The Holy Spirit immediately spoke to Al’s spirit, Walk resolutely forward. I will accompany you.
“Yes,” Al answered. “Yes, I will. Thank you.” Al hung up and immediately spoke to Misty. “Wow, Honey?”
“What’s going on, sweetheart?”
He explained the conversation he’d had with Lisa Ann Nobles. “Is this the Lord or what?”
“Wow. Really. It most definitely is. You’ve got to do it!” Misty threw her arms around him.
“The Holy Spirit impressed upon me to go forward,” he said, shaking his head in amazement. “I will. I will.”
For the next twenty minutes, they enjoyed a cup of coffee and talked more about what had happened the day before. Al’s cell phone rang again.
“This is Detective Finley with the Mannford Police Department. I’m calling to give you an update on your church. We will be working hard to gather evidence today and possibly tomorrow. After that, you’ll have your church back. You’ll need to get with the company that insures the building ASAP. I’m sure they will call the city to seek compensation as well, alright?”
“Thank you, Detective Finley,” Al said. “I appreciate you bringing me up to date and for the word of advice. I’ll get a hold of the insurance company today.”
“Be sure and call us if you have any questions.”
Al relayed to Misty what Detective Finley had said and then rubbed his belly. “I am starving, honey. How about you?”
“I’m starvinger,” Misty said, laughing.
“Mrs. Shepherd, I am pretty sure that starvinger is not a word.”
“Well, Mr. Shepherd, they are just going to have to add it to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary then, because I am seriously more starvinger than you.” Misty rubbed her stomach as well.
Al laughed. “Well, I best get in that kitchen and fix my sweetheart some breakfast. Let’s see . . . how about some French toast, scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, fresh fruit, and a big mug of Keurig. What do you say?”
“I say you know how to sweet talk your wife.”
Al touched his lips, a signal for Misty to kiss him. Then the two sprinted into the kitchen, racing to see who could get there first.
After preparing breakfast, Al and Misty took their food out to the balcony. Al grabbed his wife’s hand. “Lord, thank You for this food and fellowship with my lovely Misty. Guide our steps today to Your glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
It didn’t take long for them both to devour their full plates of food and sip their cups of steaming coffee. I’m looking forward to seeing what the Lord will do today, Misty girl.”
“Whatever He does, it will be well done.”
“Amen, Misty.”
Al and Misty took the plates and headed back to the kitchen. As Misty put the last of the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher, her phone rang.
She picked it up and looked at the number. She shrugged at Al’s inquisitive expression and put the phone on speaker.
“First Lady Misty, are you and Pastor Al doing okay this morning?” It was Deacon Nunnely’s daughter, Ranetta. Her voice was full of concern.
“We sure are, Ranetta. The Lord kept us well last night, sweet sister.”
“I am so glad! You know, we were all going to take you and Pastor Al to show you the new parsonage today if you’re both up to it.”
Misty’s eyes grew wide, and she put her hand over her mouth. With everything they had experienced the previous evening, she and Al had forgotten about the parsonage.
“Oh my goodness, Ranetta. Pastor Al and I love you all so much!” Misty’s eyes teared up. “I can’t wait to see it. I think, however, that we are going to have to put it off until next Sunday.” She looked at Al for confirmation. He nodded.
“But I have something else I think will interest you.” Misty let Ranetta in on the plans for the Night of Healing gathering.
“That’s awesome!” Ranetta said.
“Isn’t it? In fact, I’m so glad you called. Could you call everyone for me and —”
“Don’t give it another thought, First Lady Misty!” Ranetta said, jumping in. “That is so excellent. I will call everyone and have them call everyone. We will do it up just like the Lord wants us to! All right! I’ll keep you posted on everything, okay?”
“You are awesome, Ranetta!” Misty said.
“No, you!” Ranetta said.
The ladies shared a giggle before hanging up.
“Did you hear that, honey?” Misty said to Al.
“That is awesome, honey. This will —” His cell phone rang again. He and Misty grinned and shook their heads before Al answered.
“Pastor Al, it’s Marquise, bro. I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t wait until later to tell you!”
“Marquise, hey, brother! I love you, man. I am so glad to hear your voice. What’s going on?”
“Pastor Al, I asked Keiana to marry me, and she said yes!” Marquise announced. “I have to admit it: before last night, I was scared to death of this thing called marriage. My dad walked out on me and my family, so I figured it was too tall an order. Last night — you and Misty, though, man. You all showed me what a God-filled marriage is. You showed me that with God’s help, we can do this marriage thing too and do it well.”
“Oh my goodness, Marquise! That is too awesome, brother. My goodness!”
“That’s not all, Pastor Al. Me and Keiana, we want you to marry us. Right there in that holy sanctuary.”
“Of course! I’d be honored. What say we get together tomorrow and work out all the dates and details, okay?”
“Let’s do it!” Marquise said.
“Congratulations, fam! We love you all,” Misty shouted, clearly eavesdropping.
Marquise laughed. He smiled at Keiana, whom he heard giggling in the background. “Thank you,” they both replied.
“Hey, guys,” Al said. “Do you have a minute? I’d like to share with you what I feel like the Lord wants us to do.”
“Man, that’s so cool!” Marquise’s voice sounded excited as he listened to Al’s plan. “Yeah! We’ll see you there, bro!”
“We’re going to bring . . . Oh, my goodness, Marquise, let’s talk about what we’re going to bring,” Keiana said.
“We gonna do it up for sure, baby girl,” Marquise said. “Pastor Al and Misty, we’ll see you there. We can’t wait.”
Al hung up and gave Misty an incredulous look. The two laughed in delight. Both plopped happily on the couch and leaned their heads back on the cushions for a moment of quiet. “Let’s thank God for all He’s doing.”
They shared prayer until the phone rang again.
“Pastor Al Shepherd?” a woman’s voice said.
“Yes?”
“This is Samantha Leland calling on behalf of Good Morning America. Ms. Robin Roberts would like to sit down with you, your wife, and some of the other individuals involved in the events that occurred last night in your town. We would like to hold the interview in your church.”
Al’s mouth dropped and he looked at Misty, who stared back at him wide-eyed at what she heard through the speaker.
“Yes, of course!”
He jotted down the details and after he hung up, and for the dozenth time, tears filled his eyes. He clasped Misty’s hands. “Wow! Can this day get any more incredible?”
“Dare we ask?” Misty said, laughing. She looked at the clock in the kitchen. “Oh, honey! We need to get moving if this is going to happen!”
They both grabbed showers and headed out to fill their trunk with special supplies.
“You’re my best friend, Misty girl,” Al said as he drove to their final destination. “You know that?” He glanced at her.
“And you are mine, Al Shepherd,” she said. She reached for his free hand and squeezed it. They rode along — content, mellow, fingers interlaced.
&
nbsp; Al and Misty pulled up to Kellie Park where they’d asked everyone to gather. Al couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Misty, look at this.” The park was filled with people. Black, white, Hispanic, Asian. Young, old, middle aged. Some in suits, some in jeans; some clearly sporting wealth, some with none.
“Oh honey,” Misty looked around in astonishment.
“Wow! There must be at least three hundred people here! I wonder if Marquise is here yet.” He said, glancing around. “What do you think?”
“Shoot him a text,” Misty said.
“Good idea.” As Al waited for a reply to the text, he watched the crowd — excited and mingling. Many held homemade signs. Al and Misty went to their trunk and pulled out their things as well.
It wasn’t long before Misty spotted their newfound fam heading toward them. “Here they come, honey!” She rushed over to Keiana and hugged her. “Congratulations to you all! We’re going to have a beautiful wedding soon. Where’s that ring, Keiana?”
Keiana smiled brightly and lifted her left hand. “Look at this sparkly thing, Miss Misty.”
Al whistled. “That’s sure a beauty!” They all shared warm hugs. Baby Nisha reached her hands up from her stroller to join in.
“Hey, there you guys are.” The voice came from Ranetta who was walking toward them. “All’s a go,” she said.
“Ranetta, Oh my goodness! You are the very best,” Al said. “How did you get all these people here?”
“Pastor Al and Misty, I called err’body. I mean err’body!”
They all laughed.
Al led Misty, Marquise, Keiana, and Ranetta through the crowd and onto the street. Then he lifted his sign to indicate to the group that it was time to move forward.
As they walked, Al saw curious neighbors peering through their windows. Some came out and asked what was going on and then joined them.
Someone must have called the police because several units arrived with lights but no sirens. In a few moments, many of the TV news stations had arrived with their vans and cameras. Helicopters flew overhead while cameramen circulated among them, filming the vast crowd who had begun to proceed down the street.
Al turned around but continued walking backward. He put his fingers to his lips as a reminder to the crowd. The gesture was relayed through the large crowd who immediately began to quiet down and march silently. Curious residents peered warily out their windows but nary a noise could be heard save the helicopters above and the trudging footsteps of many marchers. Looking ahead a block or so down, Al recognized their destination. They continued on until they arrived at that now-familiar house at 2300 Elm —the house seen over and over on every television channel for the past two days and on all social media. At that house, the marchers stood. On that warm August day, Al was leading the crowd not to protest but to heal and to protect. Not to break down but to build up. Not to singe but to sing. And in that song, their voices rang out united.
“Mama, what’s that noise?” Andre asked as he and his sister ran toward the window. Renee removed her EarPods, which were playing praise music. Sure enough she could hear quite a commotion just outside her door.
Oh no, Lord. I can’t take those pushy media people again. But as she listened more closely, she struggled to make sense of it all. She heard . . . singing. “What’s going on?” she wondered aloud. She looked at her twins, as if they could answer.
“Singing, Mama! Pretty singing outside!” Andrea said and joined her brother to jump onto the couch next to their mother.
“Let’s go outside and see, Mama,” Andre said. Amazed by the beautiful music just outside their door, the twins ran back and forth, jumping and pulling on their mother’s hand.
“Okay, okay. Let’s go and see,” Renee said, sharing their curiosity. Renee slowly opened the front door to her house at 2300 Elm. Her mouth dropped. Renee Moseley and her young twins stepped out, wide eyed, onto the porch. She gaped as many people in the crowd held up colorful homemade signs that read: We Love You! We are Praying for You! Jesus Loves You! Several in the group walked forward, a few at a time, and laid bags of food, cooked casseroles, clothing, gift cards, toys and backpacks filled with school supplies for the children, flowers, and many other such items on the porch. Many people also offered hugs and affirmations of love. The porch was soon filled to overflowing.
Renee held her kids tight, shook her head, and broke into tears. “Thank you! Thank you!” she said, patting her chest and still shaking her head incredulously.
Renee scanned the crowd to see hundreds of faces shining with sheer love and concern. Even some of the police and the media stood around, their eyes glossy with tears.
“Got my mower in my trunk, ma’am. Can I cut your grass?”
“Mrs. Moseley, I got my tools here. Can I fix those loose fence slats?”
Renee simply nodded, overwhelmed by their kindnesses.
Not long after the crowd dispersed, three women lingered and introduced themselves as Misty, Keiana, and Ranetta. While the twins played happily with their new toys and teddy bears, the women helped Renee put away the meals. There was easily enough to last a month. Then Misty hugged Renee and placed in her hand an envelope.
“We collected this,” Misty said. “It’s for you and your babies.”
She looked down at the envelope, packed with tens and twenties. “Oh my goodness, what?” Renee said and hugged each of the ladies. “This is just . . . this is just unreal.” Renee didn’t know what she could possibly say. “This is just too much. Thank you. Thank you so much!” Renee said, dabbing at a new trickle of tears.
Misty gently grasped Renee’s hands in her own. “We’ve all been praying for you,” she said, as Keiana and Ranetta nodded.
“Thank you so much,” Renee said again. Her head finally cleared enough to acknowledge something tugging at her memory. “Misty . . . Are you Misty Shepherd?”
Misty nodded.
“Oh my goodness,” Renee said and shook her head. “After what you went through last night . . . and you’re here helping me? Wow. Oh my goodness!”
Misty grinned. “Renee, Keiana’s fiancé is Marquise Taylor. He was with my husband and me in the church.”
Renee’s mouth dropped open. “And who are you?” she asked Ranetta. “An angel from heaven?” All the ladies laughed. The sweet sound of laughter felt good — something Renee hadn’t felt in the past three days. “Thank you so much, ladies. You all are —” Renee could not finish. She sank into a kitchen chair and wept.
Renee felt their hands on her shoulders and back.
“Renee,” Misty spoke, “to be honest, these past couple of nights have been extremely trying for us all. But I’ve learned one thing, sweet sister. God is with us. He will help us and restore to us the years that the cankerworm has eaten away.”
“That’s so true, Renee,” Keiana added.
Ranetta remained silent, gently patting Renee’s hand.
Through her sniffles and tightened throat, Renee finally managed to speak. “I feel so many things right now. I feel horrified at what me and my family witnessed. I-I feel frightened about how this will affect my babies. I feel sad for Darrelle, but I also feel very angry with him.” Renee shed fresh tears and closed her eyes. “What happened to Darrelle . . . out there . . . he . . . played a major part. Darrelle was partly responsible for what happened out there. He . . . played a large part. I feel so crazy.”
“Why’s that?” Misty asked.
“I feel crazy cuz I loved him. I feel guilty even telling you this, but Darrelle abused me. He slept around; he physically and mentally abused me and was doing all kinds of illegal stuff. Even that morning . . . yeah, that morning! I figured out that he set up me, the kids, and his mother to be his human shields.”
She watched as the three ladies’ eyes all registered shock.
“But . . . I loved him. That’s why I feel so craz
y. That what’s going down. I need Jesus to help me sort through all these feelings.”
“Oh honey, we’re so sorry. Of course,” Misty said, “the Lord will definitely help you! He’ll walk with you all the way. We’re going to stick with you too, sister. You’ve found yourself some new family here.”
“Thank you,” Renee said. “Thank you!”
“Help our sister, O Lord,” Misty began to pray. “Help Renee, her kids, and her mother-in-law, Lord God. Nothing is too big for you.”
As Misty prayed, Renee felt God’s Spirit settle onto her with a sweet peace.
“Heal Renee, Lord God, heal her twins, and heal her mother-in-law. Minister to them in every way. Spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, financially — minister to them in every way, Lord God. Help Renee to forgive and to go forward. Bring her comfort, restoration, deliverance, everything she needs to go forward for herself, for her family, and for everyone around her. Bless her, O Lord, that she may be a blessing as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Misty hugged Renee tight, followed by Keiana and Ranetta. Before they left, the ladies exchanged cell phone numbers and made plans to meet again.
Renee watched the women walk back up the street. She stood incredulous at the Lord and His precious promise. “You really do love us, Lord.”
After returning to the park, Al stood in the back of Deacon Nunnely’s pickup truck and lifted his hand to a crowd who hadn’t seemed to dwindle after the march. Through a megaphone, he said, “People, God is doing something special in the city of Mannford. Let’s continue to seek His face and go forward in His love. Thank you so much! What’s happened is well pleasing to the Lord.”
Al invited the crowd to the Night of Healing gathering planned for later that evening.
“We’ll be there,” many in the crowd shouted.
Al patted his chest. “Moment of prayer everyone?” he asked and bowed his head.
The crowd clasped hands.
Three Nights In Mannford Page 23