The Reverend nodded yes. “I tell you what, Ernie, you prepare a sermon for next week and we will test the waters, sort to speak – see how the congregation reacts.” Josiah gasped.

“All right Dad, sure. But I think you should talk to a Doc Murphy about these spells, maybe it’s something that a simple medication can help relieve.” Ernest said swallowing dryly.

“No need to call Doctor Murphy. Just get me some water, if I take a couple aspirin it will pass.”

Ernest went to the kitchen to get a glass of water; he could hear his mom and Ginger talking in one of the bedrooms. He heard his mom ask, “What baby names are you considering?” Ginger began, “If a little girl, Ann, Amy, Linda, Kate, Marie…” Ernest left the kitchen hurrying back to the office.

Opening the door to the office, Ernest found his dad collapsed over the desk. His face was chalky with a bluish tinge to it. Ernest noticed his dad was scarcely breathing and he didn’t move when Ernest came into the room. “Dad?” Ernest called softly. When his Dad failed to respond he yelled, “Mom! Ginger! Come quick, something’s wrong with Dad.” His mom came running into the room with Ginger following at a pace as fast as her pregnant condition would allow.

“Josiah!” Alice said, placing her hands on his back. “Dear, can you hear me?” She said her voice shrill with horror.

“I’ll call Doc Murphy” Ernest said reaching for the phone on the desk. Within minutes Doc Murphy arrived and ushered everyone out of the room except for Ernest.

After several minutes of examining Josiah, Doc Murphy looked up shaking his head. “I’m sorry Ernest, he’s gone…nothing I could do for him, his heart stopped.”

Ernest sank into the chair dropping his face into his hands, began to weep.

“I’ll tell your mom and wife,” Doc Murphy said quiet.

Ernest looked up, “Wait Doc, I should be there when you tell them…mom will probably take it hard. Ginny might, I wouldn’t want her to loose the baby.”

Ernest was right his mother sank onto the sofa her eyes transfixed with shock and grief. Moments later she collapsed into sobs. Ginger tried to comfort her, while trying to control tears that stubbornly persisted in streaking down her ivory cheeks.