The Believer

by Kym Davis Boyles

  “We need to at least tell Evan because she’s getting awfully chummy with her, don’t you think?” Seducca asked, not understanding Nina’s hesitation.

  “No Sed,” Nina said putting her hand up. “I agree that we’re going to have to confront Taylor and tell Evan eventually but not tonight. Let’s just get through this night without incident.”

  As if having dropped the gavel, Nina walked off. Seducca watched her, wondering how she was going to make it through the evening knowing what she knew and saying nothing about it.

  Chapter 101

  Victoria shuffled through her closet for clothes to take on her trip. She would only be gone a few days but with things so tense with James, she was almost afraid to leave her house for even that short amount of time. She walked, dazed, around her closet that was about the size of another master bedroom. It wasn’t that she couldn’t find anything with everything so meticulously organized by type, color and season but it felt like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders and it was hard to think clearly.

  She pulled a few outfits down from the top row of hangers and placed them in one of two suitcases that were laid out on the closet floor. She meant to turn on her music to drown out her thoughts because her bedroom was so quiet. She had to admit that she missed James but she wasn’t raised to accept less than she deserved. She still didn’t know what she’d tell her mother about it all, seeing that the woman hated him from the start, James was 20 years Victoria’s senior, blue collar and the wrong color. He was the opposite of everything her family loved but she married him anyway against their will.

  She began zipping her luggage when she heard footsteps outside of the closet in her bedroom. She stopped for a moment. “Elena, is that you?”

  “It’s me,” James said, approaching her closet door with a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

  Victoria looked at him then back down at her suitcase, pushed it to the side and moved on to the next suitcase. “What are you doing here, James?”

  He walked in and knelt in front of her with the bouquet. “Victoria, I’m sorry for betraying you,” he paused. “I love you beyond anything in this world. Please don’t end our marriage.”

  Victoria stared at the flowers, took them from his hand and threw them on the floor. “That’s what I think of your apology. Who do you think that I am? Flowers don’t make up for what you’ve done.” She walked past him to her accessory table to pack her accessories.

  James stood. “I messed up, Victoria!” he screamed, flinging his arms around. “You’re giving up on 10 years of marriage because of one mistake?”

  Already crying, she turned around to him. “No, I’m giving up on a marriage that you ended the minute you wanted to be single, so now I’m providing you that opportunity.”

  James stood silent as Victoria opened a drawer and pulled out a few bracelets. He walked behind her and wrapped his arms around her body. She closed her eyes almost melting in his embrace.

  James placed his mouth to her neck. “I can’t live without you so please don’t make me.”

  Victoria turned around, staring him in the face. “Who is she?” she asked with tears in her eyes.

  “I’m not seeing her anymore. It was a mistake.”

  Victoria pushed him back with both hands. “Don’t use semantics with me. Who was she, James?”

  James lowered his eyes. “What is her name?” Victoria demanded to know.

  “Cairo,” James mumbled, “Devon Rice’s sister.”

  Victoria looked at him a moment then raised her hand and swiped her palm hard across his face. It happened before she realized it. She wanted to hurt him like he had hurt her. “How could you?”

  “I’m so, so sorry,” James said.

  Victoria began walking away from him when he grabbed her and attempted to hold her. She pounded his chest with her fists as hard as she could. “How could you do this to me? How could you betray me?” she cried, continuing to strike him with her fists until she finally buried her face in his chest.

  He held her close as tears flowed down her face. He kissed the top of her head and her face. “I’m so sorry baby. I’m just so sorry for hurting you and I promise that I will never hurt you again.”

  “It’s not enough,” she whispered.

  “I know.” James lifted her wet chin. “What can I do, Victoria?”

  Victoria shook her head staring at him. “I don’t know.”

  James placed his hands on her face. “If you give me another chance, I promise that I will never betray you ever again. I swear on my life.”

  She dropped her head on his chest and closed her eyes as he held onto her.

  Chapter 102

  Seated at the long table centered at the front of the room with other First Ladies and their husbands, Evan snuggled close to Greg, surprised that the evening was so delightful and relaxed. Evan smiled as Mimi and Rick talked and shared a laugh every now and again. She leaned close to Greg’s ear. “They’re getting along great,” Evan whispered.

  Greg nodded. “It appears so,” he said.

  The loud clinking of Nina’s fork tapping against her crystal glass immediately drew all eyes on her. “May I have everyone’s attention please?” Nina asked, standing up from her seat. Nina’s voice could barely be heard throughout the hall. Someone from the back of the room passed a cordless microphone up to the table until it reached her. She tapped on it, producing an awkward echo from the speakers and causing a few laughs.

  “Can everyone hear me now?”

  “Yes!” someone shouted from a table in the far right corner.

  Nina smiled, nodding in the corner direction. “Thank you so much. I want to take this opportunity to be the first to say how wonderful it is to be here with you all this evening. Thank you all for joining us tonight.”

  Everyone applauded until Nina put her hands up. “My husband and I, along with the congregation of Grace Community Church, are delighted to have a group of special First Ladies who were chosen because of their unique experiences and testimonies to participate in our first annual Women’s Deliverance seminar.” Nina turned to her left and to her right to look at each of the ladies at the table. “I want to tell each and every one of you ladies how much I love you, respect you, and am grateful to be your friend and sister in Christ.”

  There was a round of applause as Nina welled up, looking out over the crowd.

  “Anyway,” Nina said, “I’m also blessed to have a wonderful and beautiful human being in my life by the name of Evan Pharell. She’s truly the epitome of grace, class and faith.” Evan smiled feeling all eyes on her as Nina spoke. She mouthed a thank you to Nina. “I love you sweetie, Grace Community is donating 60% of our earnings tonight to Sundi’s Courage which is a help center for women, children and their families which was founded by this incredible woman.”

  Claps resonated throughout the room again. Evan smiled, clapping as well. “Okay, I will now turn the microphone over to our gracious hostess this evening, Mrs. Taylor Light.”

  The room clapped as Taylor, sitting at the end of the table, stood up to take the microphone from Nina. Instead of standing and speaking from behind the table as Nina had, she walked to the middle of the room.

  “Hello everyone,” Taylor said. “It’s good to be in the presence of such extraordinary people.” She looked around the room then held up two fingers, causing two individuals in white button down shirts to come with white gift bags in their hands. Taylor smiled then continued. “I am so grateful to be a part of this event and to be here with you all that I want to give you all gifts.” Everyone clapped in amazement as the bags were handed out. A bag was placed in front of Evan and Greg. An excited Evan began to remove the tissue paper from her bag to see the gift.

  “Please don’t open your bags just yet, ladies and gentlemen,” Taylor said.

  Evan stopped and smiled at Taylor’s comment. A few others were caught as well from the chuckles that rang out throughout the room. Taylor turned and faced
Evan. “I’d like to ask Mrs. Evan Pharell to stand,” she said.

  Stunned, Evan looked at Greg, wondering if he knew anything about this. She surely would pinch him if no one was looking; he knew how much she hated surprises. Greg clapped along with everyone else, nudging her to stand. She reluctantly stood up with her heart pounding and with all eyes on her. She played it off with a smile.

  “Although this party is for all the people involved with the seminar, we notified you on the invitation that it was a surprise party for Evan. Let’s give her a round of applause,” Taylor said, lowering the microphone and clapping her hands along with everyone in the room.

  Evan bumped Greg with her hip; she felt set up. “I’m going to get you back, Taylor,” Evan laughed, shaking her finger at Taylor and Nina and then sitting back in her chair, uncomfortable with the extra attention. She looked over at Nina who wasn’t smiling but looked uncomfortable.

  “No, please keep standing Evan, we have another surprise,” Taylor said.

  Seducca stood up. “Excuse me, Taylor?” The eyes of the entire room focused on Seducca. Evan turned to her. Seducca picked up a piece of paper from the table. “I was going to sit here and allow Taylor to continue but I can’t because it isn’t right.”

  Evan looked confused watching Kenny, who sitting beside Sed put his head in his hands.

  “Taylor, since you’re so good at surprises, why don’t you share your biggest surprise?” Seducca asked. Sed maintained her gaze at Taylor while the entire room hushed looking back and forth.

  Nina stood up. “Sed,” she said, placing her palm to her face. “Please.”

  Seducca looked over at Nina as Evan stared at them both. Mimi whispered to Evan, “What’s going on?”

  Evan couldn’t answer her because she had no clue as she stood feeling like a fool on display.

  Taylor smiled. “Seducca, I have no idea what you’re talking about. This party is for Evan.”

  “Oh really?” Seducca smiled. “I think you should tell everyone who you really are.” Seducca looked over at Nina. “And I don’t know about anybody else but I don’t like people hurting my friends.” She looked back at Taylor.

  Taylor glared at Seducca as their eyes met. Taylor shrugged then leaned into the mic. “Since Seducca has spoiled my surprise, I’d like everyone to please open their bags.”

  Evan slowly sat back in her chair watching as the shuffling of gift paper resounded throughout the room as guests pulled out a book from their bags. Evan looked over at Greg who pulled a book from his bag as well.

  “My name is Taylor Ladson. My husband is the incomparable Leon Ladson and I’m the author of The Deception which is a gift that I’m sharing with you all this evening.”

  Evan looked down at Greg then over at Mimi, who was pulling her book out of the bag, then at Nina as if for an explanation. Thick silence consumed the room. Evan stood up and stared at Taylor, feeling a heat wave run through her body. Greg stood up and put his hand around Evan.

  “Let’s go baby,” Greg said holding onto Evan tightly, trying to get her to move away from the table.

  “No,” Evan said pushing his arm away, maintaining her gaze on Taylor.

  Seducca stood up and kicked off her shoes before rushing toward Taylor. Kenny grabbed her so swiftly that her feet lifted off of the floor.

  Nina stood up abruptly holding onto the table as her hands shook. “Stop it, Taylor.”

  Ignoring Nina, Taylor continued. “The Deception is the biography of the former Mrs. Evan Ladson whose deception is responsible for the fall of a mighty man and a great church.”

  “You’re a liar,” Evan said to Taylor, staring at her.

  “Am I, Evan?” Taylor asked. “You admitted to the police that you had knowledge of the abuse allegation but continued to keep it a secret so you could continue your adulterous affair with the meek and ever humble assistant pastor.”

  Daniela’s husband Rob looked at her. “This is insane, call the police,” he said as she began digging in her purse for her cell phone.

  With waves of heat pricking at her skin, Nina turned to her husband. “Do something, please!”

  “What do you want me to do Nina, go snatch the mic out of her hands?” he asked her.

  “I don’t care what you do, just do something.”

  “I can’t believe that I ever trusted you,” Evan said, seeming to ignore everything else going on around her.

  Taylor stared at Evan as she held the mic. “You owe my husband an apology.”

  “That’ll never ever happen in this life,” Evan said.

  “Let me whoop her ass!” Seducca shouted, causing every eye in the room to turn in her direction. Seducca’s red dress rode up her thighs as she fought to free herself from Kenny’s firm hold.

  “Sed, calm down!” Kenny said, holding onto her tightly.

  Seducca picked up a napkin from the table and threw it in Taylor’s direction. “Trash!” Seducca yelled out, still being held by Kenny; her nicely pinned up do was now hanging loosely, swinging against her face with every move.

  “Taylor, you need to leave,” Nina held her hands up, “Evan, I’m sorry.”

  Daniela put down her cell phone. “The police are on their way,” she announced.

  Seducca snatched herself away from Kenny and picked up her cream clutch from the table. “I’m okay, you can stop manhandling me now,” she said.

  “We need to leave,” Kenny said to her.

  Greg put his arm around Evan’s waist, forcing her to move away from the table and out of the door. “We’re leaving.”

  Nina looked over at Greg and Evan and her heart dropped. “I’m so sorry.”

  Mimi picked up her clutch and the book as she walked toward the door behind Greg and Evan and beside Rick. She glanced in Taylor’s direction and hurled the book at her. Rick grabbed her arm but not before the book flew from her hand and toward Taylor’s head. Taylor ducked just in time, causing the book to hit the floor.

  “Mimi, no,” Nina said, covering her mouth with her hand.

  “Mimi, don’t do this,” Rick said, “she’s not worth it.”

  Mimi pushed away from Rick. “I’m fine,” she pulled her dress down as she continued to the door.

  Linda covered her face with her hand. Kree and Kristy stood up with their husbands to leave. Headed toward the door, Seducca looked over at Nina. “Are you happy now?” she asked, walking out with Kenny.

  Chapter 103

  Leon was lying on his back when the cell door opened, causing him to look up. Officer Martinez stood in the cell, smiling. Leon looked at him, rolled his eyes and looked away.

  “I got a surprise for you, Ladson,” Officer Martinez said, leaning against the wall of the cell.

  Leon shrugged. “I don’t like playing your games, Martinez.”

  “You definitely won’t like this one,” Martinez said, walking in and handing Leon a piece of paper. “I hope you know how to read.”

  Leon snatched the paper from the man and began reading it. In all of the words on the paper, one word popped out immediately. Transferred. He was being transferred to a new prison; Leon’s breath was literally knocked out of him.

  “That’s right, Ladson,” Martinez smiled. “You’re off to California where the Bloods, the Crips and the Locos rule the prisons. It won’t be a cake walk like you got here, my friend. You’re going to really need your bible so freshen up,” he laughed.

  “Who approved this?” Leon asked, with anger seething in his veins. “They can’t just do this! I want to get my attorney on the phone now.”

  “You’ll get your phone call when it’s time,” Martinez said.

  Leon threw the paper aside. “They can’t do this. Why would they do this?”

  “Overcrowding, and your number came up. You’re out of here,” Martinez said with a giant smile spreading across his face as he walked out of the cell and slammed the door shut.

  Kelvin stared at Martinez as he walked out of the cell then hopped down from his
bunk with nervousness written on his face. “Is he telling the truth, Pastor?”

  Leon handed the letter to Kelvin and walked over to the cell door. Kelvin began reading. “They can’t do this, Pastor.”

  Leon held tight onto the steel bars. He needed to speak to Charlotte immediately. He had work to do and now there was no time to waste.

  Maria gave Greg a big hug after opening the front door for him. Greg was ecstatic that he no longer had to go to the hospital to visit his friend now that he was home. “I’m so glad to see you,” Maria said.

  “How are you Maria?” Greg asked walking in the door.

  “I’m glad to be home, Greg,” Maria answered closing the door. “God gave me my husband back and we are so blessed.”

  “I know you are. How’s he doing?” Greg asked walking toward the living room and wanting the complete truth from Maria because Ben wouldn’t tell him if he asked.

  “I’m doing great,” Ben said, hobbling slowly into the living room on crutches.

  Greg laughed. “I see that you’re still trying to get that disabled parking sticker.”

  “I’m one step closer,” Ben said. Both men laughed giving each other their usual brotherly hug.

  “I’m glad that you’re home, man,” Greg said, sitting down on the beige sectional.

  Ben placed his crutches to the side as he slowly sat down on the other end of the same sectional. “Ahhh,” he said as if having struggled with the crutches. “I’m glad to be home. After last night, how’s Evan holding up?”

  Greg nodded. “The entire experience was surreal. I think she’s still trying to digest it all; we both are.”

  “That’s crazy, man,” Ben shook his head. “That is beyond anything I’ve ever heard of before. Who is this woman?”

  Greg shrugged his shoulders, “Leon’s wife. She befriended Evan and some of the other First Ladies some time back and no one knew. Apparently, rumor is that they met while she was covering a story on him after his arrest and divorce. ”