The Pastor's Other Woman (11 page)

Chapter Twenty Four

Drew

I woke up in the hospital hooked up to all of these monitors. My body felt like I had been hit by an eighteen wheeler and then the driver put the truck in reverse and hit me again. It took me a minute to remember what happened, and the realization came back to me like a flood. The events of the day just made me even angrier to know I was laid up in this hospital and nothing was in my account.

“Damn!” I yelled out in frustration.

I hit the side of the bed, and the pain almost took my breath away. Once I got myself together, I hit the pump on the Morphine drip that was beside the bed and saw a piece of paper on my lap. I opened it and noticed it was Constance’s handwriting. I was shocked that she wasn’t here, but I continued to read it.

Drew,

Something has to give. I won’t make this long because I know that you are in some serious pain. Jewel and her folks gave you a serious beat down! Lol!! I didn’t know she had it in her, but I guess she was a woman scorned for real.

Well, rest assured that I’m not scorned in any shape, form, or fashion, but I am tired of this back and forth with Jewel. She is a smart one. I will give her that. You were so dumb, and this plan we had was fool proof. Or so I thought. You were certainly the fool this go round.

All of these years you know I have been real patient and even make my own living, but it’s time for me to retire as promised. I don’t know what to tell you, but if you don’t come up with enough coins to make me happy then I’m done. The kids and I will walk and find someone else to take care of us. Maybe Bryce has a relative ‘cause that brother is shole nuff fine! Ha! Yes God!! Now I see why she went running to him and ended up conceiving his two daughters. Oh, that’s right. You didn’t know that Avery and Kammy were his daughters and not yours, huh? A blind man could see those girls look like him, and they loved him way more than they loved you.

I bet you’re wondering how I knew about that little bit of info huh? Constance always has her ways to get the info that she needs. Maybe if you come through with some money I’ll share that with you then. Get me my money, Drew, or forget my number. You have three weeks, or it’s a wrap. And please don’t get cute on me because there is some info that you don’t want me to let out of the bag now do you? Play wit’ it if you want to. Toodles boo!

Constance <3

My life as I knew it was over. There was no way that I could come back from this, and I just prayed that Constance wouldn’t make good on her threats. There was just some things that didn’t need to get out. One thing I did know though was if I didn’t come through like she wanted I was going to have to shut her up permanently.

Chapter Twenty Five

Avery

It was finally graduation day! I was so excited that I couldn’t even sleep last night. Not only was I about to enter into adult hood and take the next step towards my future, but I was going to share this moment with the love of my life. I couldn’t wait to see him after the ceremony and get this big surprise that he had for me.

I heard the text notification go off, and I smiled knowing it was from him. I opened it to see his smiling face followed by a scripture and a few words of encouragement. He always knew what I needed and when I needed it. This must have been how my dad felt about my mom all of these years. I’m just glad that he held on until God opened that door for them to fully be together. They finally sat down the other night after my grandparents left and explained everything. I wasn’t the least bit upset, and it was truly a Kingdom relationship. I was in a happy place. Kammy still got a little confused when she called Dad by his name, but we knew that it would take some time for her, and he was so understanding.

“Come on, baby girl!” My mother yelled. I grabbed my purse, cap and gown and headed downstairs. It was that time. “I’m so proud of you, baby. We both are,” she said with tears in her eyes.

“Don’t cry, Mommy. At least not yet,” I said to her smiling.

“Ok, but I can’t make promises for later.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to.”

My dad came downstairs with Kammy in tow and kissed me on my cheek. The look in his eyes told me that he loved me unconditionally, and he was so proud of me. I couldn’t have asked for anything more as we walked out the door as a family.

Chapter Twenty Six

James

Today was the day Avery graduated, and I think I was more excited than she was. She was feeling a little nervous, but I had already sent her a text to calm her nerves a little. Avery would always ask me to send her a picture of my smile when she needed reassurance on something. I hated taking what the girls called selfies, but I snapped a picture of myself and sent it to her with a short prayer and scripture.

“Boy, every time I turn around you on the phone. Why aren’t you dressed yet? You know it’s going to take us some time to get over to the school, find a parking spot and then walk in there and get a seat,” my mother, Nia, said.

“Alright ma, dang. I was just take a quick picture. You know yo’ boy done got cut up and looking good, don’t hate,” I laughed as she threw a pillow at me.

“Hurry up! Oh, and help JJ finish getting dressed too. Let me go to our room and make sure your daddy doing what he’s supposed to be doing,” she closed the door.

I helped JJ get dressed, and I threw on my nice button up shirt and sprayed a splash of my cologne on. I was looking good with my nice fade, and my little beard had come in nicely. I was looking like the younger version of my father, which was a compliment. I took my phone off the charger and gestured for JJ to come on so we could check on the old folks and see what they were doing. After everyone was dressed, we headed towards the school. The closer we got to the school the more my stomach started to cramp. Avery had been through so much, and I was so proud of her. I wanted to make tonight special for her, so my parents reserved a table at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

We were able to get a good parking spot, and I know my mama was glad because she decided to wear five inch heels to a graduation. I already knew my dad put her up to it because he loved to see her in heels. My dad sent Mr. Bryce a text to see where they were sitting. They also had a good spot, and Avery was able to see us from where she was sitting. I was so proud of her because she was graduating with honors. All of the honors student’s had to sit towards the front.

“I’m so glad you guys could make it,” Mr. Bryce stood up and shook my hand and then my father’s.

Mrs. Jewel and my mother hugged and talked like school girls until the ceremony started. Bryce went all out and bought Avery all these balloons that spelled her name out and roses, and here I was with my small little gift in my pocket. When they called Avery’s name out we all got up hollering and screaming. Everyone around us thought we were crazy, but if they only knew what Avery had went through they would’ve been rejoicing with us too. I wanted to be the first to get to Avery after the ceremony, so I started walking down a little early so I could have a quick moment with her. After the tassels were turned and the hats were thrown up in the air, I raced down to grab and hug Avery.

“I’m so proud of you. Through it all, you kept your head held high. Now the sky is the limit. I have a surprise for you tonight,” I hugged her again.

Before she could even ask what the surprise was, Jewel grabbed her and hugged her as they both cried tears of joy. Avery hugged everyone and took pictures with her classmates, and everyone said their goodbyes as we headed to Ruth’s Chris. I pulled out Avery’s chair and saw my mother smirk. I had a feeling she was on to me, but only time would tell. We all ordered and enjoyed conversation and food. JJ was having a hard time with his little steak, so I cut it up for him so he could eat it better.

“I’m going to miss all of you guys when I leave. I love you Mommy and Daddy, but I’m gone miss James too. I mean, we always talk on the phone, but California is a long way, and you are not going to be able to just drive to come and see me,” I listened to Avery explain.

“Well, I wouldn’t say we will be too far,” I reached in my pocket and pulled out the letter.

“What is that, James?” Avery asked with a confused expression on her pretty face.

“I got accepted to USC too. So now we get to be together,” I hand her the letter.

“What you mean be together?” Mr. Bryce looked at me.

“Daddy…”

“Mr. Bryce, I wanted to tell you this face to face, but I am in love with your daughter. We’ve been in a relationship for about a year now. I’ve seen her in her worst, and I’ve been there to pray her through it. And to take it a little further,” I reached in my other pocket and pulled out a box and got on my knee.

“James, what are you doing,” I could hear my father saying, and everyone else gasping for breath.

“Avery, will you marry me?” I asked her as I held my own breath.

I watched as Avery looked at her parents with tears in her eyes. As I waited on an answer, it felt like eternity, and my hands started sweating. I wasn’t sure if I could be rejected in front of all these people.

“Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you,” she hugged me.

“Wait a minute, son. Now, don’t you think you moving too fast? California is too far for the both of you really but definitely you,” my dad fussed.

I couldn’t read the reaction on Avery’s parents. They were speechless.

“Mommy, Daddy, say something, please. James has always been good to me. You know what kind of person he is.”

“Avery, baby, I don’t know about this. Bryce, what do you think? I can’t believe you guys are going to college together and then you hid your relationship from us, and now you’re getting married. This is way too much for one night,” Jewel said.

“Ok, let’s all bring it back in here. Let me first start by saying that I had a feeling that you were dating Avery. It was many nights I stood outside your door and listened to you pray for her on FaceTime or even in your private time with God. I, for one, wouldn’t want you to be with anyone else but Avery because I know she was raised in the ammunition of God. I am secure knowing that Jewel did a great job with you, and Bryce, you have always been influential in her life. I think we need to let them make this decision and trust God in this. They are both grown now. The only thing we are supposed to do is train them up,” my mother said.

After she said what she said, I could see my dad and Avery’s dad soften up some. Jewel even relaxed a little.

“James, you are a great kid, but you have to understand that Avery is my daughter, and she doesn’t need another daddy in her life. I’m going to trust you not to bring any harm to her, because if you do, you got to deal with me. Understood?” Mr. Bryce said matter of factly.

It made me smile that she now had the father that she was supposed to have who really loved and cared for her.

“Yes sir.”

“I can assure you that my son will take good care of your daughter. I wasn’t always the best man that I could be, but once I let God completely have His way, I became what I was supposed to be, and that was the priest of my home,” my father said.

“Well Jewel, looks like we are planning a wedding,” my mama said.

Chapter Twenty Seven

Kammy

It was the last day of school, and I was so excited. As soon as school was over, we were going to Disney World. I was happy that my friends, Chelsea, and JJ, were going with us. We were going to have so much fun.

Jessica and Tamela were mad when I told them that I was going because they couldn’t go. They always picked at me when they did something that I couldn’t do. I bet they would want to be my friends when we got back to school.

The bell hadn’t rang yet, but the front office just called to let me know my Daddy was here. I was so happy that I didn’t have to wait until the end of school to leave. Everybody else had a few more hours of school, but not me.

I got my stuff and said by to my class, all except Jessica and Tamela, and ran to the car. I hopped in and buckled my seat belt.

“Hi Daddy!” I said smiling.

“You ready to go see Elsa and Oloft?” he asked me.

“Yep! I can’t wait. I’m going to tell Elsa all about my room, and maybe she will come visit one day,” I told him.

“That would be nice, baby. Here, call Mommy and let her know that I have you,” he said, handing me his phone.

“Yes hello?” Mommy said, answering her phone.

“Hi Mommy!”

“Kammy?” She asked, sounding like she didn’t know my voice.

“Yes, it’s me. Daddy picked me up early,” I told her.

“Kammy, Bryce is still here. He hasn’t left to come get you yet,” she said.

Mommy didn’t sound right.

“Not Daddy Bryce, Mommy. Daddy Drew,” I told her.

“OH MY GO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! BRYCEEEEEEEE!” She screamed as Daddy took the phone from me.

“Checkmate,” was all he said to her, and I knew something was wrong.

I don’t think I’m going to Disney World.

To be continued……..