Drama in the Church Saga (36 page)

“Don't take it so seriously. We're not here to compete against one another. This is about our individual relationship with God,” Colin said.

“You're right.” Dean turned to Colin. “I'm surprised you decided to participate in this retreat. I thought you hated coming to these kinds of things.”

Colin laughed at him.

“Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it was you who said that women who attended these types of functions treated it like a hunting expedition for men.”

“I said that?” Colin acted confused.

“Yes, man! It was you,” Dean reminded him.

Colin looked around to make sure no one else was listening. “I think I found somebody I'm interested in,” he whispered.

“Get out of here.” Dean had never heard Colin say he was interested in anyone. Colin believed that a man should not pursue any woman unless first led by the spirit. “She must be awfully special if you're interested in her.”

“She is,” Colin replied.

“Is she here?”

“Why are you asking so many questions about me? What's up with you and Olivia?”

“I love her,” Dean admitted. “I've never found anyone more beautiful or perfect. I'm going to marry her.”

Colin gave him a startled look. “I didn't know it was that serious.”

“I have no doubt in my mind that Olivia was made for me. My soul soars every time she smiles,” Dean explained. “If the way you feel about this girl compares in any way to how I feel about Olivia, then I say go for it. Make her yours before somebody else snatches her away.”

“I'm working on it,” Colin replied.

“I don't know who she is, but I hope she's like Olivia and nothing like her sister,” Dean replied.

“Why would you say that? I think Danyelle's cool,” Colin subtly replied. He wasn't ready to tell Dean that Danyelle was the woman of his dreams.

“She is cool, when she's drug free,” Dean replied. “But when she's high she can get on your nerves. Ask Olivia.” Dean heard his cell phone ringing and quickly answered. He listened for a moment. “No, it's fine. I was tired of fishing anyway.”

Colin laughed at his friend.

“I'll be right there.” He snapped his phone shut. “Man, I have to make a quick run,” Dean shouted as he walked away from where they were fishing.

At that moment Colin saw his line move. “It's a good thing you're leaving, because it looks like I've got something.” Colin pulled up on his rod and struggled with the fish he caught. “And it looks like this is a big one.”

Later that evening as the sun set behind the mountains, the men returned from their fishing trip with Igloo coolers full of fish. In the cafeteria, an award was presented to the camper who caught the largest fish.

“Can I get everyone's attention?” A deacon from one of the other churches paced the cafeteria floor with the mic in his hand. “We have a gentleman who has broken the record for the largest fish caught.”

A thunderous applause filled the room.

The deacon quickly glanced at the index card in his hand. “Reverend Colin Montgomery caught a trout that weighed seventy-five pounds.” He motioned for Colin to join him.

Colin stood and posed for pictures with his fish, just like it was a supermodel. Afterward, he took the mic to leave the crowd with one final thought. “This is a pretty big fish, but I know I'll never catch as many fish as Jesus can.”

The crowd laughed and agreed with him. As he walked back to his table various people congratulated him.

When Colin sat down, he overheard Olivia talking to Dean. “Honey, how did you do?”

Colin laughed. “Our friend didn't do as well as others. He didn't catch anything. I don't think fishing is his sport.”

“That's all right, baby. I didn't fall in love with you for your fishing ability.” Olivia kissed Dean on the cheek while those sitting around jokingly laughed at him.

The men's fishing trip was a success, despite Dean's lack of contributions. They'd caught enough fish to feed everyone that evening, and there were even leftovers. For those who didn't eat fish, the cafeteria staff also served chicken, meatloaf and an assortment of desserts.

Olivia picked up a copy of the retreat itinerary that lay on the table. “Oh, look, they're holding potato sack races across the river. Do you guys want to go?” she asked.

“I'll pass,” Tressie replied. “I have a date.”

“A date?” Danyelle and Olivia asked in unison. “With whom?”

Tressie's pointer finger led them across the room to a young distinguished gentleman. A pair of black square-rim glasses surrounding his eyes made him look like a scholar. A button-up plaid shirt that perfectly matched his blue Dockers and tan loafers was a change from Tressie's usual dates. “He asked me to take a stroll around the campgrounds with him.”

Danyelle placed the back of her hand against Tressie's forehead. “Are you feeling all right? Because that guy standing over there looks a little stuffy and uptight. Definitely not your type,” Danyelle assessed. “Besides, I thought no one here would interest you.”

“Miracles do happen. He could be ‘the one.'”

Tressie then ran off to catch up with her date.

“Come on, baby. Let's go beat everyone at the sack races.” Dean stood and held out his hand for Olivia to join him. “Although I already have the trophy.”

Olivia beamed. “Danyelle, are you coming?”

Danyelle looked around and noticed she was left all alone. A phone call had pulled Colin away from the table minutes earlier.

“No. I'm going to go for a walk down by the lake,” Danyelle replied.

“She's probably going down there to smoke a joint,” Dean whispered.

Danyelle overheard what Dean said about her, but this time he was wrong. Tonight her only desire was to spend time alone with her thoughts and God.

When she reached the lake, the sight of two fawns drinking water from the lake made her stop momentarily and enjoy nature.

“It's beautiful out here. Isn't it?”

Danyelle was startled by the sound of Colin's voice. She quickly swung around to face him. “You scared me. I was about to take off running.”

“I'm sorry. I hope you don't mind me following you.” He stepped in closer to her. “But I was hoping I could spend some time alone with you.”

“That's funny”—she laughed—“because I was hoping to spend some time alone with God.” She threw him a look full of attitude before switching away.

“Is that your way of telling me to get lost?” He ran to keep up with her.

She stopped and smiled. “No. I was just teasing you. I wanted to see how persistent you would be to follow me.”

“I'd chase you all the way to heaven, if that's what it takes for me to get close to you.”

She laughed loudly. “That was corny, but you earned points for trying.” She stretched her hands up toward the sky and hollered, “Lord, can You please reveal to me this man's true intentions?”

He laughed at her crazy and outrageous behavior. “Why don't you ask me yourself?”

“How can I be sure you're going to be honest with me?”

He gave her a ridiculous look.

“I mean, there are plenty of women at this retreat who would love to have been kissed by you last night, but you chose me. Why?”

“Did my actions scare you?”

“No.”

“Good, because I wouldn't want to frighten you off. I apologize for being so forward, but sharing a kiss with you is something I've wanted to do for some time.”

She was still very suspicious of his motives.

“When I saw you at the school I was sure it was a sign from God telling me it's time. Time for me to court the woman who will be my wife.”

“Wife?” Danyelle laughed. She was now convinced Colin was playing games. “Sorry, Rev, I'm not wifey material.”

“If Jesus turned water into wine, I'm sure it would be no problem for him to turn you into my lifelong mate.”

“You're funny, Colin.” Danyelle laughed and walked away from him. “You almost had me thinking you were serious.”

Colin watched her walk back to the campgrounds. “Watch the Lord work wonders in our relationship,” he said as she walked away.

Later that night, before the girls laid down for bed, Olivia decided it was a good time to share her engagement. With her legs crossed Indian-style she patiently waited for Tressie to return from the bathroom.

When Tressie slipped underneath her bed sheets, Olivia couldn't hold back any longer. “I have some headline news to share with you ladies. I couldn't tell you earlier because Val was still here and I didn't want to upset her, but Dean asked me to marry him this morning.”

The news was so exciting that Tressie screamed out and ran to Olivia's bed. She wrapped her arms around Olivia's neck so tight, she practically smothered her.

“What?” Danyelle lifted her head from underneath her bed covers. “It sounded like you said you and Dean were getting married.”

Olivia nodded her head yes. “That's what I said.” Her cheeks were rosy red from smiling so much. “We set a date for two weeks from today. Dean wanted to get married next week, but I convinced him to give me an extra week.”

“Livie, don't you think this is kind of sudden?” Danyelle asked.

“No.” Olivia's temperamental attitude turned defensive. “On the hike yesterday we talked about how it wouldn't be long before Dean and I got engaged, so why do you sound surprised?”

Danyelle hadn't noticed it at first, but she could clearly see how her response had spoiled her sister's moment. Her sister's happiness was important, but this move was irresponsible. “I'm sorry.” She walked over and kissed her sister on the cheek. “I'm just worried about my little sister. You know with everything that happened between you and Bryant I just want for you and my nephew to be safe.”

Olivia and Tressie made room for Danyelle on the bed.

“Doesn't it seem odd to you that Dean wants to get married in the midst of all this controversy surrounding his grandpa? The man who has raised him and is like a father to him is behind bars for a crime he supposedly didn't commit, and Dean pushes all that to the side to marry you.”

It suddenly dawned on her that Danyelle had valid reasons for being concerned. Instead of agreeing with her sister, Olivia quickly thought of a logical excuse. “As a matter of fact, we did talk about his grandpa, and Dean just wants us to have a reason to celebrate, instead of all the bad news he's been receiving.”

Danyelle was skeptical of Olivia's explanation.

Tressie knew the sisters could debate all night long about the pros and cons of getting married, so she tried to move the conversation in a different direction. “Well, since we don't have much time, the moment we get back we have to make an appointment at the bridal boutique to look for dresses.”

Danyelle sat across the room and listened as the girls discussed what colors would look best for the season. She was convinced her sister was making a huge mistake. It bothered her that Olivia was being so irresponsible, but there wasn't too much she could do about it then. So she went to bed.

 

 

She gripped the blankets around her, and just as she felt juices flowing from between her legs, Danyelle jumped up and sat straight up in her bed. She looked around and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

It was just a dream.

Danyelle leaned back against her headboard and sighed heavily. She rubbed her thighs together and felt how sticky she was. She never had a wet dream before, and it was embarrassing to think her first wet dream was of her pastor. She lay back in bed. “God, why me?” She rushed into the bathroom to wash all thoughts of Colin away.

Right before the retreat's final morning church services were about to begin, Colin felt his phone vibrate. He pulled it out and saw that the call was coming from the college. He wondered who would be calling him from the school on a Sunday. Then he thought that something might have been wrong, so he answered.

“Colin.” It was Reverend Baxter. “I apologize for calling you on a Sunday morning and I know you're probably still up in the mountains on the retreat, but there is something I need to discuss with you.”

Colin looked toward the hundreds of people being seated for Sunday service. He hoped Dean would remember to save him a seat.

“It's alright, Rev. What's up?” Colin figured that whatever he wanted to talk to him about must have been important for him to call him on a Sunday.

“As you know, the Assistant Dean position in our department has been open for a while. I've been trying to get the college to fill that position for months. Finally, after cutting the bureaucratic red tape, the administration finally approved it. I was hoping you would be interested in the position.”

“Me?” Colin was surprised.

“Yes. Colin, you haven't been at the college very long, but you have a lot of potential. You're friendly, young, and it's obvious you have a promising future ahead of you.”

“I'm shocked. I never thought this kind of opportunity would come my way so soon. I've only been teaching at the school for about a year.”

“I realize that, and it's unfair of me to call you without calling anyone else at the school who might be interested, but I really do think you would be a perfect fit for this position.”

“Thanks, Reverend Baxter, I appreciate it. I will definitely give it some thought.” Colin was flattered.

“It's not too often that you people are offered an opportunity like this.”

Colin pulled the phone away from his ear and looked at it. He must have heard his good friend wrong, so he continued to listen.

“I think it's about time we put some brown faces in authoritative positions.”

Colin felt a little uneasy with his comment, but he didn't say anything.

“It wasn't until I listened to Judge West talk did I realize how disadvantaged black people are, and I want to do my part to help lift your people up. It's important for me to give to someone who is less fortunate.”

Colin was speechless. He had never heard Baxter speak like this before.

“Colin, I'm not going to lie, I don't have a lot of black friends, but me and my wife were talking the other night and I had to tell her that you were okay. You're not like the rest of them. You are definitely a credit to your race. You speak so articulate, and when I look at you I don't see color. It just goes to show you that anyone can succeed if they work hard enough. Plus, think about how comfortable the minority students would feel to have someone like you to speak with. Someone who understands what it's like to be black.”