When Perfection Fails (6 page)

Jonathan turned over to the other side of the bed and reached out his arm toward his wife. He moved his arm across the sheets, and then opened his eyes. He sat up in the bed and looked around the master bedroom. Jonathan had a feeling his wife never made it to bed. He let out a deep sigh. He didn't like when Lenora was moody. It was like she was there in another place.

He wasn't sure if she was disturbed by the hit-and-run accident or something else. His wife had always been overprotective of their sons. How often did he preach boys would be boys to her? They were really blessed. While Keith was not happy about his injuries, their son was in good spirits that he would be healed in time for the next basketball season. In the meantime, they would work out how to get his work from the professors.

In the back of his mind, Jonathan knew he was the blame for some of the distance between him and his wife. When they dated, he told Lenora he would never follow in his dad's footsteps. The church was not for him. He had his own career ahead of him.

Unfortunately, when his father started to suffer kidney failure, his mother begged him to take over Victory Gospel for his father. She would not stand to have someone from the outside to serve as shepherd for the church. It seemed like the right thing to do, but he and Lenora had been slowly drifting apart since then. It didn't help that Lenora stayed so busy at the boutique. With wedding season getting ready to kick off, they would rarely see each other except when an event demanded their appearance as a couple.

He grunted and swung his legs off the bed. Jonathan pushed his feet into his slippers and reached for the robe at the end of the bed. It was still chilly at night, even though spring had come. The first week of April was still being held hostage by winter.

Jonathan moved through the hallway. He stopped briefly at each of his son's rooms. Keith was snoring softly. Thankfully, the boy was comfortable, despite being in pain. Jonathan peeked in Michael's room and heard the boy's steady breathing. This was good to hear as Michael had been prone to asthma since he was a little boy.

Jonathan walked away from Michael's bedroom door and leaned over the stair railing. There was a faint glow coming from downstairs. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, just as he had seen many nights, he could see Lenora's body curled up on the couch with the glow of the big flat-screen television shining across from her.

He walked around the couch and sat down next to his wife. Whatever sleep his wife was getting it certainly couldn't be restful. She twitched in her sleep and let out a tiny yelp. He gently shook her. “Lenora.”

Lenora woke up with a start, clutching her nightgown to her. Her face was shiny with sweat. She focused on him, and then relaxed her arms and shoulders.

“What wrong? Is it a bad dream?” he asked.

She nodded. “Sorry, I was watching a movie on television, and I guess sleep finally came.”

“What were you dreaming about?”

Lenora looked away and shivered. “I don't remember now.”

Jonathan pulled the blanket that was wrapped around his wife's legs closer to her shoulders. “Why don't you come upstairs?”

Lenora pulled the blanket closer up to her chin. “When were you going to tell me?”

Jonathan frowned. “Tell you what?”

“Isn't running Victory Gospel Church enough for you? Or are you having second thoughts now?”

“Why are you asking?”

Lenora shook her head. “It's the only reason I can think of why you would want to consider running for city council.”

Jonathan rubbed his hands across his head. “How did you find out?”

Lenora sat up, the blanket sliding to the floor. “It's true?”

“I haven't told you because I haven't decided.”

“You haven't decided? How about letting me know you are even considering before you make a decision?”

Jonathan turned away. “I needed to personally think this through. Of course, I would consult with you.”

Lenora shook her head. “When we were younger, we discussed everything together.” She turned away from him and bowed her head. “There are people who seem to know that you are considering placing your name on a ballot, and they are pretty threatened.”

Jonathan moved closer to his wife. “Who might these people be? Did someone threaten you?”

He watched her hesitation. Finally she spoke, “No threats. But you do realize the position you are placing us in. Charmayne Hudson has had this position for three terms. She is the daughter of the great Bishop William Hudson. Your dad and the bishop were good friends.”

Jonathan leaned back against the couch. “Which is why I'm praying about this opportunity. I was approached by Mayor Carrington a few weeks ago. There is a conflict between the mayor and Charmayne for some reason. He seems to think she has her own agendas that are not what the people want.”

“Charmayne says differently. She does feel threatened by the possibility that you would run against her. Both Greater Heights and Victory Gospel are in the same district.”

“So this is coming from Charmayne? I never understood how you and she manage to retain a friendship. You are so different. She's like a walking spokesperson for negativity.” While he grew up in the same circles with Charmayne, they never were friends. Jonathan heard rumors that Charmayne was a spoiled, mean girl and that was the kind of person he avoided. It surprised him when he realized that Lenora had been friends with Charmayne since they were young girls.

They sat in silence for a while. Lenora spoke up softly. “You are doing it again?”

“Again?” Jonathan spoke sharply. “What am I doing, Lenora? I was presented with an opportunity. You, of all people, know that I was heading in this direction before Dad—”

“I know. That's why this is bothering me. You don't need to take on too much.”

Jonathan quieted his voice. “You know things happened fast with Dad. No one in the church wanted to look for another pastor while Dad was sick. It was appropriate at the time to fill in for him. I never imagined being here, but I don't regret it. Please don't tell me being at Victory Gospel Church hasn't been rewarding for you in some ways.”

Lenora closed her eyes. “I love Victory Gospel. I love the people . . . but I miss us.”

Jonathan looked at his wife. He had just thought the same thing a few minutes earlier. He grabbed her hand. “You are the most important person in the world to me. I would not make any decisions without you.”

The overhead lights above them suddenly came on. “What's going on in here? How is a person supposed to sleep with all this noise?”

Jonathan spun around to see his mother standing in her nightgown, leaning on her cane. He let go of Lenora's hand and jumped from the couch. “Mother, we didn't mean to wake you.”

Jonathan looked over at Lenora. She held her head down, not looking at him and started folding the blanket. She carefully laid it on the couch. Then she grabbed the remote and shut the television off. Without a word, she passed by him, his mother, and headed upstairs. A moment later, Jonathan heard the bedroom door close.

Eliza questioned him with her eyes. “Did I interrupt something? I'm an old woman, and I need my sleep.”

Jonathan walked over to his mother and grabbed her by her shoulders. “Why don't we all head back to bed?” He turned her gently toward her room.

“I surely hope I can go back to sleep now that I'm awake.” Eliza shuffled back to her room.

Jonathan waited until his mother closed the door, and then climbed the staircase. He reached for the bedroom door handle, almost expecting it to be locked, but it wasn't. Lenora was already in the bed, but her back was turned away from him.

As he slid under the covers, his conversation with Lenora invaded his mind. Jonathan lay his head against the pillow and stared up at the ceiling. In the midst of all that has happened, he had this sinking feeling his marriage was on the shakiest ground it had ever been. If he did pursue his dreams, what would the cost be?

Lenora stirred next to him. He wanted to reach for her, but clasped his hands across his chest and closed his eyes instead.

Lenora watched the coffee drip into the carafe. She tried to go back to sleep last night, but she had slept fitfully. Jonathan had returned to their room and slid into their king-size bed. She stayed so far near the edge she probably could have fallen off had she strayed an inch. Jonathan had tossed and turned in the bed beside her until she finally heard the rhythmic breathing of him sound asleep.

She hated the distance between them, and she supported him serving as interim pastor for his father and now as the official pastor. Like he said last night, twenty years ago they would have never imagined being called as leaders of a megachurch. Victory Gospel Church was a small tight-knit church back during the early days of their marriage.

Jonathan supported her when she opened Lenora's Bridal Boutique and her hours were crazy too. She had waited until both of her sons were teenagers before she branched off into what she had loved to do so many years. She had planned what seemed like hundreds of weddings before she decided she wanted to have dresses to supply her clients with. She had a great staff of consultants and seamstresses.

That's what nagged her last night. She was living her dream. Was Jonathan?

Michael strolled into the kitchen. Lenora looked at the clock. “Honey, aren't you running a bit late? You're not dressed yet for school.”

“I'm not feeling well.”

Lenora arched her eyebrow. She knew that Keith had been receiving more attention since the accident and sensed her youngest son was feeling left out. Still, he was a good boy and did well in school. She went over and touched his head. “You do feel warm. Let's take your temperature. We don't want to send you to school if you have a fever.”

As Lenora reached into a cabinet for the first aid supply kit, she heard behind her, “Oh, good, you have coffee ready.”

Lenora closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and placed the first aid kit on the counter. She turned around. “Mother Eliza. Good morning. I'm going to take Michael's temperature.”

The older woman pulled out a chair and slowly sat down. “Oh, son, you're not feeling well?”

Michael shook his head. Lenora placed the thermometer under his tongue. “Sit still for a minute,” she told him. She then said to her mother-in-law. “Eliza, you want me to pour you some coffee?”

“Yes, cream and sugar, please.”

Lenora grabbed two ceramic white mugs from the dishwasher. As she poured the coffee, her mother-in-law turned the television on and flipped channels.

Lenora brought the steaming mugs over to the table. Then she went over to Michael. “Okay, let's check your temperature.” Lenora read the thermometer. “Mmm, looks like it's normal.” She peered at her son. “What's hurting on you?”

Michael grabbed his stomach. “My stomach hurts bad.”

“Okay, I tell you what, you lie down for a while. Let's see how you feel in a bit. I need to get to the boutique because I have appointments. I will call you to see how you are doing. You've already missed school for your grandfather's funeral and were out with Keith.”

“That's right, you do what your mother said. Give your grandmother a hug.”

Michael hugged Eliza, and then left the kitchen. Lenora knew Eliza loved her grandsons just as fiercely as she loved her own son.

Eliza asked, “Did the police say anything else about finding the culprit who ran off from the accident?”

Lenora sat down in the chair opposite Eliza and shook her head. She still hadn't told anyone about the strange messages and voice on her phone. Keith and Rachel were both doing well. Surely, the accident was random and the coward would be found soon.

She looked over at Eliza who was rubbing her knee. “How's your knee doing?”

“It's not too bad today. The doctor wants me to replace it, but I just can't—”

“But won't the surgery make you more comfortable getting around?”

Eliza waved her hand. “Those doctors just want to cut on me to get my money. I'm fine. They sure didn't help Pastor Jeremiah.”

Lenora swallowed her coffee. Eliza was stubborn, but she felt bad watching the woman lose her husband. She had been wondering why her mother-in-law was so against getting medical assistance for her bad knees. It was almost as if she wanted to suffer.

“Where's Jonathan so early this morning?” Eliza asked.

Eliza's question brought back memories of last night's argument with Jonathan. Lenora tried to remember where her husband was today. Usually, she was more in tune with his schedule. “I'm not sure.”

“Mayor Carrington came to see him on Sunday.”

She stared at Eliza. “About the city council seat?”

“Oh, so that's what you two were talking about last night. I was wondering when he would tell you.”

So, Jonathan can discuss his consideration of running for office with his mother, but not his wife?
“So, I guess you think it's a good idea.”

“The community loves Jonathan. It will be good for him and Victory Gospel.”

“But the congregation has grown and is still growing. Don't you think Jonathan should be more focused on the church's needs?”

“Never doubt what God can do, Lenora.”

Lenora protested, “I'm not, I . . .” She stopped. Getting into an argument with her husband's mother was not what she needed to be doing. In fact, Lenora was pretty sure Eliza did what she could to encourage her only son's ambitions for her own personal need to be the center of attention.

She swallowed the rest of her coffee and placed the mug in the sink. “I really need to get to the boutique. I have a wedding party fitting today.”

“You
are
going to support Jonathan's run for office.”

This old woman really needed to stay out of her marriage. “He hasn't decided yet, Eliza.”

“It's just that you sounded like you were against him.”

This time Lenora didn't bother to hide the expression of disgust on her face. “You were listening to our conversation?”

Eliza held her hand to her chest. “Of course not. You were talking loudly, and the bedroom is right down the hall from the living room. I got up to remind you I was still here.”

And when are you going to return to your own home, Lenora wanted to ask. Instead, she took a deep breath. “I have been married to your son for twenty years. I do believe I have shown and proven my support for whatever he decides to pursue.”

“I just want to be sure you wouldn't stand in his way.”

Lenora narrowed her eyes. “Stand in his way of what, Eliza?” She crossed her arms. “I want him to make a decision that is best for the family. The boys have had to adjust to becoming a preacher's kids overnight.”

“Those boys are almost grown men. They are not children anymore, Lenora. The community loves Jonathan, even more than they did Pastor Jeremiah.” Eliza grabbed the remote and increased the volume. Then she exclaimed. “Plus, someone needs to get that woman out of the way so real progress can be made.”

Lenora looked at the television to see Charmayne's face on the news. She had to admit Charmayne was an unstable chick behind closed doors, but quite frankly, being in a public office suited Charmayne.

“Why? You were good friends with Bishop Hudson and First Lady Valerie Hudson. You watched Charmayne grow up.”

Eliza smirked. “The Hudsons were no friends of mine. Bishop was a big bully behind his fancy robes. That girl walks over people like her daddy did.” She reached for her cane and pointed at the television. “You support your husband. Moving that woman out of office is going to be for the greater good.”

Lenora watched her mother-in-law leave the room. She never knew Eliza was that interested in politics. Maybe because politics didn't interest Lenora. One of the reasons she wasn't sure about Jonathan branching into this area was because that world was unknown to her. She only dealt with an occasional bridezilla or controlling mother of the bride.

Was Jonathan seriously considering stepping into this arena? She knew when Charmayne didn't get her way, she could be ugly. What were the ramifications for the church, the boys, and her if Jonathan was attacked publicly in a campaign?

She couldn't do this now. It was time to head to the boutique for Candace's wedding party fitting. Lenora left the kitchen.

As she grabbed her coat and her keys, she glanced down at the
Charlotte
magazine on the table. Last summer, Jonathan, Keith, Michael, and she posed for that magazine cover which was accompanied by a glowing article. She picked up the magazine. Jonathan and her sons looked so handsome. The title next to them read, “T
HE
F
ACE OF
C
HARLOTTE'S
F
AITH-
C
ENTERED
F
AMILIES.”

She placed the magazine back on the table. There was a sentence in the article that described her as a woman who took care of her family and business. Right now, she was feeling like that toy that spun around and around, with no clear sign of where it would stop.

Lenora whispered, “Lord, I need you. I'm so troubled in my spirit, and I don't know how to shake this off.”