Faking Reality

by Zaria Garrison

  “JJ, stop teasing your sister, and Priscilla, you know better than to call Teresa fat. I need to hear apologies from both of you,” Jimmy replied.

  “Sorry,” they both mumbled.

  Priscilla grabbed a chicken drumstick from the serving platter and sat down at the table. “I can hardly wait until the show premieres. That’s all people were talking about at the mall. There were publicity posters all over the place.”

  “Oh yeah, and I heard there might be some celebrities at the party tonight,” JJ added.

  “Really? Like who?” Yolanda asked eagerly.

  “Sharmaine Cleveland is a definite because she’s a member of our church. I also heard that we might see BeBe and CeCe Winans, Jill Scott, and maybe even Tyler Perry.”

  Yolanda’s eyes grew wider with excitement. “Oh my goodness, I would love to meet Tyler Perry and be in one of his movies.”

  “Dad, aren’t you excited too?” Priscilla asked.

  “Sure, honey,” Jimmy answered halfheartedly.

  “I’m gonna finish this chicken in my room. I need to get dressed,” Priscilla said as she stood up from the table.

  “Wait, I need you to retwist my locks. I want to look good tonight,” JJ said.

  “Why do you always wait until the last minute? Come on,” she answered.

  Jimmy sat quietly at the table while the children rushed out; then he began helping Yolanda clear the dishes.

  “Honey, you don’t have to do that. I laid your tuxedo out on the bed. Go ahead and start getting dressed. I’ll be up in a minute.”

  Jimmy left the dishes on the counter, but instead of going upstairs, he sat down at the table again. “Yolanda, I have a bad feeling about this. Something in my spirit is telling me that we should not go to this premiere tonight.”

  Yolanda spun around and stared at him. “Are you serious?”

  He slowly nodded his head. “God has been nudging me ever since we signed those contracts. I don’t quite know what it is, but I just can’t shake this feeling.”

  Yolanda walked over to the table and sat down with him. She sighed loudly. “Jimmy, I know being on TV is not important to you, but please don’t spoil this night for me. I’ve been looking forward to it for too long.”

  “I’m not trying to spoil it. Besides, it’s only been a month of filming. You haven’t been looking forward to it for that long.”

  “I’ve dreamed of being on television or in movies since I was five years old. Tonight, we are going to walk the red carpet and rub elbows with Atlanta’s elite. There will be photographers and reporters all vying for a chance to see us. This could be my big break.”

  “Your big break? I thought you gave up on being a movie star years ago. I thought you were happy being a wife and mother.”

  “I am happy. You know that I love you and the children. This is different.”

  Jimmy leaned back in his chair. “How is it different? For ten years you’ve led me to believe that those were just childhood fantasies. Now I find out that all along you’ve been waiting for your ‘big break.’”

  Yolanda stood up and began pacing around the kitchen. “I gave it all up. I stopped going to auditions and looking for parts in movies. I gave it all up the day I became your wife and mother to your children.”

  “My children?” Jimmy pointed at himself. “I thought they were our children?”

  “They are. You know I love them both as if I’d carried them myself. I didn’t mean it like that. All I’m saying is that when I fell in love with you I gave up that dream. Now, God has given me a second chance. I now have the unique opportunity to be both. I never thought that I could.”

  Jimmy stood up and walked over to her. He stepped in her path to stop her frantic pacing. “Listen to me. I’m not trying to crush your dreams. I’m just concerned for our family.”

  “Our family will always be my first priority. You should know that.”

  He nodded his head. “You’re right. Tell you what, I’ll finish up in here, and you start getting dressed. You know it takes you women longer to dress than us men,” he teased.

  Yolanda stood on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss. “Thank you for understanding.”

  He smiled when she said it, but Jimmy truly did not understand. He had dreams once too. While he attended college he’d played All-Conference Baseball and dreamed of one day pitching for the Atlanta Braves. When he’d received the call into ministry he fought it. All he wanted to do was play baseball, not preach God’s Word.

  Then one morning as he was taking his usual morning jog around campus, he noticed a stray dog running in his direction. He tried to swerve to avoid it, but instead, he tripped over the dog and landed on the ground, injuring his pitching arm.

  He lay in his hospital bed that night and said an anguish-filled prayer, “Okay, God, you have my attention. You wanted me to preach, so you fixed it so that I can never play baseball again. Fine. I get it. I’ll preach if that’s what you want me to do.”

  Over the next several months as he recuperated he began to listen to God’s call and study the Word. Jimmy enrolled in seminary classes and resigned himself to live the life that God had chosen for him. The following spring, he went in for a follow-up visit with his doctor.

  “Your arm looks great,” the doctor had said.

  “Yeah, it feels a lot better too. I don’t wake up at night with that throbbing sensation anymore.”

  “That’s because the muscle tissue has completely healed. It may take awhile, but with some physical therapy and hard work, you should be pitching again in no time.”

  Jimmy stared at the doctor. “Are you kidding me? I gave up baseball completely. I’m studying to be a minister now.”

  “Really? I had no idea. Well, your arm is fine. Maybe you can preach sermons from the mound like Jesus did on the mount.” The doctor laughed lightly at his own bad joke, but Jimmy did not join in.

  That night in his dorm room, Jimmy had a peculiar dream. All through the night he prayed and wrestled with God. Surprisingly, he awoke the next morning feeling fresh and renewed. Then finally he made his decision. Being a minister was his calling, and he no longer cared about being a baseball star. His relationship with God was all that mattered. Jimmy knew then that God had given him a choice so that he could serve Him fully, and not because his other choices were taken away.

  When he’d married Yolanda, he believed she’d made the same choice. He believed that she had married him because she loved him and knew that being his wife was the right choice. Now he wondered if she chose him only because she felt her movie career was impossible. The same as he’d originally chosen God only because he thought being a baseball star wasn’t possible.

  Jimmy placed the last dish in the dishwasher and started the machine. As he climbed the stairs, a feeling of foreboding filled his entire spirit. Stopping on the stairs, he prayed. “Lord what are you trying to tell me?” He paused and waited. “Father, is my wife unhappy with our marriage?” Again he paused and waited.

  Yolanda stepped out of their bedroom and yelled to him as he stood lost in prayer on the stairway. “Jimmy, hurry up. I’m almost dressed.”

  Jimmy suddenly looked up at her. “I’m coming.”

  Later that evening, they stood arm in arm with their children on either side of them as the paparazzi’s flashbulbs went off. Then the four of them walked the red carpet and entered the hotel. Jimmy only wanted to find their seats and wait for the screening to begin, but Yolanda insisted on mingling in the crowd and searching for celebrities. Priscilla thought she spotted Spike Lee on the other side of the room, and she, JJ, and Yolanda rushed over to investigate, leaving Jimmy all alone. This was the part Jimmy hated the most, but Yolanda reveled in the attention.

  “Bishop Snow?”

  Jimmy turned around as he heard his name. “Um, hello,” he said. Jimmy took the woman’s outstretched hand into his. He stared at her with a perplexed look on his face.

  “I’m Charlene Morton. We met at the photogra
pher’s studio last week when Zack was there doing his publicity photos.”

  Jimmy smiled broadly, “Oh, yes, I remember. Where is your husband? He isn’t going to miss the premiere, is he?”

  “No. He left something in the car, so he went back for it. How have you been?”

  “Fine, just fine.”

  Charlene looked him up and down. “No offense, Bishop, but you don’t look fine. Frankly you look a little uptight and out of place. Is everything all right?”

  “I’m just not real comfortable in this type of crowd.” He laughed nervously.

  “I’m not either. Being on television was Zack’s idea. I’m just glad that the wives only get a few minutes of screen time. I’d hate it if the focus was on me.” Charlene closed her eyes and suddenly winced with pain.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. I’ve been having false labor pains all day.”

  Jimmy took her lightly by the arm and steered her toward a chair. He lowered her into the seat, then sat down beside her. “Are you sure they are false? When are you due?”

  Before she could answer, Zack suddenly appeared standing over them. “Charlene, what’s going on?” he asked.

  “Nothing. I just had another pain, and Bishop Snow helped me sit down.”

  Standing up, Jimmy extended his hand to Zack Morton, but he did not take it. “I was just asking your wife about her due date. Maybe these are not false contractions.”

  Zack sneered up his nose as Jimmy’s cologne found its way into his nostrils. “I’m sorry, I thought your doctorate was in religion, not medicine,” he answered.

  “It is, but I have two children and I just thought—”

  “So do I, Bishop. My wife and I have this under control, thanks so much for your concern.” Zack turned to his wife. “Let’s go find our seats. The viewing will be starting soon.”

  Charlene smiled and politely said good-bye to Jimmy, then followed her husband to their seats. “What was that all about? You were rude to him,” she said.

  Zack stretched his long legs trying to get comfortable in his seat. “That was nothing, Charlene. The producers asked that I create a little tension between cast mates. It makes for good ratings. I’ll call him tomorrow and explain. It’s not personal, just business.”

  After his encounter with the Mortons, Jimmy decided it was time to find Yolanda and the kids and go to their seats. The room was huge and people were everywhere, but finally he located them. They were chatting with a young up-and-coming actor that they’d seen featured in a movie the previous year. JJ was excited that the actor, James J. Johnson, also shared his nickname. Jimmy waited patiently while he signed autographs and posed for photos with them before walking over and extending his hand to James. “I’m Bishop Jimmy Snow. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Johnson. My entire family enjoyed Too Saved.”

  “Thank you. I really appreciate that. I’m a preacher’s kid, so I’m looking forward to the show.”

  Jimmy flashed his big smile. “So are we. That’s why I came to get my family so that we could find our seats.”

  “It was a pleasure meeting all of you,” James answered as he waved good-bye.

  The viewing lasted only an hour, as the premiere was for only the first episode. The crowd cheered, laughed, applauded, and everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time. For the first time since he’d agreed to do the show, Jimmy felt a sense of pride in what he’d done. His scenes involved him visiting one of his parishioners in jail. It was very dramatic as the cameras followed him through check-in, and the microphones amplified the sounds of the gates locking behind him. Jimmy felt it showcased the prison ministry he felt so steadfast about. When it was over, the entire room stood and gave the show a standing ovation.

  When they returned home, Priscilla and JJ rushed to their rooms, anxious to post the photographs they had taken on to Facebook. Jimmy made sure the house was locked and secure before joining Yolanda in their bedroom. Surprised, he found her angrily snatching her earrings and necklace off and throwing them on the dresser.

  “Honey, what’s wrong?”

  Without answering, she walked into their bathroom and slammed the door. Several moments later she emerged, wearing her slip with her dress balled up in her hands. She tossed it on the floor and sat down at her vanity to remove her makeup. He watched her roughly applying cold cream to her face. Jimmy walked over and placed his hand on her shoulders. Gently he began to massage them. “Talk to me, Yolanda. What’s going on?”

  Angrily, she spun her vanity chair around and looked at him. “Forty-five seconds, that’s what’s wrong. I was on screen for no more than forty-five seconds. All those hours of camera time and that’s all I got.”

  Jimmy suddenly realized that she was correct. The cameras went back and forth between the four ministers’ lives, and his segment was primarily spent at the prison. Yolanda and the children had only been featured very briefly. Silently, he struggled for the right words to say to comfort her. “Honey, it was just the first show. Mrs. Morton and Mrs. Kitts were only shown briefly as well.”

  “I don’t care about them. You didn’t even want to do the show. I did, and you’re the one who’s becoming a star. Didn’t you hear the crowd applauding? They loved you, Jimmy. They barely even noticed me.” Yolanda turned her back to him as tears began to rush down her cheeks.

  The feeling of foreboding returned to Jimmy’s spirit, and he wondered if being a star was more important to Yolanda than he was. Throughout their marriage there had never been any form of competition. He preached the Word, and she worked diligently in her ministries. They each had separate roles. Now suddenly, she was upset that he was garnering more attention. Quietly, he sat down on the bed. “Yolanda, come sit with me.” When she didn’t move he asked her again. “Please, just come here.”

  Finally she got up and walked over to where he sat. Still crying, she lay her tearstained face on his shoulder. He was torn apart watching her pain. “Listen, I’ll talk to the producer tomorrow and see if I can do something about this.”

  Suddenly she perked up. “What do you mean?”

  “I’ll call Anderson. No. I’ll call his boss, the guy who owns the network. I don’t remember his name, but I have his business card. I’ll call him tomorrow and tell him that either you are featured more prominently or we won’t do the show.”

  “Jimmy, do you mean it?” she said, suddenly looking at him and smiling.

  “Of course I mean it. I don’t care about this show, but it’s important to you, and I want you to be happy. I’ll give him a call in the morning.”

  As promised, as soon as he entered his church office the next morning, Jimmy dug in his desk for Julian’s business card, then dialed the number. Patiently he waited until Julian’s secretary connected him.

  “Mr. Washington, this is Bishop Jimmy Snow. I need to talk with you about last night’s show premiere.”

  “I thought that it was a fabulous party. Is there a problem?” Julian asked.

  “No. Not really. Well, it’s my wife.”

  Julian’s ears perked up. “What about her?”

  “I’d rather not go into over the phone. Can you meet me at my office for lunch at the church later this week?

  “I’d be glad to,” Julian answered. There was nothing he wanted to do more than to meet with Bishop Snow and discuss his wife.

  Jimmy smiled broadly. “Great, I’ll have my secretary call you back in a few days to confirm.”

  Chapter Eight

  Danita sat in her living room lounging on the sofa and sipping on a diet soda. Leisurely she picked up the Atlanta Journal Constitution and perused the pages. Her phone had been ringing almost nonstop since the premiere event the night before, so she was certain there would be good reviews in the paper. Gleefully, she read the glowing reports. When she was done with the paper she opened her laptop to check the online blogs. One columnist called her gorgeous and captivating. Another spoke of her sincerity and obvious humility. There was
only one who dared mention her having been on trial for murder, but they did so only to state that they now believed Danita was innocent.

  Fantasia’s “Even Angels” began to play as Danita’s ringtone. Closing her laptop, she picked up her pink BlackBerry phone. “Hello.”

  “Hi, Danita, this is Tia Kitts. How are you?”

  “Um . . . fine,” Danita said. She tried her best not to sound surprised.

  “That’s great. Listen, I was wondering if you’d like to have lunch with me and a friend today.”

  Danita was flabbergasted by the invitation. She knew that Tia was the wife of Brandon Kitts, as they’d met at the premiere. But they had barely said five words to each another, and she wondered what was behind the sudden lunch invitation. “Wow. I have to admit I’m surprised that you would invite me to lunch.”

  “Yes, I know, but Anderson feels that there needs to be some interaction between the cast of the show. So we both felt it would be great if you and I had lunch together. The cameras will catch all of it. What do you think?”

  “Sure. Where would you like to meet?” Danita was willing to do anything that would garner her more camera time.

  “How about Vonnie’s Soul Food. I’m in the mood for some ribs and mac and cheese. Is one o’clock good for you?”

  “Great.” Danita hung up the phone and hurried upstairs to get dressed.

  When she arrived at the restaurant Tia was nowhere in sight. Danita asked the waitress to seat her in an area where they were sure to be seen by most of the restaurant’s other patrons. The waitress took her drink order and had just returned with it when Tia and Quincy finally entered the restaurant.

  “Quincy, it’s been ages,” Danita said, as she stood up to greet him.

  Quincy had redecorated Danita’s home right after her murder trial. It was his idea to put purple drapes with pink and white accents in her living room. He’d also boldly suggested that she put a chandelier in her master bathroom, as well as designing the mural on her daughter’s bedroom walls. Danita thought it all looked fabulous.