Reverend Feelgood (8 page)

Jennifer stood at the back of the auditorium and looked out on her success. She’d been right about a lot of things since making the phone call that finally paved the way to insider status and a closer relationship with Nate Thicke. She now had his home office as well as cell phone number, a home that she’d visited and spent the night in just one week ago. Things were moving along as she’d hoped they would, and as she’d planned.

The phone call that laid the golden egg had been to Carla Lee Chapman, the former pastor’s wife turned successful talk-show host whom she’d met and befriended as a Sanctity of Sisterhood organizer in Kansas City. Jennifer had been active in her church’s various women’s groups, and when founder Vivian Montgomery brought the SOS conference to Kansas City, she had been one of the first people Tai called to help put it together. That’s where she’d met Carla, a down-to-earth, gregarious soul who’d clicked with Jennifer immediately.

Part of the friendship may have been that like Carla, Jennifer was thick in stature, or “big pretty” as Carla’s husband, Lavon, described plus-size women. Another part may have been the realness with which over a dinner designed to hash out last minute SOS plans, Carla and Jennifer had instead found themselves talking about failed diets and unsuccessful relationships. Like Carla, Jennifer had spent her early years looking for love in all the wrong places. But unlike Carla, Jennifer had yet to find her knight in shining armor, the one who would rescue her from single status.

Carla would never know that for a brief moment, Jennifer had thought that Lavon might have been that man. Lavon had also been a member of Mount Zion Progressive, before meeting Carla and moving to LA. And while she didn’t think her pastor, King, would leave his wife and her first lady, Tai, she hadn’t been able to resist trying to get a taste of that brown sugar. She’d been more than ready to sin on Saturday and repent on Sunday with that man. But Mama Max had nipped that pipe dream in the bud.

But now was Jennifer’s moment, now was her time. Nate was single, successful, and more than able to move around all five foot seven, and one hundred seventy pounds of what she was working with. He’d proven that time and again. And now she was proving something: that she would be a powerful asset in his quest for success. Not only had she secured Carla as a guest speaker for yesterday’s luncheon, a rousing success that had pulled ladies from across Texas and neighboring states, but she’d been able to get a commitment from Lavon as well, for a four-part series of Nate on the MLM Network, the network where everybody who was anybody wanted to be. And finally, her suggestion to move the anniversary from the church, which seated five hundred, to the city’s community center, which seated almost fifteen hundred, had been a good one. That’s the view she now looked out on, almost every seat filled with worshippers decked out in their Sunday best.

“Hey there, Sister Stevens. You’re looking powerful pretty today.”

“Deacon Robinson.” Jennifer spoke with the same enthusiasm one would use to address a corpse.

The head deacon of Gospel Truth was not in the least bit unnerved, as his next statement revealed. “You know, I’ve been asking you out for what, about six months now? There might come a time when I stop asking, and when you realize what you’ve been saying no to, what you’re missing, it’ll be too late.”

“Well, since I don’t care to know what I’m missing, I guess I’ll never realize.”

Deacon Robinson chuckled, even as he straightened himself to his full five-foot ten, his sienna skin encased nicely in a silver-colored suit with striped shirt and matching tie. At fifty-seven, this lifelong bachelor wasn’t a bad-looking man, and as the owner of a major construction company, he wasn’t a broke one either.

“You’re a feisty one, I’ll give you that.” He lowered his voice, and while looking like the epitome of propriety, dropped a bomb in Jennifer’s ear. “You think the reverend is the only one with a big hammer, don’t ’cha? Well, I’ma tell you something. An even bigger hammer is one not shared.” He walked away without looking back, leaving a stunned Jennifer watching as he made his way to the front of the center, to start the afternoon’s devotion service.

For her, the rest of the afternoon’s festivities went by in a whirlwind of activity. There were songs by the mass choir, and an impromptu, surprise visit by gospel and R&B star Darius Crenshaw. There was the formal welcome and induction of Nate Thicke and Gospel Truth Church into the Total Truth Association, the reading of well-wishes from around the state and across the country, including a proclamation from the mayor of Palestine, and the blessings bestowed by a Texas native who many considered a legend in his own time, King’s father, the Reverend Doctor Pastor Bishop Overseer Mister Stanley Obadiah Meshach Brook Jr. And finally, there was the message from Jennifer’s former pastor, King Brook, who for every female in the room brought to mind an ice cream fudge bar: you just wanted to take a bite. But along with his wife, King arrived with a message that resonated within all their hearts: God’s plan, God’s man. The service lasted almost three hours, yet everyone thought that it ended too soon.

“Lord have mercy, my feet want freedom,” Mama Max declared as she sat down heavily in an oversized chair. She pulled off her heels and rubbed her toes.

“Your son did his thing today, Mama Max,” Nettie declared proudly. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard him preach like that! And even though he has his own style, he’s sounding more like his daddy every day!”

“Chile, don’t you let him hear you say that. You know the last thing some sons want to do is be like their father.”

“Well, when I congratulate him, I’ll be sure and keep that in mind.”

The VIP reception room was buzzing, with people making the rounds who hadn’t seen each other since the last big conference or anniversary. Along with the elder Brooks, King, Tai, Derrick Montgomery, pastor of LA’s megachurch, Kingdom Citizens Christian Center, and his wife, Vivian, worked the room like pros. Darius Crenshaw, a member of KCCC, and a few other prominent members, including associate minister and millionaire businessman Cy Taylor and his wife, Hope, had flown down to Texas to lend their support and add their welcomes to the newest member of Total Truth.

Katherine was in attendance, as was Simone and her newly introduced fiancé, Mark. Patricia was in the VIP room as part of the hosting committee, along with several other Gospel Truth females and Nate Thicke admirers. Their job was to make sure all of the guests were taken care of, that the food supply never diminished, and that libations flowed. But Patricia hadn’t minded donning an apron. When one couldn’t come in the front door, then you had to go through the side or the back. Without a doubt, the most popular guest in the VIP room was Carla Lee Chapman. Even in this VIP circle, she found herself signing DVDs and taking pictures. After an hour and a half of pomp and pleasantries, Jennifer was able to get a moment with her, alone.

“Carla, girl, you will never know how much you’ve helped me. Nate is so excited about appearing on your show. And Lavon taping a series based on his book? I owe you big time. Thank you so much.”

“Just thank the good Lord I’m here to serve,” Carla responded, mimicking one of her grandfather’s favorite lines. “But something tells me this excitement isn’t just about expanding the ministry, if you know what a sistah is sayin’.”

Jennifer didn’t have female friends, per se, but if she did, Carla would be one of the few. She respected her, felt she could be real with her, and was happy to finally have someone with whom to share her feelings. “Something tells you right,” she said easily. “Me and Nate are…dating, but not openly.”

“Is he hitting it?” Carla asked without compunction.

Jennifer’s broad smile was her answer.

“Well, if he can screw you in the dark, then why can’t he wine and dine you in the light?”

“It’s not that easy,” Jennifer continued. “Nate has to be careful with his image, and women are everywhere.”

“So you’re not the only one.”

Jennifer’s smile was not present as she answered this question. “It’s complicated. I’m not even sure I understand everything that’s going on. But one of my hurdles was effectively eliminated today.” She told Carla about Simone, and why she was happy to hear the morning service announcement about her relocation. “It doesn’t mean I’m home free yet, but she was my main competition, and now that I’m becoming such an integral part of the ministry, things should move faster now.”

Carla remained silent as she eyed a woman she had grown to like. Jennifer reminded her a lot of herself. That’s why she wasn’t going to pussyfoot around when it came to her thoughts on the matter. “So…are you helping him to build God’s kingdom, or your own?”

“Both,” Jennifer answered quickly.

“Well, be careful with that,” Carla said. “Those kinds of plans can backfire when the motive isn’t pure.”

Jennifer copped an attitude. “What do you mean, my motives aren’t pure? My motives are
very
pure. Yes, I want Nate to succeed, and yes, I want to be a part of this success—to help him build God’s kingdom. Don’t try and tell me that what I’m doing isn’t right.”

While Carla noted Jennifer’s anger, she didn’t respond in kind. She knew that anger masked fear, and self-doubt. She’d seen it too many times…in the mirror. “Girl, you know I’m the last one to judge anybody. I’m not calling your actions right or wrong. I’m just flashing a yellow light, that’s all. So that you weigh out all the pieces of the puzzle as you’re putting them in place.”

Carla’s comment made Jennifer think about another piece of the puzzle that she hadn’t thought about until now: Destiny Noble. Jennifer suddenly realized that she hadn’t seen her all week. Not in any of the youth presentations or any of the services. Destiny had been a fixture at Gospel Truth since Jennifer arrived, and now, on one of the most important weeks in Nate’s short yet illustrious career, the child star wasn’t there.
Very interesting,
Jennifer thought. Where was she? Her brows furrowed in thought.

“Don’t mind me,” Carla said in response to seeing Jennifer’s scowl. “You do what you feel is right.”

“No, Carla, I appreciate what you said, really. And I’ll take your advice. I don’t have many female friends, and I feel privileged to count you among the few I give that label. Just pray for me, okay? I love Nate, and I want to be with him. And I didn’t enter into this lightly. Before him, I’d been celibate ten years.”

“Jesus!” Carla exclaimed so loudly that people near them turned and stared. “I’m sorry, girl,” she continued more softly. “But ten years? And then it was Nate, that fine, tall, manly brothah that woke that coochie up from hibernation? I don’t even have to ask what that was like because I’ve got a colored girl’s story close enough to relate. Whew! Ten years.” Carla shook her head in disbelief and changed her tone. “You go ahead and try and get your man. Who am I to tell you how? Because going that long without some loving, I think even Jesus would understand that a sistah has to do what a sistah has to do!”

Jennifer and Carla confirmed their plans for later: a private dinner with Carla, Lavon, Nate, and Jennifer in Nate’s home to discuss the book and the publicity rollout series. Later Jennifer would be surprised to find out that Katherine Noble had wormed her way into being present, and that Deacon Robinson had weaseled out an invite as well. But in the end, Jennifer still considered the day a success. She was the woman to the right of Nate at the dinner table, and before all was said and done, planned to be the only one in his bed, and in his life.

Destiny steered her CLK Mercedes into the mall’s compact parking space and turned off the engine. The sporty, ice blue luxury car with soft, ivory-colored seats, satellite phone, radio, and custom license plates that simply said
DESTINY
, was one of the many gifts Nate had given his baby’s mother since learning she was pregnant. Her life had been a whirlwind since that night on the beach in the Florida Keys. For all her outer calm, at times the diverse and ongoing life changes threatened to unravel Destiny’s sanity. But whenever she felt herself losing control she thought of the baby inside her. In this regard her mother had been right. It was no longer all about her. It was all about Nate’s child.

At six months pregnant, Destiny still got her share of stares from both men and women alike. It was no different on this sunny and hot Saturday in August, as she walked into the Cortana Mall. For all of the changes Baton Rouge had endured due to Hurricane Katrina, changes that some said had not been for the better, Destiny still enjoyed the city, and the relative anonymity it gave her. She’d been here for a little over two months, and coming from the small town of Palestine, she relished not knowing anybody, and loved it even more that nobody really knew her. But she was sure many wondered. It had taken some finagling for Angel House, a staunch, Christian school known for its moral as well as spiritual leadership, to take in a pregnant student. But once they understood that Destiny had resisted the easy path of aborting her child and that the father had every intention of marrying her, they not only allowed her into the school but, after receiving her stellar transcript, allowed her to be fast-tracked so she could graduate in December of the following year. The study load was grueling, but Destiny relished the work. It kept her from being too lonely, and from thinking about who Nate was covering.

She had just sat down to enjoy a chicken sandwich and a smoothie when a shadow fell over her table.

“Who are you wearing? It looks designer,” the stranger asked.

“Who wants to know?” Destiny countered.

The young, attractive woman sporting a compact yet curvy body and bouncy black curls was taken aback. Since leaving California and arriving in Louisiana, she hadn’t met anyone with more attitude than she possessed. She was immediately intrigued, and impressed, especially since she’d seen this sistah before.

“Obviously somebody who’s into fashion,” she replied with just a touch of attitude. “I don’t see much of that in this hick town.” Without waiting for an invite, she sat down at Destiny’s table. “My name is Melody, Melody Anderson. I’ve seen you at Angel…. I go there too.”

Destiny sipped her smoothie and looked at the woman sitting across from her. Private by nature, she had become even more untrusting since becoming pregnant. She understood what was at stake if news got out that Nate was the father of her child. While she had no intention of letting her mother raise her seed, she was willing to go along with the ruse until she and Nate were married and curiosity had died down. The truth would come out, but only when the time was right. Still, aside from her mother, Destiny had no one to talk to in this new city. She’d cut communication with her friends back in Palestine, even Adam. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to have someone her age to hang out with.

“It’s Michael Stars,” Destiny finally responded.

“Hmm, I never heard of him. It’s cute.”

“Thanks.”

“So what’s your name?”

“Destiny.”

“Why are you at Angel?”

“Same reason you are—to get my diploma.”

“Girl, please. That’s not why I’m there. If I had my way, I’d be back in LA, where I was enjoying school just fine.”

“So what, did your parents move here?”

“Hell, no. And not being around them is the only good thing about being at that place.”

“Dag, girl, I guess you don’t like your folks.”

“They’re all right sometimes, just too religious and old-fashioned. My mama found out I was screwing. That’s why she sent me here.” Melody fixed a look at Destiny’s stomach. “Guess your mama knows you’re screwing too.”

“Obviously.”

“So is that why you’re here?”

“Something like that.” The more questions Melody asked, the more guarded Destiny became.

“Where you from?”

“Around here. I don’t mean to be rude but I don’t really know you and don’t really like people all up in my business.”

“That’s all up in your business? Asking where you’re from? Well, don’t tell me then. Ain’t like I give a damn. I’m just being friendly. What kind of smoothie is that? I’m hungry. And that chicken sandwich looks good. Shoot, I hope I’m not pregnant!”

She’s funny,
Destiny thought. Even though she was a little pushy and a lot nosy, there was something about Melody that Destiny liked. “How do you think you’re pregnant, going to an all-girls school?”

Melody rolled her eyes. “Girl, don’t even sit over there and try and act naive. I know you know how I think I’m pregnant. I’ve been fucking!”

“Yes, but who?”

“Well, look a…I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t even know you and here you are trying to get all up in my biz-ness.” Melody laughed to show she was teasing. Destiny laughed too. “But I don’t care. You the first person I’ve met at the school who is worthy of my company, so I don’t mind spilling the beanies. It’s Josh.”

Destiny frowned.

“Mr. Sanchez, or should I say Brother Sanchez, depending on whether he’s wearing the teacher or pastor hat.”

“The math teacher?”

“And youth pastor. Yeah, girl. We’ve been doing it for a good two months now. I know I’m not pregnant though. I’m on the pill
plus
we always use a condom.”

Destiny shook her head. “You’re crazy.”

“Yeah, I know. That’s why I’m fun to be around.”

“Is that why you’re going to summer school? To be around Mr. Sanchez?”

“No, I’m taking his hard-ass class again so I don’t get held back! That’s why I’m fucking him, a guaranteed A. Ain’t no way I’m not graduating on time so I can get up out this bitch. Plus, it gave me a good excuse not to have to go home. I’m staying with one of the older women from church, got her all wrapped around my finger thinking I’m ‘living for the Lord.’ I told her I might become a missionary, and she actually believes that shit. That’s how stuck on stupid that clown is. Hell, I don’t even like the missionary
position!
And I got a part-time job here at the mall, so I can meet my next honey.”

“You’re a trip, Melody. Tell me about LA.”

“You’ve never been there?”

When Destiny shook her head, Melody proceeded to describe life in her city, and the experiences she’d racked up in seventeen short years. She ended with the story of what got her sent away, the tryst with the popular gospel hip-hop singer, Shabach.

“You know Shabach?” Destiny asked, with more than a little disbelief.

“Yes, I know him. I know a lot of gospel artists, regular artists, celebrities, athletes. See, I belonged to a megachurch in LA, called Kingdom Citizens Christian Center.”

“With Pastor Montgomery? I know about y’all. I’ve seen him on TV several times. And Darius Crenshaw is y’all’s minister of music!”

“Uh-huh. I’ve been over to his house and stuff. It’s mad hooked up. Got a pool, a Jacuzzi…. And I’ve been to parties with him and Shabach.”

“That sounds like so much fun! But wait, Shabach got arrested for having sex with a minor. Was that…?”

“The one and only, darlin’…. He was my first.”

Destiny was speechless, but Melody had plenty to say, and in Destiny’s eyes her stock was rising with every sentence.

“I wanted Darius,” Melody continued. “But you know he’s gay. That’s when I got with Shabach.”

“But if he was really with you, how did the charges against him get dismissed?”

“Lack of evidence or some shit. I was glad he got out, for real. Even though I was underage, I knew what I was doing. I wanted to be with his fine ass. It wouldn’t have been right for him to do time for something that really wasn’t his fault.”

“I bet your church was fun, huh.”

“Sometimes, it was off the chain! Especially the choir. They put it down for real!”

“Wow, I’d love to go to a church like that. My church is big, but not that big.”

“What church is that?”

“Gospel…” Destiny realized that in naming her church, Melody would know where she was from. “Gospel Truth Church,” she finished. What harm could there be in Melody knowing her hometown? There were plenty of men there who could be her child’s father, or he might even live somewhere else. A plan formed in Destiny’s mind even as she continued talking. “It’s in a small town in Texas, but the church is doing well because of the pastor. He’s young and can preach good also, like Pastor Montgomery.”

“Is he cute?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Your baby daddy go to your church?”

“No,” Destiny said quickly. “He lives in Dallas.”
There. Dallas has ten times as many men as Palestine. This made-up father could be anywhere.

“So tell me more about this fine preacher. What’s his name?”

“Reverend Thicke.”

Melody giggled. “Ooh, I like him already.”

“You’ve heard of him?”

“No, but if he’s anything like his name…” Melody laughed again.

Destiny hid her anger behind a laugh. “That’s so wrong, thinking about doing a minister!”

“Girl, I told you, I’m doing one now!”

“You should probably stay with him then. Everybody and their mama is after Nathaniel Thicke.”

The two new friends stayed at the mall for over two hours, chatting about everything and nothing at all. Melody wanted Destiny to drive them to New Orleans, but Destiny wouldn’t take the chance of not being at the evening worship, where attendance was mandatory. They made it back to campus and got to church on time. While sitting and listening to Pastor Sanchez, Destiny could only think about one thing: that he and Melody were doing it. Sitting next to her, Melody could only think of one thing too: the fine hunk of dark chocolate she’d seen when she’d Googled the name “Nathaniel Thicke” that afternoon—and how she was going to get Destiny to introduce them.