Everybody Say Amen (13 page)

J
onathan tried to shake off his nervousness. Today was the day of reckoning. He was about to go before a judge who would determine whether his future would include his son. The attorney Jonathan had hired—a fierce, white-haired, fifty-something woman—was confident that they would emerge victorious.

“The judge is ready for us,” Claudia Van Buren said as she stuck her head out of the courtroom.

Rachel slipped her fingers through her brother’s and they followed Claudia inside. Simon and David were right behind them.

Angela, her family, and what seemed like her entire neighborhood were already seated on the opposite side of the courtroom. While Angela didn’t look their way, almost everyone else scowled as the Jacksons walked by.

Forever the diplomat, Simon eased over to their side of the courtroom.

“Afternoon, Brother Brooks,” Simon said.

Angela’s father glared at him and didn’t reply. David grabbed Simon’s arm and led him over to the bench behind Jonathan and his attorney.

Jonathan stared at Angela, who seemed like she had been crying. She caught Jonathan looking at her and shot him an evil glare.

Jonathan turned his attention to Rachel, who was staring at the judge’s bench. He knew she was recalling being in this same courtroom eight years ago, trying to convince a judge not to let Bobby have joint custody of Jordan.

That case had gone terribly wrong: The judge had told Rachel she’d better be grateful Bobby hadn’t asked for full custody because he would’ve gotten it.

“All rise. The honorable Vincent Rosenthal presiding,” the bailiff announced as the judge, who looked like he had just stepped off a tanning bed, walked in and sat down.

“You may be seated,” the judge said as he began reviewing a folder for a minute before glancing up. “Are both parties ready to get started?”

Both attorneys stood and announced, “We are.”

Judge Rosenthal nodded. “Well, Mr. Slade,” he said, turning his attention to Angela’s attorney. “We’ll begin with you.”

Her attorney, a no-nonsense-looking black man with just enough gray hair to make him distinguished, walked around to the front of the table. “Your Honor, I am not one to stand in judgment of others. Nor is my client. Although the Bible clearly states its position on homosexuality, we recognize that times are changing. We don’t knock anyone who chooses alternative lifestyles. Where we do begin to have a problem is when that lifestyle is forced onto my client’s child.”

Jonathan looked on in disgust. He couldn’t believe they were making this case about that. What about parenting skills? Why couldn’t they give him a chance to show them he would be a good parent? He wanted to scream as the attorney rambled on about how Angela had to bear the burden of raising Chase alone all these years. Jonathan pulled Claudia’s arm, trying to get her to object or something, when Mr. Slade started talking about how vulnerable Chase was and how being exposed to Jonathan and his “many lovers” would negatively impact the child.

Jonathan glanced over at Rachel, who was squirming in her seat. He knew she was trying hard not to put her two cents in.

Jonathan let out a sigh when Angela’s attorney finally sat down. He leaned in and whispered to Claudia, “Can you please let the judge know I am not like that? That I am from a good, Christian family and that this is not about my sexuality?”

Claudia patted his arm. “Let me do my job,” she said.

Jonathan felt better as his attorney took center stage and described him as a father who desperately wanted a relationship with his son. She even produced pages of testimony from children of gay parents stating that their parents’ sexuality didn’t have a negative impact on them. She also presented copies of all the money orders and checks Jonathan had sent over the years. Jonathan was so happy he had listened to Rachel and had kept copies of everything.

“So Your Honor, we ask that you do not deny Chase his God-given right—the right to know his father.” Claudia closed her folder and returned to her seat.

Jonathan smiled as she sat down. The courtroom was quiet as the judge studied some papers in front of him. “We will take a break for lunch and I’ll return at one P.M. with my ruling. Parties are dismissed,” he said.

Lunch? Why did they have to wait through lunch? Jonathan stood while the judge left the courtroom. He looked over at Angela’s family as they swarmed around her. You’d have thought he was trying to get full custody of his son. All he wanted was the right to see Chase.

Angela was softly weeping. Jonathan couldn’t help it, he had to say something. “Angela,” he said, walking toward her. “I’m so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. I never wanted it to come to this.”

“Look, you little punk,” Mr. Brooks said as he stepped in front of his daughter, “hurting her is all you’ve done since you met her.”

Simon quickly interjected, “Come on, Brother Brooks. Why don’t we let the young people handle this?”

“No disrespect, Reverend Jackson, because you know I have always thought highly of you, but your son has caused my daughter a lifetime of pain and I’m not about to stand around and watch him add to it by trying to take her child.” Mr. Brooks’s pale complexion was turning crimson with his anger.

“I’m not trying to take him. I just want to see him,” Jonathan pleaded.

“And teach him what, pray tell?” Mrs. Brooks said. “Morals? Values?”

Rachel stepped in. “Look, there is no need for you to attack my brother. I don’t understand why we can’t handle this in a dignified manner.”

“What? Now the town tramp is trying to be dignified?” Mrs. Brooks snapped.

Angela covered her eyes. “Stop it! Everybody please just stop it,” she cried.

The courtroom grew silent. Angela looked up. “May I please speak to Jonathan alone?”

Mrs. Brooks looked at her daughter in shock. “You can’t be serious. There is nothing for you to talk to him about.”

“Mother, please,” Angela groaned.

Simon extended his hand toward the door. “Why don’t all of us wait outside while they talk.”

Rachel and David led the way out. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks sighed before reluctantly leaving the courtroom. “We’re right outside, baby,” Mrs. Brooks said as she left.

Jonathan wished he could rewind time and make all of this go away. He could see the hurt in Angela’s eyes, pain not just from the custody fight, but from everything he had put her through.

“Why are you doing this? Why can’t you just leave us alone?” Angela said.

“Angela, I am so sorry. I know I hurt you. I tried to leave you and Chase alone and just provide financial support. But I couldn’t. I just want to see my son.”

Angela wiped away the tears that had begun flowing down her face. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything, Angela. Anything at all.”

“Why did you marry me?”

Jonathan looked in her eyes. “Because I knew you were the best woman a man could ever ask for. The best woman a man could ever want.”

“Only you didn’t want a woman. Either that or I wasn’t woman enough for you,” she said as if she had established it as a fact years ago.

“I was so confused. I knew how people wanted me to be. I knew what I was supposed to be. But my heart wouldn’t cooperate. I thought if I married you, the perfect woman, all of those horrible, confusing feelings would go away.”

“I was your guinea pig?” She was desperately searching for answers.

“You were not a guinea pig.” Jonathan rubbed his forehead. He was trying to fight off tears himself.

She suddenly straightened, her expression hardening. “So you think it’s wise that I let my seven-year-old son come around you and your boyfriend?”

“First of all, it’s
our
seven-year-old son. And second of all, I don’t have a boyfriend anymore.”

Angela looked stunned. “I thought you two were so in love.”

“This isn’t about Tracy, or anyone else for that matter. It’s about us and our child.”

Angela was still taking in the news that he was no longer with Tracy. “Jonathan, you destroyed our marriage, our future, for your little boyfriend and you’re not even together now?” Her voice was laced with anger.

Jonathan let out a deep breath. “Please, can we only talk about our child?”

“No, we cannot, Jonathan. That’s what this whole custody battle is about. You chose your lover over your child, over our life. Now that he’s gone, you want us back in your life. You have lost your mind.”

Any progress they’d been making was gone. Angela walked out of the courtroom.

I
t seemed like the judge had taken forever to reconvene, but now that they were back in the courtroom, Jonathan felt like the walls were closing in. His heart was beating rapidly and he was sweating profusely. He just wanted this all to be over with.

Both families were back in their seats. Jonathan and Angela looked on anxiously as the judge took his place behind the bench. He studied his papers and wrote something on his notepad before looking up at the attorneys.

Jonathan glanced over at a glossy-eyed Angela. She was staring straight ahead as if she were in a trance. Her parents sat behind her, scowling.

“Just because we no longer like the person we chose to have a child with does not mean, legally, that we have the right to cut that individual out of the child’s life,” the judge began.

Angela’s shoulders sank, but she kept her head high.

“After careful consideration,” Judge Rosenthal continued, “the petitioner’s request for visitation for his son is granted.”

Angela let out a loud gasp as she slumped in her chair.

“I am also granting the mother’s request for supervised visitation for a period of six months.”

Jonathan looked at his attorney. Supervised? What did they think he was, a serial killer or something? He wouldn’t be able to see his child without someone watching his every move?

Claudia stood up. “Your Honor, please. My client is no threat to anyone. He comes from a nice, stable, Christian home.”

Mrs. Brooks suddenly launched into a loud coughing attack.

Claudia shot her a sideways glance and continued. “Mr. Jackson has been denied the opportunity to see his son for seven years. He shouldn’t be punished further by being treated as a danger to his own child—for no reason, might I add.”

Mrs. Brooks stood up and yelled, “Don’t leave him alone with that boy! You don’t know what he’ll do to Chase. He was probably molested as a child, that’s why he’s the way he is!”

Angela buried her face in her hands. Mr. Brooks grabbed his wife’s hand and tried to pull her back down. Jonathan shook his head in frustration.

“Order in the court!” Judge Rosenthal banged his gavel. “Ma’am”—he pointed at Mrs. Brooks—“another outburst like that and I will not only have you thrown out of this courtroom, but thrown in jail.”

Mrs. Brooks jerked her arm away from her husband, shot Jonathan a vicious look, then sat back down.

The judge turned back to Claudia. “Counselor, your concerns are duly noted. I will allow unsupervised visits, but no overnights pending further review. We will review the progress of this arrangement in three months. A suitable visitation schedule will be worked out with a court-appointed caseworker. Court is adjourned.”

Jonathan wanted to turn a backflip. He hugged Claudia as his family gathered around him. Everyone was smiling as they congratulated him. But as Jonathan watched Angela’s family console her as she sobbed he couldn’t help but feel his victory was bittersweet.

I
t had been a good week, but Rachel had a feeling that that was all about to change. She’d gotten out of going to Lester’s grandmother’s the previous Sunday, so she knew she was going to have to go today. She didn’t put up a fight when Lester announced they were having dinner at Naomi’s, and even now, she tried to keep a positive attitude. But Nia and Jordan were driving her crazy with their incessant arguing. She turned around in the front seat of the car and yelled, “Sit your behinds down, before I beat you into next week!”

Jordan rolled his eyes. Nia pouted before leaning back in her seat. “No fair, Jordan started it,” she said.

Rachel sighed as she rubbed her temples. It was bad enough that she had to go deal with Lester’s grandmother; no, she had to deal with Nia and Jordan fighting all the way there, too.

“Rachel, are you okay?” Lester asked, rubbing her leg.

“I’m fine.”

“I’m sorry I asked you to come,” he said.

Rachel tried to smile at her husband. She wanted to tell him that he hadn’t asked, but she decided to leave well enough alone. “No, I’m sorry. I’m fine. Let’s just try to have an enjoyable dinner.”

Lester’s expression told her he was grateful she was trying to compromise.

As soon as they pulled in the driveway, Naomi opened the door, clad in her signature ruffled dress, this one in black, with a white lace collar. She had that same dress in every color.

Naomi smiled widely at Lester as he made his way into the house. Of course, her smile faded when Rachel walked in, but it reappeared when Jordan and Nia entered.

Although she couldn’t stand Naomi, Rachel had to admit that the woman treated Jordan and Nia like they were her own flesh and blood. In fact, she spoiled them rotten.

“Hi, Grandma Naomi,” Nia sang as she kissed Naomi on the cheek.

Naomi held her arms out to hug both kids. “Look at my babies. I just don’t get to see y’all enough.”

Rachel knew that was a dig at her but she ignored it.

“And Jordan, you just turning into a regular little man.” She pinched his cheek.

“What’s up, Grandma Naomi?” Jordan half smiled. At least he wasn’t growling like he normally did.

“You know I have some tea cakes and your favorite PlayStation games waiting for you in the den.”

“They don’t need tea cakes,” Rachel said. “It’s right before dinner.”

“Nonsense.” Naomi waved the kids away. “Go on, the tea cakes are in the back.”

Jordan and Nia smiled before taking off.

Rachel bit down on her lip. It was going to be a long day.

“Rachel, I thought Lester said you were trying to lose weight,” Naomi said as she made her way into the kitchen. She popped Rachel on the behind as she passed. “What are you now, a size twenty?”

Rachel cut her eyes at Lester. She was a size eight and this woman knew it! “Mrs. Naomi, I didn’t come over here to be insul—”

Lester cut her off. “Grandma, what’d you cook?”

“Ohh, baby, I cooked your favorite. Smothered pork chops.” She walked through the swinging doors into the kitchen.

Rachel hit Lester in the arm. “You better get your grandmother under control before I tell her old behind something,” she hissed.

“Please, baby. Don’t create a scene. You know how she is.”

This was one area she and Lester definitely didn’t see eye to eye on. He let his grandmother say and do whatever she wanted. “I do know how she is, Lester. And I know I’m not about to sit up here and let her talk to me any kind of way. I am not in the mood to be ridiculed by her today,” she whispered fiercely.

“Rachel, why is it so difficult for you to get along with my grandmother?”

Rachel put a finger to her chin. “Ummm, let’s see. She disrespects my parenting and my cooking and calls me fat…” Rachel looked at her watch. “All that in less than five minutes. Should I go on?”

“She’s old, Rachel. And sickly.”

“That doesn’t give her the right to be just plain evil.”

They walked into the kitchen and sat at the white ceramic kitchen table.
This is what happens when I try to compromise, be a good wife. It’s not appreciated and I end up getting treated like crap
.

Naomi checked on dinner, then sat down across from Lester and started talking to him like Rachel wasn’t even in the room.

“So, baby,” she said, “you did a wonderful job on that sermon this morning. I thought I was gon’ get the Holy Ghost.”

Rachel tried not to make a face. So what else was new? She got the Holy Ghost every Sunday.

“I saw Jackie Long yesterday. She told me to tell you hello.” Naomi had an innocent look on her face. Rachel could tell the old woman was just trying to get under her skin by bringing up Lester’s ex-girlfriend.

Before Lester could respond, Rachel stood up. “If you all will excuse me, I’m going to the bathroom.”

She left the table, ignoring the apologetic look in Lester’s eyes.

Rachel made her way down the long hallway, which was covered with photos from every single year of Lester’s life. Naomi had raised him since his parents died in a car wreck and she doted on him like he was the Second Coming.

After Rachel used the bathroom, she stuck her head in the den to check on the kids, then headed back to the kitchen. She was determined not to let Naomi get to her. For Lester’s sake, she would try to tolerate her for the next hour or so. After they ate dinner, though, they were going to have to leave.

“—unequally yoked, that’s what y’all are.”

Rachel stopped just outside the kitchen to hear what Naomi was talking about.

“Grandma, I’ve told you, I love Rachel. She’s my soul mate,” Lester protested. Rachel was glad to hear him finally stand up to his grandmother as far as she was concerned.

“You remember when that guest preacher from Lily Grove preached about being unequally yoked?” she said. “He said fearing singleness breeds insanity. You didn’t want to be alone, so you hooked up with her. That’s insane.”

“Grandma, please.” Lester sighed.

“Don’t please me. Please God. Deuteronomy twenty-two ten clearly says ‘Do not plow with an ox and a donkey.’ ”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You’re the preacher. You know what it means. You’re an ox. Your wife in there is a donkey. You just can’t make it work no matter how much you try,” Naomi said matter-of-factly.

Rachel had heard enough. She refused to spend one more minute in this woman’s house. She went back to the den. “Jordan. Nia. Let’s go.”

“Awww, Ma,” Jordan whined as he navigated the PlayStation. “I’m just about to make it to the next level.”

“This is not open for discussion! Let’s go.
Now!
”

The fury in her voice came through loud and clear. Neither of them said another word as they grabbed their shoes and scrambled up off the floor.

Rachel made her way back down the hall and into the kitchen. “Lester, we’re leaving.”

Lester stood up. “Sweetie, why? What’s wrong?”

“We’re leaving. With or without you.” Rachel snatched the keys off the table and headed to the front door. Lester took off after her.

“Rachel, wait! What’s wrong?”

“See how unreasonable she is, Lester,” Naomi said, following them out. “Let her go. You stay here and eat. Lord knows she ain’t got nothing fixed for you at home. And on a Sunday at that.”

Rachel stopped in her tracks. It took everything in her power not to go clean off on this woman. The only thing stopping her was the fact that Naomi was almost seventy-five years old and her mother had always taught her to respect the elderly.

She took a deep breath and continued outside to the car. She opened the back door and let the kids in.

“Unequally yoked, that’s what you are.” Naomi wagged her finger.

Rachel glared at her.

“What?” Naomi snapped. “I ain’t saying nothing that ain’t the truth.”

Lester spun around and yelled, “Stop it, Grandma! Right now!” He stepped toward her. “I am sick and tired of you disrespecting my wife!”

Shocked that he was yelling at her, Naomi stood on her front porch, clutching her chest. “Lester!”

“You have gotten evil in your old age and I have continued to make excuses for you. Well, enough is enough! Until you accept my wife and treat her with respect, don’t expect us to set foot in this house ever again.”

Lester marched over, took the keys from Rachel, and climbed in the car. Rachel knew she probably should leave well enough alone, but before she climbed in the car, she couldn’t help but smile and say, “Hee-haw, Mrs. Naomi, hee-haw.”