Kacie attended weekly Bible Study too, and also became involved in a separate singles’ ministry called “You’re Not in It Alone: Being a Single Christian Parent.” Kacie began to understand about her frustration and stress from listening to some of the other single parents in the group. It gave her a new insight into her life, and provided tools to help her cope during stressful times.
While the younger kids were in the nursery and at children’s Bible Study, Kacie thrived in her classes. She met new people and other parents who shared some of the same feelings she experienced from raising their kids alone.
Youth group leader, Minister Cecil Brunson, often spent extra time talking to Kacie about ways to improve communication with Kenny now that he was a teenager. Kacie was encouraged by his advice, because everything he told her, thus far, had worked just as he said.
Praying with her children rather than depending on them to pray by themselves, left Kacie with her spirit high and her heart light. There were times she asked Kenny to lead them in prayer, and other times she would ask one of the other kids, including little Keshena and Kyland. It was exciting to Kacie watching the spiritual transformation take place in her household and in her life.
One particular Wednesday night, Kacie and her children were piled in the Suburban on their way home from Bible Study.
“Mom.”
“Yes, Kenny.”
“Can I ask you something?”
She looked at the growing young man sitting on the passenger side. He had the makings of a thin mustache. A small, but noticeable, patch of hair was evident underneath his chin. He is so handsome.
“You know you can talk to me. I don’t want you to ever doubt that again. You hear me, son?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Kenny smiled. “I was thinking…” and then he looked over his shoulder and saw some of his siblings staring directly at him. “Maybe we should wait until we get home, if that’s okay with you.”
“Of course.” Kacie continued to drive while the children engaged in conversations among themselves. The smaller kids were quiet and in a car-induced hypnotic state and were about to fall asleep. It happened almost every time they rode in a car.
Since church was less than fifteen minutes away, they made it to the house quickly. Kenny helped get all of the children out of the car, along with emergency bags that contained snacks, pull-ups, juice cups, and loads of other items for the little ones.
Kacie was glad they had three bathrooms. It was another reason she loved her house so much. She divided the girls up to share one of the bathrooms, and the boys shared another bathroom and Kacie had an on-suite bathroom.
Kenny helped get the boys prepared for bed, while Kacie and Kassandra helped get the girls ready. After everyone had their baths and was prepared for bed, they gathered together and prayed.
Once everyone was in bed, Kenny came into his mother’s room. “Do you still feel like talking, Momma?”
“Yes.” She patted her hand on the bed. Kenny sat down on the bed next to her. “What is it? Girl problems?” She smiled.
“No, I know how to handle that now.”
Kacie pulled her head back, bucked her eyes, and smiled. “Ah, so you do, huh? Well, that’s good news. At least I think it is.”
“It is. Minister Cecil has been talking to some of us older boys.” He said “older boys” proudly.
“And what did Minister Cecil have to say?” she asked. With his good-looking self.
“You remember what happened between me and Jackie?”
“Ugh, will I ever forget? I don’t think I will. What about it?”
“During one Super Wednesday, Minister Cecil and Minister Isaac, divided us up in two groups. One was for the teenage boys and another one was for the teen-age girls. We talked about things that were pleasing to God and the stuff that wasn’t pleasing to God.”
“Like what you and Jackie did?” asked Kacie, but without sounding like she was fussing.
“Yes, ma’am. Mom, lots of teens at school talk about sex.”
“Honey . . .” Kacie raised her hand to stop Kenny.
“Mom, please, just listen. I really need to talk to you about this.”
Kacie nodded. “I’m sorry, go ahead, baby.”
“Anyway, my friends talk about having sex all of the time. And not just my friends, but kids all over the school. They say the safest way not to get a disease or to get a girl pregnant is by . . . well, by,” he stammered, “by . . . you know.”
“What? By what, Kenny?”
“Oral . . . sex.”
“Oh, I see. What did Minister Cecil say about it? I really can’t believe y’all talked about something like that.”
“Mom, you signed the papers giving your permission. I hope you won’t stop me from going to Super Wednesday.” A look of fear and disappointment attacked Kenny’s young face.
“No, I wasn’t thinking that. Go on, I want to know what he said.”
“He told us that anything we do outside of marriage is fornication or adultery. He said that sex was invented by God to procreate. Do you know what procreate means, Momma?” Kenny asked, like he was eager to give her the definition.
“Oh, yes, I know what it means.” Kacie smiled. “I think I have that down pat. I have seven of y’all running around, and I believe it’s because of procreation.” She laughed.
Kenny laughed along with his mother. “That’s right, but the bad thing about having all of us is that you had us without being married. People who aren’t married are not supposed to have sex.
“You’re right, son. But I don’t regret having each of you in my life. “
“Mom, I never told you that I was sorry for going against you in court that day. But, I was already the laughing stock of the school, in the neighborhood and even at church. Guys were teasing me and calling me sissy because my momma took a girl to court. I know I should have taken your side, but I couldn’t. Even though I’m thirteen, I know what me and Jackie did was wrong. Just because she can’t get pregnant from oral sex still doesn’t make it right. Did you know that a person can still get sexually transmitted diseases from doing that?”
“Uh, yes,” answered Kacie. She used one hand to move her weaker leg onto the bed. She felt a little uncomfortable about the conversation, but she hoped Kenny didn’t pick up on it.
“Kids say, ‘If you don’t put it in, it ain’t no sin.’”
“What? I never heard that before.”
“That’s because you’re, well, you’re old, Mom.”
Kacie tried not to giggle. But it was funny that Kenny considered her as old.
“Having sex in any form is wrong, Mom. Minister Cecil says that sex is meant to take place between a man and a woman who are married to each other. You see?” explained Kenny with a look of pride on his handsome face.
“Seems like Minister Cecil knows his stuff.”
“He does, Momma. And, oh yeah. I almost forgot. He wants to talk to you about a weekend youth trip next month. He wants me to go.”
“Honey.” Kacie looked concerned. “First, I want to tell you that I’m sorry about the way I behaved when the incident occurred between you and Jackie. I should never have hit you like I did. Will you forgive me?”
“You’re my momma. Of course I forgive you.”
Kacie reached out to hug her son. “Now, about this church outing. Is the church sponsoring it? How many other kids are going?” She shot off one question after another. “And it depends on the cost as to whether I can afford to send you. What is it about, and when is it, anyway?”
“It’s in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It’s a weekend retreat with other youths coming from several churches. I’ll learn how to become a junior youth counselor. I’ll get a certificate at the end of the course; then when summer camp starts, I can get a job at one of the church retreats and work as a junior counselor. Minister Cecil said once I get my certification, I can get a stipend when I work with the younger kids. I could help you out with bills and stuff. It’ll be gr
eat.” Kenny jumped up and turned around, then smacked his hands together.
“Kenny, honey calm down. It sounds good, but it still depends on the cost.” Kacie got up out of the bed. “And bills are not for you to worry about,” she reassured him.
“I guess that’s why Minister Cecil wants to talk to you. He was going to say something to you tonight, but Minister Briars called him and the other youth ministers into a meeting. But I gave him your phone number.”
Kacie had gotten up and was about to walk toward the kitchen, but she whipped around and stood still at the bedpost. “You did what? Kenny, why did you do that?”
“He already has my cell phone number, so I didn’t think it would do any harm if I gave him yours. It’s listed in the Members’ Directory, anyway, isn’t it?”
“Well, we’ll see. That’s all I can promise.”
Kenny ran beside his mother, picked her up off her feet, and twirled her around.
“Ahhh, boy, put me down.” Kacie laughed and lightly pounded her son on his shoulders.
Kenny put her down and then hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.
“Momma, I’m so glad God saved our family.”
“Me too, Kenny. Me too.” She hugged him. “I think it’s about time you double-check your homework and get ready for bed. Okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. Good night, Momma. See you in the morning.”
“G’night, son. I love you.”
“Love you too.” Kenny disappeared down the hall, while Kacie went into the kitchen to fix a cup of hot chocolate.
Sipping on her hot drink, she sat at the kitchen table. Then she bowed her head in prayer on behalf of her friends. The phone rang almost as soon as she finished praying.
“Miss Mayweather, please.”
“This is Miss Mayweather,” Kacie replied.
“Miss Mayweather, this is Minister Cecil from Cummings Street.”
“Hello, Minister Cecil. I was expecting your call. Kenny told me he gave you my phone number.”
“Yes, he did. I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted to talk to you about Kenny.”
Kacie’s smile line formed. “No, I—I don’t mind at all,” she stammered nervously after hearing his baritone voice. It sounded even more engaging than when he talked face-to-face with her.
“Let me apologize because I know it’s late, but I just made it home from church. I hoped I could talk to you before you left Bible Study tonight, but I ended up having to meet with some of the other ministers.”
“It’s no problem.”
“First let me tell you how proud I am of your son. Since he’s been attending Super Wednesday, I’ve seen a new boy materialize. He’s more confident, eager to learn about God’s Word, and he enjoys participating in youth group activities. Which is the reason I called,” explained Minister Cecil.
Kacie smiled. “Kenny told me about a trip y’all have planned for some of the youths.”
“Right. We’re going to the Youth Ministry Conclave in Chattanooga.”
“What does it involve?” asked Kacie as she took a sip of hot chocolate.
“It’s for youth ministers such as myself and core student leaders. I highly recommend Kenny to become one of the core student leaders. He’ll receive over sixty hours of quality training from some of the best youth ministry leaders around. I believe God has purposely designed this for Kenny. He’s thirteen years old and in the ninth grade, which means he’s an exceptionally bright young man. And though he’s too young to actually be employed by the church, he’ll be able to receive a stipend by working with some of the older counselors as a Core Student Leader-in-training, or junior counselor is what they call it. When he turns fifteen, and if he continues to remain in the program, he’ll automatically become part of the youth staff during camp season.”
“Oh, this is such a blessing for Kenny. Thank you, Minister Cecil. One thing about Kenny is that he’s always been smart. Since he started school, he’s been involved in CLUE, tested and moved twice to a higher grade; first from second grade to third grade, and this past year he tested again and skipped eighth grade.”
“Yes, Miss Mayweather, God is awesome.”
“You can call me Kacie.”
“Kacie, God proves His love for us all the time. If it wasn’t for Kenny being in the ninth grade, he wouldn’t be able to participate.”
“Oh, this is a blessing. Tell me, Minister Cecil, what will he learn and is there a cost?”
“Well, the good thing about this retreat is that youth ministers and church leaders can invite some of their key students to be a part of the retreat. The goal is to develop student leaders by teaching them biblical principles, show them how God can use them to be an agent of change in their generation. After spending time talking to Kenny, I find him to be a remarkable young man. He’s eager to learn about the Word of God. He and the other youth we chose will be able to come back to the church, their schools, and their neighborhoods and have a plan of attack against the enemy.”
“Everything you’ve said sounds good, but I still haven’t heard you mention the cost?”
“The cost is two hundred and twenty-five dollars. That includes his food, study materials, and lodging.”
“Did you say two hundred and twenty-five dollars?” Kacie’s voice rose higher than she expected. There was no way she could afford that amount of money, no matter how great the retreat would be for her son. “Look, I have to be honest, Minister Cecil. I have seven kids and I only work a part-time job. As much as I would love for Kenny to go, there’s no way I can afford it.”
“Hold on, Sister Kacie. Let me finish. I’ve already made the necessary arrangements for Kenny to receive one of the scholarships the program offers.”
“What?” Kacie squealed into the phone.
“Kenny will not have to pay a dime, not even for food. All he’ll need to bring is himself, some toiletries, bed linen and clothes.”
“That’s it? Are you sure?
“I’m very sure.”
“Oh, thank you, Lord. Thank you, thank you, Lord. And thank you, Minister Cecil.” Kacie started to cry with much joy.
“I take it that you’re giving him permission to attend.” Minister Cecil laughed lightly on the phone.
“Yes, of course, of course he can go.”
“The retreat is next month from the fourth through sixth. Kenny will get more details about it, and so will you. I’m glad that he’s going to be able to go. I hope we can get together to talk more about the retreat and some of the awesome things Kenny will have an opportunity to learn. Maybe we can meet one night after Bible Study. I promise, Miss Mayweather, you won’t regret it.” Minister Cecil cleared his throat. “I mean, allowing Kenny to go to the retreat, that is.”
“I believe that.” Ooh wee. Mercy, mercy me, Kacie reacted internally. “God has just been so good. I don’t know what to say. I can’t help it. I’m sorry I’m crying like a big baby.”
“No need to apologize. God is in the blessing business, you know.”
“Yes, He is. I’m so happy for my son. He’s such a good child.”
“Well, it’s late. I’m going to let you go, Sister Kacie. I look forward to seeing you at church Sunday. Have a good night. And God bless you and your family.”
“The same to you, Minister Cecil. Good night, and thanks again.”
“My pleasure. Goodnight.”
After Kacie heard the phone go silent, tears flooded. She lifted up her hands in total praise to God for opening up a door of blessing for her child.
She remained at the kitchen table, praising God, until her tears dried. Then she replayed Minister Cecil’s Barry White voice over in her mind. He easily fit the profile of the man in her dream. She shook her head, pushing back thoughts of him out of her mind.
She tried reaching Envy again, but there was still no answer. “Where are you, Envy? And what are you up to?” she asked on Envy’s voice mail.
Kacie retreated to her bedroom, climbed into her bed, and reac
hed over for her Bible lying on the nightstand. She flipped through it until she came to the book of Habakkuk. It was the next chapter to read on the schedule for “Reading the Bible in One Year.” Tomorrow she would try to settle things between Layla and Envy.
25
Betrayal does that—betrays the betrayer.
“Hey, Kacie, you called me last night?” asked Envy.
“You know I did, but your phone kept going straight to voice mail.”
“I had it turned off. Leonard was over there. So what has Layla told you?”
“I can’t talk. I’m at work. Can you come by my house after you get off work? We can talk without interruptions.”
“I can do that. I’ll be leaving the office today between three and three-thirty. I can be at your place by four o’clock. How does that work for you?”
“That’s perfect. The kids will be doing their homework and chores, so four is good. I’ll see you then. I need to get back to work before my supervisor walks up on me.”
“Okay, bye.”
Envy spent most of the morning in meetings discussing new regulatory affairs and procedures sent from their headquarters. They catered lunch during the meeting, so she wasn’t free until almost two o’clock.
She thought about calling on one of her other standbys, like Cedric, to spend some time with later on tonight. She hadn’t let him cover over in a couple of months. She knew he would be thrilled to hear from her, he always was. But instead of dialing his number, she ended up with Leonard on the phone.
“Hi, beautiful,” he said when he answered.
“Hi. How is your day going?” she asked.
“Busy, busy, and busy. After spending time with you last night, I feel energized, like I can conquer anything that comes my way. I’ve already met with my Direct Reports. Now I’m reviewing a retention report as we speak. I’ve got a pile of other stuff going on today.”
True Beauty Page 21
