Before he found out Tanya had spent their ready cash on cars they didn’t need, this news would have crushed Preacher’s spirits. As it was, all he could think was “thank you, Lord.” He now had time to sell the cars and recoup at least some of the money for investing in a business. “That works for me,” he told Luther. “When and where do I start?”
“We’ll decide that together. I’m an entrepreneur myself but I enjoy building businesses, not running them long term. I have a couple of small concerns that are ripe for selling and I’m willing to give you an option to buy.”
“Why would you do that? You don’t even know me.”
“That’s right, I don’t. I’m doing it because I believe in this program. When Barnard came to me with the proposition a few years ago, I was skeptical but we’ve had success. As a businessman myself, I understand that if you have a knack for running one business, you can translate that knack to different kinds of businesses. You were good at running a narcotics enterprise and I believe some of those skills will serve you well in a legitimate business. I’m here to help you make that transition.”
Preacher began to praise God in his mind as he listened to Luther describe the businesses he’d bought—car dealerships, car washes, cleaning services, sandwich shops, athletic gyms, bookkeeping services, even a funeral home—you name it, he seemed to have his hand in it. The car dealership caught Preacher’s interest, while the funeral home gave him the willies.
“How did you get involved in so many things?” Preacher asked Luther.
“It’s my way of giving back,” Luther said. “I’ve been blessed to accomplish a lot in my life, and now I have the luxury of working because I love it and not because I need the money. I get enjoyment out of starting new businesses and salvaging existing ones. I also know that business ownership is the way to genuine wealth in our society. God’s put it on my heart to help others share in that wealth. We need to be givers, and the more we have, the move we can give.”
Preacher nodded.
“We’ll get together next week,” Luther continued. “You need some time to get settled, and then you can pick a couple of businesses that interest you. We’ll arrange for you to spend some time working in each one before you decide which one you want to buy into. How does that sound?”
“It sounds great,” Preacher said. “I appreciate the opportunity. I really don’t know what to say.”
“There’s nothing to say,” Luther told him. “Just be obedient to God and when He puts you in a place to help somebody, you be sure to do it. That’s all I ask.” He glanced around the table. “That’s all any of us ask.”
“Well, I can do that,” Preacher said. “But I have to tell you that my funds aren’t at the level I thought they would be and—”
Luther stopped him with a raised palm. “Did you earn that money in a way that would glorify God?”
Preacher shook his head.
“Then maybe it’s a blessing. I was going to talk with you about your plans for financing. You don’t want to start your new business with money from your old life. There are other options, better options that we can discuss. Your timeline to ownership is going to be extended, but in the long run, you’ll be better off.”
Preacher didn’t like the idea of extending his timeline and he was sure Tanya wouldn’t, either, but he didn’t have any other options. Though he hated to think of his money as tainted, it was. That reality didn’t sit well with him.
“I’d rather not get into the details now,” Luther was saying. “I’m working with you because I believe the Lord brought us together for a reason. He’ll give us the wisdom to work out the details. Agreed?”
What else could Preacher say? “Agreed.”
With that settled, Barnard pulled out a calendar and they began to schedule the next couple of months of Preacher’s new life. When that was done, Luther and Wayne left, leaving Preacher alone with Barnard.
“I don’t believe what just happened, man,” Preacher said. “Are you telling me this is what you do for everybody released into the program?”
Barnard shook his head. “It’s a different process for every person. We look at your skills, your attitudes and aptitudes, your personal goals, and we ask the Lord for direction. That’s what we did with you. Isn’t this what you told me you wanted?”
Preacher nodded. “But—”
“But it’s one thing to want it and another thing to have it happen,” Barnard finished for him.
“Yeah, that’s it,” Preacher said. “I’ve always felt I had to fend for myself in life. My motto was, ‘Nobody’s gonna help me but me.’ I didn’t expect this, even though we’ve talked about it.”
Barnard clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re not alone, Preacher. Not now. Not anymore. You have a brand-new family of Christians who’re with you every step of the way and a Father who loves you unconditionally. Everything you face may not be easy, not even with all our support, but if you remember that you’re not alone, you’ll make it through the tough times. Got it?”
“Got it,” Preacher said. “This morning I was stressed and feeling down because Tanya had spent more money than I expected, but now I feel a glimmer of hope. I have to keep reminding myself to think eternally, not just for the now.”
“You’ve got that right. And you’ve got to be strong where Tanya is concerned. She’s not a Christian and she doesn’t know what to expect from you, since you’re not the same man who went into prison. She’ll need time to adjust…if she adjusts.”
“She’ll adjust,” Preacher said. “God is giving me everything else I asked for, so I have no doubt He’ll make Tanya, me, and the kids a family. I just have to hang on and not get upset with her so quickly.”
“That reminds me,” Barnard said, “Serena and I would like to invite you all over for dinner one evening this week, or whenever you get the time. It might help your cause if our women meet and hit it off. Serena could be a good witness to Tanya. What do you think?”
Preacher wasn’t sure what to think. Guilt gnawed at him. He needed to talk to Serena and together they needed to decide what to tell Barnard about their past and when. They both owed the man that much. “I’ll talk to Tanya,” he said. “Can I let you know later in the week?”
“Fine,” Barnard said. “It goes without saying that you’re invited to church on Sunday. Invite your sister, too. I’d like both of you to meet my sister, Natalie. Why don’t you plan to come over for dinner after church?”
“Don’t you need to check with Serena?”
“Your coming over won’t be a problem with Serena. We’re already having my sister and her friend, so we’ll throw a few more steaks and burgers on the grill.”
“You don’t think like a woman, man,” Preacher said. “Check with your wife first.”
Barnard cocked a brow. “You think Serena might have trouble cooking for more people?”
Preacher nodded because that was part of his concern, though not the major part.
Barnard chuckled. “Serena’s not much of a cook,” he said, “so I’ll be the one adjusting recipes for the additional guests.”
“Tanya’s not much of a cook herself, but I’m not man enough to allow you to tell her or anyone else that I said it.”
Barnard chuckled again. “Now our women have to meet. They already have something in common.”
They have more in common than you know, Preacher thought. “Speaking of Tanya, I’m gonna head on back home and spend some time with her and the kids.” He extended his hand. “Thanks for everything, man.”
“Don’t thank me,” Barnard said. “Thank Him. Now if you’ll hold on a minute, I’ll walk out with you.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Preacher said. “I can see myself out.”
Barnard grabbed a portfolio from his desk and tucked it under his arm. “I’m on my way over to Circle Autos. You know the place?”
“Don’t think so. You buying a new car?”
“Nah, I’m going to talk to
them about participating in our prison jobs program. Natalie knows one of the owners and she set it up for me.”
“So your sister is as committed to prison ministry as you are?”
“Maybe even more so. Seeing our father in prison had a big impact on her. Most of her memories of him are when he was inside. She was devastated when he died there. Sometimes I think this ministry has been her salvation. Helping other people make the transition he would have had to make is sort of her tribute to him.”
“The same way it is for you?”
Barnard glanced at him. “I guess it is. You can always count on the Lord to provide a way to help ease your pain. I’m grateful this is the way he provided for me and Natalie.”
“I am, too,” Preacher agreed. “I hope it goes well with this dealership.”
“Me, too,” Barnard said. “The hardest part of the program is lining up employers.”
“Well, I’m looking to sell a couple of cars—” At Barnard’s raised brow, he said, “Don’t even ask. Let’s just say Tanya got carried away when I was locked up. Anyway, I may check out this dealership. If they’re considering joining the program, the least I can do is give them my business.”
“That’s the spirit,” Barnard said. “We want to reward companies for joining the program and what better way to do it than sending them new business. Be sure to tell them I sent you. In fact, ask for Dante Griggs and tell him personally.”
When the men reached Barnard’s car, Preacher asked, “Should I tell this Dante that I’m in the program?”
Barnard shook his head. “That’s not necessary. It’s not his business. You want to be honest with people when the issue comes up, but you don’t have to take a probation card to every encounter you have. Listen to your heart. The Lord will show you when you need to tell your story.”
Preacher clapped Barnard on the back, and as Barnard got into his car, he headed toward his. Even though he’d had a good meeting and his future was looking bright, Preacher drove away from the church with a heavy heart. He dreaded the upcoming confrontation with Tanya about selling those cars. He knew he had a fight on his hands.
CHAPTER 4
Andre Davis shook his bald head in amazement as Barnard Jenkins exited the dealership. He turned and pointed a diamond-studded finger at his partner. “You’ve got to be out of your mind, Dante, man. You know we can’t sign up for this prisoner release jobs program.”
Dante ignored his partner’s words and headed back to his office. Andre followed him. “Do you hear me, Dante?”
“I’m not deaf. Of course, I hear you. You’d better close that door or everybody in the dealership is going to hear you.”
Andre closed the door and then turned to his friend. “I know you want to get in this guy’s sister’s pants, but this is going too far.”
“Don’t talk about Natalie that way,” Dante said.
“Man, that woman has you whipped. You’re going to put both of us at risk, get both of us sent to prison, and for what? So you can get—”
“Don’t say it,” Dante warned. “Don’t talk about Natalie.”
Andre sat in the chair in front of Dante’s desk. “Look, Dante,” he said. “I know this woman is special to you. I’ll give you that, but we can’t participate in this jobs program. You heard what Barnard said about impromptu searches of places of employment. We can’t subject ourselves to that kind of scrutiny. You see that, don’t you?”
Dante shook his head. “What I see is you acting like a scared little girl. Nobody’s going to prison. We can hire a guy, put him in repair or something. What’s he going to find out?”
“He could find out a lot,” Dante explained. “We’ve got trailers coming in and out of here weekly moving hundreds of kilos of drugs. It’s too risky, man.”
“You’re the one who put us at risk, Andre, not me,” Dante accused. “I told you before and I’m telling you now, I want out. We don’t need the money anymore. The whole operation is a risk we can no longer afford.”
Andre slumped back in his chair. “You’re talking like a crazy person. You don’t just get out. It’s not that easy.”
“All I know is that you got us into this situation and now you need a plan to get us out of it.”
Andre wagged his finger at Dante. “Don’t get all high and mighty on me, partner. You were as open to this operation as I was.”
“You have a faulty memory, Andre. You brought this deal to me. It was your idea.”
Andre shook his head. “Okay, these accusations are getting us nowhere. We both knew we were in trouble and needed a quick infusion of cash. Yes, I brought this deal to you but you have to admit you didn’t take much convincing.”
Dante leaned back in his chair. “I’m serious, man,” he said. “Natalie’s very important to me. I can see myself building a life with her. I want to come to her with a clean slate.”
“Clean slate? Come on, this is me you’re talking to, Dante.”
“And I’m telling you I want out.”
“And I’m telling you it’s not happening.”
“If you don’t do something,” Dante said, “I will.”
Andre sat up straighter. “Look,” he said, “don’t do anything crazy. I’ll see what I can do, but you’ve got to give up this idea of joining this jobs program. It’s too risky.”
“I hear you,” Dante said, getting up from his desk, “but now I’ve got work to do.”
Andre took the hint and stood, too. “Don’t do anything stupid,” he said. “We both have a lot to lose if you do.”
When Dante didn’t say anything, but just sat back down and began studying the papers on his desk, Andre had no choice but to leave. He headed to his own office and picked up the phone. He dialed the digits he knew by heart and when she answered, he said, “We’ve got to meet. Now.”
Andre beat his guest to the restaurant. He asked for a booth in the back and waited. He smelled her perfume before he saw her. He looked up at the petite chocolate sweetie coming toward him and his racing heart told him that he was as whipped as he’d accused Dante of being. He’d fallen for her during his freshman year at Morehouse, when she’d sold him his first nickel bag, and he’d never gotten her out of his system.
He stood and greeted her with a kiss on the check. “You’re looking good, Loretta,” he said. “But then you always do.”
“I think you’re biased,” Loretta said, flashing those glistening whites at him. “But I accept the compliment all the same.” She leaned across the table toward him, all business. “Now what was so important that we had to meet immediately?”
Andre knew she wasn’t going to like the news, so he dreaded telling her, but he dreaded more her finding out on her own. “Dante wants to enroll the dealership in a prisoner release hiring program sponsored by a local church.”
Loretta leaned back in the booth, her eyes alert with interest. That look comforted Andre. Unlike Dante, Loretta recognized the seriousness of the situation. “Prisoner release hiring program?”
“Yes. A local church sponsors recently released prisoners and puts them in jobs with businesses enrolled in their jobs program.”
“And the problem is?” Loretta looked as though she were waiting for the punch line.
“Is everybody around me crazy today?” Andre asked, waving his arms in frustration. “The problem is that businesses enrolled in the program are subject to random searches by the Department of Probations.”
“Oh,” Loretta said.
“Yeah, a big oh, if you ask me. We can’t do it. I tried to tell Dante it was too risky, but he’s not listening. He’s got the hots for the program director’s sister and he’s not thinking logically. We have to do something.”
“What do you mean we? Dante is your problem. It’s up to you to keep him in line. You’ve done well with him so far. I don’t see why you won’t this time.”
“I’m not so sure about this time, Loretta. My boy isn’t thinking straight. This woman’s got him all twisted. He�
�s starting to sound guilty, talking about getting out. She’s a church girl and I think she may be rubbing off on him.”
“Please,” Loretta said. “He’s not the only one. It must be in the water you men are drinking.” She closed her eyes for a few short seconds. “What’s this woman’s name and what’s the church?”
“Her name’s Natalie. I can’t think of her last name, but hold up.” He leaned forward and pulled his wallet out of the rear pocket of his pants. “Her brother left us his card.” He opened his wallet and pulled out a business card. “Her last name is Jenkins. Her brother’s name is Barnard and the church is Faith Community.”
Loretta flashed her whites at him again. “Could be things aren’t as bad as they seem.”
“What? Are you crazy? Didn’t you hear me say that if we participate, the Department of Probation can make random searches of our premises?”
“I heard you,” she said, looking all relaxed now. “Just because they can doesn’t mean they will.”
“Look, I don’t want to end up in prison like your brother, so I’d rather not take the risk if you don’t mind.”
“But I do mind,” she said. “You’re not thinking clearly, Andre. We could work this opportunity to our advantage.”
“You and Dante must be taking the drugs in addition to transporting them. That or you’re both crazy.”
“Could be that you’re just scared. You know that’s not a trait I find attractive in a man,” she said. “A man can’t think smart if he’s hampered by fear. That’s when he makes mistakes.”
Andre didn’t fall for Loretta’s attack. “A smart man knows when to follow his instincts. And it doesn’t take a lot of instincts to know that when you’re involved in illegal activity, you don’t want the police sniffing around. That is, not unless you want to go to prison.” He lifted a brow. “I don’t know. Maybe you like your men in prison. Is that how you get rid of them when you get tired? Is that what happened with your brother? Send big bro to prison and li’l sis becomes the top dog?”
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