“Yep, I sure am.”
“Are you going to go to church with me?”
“Sure, why not. And I’m going to go with my sister and her family too. I miss hanging out with Brooke.”
“I’m sure she misses you, too. You girls used to be so close a few years back.”
“I know, but I had my own problems and she has her own family. You know I’m not one to intrude on other people and what they have going on.”
“She’s not other people; she’s your one and only sister. There’s nothing like family. I wish I still had my family.”
“I thought I was your family.”
“Of course you are, but you know what I mean.”
Priscilla poured the omelet mix into the skillet and then popped wheat bread into the toaster.
“No pancakes?”
“You were so busy dancing, you never said whether you wanted pancakes or not. I can still make up a batch. It won’t take but a minute.”
Detria raised a hand to stop her. “No, omelet and toast will be more than enough. I’ve danced so much I’ve worked up an appetite.”
“I’m glad to hear that. You eat like a bird sometimes. But we both know why that is.”
Detria’s smile faded. “Let’s not go there, Priscilla.”
“I’m just saying, I wish you would stop using that stuff. It’ll be the death of you.”
“I said I’m going to stop messing with it, at least not as much as I used to.”
Priscilla looked over her shoulder at Detria.
“At least I’m not lying to your face. I said I’m going to ease up on it and that’s what I mean.”
“Thank God for that. Well, anyway, on another note, that’s a shame about Pastor Khalil’s brother isn’t it? Any word on how he’s doing?”
“Who? What are you talking about?”
“Didn’t you see it on your phone? You read everything on that phone. I can’t believe you haven’t seen that. The boy was in a car accident on Winchester where they’re doing all that construction. He’s in critical condition. That’s what the news said, but you know how they get stuff messed up.”
Detria went to her news app and opened it. There were several stories, mostly about crimes that had occurred overnight. She scrolled pass the stories until she came up on the one about Xavier. She read the story and immediately texted Khalil. Without waiting on a response, she dialed his number but it went to his voicemail.
“Dang. I can’t believe you’re just saying something about this.”
“I thought you knew.”
“No, but I’m sure going to find out what happened.”
She shot Khalil another text. When he didn’t answer that one she called Holy Rock. Sista Mavis mouth of the south answered.
“Good morning, Holy Rock Ministries.”
“Khalil please,” Detria announced, not bothering to address him by his title.
“And who is this?” Sista Mavis asked.
“Is he in the office?”
“And I asked, who’s calling?” Sista Mavis knew that voice. It was like a parent being able to pick out their kid from a thousand other kids in a crowd. “He’s not available. How may I help you?”
“You can’t help me. Is that what’s her name, his administrative assistant in the office?”
“No, she isn’t. What can I do for you?”
“Sista Mavis, the only thing you can do for me is tell me what’s going on with Xavier. I know you know the full four-one-one. I mean, you do know everything about everything. Don’t you?” Detria snapped, purposely allowing sarcasm to drip from her mouth like sorghum syrup.
“May I take a message?”
“Yes, you sure can. This is Detria Graham, but you already know that, Sista Mavis.”
“And?” Sista Mavis shot back.
“And don’t mess with me, ol’ lady. You should know I don’t play.”
“I wouldn’t exactly say that. You play a lot, play around these Godly men, enticing ‘em into your wicked bed. You’re nothing but a modern day Delilah, a harlot, a Jezebel. Now, if you don’t want to leave a message for Pastor Khalil, I’m going to end this call. Unlike some folks, I have to work for a living.”
“Awwww, you poor thing.” A curse word or two trailed out of her mouth. Detria ended the call first. Sista Mavis could make her so mad.
Going to her bedroom, she called Khalil again. Same thing. Voicemail. Texted him. Still no response.
The next number she dialed she got an answer.
“What do you want? I thought I told you to stay out of my life.”
“Good morning to you, too. I thought you might want to know that your baby boy is laying in a hospital bed. Word is he was in some kind of car accident. S’pose to be pretty messed up.”
“What makes you think I don’t know what’s going on with my son? I’m not going to tell you this again, Detria, stay out of my business and don’t you go near that hospital.”
“You know what, screw you, Hezekiah! I don’t care what happens to that punk, and I sure as heck don’t care what happens to you. I hope they lock your behind up for the next twenty years!”
Hezekiah burst into boisterous laughter and ended the call.
22
“To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.” Barbara Bush
Pepper tossed and turned throughout the night. It was early morning, and as her eyes opened, she struggled to get out of bed. Feeling the effects of having had little if any sleep, there was no way she would be productive at work today so she made the quick decision to call in sick. Granted, she knew she would face her mother’s mouth. Victoria had excellent work ethics, which is why she had accumulated a boatload of vacation, sick, and PTO hours. Pepper was not her mother, and no matter how many times she told Victoria that, Victoria didn’t want to hear it. It was the main reason Pepper regretted accepting the position working at the same company as her mom.
Her supervisor’s administrative assistant answered the phone. “Good morning, HR.”
“Good morning, Melinda.” Pepper changed her voice from her normal squeaky voice to a coarse one, complete with a cough here and there. “I won’t be in today. I have a bug or something.” She coughed again.
“Okay, I’ll let Mr. Ammons know.” Melinda sounded like she wasn’t too convinced, but what could she say or do? It wasn’t her business. She was the messenger and having worked in the HR department for ten years, she learned not to get bent out of shape over other people’s issues and problems. One thing she did know was Pepper Rawlings was probably not going to last as an employee of the The Baker Group. Young people like her often took their jobs for granted. They would stay a while and then quit or get fired. Because Victoria Rawlings’ was a model employee, and all around smart woman with a great personality, and excellent work ethics, Pepper would probably be given a little leeway. Yet, knowing Victoria the way she believed she knew her, Melinda figured she would light into her daughter if word got out she was missing excessive time from work.
“Hope you feel better.”
“Thanks, Melinda.”
Too early to go to the hospital. I’ll get me a couple hours more sleep and then get up and go see about my man. Pepper crawled back into the bed, turned on her left side, and went back to sleep.
Fancy arrived at the hospital and found Khalil already there in the CCU waiting area. “Why didn’t you call and let me know you were coming?”
“I wanted you to get some rest. I was going to call you a little later and let you know how Xavier was doing.”
“I’m his mother, and yours too. You know I am not going to sit around at home and wait on you, this hospital, or anyone else to call me to tell me about my son.”
Khalil stood up and hugged his mother. “Ma, I wasn’t trying to do that. You know I love you. I just thought I’d run up here, check on him before I went to Holy Rock. That’s all. I know wild bulls couldn’t keep you from this hospital as long as one of your child
ren was in here.”
Fancy’s mood softened. “Have you seen the doctor?”
“Not yet. The nurse said he should be making his rounds in about an hour.”
“Have they let you see Xavier?”
Khalil looked at his phone. “We should be able to go in to see him at 8:30.”
“Okay, good. Just another ten minutes.”
“But, Ma, you know we can only stay for five minutes.”
“Yea, I know. Five minutes every three hours. I don’t care if I’m in there for one minute, I just want my baby to know that I’m here.”
Khalil’s text notifier sounded, and immediately in mid conversation with Fancy, he showed his frustration. “Dang, this girl is crazee.”
“Who?”
“Dee. She keeps blowing my phone up. Been texting and calling me like she mad since my feet hit the floor.”
Fancy shook her head. “It’s easy to get mixed up with those kind of women, but it’s hell to get rid of ‘em. I hope you’ve learned your lesson and realize that those kinda women are only good for one thing and they can only bring you down, son.”
“I know, Ma. I’m done with her. She’s texting me about Xavier.”
“How does she know about Xavier? Oh, I guess your father told her.”
“Yea, probably. Either way, I’m about to block her.”
“Good for you. Now what about Eliana.?
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean. Do you like her? She’s a nice girl.”
“She a'ite, but she’s my personal assistant, Ma. That’s it.”
“Boy, please. Who do you think you’re talking to? It’s plain as day that the two of you have something going on. I don’t know how far it’s gone, but a blind man can see that she likes you, and I think you like her too.”
Khalil blushed. “Come on, Ma. It’s time to go see Xavier.”
Fancy looped her arm into her son’s. She wasn’t finished with the conversation, but she’d done exactly what she intended—open the door that could lead to revealing if Khalil had feelings for Eliana. Seeing how Eliana stuck by him last night endeared her to the girl even more. Initially, when Fancy introduced Eliana to Holy Rock and Khalil, Fancy had ideas in the back of her mind about a match between her and Khalil. But when her brother came into the picture and tried to stake his claim on Xavier, Fancy backed away from Eliana. She didn’t want or need Ian in her son’s life. As she gave it some thought, Fancy reasoned Eliana could be the one to convince her brother to back off Xavier. Fast forward, Pepper. When Victoria’s daughter moved to Memphis it was a godsend, an answer to Fancy’s prayers when it came to her baby. Fancy explained to Victoria and Pepper about her son being pursued by a gay man, Ian. Fancy was totally against that. Pepper didn’t have to be told anything else. At Fancy’s divorce party, Pepper showed what she was made of. She had the power to change Fancy’s gay son straight and that was the nail in the coffin. Now Fancy could concentrate on getting her sons married. Khalil to Eliana. Xavier to Pepper.
Fancy and Khalil stood on the side of Xavier’s bed. He looked nothing like the handsome young man he was before the horrifying accident. Fancy fought back tears.
“Baby, I’m here. Mama’s here,” she assured Xavier as she took hold of his swollen hand.
“I’m here, too, bruh. You’re going to pull through this. Everything is going to be fine.”
Xavier heard his mother and brother. Where was he and why couldn’t he open his eyes and see them? It was like he was in a dream state, floating around the universe, hovering over sites, places, and seeing people he hadn’t seen since he was a kid. Why was his brother telling him he was going to be fine and his mother saying she was here. Where was here? He was confused but he didn’t feel upset or frightened, nothing like that. Quite the opposite. He felt peaceful, light as a feather, with no cares in the world.
“We’ll be back at the next visiting hour, sweetheart. You rest and get better. The whole church is praying for you.”
“Yeah, man. You even got your dad to come see you. Now that’s an achievement in and of itself. You know.” Khalil laughed and squeezed his brother’s other hand from the opposite side of the bed. “We got to leave, but like Ma said, we’ll be back. Love you, man.”
I love you, too, Khalil. Xavier questioned himself. Did he hear me?
Fancy leaned over and kissed her baby boy. “I love you, baby. I’ll be back soon.” A tear fell on Xavier’s face and rolled down.
Xavier felt a soft as cotton touch on the side of his face, followed by a slight moistness. I love you back, Ma. Don’t worry about a thing, Ma. I’m good. I really am.
Khalil embraced his mother as they walked out of the CCU and headed back toward the waiting room. Opening the door for his mother, she walked ahead. There were several more people gathered in the waiting room, much more than when they first left.
Khalil followed Fancy as she took a seat mid-way the room and close to the television and coffee machine.
“Do you want to go downstairs and have some breakfast before I leave?”
“No, I’m going to make myself a cup of coffee, watch Good Morning America, and scroll on social media. You go on to Holy Rock. Take care of your business.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Oh, son, did you talk to Stiles?”
“Yes. I talked to him yesterday.”
“Is he coming back to help out while Xavier’s in the hospital?”
“I told him it was up to him. I still plan on preaching every Sunday, but maybe not at all three services so if he wants to and it won’t interfere with his obligations to Full of Grace, then I’d welcome him to come back. At least for a few weeks.”
Fancy’s scowl turned into a relaxed look as she exhaled. “That would be good for you, for Holy Rock, for all of us. It would take pressure off of you until Xavier gets better.”
“Good morning.”
Fancy looked pass Khalil. Khalil looked over his shoulder.
“Pepper? Sweetheart, it’s good to see you here,” Fancy said and stood up and hugged the girl.
Pepper was glad she’d called in sick. To see how pleased Fancy was to see her made her feel like everything was falling into place.
“Hi, Pepper.”
“Hi, Pastor Khalil. Uh, how is Xavier? I was so upset when Eliana told me he’d been involved in a car accident.”
“We just saw him. They’re only allowing immediate family to see him, and then it’s only five minutes every three hours.”
“I understand, but I’m here for the two of you.”
“Come on, sit down.” Fancy urged and walked back over to her chair and sat down. She pat the chair next to her and Pepper sat down.
“Well, Ma, I’m going to head to Holy Rock. I’ll be back in time for the next visitation hour, but if you need me before then, give me a call.”
Fancy looped her arm into Pepper’s. “I’ll be fine. Pepper’s here to keep me company. Right, sweetheart?”
“Yes, ma’am. I don’t plan on going anywhere. Have you had breakfast? We can go to the hospital cafeteria and see what they have to offer.”
“Yes, sure,” Fancy said.
Khalil laughed, seeing the pleased look on his mother’s face. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
“Bye, son. Oh, and don’t think I’ve forgotten that conversation. We’ll going to finish it.”
“I know we will, Ma.” Khalil smiled knowingly and walked away.
Moments after Khalil left, Fancy and Pepper went to find the cafeteria. Once there, they placed their orders and spent the next hour laughing and talking. Fancy shared stories with Pepper about Xavier when he was a little boy and a teen. It felt good to have a girl like Pepper interested in her son.
The conversation turned serious when Pepper took the chance to confess to Fancy how she felt about Xavier.
“I love him, Mrs. McCoy. I don’t know how you feel about me telling you this, but I had this comp
elling desire to tell you.”
Fancy reached across the small table and placed her long, beautifully polished nails on top of Pepper’s hand. “Honey, that’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time.”
Pepper smiled big. Was she hearing Fancy right? Did she say this was the best news she’d heard in a long time? Boy was she glad she’d taken off work and came to the hospital. With Fancy in her corner, when Xavier got better things could really take off for the two of them. Ian wouldn’t stand a chance.
“You’re happy?”
“Happy? Pepper, you’re my best friend’s daughter. You’re like her in so many ways. You’ve been good for Xavier ever since the first day I introduced the two of you. Victoria called it right. She told me you and Xavier would make the perfect couple, and she was right. But, listen, between you and me, you know there’s still one small problem.”
Pepper squinted and eased her hand from underneath Fancy’s hand. “What’s that?”
“It’s not what, it’s who. That boy—Ian.”
Pepper nodded in agreement. “Don’t worry. I’m already on it. I have to make Xavier see that Ian is not who he wants.”
“Yes. See, that’s why I like you, Pepper. We’re on one accord.”
Pepper was feeling herself. The morning had turned out way better than she could ever have anticipated. Yes, Xavier was still in bad shape, but she believed with each day he would improve and eventually his wounds would heal. Until that time, and while he was in the hospital, she and Fancy agreed she would be by his side at every opportunity once he was allowed to have other visitors besides family.
“I’m going to talk to the doctor and explain you are an important part of Xavier’s life and you would be good for his recovery. I’ll let him know you’re just like family.”
“Would you do that?”
The elevator dinged and they stepped inside. They dispensed of their conversation until the two people on the elevator got off on the next floor.
“Of course I would do that. I mean, it’s not really a lie. You are like family. I don’t see it being a problem.”
“Thank you so much.”
The elevator arrived to their designated floor. The ladies stepped off and continued talking as they walked.
My Truth My Time My Turn Page 13