“Here you go, sweetie,” Michael said, causing her to open her eyes. Michael handed her a glass of chilled champagne while settling in the beach chair beside her. She sipped the champagne, staring out onto the crisp clear blue water. This was the life. She looked over at Michael in his swim trunks: youthful, muscular and darkly tanned. Her Boy Wonder.
“Thank you baby.”
Ms. Delilah held DJ’s hand in one hand and the keys to her new house in the other. It was like a dream come true. After realizing the court fight they’d have with Delilah if her lawsuit against the city played out, the city of Fairfield settled with her in regards to Devon’s death at the hands of their Police Chief.
Although no amount of money could bring her baby back, Delilah praised the Lord and accepted the city’s settlement amount. She purchased a brand new three bedroom brick home for herself and DJ in a gated community with green lawns, privacy fences, parks and sidewalks. DJ’s college education was also paid for along with an additional $300,000 payout to him on his 21st birthday. Delilah used some of her money to purchase a new car and a couple of new wigs, and to bless JMC with a generous donation.
Greg opened the large mahogany door to Delilah’s newly built brick home and held it open as Ms. Delilah walked in with the aid of her cane. After taking her first step in, she stood in the middle of the doorway.
“What do they call this again Pastor?”
“The foyer,” Greg answered with a smile.
“Yea, the foyer,” Delilah repeated. “I need to see the kitchen.”
Greg led Delilah to the kitchen and she stood in the middle of it and looked around with her eyes as big as quarters. She had never seen such a beautiful kitchen. The light shining in was amazing; it was like a whole new world. She looked at Greg.
“This is beautiful isn’t it, Pastor?”
Greg placed his hands in his jeans pockets. “It really is, Ms. Delilah.”
Delilah let go of DJ’s hand as he pleaded to explore the house. Delilah ran her hand over the kitchen counter. “What’s this called Pastor? I really like it,” Delilah asked.
“Formica,” Greg said.
“Yeah, it’s beautiful too.” Delilah continued to walk around. “I can’t believe what God has done for me and DJ.” She turned and looked at Greg. “I wish Cai could see it.” Delilah’s chest rose. “Pastor, I told her to stay away from that married man. I didn’t raise her like that.”
“You did as much as you could do, Ms. Delilah,” Greg said. The woman smiled. “I’m going to take some pictures and show her when I visit. Maybe if that appeal is approved, she can get out and come back and stay with me.”
Greg smiled. “Maybe.”
Delilah walked around the 2,500-square-foot house, slowly taking in everything. Compared to the 900-square-foot house that she had stayed in for over twenty years, this was a mansion. She grinned from ear to ear. Greg followed her, checking things out as she walked from room to room.
“I’d like to paint DJ’s room, maybe a light blue,” Delilah said.
“I can do that for you, Ms. Delilah,” Greg offered. “Thank you Pastor.” Delilah walked to the back patio and opened the glass sliding door. She stepped outside. Greg walked out beside her.
“You know Pastor,” Delilah smiled, looking out over the large backyard filled with lush green grass. “Devon would have loved living here. He loved big backyards and putting meat on the grill.”
Greg nodded. “You have plenty of yard for a cook out.”
“I sure do,” Delilah smiled. “By the grace of God, I sure do.”
Solitary confinement couldn’t break Leon no matter what the system thought. He was unbreakable; 1,000 push-ups, 750 sit-ups and reading the dictionary daily only strengthened his body and his mind so he walked with his held high having earned his creds.
He was back in the regular prison population now feeling like a celebrity. The inmates all wanted to hear how the pastor went up against SWAT without fear. He loved recounting the story. He was arraigned and found guilty on multiple additional charges but granted a plea to serve the time concurrently on one condition: oblige the victim’s family’s request to a face to face conversation. He was given no further information only ushered into the meeting room to wait. Sitting at the table, one leg shook beneath. Perhaps anticipation, perhaps nervousness. No. Never nervousness.
The door opened and he looked up. Evan. He saw her stomach before seeing her face. Evan looked to be almost due to deliver and although she didn’t smile, she looked content. He turned away from her. The guard closed the door standing on the inside with them. Evan stood a moment watching him. The air in the room smelled different when she entered. Lavender. He inhaled.
Evan approached the table and sat down. The two made eye contact. Her face was just as he recalled. Soft, velvety and beautiful. He wanted to reach out and touch it. Pregnancy agreed with her.
“You wanted to see me?” Leon asked.
“I did. I want to tell you in your face that I’m not scared of you anymore and…that I forgive you.”
Leon chuckled and sat up in the chair. “I don’t need your forgiveness and I bet that you shake at the very mention of my name.”
Evan sat up straighter. “It must be so embarrassing to have had everything then to lose it all like you did.”
Leon’s face tightened as he stared at her with rage bubbling on the inside. “I should have killed him.” He snickered. “As a matter of fact, you should have seen your hero when the gun was up to his head.”
Evan looked down at her hand and twisted her wedding band. She looked back up. “And you still lost.”
“You make me want to laugh.” Leon smirked. “He’s a coward and he doesn’t deserve what I worked so hard to build up. He didn’t make JMC and he didn’t make…”
“Me?” Evan asked. “Is that what you were going to say?”
“You’re right. I made you, from a scared little church girl into a woman.”
Evan placed her hand on her stomach and leaned forward. “No man made me into a woman, God made me into a woman.”
Leon sighed. “I won’t rest until I get what I’m due Evan. That’s all there is to it.”
“You’re still not paying attention. You’re getting what you’re due.” She stood up and began walking toward the door.
Leon looked over at her. “How’s Sundi and your little girl…what’s her name?”
Evan looked back and took a deep breath. “They’re fine, enjoying beautiful lives: they’ll enjoy the sounds of birds chirping and ocean waves, watch sunsets, moonlit nights, rainbows and butterflies. But most importantly, they’ll be enjoying all of these things while you rot away in prison growing old and weak.”
The guard opened the door. Evan took one step then stopped. “I’m praying for you but I hope never to lay eyes on you again.”
Evan walked out and the door closed behind her.
Greg was staring out of his window thinking about all that had transpired in his life and at JMC over the past year. Although it was mind blowing, he’d go through it all over again if it meant that the truth would come out about Devon’s death and Tim would gain his freedom. He had trusted James blindly and it almost cost him his life although in some bizarre way, James had trusted Cai and it cost him his. Yet, God’s mercy allowed the church to still be standing and him to still be proclaiming the word of God through it all. Yes, God was faithful to him.
Ben, wearing a three-piece gray suit, knocked on Greg’s open door. He held his arms out. “What’s up man? It’s time.”
Greg turned around and smiled. “Just thinking about how good God has been to me.”
Ben nodded with a smile and slapped hands with Greg. “Indeed, he’s been real good to all of us.”
“So true.” Greg stood up.
“You’re highly favored, my brother. You’re alive with a beautiful wife and daughter and now another little Pharell on the way.”
“Who’d have ever thought?” Greg asked,
putting on his suit jacket and ready to preach Sunday’s service. “Speaking of favor, Maria’s got you looking sharp today,” he laughed, looking at how debonair Ben appeared.
Ben fingered his collar and posed. “I think so. Do you like the pocket square?” he asked proudly with a laugh about the red polka dot fabric sticking out of his suit pocket.
“I sure do,” Greg said, “It’s a good day, my friend.”
Ben grabbed Greg’s iPad and notebook to take to the podium for him. “Yes, it is Pastor.”
“I’m using my bible today,” Greg said. Today, he wanted to feel the pages of God’s word in his hands even if the pages were falling out of their binding.
“Gotcha, I’ll see you out there.” Ben walked out with Greg’s bible and notepad.
What a gorgeous Sunday it was and Greg was excited to preach today. His heart leaped for joy at God’s amazing grace. Wearing a new suit that Evan gave him for his birthday and sporting a fresh new haircut, he looked good but he felt better. He saw Deacon Howard walking toward him as he headed toward the pulpit.
“Deacon Howard, you looking good today,” Greg said.
“Pastor, you’re looking sharp yourself,” the deacon answered, throwing his arms around Greg. “I’m ready for that Word. I need to grab something out of my office first though.”
Deacon Howard was back to his usual gleeful self that they all had missed. “I’m excited to see what the Holy Spirit has in store for us today myself, Deacon,” Greg said.
“Well, don’t forget that we’re going to have a short trustee meeting right after service. I need to go over a few things,” Deacon Howard said.
“Yes sir,” Greg said patting the deacon on the shoulder.
Greg approached the back door to the pulpit ready to walk out and deliver the word of God. He stood a moment and thought about the scripture that he was teaching today. Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Greg bowed his head at the pulpit door. Thank you Father God. Lord, I thank you.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
Chapter 122
Chapter 123
Chapter 124
Chapter 125
The Believer Page 37