“I know it’s God, but God uses people too. And I know He’s using you in my life…in a good way of course.”
Minister Cecil changed the subject. “Hey, I was excited when I heard you signed up to be one of the facilitators of the Single Parents Ministry.” I know you’re going to do an outstanding job.” He reached over and gently laid his hand on top of hers.
Umph, I like this man. And not like I liked all the other ones. There’s something different about him. “I tell you, signing up to be a facilitator took a giant leap of faith for me. But it was like something pulling me to volunteer to do it. I’ve only facilitated one time so far, but I enjoyed it. I really, really did. I have to facilitate again next month. I’m actually looking forward to it too.”
“That’s good, Sister Kacie. I’m proud of you.” He lightly massaged her hand with his fingertips.
Kacie, Please. At least when we’re by ourselves,” she reminded him.
“I’m sorry. I keep forgetting. I’m so used to addressing the ladies as sisters.”
“I understand. I know it’s going to take some getting used to. It still feels weird calling you Cecil too.” But I’m getting used to it, mercy me, were her thoughts.
Cecil was the kind of man that fed her spirit and helped her move from infancy in Christ toward His fullness. He seemed to look past her past. Didn’t appear to be bothered about whether her children were by the same man or different men. He never asked, but during one of their phone conversations, Kacie told him that a different man fathered each of her children. He didn’t sound disturbed by it, but she had no idea what kind of expression he wore on his face on the other side of the phone. She was just glad she told him. It wasn’t that she felt she needed to tell him, she just did.
“Kacie, I’m not perfect. No one is.” He interrupted her thoughts. “But I want to be part of your life and the lives of your children. I enjoy seeing you and them happy and smiling. It doesn’t matter about your past. It doesn’t matter that you have seven children. None of that matters. What matters is your sweet, sweet spirit. What matters is all the love I know you’re waiting to give.”
“Cecil, I don’t know what to say. I wasn’t expecting this,” Kacie said.
“Why don’t you start by not saying anything. Let it marinade for a few days.” He flashed a dazzling white smile, which almost melted her heart like butter.
Kacie grinned. “Well, that’s easy enough to do…I think.” Her mind burned with the memory of the man in her dream. “I’d like that. I’d really like that.”
“Nice,” he said and squeezed her hand. A slight chill rushed through her body. Her spirit seemed to sync with his and she felt a tremendous peace consume her. He eased up slightly from his seat in the booth, leaned over, and kissed her. It was a light, tender, but lingering one. She responded like she’d never been kissed. It was mesmerizing. Most of all, it felt right, oh so right.
When he pulled away, he took both of her hands in his.
Kacie’s eyes were glued to his like she’d been hypnotized. She couldn’t remember ever a man talking to her the way Cecil did. It felt good to have a man who wanted to take her out, who wanted to see her smile, who wanted to be around her, and who enjoyed her children. Thank you, God for giving me exceeding, abundantly more than I can ever ask, hope, or think.
29
None of us knows what the next change is going to be, what unexpected opportunity is just around the corner, waiting to change all the tenor of our lives.
Kacie and Envy took their usual places in the sanctuary for Sunday morning worship service. They participated in the praise team songs and they held hands as they made their way down the aisle and to the altar for prayer.
A great change had occurred. Their very lives had been tested in ways that had been beyond their comprehension.
This morning, Minister Cecil read the scripture. Kacie blushed when he approached the podium in a striped cobalt blue and white polo shirt, with navy double-pleated dress pants. His dark navy loafers looked soft as lamb’s skin. One of the things most people loved about Cummings Street was the fact that Pastor Betts encouraged people to come to church as you are. He also showed by example. It was seldom that he or his ministerial staff dressed in suits and ties.
Envy happened to look at Kacie. Kacie had a big smile on her face when Minister Cecil approached the podium. “I know that look,” Envy said to Kacie.
Kacie broke into a wide open smile.
Envy giggled softly, then turned and focused her attention on Minister Cecil as he spoke.
“Please stand for the reading of the Word of God.” Almost everyone in the sanctuary stood. “Turn your Bibles to Isaiah chapter forty-three and verse two. I’m reading from the New International Version, and it says, ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.’”
For a split second, her eyes appeared to connect with Minister Cecil’s eyes. They looked at each other and smiled in earnest before she sat down. Her heart leaped because God had blessed her with a man like Cecil. He loved her children, and they loved him. This was an awesome year so far for Kacie. Just like the change of seasons, winter to spring to summer, so had Kacie’s life taken on a remarkable, life-altering transformation.
Kacie and Minister Cecil became a recognizable couple at church. During the course of their budding relationship, he shared the intimate details concerning his divorce. Due to an injury he sustained during his first military deployment to Iraq, he was sterile.
He believed a miracle had occurred when his wife initially told him she was pregnant. But when the child was born, Cecil was met by another man at the hospital who claimed to be the child’s father.
Cecil’s’ hopes were dashed after he went to the doctor to confirm whether the child his wife had given birth to could actually be his. Unfortunately, the news was not as he’d hoped, and it was then that his wife confessed that she’d been seeing someone else, the man at the hospital, and it was that man’s child. She ended up leaving Cecil for her lover. Cecil explained to Kacie that he filed for divorce and prayed never to look back, and he hadn’t.
He confessed to Kacie his desire from the time he was a young man to have a house full of children one day. However, he accepted being unable to have children as God’s will and so devoted himself to working with the young people at church.
Kacie pleasantly thought about the dinner she had prepared for her children and Cecil. He would be there following church services, just like he had been doing quite a bit lately, unless he took her and the kids out to eat.
“Excuse me.” Kacie looked up. Tyreek stood at the end of the pew, looking as fine as ever in a traditional black suit, starched white shirt, and a black tie.
Kacie’s and Envy’s mouths remained open while they moved down along the pew to make room for him.
“Layla didn’t tell us you would be here today, but I’m glad you came,” Kacie whispered.
“She doesn’t know. I thought I’d surprise her. Oh, and you’re going to have to scoot over a little more. We’re going to need space for one more.”
Envy didn’t exactly feel awkward with Tyreek being at church but seeing him there was the last thing she expected, or so she thought.
“Who else is coming?” Envy leaned over and asked. Before Tyreek answered, another tall, well-dressed, handsome man walked up. This time it was Envy’s turn to be surprised as Leonard excused himself and went farther down the pew to sit next to her.
Envy looked at him, then she allowed her eyes to rove around the sanctuary.”
“Is that Leonard?” Kacie tugged on Envy’s blouse.
“Yes,” Envy answered through clenched teeth while her eyes followed Leonard as he sat down on the other side of her.
“Aren’t you going to speak?” Leonard asked.
“Hi,” she basically stammered. “Where
’s your lady?”
“Sitting next to me.” He reached over and squeezed her hand.
Envy didn’t resist. She felt all the years of reserve, of holding back, of being afraid to love, begin to thaw. No one had time to engage in conversation because Pastor Betts was in the pulpit.
Pastor Betts walked to the podium after Minister Cecil finished. “I know the choir has practiced what they’re singing today. All I can say is that we’re in for a treat. God is a good God. Oh yes, He is.”
Layla’s eyes locked with Tyreek’s, and a huge, huge look of surprise came over her face before she started smiling. He nodded. Layla inhaled and then stood up and walked to the mic. The choir director got in position. The musicians began to play “You’ve Been So Faithful” by Minister Eddie James. For the first time in three years, Layla truly understood the meaning of the gift God had blessed her with. She began to sing the song, until the spirit of the Lord rained down on her. “‘. . . Even though I’ve done wrong, You never left me alone,’” Layla sang, “‘but You forgave me, and You kept on blessing me.’”
At the sound of her voice, Tyreek began to stare with a look of disbelief. It was powerful and anointed. His eyebrows rose with obvious pleasure and he looked like he was showing all thirty-two teeth. People all over the sanctuary stood up, clapping, singing along and praising God.
Envy and Kacie joined in. Next Tyreek and Leonard stood up and started clapping.
The spirit of God was moving. Change was definitely in the air.
After church ended, the vestibule was crowded with people in line to purchase tapes of the sermon, fellowshipping with one another, and leaving out the sanctuary.
“Layla ought to be coming out the choir room by the time Kacie comes back from getting the kids,” Envy explained to Tyreek.
“Thanks,” he said.
“And you Mr. Stein, you were another surprise today. Uh, did I miss something? Was there a special news flash or breaking news that told you to come to church today?”
“I’ll do whatever it takes,” he told her. “And I have to give it up to your pastor; the brother can teach and preach. What about me and you going out for a bite to eat?”
“Umm, I don’t know,” Envy replied.
“Why don’t you know? I don’t believe it’s a tough decision. All you have to do is form the word, yes, let it come from your mouth and we’ll be off.” He looked directly in her eyes.
“Yes,” Envy answered. “Come on, let’s go. I’ll follow you.”
“I’ll follow you to your house and you drop your car off. We’ll go in mine – together.”
“Umph, I heard that. I’ll see you at my house in about fifteen minutes then.”
“Sounds good to me.” Leonard turned toward Tyreek. He had no idea that Tyreek had been one of Envy’s past lovers. “Hey, man. It was nice meeting you.”
“Same here, man,” Tyreek said. They gave each other dap.
“See ya, Tyreek. Layla should be here any−”
Layla walked up. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw you sitting out there with Kacie and Envy.”
“And I couldn’t believe you could blow like that either, woman,” Tyreek said and embraced her.
“You ain’t heard nothing yet,” Envy told him. “Layla, I’m out of here.”
“And who is this?” Layla asked looking at Leonard.
“Oh, I forgot you’ve never met Leonard. Leonard this is Layla. Now you’ve met the three musketeers.”
“Nice to meet you. Hey, he’s right,” Leonard said pointing to Tyreek. “You can sing, girl.”
“Thank you. And it’s nice to finally meet you. We’ve heard a lot about you. All good of course.”
“Oh, is that right? That’s good to know, especially since you say it was all good.” Leonard moved in closer to Envy and wrapped his hand around her waist.
Tyreek appeared to flinch but if Layla or Envy noticed, neither of them said anything.
“Layla, me and Leonard are going to get something to eat. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay. Y’all have a good time. Oh, has Kacie come out here yet?”
“No, she must be still getting the kids.”
“Or getting the kids and her man,” Layla teased.
“You’re probably right. Anyway, I’m outta here. I’ll talk to you later on. Bye.”
“Bye. And, Leonard, I hope this won’t be the last time you come to Cummings Street.”
“It won’t. Nice to meet you.”
“You too. Bye, y’all.”
“Look, I’m going to vamp. I just wanted to surprise you, that’s all,” Tyreek told Layla.
“Well, mission accomplished. Thank you for coming.”
“I had a good time. Felt like the good old days.”
“What are you getting ready to do now?”
“I’m meeting some friends and we’re going to watch the game. I’ll call you later, okay?”
“Sure,” Layla said, but sounded somewhat disappointed.
“What?” Tyreek asked.
“Nothing. I just thought we could spend some time together this afternoon.”
“Baby, I already had this planned. But we’ll get together, maybe later on tonight.” He kissed her on the cheek. “You going to wait on your friend?”
“Naw, I guess I’m going to go by my parents’ house and spend a little time with them.”
“Good,” Tyreek said and they started to move toward the exit and out of the vestibule. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
“Okay.”
~
Kacie gathered the kids and headed toward the vestibule. It had taken longer than usual for her to meet up with Layla and Envy, but Cecil had stopped her just as she was coming from the nursery.
“Hey, I’ll see you in about an hour,” he told her while playing around with the smaller kids.
“Sounds good. That’ll give us time to get home and changed. Pastor spoke a powerful message today, didn’t he?”
“Yes, he did and it was right on time too.”
“Did you happen to see two men sitting by me and Envy?”
“Yeah. You know ‘em?”
“Not really. I officially met them today. One of ‘em was Envy’s friend and the other one was Layla’s. Layla and Envy didn’t know they were coming. Envy’s friend has been here before.”
“Oh, that’s good. Maybe we’ll gain two more members. It’s always good to have men come and give God His due service.”
“Well, honey, I’m going to go and see if they’re still waiting on me in the vestibule, then I’m headed home. I’ll see you in a few.”
“Okay. Bye, kids,” he said.
Minister Cecil turned and walked back toward the sanctuary. He was stopped by one of his friends who was also on the ministerial staff.
“Man, you really are into Sister Kacie, aren’t you?”
“Yea, man. I’m crazy about that woman.”
“I just don’t see it. How can you deal with a woman who already has a ready-made basketball team?” he said sarcastically.
“What’s wrong with her?”
“Man, you know how many women in this church that’s after you? You’re a single man and you want to get caught up with a female with seven kids. And I don’t know if you know this or not, but I heard every one of them kids have different daddies. I don’t have to tell you what that means.” He looked at his friend like he’d just committed a serious crime.
“Terrence, I don’t like what you’re insinuating,” he responded as they entered the sanctuary. “Kacie is a great woman. And some of these women running around here, all they want is to snag themselves a man.”
“And you trying to say she’s not one of ‘em? Come on now, Cecil. Don’t fall for the okie doke, man. Sister Kacie, fine as she is, looking for someone to help with all of them little rugbrats.” Terrence laughed.
“Stop it, man. I won’t stand here and listen to you talk about her like that. That’s disrespectful, man. And you don�
�t know anything about her because if you did, you would see that she isn’t like all these other females running up in my face. We all have a past, man. You and I know that for sure. We’ve been friends for a long time and we weren’t always men of God. We still don’t always act like men of God. You know it and I know it.”
“I’m just saying, man. I was just trying to look out for you. I don’t want you going all crazy over here because of those kids. I know you love children, and I know your condition, man, but hey, I hope you go to God on this one, for real. That’s all I’m talking about. Be sure about what you’re doing and what you’re getting yourself into with a chick like that.”
“I have gone to God, on this one, as you put it. And what God spoke to me about a chick like that is between me and Him. So back off.”
Terrance raised both hands. “Cool, man. You happy – I’m happy.”
They gave each other dap.
“Come on, man; let’s finish up in here. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Cherise and I are going out to eat. You want to come along?”
“No, I have a dinner date already.” Cecil patted his friend on the back and smiled.
“I heard that. Look, man. I didn’t mean any harm. Sister Kacie does seem cool. I’m sorry I stepped to you like that. You’re a smart man, and I know you know what you’re doing. I just don’t want to see you get hurt; that’s all.”
“No problem, man. But believe me, I’m good. Real good.”
Maybe Terrance couldn’t understand the love he had developed toward Kacie. Maybe it would be difficult for people to see him with a woman that many labeled as loose. But Minister Cecil was glad that God looked beyond the faults of His children and saw their hearts.
Minister Cecil talked to Pastor Betts about his growing feelings toward Kacie during one of their private times together. Pastor Betts reminded him about the story of Hosea and Gomer.
After listening to Pastor Betts’ wise, Godly counsel, Minister Cecil was further convinced that Kacie was the woman for him. Maybe she was a Gomer in her own way. But the wonderful consolation he found in Kacie was that no matter who she was or what she’d done, God had prepared her just for him.
True Beauty Page 24
