Drama in the Church Saga (28 page)

“Not to worry. We'll be there.” Olivia reached out to give him a hug and quick peck on the cheek. “Bryce is looking forward to spending time with you.”

“Bryce reminds me of Dean when he was his age. I enjoy the time we spend together, but if you two will excuse me, I see Reverend Simms calling me over.” He quickly wobbled away on his cane.

“All right, Grandpa, we'll see you later.” Dean turned toward Olivia. “What would you like to do before dinner?”

“I thought maybe we could surprise your grandpa and cook dinner for him this time. He always cooks us a delicious supper. I need to stop by the market and pick up a few things before we head to his house. By the time he gets home we'll have everything waiting for him.”

Dean loved Olivia's thoughtfulness. “That sounds wonderful.” He lifted her lips to meet his.

An hour later Judge West, followed by Reverend Montgomery, Reverend Baxter and his entire family entered his home, greeted by the tantalizing aroma of sweet cornbread.

“Thanks for inviting us over, Judge West,” Colin said. “I was going to take Reverend Baxter and his family over to Mrs. Tootsies for some soul food.”

“Boy, don't you know I can cook soul food? Just because I wasn't born with soul don't mean I can't get down in the kitchen.”

“Judge West, don't look now, but I think somebody is already cooking in your kitchen,” Colin kidded his elder.

“It smells as good as my cooking.” He sniffed the air.

Dean came out of the den and met them in the dining room.

“Boy, what are you doing here? I thought you and Olivia were coming over later.”

“She wanted to surprise you by having dinner ready for you by the time you came home from church.”

“She is so sweet.” He pushed by Dean. “Let me go give my future granddaughter-in-law a hug for always thinking of others.”

Colin took off his suit jacket and draped it across the dining room chair.

“What are you doing here?” Dean held up his hands in a boxer stance and playfully swung a punch at Colin.

“Your grandpa invited me not only for dinner, but to also continue our discussion on the deteriorating school systems in the neighborhood.” He pointed toward Reverend Baxter. “Reverend Baxter thought he might be able to assist us in some way, so were all here to put our heads together.”

“Good. The more the merrier.” Dean invited the adults to sit while Bryce and Reverend Baxter's children took off toward another part of the house to watch television. “Olivia made plenty of dinner for everybody.”

Twenty minutes later the men talked amongst themselves and Mrs. Baxter helped Olivia in the kitchen.

“Fellas, I don't have to tell you the number of school officials who have been indicted on charges of embezzlement,” Judge West said.

“It makes me sick to think how these men are stealing from the poorest schools in the city. Their gain is these children's loss.” Colin popped a peppermint in his mouth from the candy dish that sat on the end table.

“I went to visit one of the elementary schools so I could see for myself the damage lack of funding has done in the schools. It was horrible. I've never seen such conditions in a school. The first grade classes have huge rocks placed along the walls to block the rat holes. There are approximately thirty-seven to forty-seven students per class. I spoke to one of the teachers, and she complained that because there weren't enough desks or books to go around she moved all the desks out of the classroom and everyone sits on the floor.”

“This is so unfair. They don't have these kinds of problems in the suburbs.” Reverend Baxter shook his head in disgust.

“That's why I want the church to build its own school for the community,” Judge West said.

“That's a great idea, Grandpa, but that is going to cost a lot of money,” Dean said.

“Boy, I've already done my research. I do have a law degree,” he reminded his grandson. “We can start off by getting grants from the government, and the rest of the money we need will have to be provided by the Lord. This school will have a huge impact on the community. I've already outlined a curriculum, and since I have two professors in the room I was hoping one of you could review the initial business plan I put together.” Judge West pulled the papers out and handed them to Reverend Baxter.

“This sounds like you put a lot of thought into this.” Reverend Baxter studied the plans a moment. “You want to extend the school day and place students in an environment that speaks primarily in a foreign language. Plus, it looks like you have an intense math and science program here.”

“Yes, we are one of the richest countries in the world with the poorest educational systems.”

“What about this negative two hundred and nineteen thousand in the budget section?” Reverend Baxter pointed out.

“That's the part I was talking about when I said we will need to rely on the Good Lord's help.”

The men all laughed together.

“With God, anything's possible.”

“Why don't we hold a fundraiser?” Dean suggested.

“I don't think a fundraiser will solve this problem.” In Judge West's mind, he knew he had to think bigger than a fundraiser.

Olivia stuck her head into the den. “Dinner's ready,” she hollered.

“Great! I'm hungry.” Dean was the first one to run to his place at the dining room table. The other men rose from their seats and followed.

“Judge West”—Reverend Baxter patted the old man on his back—“I don't know why, but since the first time I met you at church last weekend I can't get rid of this feeling that I've met you somewhere before.”

“It's possible we could have been on a committee at one point together. Your face isn't familiar to me, but I'm getting old. I can't remember every face I met. I hope you don't remember me from being in my courtroom.”

“No. I know for sure I've never been in any trouble with the law,” Reverend Baxter replied.

On their way to the dining room, the judge was stopped by a knock at the door. He told his guests to go ahead and he would join them once he answered the front door. It would only take him a moment, and then they could bless the food.

When the judge swung open his front door, uneasiness filled his soul. Standing before him was a deliveryman holding a huge dark-brown box in his arms.

“I have a package for Judge Ernie West.”

Hesitant to answer, the judge gave the young delivery guy the once-over look. “It's Sunday. I thought you guys didn't make deliveries on Sundays.”

“No, that's not true. We deliver packages seven days a week. Anything to satisfy the customer.”

West doubted the man's story. He was ready to shut the door closed in his face when he pushed the clipboard out toward him.

“I need you to sign here.” The deliveryman pointed to the dotted line.

Judge West could usually discern if strangers he met were friend or foe. For some reason, he felt this man was foe. Before taking the clipboard, he noticed the man's nicely manicured hands. He didn't look like a blue-collar worker. In fact, he looked like someone who rarely got his hands dirty.

The judge didn't want to cause a ruckus, with his family in the next room, so he decided to take the package and immediately discard it outside his home. He signed the form and took ownership of the box. “Have a blessed day, young man.”

The judge's well-wishes were insincere. “I wonder what this is,” he mumbled to himself. He turned around to walk back inside. As he attempted to close the door, it was suddenly thrust open and Ernie was forced against the wall.

“FBI,” an agent screamed in his face and flashed a badge. The agent pulled out his handcuffs and slapped them around the judge's wrists. “You are under arrest for murder.”

The commotion made everyone in the house run to the door.

“What's going on?” Reverend Baxter stepped toward them.

Another agent stepped in front of him and held out his arm. “I'm sorry, sir. Don't come any farther, or I'll be forced to arrest you.”

The entire house watched as the police treated Judge West like a criminal. The last thing the judge remembered seeing before they hauled him away was the sad look in Bryce's eyes.

“I don't understand.” Olivia slammed a folded wedding program down on the table so hard, it disturbed her two sleeping shih tzus. “I'm sorry,” she spoke to her puppies. “Mommy didn't mean to wake you.”

“You act like you actually gave birth to those two mutts,” Val said.

Olivia lightly punched her in the arm. “Don't call my babies mutts. They're sensitive. Anyway, back to what I was saying. Dean has been down to the justice building three times. Everyone he speaks to acts clueless. He can't get any information on his grandpa. The only thing we know for sure is that his grandpa is in their custody for the murder of a little black boy.”

“That's hard to believe.” Val listened closely to Olivia's every word.

“I said the same thing. Dean thinks he's being set up because Judge West is such a huge advocate for equality for minorities, but we can't say for sure because he hasn't talked to his grandpa.”

Val threw her a look of shock.

“Every time he requests a visit they tell him that Judge West refuses to see him. Dean is so upset, he doesn't know what to do.”

“Reverend Simms was furious when he got the call on Sunday. Julian and I were in his office for our very last counseling session when he politely kicked us out. I had never heard him in such an uproar.”

Olivia took a deep breath to calm her nerves. When she looked across the table, Val's three-carat canary yellow diamond caught her eye. The brilliance of the diamonds dazzled under the light. “I remember the day Julian proposed and placed that on your finger.” She pointed to the ring. “Time sure does fly.” Olivia folded another wedding program in half before handing it to Val to place in the huge stack of programs already assembled. “I can't believe you're getting married in only a few more days.”

Val's face glowed from happiness. Thoughts of her big day made her cheeks rosy and her heart skip a beat. She couldn't believe the day she had dreamt about her entire life was finally here. “I can't wait to walk down that aisle.” She paused a moment to try and picture what the church was going to look like. “Livie,” Val addressed Olivia by her childhood nickname, “did I tell you I ordered twelve thousand dollars worth of calla lilies for the church?”

Olivia sighed, smiled and nodded her head yes. Val had repeated every detail of the wedding to her several times already. There wasn't anything she didn't know.

“Last night my wedding planner told me that the church had approved the candles I wanted set throughout the church.” She tapped Olivia's shoulder to make sure she was listening. “Picture this, the entire sanctuary lit with long white candles, the intoxicating fragrance from the flowers surrounding our friends and family. Then, at the stroke of midnight on the New Year, Julian and I will be joined together as husband and wife.” A serene look spread over her face.

“You don't appear to be nervous at all,” Olivia said.

“I've been ready to become Mrs. Julian Pennington.” Val grabbed a handful of grapes from the bowl of fruit set in front of her. “The part I'm nervous about is the wedding night.”

Bryce ran over to Val full speed and crashed into her lap. “Aunt Val, can I spend the night with you and Uncle Julian tonight?” he begged.

“Baby, I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying the night here with you and your mother. Besides, don't you want to wake up here? Tomorrow is Christmas.” She kissed him on the cheek.

“I forgot tomorrow is Christmas,” he replied. “Is Uncle Julian staying the night here, too?”

“Your uncle is out of town. He has a game tonight. So we're going to watch him on television later tonight.”

Bryce cheered before running back toward his bedroom.

“I don't know how he forgot tomorrow is Christmas. He asks me every morning how many days until Santa comes back to our house. Now, back to you. You never let on that you were scared to share your bed with Julian.” Olivia felt insulted that Val hadn't voiced her concerns sooner.

Val carelessly shrugged her shoulders. “It's funny, because I have every detail of my wedding planned out. In my mind I can picture how the church will look, the smell of the flowers and the taste of each entrée served at the reception, but I have no expectations for my honeymoon. Do you think that's weird?”

“I think you need to stop worrying and allow your love for Julian to lead you through the night.”

Val got up from her chair and grabbed a shopping bag. “Let me show you what I bought.” She pulled out a black-and-red teddy and dangled it in front of her bosom.

“Is your chest going to fit in those cups?”

Val's full-size breasts developed at the age of ten, and the rest of her body was still trying to catch up.

She playfully punched Olivia in the arm. “Yes, it's going to fit. I tried it on and I must say that it looks good on me.”

“I'll take your word on that.”

A hard and rapid knock at the front door interrupted their conversation.

“I bet that's Danyelle and Tressie.”

When Olivia opened the door Danyelle rushed past her and down the hall to the bathroom. When the dogs saw her running they jumped up and started chasing her, biting at her pants legs.

“Clinton! Kennedy! Get off!” Danyelle yelled. “Livie, call your imitation guard dogs off me.”

Olivia whistled and the dogs came running to her side.

Tressie knelt down and played with them a moment before giving Olivia a quick hug. “I didn't think we were going to make it here in time. Danyelle has been drinking herbal tea all day, trying to clean out her system for this drug test she has to take tomorrow.”

Olivia closed the door behind Tressie. “When will my sister learn that all she has to do is quit smoking and she wouldn't have to do these things?”

When Tressie stepped into the dining room she sucked her teeth at the sight of numerous wedding materials scattered around. “Please don't tell me this is going to be another night of wedding planning,” she wailed while pulling out a chair. “Why did you hire a wedding planner when we're doing all the work?”

“Stop complaining.” Val placed a pile of unfolded programs down in front of her.

Olivia chuckled at their innocent bickering.

Danyelle finally joined them at the table. “If you can't keep those dogs under control I'm going to have them picked up by the animal shelter.” Danyelle sneered at them from across the room. “Anyway, guess what I did today?” Danyelle expected the girls to fall out in surprise when she shared with them her news.

“You guys will never believe this. I still don't believe it.” Tressie sat up straight in her chair so she wouldn't miss their reaction.

Danyelle cut her eyes at Tressie. “I applied to Bible College.”

A hush fell over the table. Val and Olivia eyed one another before breaking out into a hearty laugh.

“Right, stop playing with us. What did you really do today?” Olivia couldn't stop laughing.

“I told you they weren't going to believe you.” Tressie placed her first finished program in the pile.

Shock filled Olivia's face when she realized Danyelle was serious. At a loss for words, she looked to Val to rescue her.

“I've been thinking about it for a while,” Danyelle said.

Olivia wasn't sure what to say and was glad when Val finally spoke up, “What brought on this decision?”

Danyelle's decision to enroll in college was so sudden she couldn't explain it herself. Recently, episodes of uneasiness nagged at her soul. She prayed, fasted and studied the scripture, looking for peace.

Suddenly, His plans for her life poured into her heart like the feel of a refreshing ice-cold glass of spring water on a hot, sweaty summer day.

Danyelle was considered an expert when it came to exploring facts, memorizing scripture and interpreting meanings within the Bible. She believed her intellect came from smoking at least one blunt a day, until it dawned on her that her wisdom was one of her God-given talents that was supposed to be used to glorify Him.

“Did you think I was going to work at the drugstore forever?”

The three of them slightly nodded their heads in agreement.

“Okay, I must admit, college has never been a part of my game plan, but I feel like I'm standing on the sidelines watching the three of you advance in your field while I'm stuck in a bottomless pit. Val's in law school. Tressie is a child counselor working toward her masters in psychology. When Reverend Baxter spoke at our church it was plain to see how close his relationship with God is. A part of that is because he understands the Bible. I want that relationship. I want that insight.”

Olivia got up from her seat, walked around the table and wrapped her arms around her sister. “I'm so proud of you. I believe you can do anything you set your mind to, and that includes school.”

Academically, Danyelle had been labeled the underachiever in the family. Mediocrity was acceptable for her, and she never strived for anything greater. Olivia saw her potential and realized the initiative it took for her to enroll in Bible College. This was not only a blessing, but a miracle only God could do.

“Did you choose a major?” Val asked.

“I've decided to take on a double major in biblical studies and children's ministries, and I've chosen to minor in church music.”

“Big sister, don't take on too much,” Olivia advised before taking her seat again.

“I won't. I'm fully prepared to battle this small hurdle.” Danyelle was proud of herself, and she wasn't going to allow anything to hinder her calling from God.

Tressie's head was bowed down working on wedding favors, but she shifted her eyes up. “You know they don't allow drugs on college campuses.”

“That's okay. Because I plan to smoke before I get there.” Danyelle had decided that the day she received her acceptance letter. “Tressie, will you go to the school with me during registration? It's the second week of January. You know how hard it is for me to make a decision.”

“Sorry. I'll be out of town. Right after the New Year my boss has me scheduled to fly to Milwaukee. An eleven-year-old cut his classmate's throat and killed her,” Tressie said as if she were giving a weather report.

“Doesn't it bother you that your job is to get inside the minds of kids who have committed such violent crimes?” Val asked.

“Of course not. Tressie's used to it. She used to date them.”

Everyone looked at Danyelle because her joke wasn't funny.

“It gets a little disturbing sometimes,” Tressie admitted.

“Sometimes when I speak with these children, some have no remorse. It's like they have no value for life and I'm looking straight into the eyes of an empty soul. The others act like they have no idea of the seriousness of what they've done. They play head games, and sometimes they are so smart that I get confused. It's a hard job.”

“We live in a horrible world,” Olivia said out loud.

Everyone gathered around reflected on her words.

The girls talked and worked well into the early morning hours. They managed to finish folding the programs, assembling the wedding favors and even helped Val memorize her wedding vows. In the end everyone was tired and ready for bed.

In the process of everyone cleaning up their mess, Val's cell phone rang.

“Hey, baby!” The fatigue Val felt a moment ago disappeared at the sound of her fiancé's voice.

“Hey, baby!” The girls mocked her in unison and laughed at her. They knew it was Julian on the other end. It was customary for him to call her after every game.

Val rolled her eyes and fled to Olivia's room for privacy.

“Did you watch the game?” Julian screamed over his celebrating teammates in the locker room.

“Yes, I did. I wish I could have come with you.” Val missed him so much. She hated being away from him. “But there is no way I could leave with all the things that still need to be done before the wedding. I called the caterer and told him you wanted to have one last meeting with him to discuss a few minor details. At first he told me he wouldn't have any free time until the day before the wedding. You know the holidays are the busiest season for him, but I told him you had to get in there sooner than that. It took for me to be a little persistent, but he's going to go into work an hour early the day after Christmas. So we have to make sure we meet him at the restaurant no later than nine. So when does your flight leave?”

Julian kept trying to interrupt her, but she talked so fast.

“Valencia.” Julian knew his future bride was not going to be happy with what he had to tell her. “Baby, the weather is so bad here that I don't think I'm going to make it.”

“I heard it was snowing there, but I didn't think it was that bad. Did they close the airports?” Val's temperature rose. She hated it when things didn't go as planned.

“No, but my coach suggested I leave out tomorrow morning with the rest of the team.” He loved Val, but there were times she could be spoiled and intolerant.

“Julian, I don't want to spend Christmas without you. You promised you would be here,” she reminded him.

“I know, but I'll still get there in time for Christmas. I just won't get there until late in the afternoon.”

“Late afternoon,” she repeated.

“Yes. You have to account for travel time and we're in a different time zone.” He tried to explain, but his argument wasn't very convincing. Julian was the kind of man who didn't like to go back on his word, especially to his woman. He broke the uncomfortable silence over the phone. “All right! I'll catch the next commercial flight out of here. Once we get married you're going to stop getting your way all the time.”