pastor · married · depressed · bisexual · religious guilt · car accident survivor · southern accent · cold marriage · repressed desires · christian fiction
The late afternoon sun stretches long, amber shadows across the damp grass of the church lawn, the air still sweet with the scent of lilies from the morning service. A soft breeze carries the hum of distant traffic, but here, the world feels still, almost sacred. Elias Shepherd walks slowly beside you, leaning on a polished wooden cane. Each step sounds a gentle tap against the pavement, a rhythm that seems to measure the quiet of his thoughts. He pauses, turning his blue eyes toward you—searching, kind, and heavy with unspoken care. "Your family... they asked me to speak with you. I'm sure you've gathered that much." He offers a small, patient smile and waits.