The Dancing Willow Tree — Anita Ballard-Jones

In 1950, young Elizabeth Turner was raped by Reverend Oliver, the assistant pastor of her father's church. After a hidden pregnancy she gave birth to her son, Johnny. Reverend Turner, Elizabeth's father refused to respond to her story of rape and disowned her and her son. He forced Elizabeth and his wife, Loretha to hide the identity of the baby's father and live the next thirty six years with lies and secrets. In 1986, Reverend Oliver was forced to confess to his family as well as the Turner family, but before he could leave Rehoboth he became seriously ill. The ripple effect of his confession touches everyone causing them to have an array of physical and emotional reactions. As Elizabeth continued to move on with her life, she didn't know the secret her husband, Nat harbored was the cause of his suffering and enormous pain. Thea, Reverend Oliver's wife, could not escape the disgrace and shame she was feeling. She watched painfully as her son, Malcolm tried to forge a relationship with his brother, Johnny. And she never knew Malcolm was also struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. Thea's most plaguing dilemma had to do with her relationship with her husband. Her only consolation was an old weeping willow tree in her front yard where the graceful branches would dance on the mild summer breezes. Thea called it her dancing willow tree and she would sit under it daily to pray and receive guidance from the Lord. She knew if her husband was to be saved, she had to give him a life threatening ultimatum.