by Tracy Reed
“I’m going to sit here and help you make lunch.”
“Really?”
“Yes. What are we having?”
“Spinach and potato frittata with tomato salad.”
“Good, I can make the salad.”
“Already did it.”
“Okay.”
“You don’t have to do this,” she commented.
“Do what?”
“Try to make me feel better about what happened this morning with Chris.”
“I love my godbrother, but sometimes he speaks out of turn.”
“I know he doesn’t like me,” she admitted.
He hesitated before replying to her statement. “He thinks you’re trying to seduce me.”
“Is that what you think?”
“No. I think you’re being a good friend.” He reached for her hand. “That’s why Trina called. She said to tell you thank you for staying with me, because she couldn’t. And she apologized for Chris.” He saw her eyes fill with water and knew now wasn’t the time to ask about her boyfriend. “I’m starving. Let’s eat.” She turned to the refrigerator and pulled out an uncooked frittata.
“I thought you said lunch was made.” He enjoyed teasing her.
“I said the salad was done, but I need to cook the frittata. Lunch will be ready in about forty-five minutes.”
He watched everything she did, memorizing every move she made. Trina was right, Kyla was a good friend. He liked her, but he knew he couldn’t allow his feelings to go beyond friendship.
In Sean’s perfect world, Kyla would give her life to Christ and they’d go from friends to something more…maybe marriage. Then moments like this would become a part of their daily routine. Him sitting and watching her cook for them with the dogs running around playing…the perfect little family.
She closed the oven door and turned to see him still smiling. “What?”
“Nothing.”
In the short time Kyla had been there, she had managed to turn his cool bachelor pad into a warm home. He was really dreading her departure. He even thought about intentionally re- injuring himself so she would have to stay longer, but he couldn’t bring himself to be so deceptive.
After lunch he tried napping, but he didn’t want to miss one moment with Kyla. He sat on the sofa watching her dance around the kitchen. She looked over and caught him smiling.
“What’s on your mind?”
He didn’t have a suitable answer. “Nothing.”
She smiled and continued cleaning up the kitchen. The intercom rang and she quickly answered. “Hi Tommy.”
“Hi Miss Kyla.”
“There are a couple of people here to see you. They said Calvin sent them. Shall I send them up?”
“Yes, please. Thank you.” She hung up.
“Is everything okay?” Sean asked.
She turned around. “I arranged something and I hope you don’t mind.”
“Okay, what?”
“You’ll see.”
A few minutes later the elevator dinged and the door opened. An average height dark skinned gentleman and a petite fair skinned woman exited, both carrying small black bags. “Marcus, Aja.” Kyla hugged both of them. “Thank you for coming.”
“Is that the patient?” Marcus asked, looking at Sean.
“Yes.”
“I see what you mean,” Marcus said so only Kyla could hear. Kyla escorted them over to where Sean was sitting. “Sean, this is Marcus and Aja.”
He leaned forward and shook both their hands. “Nice to meet you. Kyla, what’s going on?” Sean asked.
“You can’t go to the doctor looking like that.”
“Looking like what?”
“You need a shave and a haircut.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. You have been stuck inside and only a few men can pull off the scruffy caveman look, and buddy…”
“I shaved this morning.” Rubbing his chin.
“Uh-huh and Aja is going to do something about your hands and feet.”
“I don’t think…”
“Sean, trust me. As your girlfriend…”
“Your what?” Marcus blurted out. Kyla turned and smiled. “Kyla James is there something you’re not telling me? All these years I’ve never…”
“No. We’re friends and whenever one of us is ill and the other one comes over to play nurse, that’s what we say.”
“I don’t understand it, but…where can we set up?” Marcus asked.
“Follow me.” Kyla led him over to the dining table facing the window. “Sean’s comfortable in this chair. And I put the stool here for his foot.”
“Ky…” Sean called out.
“I’ll be right there. The bathroom is around the corner to the left of the elevator. Let me know when you’re ready.” She walked back over to Sean. “What’s up?”
“What did you do?”
“I thought this would be a nice treat since you couldn’t get out. And after looking at that sad little bandaged foot, I thought… look, I know this is probably a little girlie for you, but…”
He reached up for her hand. “Thanks.” He thought, how was he going to survive when she went home? He wondered if this is what being married was like? He was getting used to having someone look after him. Even Simon seemed happier.
“You’re welcome and once Aja finishes with you, maybe I can get a mani and pedi.”
“Ah, the real reason for the home spa treatments.”
“No. You really do need a shave and a haircut. Maybe Marcus will have time to give me a wash and blow dry.”
“From the looks of Sean’s foot Aja’s going to be a while. That’s doable,” Marcus joked.
“I heard that,” Sean countered.
“I meant for you to hear it,” Marcus laughed.
“I may have only one good foot, but I’ll…”
“Marcus, don’t worry about him. Right now his bark is worse than his bite.” She looked at Sean and winked.
“Simon, Winnie, be quiet.” Sean barked back at the two dogs. “Shhh…I know you’re hungry, but be patient. I’m moving as fast as I can.” He scooped out some dog food and placed it in the dish and set it on the mat in the corner. The little dogs followed behind him and started eating. He hobbled back to the counter and continued beating the mixture. He turned on the range and poured the batter on the griddle. He stumbled his way around the kitchen making breakfast. When he had completed everything, he walked down to the guest room and gently tapped Kyla on the shoulder. “Ky, Ky.”
She shook off his touch. He walked to the end of the bed, tickled her feet and she kicked at his hand. She rolled over and her hand dropped to the side of the bed. He walked over and patted her hand. “Okay, Winnie, mama’s getting up.” She tossed the covers to the side, sat up stretching her hands over her head and yawning. She opened her eyes and was greeted by a familiar smile.
“Good morning sleepy head.”
“Sean? What are you doing up…are you okay?” She quickly stood up.
“I made breakfast.”
“You did what?” She looked a little annoyed.
“Not the reaction I was expecting,” he said walking back to the kitchen.
“I’m sorry. Good morning.” She followed him into the kitchen. “Smells good.”
“The doctor said I could start doing a little more. So I thought I’d surprise you with breakfast.”
“Thank you and when I get back from walking Simon and Winnie…”
“I already did that,” he said proudly.
“You did? When? How?” She sat at the counter. “I went downstairs and Tommy helped me.”
She smiled and shook her head. “Okay, after breakfast, I’ll walk them around the corner.” He looked at her smiling and thought even with her hair tied in a scarf and her face not yet washed, she was beautiful. “I’m going to clean up and then enjoy this amazing breakfast.”
“Okay.” She got up and he watched as she walked around the corner t
o the bathroom. Being married to her wouldn’t be so bad. He could help her grow in the things of God and she could teach him how to love again. He sat down at the counter massaging his thigh.
“Starting without me?” She patted him on the back as she walked back into the kitchen.
“Not exactly.”
“Here,” she picked up a plate and stacked a couple of pancakes on it and placed it in front of him. “You cooked so I’ll serve.” She turned to get the bacon off the stove and when she turned back he was smiling. “What?”
“Nothing. Thanks.”
She knew the routine after two weeks of playing live-in girlfriend. Sean always bowed his head and prayed over his food. She had grown accustomed to the ritual and began joining him. He reached over and took her hand in his and said the blessing. Saying in unison, “Amen.”
“Coffee?”
“Yes, thank you.” She filled both cups and placed the French press back on the counter.
“This is different. We’ve never sat at the counter for breakfast. It’s kind of nice. How did you sleep?”
“Good. I managed to get through the night without taking a pain pill.”
“Good. Well, from the taste of this breakfast and the way you took care of Simon and Winnie, seems you won’t be needing my help much longer.” His heart sank to the bottom of his stomach. He knew this day was coming. He just thought he had another few days. “Let’s see how you do today, and maybe Winnie and I will get out of yours and Simon’s hair day after tomorrow.”
He feigned a smile of delight accompanied by a statement he didn’t want to believe, “Maybe, we’ll see.”
Chapter 43
WHEN SHE WALKED INTO THE church she looked at her watch, it was eleven forty-five. She was a little early. She looked around the lobby and read a pamphlet lying on the information table. The door opened quickly and a young woman rushed out and almost knocked her down.
“Excuse me.”
“No problem,” Kyla replied.
The door didn’t close fully, allowing her to hear what was going on inside. She stood to the left of the door and the familiar voice captured her attention. Pastor Mike was speaking. She peeked inside and there were only women seated. All their heads faced forward, looking at Pastor Mike. The young woman walked back and startled her again.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“No problem. Seems I’m in your way.”
“No, you’re not. Are you going in?” she asked.
Kyla looked at her watch and the thought of sitting inside beat waiting out in the cold foyer. Besides, the person she was meeting with was a little busy at the moment. “Sure.”
She followed the young woman inside and slid into the back row. She looked around and there were all types of women… black, white, Asian, Latino. Some were well dressed and others looked like they had just come in from the working girls night shift. And a few looked like they were homeless or a little less fortunate, as well as a few soccer mom types. It was clear these women had very little, if anything, in common. She thought maybe this was some sort of support group for the less than stellar women, and the more polished professional women were there to volunteer to help them get back on their feet.
A well-dressed blond woman a couple of rows in front of Kyla stood up and asked, “So Pastor, you’re saying it’s my choice, that if I want better, all I have to do is change? I thought once I came to God, He would instantly change me. I mean I really like sex but I don’t want to be a slave to it? And I don’t like the hold it has on me. I want to be free.” And she sat back down.
Confused, Kyla leaned forward to hear Pastor Mike’s answer.
“Clarice, I commend you for standing up and sharing that. I know you’re not the only one here struggling with that. God can only do what you allow Him to do. Deciding to come here today was a huge step in taking your life back. Standing up and announcing you’re tired of the mess you’ve made of your life was another huge step. When you came to God, your spirit man changed, not your physical man. I’m not going to lie, I like sex too.” Everyone laughed. “Settle down. I was just like you ladies…I tapped everything with a skirt before I gave my life to God.” Everyone laughed again. “When I gave my life to God, I said, “Okay God, it’s on you. I want to do what’s right, but I need help, because You know there are some fine Christian women out there and I would love to show them what it means to take a walk on the wild side.” The laughter continued. “Like some of you, I slipped up and when it was over, I immediately felt sick. My spirit was aching. For a brief moment my body felt good, but my spirit felt dirty. I met with my pastor and told him everything that happened. I thought he was going to be all nice and sympathetic. No, he chewed me out and said, ‘God can only do what you allow Him to do. You can’t say the devil made me do it. The devil wasn’t in bed with that woman, you were. You need to realize who you are. When you gave yourself to God, your body was no longer yours. It belongs to God, and that’s why you were feeling dirty. You had allowed sin to step in and taint the holy vessel.’ I never thought of my body as a holy vessel. And that revelation made me even sicker. It was like I just had sex in church.”
A resounding oh filled the room.
“He told me to repent and ask God’s forgiveness and say goodbye to that old sinful nature and start over. He said that was the past and that man was dead. He cautioned me to be on alert because the devil likes to bring up the past to knock you off your game. He said for me, sex was a drug and I was addicted, but only with God’s help could I kick sin’s butt. He handed me a Bible and told me to read Romans 6 and when I finished, he asked, ‘Who are you?’ I said, ‘God’s property and I’ve been set free.’ Then he asked if I wanted to change and I said yes. From that moment on, I realized I was like Christ and although Jesus was tempted, He never gave in. He stood his ground, knowing who He was and that there was something better for Him. That’s what I’m trying to get you beautiful ladies to see. You are much better than what the devil has tricked you into believing. You don’t have to be slaves to sex. And yes you can change, but only if you want to.”
The sound of Amens and hands clapping didn’t drown out the thoughts racing in Kyla’s head. She saw herself in Clarice and in Pastor Mike. She took a deep breath trying to fight the tears her spirit was bringing to her eyes.
“Ladies, my wife and I have a gift for you.” His wife walked up and stood next to him. “Honey…” he stepped to the side and let her take over.
“Ladies, thank you for receiving my husband today. I know what you’re going through. But you are over-comers in Christ Jesus. My husband and I have a little gift to help you on this journey to discovering who you are.” The ushers walked through the aisles handing out white gift bags. A few minutes later she continued. “Okay, does everyone have a package?”
“Yes.” The replies filled the room.
“Okay, on the count of three open. One, two, three.” Cheers and cries and silence. The combination was amazing. Kyla was stunned. The one time she happened to be in church was the day they were handing out gifts. “My husband said when he was having his challenge, his pastor told him to read Romans 6. What he didn’t tell you was he read it in this Bible, The Message. This version talks to you in your language. Here’s your homework, read Romans 6 in your new Bible and if you want, email me and let me know how it affected your life. Stand up, take the hand of the sister next to you and repeat after me, “I am a new creature in Christ Jesus, old things are passed away. I am God’s beautiful child and I deserve everything He has for me.” Kyla repeated the confession not fully aware of the truth she had just spoken over her life. “Have a blessed week, see you next week.”
Kyla snuck out the back and shoved the Bible into her bag and quickly walked up to Pastor Mike’s office.
Chapter 44
IT HAD BEEN ALMOST A week since Kyla received the Bible and she still hadn’t read the passage DeeDee Matthews had suggested. Every day she came home and looked at the Bible sitting on the n
ightstand, staring at it with mixed feelings. Every morning when she woke up, seven words sang in her mind, “You deserve everything I have for you.” Every morning she fought the voice.
This morning was different. She woke up, picked up the Bible, opened it to Romans 6 and began reading and continued on through to chapter eight. As she read the passages her eyes filled with tears. She remembered the lessons from Sunday school she had blocked out.
Then another voice sounded in her head. “How much longer?” She got up and went into the shower, hoping the sound of the running water would drown out the voice in her head. She closed her eyes and stood under the running water, but the voice just got louder. “How much longer?” She turned the water off, grabbed a towel, went back into the bedroom, picked up her phone and began dialing.
“Good morning Trina.”
“Hi Kyla.” Trina always sounded upbeat and cheery.
“I’m taking you up on your offer for coffee…well lunch.”
“When?”
“How about today?”
“Sure, I’ll meet…”
“No, I’ll come to you. My schedule is a little more flexible.”
“Okay. How’s twelve-thirty?”
“I’ll see you then.”
“Okay.”
Kyla hung up and finished getting dressed. She packed up Winnie and put the Bible into her bag and left.
Three times she started to call Trina and cancel, but Kyla knew if she wanted the voice to stop, she needed help. She looked at her watch. It was eleven fifteen. Bible class had been going on for just a little while. She walked in, slid into the back row, crossed her legs and pulled out her newly covered Bible. She picked up an old fabric swatch and made a cover before leaving the office. Pastor Mike’s wife, DeeDee, was just starting her lesson. Kyla looked around the room at the assortment of women. Like last week, the diversity of women didn’t make sense.
“Ladies, I want to say how moved I was by all the emails I received. I am so delighted you did the homework. I know there are a few of you who don’t have access to email and yes, I did receive your notes on Sunday. Once you’ve decided to yield your life to God, the devil will always try to stop your progress. I want to encourage you to not give up, but stay on this path to changing your life. You won’t regret it.”