The Favorite Son

by Tiffany L. Warren

  “Do we have word on getting the loan approved for the building?” Pastor Brennan asked.

  Pastor Wilson nodded. “We do. It’s approved. And in the interim we are going to rent a convention center. We’re going to do a huge marketing push over the last two weeks of July to let people know that Graceway is coming to Oklahoma City. Then, for the month of August, I will preach every Sunday at the Oklahoma City location. The first Sunday in September, Blaine will take over.”

  Blaine blinked rapidly and felt his chest tighten. Was that anxiety? He’d spoken in church before and even preached for small occasions, but never on a Sunday morning. He thought he’d have more time than this to get used to the idea of being a pastor. It was already the middle of June. That didn’t give him much time at all to get his life together.

  Regina looked as if she wanted to burst from excitement, which irritated Blaine even further. She was just too thrilled at the thought of being called First Lady.

  “What about the fact that Blaine isn’t married?” Stephen asked. “Isn’t that important? Part of the initial strategy was to have him married off first before he took to the pulpit.”

  Initial strategy? Blaine was furious that Stephen’s thirsty self was in on any strategy at all. No one asked him, and he definitely didn’t have a say on when, where, or who Blaine was going to marry.

  “I’m not rushing into an arranged marriage just to fit your timeline or strategy,” Blaine said.

  Pastor Wilson frowned. “No one is rushing you, son. I’m sure Regina doesn’t want to rush either. The marriage doesn’t have to happen prior to your installation.”

  Stephen cleared his throat and shifted in his seat.

  “Do you have something to say, Stephen?” Blaine asked. “You seem to have something on your mind.”

  Stephen made eye contact with Pastor Wilson and then looked at Blaine. “No, I have nothing, Junior Pastor.”

  Regina and Pastor Brennan chuckled, while First Lady Rita closed her eyes tightly as if she was waiting for the aftermath.

  “You can be dismissed from this meeting,” Blaine said. “We don’t need you here to make any decisions.”

  Stephen looked again at Pastor Wilson for confirmation. He shrugged. “You heard what he said, Stephen. You can wait outside for me in my car.”

  “But …”

  “Blaine is going to be the senior pastor of the Oklahoma City church. You’ll respect him as such. If he doesn’t feel comfortable with you here, I respect his wishes. That goes for anyone else.”

  Stephen’s face was red with embarrassment. He stood from his seat and rushed out of the room, but not before giving Blaine a glare that could kill everyone in the room if looks had that power.

  Once the door shut behind Stephen, Pastor Wilson said, “Make sure you mend fences with Stephen. He’s angry, but he needs to learn his place in the Oklahoma City hierarchy. In the new church, the only one who will trump your decisions is me.”

  “Yes sir,” Blaine said.

  “So, the wedding is on hold?” Regina asked.

  “We’re not even engaged yet,” Blaine said. “It will continue to progress, but I don’t want it to look like a shotgun wedding. People will be suspicious.”

  Regina looked at Pastor Wilson and said, “We may need to renegotiate some of the terms of our agreement, then. I would like to add a runaway groom clause.”

  Blaine cracked a smile. “Runaway groom? Maybe you need to make sure I don’t run.”

  “Please, Blaine. Nobody has time for your shenanigans.”

  “This sounds like a personal conversation,” Delores said. “What action items do we have as the board?”

  “We need you to create bylaws and the same accounting structure that we have for our Dallas location. For the first few years, we’ll funnel the Oklahoma church financials through the Dallas church. We’ll pay all of the church expenses and Blaine’s salary out of our accounts. We’ll purchase a parsonage in the church’s name for Blaine and Regina to live in.”

  Regina’s eyes widened. “When can we go house shopping?”

  “Delores will get with you on that, Regina,” Pastor Wilson said. “Blaine has more tour dates this summer, though, so you may not have time to do this the way you want to. You may move into a furnished home.”

  First Lady Rita said, “And where does Camden fall in all of this? Will he be the Minister of Music at the Oklahoma City location?”

  “I would like that,” Blaine said. “That way So G.I.F.T.E.D can stay together.”

  Pastor Wilson’s expression darkened. “Camden is no longer employed by this ministry. He chose this. He won’t be at either church location. He can stay in Atlanta if he wants to.”

  “You will not shut my son out of this, B. C.”

  Pastor Wilson laughed out loud. “He shut himself out. I want what is best for the ministry. He wants to be a music star. We’re on different pages. What does the Word say? How can two walk together unless they agree?”

  “You’re his father.”

  “And he’s in my will. Moving right along.”

  First Lady Rita stood up and stormed out of the conference room and slammed the door.

  “That’s two. Anyone else want to leave?” Pastor Wilson asked. “Damon, will you get me a glass of bourbon? They are stressing me out this evening.”

  Pastor Brennan scrambled from his seat to do what Pastor Wilson asked.

  “Get Blaine one too,” Pastor Wilson said. “He’s gonna need it.”

  That sounded like a prophecy of doom and gloom. Blaine hoped this ministry wouldn’t lead him to drink. Or his marriage to Regina. The thought of the rest of his life with her controlling and pestering self was more threatening than standing in the pulpit in front of thousands of people.

  “Can you make that a double?” Blaine asked.

  CHAPTER 24

  It was the first Sunday Camden visited Ivy and her husband’s church. They’d invited him into the musician’s booth because while he was in Atlanta, he would serve as a backup keyboard player and worship leader. Even though he missed the musicians in Dallas, he was looking forward to this new crew—even if it was only temporary.

  Camden hadn’t forgotten that his father told him he couldn’t come back to his position at Graceway, but he hoped that after So G.I.F.T.E.D topped the charts, he’d have a change of heart. The only thing that really mattered to his father was making his bank account grow, so if So G.I.F.T.E.D was successful, all would probably be water under the bridge.

  Royce led the praise team, which was basically his group, Spirited, with a few others added. Camden had never seen praise and worship like this. The entire church participated. It was like a gospel concert.

  By the time Dr. Whitlowe got up to preach, the congregation was good and amped. They Hallelujah’ed and amen’ed through the entire service.

  Camden loved how Dr. Whitlowe did the church’s offering. There was no guilt tripping the congregation, and no promises of a supernatural breakthrough. He told the church what they needed, and they gave. It was simple, and refreshing.

  After service, Royce introduced Camden to Dr. Whitlowe.

  “I really enjoyed service! You brought the Word, Dr. Whitlowe!” Camden said.

  “Man, first of all, call me Norman. I feel like we’re brothers. Your father has been such a mentor to me. And I take that as a compliment for real. Your father is one of the most talented preachers in the country.”

  Camden grinned without replying to that. It was hard for him to hear compliments about his father because he knew too much of what happened behind the scenes with him. But Pastor Wilson was well respected in ministry circles, so Camden listened without making comments.

  Ivy walked up to the men and hugged Camden. It made Camden a little uncomfortable that she hugged him so tightly in front of her husband, but when she released the embrace Norman didn’t seem to mind.

  “Have brunch with us, Cam! We can let everybody hear the music we’ve been working on
,” Ivy said.

  “You two have been in the studio already?” Royce asked.

  “It was just a jam session,” Camden said. “We haven’t recorded anything yet.”

  “I’m trying to get a piece of Camden before you totally monopolize all his time.”

  Royce laughed. “Because you know that’s coming.”

  “I absolutely know that’s coming, Royce. I know you!” Ivy said.

  “Well, let’s hear this music at brunch, then,” Royce said. “I’m excited to hear what y’all came up with.”

  Ivy and her husband went to talk to some of their congregation members, leaving Royce and Camden in the pulpit area.

  Royce said, “I see Ivy has sunk her hooks into you.”

  “She has? I thought we were just working on some music,” Camden said.

  “She’s a charmer. She’ll have you producing an entire record before you know it.”

  “Why aren’t you producing her new music?”

  Royce laughed. “Because Ivy doesn’t want to pay my producer rates. I love her, but it’s all business on that front. I have paying customers and my own group.”

  “So you think she’s just being nice to me for my music?”

  “Maybe not, but I will definitely say that is a motivation. Ivy has plans to stay on top of the gospel industry. You’re hot right now. ‘Born to Worship’ is in the top ten on Billboard Gospel, so get ready.”

  “I really want to get started on your project.”

  “Me too,” Royce said. “But I have to be led of the Holy Spirit. I wait for God to reveal the direction of the music and then I go forward. I told you it might be a year or more. You in a hurry to get back?”

  Camden thought about the way he’d left things at home and sighed. “No. I’m not in a hurry. Not at all.”

  At Norman and Ivy’s brunch, there were several members of Spirited and some of the members of their church. The way Ivy fussed over the preparations, she reminded Camden of his mother, except Ivy cooked her own food instead of hiring a caterer.

  Camden wandered into the kitchen while everyone mingled through the rest of the house. He leaned on the wall and watched Ivy stir a huge pot of grits. Her friend was flipping pancakes on a huge pancake skillet.

  Ivy looked up and noticed Camden. She smiled and threw an apron at him from the counter.

  “Wash your hands and help. Don’t just stand there watching.”

  Since it seemed more like a command than a request, Camden did as he was told and washed his hands. Before he could refuse, Ivy had him cutting up fruit on a cutting board.

  “I don’t cook, you know,” Camden said. “I just got finished telling my girlfriend that she needs to ask my mother to teach her to cook before I propose.”

  “She doesn’t know how to cook? These young girls out here are not prepared to be wives but are always trying to get a ring,” Ivy said.

  “You’re not that much older than us.”

  “Yeah, but it’s almost like I was raised in a different millennium or something. I’ve been patting out biscuits since I was eight years old. Making chicken and dumplings from scratch since before I graduated from high school.”

  “Chicken and dumplings? That’s my favorite.”

  “I’ll have to cook you some, then.”

  Norman walked into the kitchen and burst into laughter when he saw Camden wearing an apron. He reached over and stole a piece of bacon, earning him a slap from Ivy.

  “I should’ve warned you not to get near the kitchen,” Norman said. “You see how everyone else stayed far away?”

  “Yeah, nobody had my back and looked out for me,” Camden said. “I got caught in the cooking trap.”

  “A man who cooks is sexy, Camden,” Ivy said. “Don’t let my husband take that away from you. Your girlfriend would be proud.”

  Norman lifted his eyebrows. “Girlfriend back home in Dallas?”

  “Yes. We’ve been together for a long time,” Camden said.

  “That’s good. I’m all about young love. You know Ivy was my first love. Did she tell you the story of how we met?”

  “No, she didn’t.”

  “Well, this was before Royce was my worship leader. We invited him and his group to lead service one Sunday, and Ivy was there. She didn’t even sing, but commandeered our church kitchen to make sure the entire group had something to eat between services. She fried chicken and made macaroni and cheese. I hadn’t eaten that good since I left my mama’s house.”

  Ivy laughed. “He wasn’t even invited to eat with us. He crashed our lunch.”

  “How does a pastor crash a meal being eaten in his church?” Norman asked. “You were supposed to make me a plate off the top and set it to the side.”

  “Humph!” Ivy said as she sprinkled cheese into her pot of grits. “Get out of here before you wind up in an apron too.”

  After a few final touches, Ivy started bringing platters of food into the dining room. She directed Camden on where to place the numerous trays and dishes.

  When they were done she said, “Norman! Come bless the food!”

  At the long dining room table, there was more eating going on than talking because the food was all that and more.

  After devouring an entire plate of food, Camden said, “I was going to send my girl to my mom to get some cooking lessons, but I think she needs to come to you. My mom can definitely throw down in the kitchen, but I’ve never eaten like this in my life.”

  “Told you!” Norman said. “She’ll have you looking like Professor Klump.”

  “I don’t want that,” Camden said. “Can somebody pass that bread pudding?”

  Everyone at the table laughed as Camden continued to stuff his face to contentment. As the meal died down, Ivy jumped up from her seat and clapped.

  “I hope Camden didn’t eat too much because I want you all to hear this song that we’ve been working on.”

  Ivy pulled Camden away from his plate and everyone, walking in a food-induced haze, followed them into Ivy’s piano room.

  “The name of this song is ‘Two or Three,’ and it is a worship song. After y’all get the words, you can sing with us.”

  “Camden is singing?” Royce asked.

  He nodded. “She wanted to do this as a duet. I’m trying to get her to record it alone.”

  “That’s nonsense. When you hear him singing with me, you’ll want to record right away. Camden’s voice is incredible.”

  Camden began to play the introduction to the song. When Ivy’s vocals came in, loud and pure, Camden’s voice was only there as an accessory to hers. By the time they got to the vamp, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

  “Wow,” Norman said when they were done. “They weren’t lying about you being anointed, man. I can see why Royce brought you here.”

  “I believe God sends me on musical reconnaissance missions, and he definitely did that with Camden and his group. Did y’all hear that their single is number two on the Billboard Gospel chart right now? That is phenomenal for a brand-new group.”

  “I hadn’t even heard that,” Camden said. “Will you all excuse me while I go and make a phone call?”

  “Yes, of course,” Ivy said. “You can use my library.”

  Camden stepped inside the library and called Blaine.

  “Did y’all hear? Number two!” Camden said.

  “You know we heard, man! You’re the one kicking it in Atlanta. We’re here grinding our butts off doing these shows. We’re watching the charts every day.”

  “I wish I was kicking it. I’m working too. Just did a song for Ivy Whitlowe.”

  Blaine smacked his lips like he was eating barbecue. “Ivy Whitlowe is a fine redbone. You hit?”

  “Seriously?”

  “I’m kidding. I know you’re monogamous.”

  “And you aren’t, Pastor Wilson?” Camden asked.

  “Pray for me, Cam. This is hard, but I have to. Dad wants to launch the Oklahoma City church in August.”

&nbs
p; “August? Why so soon? Are you ready?”

  “No, but I don’t think I have a choice.”

  Camden was sure Blaine didn’t have a choice. The Oklahoma City location was their father’s vision. No one would be able to change his mind if he had decided.

  “Is Dad still tripping about me being here?”

  Blaine paused for a long time. Long enough for Camden to guess the answer.

  “You know he’ll come around at some point,” Blaine finally said. “He just hates being defied. If he doesn’t change his mind, you can come to my church.”

  My church. Camden didn’t miss how Blaine had already stepped into that role.

  “Right. Well, tell everybody I said hi.”

  “Or you could call and tell them yourself.”

  Ivy peeked into the library. “Everything okay in here?” she whispered.

  Camden nodded. “I’ll be out in a second.”

  Instead of leaving the library, Ivy closed the door behind her and held one finger up to his lips to shush him. Camden gave her a confused look, but she only smiled.

  “Okay, Blaine. I’ll call everybody. I gotta go.”

  Camden disconnected the call. Ivy was in his personal space. He was very uncomfortable with how close she was standing. Their bodies nearly touched.

  “What’s up?” Camden asked.

  “Nothing,” Ivy said in a throaty whisper. “I was just checking on you to see if you were okay.”

  “I am.”

  “I’m not.”

  Before Camden could stop her, Ivy had pressed her body against his and kissed his neck. Camden took two big steps back, and Ivy fell against the library shelf.

  “Why’d you move?” Ivy asked.

  Camden’s face was furious. “Why would you do that? Your husband is downstairs.”

  “Shh!”

  “Ivy, please don’t ever put me in that position again,” Camden said.

  Ivy smiled mischievously. “What position do you want me to put you in?”

  “You’re joking. You think this is funny. I don’t. You’ve disrespected me.”