Maryann also noted that the wives were not being washed. She mentioned to Anne quietly: “This is only a demonstration of what Jesus did to His disciples. They were all men.”
They finished washing the feet of the table leaders, then the Head
Rosita invited the table leaders to wash their wives feet. Anne thought, ah-ha, who better to wash the wives feet..
One could feel the love that the table leaders had for their wives. Mike waited expectantly as Rose removed her sneakers and the little blue socks with the red tassels. Then he washed Rose’s feet.
Anne thought, Mike is enjoying this. He is spending such a long time on Rose's right foot. He has to do the other one, yet. I
suppose he will take even longer on that one. I would enjoy it if Kenny washed my feet. I hope the plan includes Kenny washing my feet.
Mike continued to wash Rose's right foot. He knew once he dried the left foot, his foot washing of his wife's feet would end. Mike wasn't the only table leader taking his time washing his wife's feet. Each table leader seemed to enjoy touching and caressing his wife.
Anne watched intently, thinking, wishing.
Carolle smiled, and said to Rod quietly as she squeezed his hand: "Now, there is love. 'Love one another, as I have loved you.'
Jesus certainly loved me. Dying on the cross. A wonderful husband, two beautiful children. Mom and Dad's health."
The table leaders began moving.
The table leaders had finished washing their wives' feet, but the cooks brought new bowls and towels to the rear of the Rollo room . . . to the forty-eight chairs in rows of two, each twenty-four chairs.
Each table leader led his own group of six, he directed them to sit as couples, boy-girl-boy, on the chairs between two candles – two feet high and three inches in diameter.
Rod's feet were the first to be washed by Mike. Rose stood behind Mike caressing his shoulders. Reluctantly, almost hesitating Rod removed his sandals – no socks, and placed his right foot in the bowl. Rose continued to caress Mike's shoulders and neck.
Carolle sat in the seat next to Rod.
Edward said to himself: "Not me! Mike isn't going to wash my feet. But, then, he caught himself; didn't Peter say the same thing
to the Lord?
“And if he remembered what Pastor Ernie said, 'Then I'll have no part of you.' I'm sorry, Lord. If Mike wants to wash my feet, I'll let him.” He squeezed Maryann' s hand.
Mike carefully dried Rod's right foot and then, he lovingly placed Rod's left foot in the bowl. Washed it. Dried it. Rose continued to stand behind and caress Mike's shoulders.
Rod commented: "That felt good. He was so gentle. Me and my big feet."
Mike skipped Carolle and placed KB's right foot lovingly in the bowl. Edward was sitting next to Anne, and she could see all the love Mike expressed to KB. Edward knew he was next. His face reflected the stress he felt.
Edward began removing his shoes and socks. He prayed to himself, Lord, you know I wouldn't allow a man to touch my feet. In fact, no man has ever touched me, except in a handshake or those churchy hugs that I endure on occasion.
Let me not say anything or jump out of my skin. I don't want to protest like Peter. Help me Lord, Jesus.
Mike finished washing KB's feet, and moved his knees in a sliding motion past Anne in front of Edward. Edward had prepared. His shoes and their socks placed side-by-side under the chair. He steeled himself.
Mike slowly reached out to Edward's right foot. All seemed okay to Edward as Mike placed his right foot in the bowl.
Edward prayed for the second time, thank you, Jesus.
Mike finished drying Edward's left foot. Stood upright and said, "The most important people here tonight are our wives. I know that each of you men would enjoy loving your wives this way.
“You may wash the feet of your wives, now. The cooks will help you. A fresh bowl of water and towel will be provided . . .”
KB's hand shot up like a rocket leaving the launch pad. Anne noticed Kenny's hand. The rest of the husbands followed KB, except Rod, who reluctantly said so no one could hear: “I better raise my hand also.” He did.
All the men's hands went up following KB. All twenty-four of the men wanted to to love their wives raised their hands. Some were so eager that when the table leaders said, 'Now, you may . . .' it was like at their wedding, when their vows had been said, and the rings exchanged, and the officiant said it was okay to kiss the bride. They moved right in. The wives prepared to be loved as never before. Many removed their shoes and socks.
Some of the men demonstrated more love than others. A few may have felt freer than others with this procedure. Others jumped right in knowing their wives would not react to the cool water or this new experience.
Some were more hesitant. All finally finished washing their wives' feet. The wives finished pulling on their socks and tying their shoes.
Carolle told Rod: “That was special: you washing my feet. Like when I asked Jesus into my heart. I remember one Sunday we had gone to church, and Pastor Ernie's sermon about the blind man spoke to my heart. His words hung around my neck like a necklace . . . or maybe a millstone.
“I closed the door to the spare bedroom and knelt in the middle of
the floor. Pastor Ernie said I could ask Jesus into my heart, and take over my life. 'Easy,' he said. 'Come to Jesus as a sinner, and let Him know that He suffered and died for you personally, forgiving you, and you will be right with God.'
“I had sinned . . . boy, had I . . . I followed Pastor Ernie's directions, and asked Jesus to forgive me, and come into my heart, and run my life. Nothing happened, but I felt forgiven and clean all over. It was so special, just like now. I feel wonderful.”
All sat down as directed by the Head Rosita, and he read from the Gospel of John exactly what Jesus did for the disciples on that special night.
The Head Rosita then said: "Would you follow me." Each couple wondered what would follow next.
IT HAD started to rain again. Big drops fell; they would get wet going outdoors. The cooks and table leaders directed all the couples to run through the rain, and assemble in the Dining Room.
THE DINING ROOM had been prepared. Only a few tables remained. All the chairs and the rest of the tables had been stacked against the long back wall opposite the entrance.
Each table in the main area was lit by two candles held in a red spheres and contained plastic glasses and a bottle of red liquid in clear glass bottles.
The Dining Room glowed with the burning candles. The Head Rosita continued: "We invite you to an Agape Feast, where you will find wine and glasses to sip the wine and become closer even to your spouse.
“You can also wander around and hug the cooks and all the folks from our church. Not in the same way as your spouse, of course. The early Christians would share wine as a symbol of God's love and their love for each other by interlacing arms and sipping a little wine together."
He demonstrated by interlacing arms with the Head Cook, sipping some wine, and hugging him. "We have grape juice for those
who want to abstain from alcohol."
Edward joined Maryann, they kissed, hugged, then, with some practice, interlaced arms, sipped together, and kissed again. Other people at the tables were kissing, hugging and sipping.
Mike and Rose, KB and Anne and Rod and Carolle were participating in all the love permeating the room. Rod continued kissing Carolle – in such a sensual way, that one of the cooks firmly and nicely said, "Whoa, there fella. This is a Agape Feast, not a make-out session."
"Sorry," Rod apologized.
Anne thought, Kenny must love me. He was so gentle with my feet. I wish we didn't have to go to separate beds tonight.
Maryann said to Edward: "Oh boy, that felt so good. Washing my feet couldn't have been easy. You're not used to such things, and I haven't showered in two days.
“If only Sarah, your sister, could see you. She would ha
ve a good laugh at you washing my feet. Washing your spouse's feet doesn't go with 'Keeping a stiff upper lip . . . hey, governor.'"
Anne joined Kenny. She wrapped her arms around him and thought, I'll miss you tonight, but we can't start a family . . . so, I guess I won't really. Anne said to KB, “Go, meet some people
from church.”
"I THOUGHT I knew you," KB said, and then he continued, "Jim
. . . Jim, I would have known you anywhere. Are you having a good time?"
"I have never been closer to Ellen. The church planned a great retreat."
"I know what you mean. I've never been closer to my wife also. The table talk was okay, but the foot washing did me in," KB said.
"I know, me too."
They interlaced arms and drank to the Lord. Then, they hugged and went on to find somebody they thought they knew. Many new friendships were formed that night. Love dominated.
KB looked for the cook who was so nice at breakfast. Instead, he ran into someone another cook. Thinking he had found the correct cook, KB started the conversation: "Thank you. You were so nice at breakfast. I just wanted to thank you."
"Thank you. I must have done something right. You are the eighth person tonight who thanked me for breakfast or lunch."
"What's you name?" "Susanne, what's yours?" "KB"
"Shall we?" They interlaced arms and sipped the wine. Susanne pulled away, and they didn't hug. KB proceeded to know more:
"What service do you go to?" "Nine."
"Me too."
MARYANN TALKED to Anne: "I'm so sorry about Friday night. I know they said, 'No talking,' but at least I should have said something. Maybe you didn't hear the Head Rosita. I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
"It was nothing. You're forgiven. I think that's what we are to say. I heard him alright, but really we are girls. To shut us up, borders on criminal."
EDWARD FOUND Rod: "You know, you're okay in my book. At first I got turned off by your shaved head, but I wear a wig. It's the same thing. Let's drink."
"Okay"
They interlaced arms and drank. Rod tried to hug Edward. Edward said, “If anyone asks, let's say we did."
"Okay," Rod agreed.
After hugging the whole church, the wine was taking it's toll on some of the folks. Everyone was getting a little tipsy. Most felt prime, but a few had crossed the line, and a cook would escort them to the outside deck.
Where they had an opportunity to breath in some fresh air and rain, then they could return to the Dining Room and find their wives, or sleep it off, walking in the rain back to the dorm.
Edward said to Maryann hesitatingly: "I love you so.” Edward continued “I thought about inviting you into the woods, but its raining, and I'm so tired, I think I'll just go to the dorm.”
"OK, I understand. We'll see each other in the morning. I'm a little tired too. Lets go back to the dorms."
"I don't know if I'll have the energy to wait in line for the basin. I may just brush my teeth in the morning." said a weary Edward. They kissed, and said, "Good night." Then, they walked back to the dorms around the magnolia trees.
CAROLLE WALKED HAND in hand with Rod into the woods. She spoke lovingly to Rod: "You washed my feet, and I tingled all over. I love you." And she prayed to herself, thank you, Jesus.
She said to Rod: "You know they may close the dorms, and it's raining; we may have to stay out all night." The warm evening rain, and the aroma of the magnolias enveloped them.
ANNE LINGERED with KB where the paths split. She said, "I'll best be going. Love you."
"Me too. I'll see you in the morning," Kenny said reluctantly.
--13 --
ANNE LEFT KENNY, AND TURNED to jog through the rain to the women's dorm. She entered, and saw April sitting on her bed. She remembered April, and she confirmed her name from the round, plywood circle above her bed.
She always looked the same, wearing blue jeans and yellow and red striped top. April, a little younger than Maryann, had a few gray hairs peeking through her blond head.
Anne went right over to her and asked, it sounded like more of a bellyache: "Do I have to submit to KB? I love him and all that, but do I have to submit to him?"
A little startled by the question and demanding that she answer it. April said something she thought would slow Anne down and at the same time cause her repeat her question. "Huh?" April said.
"Am I suppose to submit to KB?" Anne said it so loudly that
other ladies heard the question and came to April's bed wanting to hear her answer.
"That's what I want to know." Anne repeated.
One of the ladies running to April's bed, knew Anne: "Oh, I know you, you're a table mate of mine. We met last night." said Maryann.
"What do you think of what Mike said?" Anne wanted to know. "You're from Oregon, “ Maryann continued, “I had some friends
in Oregon. Beth Hansen, perhaps you know her.
“We were such gadabouts. I remember the time we went to a football game dressed alike. The guys couldn't believe it. We met at Dickey's, the dress shop. Dickey's . . . between the ice cream parlor and the dime store.
“Both of us liked the same outfit, but we could wear a different belt and scarf to mix it up and not look exactly alike. Instead, since we were going to the game together, we bought the same
outfits and accessories, and didn't change anything. The guys looked twice. Our double date was a hoot."
"I didn't know Beth, but I also had a gadabout named Louise
Sweat. Did you ever meet her?"
"No, I didn't meet her," Maryann said.
"Were you a virgin in High School? I wasn't." revealed Anne, "I mean . . . was Edward the first?" Maryann recoiled. Then, answered.
"Let me just say Edward wasn't the first boy I knew. There were many others before Edward.
“You remember Louise? Louise and I were gadabouts, we didn't dress alike, but she could drink a gallon of beer without batting an eye. She had to go to the little girls room all the time, because
she drank so much beer.
“She became tipsy one night . . . and a boy had to take her home. I don't know what happened, but she never got there. She wasn't pregnant or anything. Well . . . I did ask her, but she said I wasn't to tell. So, I won't," Maryann said.
"I know what you mean. I could tell stories about Beth that would make your hair stand on end, but I won't," Maryann said with a wink: "That was a long time ago . . . fifteen years?"
"More like twenty."
"So . . . ? I 'm ready to have my hair stand on end." Anne forgot about her question, but not KB.
"Let's get together and swap stories."
"Okay," Anne agreed with Maryann that swapping stories about their time as gadabouts would be fun.
April became fascinated with what she overheard. She asked
Maryann: "So, you weren't a virgin when you got married?" No reply. Maryann didn't want to open this long, gone subject.
Then April answered Anne's question, but Anne had left: "Yes, we have to submit to our husbands. That's what the Bible says."
"Yeah," all those gathered agreed, hesitatingly, “let's look in the
Bible. Who has one?"
"I do . . . I'll get it." Jodie offered with a shrug of her shoulders. Jodie left to get her Bible. She stood tall and lean, about thirty with a small scar on her left arm. The rest were interested in April's friend, Jodie. They asked April questions while Jodie went to get her Bible.
How did they know each other? Were they good friends? Jodie sported short red hair, younger than April. Jodie stood about the same height as April: just under six feet Her thin body weighed just under a hundred pounds. They had gone to the same school.
Jodie returned as quickly as she had left. "Here it is. I got it at the thrift store. I didn't think they would have Bibles. They have everything. I was so surprised."
April added: "I know . . . I got a c
ouple of pairs of shorts for the kids. Only a few dollars compared to the department store. They will out grow them by next year. Besides, they're not for good times, nobody will notice.
"There is a thrift store next to where we buy gas. I always look in there before going to the expensive dress shop. Once I found a cute nightie, and told my husband it cost oodles of money, but he was worth it.
“I only wear it when we are going to make love, and after he sees me in the black nightie, he knows this is the night, he takes it off faster than it takes me to put it on, and it spends the rest of the night hanging over the chair. Not a bad investment.
"I wanted to wear it awhile. It's a bit risque. You know, parade around . . . show it off. He couldn't get it off me fast enough. I use to think he was too tired. He would say that, 'He had a bad day'.
“Then, I thought about it a little. He did all the work; I just lay there. He had plenty of energy for a bad day, and now I found that when he has had a bad day, that's the best time we have."