Ruthless

by Shelia M. Goss

  “Well, at least you admit it.”

  “Never professed to be a saint, like some holy rollers,” Delilah said.

  A knock at the door interrupted Sheba’s thoughts. “That must be the movers.” She got up and let them in.

  Six hours later she was tired and ready to take a nap. “Everything I want to take with me is on the truck, and the other stuff, well, whatever you don’t want, I’ll see if someone at the church needs it before donating it to a shelter,” Sheba said to Delilah as she plopped down on the sofa.

  Delilah responded, “My friend Keisha might want some of your furniture. You have good taste, and I know she is looking to get a new living room set.”

  “She can have whatever she wants,” Sheba replied.

  “Cool. I’ll call her.”

  “While you’re doing that, I’m taking me a long hot bath.”

  The following day Keisha stopped by and confirmed that she wanted the living room set and one of the bedroom sets. Sheba made a list of the other items she had left to donate, while Delilah took pictures with her digital camera. Delilah assisted her with her inventory list and printed it out so they could take it with them to church the following day.

  Sheba got up bright and early the next morning to get ready for church. She eyed herself in the mirror as she got dressed. She opted to wear a purple suit with a matching hat. Although she probably shouldn’t wear high heels, she rounded off her ensemble with some purple snakeskin heels. She wanted Delilah to go with her, but Delilah had planned on going to her own church.

  The driver waited for Sheba as she locked up. The closer the driver got to her old church, the more the palms of her hands sweated. She wasn’t sure how the church members would act toward her, with all the rumors that had been floating around locally as well as in the national news. The driver pulled the town car up to the front of the church and, without waiting for him to get out and open her door, she exited.

  She had purposely arrived a little late, so she wouldn’t have to converse with too many people. Songs of praise could be heard as she walked up the steps leading into the sanctuary. One of the ushers handed Sheba a program as soon as she entered the door. The ushers used their hands to direct her to the right side of the sanctuary.

  Sheba looked until she saw an empty spot on one of the middle pews. She heard whispers as she walked down the aisle. “Isn’t that Bathsheba?” she heard one lady say.

  “She looks a little different,” she heard another one say.

  “I can’t believe she’s showing her face here,” she heard a familiar voice say.

  Before sitting down, she looked back in the direction of the voice and saw that it belonged to one of Uriah’s cousins.

  When the announcement clerk asked if there were any visitors, all eyes were on her. Sheba tried to scoot down in her seat. She wished she could disappear. The clerk said, “We have our sister Bathsheba back in our midst. Sister, would you like to say anything?”

  Sheba took a few deep breaths and stood up. “First, give praises to God, to our wonderful pastor and other members of the clergy, and to my church family. I’m grateful to be able to walk through these doors again. Life has dealt some hard punches, but by the grace of God, I’m here today. I want to ask you all to keep me in your prayers.” She heard some amens, and she heard a few people mumbling, as she took her seat.

  The topic of the sermon was forgiveness. “Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive. Peter thought forgiving someone seven times was plenty. We would be in terrible trouble if our Heavenly Father gave us only seven times to mess up. Can you imagine going through life and being allowed to make only seven mistakes?” the preacher asked.

  Sheba had probably fumbled seven times before hearing the sermon, let alone in the course of a lifetime, she thought as she continued to listen.

  The preacher continued, “Brothers and sisters, God has a word for you today. As I talk about forgiveness, I’m reminded of the parable that Jesus told Peter of the shocking servant. Turn with me to the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, verses twenty-one through thirty-five. You can remain seated.”

  Sheba located the scripture and read it silently as the pastor read it out loud.

  The pastor went on to say, “If someone has done you wrong, let it go. Stop holding on to something that happened yesterday. Some of y’all are holding on to stuff that happened twenty years ago. Look at your neighbor and say, ‘Let it go.’”

  Sheba looked at the woman sitting next to her, and they said in unison, “Let it go.”

  “I can’t stand here in this pulpit and tell you that forgiving someone is easy, because it isn’t. That’s why you need to take the issue to God, and when you take it to Him, leave it with Him. Ask Him to help you get past the hurt, the pain, the resentment. With God in the mix, you can let it go. Colossians three, thirteen reads, ‘Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.’”

  Sheba felt that the message was just for her as she wrote down notes from the sermon. As the pastor continued to speak about forgiveness, one other point stood out to Sheba.

  “As I come to a close, I want you to forgive yourselves. God is a God of mercy and grace. He gave His only begotten son so that we all could have access to eternal life. So whosoever will, let him come now and be saved. God forgives you, my child. Let go and open up your hearts and receive God’s precious gift.”

  Tears streamed down Sheba’s face as she released the guilt and pain from the past year.

  Chapter 56

  David stood in Nathan’s pastor study, waiting for him to finish talking to one of the members of his congregation. He thumbed through one of the books Nathan had on his desk. The title caught his attention: Letting God Take Center Stage in Your Life.

  He was on the third page by the time Nathan walked in the room. “You can take that copy if you want it.”

  David closed the book and said, “I might just do that. I’ll have it replaced.”

  “No need to. Consider it a gift.”

  “Thank you, my friend.”

  “Where’s your beautiful wife?” Nathan asked.

  “She’s still in Shreveport. She’ll be home tomorrow.”

  “Good. I’ll treat you both to dinner sometime this week.”

  “I think it’s funny that I have more money than you but you’re always treating me to dinner.”

  “Me too. What’s up with that? I think I need to reevaluate this friendship of ours.” Nathan laughed.

  “Your sermon on compassion was what I needed to hear. So many people have been coming after me verbally that my spirit has been vexed,” David said as he sat down in a chair across from Nathan’s desk.

  “I’ve been hearing and reading about it. You know how I feel. There’s always a price to pay when we sin.”

  “But when do we stop paying? First, I lose my son, and then this. My stock price is dropping, and the vultures are trying to take advantage of the situation by buying up as much of my company’s stock as they can.”

  Nathan stood up and placed his hand on David’s shoulder. “Let us pray. Father God, your servant David is asking for a word from you. Let him know that you are the only judge, and that because of your grace and mercy, although we fumble, you’re right there to pick us back up.

  “David’s heart grieves, and only you, Lord, can fix the hole that’s in his heart. Work a miracle in his life. Search his heart and find what’s true. Allow the compassion you’ve shown him to manifest itself in his life, where he’s able to show compassion to others. Forgive us all as we fall short of living up to the blueprint you left for us to follow. Be with us as we travel this journey called life. You promised to never leave us or forsake us. If it is thy will, O Lord, fix David’s situations.

  “Through it all, let him know that it is you, O Lord, that is in control and that you want a center stage in his life. Not just when things are going bad, but every day of h
is life. Bless him and his wife, Bathsheba, as they prepare to welcome a child into the family. Bless the child so that he will be all that you will have him be to help further your kingdom. Amen.”

  David opened up his eyes and looked up into Nathan’s face. “How did you know that Bathsheba was pregnant?”

  “I knew before you did.” Nathan’s eyes twinkled.

  “She told you?” David asked.

  “No. I dreamed it. I was just waiting on you to tell me,” Nathan admitted.

  “I was going to tell you but was afraid you were going to have bad news for me.”

  “David, you know I love you like a brother. I speak the truth and will never tell you anything that I haven’t already discussed with God first.”

  “I know. I should listen to you more.”

  “Yes, you should, but we’re not going to harp on that right now.” Nathan and David both laughed.

  “I don’t know about you, but my stomach is growling,” David confessed.

  “Mine too. I normally don’t eat Sunday mornings, before my sermons, so you know it’s way past chow time for me.”

  “Since we’re both steak-and-potato men, let’s go to the Roadhouse.”

  “Let me lock up here, and I’ll meet you there.”

  “If I get there before you, I’ll wait in the lobby,” David said.

  David and Nathan spent the time together at the restaurant getting caught up. David couldn’t help but express his excitement about Sheba’s pregnancy. He felt more hopeful that she would have a healthy pregnancy after talking with Nathan.

  Later on that night, after talking to Sheba and preparing for bed, David got on his knees beside his bed and prayed. “Lord, thank you for showing me mercy. I know brother Nathan prayed for me earlier, but I wanted to talk to you, Father God, for myself. I want to thank you for showing me mercy. Even in my sinful state, you’ve protected me from my enemies. Lord, put up your shield of protection as I continue on this battlefield.”

  David prayed until his eyes got weary. “Lord, thank you. If I had ten thousand tongues, I couldn’t thank you enough. Be with me, Father, all the days of my life. And when it’s time, Father God, allow me a place in your kingdom. Amen.”

  Chapter 57

  Sheba knew this would be the last time she saw the house she’d once shared with Uriah. A lone tear streamed down her face as she closed and locked the front door for the very last time. “This is it.” She placed her hand over her heart. “No matter where I’m at, you’ll always be in my heart. Love you, Uriah.”

  She turned the knob to make sure the door was locked, and with a slow pace walked down the walkway to the waiting car. She looked back one last time and waved as if someone were going to wave back.

  The driver held the car door open for her, and she climbed in. “Good-bye,” she said as the driver got in the front seat and drove away. Less than four hours later the jet she was on landed at Addison Airport.

  To her surprise, David greeted her as she exited the plane. “I’ve missed you,” he said as he held on to her.

  “I’ve missed you, too,” she responded. She honestly had missed him. David had weaved his way into her heart, and she was not ashamed to admit it.

  The driver retrieved her bags and placed them in the limousine. David waited for Sheba to step in the limo and got in right behind her.

  “Your eyes look puffy,” David said.

  “I’m just a little emotional right now,” Sheba confessed as she pulled a small compact mirror out of her purse to look at her eyes. “Oh my. I do look bad.”

  “You’re home now. If you need to talk, you got my ear.”

  “I’m fine. Just a cleansing process that I should have gone through long before now.”

  “All things happen in their designated time,” David said.

  “Wise words,” Sheba said as she looked out the window.

  David reached over and took her hand. He squeezed it a few times. They rode the majority of the way home in silence. Both were lost in their thoughts.

  “It’s good to be home,” Sheba said as they entered the front door.

  “I’m glad you think of it as home.”

  “It took a while, but I think I’m accustomed to it now.” Sheba flashed a smile.

  David helped her unpack her bags. “I’ve been all around the world, and no woman can match your beauty. I’m not just speaking of your outer beauty, either,” David said.

  “That’s sweet of you to say.” Sheba turned and faced David.

  David bent down and kissed her on the lips. “Your lips taste like sweet nectar.”

  “Mr. King, you’re mighty tasty yourself,” Sheba said as she smiled.

  “I love you, Bathsheba,” David said.

  “I love you.” Sheba meant it. She had fallen in love with him. She couldn’t pinpoint the moment, but she had. Uriah would always be special to her, but now she could finally let go of the guilt that she had been holding on to about betraying Uriah and give her all to David. She looked into David’s eyes and said, “I love you, and I’m ready. I’m ready to give you my all.”

  David’s hand rested on top of her belly. “Having my child is the best show of your love.”

  Their lips locked, and two hours later they were both sound asleep in each other’s arms.

  The alarm clock woke Sheba out of her sound sleep. She couldn’t remember setting the alarm. David was still asleep. She shook him. “David, wake up. The alarm went off.” She glanced at the digital display. It read 6:45 A.M.

  David jumped up. “I can’t believe I overslept. I normally wake up before it goes off, and cut it off so it won’t wake you.”

  She rubbed her sleepy eyes. “Well, this time it beat you up.”

  Sheba slid back under the covers as David got up and got ready for work. While he was dressing, she said, “Did you set up the interview?”

  “No. I was hoping you’d changed your mind.”

  “I haven’t. Set it up. I need to tell my side, or should I say our side of the story.”

  “Okay, I’ll set it up today. I promise.”

  Later on that day, Sheba received a call from a popular national talk show host, Kandie Washington, confirming an interview for two days later. Sheba thought that would be perfect. She called Dawn to confirm her hair appointment and also made appointments to get a manicure and a pedicure. “What was I thinking? I could have had them all come out to the house. I’m rich. I can afford it,” she said after making the appointments. She called them all back and gave them her address. Yes, being rich comes with benefits.

  Now that she could get out more, she refused to use the personal shoppers David had on standby for her. Sheba found the keys to the Jaguar David had given her and ventured out toward the Galleria. Dallas traffic was backed up on the interstate. She wished she had called the driver after being stuck in traffic for over an hour.

  She finally reached the mall and found the perfect outfit at Neiman Marcus. It was a cream-colored pantsuit. She would wear the pearls David had given her as a wedding gift, and with her new cropped hairstyle, she would look great for the camera.

  Sheba needed to look good, because she was nervous about opening herself up to an interview. She had never done anything like this before. She hoped she didn’t stutter or say the wrong things. She needed to protect Uriah’s memory, as well as help David preserve his image.

  Chapter 58

  David seemed more nervous about Sheba’s interview with Kandie Washington than Sheba did. He wiped his brow several times as he coached her. “Don’t look directly at the camera. Try to be natural. Whatever you do, don’t get upset.”

  “I can do this,” Sheba assured him.

  David gave her a tight hug and watched from the sidelines as she went to sit on the interview couch. Kandie Washington had decided to film her show from the Dallas location since she was able to get the exclusive interview with Sheba. The promotions for the show would send her ratings through the roof when the show aired.r />
  Kandie walked out onstage wearing a black skirt and a gold blouse. Sheba stood and shook her hand.

  “Thank you for agreeing to do this interview. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

  “You were my only choice,” Sheba said.

  “I will ask the questions the public wants to know. I just don’t want you to be caught off guard.”

  “I’m ready. I have nothing to hide.”

  “In that case, let’s do a sound check, and we’re ready to tape.” Kandie tested her microphone. She looked at the show’s producer. “Are we ready to rock and roll?”

  “On three,” the producer said.

  Sheba held her hands tightly together as Kandie did her opening monologue. “Welcome to another edition of Set the Record Straight. I’m your host, Kandie Washington. Today it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Bathsheba King, the wife of David King, the CEO of DM King Media. Welcome, Mrs. King.”

  “Call me Sheba.”

  David smiled. She remembered. Make it personal.

  “Mr. King is such a private person. So many are curious about how you two met.”

  Sheba looked at Kandie. “I met David for the first time at a gala held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel right here in Dallas. Of course, he was charming.”

  They both laughed. “Would you like to address the rumors that have been floating around?”

  Sheba said, “Kandie, I doubt if there’s anyone out there who hasn’t done something they’ve regretted. I’m no different.”

  “Did you leave your husband for David? is the question that’s been on the mind of a lot of my home viewers.”

  “No, I didn’t. I loved my husband. David and I did not get together as a couple until after Uriah died. David was there for me when I needed him. As he would tell you, I did my best to resist falling in love with him, because of my loyalty to my deceased husband.”

  “We’re going to go to a commercial and be right back with Bathsheba King,” Kandie said, looking directly into the camera.

  One of the workers rushed over and freshened up their makeup. The producer counted down to the end of the commercial.