Keith burst out laughing.
Isaac headed for the front door without saying anything else. He opened it and took the coats of his guests. He then directed them into the great room where the other guests were gathered.
As he headed toward the coat closet, Keith cleared his throat. “My good man, wait one second.” Keith then took Cynda’s coat off and piled their coats on top of the ones Isaac was already carrying. Then said to his friend for life as he waved him away, “Carry on.”
“Leave him alone, Keith.” Cynda nudged her husband’s arm.
“That’s alright, Cynda. We’re at y’all’s house for the Fourth of July celebration, so his turn is coming.” Isaac hung the coats in the closet and then hurried back to the front door as the doorbell rang again.
“I’m going to the kitchen to help Nina. You go help Isaac,” Cynda directed as she walked into the kitchen.
“Yes, dear,” Keith said like a man being forced into a lion’s den.
- - -
The caterers had finished up in the kitchen and were packing up to leave. Only five were scheduled to stay. One would man the turkey and ham table, to slice and plate the meat for the guests. Another would handle the punch and assorted sodas table to provide glasses and ice. The third person would help to ensure that the appetizer table remained full to overflowing with things such as: Spanish potato omelet bites, oysters with tomato fennel relish, crab cakes, mini manicotti, fiesta shrimp cocktail in small wine glasses, green bean casserole and sweet marshmallow yams.
Another caterer was stationed at the dessert table with crunchy mint fudge morsels formed into snowmen, Christmas cookies shaped like trees, a 7-layer gelatin salad, ginger bread house cookies and chocolate, lemon and red velvet cakes.
Nina was proud of the feast she had ordered, rather than slaved over this year. She was also thankful for the fifth and final person stationed in the kitchen to ensure that the food kept coming. “So, do you need any help with anything, Marie?” Nina asked the cook.
“No ma’am. You just go and enjoy the party.”
“What?” Cynda exclaimed as she stepped into the kitchen. “You mean to tell me that you are not in here slaving over that stove?”
Nina smiled as she turned and put the towel down that she’d wiped her hands on. “Not this year. I only helped with a few items and now I’m off to enjoy the party.” The two women hugged. “Sorry I didn’t hug you earlier; I was in the middle of showing the caterers where everything goes.”
“Girl, I knew you were busy. Matter-of-fact, I came back here to help you, but I guess you don’t need me.”
“Cynda, don’t even think such nonsense. I always need you. Matter-of-fact I’ve got a little something cooking that I just may need your help with. Let me tell you about it as we head into the party.”
The two women walked arm in arm, conspirators on a mission. No one watching them today would have ever guessed that once upon a very long time ago, the two women were rivals, after the affection of a player by the name of Isaac Walker. Nina had an easy going smile on her face these days, for she had reformed that player… with the help of the Lord, of course. She was currently on a mission to reform one more player.
***
As the car pulled up at his parent’s seven thousand square foot home, Donavan realized with sadness that although his parents had purchased this home three years ago, this would be his first time inside.
The driver got out of the car and opened Donavan’s door. “You have arrived, sir.”
Donavan took that as his cue to exit the rented limo. He stepped out of the car, pulled a twenty out of his wallet, tipped the man and then found himself staring up at the sky as the snowflakes fell en masse, tickling his nose. He hadn’t seen much snow in the last few years, definitely none for Christmas, having been in the South. But here he was, back in his hometown on this wintery cold night before Christmas Eve and God was making it a true Merry Christmas by sending the snow. “I have arrived, indeed,” Donavan thought as he glanced at the massive house again. Yes, indeed, he was home for Christmas. Or more to the point, he’d arrived home on the 23rd of December, just in time for his mother’s annual Christmas party.
“Let me get your bags, sir.” The driver opened the trunk and took out a black suitcase and a laptop carrier. “I’ll just take these to the door for you.”
Donavan shook his head. “I got it, man, but thanks anyway.” Donavan took his bags and made his way to his parent’s front door. As he stood there preparing to knock on the door, Donavan began to wonder if he was up for another argument with his father about the path he’d chosen for his life. Could he win the argument this time? And was he positive that his steps were being ordered by God?
- - -
The majestic glory of God shone bright as He sat on His throne listening as human praises broke through the atmosphere.
Michael opened the door of the Holy Place and stood in the back as he heard the voice of thunder and lightning. He then heard a multitude of praises. As the voices became thunderous, Michael joined in with them. In this place where God sits high and is lifted up, praises are sung to Him forever. His glory lovingly fills the atmosphere and joy spreads throughout His heavenly court.
His omnipotence glistened through the emerald rainbow arched above the magnificent throne. The twenty-four elders surrounding Him were also seated on thrones and clothed in white radiant robes. They wore crowns of gold on their heads.
Seven lamps of fire were burning and a sea of crystal lay at the Master’s feet. In the midst of the throne and around it, were four living creatures with eyes covering their entire bodies. The first living creature was like a lion; the second, a calf; the third, a man; and the fourth, a flying eagle. Each of the creatures had six wings. They did not rest day or night, as their massive wings enabled them to soar high above the thrones. Generating cool winds throughout heaven, they bellow continuous alms to their King crying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”
The twenty-four elders fell down before Him and worshipped saying, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” They threw their crowns before the throne in adoration.
Thunder and lightning sparkled from the throne of Grace once more, then Michael’s glorious nine-foot form stood. His colorful wings glistened as they flapped in the air. “Yes, my Lord,” he said, as he received command from the Lord.
Michael left the throne room and walked from the inner court toward the outer court of heaven to convene with Aaron, the captain of the host. He passed innumerable mansions in the inner court; where there was room enough for everyone. But Michael knew that the beauty and splendor of heaven would only be enjoyed by the few that served God. As he passed by the room of tears, he glanced in and shook his head in wonderment. It still amazed him that humans had tears so precious that God would bottle and preserve them in a room as glorious as this. He stepped in and looked at the tear bottle with Isaac Walker’s name on it. It was not full yet, but before it was all over, Isaac and his family would cry a river of tears. Michael shook his head again as he walked out of the room and continued on his journey toward the outer court.
A great multitude of warrior angels stood in the outer court waiting on their assignments. Their appearance was that of beauty and majesty. They wore white radiant garments with gold edged trim that embellished the front of the garment. At their waist hung a huge golden sword, and large white wings flapped from behind. Michael’s sword was longer and heavier than the other angels’. Jewels were embedded throughout the handle of the massive sword, a symbol of his many victories. The belt that held his sword sparkled with the gold of heaven.
Michael approached Aaron, the captain of the host. His brows furrowed as he stood ramrod straight and addressed the other angel. “This one is going to tough, Captain Aaron. We’ll need a host of heaven’s best for this assignment.” Michael then han
ded Aaron the scroll that was in his hand.
Aaron took the scroll, reviewed it and said, “Consider it done. I am confident that our angels can handle this assignment.”
Michael patted Aaron on the shoulder. “You may lose some soldiers on this one, my friend.”
Aaron unsheathed his mighty sword and declared, “We will still fight, sir. For all that is holy and all that is right.”
Michael nodded and then began to walk away.
Aaron sheathed his sword, and then called to Michael, “My General, my Prince?
Michael turned. “Yes, Captain?”
“Donavan has come back home.”
A smile creased Michael’s lips as his eyes sparkled with hope. “Well, I guess it’s time to help him figure out who he really is.”
“And the purpose God has for his life,” Aaron agreed.
3
The door swung open, the joyful sound of This Christmas was playing in the background as Donavan found himself engulfed in the biggest bear hug his father had ever given him. For a space in time the two held onto each other as if this was the last time they’d see each other. As if embarrassed by their show of affection, the men dropped their arms and put some distance between them.
Isaac looked over his son and then said, “I see you’ve still got your Walker good looks.”
Donavan laughed as his took off his black leather jacket. He was his father’s son alright as he stood there in an aqua blue t-shirt with a black pinstriped vest and black jeans, looking like a chocolate dip of heaven. “Well. You know, what can I say?” He strutted around the foyer, mocking a character from an old sitcom that was in reruns by the time he was old enough to watch the show.
“Don’t say nothing. Just get over here and give your sister a hug,” Iona said as she entered the foyer.
Donavan turned toward the sister he hadn’t even known he had until he was twelve. But as they grew older, their bond became so strong that no one would have even guessed that they had different mothers. He hugged his sister as he thought about how she used to call him the golden boy, but that was before they found out his dirty little secret. “Why little sis, look how big you’ve gotten,” Donavan joked as he pointed at her protruding belly.
“Ha ha, very funny.” Iona patted her belly and then said, “Johnny threatened to divorce me if I didn’t give him a kid.”
“And we both know that you always do everything your husband wants.”
Iona shoved her brother. “Shut up, Golden Boy. My husband knows how good he’s got it.”
Donavan normally would have continued the banter with his sister, but he was struck dumb by the fact that she’d called him ‘golden boy’. He hadn’t heard those words in five years and didn’t realize just how much he missed hearing her say such a thing about him… if only it were true.
Isaac wrapped his arms around his son and daughter and exclaimed, “Well look what the Lord has given me for Christmas. I’ve got my golden boy and my baby girl under the same roof again.”
“You are a real corn ball, Dad,” Iona said, objecting, as usual, to being labeled “baby-girl”.
“But you’ve got to love me anyway,” Isaac said and then turned back to Donavan as if he’d just remembered something. “Oh, son, the boxes you had mailed here are in your room waiting on you.”
“Those were supposed to go to the church for the Children’s Christmas party. I tried to get here yesterday, but couldn’t make it.”
“Well, we may have missed getting those boxes to the Children’s program for you, but believe me, there will be many other occasions for you to give the children whatever you had for them.”
That may be true, but Donavan had spent weeks picking out just the right presents that he’d hoped would be presented to the children at the church. He might not be youth pastor anymore, but that didn’t change how he felt about the children. “I really wanted the children to have those gifts for Christmas. But if you can ask Sister Brenda to pass them out as a Happy New Year’s thing, that will work also.”
“You have my word, son. Now come on.” Isaac ushered his grown kids into the great room where the party was taking place. “Hey everyone,” he said when they entered, “Look who I found on the porch, looking for his mama?”
“Don’t embarrass him, Isaac,” Nina said as she rushed over to her son and with tears in her eyes, she wrapped her loving arms around him and thanked him for coming home.
“You don’t have to thank me, Mama. I should have come back long before now. I’m sorry I kept you waiting like this,” Donavan said as he wiped the tears from his mother’s face.
“It’s okay. Just promise me that you won’t stay away this long again.”
“I promise.” He bent down and hugged his mother again. She was a foot shorter than he, but barely noticed. “I promise I’ll never stay away from you all this long again.”
The group surrounding them began to clap and cheer at Donavan's declaration. Donavan glanced around the room. It seemed that friends and family alike were just as glad to see him as his mother and father were. And then something happen that brought tears to Donavan's eyes.
His five year old brother ran in the room, screaming, "My brother is here, my brother is here."
Donavan got down on bended knee and braced himself for the full on assault of a five year old climbing up his chest and hanging around his neck. "Hey buddy," Donavan said. He had been Skyping with his little brother once a week for the past two years. Donavan had thought that allowing little Isaac to see his face while talking to him would be enough for the little guy, but the words his brother said next broke his heart and convinced him that he knew less than nothing about what children need.
"I missed you my whole life." Little Isaac kissed his brother on the cheek and then said, "I don't want to miss you anymore."
And that's when Donavan found himself wiping tears from his own eyes. His brother refused to leave his side, so Donavan walked around the room greeting old friends and church members, with little Isaac at his hip.
But about forty minutes in, Donavan heard his brother say something about his friend Amarri and then he left his side. Donavan turned to see just what a little princess this Amarri was, because he knew the little girl had to be something else to get his brother to leave his side.
As Donavan’s head turned there was a smile on his face, but as he viewed the vision of loveliness who was holding the hand of the little girl his brother was standing next to, Donavan almost choked on the hors d’oeuvres he had been nibbling on. He coughed and sputtered.
Isaac came up behind Donavan and patted his back. “You alright? Did something go down the wrong way?”
Yeah, Donavan wanted to say, my heart just fell out of my chest. But instead he straightened his back, and threw the rest of the hors d’oeuvres back on the plate as if it had offended him. “I’m good,” he told his father and then walked away to find a wall in the back of the room he could lean against and get a good look at Diana Milner.
She was still as fine as he remembered. The olive complexion and long dark brown hair with bronze highlights, those coal black eyes that stared into a man’s soul and captured all his hopes and dreams… she was stunning. But loving her had taken away everything that mattered to him… his relationship with God, his youth ministry and his family. He wanted nothing to do with her, and he certainly didn’t want to be in the same room with a woman who had deceived him.
Donavan saw his mother walking over to him with a heavy look of concern on her face. He extracted himself from the wall and greeted her, “Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. You put on another fabulous Christmas bash.”
Nina sighed, and then remarked, “Everyone but you. Why do you have that awful scowl on your face?”
“I don’t have a scowl on my face. I’m enjoying the party the same as everyone else.” To demonstrate, Donavan plastered a Joker’s grin on his already too handsome face.
“Okay Mr. Happy Face, just get out of this co
rner and come join the rest of us.” Nina grabbed hold of her son’s hand and began tugging him away from the corner.
Donavan held back. He let go of his mother’s hand and then asked, “Why didn’t you tell me that Diana was coming to the party?”
Nina’s head swiveled to where Diana was standing holding a conversation with one of the deacon’s at the church. She turned back to her son. “Diana works at the church. She comes to our Christmas party every year.”
“You never mentioned that before. Whenever we talked about your Christmas parties, I never once heard you say that that woman attended your party.”
“Now Donavan, I don’t like the way you said, “that woman”.” Nina lowered her voice and leaned closer to her son. “Diana is a very nice woman and she is always welcomed in this house.”
“Then why did you invite me? You know I don’t want to be anywhere near that woman.” Smoke was just about coming out of Donavan’s ears as he glanced toward Diana again. She was engrossed in a conversation with Deacon Freeman, looking up at him with those eyes that could see into a man’s soul and leave him exposed.
“She’s not the same person you used to know. Diana knows that she made a mistake with you. And I truly believe she regrets what she did.”
Stuffing his hands in his pants pockets, Donavan said, “She made more than a mistake mother, she tried to destroy my life.”
Nina shook her head, as she patted Donavan on the shoulder. “Nobody can take what you’re not willing to give, son.”
I’ll Be Home for Christmas was playing on the surround sound. The song made Donavan feel nostalgic and he didn’t want to fight with his mother. This was his first time home in five years. He was going to enjoy his family and not let anything or any deceiving woman get in the way of doing that.
But he did wonder about the little girl Diana brought with her tonight. Was that her daughter? Since he’d left home and made it clear that he never wanted to see or hear from Diana Milner again, no one ever brought her up to him, so for all he knew, she could be married with two more children just like the one she brought with her tonight. He wanted to ask his mother, but he feared that she might wrongly assume that he was interested for reasons other than curiosity. He bent down and kissed his mother on the forehead. “You win, Mother.” He put his hand back in hers. “I’m home for Christmas, so you get to lead me wherever you want from now until the new year.”
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