Fortune & Fame: A Novel (21 page)

Alvin’s mouth dropped open. “What? Dad, you promised,” he whined. “It’s the last game of the season. You haven’t made any of my games.”

“Son, you know my job is an important one.” He shrugged like it was no big deal. “I can’t make it and Mary has to tape her show tomorrow. But we’ll be with you in spirit.”

Mary’s heart broke as Alvin fought back tears. “Man up, son. Life is full of disappointments.” Nathan reached down and took a strawberry off Alvin’s pancake and popped it in his mouth. “Sweetheart, can you bring my breakfast into my office?” He bounced out of the room without another word.

Alvin’s bottom lip quivered as Mary eased over to him. “I’ll be there, honey.”

“Dad said you have to tape your show.” He was struggling to keep his voice from cracking.

She flicked her hand. “That show will wait. They can live without me for one episode. I’m not about to miss you making the game-winning home run. I’ve seen you play. You’re Barry Bonds, Jackie Robinson. and Sammy Sosa rolled into one. So, I’m not about to miss the last game of the season.”

A soft smile spread across his face. “I wish you were my mom.”

She squeezed his chin. “I am. Now, finish your one-eyed pancake. I’ll be back.” Mary kissed him on the top of the head and made her way to Nathan’s office with his breakfast.

Nathan was already settled behind his desk, tapping away on his computer. Mary walked over, set his plate down in front of him, and just stood there.

It took a minute, but he finally looked up. “What’s up?” he asked.

“You can’t spare an hour tomorrow for your son?”

He sighed in frustration. “Mary, don’t start that again. My son will be just fine.”

“No, he’s hurt by this,” Mary said.

Nathan leaned back in his chair, obviously getting agitated. “Why are you always trying to start mess with me?” he asked. “All I do is work my butt off. Do you know where I was all day
yesterday?” He didn’t give her time to reply. “Setting everything in motion.”

“Setting what in motion, and what could be more important than your son’s last game?” Mary asked.

He glared at her, then finally grinned. “Your defining moment. You need to be grateful to me because I’m about to change your life forever.”

Mary folded her arms and glared right back at her husband. It was such hard work being submissive and she just didn’t know how much more of it she could tolerate.

“Nathan, what are you talking about?”

He paused, like he needed to make sure his words sank in. “Natasia was thrilled over the papers.”

“What papers?”

He sat up in his chair. “I took the custody papers to Natasia.”

Mary dropped her arms in shock. “What? For what?”

“To let her know what we were doing, in case they wanted to film it.”

“Are you kidding me?” she screamed.

Nathan quickly stood up, which made Mary take a step back. “First of all, watch your tone. You know I don’t play that.” He relaxed, then continued, “Second, I told you from jump, we need to make you sympathetic to the viewer and we need to make Rachel look like a fool. Do you know how big of an impact this is going to have when she’s served with these papers? She’s going to go ballistic. And you’re going to stand there”—he walked around the desk, stood in front of her, and cupped her cheeks—“looking angelic, saying all you want is your baby.”

Nathan took a step back, proud.

Mary felt sick to her stomach. Whatever disdain she had for Rachel was negated by the fact that the woman had helped her out in a time of need. When Mary was arrested, they
were about to put little Lester in foster care, and since Mary herself had grown up in the horrible foster care system, she’d begged Rachel to take him in. Mary had caused major havoc with Rachel, lying by saying the baby was Lester’s, so she hadn’t expected Rachel to do it. But Rachel put aside all of her hatred and took Lester Jr. into her home as her own. It was bad enough that they were going to take him back, but Mary couldn’t fathom that they were going to do it in such a public manner.

“I don’t want to do that,” Mary said softly. She hoped to appeal to his humane side. If he even had one, because more and more, she was starting to think he didn’t.

“Too late, it’s done.” Nathan walked back around behind his desk. “You’ll thank me later. Close the door on your way out.” He sat down and started eating his breakfast while he looked at his computer screen, her cue that this conversation was over.

R
achel enjoyed being on neutral ground when it came to filming this show. They weren’t at Jasmine and Hosea’s church and they weren’t at Mary and her bootleg preacher husband’s church.

Rev. Moses Woodruff had invited the First Ladies to his church to honor them as part of a women’s day program. Of course, he was probably just trying to get some publicity as well, but Rachel didn’t care. She was in neutral territory.

Rev. Woodruff took the podium. “Church, we are honored to have in our midst today three fabulous ladies, including the First Lady of our very own American Baptist Coalition.”

Jasmine rolled her eyes and Rachel stood and did a small pageant wave. Mary sat on the other side of Jasmine, because even in the Lord’s house, Rachel wasn’t trying to mask her disgust for that woman.

Reverend Woodruff continued, “I know some of you are wondering about the cameras, but if you read your emails, you’d see we are filming today. We are happy to be part of a
new reality show. So, if you have a warrant or you’re supposed to be at work, I suggest you move to the back of the church.”

Chuckles filled the sanctuary as several people turned to look at the three cameras positioned throughout the church.

“And since it is Women’s Day,” Rev. Woodruff continued, “what better way to commemorate the event than to have an anointing word from the First Ladies.”

Rachel looked around the room.
Were there some other First Ladies here?
Maybe he was talking about his wife, the portly woman who sat in front of them in the gigantic, fruit-filled hat (Who even wore those anymore?)

“Sisters?” Rev. Woodruff said, motioning for them to come up to the pulpit.

Jasmine leaned over to Rachel. “I think he’s talking about you.”

Rachel raised an eyebrow but didn’t move.

“I see Satan is trying to keep you ladies in your seats.” He laughed when they still didn’t move. “Come on up.”

Rachel turned to Jasmine. “He said
ladies
. Plural. Come on.”

“I’m not going up there,” Jasmine replied.

“If I have to go, you’re going,” Rachel whispered, pulling Jasmine’s arm.

“And do what?” Jasmine whispered as she stepped out into the aisle behind Rachel.

“I don’t know,” Rachel whispered back. “Maybe he just wants to give us a word of thanks for being here.”

Rachel smiled again as all eyes were on them. She should’ve known they would have to speak. This was being taped, after all.

Mary stood and made her way out into the aisle as well.

“I’m coming, too,” Mary said.

Rachel ignored her and led the way up to the pulpit.

“All right, family. I’m sure they’re not as long winded as yours truly, but I can’t wait to be blessed with the word from
these women.” Reverend Woodruff stepped aside and then pointed to the podium for them to step up.

Jasmine folded her arms and planted her feet firmly to let Rachel know she wouldn’t be uttering a word. Rachel saw Mary move toward the mike and since she wasn’t about to let that harlot steal the show, Rachel stepped forward.

But what word was she supposed to give?

Rachel took a deep breath. She could do this. As First Lady of the ABC, she spoke all the time.

“Greetings, family and friends,” Rachel began. “We just want to thank you for opening your doors to us. We know that when you hear ‘reality TV,’ you might be a little worried, but we want to assure you that we are all about uplifting His holy name.”

Rachel glanced back at Jasmine for help.

Jasmine smiled, then mouthed, “You got this.”

Ugh.
Rachel couldn’t believe Jasmine was just gonna leave her out there like this.

She turned back to the crowd. “Our goal is to bring more people to Christ through this show and we hope that you will support it. Thank you.”

Rachel was just about to step away from the podium when she noticed Reverend Woodruff sit down and open his bible.

“Well, go on, sister. Tell us what verse you’re going to preach from today.”

Preach?
“You want me to preach?” Rachel yelled before catching herself and saying, “I mean, we thought we were just saying hi.”

“Um, no. That’s what Women’s Day is all about.” The reverend looked confused as he glanced out into the audience. That’s when Rachel noticed Natasia, who was standing in the back with a smirk on her face. Now, this all made sense. This heifer thought she was slick. She was trying to make Rachel and Jasmine look like fools.

Rachel turned back to the pastor. “Umm, well, ah, we weren’t quite prepared.”

“Nonsense,” he said. “You’re the First Lady of the ABC, you’re always prepared with a word.”

“Yeah,” Jasmine echoed. “You’re always prepared, Madame First Lady.”

Rachel wanted to hit her in her Botoxed eye. She was standing there smirking, too, like she was enjoying this.

Rev. Woodruff tapped his watch. “We’re ready for our word. The Falcons game comes on at two.”

Rachel turned back to the podium as the congregation erupted in laughter. She could do this. Between her father and her husband, she’d listened to enough sermons to come up with something on her own.

She began. “The word of God says . . .”

“Tell us what it says, sister!” someone shouted.

I will if you’ll give me a chance to talk,
Rachel wanted to say. Instead, she just said, “The word of God says be faithful. What is faith? Faith is like taking that first step without seeing the whole staircase.” She paused. Why in the world was she drawing a blank? “It’s ummm, it’s ah, it’s about asking not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” Jasmine let out a loud cough. Rachel turned around and glared at her.
Was she trying not to laugh?

Rachel took a deep breath. “We come to you today as women of faith, as women who had been through the storm. We love the Lord!” She looked around at the sea of faces just staring at her. Rachel had never in her life felt nervous.
You can do this,
she told herself. “Yes, we love Him,” she continued. “And if loving God is wrong, I don’t wanna be right!” That elicited some “amens” and eased Rachel’s nerves some.

“And when your faith is wavering, just do what James Fortune says and hold on! Don’t let anyone stand in judgment of you and your faith. Tell them you can do it all because it’s the
God in you! Let them know that what they can’t see, is you on your knees, so the next time they ask you, just tell them it’s the God in me!” Rachel was getting into it as her voice rose.

“God is faithful, he may not come when you want him, but he’ll be there right on time.” She held her hands up to the ceiling. “Don’t be ashamed to tell someone to take you to the King, even if you don’t have much to bring.” She smiled, relaxed, and looked back out at the congregation, many of whom were now looking at her crazy. That made her nerves flare up again.

“So, umm, just stay faithful,” she continued, “As Jesus told Paul in the Bible, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for you.”

Jasmine eased up behind her and whispered, “I think he was talking to Abraham.”

“Like you know,” Rachel hissed.

“Hosea just did a bible study on that,” Jasmine replied. “That’s how I know.”

Rachel pointed to the podium. “Then you take over since you’re a biblical scholar.”

“Actually, ladies,” Reverend Woodruff stepped in, “It was Peter that Jesus was talking to when He said that.” He nudged them aside and stepped up to the podium. Rachel wanted to cry tears of relief. “Sometimes you have multiple interpretations of a particular passage, but that’s the beauty of the word of God. His message never wavers. . . .”

A deacon stepped up and smiled as he held out his hand. “Ladies, I’ll help you back to your seats.”

Rachel couldn’t hear the rest of the sermon, she was so furious—at Jasmine for leaving her out there like that, and at Reverend Woodruff for interrupting her when she was just getting into it. As she glanced back at the sick smirk on Natasia’s face, her anger intensified. Natasia had tried, and almost succeeded, at making her look like a fool.

The next thirty minutes had to be the longest of Rachel’s
life. She couldn’t wait to get out of there and hated that they had agreed to film the Women’s Meet and Greet afterward.

“ ‘What they can’t see is you on your knees’? Really, Rachel?” Jasmine laughed as they walked back to the room where the meet and greet was being held.

The cameras were getting set up in the back, so they weren’t rolling yet and Jasmine was going all the way in. “You combined the New Testament with R&B, gospel, and presidential addresses,” Jasmine said, cracking up.

“I’m just glad you find this amusing,” Rachel snapped. “At least I didn’t chicken out.”

“Whatever. I know a setup when I see one, and I wasn’t about to fall for it,” she replied.

Rachel glanced around the room for Natasia. She wanted to give that woman a piece of her mind before the cameras clicked back on. “Well, Natasia is your girl and you need to get her in check.”

“You’re the one talking about it’s your show. Check her yourself.”

Rachel threw up her hand at Jasmine. “Whatever, Jasmine. Don’t talk to me.”

“Why, because every day you smile?” Jasmine laughed. “Or because the Lord will never leave nor forsake you, isn’t that what it says in the Old Testament?”

“I don’t know, you were there when they wrote the Old Testament. You tell me. And while you laughing, you know as much as me, talking about Abraham. He wasn’t even alive at the same time as Jesus. Didn’t y’all used to date, though?”

“Say what you want, when the show airs, I won’t be the one looking like a fool in the pulpit.”