“Well, I don’t think you should wait for Pastor Landris. There are other ministers available at the church. Make an appointment with one of them,” Marcella said.
“I told you, Marcella, I’m not talking to just anyone about this. It’s hard enough for me as it is discussing it with you. You know I don’t trust everybody with my business. I don’t feel like having folks looking at me funny or treating me like I’m some kind of pervert.”
“I’ve told you; I don’t believe the people on staff at this church will do that.”
“But you don’t know that for sure. I don’t want to chance it and find out I was right all the time.”
“Okay, Bentley. If you like, we can go see somebody not connected to the church. I did some research on the Internet, and there are other alternatives we can look into to get you help.”
“The last thing I need is to join a group of strangers and put my business in the streets. I’m trying to be the next Bill Gates. I don’t need something like this out there coming back to bite me later.” He rubbed his head. “No, if I’m going to seek help, I’d rather start with the spiritual. I realize this is spiritual warfare.”
“I just can’t understand why you have to wait so long to talk to someone at church,” Marcella said as she paced in front of him a few times. “Maybe you can schedule an appointment with Xavier when he gets back from his trip to Florida.”
“Oh, I definitely don’t want your friend’s husband knowing my business either. I’m sure you’ve already told Avis everything though.”
“That’s what Xavier does, Bentley. He listens to people’s problems and helps them. He’s a doctor.” She didn’t even acknowledge his last statement. She stopped pacing. “Fine. Then I think I’ll call the church and see what I can do to get you an earlier appointment with Pastor Landris,” Marcella said.
Bentley stood up and looked at Marcella. “So, what are you trying to imply? You don’t think I really called for an appointment?”
Marcella looked at him and frowned. “That’s not what I’m implying at all. I just said I would call to see what I can do.”
He hunched his shoulders. “If I couldn’t get an earlier date, I don’t know what makes you think you can. See, that’s what’s wrong with us. You treat me as though you think I’m some kind of an incompetent child or something.”
“I do not.”
“Yes, you do.”
“Bentley, all I said was that I would call and see what I might be able to do. But if it’s going to cause an argument, then forget it. Wait months to get help then. The baby should be here around that time. That will be perfect. You can be dealing with your problem when you should be enjoying our new baby.”
Bentley grabbed Marcella as she started to walk away. “Hey, hey. I’m sorry. I’m sorry, okay? I was out of line. I know you’re just trying to help. I’m just on edge these days. I’m trying not to think too much and it’s messing with my head.”
“I know, Bentley. And it’s okay.”
“Look, if you believe you can get me an earlier appointment with the good Reverend Landris, then by all means go for it.”
“I was only thinking about how ridiculous it is that you’re having to wait so long. I don’t understand what the problem could be. Maybe whomever you spoke with just didn’t know how to handle the situation. I’ll call tomorrow and if three months is the earliest time you can see him, then at least I’ll feel we did all we could at this time. We’ll just deal with it the best way we know how.”
“I’m sorry. If I wasn’t so particular about my situation and just would take the first available appointment, I could get started. But I suppose the wait time tells you a lot about who the best person to see down at the church must be.”
“Why do you say that?”
“The best ones are always the hardest to get an appointment with. It’s the ones nobody likes that are generally available.”
Marcella shook her head. “I don’t think that’s the case here. I guess everybody just feels like you; they’d prefer Pastor Landris. They won’t give the others a try.”
“Well, we’d better hurry and do something soon. I don’t want to alarm you, but I’m having some real challenges in fighting this. I really need some help here. I’m even paying more attention to the commercials with the sexual overtones oozing everywhere. And surfing through the channels, those rap videos with half-naked, booty-shaking women. It’s just hard on any man, saved, sanctified, or otherwise. But I suppose that’s their whole point. Oh yeah…makes me want to run right out and purchase their various products. Let me hurry up and go get that CD.” He let out a short laugh. “I’m kidding, you know, about going out to purchase their bag of chips because a half-dressed woman was eating some, or the CD ad I just watched of half-naked women bouncing around.”
“I know you’re just being sarcastic.” Marcella took his hand. “We can still pray ourselves.”
“Yeah, you’re right. We can do that. We don’t need a preacher or anyone else to help us do that.” He squeezed her hand. “Will you lead it?”
Marcella smiled. “Sure.”
They bowed their heads and she began.
Chapter 17
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
—Matthew 25:39
“Charity, how are you?” Johnnie Mae asked.
“I believe I’m making progress. Thank you so much for coming,” Charity said.
“I told you I’d check on you when I got a chance. I wasn’t just saying something to be saying it. So things are progressing?” Johnnie Mae asked as she looked around the room located in a hospital-type facility that had the feel of a small hotel room.
Charity looked down at her hands. “Sapphire says I’m doing well. I am beginning to come to real terms with certain things. Still can’t seem to get Faith to cooperate with us, so I don’t know. You’d think I’d have more control over her since it appears I am the one who created her in the first place. This is so crazy.”
Johnnie Mae touched Charity’s hand. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You know we’re all pulling and praying for you. And I believe you’re going to be completely healed and delivered from this very soon. Some things just take time.”
“Okay. Enough about me. How is your mother?” Charity readjusted her body.
“Now, that’s a loaded question for sure. Mama’s not doing so well. To be honest, she’s had a difficult time ever since you left. You were so wonderful for her.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, please don’t. I’m not telling you this for you to beat up on yourself. You can’t help what’s going on with you, no more than Mama can help what’s going on with her.” Johnnie Mae sat back in the chair. “I just wanted you to know how much of an impact your life had on her in that short time you were with her. It was amazing. She seemed to thrive with you. None of us has been able to create the atmosphere you did with her.”
“She loves music.”
“Yes, she does. We tried that, but there must have been something different with you, because she was just not the same after you left. In fact, she got so bad we couldn’t leave her home for even a few minutes. I really may just have to put her in a home soon.”
“Is your sister Rachel living with her?”
“No. Rachel decided to move to another city. She sort of got upset with me because she wanted to continue living in my old house, rent-free, of course. I may have not minded that so much, but she got to where she didn’t want to do a thing for Mama. She just thought she should be able to sit around the house all day. Listen, I don’t want to burden you talking about my problems either.”
“It’s not a burden. I’d really like to think about something other than what’s going on in my life. Besides, I really care about you and your family. I don’t get to visit with anyone much outside of the folks in here. I am happy I get to go to church some Sundays, even if I don’t get to stay long. The doctors associated with my case don’t want me gett
ing too stressed out or overdoing it. But I’m so thankful whenever Sapphire comes by and checks me out to bring me to a service. I enjoy Praise & Worship and Pastor Landris’s teaching so much. I’m having to stay here until my doctors agree it’s okay for me to live at home. They’re not sure what might happen if my other personalities come out and I’m home alone. Especially now that they’re aware I know of both their existences.”
Johnnie Mae smiled. “I know it’s been hard on you. And not having any family around to help you go through this can’t be easy. That’s why I promised you I’d come by and see you from time to time. I suppose you haven’t been able to convince your mother to come up here yet?”
Charity leaned forward. “No. Things have really been tough for my mother. Maybe in a few months she’ll be able to come. You think it might be okay to bring your mother by some time? I mean, if you don’t think it’s a good idea, I truly understand.”
Johnnie Mae cocked her head to the side and gave her a warm smile. “You know, that might be a great idea. I’ll check with her doctor and see what he thinks. I do believe she’ll love seeing you again whether she remembers you or not.”
“I just don’t want to do anything to upset her or set her back.”
“To be honest with you, it’s very possible this could help her feel better. It sure won’t hurt for her to get out, and I know in the past you two seemed to have such a positive effect on each other.”
Charity smiled. “You look so radiant these days.”
Johnnie Mae grinned. “You haven’t heard? Maybe it’s because I’m expecting.”
Charity’s face lit up and she clapped her hands. “Oh, that is wonderful! So that’s why you’re glowing. I should have known. When is the baby due?”
“August fourteenth. I’m almost five months now. The baby is kicking and everything.”
“Do you know what you’re having?”
Johnnie Mae smiled. “No, in fact, I decided I didn’t want to know. My doctor almost slipped and told me what she thought it was during the sonogram, but I caught her before she blurted it out and reminded her that not everybody cares to know in advance.”
“You and the baby are doing okay?”
“My doctor wanted to do an amniocentesis when we first learned I was pregnant.”
Charity had a puzzled look on her face. “What for?”
“Because of my age. She wanted to be sure the baby was healthy and not possibly a baby with Down syndrome.”
“Did you have it done?” Charity quickly clasped her hand over her mouth. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m just getting all in your business. Sorry. You don’t have to answer that.”
Johnnie Mae leaned over. “It’s okay. I don’t mind you asking.” She sighed. “I considered it for about one hot second. Then I told her I didn’t want to do it. Pastor Landris and I talked about it and we agreed that should the amnio test have found anything wrong with the baby at the two-month pregnancy stage, we wouldn’t act on that.” She looked at Charity, who didn’t seem to be totally following what she was saying. “If something was wrong with the baby, according to the doctor at that stage, they would have given us the option of continuing on with the pregnancy or terminating it.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Yeah. So we decided if we had the amnio done and learned anything negative, it wouldn’t change our decision about having the baby one way or the other. So why put myself and Pastor Landris through all of that and possibly risk harming the baby in the process? We believe this baby is healthy. But regardless, we’re not going to play God and make a decision that a baby mankind may deem inferior doesn’t deserve to be born. In God’s sight, this baby is still one of His creations.”
“Wow, that’s deep.”
Johnnie Mae smiled as she spoke. “Pastor Landris and I are trusting God through all of this. I make sure I eat right and I’m taking care of myself. So far, I’ve been feeling really good. I’m not huge yet, as you can tell.” She pressed her dress against her stomach.
“No, you look fantastic. I can see you’re pregnant now. I really appreciate you taking time out to come see me; you’ll never know just how much. It’s hard not having family or friends in town and being stuck in a place where you rarely ever get to go outside its walls. But I’m more concerned about getting better so I can live a productive life in the future. I do feel special, though, that you cared enough to come see about me.”
Johnnie Mae sat back in her chair. “Others at church have asked about you, but we know that you don’t need a lot of people parading in and out. We just want you to concentrate on getting well. I’m rather fond of you and I know God’s heart and desire for you is to walk in healing, health, deliverance, and perfect peace. This might be your test for now, but it will be your testimony later, when the Lord brings you through it.”
Charity smiled. “Yeah, I tell Sapphire what started out as a mess, when God gets through turning it around will become a message of deliverance for those who don’t believe God is able to do all things, including putting broken minds, lives, homes, and even split personalities back together. I’m glad I convinced Sapphire to be my therapist. She turned me down at first, said it was a conflict of interest. You know, Faith having dated her ex-boyfriend. God is good.”
Johnnie Mae stood up to leave. “We want you to have this.” Johnnie Mae handed her an envelope.
“What is it?”
“It’s a love offering from myself and Pastor Landris.”
Charity’s eyes watered up. She opened the envelope and pulled out a check along with some cash. The check was for $2,000. The cash amounted to $200 in small bills. Charity started wiping away the tears that now flowed. “Thank you, but you shouldn’t have done this. This is too much.”
“Why shouldn’t we? I know you’re not making any money while you’re going through this. And trying to get on disability, I hear, can be a nightmare. You still have bills and obligations even if you have money saved up. Pastor Landris and I just wanted to do something to help you not be so worried while you’re getting better. That’s all. It’s hard enough already for you without having financial worries. That cash is for knickknacks and such while you’re here.”
“I just don’t know what to say. How will I ever be able to repay you both?”
“Just get better.” She hugged Charity. “And if you need anything, you make sure you give me a call. I’m going to see what I can do about bringing Mama by one day when both you and she are up to it. I think it will be a good thing. I’ll call you.”
“I look so forward to being able to see her again.” Charity stood back and looked at Johnnie Mae. “Thank you. Thank you. You don’t know how blessed I am to have people like you and Sapphire in my life. Sapphire has gone above and beyond trying to help me. If I could just manage to get a rein on this personality called Faith, I believe I’ll be close to a breakthrough, and this can be over.”
“It’s coming. Just believe that and have faith—”
Charity laughed. “I know: no pun intended.”
Johnnie Mae let out a loud laugh. “Yeah. Right. Faith. No pun intended.”
Chapter 18
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
—Matthew 7:3
“Avis, you must tell me everything. I mean everything!”
Marcella said over the telephone.
“Oh, girl! Xavier is like a totally different man. He actually took off from work for three and a half weeks. Do you hear what I’m saying? Not three and a half hours, which was a job trying to get him to do in the past, three and a half whole weeks. I feel like I’m having an affair with another man, he’s just that different.”
“That sounds like real love to me. But the man’s not crazy even if he deals with folks with crazy issues from time to time on his job,” Marcella said.
“Marcella, don’t say that. The people he helps have problems just like the rest of us, only theirs can
be more magnified on scales we can’t begin to imagine. Many of them deal with their problems differently than maybe you or I, and they may, sometimes, need help reeling things in.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I was trying to make a joke, but it was a bad one and in bad taste. Tell me though, did you guys rekindle any of your old flames?”
Avis laughed. “Rekindle? Girl, we almost burned the house and a few hotels down! I told you it’s been like cheating on my husband with another man. He and I got away by ourselves for a few days, and were I to write a book about it—all I can say is: MM had better watch out!
“Speaking of MM, have you finished reading her latest book yet?” Avis asked, referring to one of the hottest authors of fiction burning up the best-sellers’ charts with number-one books one right after the other.
“Finished it?” Marcella said. “Girl, there were places in that book where I had to set it down, do you hear me, walk to the freezer, stick my head inside just to cool myself off. And I was not having hot flashes either. I got so turned on, I tell you what—I was glad I was married. Bentley didn’t know what got into me that night! I will say though—I do feel for the single women who read MM’s work, because that girl knows she can paint a picture that leaves nothing, do you hear me, nothing for the imagination to have to fill in. When that dark-skinned, chocolate, fine brother walked in and saw that woman on the couch without a stitch of clothes on and only those pink, fluffy, high-heel, house shoes, girl, I was right there with them, do you hear me,” Marcella said. She looked up right into Bentley’s face. He stood there, staring at her, not cracking a smile.
“Well, MM can flat out write some scenes, that’s all I can say,” Avis said. “However, I have been feeling a little guilty about reading her work here of late. Especially being a Christian and taking my walk with the Lord more seriously than I did in the past. But then I picked up this Christian fiction book the other day, and some of those scenes in that book were just as hot; it didn’t leave much for me to fill in either. So I figure it must be okay. People say we should keep it real and tell the truth. The truth is this stuff happens even in Christian homes. Ask Xavier; after these past weeks he can testify.”
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