Like Sheep Gone Astray (5 page)

“Trust me,” Cherisse replied. “When Anthony gets a bite of this caviar and a sip of this champagne, he'll remember just how good success tastes.” Her smile deepened. “Girl, I'm so proud of you! I remember in college you dreamed of just getting an internship at Raylin and Blake Interiors. Now, look at you. I can't believe you are a partner!” The two shared a laugh and a hug.

Cherisse pushed back her braids as a smirk returned to her honey-brown face. “When Anthony finds out about your day, he's bound to get jealous. You'll see. He will be trying to find a job that outdoes yours, if that's possible. You know how men are.”

Tern nodded, although she secretly questioned whether Anthony would really quit preaching and begin focusing his time and energy on making some real money.

“I don't think I'll ever understand why he left Shaw Enterprises.” Terri shook her head. “I mean, I know the hours and trips were unending, but to give all that up just to be able to preach at that small-time country church?” Terri got up to check the filet mignon and the rest of the gourmet meal. “I keep telling you that you've got to come see this place, girl. Half of the people there seem like they've never read any other book but the Bible. They don't understand that there's more to life than religion. And then they're so loud and
long
about it. It makes no sense to me that Anthony would keep going to such a backward place.”

“Well, girlfriend.” Cherisse grinned. “You work your magic tonight and that man of yours will get it together.”

“What would I do without you?” Terri smiled again. She and Cherisse had been best friends since their freshman year of college, when they were paired together as roommates. It still amazed Terri how resourceful and creative Cherisse could be, especially when it came to dealing with the opposite sex. As inventive as Cherisse was, though, it surprised Terri that she never seemed able to keep a man longer than three months.

“Everything's just about ready,” Cherisse stated while rearranging some flowers on a small table in front of the marble fireplace. “You've got the right lighting, the right music, the right kind of meal for tonight's agenda.” Cherisse placed a bottle of vintage wine in a sterling silver ice bucket. “Just remember, this dinner for two is all about making him envious of the success you're celebrating. Everything you say and do should remind him of what he is currently lacking.”

“Cherisse, you're a genius. I hope this works.” Terri stared at the bottle of wine. Anthony had not had a drink in over a year and a half.

“Of course this will work, girl. Have I ever steered you wrong?” The two laughed again. “Call me tomorrow with the details.” Cherisse reached for her coat.

“You don't have to leave just yet. Anthony doesn't get home from work until after six-thirty.”

But as Terri spoke keys rattled in the front door. Terri and Cherisse turned to face a troubled-looking Anthony. He stood momentarily in the foyer, his overcoat and scarf still in place, before he slowly turned and walked toward his study. Terri and Cherisse looked at each other, puzzled by his silence and the worry lines in his face.

“Bad day at the office, maybe,” Cherisse whispered before grinning again. “Perfect time to talk some sense into him.” She headed for the door. “Work it, girl,” she said, snapping a finger as she exited. She peeked her head back through the doorway. “And call me when it's all over.”

Anthony grabbed a ragged folder hidden in his desk. He fumbled through some old receipts and placed a few in his briefcase. Finally, he laid his Bible on top of the stack of papers and closed and locked the leather attach3e. He knew Pastor Green was already waiting for him at the church.

Fear and relief battled within him. Anthony knew what he had to do. He would finally be taking a step to shake this burden by talking with Pastor Green. But he still had to meet with Mr. Haberstick the next day.
Lord, only You know what will happen next
.

The study door crashed open.

“You could have at least asked me about my day.” Terri fumed.

“Baby, I'm sorry. I've got a lot on my mind. But you're right. I should have at least said hello.”
I can't deal with this right now
. Anthony inwardly sighed.

Terri glared at him a few seconds longer before forcing a smile onto her face. “Anyway, I've prepared a special celebration dinner for the two of us.”

“Celebration? A special dinner?” Anthony blinked a couple of times. “You did it, huh? You made partner. Raylin, Blake, and Murdock Interiors.” Anthony looked down at his briefcase.

“You still have your coat on. Were you going some where?” Terri's smile faded.

“Well, uh—I,” Anthony stammered. “I did have a—uh—meeting at church. Didn't I see Cherisse here?”

Terri crossed her arms. “Cherisse just left. What meeting do you have at church? I don't remember any announcements yesterday about any meetings tonight.”

“It's a special meeting. Pastor Green and I have to meet to talk about—well, things and, uh, church stuff.” Anthony looked back down at his briefcase.

“Just this once,” Terri whispered as tears filled her eyes. “Just this once, can't you help me celebrate my success? This is a big day for me.”

Anthony blew out a long sigh and put his briefcase under his desk. He slowly took off his coat and threw it on the back of a leather armchair. He walked to where Terri stood in the doorway and took both of her hands in his.

“Terri, I am so proud of you. I know that you have worked hard to be named a partner at your design firm, and now your dream has come true. I would be honored to spend this evening celebrating you.” Anthony moved both of his hands to her face and wiped a single tear away with his thumb before planting a light kiss on her forehead. “Give me one moment to call Pastor Green. I need to reschedule our meeting.”

Terri grinned from ear to ear. “Tonight we celebrate my success. Just think, we could be celebrating your success soon, right?”

“Don't worry about me, baby. Right now, I'm happy for you. Let's just celebrate you.” Terri looked up at him. His smile was genuine. As she fell into his embrace, she thought of kicking Cherisse. Her plan was not working.

Pastor Green hung up the phone and rubbed his chin. He knew something was going on with Anthony, because the young man's name had been popping up in his mind for prayer for quite some time. And that petite wife of his, Pastor Green was sure, had something to do with Anthony calling to cancel their meeting. Pastor Green had known she was not too fond of Second Baptist Church the first Sunday Anthony had brought her there.

“There's something about her that doesn't rest with my spirit,” the pastor murmured, rubbing his balding head, remembering the look on her face the night Anthony preached his first sermon. “Lord, that boy's got a heart after You. He wants to be right and do right. He seems like he wants to follow You, but his judgment seems to be a little off at times.”

Pastor Green looked up, his eyes pleading to the heavens. “Father, I don't know what's going on in that household, or with Anthony, but You do. Whatever it is, Lord, bring peace and order. Let Your will and purposes be done. Brother Anthony has so much potential to shake things up for Your Kingdom. Help him, Lord Jesus, and help his wife. Do what You've got to do to make things right, whatever it takes. Once again, I commit those two into Your hands. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

Pastor Green was picking up a roast beef sandwich and reading a thank-you card from a sick congregant when he heard the church doorbell buzz. He quickly gulped down his evening meal, grateful for the Thermos of warm tea his wife had included in the small sack. He was still chewing when he opened the door. A short, burly man in a dark suit entered the vestibule. He took off a pair of shades revealing sharp blue eyes under bushy black eyebrows.

“Pastor Edward Green?” the stranger inquired.

“Yes?” The old pastor finished swallowing.

“My name is Kent Cassell. I'm a detective with the local sheriff's department, assisting with a case headed up by the FBI.” Kent flashed a shiny badge while scanning the foyer. “Do you have a moment? I need to talk to you about one of your parishioners, Anthony Murdock.”

Pastor Green stood speechless in the evening sunlight trickling through the stained-glass windows.

Anthony tapped a finger along with the soulful ballad playing on the stereo. He studied Terri, who was taking a slow sip from a long-stemmed goblet.

“I always knew that you would succeed at Raylin and Blake—and
Murdock
—Interiors.” He smiled.

Terri laughed nervously, searching for something cutting to say, wanting to make Anthony jealous. She looked into his deep brown eyes, but there was too much pride in them to humble him.

“Well,” she finally muttered, her eyes dropping to the cold meat on her plate, “I guess this is what the good life is all about, enjoying success.” She continued picking at her food, angry and bored with the wasted effort.

Anthony stared at her curiously, wondering if he had made the right decision to reschedule his meeting with Pastor Green. He knew Pastor Green was still at the church. When he'd called to cancel their meeting, Pastor Green had stated that he would be in his study for a few-more hours.
Maybe if we finish this dinner soon I'll be able to catch him before he goes home,
Anthony pondered. It doesn't look like
Terri is up to much more celebration
.

A new song droned out of the stereo. The soft drumbeat brought Anthony to his feet. “Can I have this dance?” He reached for Terri's hand. She pulled back and threw her embroidered napkin on the small table.

“Look,” she sighed. “I'm tired and I know you originally had other plans for the evening.” She plastered a smile onto her face. “Why don't you go and do whatever you were going to do and we can finish this celebration another time.”

Anthony tried not to look too eager to leave as he put on his coat and grabbed his briefcase. He barely noticed Terri on the telephone as he closed the front door behind him.

“Cherisse, what's Plan B?”

The crisp fall day had given way to a bitter cold evening. Remnants of a passing rain shower had left behind the aroma of wet, decaying leaves. Anthony turned off the car radio and rolled down his window, listening only to the swish of passing cars over the slick suburban streets and the rampage of his own thoughts. He rehearsed and restructured and rehearsed again in his mind what he would say to Pastor Green. There was no way to pretty up the confession or avoid its consequences.

He thought of Mr. Haberstick and knew that tonight was just the beginning, the first step. He would need to tap into a reservoir of courage he was unsure he had. And that pool of courage would have to last for the coming weeks, maybe months. He thought of Terri. How would she be affected?
I should have thought about all of this six months ago
.…

By the time he neared the church parking lot, the sun had completely disappeared into the western horizon. He wondered at the headlights pulling out of the small gravel lot. He did not recall Pastor Green saying he had another meeting tonight. Plus, the dark Crown Victoria did not look familiar. “Must be a visiting clergy friend,” Anthony muttered to himself.

Anthony was glad to see both the vestibule and the basement lights on in the church. It did not look like Pastor Green planned on leaving anytime soon. He stomped down the narrow, red-carpeted steps. When he knocked on the slightly opened oak door of the pastor's study, he was surprised to see Pastor Green looking startled in his chair.

“Anthony!” he exclaimed. “I did not hear you come in. I was just think—” He stopped abruptly, blinking and sighing. “We really need to talk,” he continued, concern in his eyes. “Come in.” He motioned toward a couch. “Have a seat. Please tell me, what is going on with you these days?”

Anthony sat down on the green sofa. He placed his briefcase on the floor beside his feet. “I hope I'm not disturbing you. I saw another car leaving as I came. Did you have any other meetings planned this evening?”

“Oh no, nothing planned. But I'm glad you have come. I did just have a visitor. His name was Kent Cassell, a detective from the sheriff's office.”

Anthony raised an eyebrow. “A detective? Is every thing okay?”

“I'm not sure. He asked about you, Anthony.”

Anthony felt his heart skip a beat as Pastor Green continued. “He wanted to know how much you had contributed to the fund for the new Sunday school classroom wing. I'm not sure what this is all about, but I know that God is still in control.”

Anthony swallowed hard. “Pastor Green,” he began, “the reason I wanted to talk to you—needed to talk to you—was to let you know that I'm …” Anthony paused and sighed before continuing. “I want to step down from my ministerial duties.”

Pastor Green leaned back in his desk chair, his eyes never leaving Anthony's.

“I want to step down,” Anthony continued, “at least for now, for a little while, until I finish dealing with a situation that I brought upon myself.”

“A situation?” Pastor Green questioned.

“Yes, I—” Anthony was not sure where to begin. “See, six months ago, as you know, I was working for the marketing firm of Shaw Enterprises. I was their senior marketing director and I oversaw every project that came through our door. I made the majority of the hard decisions when it came down to what projects and accounts we would undertake. My colleagues and supervisors respected my choices and, as a result, gave me a lot of leeway. They trusted me to always keep the interests of the company first, above everything else.”

Pastor Green nodded. “I knew that you had a powerful and influential position at Shaw. When you resigned, I assumed it was because you were seeking God's direction for your life. I thought maybe God was telling you to leave so you could devote more of your time and energy to His calling for you to preach. I marveled at the speed with which you left your employer, thinking that you were fervently taking a giant leap of faith to fulfill what God Himself had impressed upon your heart. Was there another reason why you left?” Pastor Green's hands were clasped together as if in prayer.