Nonfather Fletcher stood at a little over six feet tall, a thin gaunt man with masses of wild red hair. He ushered in before him, his only son Bobby.

Bobby took after his father, but had the good sense to keep his hair cut short and neatly combed. Both were dressed in the black Macs of the Nonchurch and sported their Atheist bands clearly on their right arms.

“I thought you were never going to answer and then I noticed the open window,” Nonfather Fletcher said, “whatever were the pair of you thinking?” He crossed over to the open window and without asking shut it tight. “I don’t mean to be rude. But you never know, a Night Time flyer might have one bomb left to give, and your light might just be the beacon he’s looking for.”

“Of course Nonfather, I don’t know what came over me.” Ashanti looked embarrassed, “This is the first time I’ve opened it in months.”

“Well its okay now, just a good thing I was coming to see you.” Nonfather Fletcher’s eyes roamed the room constantly as he talked. “I’m wondering if yourself and Unita here would do myself and the boy a big favour.”

Ashanti nodded, “Anything for the Non church.”

“Could you look after Bobby for a couple of hours?” he asked, holding up his hands in a pleading manner. “If you do, I’ll give you a special mention at the gathering on Sunday.”

Ashanti laughed and put her hands on her hips. “Of course I will, I don’t need no special mention. I would love to look after Bobby here, wouldn’t we Unita?”

Unita wasn’t too sure. She looked at Bobby who licked the top of his lip and winked at her.

“I wouldn’t normally have asked, but I’ve got a report there’s been some damage the next village down,” Nonfather Fletcher continued.

“Nothing serious I hope?” Ashanti asked concerned.

“I’m not sure, some kind of disturbance, but it’s probably the patrons of Jack’s bar kicking out again.” He looked at Unita and smiled sweetly. “Nothing for you to worry about anyway.” He paused and looked at Ashanti. “As I’m here I might as well say the Speeches with you.”

“We would be honoured,” Ashanti said proudly. “Wouldn’t we Unita?”

Unita nodded eagerly, she took the Speeches seriously, and it gave her chance to look at something other than Bobby’s leering face.

Nonfather Fletcher stood in the middle of the room with an expectant look. Unita and Ashanti dutifully lowered their heads.

“We are free,” Nonfather Fletcher began. “We have broken the oppressive chains of religion. No longer will we be slaves to a false god.”

The others repeated the last line, although Unita noticed Bobby barely uttered the words, his hands were dug deep into his black Mac and he looked bored.

Nonfather Fletcher noticed as well.

“There is no supernatural.” Nonfather Fletcher’s voice rose suddenly, not quite a shout, but loud enough to cause Bobby to look up sharply. “There is only the natural.”

They repeated the words, as did Bobby, who had fallen under the watchful eye of the Nonfather.

“No more lies, no more deceptions. Choose our own destiny.” He rose his arms up into the air as he spoke, and a rapturous smile spread across his features. His eyes found each of them in turn, but lingered on Bobby. “We are each responsible for our own actions, and we will concern ourselves with living life, rather than lamenting death.”

Bobby looked away.

After a respectful silence, Nonfather Fletcher dusted his hands together and said, “Well that ought to do it.”

“Thank you,” Ashanti said with a broad smile. “It’s not often we have a Nonfather here in the house.”

Nonfather Fletcher returned the smile. “Perhaps we should see about changing that.”

Ashanti giggled and absently touched the side of her face.

“Anyway I shan’t be long I expect.” He walked back over to the door, but stopped when he got to Bobby. “You behave yourself now boy.” He smiled when he talked, but Unita noticed a hardness to his eyes. “I don’t want to be hearing about any trouble when I get back.” He patted Bobby upon the shoulder and left.

An awkward silence ensured.


***

Ashanti left to make Bobby a drink. Seizing the opportunity he said, “I’ve been thinking about you.”

“Shh, Mamma will hear you.” Unita refused to make eye contact.

Couldn’t he just go away?

“I’ve been thinking about what happened, what you did,” Bobby continued.

“You did as well Bobby,” she struggled to keep her voice level.

“I want to try again,” he cooed.

“I don’t. It repulsed me. You repulse me.”

“Ah Unita don’t be like that, it doesn’t have to be this way.”

“It’s not going to be any way, it was a mistake, nothing more.”

“I’ll tell your Mamma,” Bobby said his voice rising.

Unita’s eyes widened and her lip trembled. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Bobby smiled upon seeing her reaction and leant back in his chair, “Wouldn’t I?” he enquired.

“Wouldn’t what?” Ashanti said coming back into the room.

Before Bobby could open his mouth to speak, Unita jumped in. “Nothing Mamma, Bobby is just teasing me that’s all.”

“Well enough of that young man, save it for your male friends.” She handed Bobby his coffee.

“Thank you,“ he said with a smirk.