Meet Laurel Marceau, a 45-year-old French Canadian woman living in the City of Gatineau, Quebec. Her husband, police officer Luther Marceau died a few months ago, taking his own life after being found guilty of corruption. The couple's only son Arthur Marceau lives in the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, with his partner Jackson Spicer.
Arthur Marceau checks up on his mother Laurel Marceau from time to time, but has his own life to live. He's a graduate student at the University of British Columbia, and he and his partner Jackson Spicer run their own art gallery. Laurel Marceau understands that her son Arthur has to do his own thing. The lady is lonely, to say the least, and the poor lady doesn't know what to do with herself. Why has the world left her behind?
Laurel Marceau has always been a strong Christian woman. In times of hardship, she turns to her faith. It's gotten her through a lot of struggles. The First Light Church, or Eglise De La Premiere Lumiere, was founded by Jean-Paul Telemaque, a tough-talking Adventist minister originally from the island of Haiti. He knew exactly what the people of Gatineau, Quebec, desperately needed in their lives.
Pastor Telemaque came to the City of Gatineau, Quebec, with his wife Jessica Antoine and their family, and decided that he would minister to the people of this impoverished, starkly divided town on the Quebec/Ontario border. He didn't see color, he only saw souls in need. Gordon Pierre, a recent graduate of the MBA program at the University of Montreal, is his Deacon and first disciple...
"You've been through a lot," Gordon Pierre said, looking at Laurel. The two of them sat in Laurel's living room. Gordon, a Deacon at the predominantly Black organization known as the First Light Church, is doing outreach work. Part of that is helping members of the rapidly growing congregation who are going through a tough time, like Laurel here...
"My husband is gone, people are looking at me weird because of his misdeeds, and I'm broke and alone," Laurel said, shaking her head. At the age of 45, Laurel still looked good. Standing five feet ten inches tall, with long dark hair, alabaster skin and lively blue eyes, Laurel had often been told how much she resembled the actress Sigourney Weaver, during her Alien days.
"Laurel, I just want you to know that I'm here for you," Gordon said softly. Laurel looked at him, this tall, handsome and well-dressed young Black man, originally from the island of Haiti. Laurel smiled, remembering her ex-boyfriend Trevor Darnell, a Black man from Detroit, Michigan, whom she met while studying at the University of Windsor. Good times, Laurel thought, remembering Trevor's passion.
"Thank you, Gordon, you're a good man," Laurel said, and she began to sob. Gordon, ever the gentleman, rose from his seat and gave the lady a hug. Laurel hugged Gordon tightly, and didn't want to let go. It had been so long since she felt the touch of another human being. Gordon was so tall and strong, and handsome. Of course, a guy like that had to have a girlfriend...or three.
"You're welcome, Laurel," Gordon replied. He hugged Laurel, trying to do the human thing. Laurel is a human being, first and foremost, and also a widow and a woman in mourning. Gordon remembered his hometown of Quartier Morin, Republic of Haiti, where everyone knew everyone. The folks weren't rich but they had enough, and they were friendly, open and compassionate. In comparison, Canadians were so damn formal and cold to one another...
