. “Let’s go say hello.”

  Nineveh’s stomach tied in knots at the news. Was this why Daniel was acting different? But why?

  They entered the living room and Nineveh nearly lost the strength in her legs at seeing the woman in Daniel’s embrace. Oh God were they… Her mind raced with details, trying to remember exactly what he’d said about a girlfriend. Before she could remember specifics, he turned and stepped away from the woman, his gaze never finding hers.

  God, help me. Please give me strength.

  “Hello,” the woman greeted, scattering Nineveh’s courage. Her beauty was breathtaking. The royal teal colored dress looking suit screamed some kind of Egyptian royalty.

  Nineveh hurried to her, trying to shake the hired-help cringe that bit her limbs. How did she even greet somebody of such lavish stature? Last second instinct rescued her and she reached her hand out for a shake. “Hi,” Nineveh said, keeping it simple. Less felt best. Safest.

  “This is Shahelle,” Daniel introduced.

  “Nice to meet you Shahelle. That’s a beautiful name.”

  “And this is Nineveh,” Daniel said to the woman.

  Sickness twisted Nineveh’s stomach with his lack of specifics as the woman’s gaze slid over Nineveh’s dress.

  She smiled and spoke in another language to Daniel, and lo and behold, he answered her back in the same tongue.

  Nineveh wanted to find a hole to hide in as she looked around the room, pretending like they weren’t talking about her right in front of her.

  “I am very sorry,” the woman said in careful English. “I am tell Daniel that you are beautiful for girlfriend?”

  A light laugh escaped Nineveh, unsure of how to respond to that. She fought not to look at Daniel, wondering what he’d said back to her remark. It seemed like a lot. Heat crept up her neck as she imagined worst possible scenarios. Like where they’d met and what kind of life she’d been living due to her stupidity.

  “How are your sisters?” Daniel asked. “Are they in America with you?”

  “Yes! We come here together. They are happy to come and see you but must work. I say to them… I will find you and ask if you can please to… meet them?”

  “Of course,” Daniel said. “I’d love to meet them.”

  Nineveh studied the interior, trying to appear uninterested in his cryptic conversation with the middle-eastern goddess.

  “Tea is served,” his Gramma announced, entering with a tray nearly half her size.

  Nineveh hurried to help, worried she’d trip. “What can I do?” Nineveh asked, not wanting to upset the balance she had going.

  “You can sit your gorgeous self down, young lady. I have it,” she scolded with a coo.

  You will not look at Daniel, you will not look at Daniel.

  Nineveh searched for a spot to plant herself until the persecution was over. She soon found that it was one thing to not look but another to not hear everything Daniel and the woman said.

  And when Daniel spoke in her native tongue, Nineveh couldn’t help but be pissed. How fucking rude to speak in another language he knew she didn’t understand. As hard as she tried to assume the best, the only reason she could think for him to do that was to talk about things he didn’t want her hearing.

  Gramma started chatting to Nineveh as she poured their tea. She fought to hear around the buzzing voices of Daniel and the woman. She needed some air. “Gramma, where’s the bathroom?” she asked as quietly as she could.

  Gramma straightened, smoothing her hands over her gray apron with the white ruffles. “Let me show you, dear,” she cooed, taking hold of her arm and walking with her toward the arched opening leading to the hall.

  Nineveh’s need for air increased with every step she took away from Daniel. When they reached the bathroom down the hall, it took everything she had to listen to Gramma’s gentle and thorough introductions to her home and all its history. “It’s all so lovely, such a beautiful home,” Nineveh managed, just before steppin
g into the bathroom.

  “We’ll see you for tea,” Gramma said. “I have so many questions,” she added, making Nineveh want to vomit. In the silence of the small bathroom, Nineveh hurried to the sink and turned the cold spicket on. There was a mirror over the sink but she couldn’t bring herself to look in it. Not yet.

  She cupped her hands and filled it up with cold water as she leaned and splashed her face several times. She remained lowered with her forearms on the sink, sucking in air and praying for strength. Why was she such a mess? She had no idea who that woman was, but why assume the worst?

  Why not assume the worst? Why should you assume anything but?

  She lifted up and met herself in the mirror, finally. But she wasn’t seeing the face there, she was seeing Daniel. She closed her eyes, pressing her fingers into the side of the cool porcelain sink.

  He isn’t yours. You have no ties to him. Remember your fast. No Daniel. Remember why. To protect him.

  Her chest constricted in sudden, violent protest, making her breaths come faster, harder. She met herself in the mirror again, this time glaring. “You can like it or not. But you will do what it takes. You will do the right thing,” she gasped, blinking away the tears. “Cry all you want but you will do it.” She wiped the tears streaming and turned the water on again, splashing her face repeatedly.

  She couldn’t go out looking defeated. Looking like an emotional cripple. God was her Dom now.

  God is my Dom now. God is my Dom now. I am His sub. He protects me. I don’t need a man, I have God.

  Drying her face, she took a deep breath and let it out…—slow—steady.

  She exited the bathroom and peered down the hall, listening. The sound of voices reached her and she closed her eyes, bracing for the impact they might have. She stood for several seconds, waiting. But only silence and stillness filled her. A strange numb. Like being there but far away.

  She began to walk back to the living room and her eyes landed on the front door, straight ahead of her. She could leave. She looked toward the opening of the living room several feet ahead. If she passed it, they would see her. Or maybe they wouldn’t.

  Nineveh walked toward the front door. She didn’t hurry, she wouldn’t. If God wanted her to be seen, she would be. If not, she wouldn’t.