“Good morning, Deacon Upshaw. How are you doing this fine Sunday?” Richard was so programmed to giving responses that he didn’t notice the hardness in the deacon’s eyes.
“Richard, the board is waiting for you in the conference room.”
Richard momentarily paused. The deacon’s choice to call him by his first name instead of the usual pastor caught him off guard. And why was the board assembled on a Sunday morning? “Let me get my briefcase—”
“You won’t be needing it this morning.” Deacon Upshaw cut him off before Richard could get the sentence out.
Richard anxiously followed the deacon inside the church and into the conference room. He started to give his rehearsed Sunday morning greeting of “Hallelujah, bless the Lord,” but the cold reception made him think twice. No one showed their natural teeth or the ones they had glued in. Looking around the table at the twelve stern faces, Richard suddenly became nervous.
“Sit down, Richard,” Deacon Upshaw ordered. Richard quietly obeyed. “We called this special session in response to the tape each of us received yesterday morning,” Deacon Upshaw began. “Based on this tape, we are removing you from your position as pastor of Life Changing Ministries, effective today.”
“What?” Richard jumped up and pounded the desk. “You can’t do that! I’ve been pastor here for over fifteen years! You can’t fire me without cause!”
“That is what makes this even more troubling. We’ve trusted you for fifteen years as our spiritual leader. But now we have to fire you, and we have a very good reason to end all ties with you,” Deacon Upshaw said and instructed one of the members to press the play button on the VCR/DVD combo.
Richard sank into the chair as he heard with his own ears and saw with his own eyes a complete replay of his last conversation with Micah. He watched himself practically beg a man to have sex with him, then get angry when he refused. His stomach turned while listening to his voice describe what he was going to do to David. At the conclusion of the tape, Richard didn’t say anything. He couldn’t. Everything was right there, stamped with the date and time.
After everything I’ve done for him, how could he do this to me? Richard wondered without taking responsibility for his actions.
“Richard, we cannot and will not tolerate that kind of behavior from the pastor of our church. If you want to live a homosexual lifestyle, that’s your choice, but you won’t do it from this pulpit. We only pray that the church is not bombarded with lawsuits from individuals you have taken advantage of over the years. We also pray that you would allow God to deliver you.
“You’ll be compensated for the remainder of this year. You have twenty minutes to clear out your office. When you’re done, hand your set of keys over to security, and they will escort you off the premises.” At the conclusion of the head deacon’s words, the board members stood and prepared to leave. “May God have mercy on your soul,” Deacon Upshaw said before closing the door behind him.
Richard sat dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe his empire was crashing down around him, and at the moment, there wasn’t anything he could do to stop it. In time, he would figure out how to get his job back and repay Micah for his betrayal.
“I can’t believe I underestimated him,” Richard mumbled while shaking his head. “I didn’t know Micah had it in him.” Richard started toward his office. The power he usually felt upon entering his shrine was gone now that the forbidden things he’d done behind closed doors were out in the open. Richard felt several emotions: anger, rage, and wrath. He even spat a few profanities as he packed. The one emotion he didn’t feel was remorse.
Chapter 30
One year later . . .
“Good night, Mommy, and give Daddy a hug for me.”
“I will.” Pamela kissed her son good night, then turned off his light and closed his bedroom door. She then hurried down the hall to her bedroom.
The spacious bedroom was her favorite room in her newly built-from-the-ground-up, four-bedroom home. Of all the houses she and Micah looked at, this house won her over. The sunken bathtub with adjoining sauna in the master suite was all it took for her to sell her town house and follow her new husband to El Sobrante. The big backyard and large eatin kitchen also helped, but she loved having her private getaway.
Pamela quickly lit the candles around the bedroom and turned on the music. She then sprinkled rose petals over the king-sized bed. She smiled at the wedding picture she kept on her dresser.
“I can’t believe it’s almost been a year since our wedding,” she whispered en route to the bathroom.
What a wonderful wedding it was. The warm September weather was perfect for their simple wedding on Crown Beach in Alameda with the great Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. Pamela always dreamed of pledging her undying love to her soul mate on the beach with the sand flowing between her toes. That’s exactly what they did. In place of traditional attire, Pamela wore a long flowing off-the-shoulder white linen dress, and instead of a veil, her head was adorned with a wreath made of roses. Micah was dressed in white linen pants and a button down shirt. Like his bride, he stood at the makeshift altar barefoot.
The small crowd of less than a hundred people consisted of her parents, a few of Micah’s relatives and coworkers, along with well wishers from Praise Temple. AC and Jessica served as best man and maid of honor. Micah and Pamela would return the favor in their wedding next month.
Pamela would never forget the love she saw in Micah’s eyes as she walked down the sandy aisle with both her father and Matthew on each side of her. The entire time Pastor Jackson performed the ceremony, Pamela felt at peace, like she was fulfilling her destiny. She knew in her heart she was marrying her soul mate. The moment Pastor Jackson pronounced them husband and wife, she shed tears of joy and almost did a victory dance.
The first night in the Bahamas on beautiful Paradise Island would be forever etched in her memory. She was nervous because it had been almost six years since she’d been intimate with a man, and she wasn’t sure if she had done it right then. With Marlon, she mainly laid there, letting him have his way, but with Micah she wanted to participate. She wanted to give him as much pleasure as she would receive.
Micah was nervous too, but for a different reason. As far as he was concerned, this was his first time being intimate. He was so concerned about pleasing Pamela that he laughed, but listened attentively to the pointers tossed around at the bachelor party AC had thrown for him.
The knowledge he gained was lost when Pamela finally came out of hibernation wearing very little white satin and lace. Micah couldn’t think; he could barely breathe. After slowly undressing one another, the anxiety left, and instinctively they went after each other like they’d always been together, exploring and cherishing one another like new Christmas presents. Micah was so considerate of her feelings that he made sure at every segment she experienced pleasure.
In the end, the beauty of their lovemaking left them both raw with emotions.
So far, their life together had been wonderful. Pamela transferred from the title company to one closer to her new home. Micah was the best husband and father. He still worked at the cable company, but now he was in management. He didn’t have to climb telephone poles anymore, and the salary was higher, but he did have to put in long hours, which he did without complaining. Micah didn’t mind as long as he had his Pooh (his nickname for Pamela) and Matthew to come home to. They were his world, his reason for being. His adoption of Matthew was completed two months ago. Matthew was officially Matthew Stevenson, his son.
Every morning before Micah left for work, after he prayed, Micah kissed his wife and son and told them how much he loved them. Just in case anything happened to him, Micah wanted his family to always know they were loved. He never went to bed with any disagreements dangling between him and Pamela either.
Tonight, Pamela was going to show Micah just how much he was loved, but in a different way. Micah had given her everything she wanted and needed, and now she wanted t
o give him the best gift she could give him; a baby. Micah never pushed her to have another child, but she knew he would love to have a biological child and would love their child as much as he loved Matthew. That’s why she stopped taking her birth control pills three months ago, without telling him. Tonight, after a hot bubble bath and their playtime, she was going to tell him the good news of her pregnancy.
She returned from undressing in the bathroom to find Micah standing in their bedroom removing his watch.
“I like this kind of greeting.” His grin expressed his appreciation of his wife’s nude body. “I should work late more often.” He kissed her passionately and roamed her body with his big hands, and as usual, Pamela’s knees grew weak.
“How was your day?”
“Dull compared to how my night’s going to end.” Micah nibbled on her ear and Pamela almost forgot she’d left the hot water running in the bathtub.
“Come on.” Pamela took him by the hand and led him to the bathroom where she helped him undress, and then joined him in the oversized bathtub.
“This is the best part of my day, coming home to you.” Micah positioned himself so that his head leaned back against her bosom.
“Aren’t you forgetting somebody?” Pamela squeezed the sponge over his chest.
“I love Matthew, but he can’t do for me what you do.” She giggled as his fingers traveled under water and found one of her sensitive spots. “I like playing with you, Mrs. Stevenson.”
“I like playing with you too, Mr. Stevenson.” The upsidedown kiss she planted on his lips nearly made him jump from the tub. “And in a few minutes, I’m going to show you just how much, but first, how about a little contest?”
“What’s the prize?” He sat up and turned around to face her.
“Me.” She kissed him again, this time more deeply.
“Let’s do it.” His voice was husky and filled with desire.
They kissed once more before Pamela leaned over the side of the tub for the tray containing the chocolate crème-filled cookies and milk. After handing him a cookie, she slowly licked her lips to break his concentration, then called out, “On your mark ... get set . . . go!”
“Wow! That was some consolation prize.” Micah leaned on his elbow and ran a rose petal along Pamela’s cheek.
“Just think what you would have gotten if you’d won,” Pamela teased.
“What about a rematch?” The desire in his eyes told her it was going to be a very long night. Thank God it’s Friday, she thought.
“Sure, and this time, I’ll let you win.” Pamela winked, then had to squirm away from him before he devoured her again. “Baby, hold on. You have some mail.”
Micah pouted and watched Pamela sit up and reach into her nightstand drawer for the envelopes. She handed him the letter-sized one first.
“I wonder who this is from,” Micah stated after reading the return Chicago address without a name. He knew it wasn’t from Ms. Lula because he knew her address. It couldn’t have been from Richard since he didn’t know Micah’s address or cell number anymore. He changed his number after Richard called harassing him after the firing. Micah quickly ripped open the envelope and was surprised to find the letter was from David. Pamela listened attentively as Micah read out loud.
Hello, Micah,
I would have written sooner, but I’m been very busy with school and work. I hope you don’t mind Ms. Lula giving me your address. Don’t worry; I won’t pass it on to Richard. I don’t associate with him anymore. After he lost his second lawsuit against the church, Richard left Chicago. Rumor has it, he’s starting a church of his own in Indiana. Anyway, my foster parents are allowing me to stay with them rent free until I finish college.
The purpose for this letter is to thank you. When Richard was fired and barred from any contact with the mentoring program, I was angry at you and the church. Richard told me he was fired over lies you told the board about him misappropriating funds. He was still coming by to see me at my foster parents house and taking me places.
Then one day, Ms. Lula invited me over to her house and showed me the tape you made the night before you left. I literally got sick listening to the plans Richard had for me and how he wanted to have sex with you.
I was completely stunned. I honestly didn’t know Pastor Richard Lewis was trying to get at me like that. I thought he was just being a good Christian and mentor. I trusted him way too much. I was even considering calling him Dad. He offered, and I accepted his offer to move in with him after I turned eighteen and graduated from high school. I would have done just that if Ms. Lula hadn’t shown me that tape.
Micah, I just wanted to say thank you, and I appreciate you for putting yourself out there like that. That helped me to see that God really does exist and that there are some really good people in the world. You barely knew me, and yet, you cared enough to put your business out in the open to help save me.
I spend a lot of my free time with Ms. Lula. She tells me you’re married now with a son. I’m glad you were able to get your life back on the right track.
I have to go. I’m in the middle of finals. If you want, you can write me back or give me a call.
Thanks again,
David.
P.S. Keep an eye out for Beyoncé and Ciara. Make sure you give them my number. Tell them to call me anytime.
Micah chuckled at David’s closing comment, then placed the letter back into the envelope.
“That was nice,” Pamela said, and Micah nodded in agreement.
“I’m happy he’s on the right track,” Micah said. “I’ll give him a call in a few days, but now I’m ready for a rematch.” Once again, behind those curly eyelashes she loved so much, his eyes told her she wouldn’t get much sleep tonight. In no time his lips were on hers and his arms around her.
“Hold on, there’s one more.” She pulled away before he could consume her mind along with her body.
Micah pouted like a two-year-old and tore open what appeared to be an invitation. He opened the card decorated with balloons and confetti and read out loud again, but this time in a whiny voice.
To: Micah Stevenson
You are cordially invited to attend the birth of your child
When: Approximately nine months from now
Where: Summit Medical Center
Time: TBA
Micah stared motionless at the invitation in his hand and Pamela knew he was reading it over and over again in his head. When he finally did look up, he wasn’t pouting anymore, and instead of his eyes only showing his desire for her, they revealed his appreciation as well. “You’re having my baby?” He timidly touched her abdomen with his fingertips.
“I’m having our baby.” She placed her hand on top of his. Pamela read her husband’s confusion. “I stopped taking my pills three months ago. I love you so much that I want to give you a child.” Pamela didn’t realize she was crying until he kissed the tear that had slid down her cheek. He didn’t stop there. He kissed every inch of her face, then proceeded to make the sweetest and most passionate love to her.
Epilogue
“Pamela, push!” Dorothy ordered.
“No! I’m not having this baby until Micah gets here,” Pamela yelled between pants.
“You can’t stop the baby from coming.”
“Your mother is right.” Jessica tried to talk some sense into her friend. “You might have to have the baby without him.”
The sweat dripping down her face and the horrendous pains that shot across her back would not change Pamela’s resolve. “Micah wants to see the birth of his child, and I’m not having this baby until he gets here” She screamed the last part as she rode the peak of a new contraction.
Dorothy and Jessica looked at each other, then up toward heaven. There was no getting through to Pamela. They’d been in this same position nearly eight years ago at the birth of Matthew. Just like before, it wouldn’t be long before Pamela would scream, “Get out!”
Pamela rested her head back
against the pillow with her eyes closed, crying softly. This was not the way it was supposed to be. She wasn’t supposed to go into labor three weeks early. Micah wasn’t supposed to be away at a management training session in Sacramento. He was supposed to be here with her, coaching her with her breathing while holding her hand and stroking her back. “I want my husband,” she cried.
“I know you do, baby.” Dorothy rubbed Pamela’s back trying to relieve some of her discomfort. Jessica tried calling Micah on his cell phone to see how close he was, but didn’t get an answer.
“Oh God!” Pamela screamed. Her contractions were getting stronger and more frequent. She didn’t want to admit it, but if Micah didn’t get here soon, he’d have to catch the birth of his first biological child on video. That’s not what Pamela wanted. She wanted to see her husband’s face when their baby entered the world. Outside of their wedding day and the day Matthew’s adoption was final, this would be the happiest day of his life, and she wanted him to enjoy every second, even if she couldn’t. “Micah, please hurry,” she pleaded as if he could hear her.
“I’m here, Pooh.” Micah rushed into the room, not really knowing what to do beside kiss her and take his wife into his arms. Pamela hugged him back, and for a moment allowed herself to relax. Micah was here and the world was all right again. “Baby, I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you,” he whispered in her ear and stroked her hair.
“All that matters is that you’re here now,” Pamela responded, then braced herself for another contraction. Micah was stunned when his sweet, loving, beautiful wife gripped his shoulders and with her face contorted screamed, “Get it out!”
Dorothy and Jessica looked at each other and laughed. “I knew it,” Jessica said, pushing the nurse call button.
Twenty-five minutes later, Micah was overwhelmed with emotions from cutting his daughter’s umbilical cord. While the medical team cleaned and assessed their baby, Micah sat on Pamela’s bed squeezing her hand and breathing heavily. Pamela read his need and motioned for her mother and Jessica to leave the room. Then she pulled her husband to her and allowed him to release his deep emotions on her shoulder.
Right Package, Wrong Baggage Page 24