The Believer

by Kym Davis Boyles

  “That looks good,” Taylor said, standing beside Evan at the food table and placing a meatball on her plate.

  “It does,” Evan answered.

  “I guess we’re finally getting to have that lunch together,” Taylor said with a plastered smile. “How are things at the center?”

  “Challenging,” Evan answered, continuing to look at the plethora of choices on the table and not wanting to get in deep conversation with Taylor.

  “I bet; it’s such an awesome ministry,” Taylor said.

  Evan turned and looked Taylor in the eye. This woman is so peculiar. She wasn’t sure what Taylor was up to with the compliments but she decided to entertain the woman. “Thank you,” she looked over at her, “and how are you, Taylor?” She politely handing the tongs for the crab cakes to Taylor moving on down the buffet table.

  Hearing laughter, Evan looked across the buffet table at Linda and Kree who were engulfed with smiles and chatter as they fixed their plates. She wished she were a part of their conversation instead of standing next to Taylor.

  “I’m well,” Taylor answered, placing a crab cake on her plate before pausing to look at Evan. “Evan, I know our meetings continue to be awkward and I’m to blame for that but I’d like to explain.”

  Evan groaned internally. Not now. Not again.

  “The reason why I’m so interested in your story is because I work with a group of domestic abuse survivors in my ministry. I’m also writing an article on domestic abuse for a small online newsletter—”

  Evan interrupted, “I’m sorry, Taylor but—”

  “Please just hear me out,” Taylor pleaded, putting her palm up before Evan could go any further. “I know how private you are with your life and maybe one day you’ll allow God to use your pain to help others. But my mother died at the hands of her abusive boyfriend when I was twelve and that made me want to help other women. That’s also why I’m so impressed by your strength.”

  Evan stared at the woman whose eyes looked sincere as she spoke and her heart immediately went out to her. “I’m sorry to hear that about your mother. I had no idea. It’s not an easy subject to talk about.”

  Taylor looked down. “I know it isn't; my mother suffered in silence for years even as we all saw her black eyes and busted lips. Anyway, I want you to know that I personally think you’re a brave woman and that’s why I selfishly threw myself at you. I apologize for that.”

  Feeling awful at how she’d treated the woman, Evan placed her free arm around Taylor in a half hug. “No apology needed. I really appreciate your honesty.”

  Taylor smiled with relief.

  “I guess we should get back to the table,” Evan suggested.

  “Yes, we should.” Taylor grinned as they joined the ladies.

  Chapter 45

  James walked toward Ms. Tingly’s desk and, not seeing her, continued walking toward Greg’s office.

  “Um, Chief Mason,” Ms. Tingly called out.

  James stopped and turned around. “Ms. Tingly, how are you?”

  Ms. Tingly pushed her glasses up on her face. “I was bending down picking this paper up off of the floor.” She stared at him. “What can I do for you?”

  Feeling a bit offended at not just being allowed to go directly back to see Greg, James walked to Ms. Tingly’s desk. “I wanted to see if the pastor was available to see me.”

  “I’ll have to see. Give me just a minute.” Ms. Tingly looked down at her appointment book and flipped the page. Peering over her glasses, she traced the time blocks with the tip of her index finger.

  James stared at the woman. Is this old lady serious? “I just need a moment of his time, Ms. Tingly,” James said.

  “Just a little longer, Chief Mason.” Ms. Tingly looked up, appearing a bit confused. “I don’t want to mess anything up.”

  “Of course not,” James said, turning his back to her and trying to maintain his composure.

  “Okay, Chief Mason, he has no appointments down here so let me call him.”

  Call him? Unable to take it anymore, James walked away from Ms. Tingly’s desk, put his hands in his pocket and gazed out of the window. Anything was better than watching her move in slow motion.

  “Chief Mason?” Ms. Tingly called out, “I’ll take you back.” She stood up.

  James put his hand up and smiled. “No, thank you, Ms. Tingly. I’m fine.”

  “Oh, okay,” Ms. Tingly said, looking bewildered. She reached down on her desk. “Chief Mason, can you take this mail back to the pastor?”

  She made me wait and now she’s asking me to do her job? “I sure can, Ms. Tingly,” James said, taking the mail out of her hand.

  Annoyed, James walked to Greg’s office door and knocked three quick knocks before opening the door. “Pastor Greg?” James closed Greg’s door and sat down. “You got better protection than the President. That Ms. Tingly needs to apply for a job with the Secret Service.”

  Greg laughed as he took his seat. “How’s Victoria?”

  Victoria was the furthest thing from his mind and after being with Cai, he wanted to keep it that way. “She’s fine,” James said.

  Greg sat forward and rested his elbows on his desk. “There certainly has been a lot going on lately.”

  “Yes, there has.”

  “I commend you for doing such a great job in solving Devon’s case. That was a relief to everyone in the community, especially to the Rice family.”

  James crossed his legs. “It was important to get him off of the streets; now everybody can go back to life as usual. Speaking of which, I’ve been updating Delilah’s daughter, Cai on the case. She mentioned that she’s been talking to you.”

  “Yes, she visited.” Greg picked up his pen and began twirling it between his fingers.

  James stared at Greg, expecting him to continue talking but he didn’t. “I hope that you were able to help her,” James said.

  “I hope so,” Greg said.

  James hated that Greg was trying to play coy with him. He is such an annoying little prick. “Good,” James said. “She’s an amazing young woman.”

  “You came to see me about something, Chief?” Greg asked.

  “Yes,” James smiled. “I wanted to save you the element of surprise and let you know that I’m putting my name in the hat for the head trustee position.”

  Greg’s left eyebrow rose. “Nothing has been formally announced and I think we should wait until Deacon Howard addresses the board himself.”

  “Everybody already knows but I just wanted to let you know before I moved forward,” James said.

  “Chief, this is a big church and that position is a big responsibility,” Greg said.

  “Are you opposed to me having that position, Greg?”

  “Not at all,” Greg said. “Just be prepared for some opposition since there are so many on the board that have been here for many years faithfully and with you being a fairly new trustee, there could be some challenges.”

  “That’s okay. Besides, you know me; I don’t turn down challenges just like you didn’t when you came back to pastor this church when everybody thought it was over.”

  Greg smiled and dropped his pen. “Only because I was called to do so and I trusted God in my calling.”

  “How do you know that I wasn’t called to the head trustee position?” James asked,

  “I don’t, Chief,” Greg said. “And if you’re appointed head trustee then God speed. We’ve always worked well together.”

  “I really appreciate you, Greg,” James said.

  “I appreciate you too, Chief.”

  James stood up. “Oh, I almost forgot, Ms. Tingly told me to bring you your mail.” He dropped it on Greg’s desk.

  “Thank you,” Greg said, looking up at the man.

  Greg watched James walk out of his office. Cai? Head trustee position? He swiveled his chair toward his window. So many questions churned in Greg’s head. Ben was always suspicious of James since their patrol days. But Greg remembered being
so proud of the chief when he worked for him. He never backed down in the face of adversity when it came to his department or his officers. Maybe Ben was right and the pride that Greg felt was the reason why he was blindly trusting James.

  He turned his chair back to his desk and picked up the mail. The letter on top was from The Mausey County Jail, Inmate Timothy Nunn #4585365. He recognized that name. Greg relaxed back in his chair and opened the letter. As he read, Greg slowly sat back up, straight in his chair.

  Chapter 46

  Taylor anxiously waited as men filed out from behind the door, looking for her husband to do the same. When she caught his eye, she stood on the tip of her toes and waved her arm so that he could see her. He smiled when their eyes met. She made her way through the small cluttered group of people in front of her and threw her arms around him.

  “You look so good,” Leon said, taking a step back and looking Taylor up and down. “You’re so sexy that I almost can’t take it,” he said of her about the v-neck pink tee and tight black jeans. “And I like your hair back like that; it shows how beautiful you are.”

  “Thank you,” Taylor said as they both sat down at the table that she claimed earlier. “I see that five o’clock shadow,” she said noticing the stubble surrounding his strong jawline.

  “Do you like it?” he asked.

  Taylor reached across the table and placed her hands inside his, hoping the guard standing watch wouldn’t have a problem with it. “I certainly do,” she gazed into his sexy brown eyes. “I wish there was somewhere that I could show you just how much I like it.”

  “In due time,” Leon said. “How is everything going?”

  “Missing my husband who everyone wants to meet,” Taylor said, looking down at the large two carat princess cut diamond on her ring finger. “I don’t know how long I can put these ladies off. They’re anxious to visit the new church that Light Ministries is building.”

  “Just hold them off a little longer. That group of First Ladies aren’t that smart, certainly not smarter than you,” Leon said.

  “Maybe not but they’re nosy as hell,” Taylor said.

  Leon nodded. “How’s the writing coming along?”

  “I’m finding out a lot and writing even more.”

  Leon seemed pleased. “Perfect, so you’re finally making progress with Evan?”

  Taylor sighed. “Poor defenseless and abused Evan. If nothing more, she was really compassionate when I told her about my poor abused mother.”

  Leon laughed. “You’re such a good liar.”

  Taylor wrinkled her brow. “Just a little,” she rubbed Leon’s hands, “but I’m not lying when I say that I miss my husband.”

  “I miss you too but focusing on your emotions instead of our goals will only set us back. Keep things in perspective.” Taylor hated when Leon said things like that. She was keeping things in perspective and had been their entire relationship. Their entire two-year marriage had been marred with lawyers, affidavits, court dates and bad press but she was standing beside him, sticking to him like glue, keeping his prison books stacked … and he thought she needed reminding about perspective?

  “Stay on Evan, you can break her, I know you,” Leon said playing with Taylor’s fingers.

  “Oh, I am but she’s not as weak as you make her out to be,” Taylor said. “As a matter of fact, I’m finding out that she’s quite cunning.”

  “She fooled a lot of people but there were those at JMC that she couldn’t fool. They saw right through her,” Leon said. “Have you tracked down those people?”

  Taylor sat up straight in her chair. “I’ve talked to a few of them. It’s funny because even though they’ve found other churches to join after they left JMC,” Taylor smiled proudly, “they still really support you and still refer to you as their pastor.”

  Leon chuckled. “I told you that they were loyal.”

  “Well they still support you and have a lot to say about their former First Lady and it’s not nice.”

  “Because they know exactly what she’s capable of.”

  “I don’t think that she’s as dumb as you seem to think,” Taylor said.

  For some reason, Leon seemed to be underestimating Evan. Taylor, who was working hard at helping move every obstacle out of her husband’s way yet the one obstacle that seemed to be immovable was his ex-First Lady.

  “And she’s not nearly as smart as you give her credit for. So focus and stick to the plan.”

  Taylor glared at Leon. “I am sticking to the plan but I have to admit that I’m a little jealous of her.”

  Leon furrowed his brows as if not having heard her correctly. “What? What is that supposed to mean?”

  Taylor shook her head and stared down at the table. “I don’t know.”

  Leon lowered his neck to look at her with piercing eyes. “Don’t play games with me.”

  Taylor looked up at him. “Leon, she’s got everything that I want.”

  Leon held onto Taylor’s hand and squeezed it. “Because she ruined my life to get it,” he said. “I’ve given you everything I have; you’re in a lavish apartment, driving a Bentley, wearing those stupid overpriced Manolo shoes. Most women would die for these things. What more could you possibly want?”

  Taylor snatched her hand from him. “My husband, babies and a nice brick two-story in the suburbs so I can write like you promised.”

  There was an odd silence between them while the rest of the visiting area was ripe with laughter and conversation. Her visits with Leon were never long enough and she didn’t want to waste their time arguing about Evan. She reached across the table and placed her hand back inside his. “I’m sorry,” Taylor said. “I love you so much and I just miss you.”

  “We’re in this together, that’s why we have to stay focused,” Leon said.

  “Five minutes,” the guard shouted causing, Taylor to look over at him.

  Chapter 47

  “I know it’s killing you not to be at the center today,” Mimi said crunching a piece of carrot in Evan’s ear. The two women were talking on the phone. Evan made a face listening to Mimi’s smacking as she stared down the recipe card on the kitchen counter in front of her. Adjusting the Bluetooth in her ear, she glanced up at Gracie who was holding onto the sides of her pack-n-play fighting to keep her eyes open to avoid a nap.

  “I miss it but you were right, I need a break,” she said as Mimi kept smacking in her ear. “What are you eating?”

  “Carrots, I’m trying to eat healthy,” Mimi said.

  “It sounds awful.”

  “What are you cooking tonight?” Mimi asked, changing the subject.

  “Baked chicken and a spinach salad; I want to bake my chicken a little differently this time so I have this recipe.”

  “You’ve got to do better,” Mimi said. “I mean exactly how many varieties of baked chicken are there?”

  “I found at least five,” Evan laughed. “I’m not a cook, and I told Greg that before we got married.” Evan opened the cabinet above her head to look for a glass dish.

  “You need cooking lessons,” Mimi said annoyingly continuing to crunch on carrots.

  “I do, but Mom and Dad are flying in soon so Mom will be taking over the cooking duties around here. Oh, I meant to tell you that Nina’s luncheon was really nice.”

  “I’m glad to hear that,” Mimi said.

  “Taylor and I had a moment,” Evan said opening the bag of spinach on the counter.

  “Who’s Taylor?” Mimi asked.

  “Prophetess Taylor Light, the new First Lady that Nina introduced to the group. Remember she wasn’t so nice to me at first?”

  “Uh huh,” Mimi said. “What kind of moment?”

  “She apologized,” Evan said. “I think I’m going to invite her to lunch and talk. I think she and I got off to a bad start.” Evan threw the spinach into the glass bowl then walking over to Gracie giving her a kiss on the nose. “That’ll be nice, won’t it?”

  “Yea, you need a new f
riend because I’m thinking about trading up,” Mimi said.

  Evan laughed. “You’re so stupid.” Evan looked at the clock. “Oh, I’ve got clothes to separate. I’ll talk to you later, love ya.”

  “Love ya back,” Mimi said.

  Evan ended the call then walked over to the playpen where Gracie had finally succumbed to lying on her back. “I’ll be right back. I’ve got to grab Daddy’s clothes.” Evan walked out of the kitchen and into the hallway where she’d placed two hampers full of clothes; some needed to be washed and others sent to the dry-cleaners. She dragged both hampers into the dining area, allowing her to watch Gracie whose eyes were finally closing. Jackpot.

  Evan sat at the dining table chair and began looking through one of the dirty clothes hampers. She always double-checked Greg’s clothes since he rarely emptied his pockets; also, some clothing marked for the dry-cleaners could be washed at home. She had watched her mother for years as she washed, dried and ironed Evan's father’s church shirts and ties to the point that they looked like they had been professionally cleaned.

  Evan picked up a couple of dresses that she knew were dry-clean only and placed them in the dry-clean pile. Greg’s blue suit jacket definitely had to go since one of the church’s newborns threw up on it. She was skeptical about the next jacket of Greg’s that she held up; he’s just worn this. She placed her hand in empty pocket, then in the opposite pocket. Feeling a piece of folded up paper inside, she pulled it out.

  Evan threw the jacket on the dry-cleaning pile and unfolded the small slip of paper.

  I really enjoyed your visit tonight. I’d like to do it again sometime. Cai 555-8574.

  Evan read it, and then read it again, and read it again. Her heart thumped in her chest as she looked around the house weirdly wondering if maybe her eyes were playing tricks on her. She hurriedly picked up the phone to call Greg…no, she'd call Mimi. She stared at the paper. No, I’m not going to call anyone. She put the phone down. She gazed back down at the strip of paper in her hand. She read it again.