by Dynah Zale
“I told you Hope is funny like that. Some people she takes to more readily than others. Plus, that lady reminded me of the grandmotherly type.”
“How did it go when you took Hope inside?” Val wanted to change the subject.
“She cried and reached out for me. One of the staff members had to pull her away. We go through the same thing every week. It’s hard leaving her behind. I hope Mr. Lawson finds a way for us to be together.”
Val could hear how hard it was for Jonah to leave his daughter behind. She rubbed his back. “Listen, don’t give up. Stay prayerful. I don’t know what’s in the Lord’s plans, but I know He won’t let you down.”
Val backed out of the parking lot, and they headed home.
“Mr. and Mrs. McCormick seem like a really nice couple. Mrs. McCormick talked like she’s known you for a long time,” Jonah said.
Val kept her eyes straight ahead. She was not ready to have this conversation, but she knew this was the perfect opportunity for her to come clean.
“Why do I feel like there’s tension in the air?” Jonah asked.
Val swallowed hard. “I was engaged to their son.”
“Oh! Now I understand why you were acting so nervous,” he replied. “You kept playing with your hands and shuffling your feet.”
“I was not.” She laughed.
“Well, I guess we won’t be going there for dinner.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were engaged?”
“There’s not much to tell. Weddings are called off every day. I don’t want to act like my broken engagement was something special.”
“Yeah, but I’m sure it hurt. Is that whose clothes were packed away at the house?”
Val nodded her head yes.
“I don’t know what happened, but I can see it was painful. I won’t mention it again.”
Val sighed. “I appreciate that.”
When they entered the house Val laid her keys down on the kitchen table and went toward the stairs to take a hot shower and change clothes.
Jonah stopped her and walked up close to her. Their lips were inches apart.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
Val could feel the intensity of the moment. When he looked at her she could feel her heart being drawn in his direction. Her palms perspired. She wiped them along her pants, and before she knew it, he pressed his lips to her and pulled her into his embrace. Val couldn’t stop herself from wanting more kisses. She kissed him back, and her arms caressed his back. The kisses quickly rose in passion, and through his pants Val could feel his erection.
She pulled away from him. “We have to stop.”
But Jonah didn’t want to stop. “We don’t have to.” He tried grabbing at her.
“No.” She backed away. “Good night, Jonah.” Val turned and retreated to her bedroom.
Chapter 28
Colin swung his office keys in his left hand and snapped a beat with his right hand. He picked up his pace. He had to drop his things off at his office before his first class started. A quick glance at his watch showed he only had ten minutes before he would be late.
On his office door someone had posted a bright yellow note with his name scrawled across the front. He snatched it off and read it.
PLEASE SEE ME AFTER YOUR FIRST CLASS—REVEREND BAXTER. The urgent box in the far left-hand corner of the note was checked.
Enthusiasm grew. Colin had a good idea what the reverend wanted to see him about. It had to be about the Assistant Dean position he applied for weeks ago. It was about time Reverend Baxter appointed someone to that position.
With his spirits high, he opened the door and placed his briefcase down. He grabbed the books he would need, then dashed back out the door. On his way to class he couldn’t help but smile.
Colin was friends with just about every candidate who applied for the position, but the difference between him and them was their true intentions for wanting the position. The thirty-thousand-dollar pay raise was a huge incentive for many, but Colin wasn’t in it for the money. He loved to teach, and this new position would allow him to develop new programs, and enhance the Christian learning experience.
When Colin arrived to class, his students were waiting on him. He walked to the head of the classroom and handed out a pop quiz. His students sulked and moaned in response, but he whistled happily as he gave them thirty minutes to complete the test.
A half hour later, he instructed those who weren’t finished to hand in their papers. Then he gave his students a rare treat–an early dismissal. Colin was anxious to get over to Baxter’s office.
Colin set out on foot to Baxter’s office. Although he had to travel over a mile, it didn’t matter. His long legs got him there in no time.
He entered the building and walked the long corridor that led to Baxter’s office. When he reached his destination he saw that Baxter’s office door was partially ajar. He could hear voices inside. One was Baxter’s, the other was unfamiliar to him. Out of respect, Colin didn’t want to interrupt their conversation, so he stepped away from the door and chose to wait out in the hall.
A few feet away Colin was sure he heard the two men mention his name. He crept back toward the door and eavesdropped on their conversation. He was dying to know if he had gotten the job or not.
“So you’re really going to offer Montgomery that Assistant Dean position?” the stranger asked.
“He is the most qualified. Plus, it looks good for the school. He would be the first African American in the history of the school to be appointed to such a high position, not to mention the increase in federal grant money from the government for promoting a minority.” He laughed. “Of course, I’ve already arranged to have my cut taken off the top. The school wouldn’t be getting these extra dollars if it weren’t for my brilliant thinking.”
“Make sure you keep that coon in check. You know how they get when they get a little bit of power. They start thinking they’re in charge.”
They chuckled together.
“Times certainly have changed. My ancestors were slave owners. They actually owned blacks, and now they have more rights than we do,” Baxter replied.
Colin couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Professor Baxter was someone he considered a friend. They had a good relationship. Colin never suspected the man was a racist. He had eaten at this man’s dinner table, played golf with him and even got into serious debates about the different mysteries of the Bible. Colin was stunned.
“What happened with Eddie Frist?”
That name sounded familiar to Colin, but he couldn’t remember where he had heard it before.
“The feds didn’t even have enough evidence to hold him, but we’re still working on Ernie West, and I can just about guarantee he’ll side with us. He would rather die first than let anything happen to that black grandson.”
“I still can’t believe you’re the one who found West after all these years.”
“Neither can I. Imagine my surprise when I visited Montgomery’s church and I saw him sitting out in the congregation. The only white face among a sea of blacks. I had to return a second time just to make sure it was him. But it was smart of him to hide out all these years in the black community. I would have never thought to find him there. I got a call from the former Grand Wizard, and he said that he would make sure I was generously rewarded at the banquet ceremony. Are you going?”
“Yup. I just received my invitation,” the man replied. “Isn’t it set for next week at the Claymont Country Club?
“Yes, the brotherhood is not only moving up in the world, but also out into the open.” Baxter gave a hearty laugh.
Colin slumped against the brick wall. How does he know Judge West? Colin’s mind was in a daze. He stumbled toward the men’s room to splash some cold water on his face. He drenched his face three times before drying off with a towel. What am I going to do?
The door to the bathroom opened, and Reverend Baxter entered.<
br />
“Colin, I was just talking about you to a colleague of mine. I assume you got my note that’s why you’re here.”
Colin gave him a blank stare.
“Is everything all right with you?”
Colin turned back toward the mirror. In it he could see both of their reflections, and for the first time Reverend Baxter did not look anything like the godly man he had grown to trust. Baxter’s features transformed right before his eyes.
In the blink of an eye, the professor’s pale skin turned a shade of dark red. His eyebrows arched up, and the pupils in his eyes lost their color. Colin could feel wickedness in the room.
He jumped back and tumbled over the trashcan. Everything, including him, fell to the ground.
Baxter went to help him up.
“No.” Colin shielded himself from any help.
“Colin, you don’t look too well.”
“I-I have to go.” Colin dashed out.
“Don’t worry about the rest of your classes. I’ll find someone to cover for you.”
Baxter yelled out after him, but Colin never heard him. He was already out the door and over to the music arts building.
He rushed in and searched several classrooms before he found who he was looking for.
He charged into the classroom. He wrapped his fingers around Danyelle’s arm and pushed her out of the room.
“Colin!” Danyelle shrieked. “What are you doing?”
He pulled Danyelle outside into the hallway. “I need to talk with you, and it’s important.” He paced in front of her, waving his hands like a madman.
She had never seen him act like this before. She stopped him and took his hand. “Tell me what’s going on.”
He sighed heavily. It was strange how, at a time when he had just heard the worst news possible, all he could think about was how much he loved Danyelle. He moved one of her golden brown micro braids away from her face and caressed her cheek. He didn’t think it was possible to love another human being as much as he loved her.
This was all for her. The advantages this new position would bring him would be meaningless without Danyelle. He thought about what he would have to give up if he turned the position down and resigned from teaching. He couldn’t work for a man like that. The biggest disappointment he would have to endure would be postponing his future with Danyelle.
That meant he would have to look for another job, and he was sure he would have to take a significant pay cut.
He thought he needed to talk to Danyelle, but he changed his mind. He needed to talk with God.
“Colin, are you going to tell me what’s on your mind?” Danyelle asked again.
“Nothing is wrong with me. I was just having a bad day, and seeing your pretty face just made it a whole lot better. Now since I’ve already interrupted your class, why don’t we go down to the cafeteria and grab something to eat?”
Although Danyelle wasn’t totally convinced of his answer, she decided to let it go. She knew he would talk to her when he was ready. Until then she would wait.
Chapter 29
The risqué scene that erupted between Jonah and Val left them afraid to be alone together. For days the two tried to avoid all contact, but it was hard. They stopped talking, eating meals together, and they barely spoke to one another.
It was weird for Val. The kiss, the passion and desire that raced through her body when Jonah touched her were something she wasn’t expecting. It was like she had been drugged with a poison that she couldn’t control. She was so ashamed of her lustful desires that she repented daily. Her feelings frightened her so much that she locked herself in her bedroom and only came out when Jonah wasn’t at home.
Jonah also had a bunch of feelings that left him confused. His behavior the other night was so unexpected. He had never acted like that before. It’s not like he had never been with a woman before, but holding Val and caressing her soft body made him insane. He would have laid her down on the spot.
Now he regretted his actions. Things were so different between them. Val put so much distance between them, he didn’t know if he would ever get close to her again.
Jonah stood outside of Val’s bedroom door all ready to go spend the afternoon with his daughter. He’d promised Hope he would pick her up early, but he didn’t want to leave without Val. They had so much fun together the week before, he wanted to do it all over again.
Jonah stared at her closed bedroom door, contemplating his next move. Should he knock and ask her to go, or should he go alone? He checked his watch. If he didn’t get going he was going to miss the next bus. He turned to leave and glanced back over his shoulder one last time before racing out the front door.
Val stood on the opposite side of the door with her ear pressed up against the door. Jonah usually spent his Saturdays with Hope, and Val had been up for hours waiting for him to leave the house. She was still hiding from him, but today she had plans. Olivia had invited her over for lunch. Val couldn’t wait to see her. She needed somebody to talk to.
Val waited another twenty minutes before driving over to Judge West’s home.
“Where is my godson?’ Val dropped her purse and car keys down on the coffee table. Then she looked around strangely. “Why are all your things here?” She pointed to an African mask hanging on the far wall. “And why did you ask me to meet you here instead of at your apartment?”
Olivia gave her a sly smile. “Sit down.” Olivia pointed to the seat next to her on the couch.
Olivia finally confessed that she and Dean had been married for weeks.
Val thought Olivia was joking with her, until she looked down at the wedding band on her left hand.
“Why didn’t anyone call to tell me?” Val pulled Olivia’s hand up closer to her face so she could get a good look at her ring.
“Because you never answer the phone. Besides, I asked everyone to try and keep it quiet. I wanted to tell you myself.”
“Have I been that consumed in my own life that I haven’t had time to hear about my cousin’s wedding?” Val felt guilty for only thinking about herself for the past few weeks.
Olivia patted her hand. “It’s not your fault. We’ve all been busy.”
“So when Dean passed out at the church, what brought that on? You never got around to telling me the details.”
Olivia wasn’t sure how to respond. Val was the first person to come straight out and ask her about Dean’s condition. Her usual response to anyone who asked about her husband’s health was, “He’s doing fine.”
That simple answer wouldn’t go over well with Val. She was expecting a logical doctor explanation.
“Stress,” Olivia blurted out. “It was just stress, and the doctor gave him a clean bill of health.”
Satisfied with Olivia’s response, Val got to the point of her visit. “Livie, I also have some surprising news to share with you.”
Olivia waited with bated breath. She was sure this had something to do with Jonah.
“Jonah and I have been doing more than spending time together.”
“I figured you two were getting serious. You should have seen the way he looked at you when we were at the church. Danyelle couldn’t believe you would ever get over Julian and she—”
Val cut her off mid-sentence. “We are living together.”
“Did I hear you correctly? You and Jonah are living together? As in living in the same house—under the same roof?” Olivia pressed the back of her hand against Val’s forehead. “Are you sick?”
This wasn’t the kind of response Val was expecting.
“You moved in with him?”
“No. He moved in with me.”
Olivia knew Val was acting a little strange lately, but this was insane.
“We’re staying at the house Julian and I bought just before the accident.”
“Okay, now I’m worried. You’re doing things that you normally wouldn’t do. This relationship is moving way too fast. How well do you know this man to ask him to move in
with you? It’s only been”—She thought back—“a few weeks,” she shouted.
“Olivia, calm down!” Val pleaded.
“Don’t you remember what happened to me when I allowed a man to move in I hardly knew?” Olivia reminded her.
“Let me explain!”
Val gave Olivia a quick recap of how she met Jonah and Hope, her confrontations with Caitlyn, and then she unveiled the biggest secret.
“Hope is Julian and Caitlyn’s little girl.”
After she was finished, Olivia was speechless.
“Wow! That’s an amazing story. It’s weird how God works. What are the chances of you taking Julian’s daughter into your home?”
“I had the same thoughts. I wish God could tell me how this is going to end. I would hate for Caitlyn to get custody of Hope.”
“How do you feel about Julian having a daughter?” Olivia asked.
“I can’t help but love her. Even if I wanted to hate her, I couldn’t. I must admit it felt strange when I first found out she was Julian’s child, but I never felt any resentment toward her. I see her as a blessing. Julian’s gone, but he still managed to leave a part of himself behind.” Val’s eyes danced with joy as she talked about Hope. “Livie, you should see her. She’s adorable, but I’m not sure she likes me. She’s very cold and withdrawn when I’m around.”
“How do you know for sure she’s Julian’s child?”
“Every time I look at her I see glimpses of him,” Val replied. “I know that I shouldn’t take Caitlyn’s word on anything, but I guess the only way we’ll know for sure is to get Mrs. McCormick to take a DNA test.”
“What did she say when you told her she has a grandchild?”
Val took her tongue and wet her lips, then avoided the question by looking down at her watch.
“You didn’t tell her?” Olivia was livid.
“I was going to, but if I did that, then I would have to tell Jonah about Julian, and I’m still trying to figure out how to do that.”
Olivia opened her mouth to complain, but Val held up her hand.
“I’m scared. I’m not sure how he is going to react once he finds out I was engaged to Hope’s biological father. He may think I was trying to trick him or take Hope away from him. I need to make sure he understands how much I care about him and it has nothing to do with Hope. He doesn’t trust too many people these days, and I happen to be one of the few he does trust.”