by Nia Arthurs
“Did he tell her that he loved her then?”
Drew pursed his lips.
“Yes.”
“And what did she say?”
“She said that she had a baby and she hadn’t told him about her son because in those days it was pretty bad for a woman to have a baby without a husband. People didn’t treat you very nicely.”
“What did your grampa do?” Josh’s brown eyes were wide and earnest.
“He said, ‘I have enough love in my heart for you and your baby’. He married the lady and adopted her son. That baby was my dad’s big brother. My grampa and grandma had three other children and they loved each other very much. Every year, on their anniversary, my grampa would write her another letter and she’d keep it with the letters from war.”
The place was so quiet, a pin could drop and we’d hear it. Everyone seemed affected by the story.
“That was beautiful,” Mom said for all of us. “Truly beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Drew dipped his head.
“Josh, you want to help me cut up the lemon pie.” Mom stood and bounced toward the kitchen.
“Yeah!” Josh hopped up and scampered away.
“Our love stories had nothing on that.” Melody informed Spencer as he sat perched beside her feet on the floor.
“I’m not going to disagree with you.” Spencer replied.
“Romance must run in the family, Drew.” Archie winked at me.
I rolled my eyes at him and withheld a smile.
“Not particularly.”
“Here you go, Mom.” Josh handed his mother the best plate of lemon pie. I looked sorrowfully at the dessert.
When the little boy distributed my piece to me, it was the thinnest piece of pie I’d ever seen. I could lose weight eating that.
“Josh,” I moaned, “I thought you loved me.”
“Gramma said to give you that.” Josh pointed at my mother who wriggled her fingers at me.
“Come here, Josh,” I brought him close to my side and kneeled on the cold tiled floor, “You and me, we’re friends, right?”
“Yeah.”
“What does your favorite Lexi always say?”
“Food is more important.”
“Exactly.”
I ignored Drew’s snicker.
“The next time Gramma tries to ambush me like that, come see me first, okay?”
“Sure, Lexi.” Joshua nodded and then returned to the kitchen. The boy sneaked me a real slice of lemon pie.
My hero.
“You are terrible.” Drew quipped when Joshua returned to Eryn’s room to watch another movie.
“Me?” I shook my head, enjoying the tart taste of the limes used in the pie on my tongue. “What did I do?”
“You are poisoning the minds of children.”
“How?”
“’Food is important’?” Drew folded his arms across his chest and stared me down with a smile twitching his lips.
I leaned back against the entertainment center and regarded him seriously.
“Food education is my life’s calling.”
Drew gave me a head to toe appraisal that had my toes tingling. “How do you eat so much and stay so thin?”
“Potatoes.” I blurted.
Drew leaned back and blinked.
“I wasn’t flirting with you.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I just got nervous-”
“His name is Darcy?” A voice yelled, cutting through the quiet hum of individual conversations. Melody stood slowly to her feet and regarded Drew the way Tarzan looked at his jungle. It was a primal instinctual excitement.
“Your name,” She took a step closer to the man sitting next to me and I awkwardly scooted away. “Is Andrew Darcy?”
Drew swallowed loudly and looked at me for help. “Yes, yes it is.”
“Oh my gosh!” Melody threw herself on the floor beside him and batted her eyelashes. Thank God tonight she was in pants or her skirt would have blown up like that weird cartoon girl with the black hair.
“Tell me, have you read Pride and Prejudice?”
Spencer got up from his seat and gently collected his wife who stared at Darcy with love struck awe.
“I’m sorry, Drew.” Spencer restrained his wife from further accosting Archie’s step-brother. “She’s got a thing for Jane Austin.”
“It’s okay.” Drew ran a hand through the messy hair at the front of his head. “I get that a lot.”
“Really?” I echoed. I felt sorry for him. Drew came into contact with more than one Melody in his lifetime. I could only handle one Melody Reyes Braden in mine.
Drew glanced into the distance. “Yeah. I’ve seen some things.”
His was the gaze of a hardened veteran, who had seen one too many Jane Austin fans.
“So have you read the book?” Persia inquired.
She too had been bullied into finishing the thick volume. Melody didn’t allow us to read the ones with the pictures.
“Yeah.” Drew grinned, “After having a bunch of comments thrown at you, you get an incentive to read.”
“What did you think about Darcy’s proposal?” Mia questioned.
“Be very, very careful how you answer this.” Peyton cautioned.
“Uh,” Drew glanced at me but I pretended I didn’t see his plea for help. “Darcy’s proposal was good? I guess.”
“How so.” Melody leaned forward like a Judge hearing a highly important case.
Drew spoke slowly but honestly, “He asked her to marry him. Is there a wrong way to do that?”
I slapped a hand to my forehead.
“Yes!” Mia, Melody, and Susan cried as one.
Oh boy.
“Darcy proposed in Chapter thirty four.” Melody haughtily informed Drew. “Just after Elizabeth found out that Darcy was the one who separated Bingley and Jane.”
“Darcy was a jerk during that first proposal. He thought he was all that just because he was handsome and rich. But Elizabeth wasn’t about that life.” Mia ranted.
“But,” Drew argued and I groaned on his behalf.
“Don’t do it.” Spencer muttered.
“even though Darcy’s proposal wasn’t romantic, at least he was being honest.”
“He did it.” Spencer threw up his hands in defeat.
Melody gasped, “Honesty? Do you think romance and honesty are even in the same league?”
Geez, Mel.
“I- well I…” Drew stuttered.
Mia rose from her seat, passion weaving with the energy in her voice. “When Peyton asked me to marry him, he could have been honest with me. He could have talked about how ignorant my family was or how bad my faurts smell.”
We snickered. Mia’s faurts were legendary.
“He could have said ‘even though you’re the owner of a struggling boutique, I still want you’. That would have been honest but very insensitive and arrogant. I would have said no.”
“See, Drew,” Susan leaned forward in her chair, her face a mask of severity as if she were diagnosing a patient on Doctor Phil, “there’s honesty and then there’s stupidity. Darcy chose the wrong words for a marriage proposal. That’s all we’re saying.”
Drew nodded.
“Yes ladies.”
The three sat back, satisfied.
Drew had just learned how seriously Pride and Prejudice was taken in this group. On the bright side, Melody seemed cured of any star struck tendencies because of his last name. We enjoyed the rest of game night without any more Jane Austin outbreaks.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Drew came to The Gym again the next week. He was still really stiff during the praise and worship session. But he sat quietly and respectfully when Pastor Stanley started talking about the Governor of the Kingdom. I pushed thoughts of Drew and his spiritual state away to listen to my favorite teacher.
“When the Prince came to this world,” Pastor Stanley grasped the edges of the podium, “He brought heaven to earth.”
Chu
rch women stood and raised their hands.
“See, everyone is being miserable and living in hell on earth because they believe that the Kingdom comes after they die.”
The organ pumped a little tune which perfectly accompanied Pastor Stanley’s hop.
“But The Prince taught us how to pray and He told us to say, “Thy Kingdom come on earth”. Where?”
“On earth!” The congregation echoed.
“Thy Kingdom come on earth, as it is in Heaven. If we were all just supposed to wait around until we got to Heaven, why were we instructed to speak to the government of Heaven in that manner.”
“Paaam, paam!” The keyboard sounded.
“So the whole point of this shizznit!” Pastor Stanley kicked his foot high into the air like a Dallas cowgirl.
“Alright now!” A lady whistled.
“Is for us to claim the benefits of the Kingdom that our Prince brought to earth.”
“Hallelujah! Praise the Lord.”
“See, the Kingdom is not a religion. A religion has a bunch of rules that people can’t possibly reach. It’s empty. Ain’t nobody searching for a religion. They searchin’ for the Kingdom. It’s a place, a culture, a mindset. But without the Governor, no one can be a part of the Kingdom. In the Constitution, John made it plain. No one can enter the Kingdom unless he is born of the water and the Spirit.”
The organ played a riff.
“Glory!” A woman with a big red hat stood and waved her arms.
“So it don’t matter who you are. You could be the nicest man in the world. You could even be the best doggone religious leader in the universe, but if you don’t got the Spirit of the Kingdom, you ain’t in the Kingdom.”
I nodded my head and clapped.
“So the King is not impressed with how well you pray, how much tithes you giving, how religious you are. Just like everybody’s got their own unique DNA, the Governor within a person identifies her as a citizen of the kingdom. You got a whole pile of power once you’re in the Kingdom.”
Pastor Stanley preached for a few more minutes and then gave the closing prayer.
I stood and greeted a few of the ladies around my pew, leaning over Drew who awkwardly shook the hands that were stuffed into his face. He was impeccably dressed today in a blue button-down shirt that matched his eyes, cream pants, and black shoes. His messy on the top hair was combed neatly today.
I knew I liked Drew.
I knew I was attracted to Drew.
Several things stopped me from fully embracing my crush. The most important was that he didn’t really talk much about his values or principles. I wasn’t looking for a guy that stuffed the word “God” into every statement or insisted on praying before drinking a cup of coffee. However, it was important to me that anyone I got into a relationship with understood that I had two passports: one for this earth and one for another Kingdom. I wanted someone that had two passports too.
As much as I shied away from guys, I understood that I’d get married someday and that definitely involved a man. My attraction to Drew was a sign that it was probably time to start looking around for a life partner. If I was ready to make eyes at a handsome video game guy, I was probably ready to start looking for a husband or at least a serious relationship.
“Hey, Lexi,” I heard a voice behind me.
I turned and waved at Jermaine.
“Hi, Jermaine.”
“It’s good to see you today.” Jermaine shoved his hands into his pockets.
“Thanks. It’s good to see you too.”
He shook everyone’s hand and came to Drew last.
“Hey.” Jermaine shook Drew’s hand and Drew returned the gesture. “It’s good to see you. What’s your name again?”
“Drew. Drew Darcy.”
“Nice to meet you, Drew Darcy.” Jermaine returned his attention to me. “Lexi, I wanted to talk to you about the youth trip next week Friday. We’re looking for some chaperones.”
“Ooh,” Melody leaned in to the conversation. “Where are you going?”
“We’re overnighting at the camp grounds on the Northern Highway.” Jermaine replied patiently.
“The haunted ones?” Mia joined the conversation.
“Yeah. Those.” Jermaine tilted his head and smiled at her.
In that moment, I began to regard Jermaine with new eyes. I wasn’t attracted to him in the least. He didn’t make my stomach flutter the way that Drew did. I started listing the things that made him appealing in the long run. He was sweet and kind. He was patient. He loved the King and functioned like a citizen of the Kingdom. Jermaine was helpful and he loved baby Ally. I didn’t know much more about him, but the stuff I saw so far was hopeful.
“I’m in.” I blurted.
Jermaine regarded me with surprise. I’d usually shoot down all of his attempts at spending time with me.
“Really?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “I think it sounds like fun.”
“I’m in too.” Melody grinned. “I’ve never been camping. Thanks to an overprotective father.” She raised the volume of her voice on the last phrase and Daddy turned around to peer at her.
“What are you talking about?”
“Ignore her, dad.” I consoled my father. He grunted and returned his attention to Eryn who was probably explaining why she’d sneaked out of the house wearing a short dress to church.
“I’ll go. It sounds like fun.” Mia chimed in.
“Why don’t we all go?” Persia extended her hand to the entire motley crew.
Poor Jermaine.
Say no. Say no. I tried to help him out telepathically.
“Sure.” Jermaine shrugged. “The more the merrier.”
Susan and Archie started arguing about who was the most outdoorsy one and Melody discussed leaving Ally with Mom. Mia and Peyton excused themselves from the pew to go on a lunch date and Persia collected Josh from the nursery.
Once again, it was just me and Drew.
And Jermaine.
“I’m glad you’re coming, Lexi.” Jermaine smiled shyly at me and then walked away.
Drew leaned against the wooden backing of the pew and folded his arms.
“You are killing that poor man.”
I arched an eyebrow.
“What do you mean?”
Drew surveyed my face. “Nothing.” He straightened. “Where’s the best place to get some potatoes around here?” His gaze whipped from left to right.
“Potatoes?”
“Yeah. They’re kind of round and brown. Farmers dig them up from the soil and-”
“Don’t get smart with me, chump.” I narrowed my eyes. “Nobody in these here parts needs no potaties.” I did in my best American accent.
I’m pretty sure Drew was offended for every white man in the world.
“We don’t sound like that.” He defended.
“If you say so.”
“I’m serious.” He followed me toward the front of the church, “You’re mom’s food is perfect, but I’m missing my steak and mashed potatoes.”
I appraised his expression and found it to be sincere. I caved.
“There’s a restaurant that sells good potatoes called Tapir’s Isle.”
“Cool.” Drew swung his keys around his finger. “Come with me?”
I tilted my head, “I don’t know. Can I pay for it?”
He threw his back and laughed.
“I’ll let you pay for your half of the meal. How about that?”
I sighed and accepted his proposition. We were moving in baby steps but someday, I’d shake Drew into the twenty first century.
“You’ve got yourself a deal, partner.”
Drew scoffed. “We don’t actually call each other that.”
“Sure you do, Bob.”
“Bob?”
“Bob is a primarily white people name, like Linda.”
Drew chuckled. “You are unbelievable.”
“Lexi, you coming?” Mom called to me. I’d driven to The Gy
m with them.
“No mom,” I stepped up to her. Her blue maxi dress paired with a black coverlet and pearl sandals blew in the wind, “I’m going to Tapir’s Island with Drew.”
Both of Daddy’s eyebrows raised.
“Are you dating him?” He asked gruffly.
“No, I’m not dating Drew.” I turned back and looked at the tall white man with the black hair standing on the church steps. He nodded at us and smiled.
I returned my attention to my parents. “He just wants some potatoes.”
“Potatoes?” Daddy grimaced. “Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”
“Stop it.” Mom smacked Dad’s arm, “Lexi is a grown woman. What rule did you drill into her head about boys for her entire life?”
Eryn wound her window down and quipped, “No men until you turn your own door key.”
Mom glanced at the wad of keys jingling in my purse, “She’s following your rules so let her go.”
“Fine.” Daddy groused. “Eryn, you’re going with them.”
“Cool.” Eryn pumped her fist.
“I don’t mind.” I shrugged. It wasn’t a date. Plus Eryn was as entertaining a speaker as Melody. I’m sure Drew would get a kick out of talking to her.
My gorgeous little sis climbed out of the car, accepted a bunch of cash from Dad and then walked with me toward Drew.
“We’ve got company.” I nodded toward my sister.
Drew grinned. I was happy that he didn’t seem perturbed by our new addition. It cemented the fact that this was not a date.
“No problem. Shall we.” He extended his arm toward the car and we treaded toward his truck.
I got into the passenger seat and Eryn slammed the back door.
She popped gum and commented. “If you’re secretly dating, I can eat at a separate table. I won’t tell Daddy.”
I snickered. Eryn could not keep a secret to save her life.
“You don’t have to worry about that, Eryn. We’re not dating.”
“Oh,” She said, sounding disappointed. “Well, I wouldn’t be against it if Drew married you, Lexi.”