Presley McKnight is increasingly making out with Tanner Lockhart in his bed in the Victorian house that is the rectory of First Street Methodist Church, where he serves as associate pastor. The couple had just had sex and were now post-coital.

 

"I don't want to leave," Tanner says breathlessly.

 

"Yeah, me neither," Presley says while he strokes Tanner's hair.

 

"Darn genetics,"

 

"Huh?"

 

"No, it's the class; I have to be in about forty minutes," she clarifies.

 

Currently, Tanner is a senior at Sampson University, where, after graduation this spring, she plans to attend school for veterinary medicine because of her love of animals, especially horses.

 

"I gotta get out of here in a little while too."

​

Presley is covering a premarital counseling session since Reverend McIntyre is out of town visiting with a former parisohner who is ill.

 

Tanner gets out of bed and starts gathering her things together, relieved they have time alone since they went away on New Year's at the mountain lodge, until they ran into Tommy and Jordan, who were also there. And obviously, Tommy still has feelings for her, while Jordan tries to now show her insecurity over it.

 

Unexpectedly, the door opens as Thora McKnight carries a laundry basket of neatly folded clothing.

 

Finally, with their shrieks, she sees that she has inserted her son and his girlfriend, as the bed is unmade, and a barely dressed Tanner.

 

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry. I did not know," the older woman states apologetically.

 

An undressed Presley uses the comforter to hide his body.

 

"I thought that door was locked."

 

"I'm just going to leave it here," Thora says, gesturing to the basket.

 

Tanner, who is now wearing a blue long-sleeve polo shirt and jeans puts on her coat. 

 

"I'll call you later, Presley."

 

She grabs her backpack off the chair in the corner and immediately heads out of the room. "Bye, Mrs. McKnight."

 

"Drive safe," Thora says meekly.

 

As the sounds of footsteps descend the staircase, Presley manages to put on his black boxers, though no amount of hiding his body can take away the embarrassment of this moment.

 

Thora places the basket on the bench at the end of the bed.

 

"Presley," she says seriously,

 

"Mom, I know I devote my life to God, but I'm still human, and I still also have needs."

 

Thora puts her hand up to deflect the conversation.

 

"All I was going to say is sorry for not respecting your privacy."

 

The response makes Presley loosen up as he inches closer to her.

 

"This is your house as much as mine; don't ever feel like you have to feel like a guest in it."

 

He invited his mother to move in after she decided to end her marriage to his father.

 

"But I guess next time knocking is the best policy?" Thora fills in.

 

Presley lifts his finger to indicate that she is correct.

 

Thora looks around the somewhat unkempt room.

 

"Maybe I need to find something else to do when I'm not working at the cafe."

 

The reverend goes to the closet, where he grabs the outfit, he's going to wear.

 

"We could always use more volunteers at the church if you're interested."

 

"That might cut into my time for finding a man, but I'm sure I can spare a few hours here and there," she teases.

 

Presley lifts his head to get a better understanding of what his mother said.

 

"I didn't know you wanted to get back out there."

 

Thora uneasily maneuvers her body while letting out a deep sigh. "Well, I'm in no rush to hit up Tinder, but I do miss what comes with being in a relationship—well, the good parts anyway."

 

Last year, Thora would've never imagined being open to meeting someone else, but perhaps with more time, she would be, as she had been moving on with her life without Ernest, which isn't simple since she had been with him all her adult life.

 

"You didn't hear it from me, but I hear they're a few single men at church." Presley winks

 

"I don't know about that," she says modestly. "But I will let you get ready." She moves toward the door and stops. 

 

"Presley,"

 

"Yes?"

 

"We don't have to mention what I walked in on," she says.

 

"What did you walk in on?" Presley asks her, clearly wanting to do the same.

 

Thora cracks a grin as she steps out of the room.