by Pat Simmons
Kami swallowed. The message wasn’t new, but she had forgotten that the devil would use anyone. Children younger than Paden who wasn’t a teenager yet were committing crimes. She exhaled.
“Their entertainment is to see you fall and become too weak to get up.” He bowed and shook his head, then put the microphone back to his mouth and yelled, “But Jesus—” He held on to God’s name like the hymn of a song— “came along. He’s on the hunt for His lost sheep to carry them to safety. Don’t let the devil back you into a corner and hold you mentally, spiritually, and physically captive.” He lowered his voice. “Guess what? You’re free today. The peer pressure from the devil is gone.”
Philip raised a hand in worship, and God’s heavenly language flowed from his mouth. Kami shivered as she felt the movement of the Holy Ghost sweeping through the crowd, unlocking cages and releasing captives from their torment. When Jesus touched her, shackles seemed to fall from her shoulders. Her mind was no longer jumbled but clear. Tango was no longer important, and the sharp taunts from the girls at school seemed dull to her senses. She felt dampness on her cheeks, but she couldn’t tend to them. A cool wind seemed to fan just her, causing Kami to release every emotion she had been struggling with for months.
She began to boo-hoo, admitting she wanted to fit in at school and with a boyfriend. She wanted to fit in by usurping her independence with her parents. The truth was she missed going to church and hadn’t realized the void until that very moment. Kami missed her family too. She wanted to hug her dad and never let him go—ever. She missed cooking with her mom, trying new recipes then making the men in the house be taste testers. She grinned at the memories of one-on-one time with her mom.
Weeping only endures for a night, but My joy comes in the morning, God whispered Psalm 30:5.
“What’s wrong?” Queen whispered more than once and wrapped her arms around Kami’s shoulders. “Are you okay?”
Kami couldn’t verbally answer, but her spirit knew she wasn’t okay. Her recent behavior and decisions were the culprits. But God promised to give her joy.
“You came today expecting something,” he told the audience. “The angels are ready to rejoice over one soul repenting. Why not let it be you today? This is your special invitation to come...”
One by one, people stood—men, women, and children. Some appeared homeless while others were dressed fashionably. A line swelled to meet with Philip for counsel, prayer, or to be baptized after repenting. Kami found herself joining them in the aisle and dragging her aunt with her—or maybe Queen was trying to stop her. Yet, God had the stronger hand, and nothing was going to hold her back. The two inched to the front together.
Finally, standing face-to-face with her uncle, his eyes sparkled, and she collapsed in his arms sobbing. He held her and let her cry, rocking her side to side. She didn’t know how many were behind her, but he didn’t rush her. Through her teary eyes, she saw his concern.
“I’m sorry, Uncle Philip. I’ve said hurtful things to my parents and...”
“Shh. Have you confessed your faults to Jesus?”
She nodded, followed by a hiccup as she tried to suck in more air to compose herself.
“Then I will pray that you forgive yourself because He already has.” A helper nearby handed him a bottle of holy oil. He dabbed some on her forehead and prayed.
“Lord, in the name of Jesus, I ask that You protect my special niece and all Your young people. You said in the last days, You will pour out Your Spirit upon all flesh, and young people will prophesy and see vision. Lord, raise an army of youths who will not cave in to depression, suicide, sexual immorality, peer pressure, and the sins of this world. Please track them with Your spiritual GPS, pick them up, and restore them so they will see visions and prophesy to the world of Your soon coming. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Once he finished, he kissed her forehead and directed her to an empty chair on the front row. “Wait until I finish God’s work.”
“Okay,” she said with a hoarse throat.
Next, Queen stood before him. Kami overheard him ask if she wanted prayer. Her heart leaped when her aunt nodded. He took both her hands in his and prayed silently. It was short, and afterward, she hurried to join her. Seemingly dazed, Queen shivered and blinked. Turning to Kami, she looked concerned. “Are you, okay? What was that all about?”
“It’s been a tug-of-war between my soul and flesh. My soul cried out for help tonight, overpowering my flesh. I had to surrender to His supreme power. I’d forgotten how much I missed being on one accord in God’s presence,” she confessed, ashamed of her thoughts to exclude the Lord Jesus from her life. “Can we wait?”
Queen glanced over her shoulder, then gnawed some lipstick off. “I’m sure he’ll be tired. It’s a long line.”
As if he overheard them, Philip stepped away from a young man. “I won’t. I want to visit with my favorite niece and her aunt. Please.”
Kami formed praying hands. Queen rolled her eyes. “Okay. Looks like I’m outnumbered anyway.”
He winked at Kami, then returned to the prayer line. While she waited, she shut out everything around her and poured out her heart to Jesus Christ, asking for faith over the fear of what others might say or what they thought of her. If the next boyfriend didn’t treat her with respect like her uncle or the Jamieson men did to their wives, she would keep walking with a strut like Queen.
“Well, ladies. I’m glad to see you both.”
How long had they sat there? Kami jumped up and hugged her uncle so tight, he laughed, then he pulled her away and studied her. “You’re growing up on me. Where did my little Kami go?” He tweaked her nose.
“I’m still here.” She patted her heart.
“Good.” He turned to her aunt. “Queen, so good to see you again.”
He reached to shake her hand. Kami thought it odd. She was family; he was family. Why didn’t they hug like family?
“Uncle Philip, stay with us. Queen has room.” She looked to her aunt for confirmation. Normally, she would concur, but she seemed hesitant.
He lifted a brow. “Queen, not Auntie?”
“Yes.” Kami bowed her head before meeting his eyes again. “She said since I’m almost grown, I don’t have to call her Aunt anymore.”
Philip gave her a side eye. “Really? I expect you to always call me Uncle.”
“Deal.” She beamed in the presence of her favorite aunt and uncle. “So is it okay, Queen, if Uncle Philip stays with us?” He looked exhausted, either from the heat or preaching. Maybe, both.
“Thank you for the offer, but the organizations always take care of my transportation and lodging.” Grumbling echoed from his stomach. “Would you two like to join me for a late snack?”
“Yes.” Kami answered for herself and aunt.
“Great. I have a rental car. I’m staying at the Fairfield Inn downtown. Meet me in the lobby in about twenty minutes. I want to shower first.”
Kami nodded and kissed his cheek. “Come on, Queen.” She was hyped. Seeing her uncle and being set free from some unseen spiritual bondage made her recall the Lord telling her to fight. Fight, Kami, fight. She smiled, then her aunt carved an opening into her thoughts.
“I’m still trying to comprehend this sudden change. You’re like a different person. Almost like...” She paused. “Like you had escaped from a place, as if I was holding you hostage.”
“Not you.” She hugged her, then looked at her. “It was a spiritual warfare over my mind. The devil was tempting me with all the freedom I could gain, but God reminded me I was already free through Him.” She chuckled. “I was being tempted...”
“This whole spiritual realm is over my head—always has been when your uncles and dad discuss it.” Queen waved her hand over her hair.
“My emotions about Tango have been tormenting me.” Kami bowed her head, then confessed, “Since I didn’t want to be caught using the phone you bought me, I called him from the salon.”
Queen stepped back and
rested a hand on her hip. “While I’m not surprised—love can make you do crazy things—I’m disappointed that you would do something I asked you not to do.”
“I’m sorry, and for the record, it wasn’t worth the risk to call him. He never treated me like I mattered the couple of times I called him. I want a boyfriend like my daddy or a boyfriend who looks at me like Uncle Philip looks at you.”
“Huh? Me?” Queen blinked rapidly as shock registered on her face. She was speechless. Kami laughed as they were escorted to the car by one of the ministers Philip assigned to them for their safety.
The Fairfield Inn and Suites wasn’t far from where the tent meeting was held. Getting into the car, Queen seemed in no rush as they cruised through downtown. “So you caught your preacher uncle checking me out?” The awe expression on her face was amusing. Why did she seem shocked? Men gawked at her all the time, not her uncle who gave her a warm smile similar to what he gave Kami.
“Umm-hmm.” Kami nodded. Was Queen blushing?
They parked close to the front entrance and hurried inside the lobby to wait. When Philip reappeared, gone was the sweaty worn-out minister from earlier. He had transformed himself into a handsome prince, dressed in his white collared shirt and slacks. Kami wondered if her aunt thought he was handsome too. Queen never seemed fazed about good-looking men’s attraction to her, but Philip wasn’t a lustful man. He’s my uncle, she thought.
Kami stood smiling, Tango was nothing like her dad or uncles. She was seeing that now. She was also watching the way Uncle Philip was looking at Aunt Queen again. Hmmm. “You look handsome.”
“Thank you, Princess.”
Did he blush too? Her uncle? Kami didn’t know men did that.
“The woman at the desk says the food at Caz’s Chowhouse is good,” Philip suggested.
“I’ll drive,” Queen offered.
He glanced at her aunt’s feet, or maybe he was checking out her legs—nah, not her uncle. “It’s close. If your feet can take it in the heels, we can walk.”
“Hmph.” Queen jutted her chin. “I’ll have you know I was in heels before I rode my tricycle.” When he couldn’t withhold his laugh, she released hers.
“Come on, my Queen and princess.” He opened the door for them. At the restaurant, Kami thought the atmosphere was definitely more than for casual dining. Now, she was the one who was underdressed with her simple top, skirt, and sandals.
She sat next to her uncle when they were shown to their seats. After placing their orders, Kami excused herself for the bathroom. On the way back to the table, she paused in her steps when she overheard them talking about her.
“You gave Kami the okay to drop the endearment to call you Queen?”
Her aunt shrugged. “She’s not a little girl anymore, and I won’t treat her as such.”
Kami grinned behind the wall. Yes. Her aunt understood her.
“The endearment is a sign of her love and respect for you that will never fade with age. I’m thirty-nine years old and still call my mother Mom or Momma.”
He’s the same age as Queen, Kami noted.
Her aunt didn’t sound convinced. “She still respects me as an adult as she did as a child.” She paused. “News flash, Philip Dupree—or should I call you pastor or preacher first? Little princesses grow up to be queens.”
“I’m not a pastor yet, but you can always call me Philip.”
“Hmm, no endearment?” Queen seemed to challenge him. Plus, Kami heard the amusement in her aunt’s voice.
“Unless you find one more to your liking.” His voice was deeper. “All I’m saying is that I want my niece to grow up graciously and gracefully like her aunt.”
Was he flirting? Kami withheld her giggles. God, can you send me a man like my daddy and uncles?
Will you be ready? A virtuous woman worthy of a man after My own heart. God whispered Psalm 31:10.
“I’m all for self-preservation, Philip, but the truth is she’s going to fall in love a few times before she knows who’s the right one for her. She needs good advice to help her navigate through heartaches.”
“Are you speaking from experience, Queen Jamieson?”
Her aunt never bit her tongue when it came to speaking her mind, but when she seemed uncomfortable in replying, Kami became concerned and made her presence known. She changed seats to be close to Queen, wondering if something was wrong.
“Hey.” Philip feigned a snarl, then winked. “Traitor.”
The waiter brought their food, which was a salad for Queen. Kami ordered a burger and fries while her uncle requested a steak dinner.
“Are you going to answer my question?”
“Not today, Evangelist Dupree,” Queen teased.
He smirked and leaned across the table. “One day, Miss Jamieson, I look forward to hearing your answer.”
He sat back and faced Kami. “So are you enjoying your summer so far?”
Kami nodded and gave him a recap of her job and the parties she’d attended with her aunt.
Philip frowned. “What about church?”
She bowed her head in shame before meeting his eyes again. “We haven’t gone.”
The fire he shot Queen made Kami shiver. He didn’t try to hide his disappointment.
“Queen,” he said, reaching across the table and taking her hand. His eyes sparkled where minutes earlier, they were on fire. “Do you mind carving out a few hours a week for Christ?”
“We’ll do better, Uncle Philip,” Kami answered quickly, then changed the subject to what cities and countries he had visited recently holding revivals.
Queen didn’t add to the conversation, but she listened.
Once they finished eating, Philip paid their tab. Their goodbyes included Philip embracing Queen in a short hug. Kami snickered. What was going on between them she didn’t see?
On the way back to Gilcease Hills, Queen casually asked, “Have you met any of your uncle’s girlfriends?”
“Nope.” Kami shook her head.
“I wonder what’s keeping him from snagging the right one.”
“Maybe he hasn’t seen a car he wants to buy yet,” Kami mocked, bursting out laughing.
“Don’t you ever repeat that to him,” Queen jokingly scolded. “That was girl talk.”
The next night, Philip preached to an even larger crowd about the Christian requirements to see God—peace and holiness. “It’s right in your Bible. Read Hebrews 12:14–29.”
Saturday night, Queen invited him for a home-cooked meal. Philip accepted.
After complimenting her culinary skills, he rested his fork and shared some exciting news. “When you return to St. Louis, I’ll be there.”
Kami almost choked. “For real?”
“Yes.” He grinned. “I’ve been asked to pastor a church there. God said, ‘go,’ and I said, yes, Lord.”
“You make that sound so easy to say yes to God,” Queen mumbled.
This was big news and one more reason why Kami couldn’t wait to go home. “Queen, you should live in St. Louis too. My uncles can help you move, including Uncle Philip. He likes you,” she said after her uncle left.
She waited for her aunt to say she liked him too. Queen didn’t, so Kami kissed her good night. As she padded away down the hall, an idea came to Kami. Uncle Philip was a prince, and he needed a Queen.
Chapter Fourteen
This was Kami’s final night in Tulsa, and she had never seen her aunt cry. Maybe conceal a sniff or two during a romantic or sad movie, but Queen’s bawling was heart-wrenching. If only Kami could kiss and make it better like she did to her little cousins.
Earlier, Queen had taken her out to celebrate. Now, Kami was packing to return home. She had more stuff, so she borrowed one of her aunt’s suitcases.
“Keep it. I have plenty of luggage. I wish you could’ve stayed another week.” Queen faked a pout.
“Can’t. Pace is leaving for Tuskegee next week. I want to spend a few days with him before he goes.” Past regrets had c
ost her time she couldn’t get back with her brother. That saddened her because despite their arguments and teasing, she respected Pace, even if he was overbearing, opinionated, and always ate the last of the snacks in the house.
“I’m going to miss you. I’ve had so much fun with you this summer.” Queen sniffed, dabbed her eyes, and blew her nose.
She had never seen her aunt looking so disheveled. Even at bedtime, she wore silk pajamas, which usually matched the wrap she used to tie up hair, saying, “You never know if there will be an emergency, and I have to get out quickly. I have to look my best, even at my worst.” Queen had batted her eyes.
“Aunt Queen,” Kami said, reverting to her endearment, “think real hard about moving to St. Louis. My dad will find you a job like he did for Uncle Kidd.”
Parke had set up Kidd with several job opportunities. Out of spite, Kidd had quit all of them except one because he didn’t like handouts, as he called them, then God stepped in—and so did Eva—and changed him.
“So, what about school and Tango?” Queen’s sober mood vanished as her concern grew evident.
“I’ve been praying about that. I don’t want to transfer in my senior year, but God doesn’t want me to be afraid either. I’ve been reading Psalms. Chapter twenty-eight and verse seven is my favorite. ‘The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him.’ I know self-defense with three brothers in the house and four uncles who drill me.” She sighed. “I’ve never worried about my personal safety. I just wanted friends—true friends. That’s why I’m going to stay in contact with Susanna. She has been a good friend to me this summer.”
“That’s good to hear, and when you go back home, find new friends.” Queen smiled and lifted an eyebrow. “Okay, so what about Tango?”
Kami fumbled with her fingers. “I don’t think he ever really liked me.” How will I find someone who cares about me? “Maybe I’m not pretty enough.”
“You’re more than pretty.” Queen reached out and cupped Kami’s face with her hands, then looked into her eyes. “Beauty is more than what’s on the outside. Remember the car analogy?” They laughed. “I know it sounds silly, but first cars are like first loves. Either you don’t want to let it go and stick with it—him or her—through good and bad weather, or you can’t wait to get rid of it—him or her.”
