Ray hung up the phone. The burden that had been lifted by coming clean with Br’er now seemed to settle around him again. The call had come from the Hurleys—another invitation to dinner and cards. He had politely refused on two previous occasions, having made arrangements to meet with Br’er. This time when he tried to back out, Mary Hurley had asked if he had something going on that he was keeping a secret. Although she had asked in a teasing sort of way, it had nevertheless shaken Ray. He could well imagine her gossiping about her suspicions with the women of her bridge club or Bible study. So, in his panic, he’d agreed to the invitation. Now he’d have to call Br’er and cancel their plans.
The disappointment of not being able to see Br’er this week, was coupled with the thought that his f
