Ironically, they had spent time dreaming about a newly refurbished Harvest Baptist Church the way a couple would their home. Abe flipped the ‘open’ sign in front of the shop to ‘closed’ in order to take his lunch break in the back. He picked up the phone to call her. He hadn’t contemplated what he would say when she picked up on the third ring.
“Blanche, this is Abe. I haven’t seen you in awhile,” he said.
“Well, it was nice of you to call, Pastor. I’ve been out of town and seemed to have come back with a bug. I’ve just recently gone back to work. Don’t worry though, I’ll send my offering in the mail.”
“Right, your offering,” Abe said, scratching the nape of his neck. She was a puzzle that was hard to figure out.
“Don’t want to block my blessings anymore than I have. I know you can’t buy your way into heaven, but maybe it will keep me out of hell.”
“Look, let’s put that night in my apartment behind us. God is a forgiving God. I’ve done a lot of praying, mostly for forgiveness of my own past, purging myself so I can free myself up. I hope that you’ve done the same.”
Abe looked up at the ceiling as if seeking approval from the Lord. Was it wrong to want this woman? He knew the Lord’s position: Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven. The Holy Spirit continued to reiterate that point during their ongoing debates about how he could curb his strong desire for her and reshape it into something more acceptable.
Abe cleared his throat. “I called to say the insurance company released the check for the church. I’m supposed to meet with a team to start rebuilding the church. As much as we talked about what Harvest could be I-I need you there with me and in my corner.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Well, yeah,” Abe replied.
“Then I’d love to. I do like to see a project to the end. No matter what anyone says, I still care about the church and want to make good on my original commitment.”
His smile preceded his admission. “That’s great, Blanche. I’m looking forward to working with you.”
Abe tried desperately to think of something else to say to keep her on the phone. He had fallen into the trance of listening for her breaths through the silence.
“Abe,” she said, startling him. “Is it possible we could meet for lunch before then?”
I thought you’d never ask. “Sure,” Abe said, “when and where?”
Abe was already there when Blanche walked in to the Peruvian chicken café. She acknowledged his presence with a shy smile. He stood while she was seated, taking notice of her casual but chic attire. His compliments were automatic.
“You look amazing to have been sick. I’ve never been to this place. What do you recommend?” Abe asked.
“The fajitas are good,” Blanche said, forcing herself closer in the circular booth to point out the selection on his menu. “Usually, I get the quarter-dark, with red beans and rice.”
The waitress came and they ordered two of Blanche’s favorites. She was much more reserved, almost reluctant to speak, and Abe began to wonder what she had in mind to say when she suggested they meet there. He began reading something into her every movement. He started to speak on several occasions. He knew what he wanted and the conditions he had to follow to obtain it.
“I miss our outings and spending time with you. I’ve never been to so many swank and trendy eating places in my life. I can’t say that my pockets aren’t happy, but my stomach sure misses it,” Abe said. Her smile gave him hope. “I don’t think we have to stop going out because of what happened. I just fear if we are not careful, we will end up in the same predicament.”
“Fear, huh? I can’t say I’ve ever had that type of effect on a man.” Blanche shifted in her seat and sighed loudly. “You know the question you asked that night in your apartment kept haunting me. No one has ever asked me who I really am. I guess no one cared to know. I gave it a lot of thought. I figured you deserve an answer.”
She studied her napkin before beginning. “Growing up, my parents struggled to feed me and my brothers. I was the youngest and learned early that the education fund didn’t extend to me even though I liked to believe I was pretty smart. Even won $500 for an essay contest that my parents ended up using to send my older brother, Pete, to Chicago. Momma trained me to use what I got, so to speak. She thought the best that I could hope for was to be taken care of by some man.”
Blanche dropped her head and shook it from side to side as if she couldn’t believe she was speaking her truth. Abe felt he should offer her some sort of comfort, so he put his arms around her shoulder. She sighed heavily, “But men have always taken from me. In the corporate world, in relationships, it’s all the same. They take what I have to offer and leave me with nothing.”
“Could it be that you’ve bought into your mother’s theory? You’ve done pretty well for yourself. You’ve worked in finances and now have started your own PR firm. You’re a prize. You certainly don’t need a man to take care of you. As far as relationships go, you have to ask yourself what it is that you are looking for.”
Their waitress returned surprisingly quick with a pan of sizzling hot chicken mixed with onions and peppers, fajita shells and bowls of red beans and rice. They both stared at the pan as if they didn’t know where to begin. Abe blessed the table and encouraged her to continue.
“I guess I want what other women want in a relationship, something real, but I also want to be a part of something big. I want to retire from the grind. Heck, I do want to be taken care of,” she admitted.
“And with Willie Green?” Abe wanted to silence his conscience that reminded him that once again he played second fiddle to the former pastor of his church. “What was your relationship with him about?”
“The same,” Blanche admitted, swallowing back a bite of fajita, obviously caught off guard by his inquiry.
Abe stopped preparing his fajita. “I guess you have a thing for Harvest Baptist Church and the guys who pastor there.”
She dabbed the corner of her mouth before giving him a weak smile. “To be honest, I was tired of dating the pompous jerks that I encountered. You and Willie are what I consider the good guys. I just wanted to find one.”
He digested what he considered her truth. “I want you to know that l’d be honored if you were my lady. I want the relationship to be right, though, and not just a temporary thing that God ends up taking away from us because we’re fooling around. You know what I mean?”
He took it that she understood the way she cleared her throat and looked away. “I feel in many ways that I am just coming into my manhood, and as a man you’ve got to trust me enough to pursue you the right way and treat you right.”
She left him hanging while she took a long swig of her iced tea. His food went untouched. Her eyelashes batted at him from above what he hoped were sincere eyes. “I’m flattered. It’s been a long time since someone has made me blush, and I sorta like it.”
“I aim to please,” Abe proclaimed, feeling free to take his first bite and even flirt a bit.
“So can I expect an immediate public acknowledgement in church and a weekly bouquet of flowers?” Blanche asked.
“I think I can swing that.” Abe grabbed her hand. “Up until now it’s been all about the church, but I need you to have my back no matter what’s going on at Harvest.”
Her face formed a question mark. “Is everything all right? It’s your aunt and uncle, isn’t it? I hope they are not planning to release that man.”
“No no. Aunt Elaine is fine. She’s getting adjusted to living on her own. Uncle Charley has been charged with arson and his trial is set to begin soon, and since he’s still not speaking to anyone, she feels it really doesn’t make any sense for any of us to go up there to try and see him,” Abe said, “but what I was saying is membership has gone back down at Harvest. I don’t know if it’s because the hype is dying down or because I’ve radically changed my preaching style, but I’ve got to stay authentic. It feels so good being true t
o myself.”
“Don’t worry about the people. They’ll come flooding back, you’ll see. I got some things in mind,” Blanche said, “but first my man needs a total lifestyle makeover, starting with that apartment of yours. You better be glad you’re so adorable, because I usually charge for image consulting.”
They both laughed. She had him thinking ahead to wedding bells ringing in a sanctuary that they would design together. He tilted her chin and kissed her. Although the kiss didn’t burn hot like that night in his apartment, it smoldered with a new passion. He looked into her eyes and wanted to believe he was responsible for the spark he saw there.
“So?” Blanche said, clearing her throat. “I guess that sealed the deal.”
“I think it did,” Abe said.
Chapter 24
The Man Cave
Willie took the trek down the hallway to his office with his call back list, courtesy of Luella, and the day’s paper. He needed a timeout. It was a conspiracy that most of the things on his agenda these days were penciled in by his bedridden wife and her assistant, in the exact order that they wanted it done. Luella served as both enforcer and informant.
He had his choice of space now and could easily move all his resources and aids down to take over the large central office where he spent most of the day budgeting, counseling, negotiating, and troubleshooting. But he preferred his own space. That is where he could think and commune. He closed the door behind him when he entered and sat to finish the article he had started titled, Muted Defendant faces Felony Arson Charges.
Willie read how his old friend and deacon was arrested, charged, and indicted all while refusing to speak. Two separate attorneys had taken the case and had since requested to withdraw from defending him. What was he doing? He couldn’t presume to know anymore. He had to admit he thought about visiting Charley’s wife to see how she was fairing throughout all this, but with increased duties at work and Vanessa on bed rest at home he really had no time for his own personal agenda. Willie thought how ironic it was that Charley and Roy would end up at the same jail. Irony is God’s intervention, Willie thought. His thoughts were interrupted by Luella who buzzed in to tell him she was putting a call through from Syllas Kennedy who served on the executive board of the Trinity Conference with Vanessa.
Pastor Kennedy was on the top of Willie’s call back list, and he felt a little bit guilty that he hadn’t gotten to him first.
“Hello,” Willie said.
“Dr. Green,” the man responded, “I’m glad I finally got you on the phone.”
“Pastor, it’s just Pastor,” Willie clarified.
“I wanted to cover my bases. I wasn’t sure. Some people get offended if you mess up their title.”
“Well, you’ll find I don’t offend easily, nor do I think of myself more highly than I ought,” Willie said, raring back in his leather office chair. “You must be Dr. Syllas Kennedy.”
“Yes, that is my résumé title. I guess since I did the time in training and study, I should be proud of it, but I prefer plain ole’ Reverend. My daddy was a reverend, and if it is good for my daddy, it’s good enough for me.”
“I remember we all used to be reverends,” Willie added.
“Or ministers, ministers of the gospel,” Reverend Kennedy declared as if it were a dying breed. “Titles can either further distinguish us or divide us. Prayerfully, we’re all doing the same thing.”
“D-r-, R-e-v, or M-i-n, it’s all the same and cannot possibly compare to G-O-D.”
“You’ve got that right,” the man said with a half cough, half chuckle. “Vanessa said we would hit it off famously. I hope I am not bothering you.”
“No, sir; actually, you caught me in my cave,” Willie said.
“Cave?”
“I converted the former first lady’s lounge into a man zone,” Willie said so amused he set his trapeze of stainless steel meditation balls on his desk in motion. “Our poor administrative assistant is so vexed when I come down here rather than being at her beck and call in the main office suites. She feels when I am down here, I am in this sacred clubhouse she can’t enter without a password, and I let her believe it.”
“Sounds like a sweet set up,” he said on the tail end of a good cough. “The two that work with me around here know to approach me in a whole different way when I’ve loosened my necktie. Then I want to deal with emergencies only, other than that they know to leave me alone.”
“I hear ya,” Willie said.
“Pastor Carlton Cartwright, the founder, and some others of us on the board of the Trinity Conference received a letter or phone call from your wife. Congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you, sir. We’ll need your prayers, Reverend. It had to take Vanessa going in and out of the hospital for her to realize she needs to slow down. Call us seasoned newbies over here.”
“Wasn’t Elisabeth and Zacharius the same?”
“Please don’t make that analogy around my wife.”
They both laughed. Age was still a sore spot with Vanessa and making mention of others who were much older who have given birth, even biblical examples, did not help.
“Speaking about your wife, she asked us to receive you with open arms,” Reverend Kennedy said. “I got to say I look forward to meeting you.”
“Same here, but I must be honest. I haven’t been exactly supportive of these religious conferences in the past. My involvement with the Trinity Conference is to hold my wife’s spot, and while I’m at it, make sure it is a worthwhile venture for Mt. Pleasant to become involved in.”
“I’d say if we are successful in our endeavors, then the Trinity Conference will be one of a kind. We study ministry models, fund ministry projects, and address the needs of our community. I can’t say that I’ve seen another conference that can boast that mission statement.”
Willie stretched his legs out in front of him as he thought about it, but he still wasn’t convinced. “Vanessa sees this as a way to gain notoriety, or I guess, lend credibility to her own personal mission as a female pastor. Like you said before, we’re all ministers, and you know how the brethren can be. Honestly, is there a real role for her?”
“I guess you’ll see when you assume her duties.”
“Come on, Reverend, this is my wife we’re talking about. I just as soon walk before I let you all placate her.”
Reverend Kennedy sent a lungful of air through the phone. “Some of our colleagues definitely saw our female counterparts in a particular role, but—”
“But?” Willie sat straight up in his chair prepared to be outraged.
“Vanessa was one of the first at the table with her assessments, and more than that, she came with her ideas—good ones. No one can deny her that. Of course you know this, but she can be demanding, yet democratic in her approach. She knows how to get things passed. Surely you know your wife is not one to be mollified.”
Willie knew that to be true. He secretly wanted to see his wife’s naysayers. “So what am I getting myself into?”
“All the board members assumed leadership of one of the planning committees. I think Vanessa was looking at Budget and Finance.”
“Naturally,” Willie said, shaking his head as if the reverend could see him. “Rev., man, I am not the one. That’s my wife’s job at church and at home.”
Reverend Kennedy let out a lighthearted chuckle at Willie’s admission. “Well, since you’re new, you can just join one of the existing committees, but I called to set up a date when I can come out and spend the day visiting your ministry.”
Willie was taken aback. Here’s where the hazing begins, he thought. He should have known it wouldn’t be that easy to join the club.
“I’d like to see your church as well,” Willie said, flipping the script.
“There is not much to see. My building is no more than twice the size of a mobile home, and it almost would be better if it were mobile. It’s probably no bigger than your cave over there at Mt. Pleasant. We are on the corn
er of Jefferson and Patterson Streets in the District. It’s mostly classroom space to train and fortify my congregation of about sixty-five traveling missionaries. Anytime you want to come by and see us when we are not out of the country, you’re certainly welcome.”
“Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a church of missionaries.” His skepticism squelched. He wondered how a congregation so small could come up with the start-up dues for the conference.
“I got tired of the day to day struggles of running a traditional church. I guess it comes down to your congregation’s definition of ministry. To me, it’s meeting the needs of people and spreading the gospel throughout the world. I’m getting older and can’t travel as frequently, but church is like our headquarters. You learn about all different types of ministries through the conference. I’m hoping Trinity will help fund some projects we want to do in West Africa.”
Willie heard Luella knock on the door like a parent warning him it was time to wrap up his call. She had found him. Willie knew he had a few other tasks he couldn’t go home without completing, but he felt he could talk to the reverend all day.
“Look, Reverend, I’ve got to run. How’d you like to visit the cave early next week?” Willie asked.
Chapter 25
The Bedside Clinician and the Heavenly Prescription
Vanessa didn’t realize when the doctors put her on bed rest that they actually meant spend the majority of her waking hours reclined in bed. She figured since she was home she could catch up with her housework and could potentially have the guest room cleared for the nursery. Her assumptions landed her back in the hospital two weeks after she preached her last sermon to stabilize her blood pressure and to fortify the baby in the event she was forced to deliver early.
With all the talk about late maternal age, Vanessa just assumed that it was her maturity that caused the baby difficulties. It wasn’t that she wasn’t being educated about her current state; she just wasn’t a good listener. One nurse made it clear to her when she said, “In cases like yours our goal is to deliver you both alive and healthy as close to the baby’s due date as possible.” Vanessa was forced to remove her cape. She realized she was just as fragile as the baby.
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