A Sinful Calling (12 page)

T
hey were all sitting on Sister Cunningham's deck, eating everything imaginable: potato salad, seven-layer salad, cucumber-and-tomato salad, macaroni and cheese, baked beans with ground beef, and all the different meats Levi had grilled. The only thing was, Dillon felt like jumping out of his skin. He'd put on a happy face and had acted as normal as he possibly could, but from the time he'd gotten up this morning, he'd wanted a drink. He literally hadn't been able to stop thinking about it, and he was afraid of what might happen next. Before they'd left home, he'd snapped at Raven for no reason, and he'd had to apologize to her. But since they'd arrived at the cookout, he'd put on the best front he knew how because more than once, he'd thought about giving some bogus excuse and leaving.

He didn't understand why this was happening, though, because he'd only had three drinks on Thursday night at Benny's and then three beers yesterday afternoon. Raven had gone shopping again, and though he'd told himself that he wouldn't, he'd driven thirty minutes outside of Mitchell to a tiny town. He'd found a liquor store there, bought a six-pack, and had brought it home. He'd drunk one can right away and then had decided to throw the other five cans out. But he'd changed his mind and had drunk a second and a third. He hadn't felt as tipsy as he had on Thursday night, but it had given him enough of a buzz to be satisfied. This was when he'd willed himself to toss the other three cans in the trash out in the garage. He'd gotten rid of them because he'd had flashbacks to his Atlanta fiasco, and he didn't want to slide down that same road again. To say it had been rocky was an understatement, and he didn't want to take a chance on losing everything. He'd lost a lot the first time around, but he had far more to lose here in Mitchell. Plus, he kept telling himself that while he
wanted
alcohol, he didn't
need
it. It was just something he chose to do but didn't have to. He could stop whenever he wanted, and he'd already proven that for two whole years.

Dillon tried to cover up how on edge he was, but when he glanced across the table at Levi, he could tell Levi thought something was wrong. So Dillon looked elsewhere.

Raven rested her hand across his back and looked at him. “Are you okay, baby?”

“I'm good.”

“You seem like you're in deep thought.”

“Just thinking about my sermon for tomorrow.”

Dillon had gotten so good at lying that he didn't even have to think about it. Lies rolled off his tongue with no effort.

“You already wrote it, though, right?”

“Yeah, for the most part.”

“You'll be fine,” she said. “You always do a great job, no matter what.”

Levi's friend D.C., a well-known loan shark, sat across from them. “I don't mean to eavesdrop, but my boy Levi says you were
born
to speak. Keeps telling me I should come hear you.”

“You should,” Dillon said.

“I haven't been to church in at least a couple of years. As a matter of fact, the last time I went, I attended your dad's church. I've always had mad props for him. Never seen anyone do some of the things he did and then turn everything around for the better. Well, maybe with the exception of Levi. But what I also love about your dad is that he don't mind talking about it. He don't just tell people what they shouldn't do, he tells you why because he's already done it. But I hear you do the same thing, and that's good.”

Dillon ignored the comment about his dad because it was better not to think about him. “Praise and worship begins at nine thirty in the morning, and then we go right into service,” Dillon said, smiling.

D.C. smiled back at him. “I don't know about tomorrow, man, but maybe sometime soon.”

“Well, just think about it, because we would love to have you.”

“I don't know, though,” D.C. joked, “next thing you know, you'll have me endin' up just like my boy Levi here. Saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost.”

Levi rolled his eyes and shook his head. “We can only hope, because Lord knows if anybody needs to be saved, it's you.”

D.C. laughed and so did their friend Darrell, who sat on the other side of D.C. Melanie was also sitting next to Darrell, and Alicia sat between Levi and Dillon.

“No, but in all seriousness,” D.C. said, “I respect what you're doing, and if you keep going the way you are, you'll be just like your dad. You'll make a huge difference for a lot of people in this community. And now he's building that huge sanctuary right next to the old one. And from what I hear, he's going to turn the old church into a community center. Supposed to be something like a Boys and Girls Club, I think. So I'm telling you, that's a bad man, and you and my girl Alicia are lucky to have a dad like that.”

Alicia and Levi looked at each other, and Dillon could tell the community center idea was news to them as well. This was yet one more thing his dad would have that would gain him more members and support from the city. But more important, didn't D.C. know that Curtis wasn't close with Dillon and Alicia? So why would they feel lucky to have him as anything? Dillon thought about letting it go, but he was tired of people keeping the good Reverend Black on some pedestal.

Dillon drank a few sips of his bottled water. “You do know that my father doesn't have anything to do with me, don't you? And after all this time, he still won't accept that my sister and Levi are married. And you say we should feel lucky to have him in our life? No disrespect, but you obviously don't know the same stubborn, unforgiving man we do.”

D.C. ate a forkful of potato salad. “No disrespect from here, either. I know you might not be all that close with him, but I was just stating how great he's been for the community. He's done a lot of stuff for a lot of people, and I was just givin' credit where credit is due. Nothing more.”

“It's fine,” Alicia said, clearly trying to prevent any further conversation on the subject. “We weren't offended.”

Dillon was
beyond
offended, and now his father was in his head again, causing him more distress. But he knew his sister was right for defusing the situation. He would never want to cause trouble or disrespect Sister Cunningham's home, anyway.

Raven had been quiet until she glanced toward the other table at Kawana, who'd just whispered something to her brother while looking in their direction.

“Is there a problem?” Raven asked her.

Kawana pointed at herself. “You talkin' to me?”

“You're the only one over there staring at us.”

“Well, if you wanna know the truth, I wasn't staring at you and your husband. Just you.”

“Well, in case you don't know, staring is rude.”

Dillon touched Raven's arm. “Baby, just leave it alone. It's not a big deal.”

Raven jerked her arm away. “This ghetto chick is gawking at me, and you're going to sit here and defend her? That's why I didn't want to come over here. I can't stand dealing with ghetto people who don't have any manners.”

“Whoa, now wait a minute,” Kane said. “Sis, did this female just call you ghetto?”

Kawana dropped her fork on her plate. “And didn't stutter, either. Her words couldn've been more clear.”

“Hey, hey, hey,” Sister Cunningham said. “You all stop that. We're all family here, and I won't stand for any foolishness. Not at my house.”

“That's right,” Uncle Buck said. “Kawana and Kane, you two let it go, you hear me?”

Kawana didn't say anything else…until a few seconds later. “With your gambling-addict thievin' behind. You might be some bougie first lady today, but we all know you used to be locked up. So, baby, you can call me ghetto and anything else you want, but at least I don't steal from people. And I certainly wouldn't be stupid and low enough to steal from the house of the Lord.”

Raven jumped up. “Dillon, let's go.”

Kawana got up, too. “Yeah, Pastor, take that trick out of here before she get a beat-down. Comin' up in here with her nose all turned up, actin' like she better than the rest of us. I've been laying for you for the last couple of hours,” she told Raven.

Levi went over to the table where his family was sitting. “Kawana, just cut it out, okay? You know you're wrong for this.”

Kane didn't say anything, and Dillon was glad Levi's two cousins listened to him.

Raven turned around. “Dillon, did you hear me? Why are you still sitting there?”

Dillon finally stood up. “Sister Cunningham, all of you, I'm really sorry. Levi, Alicia, I'm sorry this happened, so please forgive us.”

Raven frowned so hard Dillon thought she would burst a blood vessel. “Why are you apologizing? That woman was staring and whispering about me. Let alone the Lady Raven comment she made when we first got here. So don't you dare apologize to her.”

“Let's go,” Dillon said, already walking down the steps of the deck. When they'd arrived, they'd come through the house from the front door, but Dillon was so embarrassed he wanted them to get into the car as fast as they could. He couldn't wait to get Raven home. He'd promised Porsha he would try to come by there, anyway, and that's exactly where he was going. Or maybe he would see if Taylor was home instead. Either way, he wouldn't be dealing with Raven. She knew how important Levi was to him and how much he'd done for them and the church, yet she'd showed her behind at his mom's house like Levi didn't matter. Dillon loved his wife, but her arrogant and vain personality was sometimes too much for him. He wanted money and power himself, but he didn't want it so he could look down on people. He wanted those things for his own enjoyment and to make up for all the times when he hadn't had much as a child. Raven, however, seemed to be letting all of their blessings go to her head. The more members they got and the more money the two of them made, the more snobbish she became.

He wasn't going to say a word to her about it, though. Because if he did, he might say something he would regret, and it just wasn't worth it.

A
licia waved good-bye to her mother-in-law. “I can't believe Raven said all those things to Kawana. And then to say she didn't want to come over here, right in front of your mom.”

Levi backed his black Escalade out of his mom's driveway. “Kawana shouldn't have made that comment about her being called Lady at the church, though, and then Kane made that joke about the royal palace. I could tell Raven was through from that point on.”

“Yeah, but she didn't have to say Kawana was ghetto. Or that she can't stand being around ghetto people. I told you a long time ago that Raven was full of herself, and now she's worse than ever.”

“Well, I just hate that it happened, because my mom didn't deserve that.”

“I was so embarrassed, and I could tell Dillon was, too. Raven showed us exactly who she is, and that's why we can never let her be co-pastor.”

Levi slowed down before turning the corner. “Hey, speaking of Dillon, did you notice anything different about him?”

Alicia slightly twisted her body toward him. “I thought it was just me, but he seemed nervous and kind of anxious at the table. I couldn't put my finger on it, but something seemed wrong.”

“I noticed it before we even started eating. It was like his mind would drift off somewhere and like he was a little fidgety.”

“He was really upset about Daddy a couple of days ago, so I hope that doesn't have anything to do with it.”

Levi looked at her and then back at the road. “Hmmm.”

“What?”

“I know I'm probably wrong, but baby, you know I've seen it all. When I was dealing drugs, I only sold coke and prescription drugs, but I met every kind of addict there was. From people who shot dope to chronic alcoholics, you name it.”

“You don't think he's doing drugs, do you? Please don't tell me that.”

“Baby, I don't know. If he is, he hasn't been doing it for very long, but something just wasn't right.”

“Maybe he and Raven had gotten into it before they came to your mom's,” Alicia suggested, but she wondered if she even believed her own words. “Or maybe it's like I said, he's still worked up over what he told me about Daddy.”

“What, the radio interview?”

“Yeah, remember I told you about it Thursday night?”

Levi looked at her with a sly grin. “I vaguely remember you saying something, but after you wore me out the way you did I was pretty out of it.”

“Yeah, whatever.”

“I'm serious. You did wear me out, but it was one of the best nights we've had in years. Our lovemaking was as powerful and passionate as it was when we first met. You seem so much more like yourself.”

“I feel more like myself, too. I feel good.”

“Well, as far as Dillon goes, let's just hope I'm wrong and you're right. Because being a pastor and doing drugs won't work.”

Alicia prayed that drugs were the furthest thing from Dillon's mind. He didn't need something like that in his life right now, and neither did she. As it was, she was still working on her own problems, and that was more than enough. She just hoped her brother's issues with their father hadn't pushed him to start doing something he shouldn't. He was progressing so well as a pastor, and their vision for the church was successfully moving in the direction Dillon wanted it to.

Alicia and Levi rode along in silence, listening to a smooth jazz radio station.

Levi held her hand, and Alicia loved how he still sent chills through her body when he touched her. Sometimes just looking at him, even when he didn't know she was, made her heart flutter like a teenager in love for the first time.

They continued on their way, but when they were about five minutes from home, Alicia's phone rang. When she pulled it out of her purse, she got nervous and excited all at the same time. Her dad's house number displayed on her screen.

“Oh my God.”

“What?”

“This is from my dad's house.”

“Well, answer it.”

“Hello?”

“Hey, Alicia,” Charlotte said.

It wasn't that Alicia wasn't happy to hear from her stepmom, because she was. It was just that Charlotte usually phoned her from her cell, so Alicia had been hoping this was her dad.

Alicia smiled. “Hey, how are you?”

“Good. I just wanted to call to say happy Fourth of July to you and Levi.”

“Thank you,” she said, looking at Levi. “Charlotte says happy Fourth of July.”

“Tell her I said happy Fourth.”

Alicia relayed Levi's message.

“So did you guys go to your mother-in-law's as planned?” Charlotte asked.

“We did. We're just on our way home from there now. Did you guys enjoy the day also?”

“We did, but it still wasn't the same without you. I miss having you over here for the holidays. We all miss you.”

“Well, maybe most of you, anyway.”

“No matter what your dad says or does, trust me when I tell you he misses you. He never wanted to stop seeing you, but I don't blame you for standing your ground about your husband. I would do the same thing if someone treated your dad that way.”

At that very moment, Alicia wished she could hear his voice.

“Mommy, who is that on the phone?” Alicia heard Curtina say.

“It's your sister.”

“Ooooh, let me speak to Licia, Mommy. Please let me speak to her.”

“Okay, okay. Alicia, here's your baby sister. Goodness.”

“Hi, Licia,” nine-year-old Curtina said.

“Hi, sweetie. How are you?”

“I'm fine. How are you?”

“I'm fine, too.”

“And how is Levi? Is he with you?”

“He's doing well, and yes, we're on our way home.”

“Did you go to his mommy's house?”

“Yep.”

“Did you eat a lot of food?”

“Unfortunately, we did. We ate too much. What about you?”

“Yeah, we ate too much, too. Especially Daddy. And now he's lying down in the family room already asleep. Can you come over, Licia? I miss you sooooo much.”

Alicia's hand shook, and she burst into tears.

“Licia, what's wrong?” Curtina asked. “Why are you crying?”

“Baby, what's wrong?” Levi said.

Charlotte got back on the phone. “Honey, what's the matter?”

“I hate the way things are with all of us.”

“I know,” Charlotte agreed, “and we have to find a way to fix this.”

“I don't know how.”

“Well, we'll figure out something, because it's time to move on from two years ago.”

Alicia sniffled. “Thank you for always caring about me.”

“We love you, and don't you ever forget that. I'll call you tomorrow or Monday, okay? And maybe we can set up a day for me to bring over Curtina and little MJ.”

“Sounds good. And hey, where's Matt and MJ, anyway?”

“After we ate, Matt took MJ to see his other grandparents.”

“Well, tell him I said hello. I know he's still not speaking to me all that much, but I still love him.”

“He loves you, too. He just can't handle that you and Dillon are as close as you are, but he's going to have to get over that.”

Alicia knew Dillon had slept with Matthew's wife and that Matthew wouldn't be happy about her forgiving Dillon. But she'd never imagined that Matthew would be upset with her for this long. He didn't understand how she could have anything to do with Dillon, and he saw Alicia as a traitor.

“Well, it was good talking to you,” Alicia said.

“You, too. See you soon.”

Alicia ended the call and leaned her head against the passenger window. Levi grabbed her hand again, but he didn't say anything. There wasn't much he could say at this point. Not much anyone could do at all, when her father wasn't willing to accept Levi, and she wasn't willing to be around a father who couldn't accept her husband. So they were at a standstill. They'd been at one for all this time, and she didn't see how it would ever change.