The Believer

by Kym Davis Boyles

  “Hence the name Gracie,” Cai said, with a large smile.

  “Hence the name Gracie,” Greg repeated.

  Cai attempted to put the picture back but Greg managed to stop her just in time and took it out of her hands before she reached over him again. “I got it,” he said.

  Cai sighed. “Greg, I really appreciate this. One thing about cars, you can count on them to break down on you at least once.”

  “True,” he responded, “but it’s no big deal.”

  He had noticed that she presumed to call him by his first name, completely removing his title when she spoke to him. It wasn’t the title that mattered so much because it was only a title but, for some reason, he felt the removing of it by Cai was different.

  “How long have you and the First Lady been married?” Cai asked looking over at him. “Oh, make a left at the light up ahead.”

  “Three years,” he answered.

  “Wow,” Cai glanced over at him. “You two look like the perfect couple.”

  “Not perfect but blessed,” Greg said.

  “That’s great. Do you get the feeling that marriage is going out of style?”

  Greg looked over at her. “No.”

  “I mean, is it even necessary anymore in this day and age, especially since about half of the marriages end up in divorce anyway,” Cai said.

  “Says who?”

  “Statistics,” she answered.

  “Ahhh, of course,” Greg said.

  “I guess you have to believe in it to be a preacher though,” Cai said.

  “I believe that if God can be married to his bride and be in love with her forever then so can I,” Greg said with a grin.

  “That’s a cool way to see it I guess,” Cai said, reaching out and touching the Cowboy bobble head doll on his dashboard.

  “Cowboys fan, huh?” Cai asked. “I didn’t take you for a Cowboys fan.”

  Greg smiled then turned toward her. “Oh no?”

  “I pegged you more a Colts kind of guy,” Cai grinned.

  Greg laughed. “Not a bad team but I’m hardcore Cowboys.”

  “Me too, they’re America’s team after all. Did you play football in college?”

  “Yes, actually I did,” Greg said, stopping at a stop sign.

  “I knew it!” Cai pointed at him, grinning “You look like the type. You’re in great shape.” Greg smiled, feeling as if he shouldn’t be. “I cheered in high school and college,” Cai said. “I recognize jocks.”

  “I’m definitely no jock,” Greg said.

  Cai looked over at him. “I really like that you’re not stuffy like other pastors.”

  “I’m just me Cai and I only do what I’ve been called to do.”

  “Evan’s a lucky lady,” Cai said.

  Greg looked over at her and she back at him. She smiled and he looked away. “Make a right here, Greg,” Cai said as he pulled up to the front of the large office building.

  It was a professional looking office building and surely she didn’t have an interview dressed like that. He continued to stare ahead as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

  “I know that between Delilah and me, you’ve taken on more than the role of her pastor and I’d love to do something nice for you to show you how much I appreciate you,” Cai said reaching over and placing her hand on his. “I mean it when I say that Evan is a very lucky woman.”

  Greg moved his from beneath hers. “My wife and I are blessed to have each other,” Greg looked at the clock on his radio. “I better head on over and take her this salad before she has my head.”

  Cai smiled, “Yes, you better go. I wouldn’t want her to get worried.” Greg drove off not waiting for her to get in the building and not looking back.

  Chapter 58

  Evan didn’t say what she wanted to say to Greg when he finally arrived at the center for lunch this afternoon. The leaves of her salad were surprisingly still perky when he did arrive although their lunch was delayed by a little over two hours. Not wanting to ruin their lunch, she didn’t broach the subject and now that it was time to turn in for the night—she was ready to talk about it. Greg climbed into bed, turned off the lamp and snuggled close behind her.

  “Ahhh,” Greg moaned holding her close to him. “This is always the best part of my day.”

  “Did Cai get her car fixed okay?” Evan asked, wanting to get straight to the point.

  “Oh, I don’t know, baby,” Greg said, kissing the back of her neck, “Doug’s pretty quick with diagnosing vehicles so hopefully he helped her.”

  “I think she and Delilah are getting pretty comfortable calling you for just about everything at this point,” Evan said.

  Greg got quiet then Evan felt him stiffen up. “What’s on your mind baby?”

  “I guess I just wonder why they’re calling you so much,” Evan said.

  Greg took his arm from around her, sat up in the bed, and turned on the lamp. “Baby, I told Ms. Delilah that if she ever needed anything that I’d be there.”

  Evan turned over on her side and glared at him. “Does that go for Cai as well?”

  “Of course not,” Greg answered. “I only went to see if I could help with her car because Ms. Delilah asked me to.”

  “That’s what Triple A is for,” Evan shot back.

  Greg almost chuckled. “You’re absolutely right baby and it won’t happen again,” he said, placing his hand on her hip and rubbing her. “You know that you don’t ever have to be concerned that I’ll ever betray you. That will never happen.”

  “Greg, at one time, I never questioned anything and that made me now question everything.”

  Greg nodded. “I know.”

  Chapter 59

  James sat in his patrol car at the corner of Plymouth and Cedar Streets in the dark of night, able to see Cai’s front door. She was supposed to have come out five minutes ago. The porch light blinked twice, causing him to sit up. The door opened and he saw her slowly close the door, run down the porch steps and out of the gate in his direction. Her svelte body was wrapped in a long, thin cardigan sweater. He started the car and unlocked the passenger side door for her as she ran up to the car and opened the door.

  “Hey,” he said watching her climb in beside him, sort of expecting a kiss but there was none.

  “I had to wait to make sure that Delilah was asleep.”

  James turned the corner away from her house. “You look beautiful,” he said, trying to look at her and watch the road at the same time. He hoped he didn’t look desperate but in a way he didn't care if he did. This girl did something to him and he just didn’t care anymore how it looked.

  “Thank you,” she said, smiling.

  “I’ve been calling you all day. Why did you wait so long to respond?” He sounded annoyed because he was. He didn’t like being ignored.

  She looked over at him. “Oh, are you keeping an account of how long it takes me to respond?”

  James looked over at her. “No, I just wanted to talk to you.”

  “Here I am,” Cai said.

  “Yes, you are. Are you hungry?”

  “Starving, and I want a big juicy burger,” Cai said with a smile.

  Her smile immediately lightened the mood. He loved seeing it and wanted to see it more. “If you don’t mind, I know this little spot hidden out but the burgers are amazing.”

  “Oh, you eat in the hood?” Cai asked looking over at him. “I would have never guessed.”

  James laughed, “It’s not exactly in the hood but kind of the boonies.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  “How was your day?” James asked.

  “My car broke down.”

  James frowned, causing the tiny wrinkles in his forehead to become more pronounced. “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “I wanted to but Delilah called Greg.”

  “Greg?” James asked, shifting his shoulders uncomfortably on hearing the name.

  “He was kind enough to come and help me. He really is a nice guy,” Cai sai
d.

  “He’s been showing up a lot lately,” James complained.

  “You can’t be jealous of what isn’t yours,” Cai said, looking out of the passenger side window.

  “What do I have to do to make it mine?” James asked, stopping at a red light.

  “I told you that I don’t compete with other women.”

  “You aren’t,” James said.

  “I’m competing with Victoria. But I haven’t been to your house, I haven’t been out in the daytime with you except out of town sneaking, and I told you that I refuse to be a side chick so if you really want me then you’ll show me.”

  James stared out the windshield not knowing what to say. “I’m going to make sure that you get to see the house that I live in; the house is going to be yours one day.”

  “What’s going to happen to your blonde beauty?” Cai asked.

  “Don’t worry about that. I want you and I’m going to prove it to you.” He grabbed her hands. “I want to see you when you first come out of the shower so I can dry you off. I want to be the first person you call in the morning and the last person you call at night and I want to sneak you off to wherever you want to go and make love to you all times of the day.”

  Cai smiled. “Like right now?”

  “Like right now,” James said.

  Victoria sat on top of her white comforter in her blush colored cami set with her legs crossed and a book in her lap. She was trying to concentrate on what she was reading while watching as each minute passed on the clock. It was after 1 o’clock in the morning and James wasn’t home. She pulled at her blonde ponytail which she usually did when she had something on her mind. She sat at attention when she heard the alarm being deactivated by him after walking in the front door. His arriving late was becoming a habit and she no longer bought the late duty excuse. She was no fool.

  James walked up the winding staircase and into their bedroom without a word, passing her as she sat on their bed. The lamp on the nightstand was on yet he didn’t bother to look in her direction. He whistled, not caring that it was late; she knew that it was just to spite her. He sat down on their brown chaise and removed his shoes.

  “Kind of late to be up reading, don’t you think?” James asked.

  “It’s not if you’re up waiting for your husband to get home,” Victoria shot back.

  “You shouldn’t have waited up,” he responded, unbuttoning his shirt then carefully folding it just to put in the hamper.

  Victoria fixed her light blue eyes on him. “Where have you been?” she asked, placing her straying blonde strands behind her ear.

  “I’ve been out,” he said, standing up and taking off his slacks and meticulously folding them.

  Victoria closed her book and climbed out of the bed. She walked over to him and stood in front of him. “You smell like you’ve been with a woman.”

  James piercing brown eyes glared back at her, sending shivers down her spine.

  “Have you been with a woman?” Victoria asked, readying herself for the answer and already knowing in her heart that he had been.

  James laughed at her. “You’re losing your mind.”

  “Have I lost all sense of smell too?” Victoria asked. “Who is she?”

  “What do you want me to say to you, Vikki?” James asked, turning away from her and walking toward their closet.

  She crossed her arms. “I want you to say that you haven’t just slept with another woman before you came home to me.”

  “Please stop.” He walked into their closet, took his robe off of the hanger and walked back out.

  “Why are you treating me like I’m stupid?” Victoria asked.

  James threw his arms up. “What do you want me to say? You want me to say that you’re correct and that there is another woman who’s younger, firmer and prettier than you? No, you don’t want that so don’t ask me to tell you that. Go back to bed, pick up your book and read.” James walked past her and began whistling again.

  Victoria crossed her arms. “How could you do this to me? I gave you everything.”

  James turned around. “Stop being dramatic and for God sakes, stop saying you gave me everything. You had money but I made money on top of that and just because you gave me money doesn’t mean you own me, Vicki.” James started walking toward the bathroom.

  “Do you want a divorce?”

  James sighed, turning to face her. “I just want a shower,” he answered, turning his back to her and continuing to their bathroom.

  Chapter 60

  Evan woke to the smell of fresh coffee brewing and the sound of Greg singing in the kitchen. Her parents were arriving today and she couldn’t wait to see them. She turned over in the bed and looked at the clock. She had slept later than usual but would still be at the center on time. Evan kicked her way through her covers and put on her robe before walking down the stairs. The closer she got, the more dramatic Greg’s voice was, unsuccessfully attempting to hit the high notes.

  She crossed her arms, pausing at the kitchen entrance and watching Greg. He spun around with a spatula up to his mouth, performing for Gracie who cried out with laughter while sitting in her high chair. Greg caught a glimpse of Evan watching him as he moonwalked, which caused him to stop and laugh while she clapped her hands.

  “Nice performance,” she teased.

  Greg walked over to her and kissed her. “Good morning baby,” he said.

  “Good morning,” she said kissing him then walking over to Gracie who she showered with kisses all over her neck, causing her to giggle. “Hey, my baby girl.”

  “I’ve got egg whites omelets, turkey sausage, and your choice of grilled potatoes or oatmeal on the menu this morning. What’s your pleasure, beautiful lady?”

  Evan smiled. “Uh, I’ll have everything except oatmeal,” she said, glad that last night’s conversation was behind them but more thankful that Greg was understanding.

  “You need to try the oatmeal. It’s good for you,” he said, pouring her a cup of coffee and placing it in front of her.

  “Thank you,” Evan said.

  Greg picked up a pair of tongs and placed the food onto their plates. “What time are mom and dad coming in today?”

  “This morning. They don’t want me at the airport traffic so they’re having a cab bring them to the house.”

  Greg laughed. “No doubt your mom made that decision.”

  “You know it. I may take Mom with me this afternoon when I meet up with Taylor and Nina to go over my speaker notes for the seminar. Dad will most definitely want to rest when he gets here.”

  “Yeah, he will.” Greg smiled adding potatoes to Evan’s plate. “I’m proud of you baby for going through with the seminar. That’s a blessing.”

  Evan puckered her lips. “I’m still not sure what I’ll share but I’m taking it one step at a time.”

  “You and Taylor are hanging out a little more,” Greg said, as he sliced strawberries to add to the plates.

  “Yah, we’re getting to know each other better. I think I may have even met a new friend.”

  “Good,” Greg smiled. “What’s her husband’s name again?”

  “David Light.”

  “Huh,” Greg’s eyes looked toward the ceiling. “I don’t think I’ve heard of him. You said that they’re building a new sanctuary, right?”

  “Yes, although I’m not sure where,” Evan said, taking another sip of her coffee. “I guess I don’t know much about her.”

  Greg placed their plates on the table and laughed. “Maybe we should invite her and her husband to dinner and get to know them.”

  Greg is right; I really don’t know much about this woman. “I think we should,” Evan said.

  Wearing her red power suit with matching red lipstick, Taylor was looking more confident than she felt sitting in Starbucks. It was noisy as usual but it was convenient. She was nervous to hear Elliot’s feedback but then again, she always felt that way when she wrote and had to release it to someone else. She had lea
rned that sometimes it was a hit and sometimes a miss. Sitting at a table in the corner, Taylor was sipping her caramel iced coffee when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

  “Good morning Taylor,” the tall skinny man said standing next to her table.

  Taylor wiped her fingers on a napkin and stood up. “Elliot, how are you?” she asked, giving the man a half hug. He was the consummate nerd with his wire frames, blue Oxford shirt and dark blue skinny tie.

  “I’m great,” the man answered and sat down in the chair across from her.

  “Can I get you a coffee or mocha?” Taylor asked, holding up her half-filled cup.

  “Oh no, thank you,” he answered removing his jacket. “That stuff makes me shake.”

  Taylor watched nervously as the thin man with sparse blond strands across his scalp pulled the manuscript out of his bag and placed it in front of her. Elliot’s dull green eyes were hidden behind plastic lenses and his straight faced expression made it difficult to know what he thought.

  Elliot scratched the dusty blond peach fuzz on his face; his hesitancy made her all the more nervous. She rubbed her palms on her red slacks but kept smiling. “You weren’t kidding when you said you had something hot,” Elliot said.

  That’s a good sign. Taylor smiled. “No, I wasn't.”

  Elliot leaned back in his chair. “I love this. My team really loves it,” the man said with a big eager smile. “My team thinks that this is going to make the New York Times list.”

  Taylor’s smile covered her entire face. “Are you serious?”

  Elliot scratched the back of his neck, “But just one problem, it’s potentially controversial.”

  Taylor wanted to shout out with joy. “Elliot, I live for controversy.”

  Elliot placed his long pointed finger on her manuscript. “Only this is potentially bigger than just controversial, it’s accusatory and scandalous.”

  Taylor puckered her lips. “It is and I stand by every word of it.”

  Elliot nodded, glaring at Taylor. “You do realize that we’re all opening ourselves up for a possible disclosure and defamation lawsuit.”