“Baby, that was good.” Pastor Jackson rubbed his stomach. “I think I’ll go into the living room to watch TV.” Pastor Jackson jumped up so fast that Pamela laughed. She hadn’t seen him move that fast outside of catching the Spirit.
“I’ll join you, baby,” First Lady said.
“Me too, Pastor.” AC pushed his chair back.
“Matthew, come on, let’s go watch TV.” Jessica grabbed the child’s hand before he could protest. Matthew followed behind, still holding on to a half-eaten chicken leg.
“They could have shown a little discretion,” Micah said once he and Pamela were alone.
Pamela gasped. “Do you think they’re trying to get us to talk?” She failed at her attempt to make him laugh.
“Our relationship is over; therefore, we don’t have anything to talk about,” he replied harshly.
Pamela pushed back from the table and stood next to him. Without an intro or warning she began. “My life with Marlon Roberts was a living hell. When I met him, I was a naïve nineteen-year-old. Marlon was handsome and much more experienced. I was an easy target for his sweet talk and carefree lifestyle. Marlon was my first and only lover, but I wasn’t his. I should have known from the start he wouldn’t be faithful to me. The night we met at Walgreens, he was purchasing condoms. I should have realized then, if he would ask for my phone number on his way to a rendezvous with someone else, he was nothing but a cheat. But like I said, I was naïve, and he was smooth and fine. While we were dating, I caught him with women, and he would swear that he wouldn’t cheat again. I’d take him back and he’d be good, for a while.” She looked down at Micah to see if he were listening. He was.
“One day, I went for my annual GYN checkup and discovered I had chlamydia. This time when he apologized, he asked me to marry him. Like a dummy, I said yes. I had the crazy idea that once we were married he wouldn’t cheat anymore.” Pamela chuckled at that thought. “I ran off to Las Vegas, against my parents’ advice, to marry him. Standing in that strange chapel on The Strip was the loneliest and scariest time of my life. I had a gut feeling I was making the biggest mistake. Anyway, I ended up with gonorrhea three months after we were married.
“Marlon never had time or money for me. I had to borrow money from my parents nearly every month to keep us from getting evicted. When I became pregnant, I thought things would change, but they didn’t. I thought being a father would slow him down and keep me from a monthly trip to the clinic.” Pamela bit her lip and breathed deeply. “Marlon wasn’t there for me during my pregnancy, and he wasn’t there when Matthew was born. In fact, he had the nerve to deny his son. Matthew was four days old when Marlon decided to show up.
“That first year of Matthew’s life, Marlon may have seen his son ten times, and he wouldn’t even buy food or milk for his own child. By that time, he gave up on trying to hide his relationships from me. He openly talked on the phone with women. One woman came to our apartment to pick him up. He suggested if I couldn’t handle his lifestyle, he would leave. The ironic thing is, with all of his extracurricular activities, he claimed that he loved me. Then he was killed in a motorcycle accident on his way home from his girlfriend’s house at four in the morning. Two women showed up at his funeral, claiming to be pregnant with his child. A third woman introduced a little girl to me. The woman said the girl was Marlon’s threeyear-old daughter.”
“Matthew has a sister?” Pamela was so deep in recollection that Micah’s voice nearly startled her.
“I don’t know for sure, but the little girl did resemble Marlon. I haven’t heard from any of Marlon’s women since they found out Marlon didn’t leave an insurance policy. In fact, he left me with nothing. Without my parents, I would have been homeless.” Pamela watched Micah stand and walk to the opposite end of the table.
“Pamela, you really don’t have to tell me all of this now.”
She nodded. “Yes, I do. I have to be honest with you. I owe you that. You deserve the truth of why I couldn’t accept you.” She continued before she lost her courage. “I had help dealing with the heartache and broken promises. I smoked weed nearly every day. It didn’t start off like that when Marlon introduced it to me, but every time Marlon pushed me away, I went to marijuana for comfort, to escape the pain. How Matthew came out healthy and normal is still a miracle to me. My son is truly special because God shielded him from my foolishness. Shortly after Marlon’s death, I received salvation and haven’t looked back.” Pamela wiped tears from her cheeks.
“Micah, I’m so sorry, but when you told me about your past, I got mixed up. I didn’t realize it then, but I hadn’t forgiven Marlon for how he treated me, nor had I forgiven myself for allowing him to misuse me. I put you in the same category as Marlon. You were always good to me, but so was Marlon in the beginning. I wasn’t enough to satisfy him, and I was afraid I wouldn’t be enough for you. It was one thing to compete with women, but I can’t compete with a man. I know you said all that was in the past, but that’s the same thing Marlon used to say in the beginning, after he got caught. I now know it wasn’t my fault Marlon cheated. He cheated because that is what he chose to do.”
Micah shrugged his shoulders. “So you rejected me because of what your dead husband did to you?”
Pamela nodded. “Yes, and because of the things I had heard about homosexuals not being able to be totally delivered. I’ve heard people say homosexuality is the ‘big sin,’ but now, I know it’s not. It’s no different from my drug use; we were both controlled by a spirit. The lust that controlled Marlon is the same lust that drew you into homosexuality. It just manifested itself in a different way.
“Micah, I know that lifestyle is part of your past and not your present or future. I’m your future. I also know that you’re not Marlon Roberts. You love me. Marlon never really loved me.”
Micah folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against the wall. “How is it that you’re so sure of that now? Seven weeks ago, you were certain I was a pervert and a fagot. Just a few days ago, you thought I wanted Richard.”
Pamela moved closer to him, but didn’t dare touch him. “Micah, I know that because I know you. You are the greatest man I know outside of my father. Micah Stevenson, you are everything I prayed for. You’re everything I need. The only time I feel complete is when I’m with you. You bring out things in me I never knew were inside, and you gave me what I didn’t know I needed. You brought laughter back into my life, and you allow me to freely be myself.”
Micah moved to turn away from her, but stopped.
She took a step forward. “You know me so well. You anticipate my needs, and you give me your all. And if all that weren’t enough, you’re a wonderful father to Matthew.”
Pamela wiped her face again and moved so close to him she could feel his breath against her face. Micah turned his head, but she gently turned it back to her and looked him dead in his eyes. “Micah, you once told me you wanted a woman who wouldn’t intentionally break your heart. I know I broke your heart, and for that I am so sorry. But it wasn’t on purpose. Micah, I love you. I love you so much. I know you’re the husband God sent for me, and I’m the wife He created for you. I don’t want us to miss out on our destiny. I don’t want to rob us of the greatest gift; love. I don’t want to live the rest of my life incomplete and unfulfilled. I want to be with you. I want to love you and feel you love me back.”
Micah breathed deeply and flexed his jaws.
Pamela unfolded his arms and exhaled when he didn’t resist. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest. “Micah, you’re my present, and I’m not giving you back. I’m not letting you go. I know you don’t really want to let me go. I know you still love me.”
Micah’s emotions raged like a violent storm within him. He felt it all: anger, relief, hurt, happiness, fear, and love. His body tensed and stiffened to her touch. His thoughts were divided. Could he trust her? Should he trust her? His heart was both willing and resistant to the thought of open
ing up to her yet once again. He wanted to trust the sincerity he saw in her eyes and heard in her voice, but he’d been down that road before and ended up broken.
With every labored breath he took, Pamela squeezed him tighter. She squeezed him so tight her arms hurt, but she refused to let him go. This was her last chance. Then it happened. His strong arms enveloped her like a warm blanket, and his body relaxed. His wet chin leaned against her head. His tears met hers and flowed down her cheeks.
Listening to the beat of his heart, Pamela felt she was right where she belonged. They remained that way until Micah broke the embrace and lifted her chin, then gently kissed her on the lips.
He wiped her cheeks with his thumbs. “When do you want to get married?”
“When are you going to propose?” she smiled.
“What are you talking about?” he frowned. “I asked you a long time ago.”
Pamela shook her head. “No, you didn’t. What you said was that you want me to be your wife. Not will I be your wife.”
Micah laughed. “So you want to be technical?”
“I’m worth it, aren’t I?”
“You sure are.” Right there in the dining room, Micah knelt on one knee and held her left hand in his. “Pamela Roberts, will you please be my wife?”
“Oh my Lord!” First Lady and Jessica nearly tripped over one another bustling into the dining room. Pastor Jackson and AC were on their heels, just smiling. None of them tried to conceal the fact that they’d been eavesdropping. Matthew heard the commotion and came running in from the porch.
Pamela and Micah shook their heads at their family and friends.
“Pastor, I guess you’ve forgotten about your sermon on how we should mind our own business?” Micah teased his uncle.
Pastor Jackson discarded the rebuke with the wave of his hand. “Boy, hush, and let the girl answer.”
Everyone’s eyes were glued on Pamela. Matthew didn’t know what the excitement was about, but knew it was something good because his mother was smiling.
“Yes, Micah, I will marry you,” Pamela finally said.
Micah stood and lifted her off her feet and spun her around while she giggled uncontrollably. Then he did something he hadn’t done before. While still holding her in the air, he kissed Pamela. At first she thought it was going to be his usual peck, but he parted her lips and invaded the inside of her mouth. Pamela wrapped her arms around his neck and yielded completely, even offered him a moan of satisfaction.
Pastor Jackson cleared his throat. “That’s enough of that. There will be plenty of time for that later.”
“Yes, sir,” Micah said, then lowered Pamela to the floor, but not without one more quick peck.
As soon as they separated, Matthew ran to Micah and pulled on his arm. “Now, you can be my dad?”
Micah picked him up. “That’s right. I’m going to be your real dad. I’m going to adopt you.” That announcement didn’t surprise Pamela or anyone else.
Matthew wasn’t sure what that meant, but he knew having a dad was a good thing. “Okay,” Matthew giggled.
“I have to call my parents,” Pamela announced.
While she shared the good news with Henry and Dorothy, Micah talked with AC.
“Man, I told you God would work everything out,” AC said, after the two shared an embrace.
“You were right, man, and He’s going to work it out for you too.”
“Man, what are you talking about?”
“Micah, my dad wants to talk to you,” Pamela called out. Before accepting the phone from her, Micah kissed her cheek and said, “I love you.”
Pamela was still blushing when Jessica walked over.
“Girl, I’m so happy for you.” Jessica hugged her. “I knew you would come to your senses and beg that man for another chance. You beg quite nicely, I might add.”
“Whatever. I hope you come to your senses soon,” Pamela responded.
“What are you talking about?”
Micah joined them before Pamela could answer.
“It’s been fun, but we have to go. We have some shopping to do,” Micah said putting his arms round Pamela, his earlier fatigue completely gone. “Can you watch Matthew for a few hours?” he asked Jessica.
“Sure,” Jessica answered. “But what are you shopping for?”
“My future wife needs a ring and a house.”
“You’re not going to buy a house today, are you?” his aunt asked.
“No, but we’re going to start looking,” Micah answered. “I don’t anticipate a long engagement,” he added after he lowered his head and kissed Pamela.
“Neither do I,” Pamela agreed, stretching and kissing Micah again.
“Humph, the way y’all carrying on, y’all need to get a marriage license and get married tomorrow before y’all burn up,” First Lady said, and then pulled them apart.
“Auntie, nothing’s going to happen before time,” Micah responded, then asked Pamela, “How much time do you need to plan our wedding?”
“Thirty days,” she answered without hesitation.
“So soon?” Micah was surprised. “I was thinking you would need more time.”
“Why wait when you know what you want?” she smiled. “I want you, I want us.”
“Dad, can you get a house with a big yard, so we can play catch?” Matthew asking him that question was the only thing that prevented Micah from kissing Pamela again.
Hearing Matthew call him Dad always made Micah feel proud. “Yes, son, I can,” Micah answered and rubbed Matthew’s head. Matthew giggled, then skipped out of the room.
“Ready, sweetheart?” Pamela took his hand and happily followed her man. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she stopped and turned around just before reaching the door. “Jess, you should tell Anthony that you’re the one who’s been sending him those cakes, pies, and banana puddings through First Lady. Life is too short not to enjoy the love of a good man,” Pamela said, smiling back at Micah.
Micah added his two cents. “And AC, you should tell Jessica she’s the reason you’ve stopped wearing those bright, shiny suits and started going to the gym.”
AC and Jessica were speechless.
Pamela sat on her couch with her eyes glued to her left hand. The ring Micah purchased for her was gorgeous. She would have settled for a plain band, but Micah insisted she get something she really liked. She really loved the one-carat solitaire, especially since she wouldn’t have to worry about Micah making payments for five years. He paid cash for it. Neither wanted to postpone their wedding date, so they agreed Micah would move into the town house once they were married until they found a house to their liking.
All day, she constantly thanked God for allowing Micah to open his heart to her once again. This time she was not going to blow it. She was healed. The test came when Micah voluntarily shared the details of David and his meeting with Richard. Pamela didn’t second-guess his motives, and she didn’t pull away from him. Listening to him share those painful details made her draw closer to him both emotionally and physically. She found herself touching Micah more today than she ever had. She could tell he liked it by the kisses he kept planting on her cheeks and hand. “Thirty days, just thirty days,” she mumbled as Micah started down the stairs after reading Matthew a bedtime story.
“What are you thinking about?” He joined her on the couch and pulled her to him so that her head rested against his chest.
“You know you’re the only thing on my mind.” She snuggled closer to him. This was her favorite position, in the warmth of his arms listening to his heartbeat.
Micah hand-brushed her hair. “It has been some day. When I left Chicago this morning, I had no idea my day would end like this.” He sighed. A few minutes passed without Micah saying anything.
“Are you thinking about your mother?”
“Yeah,” he exhaled. “I miss her already.”
“Do you want to talk about her?”
“Maybe later. Right now I want t
o enjoy this moment.” He kissed her forehead.
“Thank you.” She lifted her head so that she could see his face.
“What did I do?”
“You gave me another chance.” She attempted to lay her head back down, but he held her chin so he could maintain eye contact.
“I love you. I’ll always love you even when you hurt me. But from here on out, I need you to be open and honest with me about everything. Some of the drama could have been avoided if you had been truthful with me about what was going on inside of you.”
“Micah, I was not honest with myself. I could not be honest with you.”
“I understand, but as of right now, it’s just me and you. No Richard and no Marlon. Not my past and not your past. I love you for the woman you are now, and I’ll give you all of me except that part reserved for God alone. I will do everything possible to make sure you and Matthew are taken care of both emotionally and financially. All I ask is that you do two things.”
“What’s that?” she asked barely audible.
“Trust me with your heart like I trust you with mine and love me freely and uninhibited.”
“I do,” she whispered.
The kiss that followed was not sweet. It was passionate, too passionate. Seconds before all four hands started to roam, both of them quickly separated.
“I cannot wait for AC to pick me up,” Micah said, trying to catch his breath.
“I’ll call him,” Pamela offered and jumped to her feet.
“Twenty-nine days and thirteen hours,” Micah mumbled after looking at his watch.
Chapter 29
Sunday morning when Richard pulled into his reserved parking stall, Deacon Upshaw, the president of the board, was waiting for him.
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