A Sinful Calling (17 page)

D
illon stood by the large window in his office, admiring the property New Faith was built on. The landscaping was immaculate, but it was time to freshly seal the asphalt parking lot. He then scanned the reserved spots for staff and zoned in on the two that said
Pastor Dillon Whitfield Black
and
Lady Raven Jones Whitfield Black
. Dillon thought about how he'd wanted Raven to eliminate her maiden name altogether because to him, using Whitfield Black was enough. Whitfield was his birth surname and Black was the name he'd added legally, but Raven had wanted to keep
Jones
and hadn't relented. She was just that kind of woman, though—the kind who knew what she wanted, when she wanted it, and how she was going to get it. This, of course, was the very reason she was so livid about what had resulted at the board meeting. He just couldn't allow her to have equal position with him, though. He wouldn't allow anyone to do that, and as much as he loved her, if her not being co-pastor meant the end of their marriage, he would just have to accept that. He wouldn't, however, allow her to leave him or divorce him before the church was bringing in a lot more money. She'd already talked about taking half of everything—she'd threatened him twice now—but it was obvious that she still didn't know him very well; didn't know that he would do whatever it took to keep all that he'd worked for, and that loving her wouldn't change what he was capable of.

He didn't want to do anything cruel to Raven, but when he'd gone into her office an hour ago, the nonchalant, I'm-through-with-you look on her face had told him he'd better be prepared for anything. His hope was that she would settle down, accept that she couldn't be anything more than first lady, and go back to being a happy wife. Because, again, he did love her, but he wouldn't let her take a dime from him.

Dillon looked toward the light-blue sky and thought about Miss Brenda and her cancer diagnosis. The news had hurt him to his heart, but he was trusting and believing that God was going to heal her. He just couldn't lose another mother figure. He needed her in his life, and he had a feeling that with the way things were going with Raven and his father, he would need Miss Brenda more than ever. Of course, Miss Brenda now wanted him to go to his dad, and while he didn't want to ignore her request, he wasn't sure he could do it. He didn't know if it was worth taking yet another chance of being rejected. As it was, when he talked to his father, or on the rare occasion when he ran into him, he felt like a pitiful little boy. He felt scorned, discarded, and like a secondhand toddler whom nobody wanted. He was so confused about what to do. And what Miss Brenda didn't know was that Vincent was carefully arranging things. He was gearing up to carry out their plan so that Dillon could replace his dad as the go-to pastor in Mitchell. New Faith would become the place to be on Sunday mornings instead of Deliverance Outreach. Dillon did have his moments when he wondered if he was going too far, but he also knew his dad deserved what was going to happen and then some. Dillon was doing it for himself, but he was also getting justice for his mom because his dad still hadn't paid for what he'd done to her. As far as Dillon was concerned, he hadn't even apologized the way he should.

Gosh, why hadn't he gone to buy more liquor so he could refill his flask? He had so much troubling him at one time that he needed something to soothe his pain. Something to quiet his racing thoughts and alleviate all the uncertainties that were steadily mounting before him.

But maybe his earlier thought about driving over to Benny's, having a drink, and calling Taylor was his answer. So he reached and picked up the phone from his desk and searched for an entry in his contact list that read
Pastor Thomas Taylor
. In the address section, it stated
Met at the minister's convention in Atlanta
. He liked how he was able to turn Taylor Thomas into Thomas Taylor without having to think up another male name.

He dialed Taylor's number.

“Hello?” she said.

“Hey, how are you?”

“I'm good, what about you?”

“I could be better,” he said, moving back closer to his window.

“I was wondering if I'd ever hear from you again.”

“I wanted to call before now, but I've had a lot going on.”

“Nothing too serious, I hope.”

“Well, it's not great, but it'll be fine. So what have you been up to?”

“Thinking about you and wishing you would call.”

“Yeah, right,” Dillon said, but in his heart he believed her. He knew it was silly to think you could meet someone by chance and trust them, but it was just a feeling he had. “I'm sure you tell every guy you meet that same thing.”

“As a matter of fact, I don't. It's just that I really like you, and I felt a special connection between us. The kind of chemistry I've not experienced with anyone before.”

“Yeah, well, all jokes aside, I feel the same way.”

“So what next, then?” she asked.

“Where are you now?”

“Still at work.”

“What do you do?”

“I'm an investment banker.”

“Nice.”

“It's a pretty good job, and I enjoy it.”

“Maybe you can give me some financial advice sometime. I already have an adviser, but you can never have too much financial knowledge.”

“That's true.”

“What time do you get off?”

“Normally five, but probably closer to five thirty tonight.”

“It's five now.”

“So, you coming over?”

“I was thinking about it.”

“Then why don't you?”

“I think I will. Is seven okay?”

“Perfect.”

“See you then.”

Dillon pressed the End button but continued looking out his window. For some reason, he thought about Raven again, wondering what would become of their marriage. Then he thought about Porsha and how it was time to ask her for the lump sum he needed. The marketing meeting had gone well yesterday, but in order to get things going as soon as possible—and at the level he wanted—he needed more than what his CFO had confirmed as the final budget. He would go see Porsha next Monday, though, and say whatever was necessary to get what he needed. He hadn't thought he'd ever end up juggling three women, because two was already a job, but to have everything he wanted, he had no other options. He loved money, power, and women, and he didn't mind working for it.

When someone knocked at his door, he turned and looked in that direction.

“Come in.”

“Hey, Pastor,” Vincent said.

“What's goin' on?”

Vincent closed the door. “I just wanted to give you an update, and I didn't want to do it over the phone.”

“Let's hear it.”

“We're finally in countdown mode. I won't tell you the exact day things are gonna go down because I want you to be in the dark as much as possible. But just know that it won't be long. Not more than a week or two.”

“Is that right?” Dillon said, hearing Miss Brenda's voice and having second thoughts about this scheme against his dad.

“Yeah, but you don't sound too excited. Not like you have been.”

Dillon looked away from Vincent and back out the window. “I just don't know, man. I've wanted this for a long time, but I need to be sure.”

“Well, you'd better
get
sure, because once the first half of that money is paid, this is a done deal. There won't be any turning back.”

“I know, I know, I know. Can you give me until Friday?”

“That's two days from now, but I gotta tell you, my contact won't be happy. He's already been setting the preliminaries in motion, and he's expecting his down payment. Twenty-five thousand is a lot of money to miss out on.”

“I realize that, and if we don't go through with this, we'll still give him five for services rendered.”

“It might take ten, but I'll try to talk him into five. It's a good thing you've been depositing money into that special account for months. It was really smart to have me open it in New Faith's name, even though I'm the only person who can withdraw from it. That way there won't be any money trails leading back to you.”

“That's why I made deposits little by little. I only took money from my personal accounts that Raven doesn't have access to. I didn't know when we would need the whole amount, but I wanted to be ready.”

“If this thing happens, though, that other twenty-five is going to be due. My guy won't want it right away because he'll want things to cool down some, but he'll want it within seven days. And he'll also want it transferred into an account in another state. He's going to give me the information when it's time.”

“We'll get it to him, but for now, let me think about this some more.”

Vincent put both his hands in his pockets. “If you don't mind, can I ask why?”

“I just need to be sure is all. I had a long conversation with Miss Brenda this afternoon, and she raised some points I hadn't thought about.”

“Like what?”

“Well, for example, what if I just need to give this thing with my dad more time? What if maybe I should go talk to him?”

Vincent chuckled. “Look, man, I hear all that and I get it, but do you really believe your dad is going to change? And if he does, for how long?”

“I don't know, but she made some really good points. She's a wise woman, and she's never steered me wrong.”

“You've only known her since you founded the church. So that's for how long? Two years?”

“Still, she's good people. She's a strong Christian woman, and I can't ignore what she told me.”

Vincent breathed a sigh of frustration. “I don't get it, man, and I definitely don't see your dad changing anything. But I'll still support whatever you decide.”

“I'll let you know soon.”

“No later than Friday, right?”

“Yeah.”

“All right then, I'm gonna head out,” Vincent said.

“Thanks for the update.”

“Anytime. See you tomorrow.”

When Vincent left, Dillon's mind was made up. He was going to give his dad one final chance. He would do it tomorrow, in person.

D
illon pulled into Taylor's driveway and answered Alicia's call.

“Hey, Sis, how are you?”

“You'll never believe what I have to tell you. Levi told me you asked one of the elders to lead Bible study tonight, though, so did I catch you at a bad time?”

“No, I just had a couple of things to do, but I can talk. What happened? Are you okay?”

“Well, if you want to know the truth, I haven't felt this good in two years. Daddy actually called me today.”

Dillon shut off his ignition. “Really? Why?”

“He apologized and asked me to forgive him.”

Dillon didn't know whether to be happy for his sister or jealous. “That's good news, but what brought that about?”

“A couple of days ago, my mom told me she was going to talk to him. She spoke with him last week, too.”

“I'm still shocked. After all this time, he just up and apologized? And he accepts your marriage to Levi?”

“Yes. I told him why I had to end my relationship with him, and that he needed to apologize to Levi personally and welcome him to our family. But what I didn't know was that Daddy was calling me from his cell phone, and the next thing I knew the doorbell was ringing. I went to the door, and everybody was standing there. They were here for three hours.”

“Who? Charlotte and Curtina?”

“No, everybody. Daddy, Charlotte, Curtina, Matt, little MJ, my mom, Dad James, and Levi.”

Dillon resented the fact that no one had invited him. Even Levi hadn't bothered to say that Curtis had called him. Although, in all fairness to Levi, it would have been too awkward for him to tell Dillon, “Your dad called and apologized to me and is heading over to my house. But he still doesn't want diddly-squat to do with you.”

Dillon was angry and hurt at the same time, but he didn't let on to Alicia. Instead, he reached over on the passenger seat, pulled a beer from the brown paper bag, and popped it open. “This is definitely a serious turn of events. Hard to believe this happened.”

“Tell me about it, but Dillon, I have to say I am so relieved. I've struggled with being estranged from my parents for a long time, and it really took a huge toll on me. I've experienced feelings that no one would ever imagine, and I thank God for everything that happened today.”

“I know you've had a tough time, and I'm glad for you.”

“But you know what?” she said.

Dillon swallowed some beer. “What's that?”

“I think there's a great chance for you and him to get things right, too.”

“I wish that were true, but who knows.”

“Daddy has a lot of pride, and can I be honest?”

“Go ahead.”

“So do you. And when you have two people with lots of pride, no one wins.”

“Funny you would say that, because Miss Brenda said something similar. She was on me about going to see Dad.”

“I really think you should. I know when you've called him before, things haven't gone well, but I believe the conversation could be different now. You and Daddy both just have to have open minds. You have to meet each other halfway and try to find some way to trust each other.”

“I've been willing and ready to do that all along, but I can't do this by myself. You can't fix things with someone if they don't want anything to do with you.”

“I agree, but why don't you go see him?”

“Well, actually I was already planning to do that tomorrow.”

“Good for you.”

“I debated it, but I decided to try one more time. But know this: If he rejects me again, I'm done, Sis. That will finally be the end for us.”

“I'm not going to think about that. I'm just going to pray for everything to work out the way we want it to.”

“I think I'll go see him at the church, but I'll definitely let you know how it goes.”

“I'll be waiting to hear.”

“All right, well I need to get going, but you guys have a good night.”

“You, too,” she said. “Love you, and I'll see you tomorrow.”

“Love you back.”

Dillon ended the call and set his phone in his lap. He leaned his head against the backrest and turned his beer can all the way up. He'd drunk one before getting on the road and heading over to Taylor's, but he hadn't planned on drinking any more until he got inside her condo. This news about his dad, though, had interrupted his whole evening. He was genuinely glad for his sister because he loved her, but what if his dad still didn't want to renew his relationship with Dillon? It hadn't been that long ago when Dillon had told Alicia that their father still loved her. They might not have been speaking much or seeing each other, but Curtis Black loved his other three children and his grandson. It was Dillon whom he could take or leave or have no problem not seeing again.

Dillon crumpled the beer can and dropped it inside the bag with the rest of the beers he had left. He got out of his car, locked his doors, and walked up the sidewalk. When he rang the doorbell, Taylor opened it right away.

“That was quick,” he said, walking in and pecking her on the lips.

“I saw you when you pulled up.”

“Oh. I was on the phone with my sister.”

“Can I take that for you?” she asked, reaching for his bag of beer.

“If you don't mind.”

“Not at all. I'll put it in the fridge. But go ahead and have a seat.”

Dillon strolled into the living room and sat on the charcoal-gray leather sofa.

When Taylor walked back into the room, he gazed at her from head to toe. She was beautiful. He'd known that the night he'd met her. But she had a sweet spirit about her, and the long, flowy sleeveless top she had on with matching lounging pants seemed exactly like the kind of thing she would wear. She was classy, down-to-earth, and compassionate.

She sat down next to him. “So, I don't mean to sound like somebody's mother, but were you drinking and driving?”

“No, but I did drink one while I was talking to my sister.”

“Well, I was just wondering because not only was there an empty can, there were only four full ones left.”

Dillon laughed. “Now you sound like a private investigator.”

She smiled. “I just don't think drinking and driving is a good idea is all, and I almost said something to you last week. You know, the first time you were here. But it wasn't like I could suggest that you spend the night.”

“I wasn't drunk. I mean, maybe a little, but I was able to drive home fine. And just for the record, I drank the other beer right after I bought it and then threw the can away in a dumpster.”

“But you still shouldn't be drinking in your car, either.”

Dillon raised his eyebrows.

“What? I'm not trying to judge you or tell you what to do, so please don't be mad. I just don't want you to get stopped or in an accident.”

“Advice noted.”

“Have you eaten? Can I get you anything?”

Dillon pulled off his suit blazer. “No, I'm fine. I grabbed a burger when I left the church.”

“I had a salad before you got here, but we can order something if you want.”

“No, but if you have something to drink, that would work.”

“I have soda but only diet. Is that okay?”

“I was thinking of something stronger.”

“I have some red wine, but that's pretty much it.”

“I'll take that until my beer cools back down. It got kind of warm while I was driving.”

Taylor got back up and went into the kitchen.

Dillon picked up the remote and turned on the television. He searched through the channels until he found one playing slow R&B music.

After a few minutes, Taylor returned with two wineglasses and passed one to Dillon.

“Thanks,” he said.

“You're welcome.”

Dillon took a few sips and breathed deeply.

Taylor did the same and set her glass on the table. “You must be having a bad day.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Kinda.”

He set his glass down. “Come here.”

Taylor moved closer so that she was leaning into him, and he wrapped his arm around her.

She rested her hand against his stomach. “Wanna talk about it?”

“Not really. But why don't you tell me a little about you.”

“Not a lot to tell, except I was born in South Chicago, near Calumet City; I have one sister; and after high school I went to Northwestern. I graduated, and I've lived here in the northwest suburbs ever since.”

“What about your parents? Do they live nearby?”

“No, they both passed away when I was in my twenties. My dad had a massive heart attack, and two years later my mom died of pneumonia.”

“I'm really sorry to hear that. It's never easy to lose your parents. No matter what age you are.”

“Very true. You learn to live with it, but you never get over it.”

“I lost my mom when I was just a newborn, so I never even got a chance to meet her. But I'm sure you already know that from news stories.”

“Yeah, I do.”

“So are you and your sister pretty close?” he asked, drinking more wine.

“We are. Always have been.”

“Does she know I came home with you the other night?”

“No. My sister is one of the sweetest people I know, and she would never be okay with me seeing a married man. She loves me, but she wouldn't be happy about that.”

“Did she know who I was?”

“No, and I never told her. When I got up from the table with her to come meet you, she just thought you were some random guy at the bar.”

“That's actually good, because no sense taking a chance on anyone else knowing about us.”

“I agree. So what is your father like? I've read things online, of course, but how is he really?”

Dillon set his empty glass down. “He's not what you'd probably expect. He's a well-known pastor, but he and I don't talk much. And we never see each other.”

“Why is that?”

“Partly because of the way he treated my mom and denied me as his son, but also because of some stupid stuff I did, too. It's not all his fault, but what bothers me is that he doesn't want to forgive me for it.”

“Have you tried to talk to him?”

“More than once, but he's still angry.”

“I'm sorry. If my parents were alive, I can't even imagine not being around them all the time. So I know that must be hard.”

Tears filled Dillon's eyes. “You have no idea how painful it is.”

Taylor looked up at him and saw tears falling. She raised up and hugged him.

“I didn't mean for this to happen,” he sniffled. “How embarrassing.”

“Why? Because you're hurt over your dad? You don't ever need to feel ashamed about something like that.”

Dillon held her close and then kissed her. She kissed him back, and Taylor unbuttoned his starched white shirt and slipped it down his shoulders. He pulled her top over her head. They gazed lovingly into each other's eyes, and Dillon couldn't remember feeling so at ease with a woman. He didn't even know her well enough to feel this way, but she gave him comfort. She was good for his soul, and right now that's what he needed. Someone who didn't care about money, brand names, or anything else that didn't matter. Someone who seemed to care about him as a person and for no other reason.