by Pat Simmons
“You’ve been coming to church with Eva and me off and on for a few months, but you haven’t committed.” Kidd grunted. “I held out to the end too with God, but it’s not worth it. Save yourself some grief. Go all the way with God. If you’ve really repented, then you need to get those sins off your plate.
Silently, Kidd was praying that he would get through to his brother. “Jesus won’t clean you up without giving you the gifts to help you live a righteous and victorious life until He comes back. All you’ve been doing is chasing after a woman, instead of God.”
It was going to be a long ride to Boston. Ace was already hoping God was working in his favor, but God didn’t expect for him to just sit around and wait. He had to make things right.
After a twenty-two hour journey, Kidd rolled into the condo complex and parked next to their mother’s car. It was a family reunion, of sorts. The two brothers greeted their mom with hearty hugs and kisses. Sandra embraced them and returned their heartfelt feelings.
Ace hoped Talise would be there again, but she wasn’t. Still without her new phone number, he had to convince his mother to call on his behalf.
“Hey sweetie, how are you feeling?” Sandra paused for Talise’s response then continued with her task. “Well, Ace is here. Yes, again. He wants to know if he can stop by.” Sandra nodded and listened. “I understand. I agree.” Sandra hung up and turned to Ace. “She said ‘sure.’”
“Sure? You two had more than a ‘sure’ conversation.”
She walked up to her son and grabbed his arms. “I love you, Aaron. I always will, but I see myself in Talise. I also want a better life for her. I’m on her side. If you aren’t prepared to stay and make her happy, then walk away. Let her be loved by someone else.”
“Aaron Jamieson is back, and I’m playing to win.” Shaking his head, Ace made his statement with conviction. He grabbed some fresh clothes from his bag and headed off to shower and change.
“Didn’t we resolve this last weekend in St. Louis?” Talise asked Ace when she let him into her apartment. She couldn’t believe her ears when Sandra called her. “You’re wasting your time.”
“If I have to drive every weekend until I can fly here to make this right, I will, Tay.”
Glad that finally she could sit in her favorite living room chair again, Talise made herself comfortable and said, “Look, I’m twenty-eight weeks pregnant and it’s taken me this long to find peace. I had to really seek God to get to this point. You need Jesus too.”
“I know. That gives me twelve weeks before the baby comes.” Folding his arms, Ace leaned against the wall. “That minister man will never fit my shoes in loving you.”
“You’re right,” she agreed, shifting her body in the oversized chair. “Richard has a different shoe size. Listen, Ace, I promise there won’t be any baby mama drama, custody concerns, or problems about your name on the baby’s birth cer—”
“Don’t go there, Tay.” He clenched his fists and squeezed his lips shut.
She was having second thoughts about the baby’s last name. Maybe she shouldn’t have taunted him about omitting his name on the birth certificate. After attending family game night, she recognized the pride they all had in the Jamieson name. Yet Talise was undecided because, if she married Richard, she didn’t want her child to have a different last name from hers.
Talise still hadn’t given Minister Thomas an answer. Her lips wanted to say yes, but her heart was saying, hold up.
Ace sat on the sofa across from her and looked directly into her eyes. “I’m not bluffing, baby. If you marry another man, you’re going to have to buy every house on the block. Otherwise, I’ll move next door and, whether you like it or not, we’ll be joined at the hip. I’ll sue for joint custody and be around every day to bathe my child and read him bedtime stories. I’ll pray constantly for God to help make me a better father than the one I had.”
Ace stood and began to pace the floor. “God knows I’m putting in the effort, but I’m not making any headway.”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I love you, Tay, and I’m sorry I hurt and deserted you. That’s a guilt trip I’ve put on myself.” He paused and took a deep breath. “If I walk out that door, will you ever open it again for me?”
“It’s barely cracked now. Ace, I appreciate you paying my rent, but I didn’t ask you to. I want nothing from you. I’ve told you that.”
“But I want everything from you,” he said with all the passion in his heart. Ace then walked out the door and closed it softly behind him.
Talise didn’t move. She was numb. Grabbing a throw blanket, she wrapped herself in it and cried herself to sleep.
The next day at the salon, Priscilla picked up on Talise’s somber mood. “What’s the matter?”
Shrugging, Talise really didn’t want to talk about it.
“I’m a good listener,” she continued to coax.
“Ace is in town.”
“Again?”
“Yeah. He drove up with his brother this time …”
Just then, a hush around the salon made Talise turn around to see what was happening. Talk about timing. To her utter surprise, in all of God’s glorious creation, Ace stood with balloons tied to a vase of flowers and a boxed lunch like he used to bring her.
He walked up to her station without an invitation, politely spoke to her client, and then handed her his offering. When he noticed the flowers already on her counter, he picked up the vase, flowers and all, and dumped it in her wastebasket.
Stunned, Talise’s mouth dropped open. So did Priscilla’s.
“I thought you might be hungry. It’s your favorite,” Ace said without blinking.
As he turned to walk away, out of nowhere Priscilla whipped the belt out of her purse and popped Ace on his behind. He yelped and twirled around, rubbing his backside. “What’s your problem, lady?” He scowled.
“Blame it on Tammy.”
Chapter Fifty-Two
I’ve done all I can do,” Ace said in defeat to his brother and mother later Saturday night. All his fight had gone out of him when he left Talise’s apartment the day before and made one final attempt earlier at the salon.
They sat quietly in Sandra’s living room, waiting for Ace to explain.
“With my eyes, mouth, and heart, I’ve told Tay I’m sorry. I backed it up by paying her living expenses. Twice, I’ve practically driven across country to show her I’m serious about reconciling. I even started going to church and reading my Bible. Nothing has helped, not even God.”
Dropping his head, Ace closed his eyes. His mother had been right. Ace had gambled with her affections and lost.
“Son, we all know you love Talise, but that’s where you went wrong. Never go to the Lord for selfish reasons because you want something. You want her back, but what are you willing to give Him in exchange? Have you surrendered your heart to Him? You have to reach out to Jesus for Aaron.”
Ace didn’t respond right away; instead, he stared over their heads at nothing in particular. Apparently, he had been reading his Bible. The old Ace would never say, “Maybe that’s what God was telling me when I read the verse, ‘In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”’ Those powerful words had spoken to him, and he had decided on the spot to commit them to memory.
Then with a loud groan, he admitted, “I guess I was off track big time. But I sure thought God would see that I’ve changed my ways. My desire has been for Him to help me get Talise back. Was I wrong?”
Sandra interjected, “‘One thing I ask of the Lord is that I may dwell in the house of the Lord.”’ She paraphrased a portion of Psalm 27:4 and leaned forward. “Ace, your desire must be on a spiritual level for salvation, so you’ll be ready when Jesus returns.”
Now it was Kidd’s turn, as he offered some personal testimony. “Ace, when I first moved to St. Louis, God started dealing with me, but I wanted no part of Him. Eva was truly sent to me by God because she led me to Christ.”
> Sandra got up and stirred in the kitchen for a few minutes. She returned with three bottles of water and the brothers eagerly accepted theirs. With a solemn expression on her face, she retook her seat and shared Ace’s beloved’s testimony. “In Talise’s case, she was at her wit’s end. When she came to church, she was repenting before she even heard the sermon. She was ready at the altar call to get her sins washed away. God’s power has kept her ever since.”
Of course, Ace heard about that through the grapevine, but he thought her experience was keeping them apart.
“You may think Talise brought you to this lowest point in your life, but the truth is, God did. He’s got your attention, and He’s more forgiving than Talise. Focus on God.”
Nodding, Ace didn’t say anything. He was finally getting their point as he processed, digested, and then accepted his misguided attempts to play God’s hand. He was guilty of trying to manipulate God as though they were playing a shrewd card game. Clueless about what to do next, Ace sighed and rested his head on the back of the sofa. It was time to give it all up. Closing his eyes, he threw his arms in the air.
“Okay, where do I go from here?”
“Repent, bro. Recognize God for who He is—your Creator, Savior, and Deliverer. Pour out your heart to Him and, this time, leave Talise out of it. This is between you and God.”
“Son, I know you and Kidd are heading back to St. Louis tomorrow, but it’s nothing like washing away all your spiritual filth. And the Name of Jesus will cleanse you.”
That instant, Ace made a decision. Sitting up, he slapped his hands on his thighs. “Okay. I surrender. Kidd, I’ll pay for you to catch a plane in the morning. I’m going to be at church with Mom tomorrow.”
Tears streamed down Sandra’s face. Kidd pumped his fist in the air. Standing, his mother huddled her sons into a hug. While she cried out to God, praying and rejoicing, Ace repented for his irresponsible lifestyle, his selfish attitude, and his deep regrets.
“I’ll call Eva and give her the good news, and then I’ll have Cheney and Hali check on her until I get back. We’re brothers, Ace, we hang together, and I plan to be right there with you. And then we’ll drive back together, rejoicing.”
Once his mother composed herself and dried her tears, she prepared a snack and they talked some more before retiring to bed. Ace knew he needed to get some rest, but he couldn’t. He stayed up most of the night, devouring the Word.
Sunday morning, Ace was packed and dressed for church by the time Sandra got up.
“Aren’t you eager this morning.” She greeted him with a smile and a hug. Quickly, she teared-up again. “I think I must have praised God in my sleep all night long. He’s allowing me to witness both my sons turn their lives around. Hallelujah!”
Ace smiled. “I don’t know what’s going to happen between Tay and me, but I know I’ve tried. At the least, I’ll be able to tell my child that I gave it my best. I don’t blame Tay for not trusting me. A few days ago, I read the whole book of Ephesians. Last night, I think God led me back to Ephesians 6:13 and the words nearly jumped off the page. It says to stand after I’ve done all I can do.”
“As you read Scriptures, be careful not to take anything out of context. I believe the previous verse talks about standing against the spiritual forces of evil. Then verse thirteen tells us to put on the whole armor of God so that we can stand our ground,” she explained.
“I’m going to keep studying it, Mom, and even more. I promise you.”
A few hours later, Sandra was grinning from ear to ear, as Ace and Kidd escorted her up the steps to Faithful Church. Ace spied Minister Thomas in the distance.
“Talise and I usually sit together, but if you want to sit elsewhere …”
“I do. I don’t want any distractions.”
Once they were situated, Ace closed his eyes. He just wanted to absorb the power of God in the atmosphere. He needed it. In fact, if they skipped the preaching like Kidd said his church does at times when people want to repent of their sins, then Ace was ready.
When the praise team and choir were finally finished, Pastor Lane walked up to the podium. After a few preliminaries, he opened his Bible. “Please turn to the book of Hebrews, chapter 11. This morning, I want to focus on verse six.”
Ace and Kidd exchanged knowing nods.
“It says, ‘And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”’ When he finished reading, the pastor asked, “Do you hear that, church? God has a reward for anyone who seeks Him. There are a number of ways to describe how a man must seek the Lord; that is faithfully, sincerely, unconditionally, seriously, lovingly … and on and on, searching for God.”
Pastor Lane removed his reading glasses. “Once you find Him, it pays to trust Jesus. He will not fail you.”
Perhaps it was because Ace was listening with a whole new attitude, but Pastor Lane preached from Scripture in a way that was extremely convincing to Ace and, amazingly, he understood the message.
Soon, the pastor began to close out his sermon. “Remember, there are two purposes why Jesus hung on that cross: first, to save us from ourselves—sin will do us in. And second, to come back and redeem those whom He has saved. When you get tired of looking, you’ll realize there’s nothing this valuable and free today. You don’t have to live in your sins and be tormented … You don’t have to wait. No appointment is necessary. Repent where you’re standing and then step out and come to the altar.”
Ace turned to Kidd and gripped his hand in a shake and hug. Taking a deep breath, he began the walk that he hoped would change his life. Ministers were waiting in front of the pulpit. One met him halfway and asked what Ace wanted from God.
“I want to be saved,” Ace said with determination.
The minister anointed his forehead and then began to pray. Another minister came up beside them to assist. It was Minister Thomas. Once they were face-to-face, Minister Thomas winced when he recognized Ace and then dutifully prayed for him. Ace refused to look at the man as his nemesis. He banished those thoughts and concentrated on giving his life to the Lord.
Too soon, Kidd nudged him. “God manifested Himself in a mighty way, but we’d better head out, so we can make a dent in driving before dark.”
He nodded. This was the moment he missed flying the most. Ace truly wasn’t ready to leave church yet. Reluctantly, he followed his family out of the prayer room.
Ace had to keep himself from stumbling when he saw Talise and Minister Thomas talking at the other end of the hall.
What now, God? He thought. I’ve used all my options. I’m in Your hands now.
Surprisingly, they walked toward him. Talise wrapped her arms around Ace and hugged him. Her affection felt so good.
“Congratulations, Ace! I’m so happy you surrendered. Your life will surely change …” she encouraged him.
He nodded in agreement. “Beginning now,” he said before turning to Minister Thomas. Secure in his standing, Ace told him, “We’re on a level playing field. You can’t beat me to heaven and I can’t beat you. I’m asking you to step aside so I can try and salvage my relationship with the woman I love, the mother of my child.”
Ace wanted to add that it wasn’t a request, but he held his tongue. With his Nicodemus moment and Damascus he just experienced with God, he didn’t want a blemish on his clean garment.
Ace didn’t waste another second. Getting on one knee, he reached for Talise’s hand and placed his other hand on her stomach. He smiled as the baby moved.
“Talise Shanté Rogers, I love you with all my heart. I’m an imperfect man made perfect by God. And I’m thrilled to say He has perfected my love for you. I’m asking you to marry me. The worst is over and the best is yet to come.”
His eyes misted as Talise sniffed. Reaching down to touch his face, she answered, “Yes!”
Epilogue
Ace purchased his airline ticket to Boston th
e day his name was removed from the “no-fly” list.
Since Talise was in her last trimester, her obstetrician recommended that she should not fly. Finally, he had her new cell number. They talked throughout the day and Skyped in between his visits. Ace even convinced her to set up a Facebook account.
On a snowy December evening in Boston, Ace and Talise became husband and wife in Pastor Lane’s office. Upon Talise’s insistence, their formal wedding wouldn’t take place until after the baby was born and Sinclaire returned from her tour of duty—against Ace’s protest.
Three weeks later in January, during a Boston blizzard, they barely made it to the hospital in time for Lauren Chaz Jamieson to make her entrance into the world. Lauren and Eva’s daughter, Kennedy Solae, became the twelfth generation descendants of Orma Jamieson, the last son of Prince Paki Jaja of Africa.
The rest, as the Jamiesons would say, is history.
BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS
1. Discuss Ace’s “responsibility is optional” mentality when it came to learning that Talise might be pregnant.
2. Discuss Talise’s initial decision not to put the Jamieson name on her baby’s birth certificate. Is it justified if the father doesn’t want to claim responsibility?
3. Discuss Sandra’s role in Talise’s life. Were you for her relationship and interactions with Talise as a friend? (I would really love to hear your answers on this one).
4. Do you feel that the Jamieson family had the right to go behind Ace’s back and develop a relationship with the mother of Ace’s child?
5. Ace didn’t understand why God hadn’t acted until his mom and brother explained that he had to go to God in the right spirit, not wanting something. Discuss your opinion on this.
6. What is your opinion of Minister Thomas? Should he have stepped aside as Ace requested, or should he have fought for Talise?
