Reverend Feelgood (24 page)

Melody watched as the Sunday worshippers filed out of Gospel Truth’s beautiful, newly completed, three-thousand seat sanctuary. Even though she’d specifically come to try and talk to Destiny, she had really enjoyed the service. The ones conducted at Angel House were unexciting, the pastor’s drone perfect for putting people to sleep, which with Melody’s secretive Saturday cavorting, he’d done often. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed charismatic expression: the joyous hand clapping, rocking live band, colorful congregants, and excellent oratory delivered by a fine preacher.

And Melody realized something else: she really missed Destiny. She had been a lifesaver at a time Melody had thought she’d die of boredom. From their mall meeting on, she and Destiny had been best buds of sorts, both in a town that wasn’t big enough to hold them. That’s why she’d finally talked Kirk into delivering a note to one of the head ushers he knew, who in turn was to deliver it to Destiny. She only hoped the message reached its target.

Melody followed a security guard as he went around to the side of the massive new Gospel Truth sanctuary. Kirk had told her that Nate never exited from the front of the building; he’d get bum-rushed. So following her instincts, she made her way past the newly installed fountain, with water spewing forth from the mouth of a winged angel, and stood watching the door from which she hoped her friend would emerge.

Her instincts paid off. “Destiny!” she shouted, smiling and waving her hand. “I’ve got a present for Benjamin!”

Destiny kept walking and Melody’s heart fell. Then Destiny whispered something to Nate, who looked over at her. Melody could only imagine what either he or Destiny were thinking at that moment, but she couldn’t worry about that.
He’s had so many women, he probably doesn’t remember me anyway.
Still, she held her breath, waiting to see what would happen.

Nate motioned to a security guard who walked over to their car. Now there were three sets of eyes staring at her. The burly man nodded curtly and began walking toward Melody. Suddenly fear replaced uncertainty.
Are they going to arrest me for trespassing or something?
Melody had experienced a brief encounter with the law, when her mother had reported her as a runaway. Those few hours in a detention cell were enough for her to know she didn’t want to ever again be behind bars. She began backing up, and was just turning to run when the guard’s voice stopped her.

“Lady Destiny would like to speak with you.”

This comment stopped Melody in her tracks. She whipped around with a smile on her face, and followed the guard down the path to where Destiny stood waiting. She stopped about a yard from where Destiny stood. For a moment, the two former friends simply looked at each other.

Melody held out a gift bag covered with multicolored teddy bears. “I know it was a while ago…but I remembered his birthday, November twenty-third.”

Destiny looked at her friend, and then at the gift. She stepped forward and took it. “Thank you.”

A pause and then, “I miss you, Destiny.”

“I miss you too.”

Those simple words bridged the acrimonious gap between them. The two former friends rocked back and forth as they hugged each other, tears in their eyes.

“I’m so sorry for what I did,” Melody said when they finished embracing.

“I know. I read your note.”

“I’m really happy for you, Destiny. Look at you, a first lady! But I always knew you’d be somebody really important.” Melody noticed how her friend had changed. She seemed older, more mature.

“So what’s up? How is everything?”

“All right, I guess. I’m still working for Dana, but like I said in the note, not on Nate’s stuff. She landed Yadah as a client, so I’m primarily working on stuff for them.”

There was an awkward silence as both women pondered words unsaid.

“Lady Destiny,” the guard said as he approached. “The reverend is waiting.”

“I’ve got to go, Melody. But leave your number with the guard here. I’ll try and call you.” When Melody looked dubious, Destiny continued. “I’ve had to forgive a lot of women for…things in the past. And I’ve had to be forgiven. So…I forgive you. I’ll call. Promise.”

The two women shared another quick hug before Destiny hurried to the limo and Nate, who waited inside. Melody quickly wrote her number on a piece of paper and handed it to the guard. The windows were tinted, but still she waved frantically as the limousine passed her. And while she couldn’t see the person behind the pane, she was sure Destiny waved back.

Several hours later, Melody was on her knees near the entertainment center in her living room, going through stacks and stacks of DVDs scattered around. Destiny’s new lifestyle had given Melody more than a few things to think about. Her life, for instance, and just what she planned to do with it. There was one thing Melody knew for sure: she wanted to be big, wanted to join people like Kimora Lee Simmons in the fab lane. But now, she knew something else—she didn’t want to get there just any kind of way.

That’s why she was looking for the tape of her and Nate screwing. She knew better than anybody how it felt to be caught on tape. It had been years, but she’d still not quite gotten over the fact that her mother had watched part of the nasty tape she’d made of losing her virginity with one of gospel’s hip-hop darlings, and still prayed every day that her dad would never find out about it, let alone see it. She continued her search with renewed vigor, planning to destroy all of her sex tapes, but especially the one with Destiny’s husband. As it was, she regretted having shown it to Kirk. Thankfully, she thought, he was the only other person who’d seen it.

Melody’s hand stopped midreach.
Kirk!
She became frantic then, throwing DVDs everywhere, going through her CDs, running into her bedroom to look on those shelves and back to the living room, which now looked as though a tornado had passed through. After several more moments of frenzied searching, she raced to the phone.

When Kirk answered, Melody was breathing heavily, almost beside herself with dread.

“Hey, Melody, can I play on your instrument?” Kirk answered cheerfully, playing off her name as he often did.

“I tell you what you can do, Kirk,” Melody shouted. “You can tell me what in the hell you did with my video!”

Nate swatted Destiny playfully on the behind as she took their son from his lap so he could get back to work. He watched her graceful movements as she left his home office, still somewhat unbelieving of the gift God had given him. Nate was successful, but he’d never known he could feel this complete.
This is what it feels like to have it all.
He smiled and turned back to the computer where he was reading the final draft of his second book:
Go with God and Have It All.
Dana had been right, the ghostwriter she’d found was brilliant, taking his words and turning them into prolific passages that made a complicated message simple and mere perfunctory words profound. He bolded a passage he wanted changed and then chicken-pecked the new phrasing he preferred next to it, in red, as the writer had instructed.

“Yes, that’s it,” he said out loud after reading the new text. He kept reading and was almost to the end of the chapter when the phone rang.

“Reverend Thicke!” King boomed after Nate answered. “Are you ready to turn the place out next month in Miami?”

“I’m just a simple vessel for God to use,” Nate replied in mock humility. Everybody, including Nate, knew he was one of the best orators the church world had seen this century.

“Everybody is so excited for you, man. The board can’t believe how attendance to the conference has increased since placing your appearance in the ads. We’re expecting upwards of twenty thousand attendees this year—our highest number yet. I believe your being one of the main speakers is part of the reason for the increase. Everybody wants to find out how to give up everything and have it all.”

The two men laughed at the reference to Nate’s first book. “How’s the new one coming?” King asked.

“That’s what I was working on when you called,” Nate answered. “It’s set to be released about the same time the first one was, during the holidays.”

“Perfect for that gift-giving time, huh?”

“I think that’s what my publisher is hoping.”

“It doesn’t matter when it comes out, Nate. Anything with your name on it is a best seller now. I couldn’t believe how many dignitaries attended your anniversary this year. And being featured in
Ebony
? Man, Jakes better look out!”

“Please, T. D. doesn’t have to worry about a thing. I’m a long way from the success of Potter’s House. But I’m grateful for where I am, what I have. What about you, man? I know your schedule has been rough, filling in as president for Total Truth.”

“It hasn’t been too bad. Derrick told me I’d just have to preside over a few meetings and calls, and so far he’s been right. Another month and we’ll be electing a new president, which is the reason I’m calling. I think you could give the association the shot in the arm it needs, attract new, younger members, up our profile. What do you think?”

“Wow, King, I don’t know what to think. At only three years in, I’m still the new kid on the block. I appreciate your confidence, but with everything going on with my ministry right now, I don’t know that I could give such a position the attention it deserves.”

“I know your life is crowded, Nate. But do me a favor and think about it. I’m going to run the suggestion past the board during our teleconference next week.”

“All right, man. But remember, I’ve made no promises. I’m still a newlywed. On top of everything else that’s going on, I have to carve out a generous amount of quality time with my wife.”

“For sure, brothah. But I have a feeling there’s nothing that can come between you and Destiny.”

“Not even death shall separate us, King. I love that girl.”

“Don’t do it, Jennifer.”

“Why not? The Word says the truth shall set us free.”

“Yes, but whose truth?”

Carla had been on the phone with Jennifer for thirty minutes, ever since she’d finished the last page of the manuscript that Jennifer had sent overnight express. Jennifer was hoping to book a spot for Ed Smith on
Conversations with Carla,
and at Carla’s request, had sent what would be the subject matter.

“Anybody remotely familiar with the church world will know this book is talking about Nate Thicke. And there are barely veiled references to Derrick as well as your former pastor. How could you even think about instigating this kind of drama? When you know this book is sensationalized and filled with half-truths?”

“Is it a half-truth that Nate got Destiny pregnant at seventeen? Because if it is, that little half-truth is going on three years old now, and Destiny’s twenty. You do the math.”

Carla took a deep breath and sat down on the chaise on her balcony. It was a beautiful June day in sunny California and only something like this conversation could turn it cloudy. “Why, Jennifer?” she finally asked. “No, let me tell you why. It’s because you’re still hurting behind that man and what you perceive he did to you. But you went into that situation with your eyes wide open, Jennifer. You knew Nate’s reputation, and you still went for him with everything you had.”

“If I remember correctly, it was with your encouragement.”

“Excuse me?”

“Do what you gotta do…Remember that advice?”

“Yes, and that was spoken in the same conversation where I said to be careful, and that sometimes plans backfired. Do you remember that?”

Jennifer became silent. She did remember. She remembered a lot of things that she’d tried to forget since meeting Ed Smith. There were so many things she liked about him, and especially his ministry. He was an important man in Louisiana, and when she was with him, she felt important too. He treated her kindly, with respect, and while once or twice he’d hinted at being attracted to her, he’d kept their relationship professional. His actions were always above reproach. He’d promised her a prominent place in his ministry once the book came out. And lately Jennifer had been contemplating a prominent place in his life.

“Look at it this way, Carla. Ed Smith will be a ratings bonanza. Challenge him on the parts of the book you disagree with. Heck, even have Nate on to refute the charges. Girl, your ratings would go through the stratosphere! You’d probably beat Oprah, Ellen, and Dr. Phil combined.”

Carla was silent for a long moment. “Have you forgotten, Jennifer? I’ve been on the other side of that ratings bonanza, when it was my life, my scandal from which publications and networks benefited. And from that perspective, I can assure you, the ratings aren’t worth it. I’m trying to help you avoid going where I’ve been. Because just like with Nate, these plans you’re hatching with Ed might not turn out the way you want.”

“I’ll get exactly what I want,” Jennifer countered. “After marketing this book, I’ll be able to write my own ticket. And I might even get a husband in the process. He’s a little old but his money and status are timeless. Not to mention that because of the way the royalty contract is written, I’ll have a nice little nest egg of my own.”

“But, Jennifer…What good is it if a man gains the whole world but loses his soul?”

Jennifer didn’t have an answer for that. “Good-bye, Carla.”

It had taken Jennifer two weeks to come to a decision, and now that she had, she was ready to act on it without further delay. She used the key Ed had insisted on giving her and entered the stately foyer.

“Ed!” she said, announcing her presence. She’d never found him in any state except polished and professional, but she never wanted to chance stumbling upon him naked or in some other embarrassing condition.

Ed hurriedly hid the brandy bottle and shot glass that had been on his desk and reached for the powerful mouthwash he used. He was closer than ever to exacting revenge on his nemesis and getting a godly woman to be by his side, unlike the other one, who was too weak to stand by him, who didn’t have what it took. “In here,” he intoned, spraying on cologne to add to the cover-up. “Is that the woman of God?”

Jennifer’s smile was tentative as she turned the corner. “Hello, Reverend Smith,” she said.

“What’s with this ‘reverend’ stuff,” Ed replied in mock indignation. “I thought we were way past being on a first name basis.”

Jennifer laughed nervously. “You’re right, we are.”

“So to what do I owe this pleasure? I rearranged my schedule right away when you called me. You’re a priority, you see. I knew something serious had happened when you asked for time off. Now I’m here to help in any way I can.”

“I appreciate it.” After sitting down, Jennifer took a deep breath. “Ed, I’ve made a decision about the book,
Pulpit Pimps
. I can’t do it, Ed. I can’t endorse it and I can’t promote it. As of today, I can no longer be a part of the project.”

Ed rubbed his chin as he digested this information. A slow boil began in his stomach, and his hand shook slightly. He hid his anger behind a smile and a soft voice. “Dear,” he began, “I understand your hesitation. It takes great courage to go up against Goliath. But we have the Lord on our side.”

“Are you sure about that, Ed? Are you sure this is about God? Because I’m not at all sure anymore. I agree with some of the things you say, but I know these men, and I’m convinced they love God as much as you and I do.” Jennifer paused, sat up straighter in her chair. “I’ve prayed about it, and my decision is final. I will not be a part of this book.”

Ed slowly rose from his chair and began pacing back and forth. “Well, now, Sister Stevens, this is quite the surprise, I must say. But then again, maybe not. See, anyone who lies down with the devil is liable to become one of his minions, unable to totally escape from his grasp.” He stopped directly in front of Jennifer. “But if you continue with me, help to expose that liar for who he is,
that
will be the act that breaks the bondage, Jennifer. And then you’ll be free.”

Jennifer stood, and in her flat shoes was almost eye to eye with the diminutive preacher. “I’ve said what I came to say, Ed. I’ll pick up my personal effects from the church offices tomorrow.”

Jennifer backed up and turned to leave. She never saw the first fist coming.