The Favorite Son

by Tiffany L. Warren

  “I’m good.”

  “You sure? ’Cause it’s no problem. For real.”

  Akil laughed and shook his head. “You know, I just thought about something. Why don’t you ask Camden to come with you to the Oklahoma City church? Then we can all stay together.”

  “Did Camden put you up to this?” Blaine asked.

  Akil could tell Blaine’s defenses were up for some reason, so he put both hands in the air in surrender. “Naw, man. I just thought it would be a good idea.”

  “When it comes to anything church related, it’s not a good idea unless my dad says it’s a good idea.”

  “So, make him think it’s his idea, then. We all need to stay together. We’re a crew. We run in packs,” Akil said. “Well, one pack. We’re a gang.”

  Blaine laughed. “You’re right. I’ll talk to him. But what about Amber? I don’t think she’ll move to Oklahoma City.”

  “She’ll go if we all go.”

  “I really hope all of y’all come with me, because for real, I’m scared. I don’t know how soon my dad plans on making it happen, but I don’t know. Like, people be coming to their pastors with some real heavy stuff, man. What if I don’t know what to tell them?”

  Akil thought about his response for a moment. The answer that he wanted to give was gonna hit hard, and he didn’t know if he wanted to hurt his friend. He was already feeling afraid, but Akil wanted to tell Blaine that if he was truly going to do this pastor thing, he needed to stop sinning and get his life together.

  Instead he said, “Well, God didn’t give you a spirit of fear, brother. We got you.”

  CHAPTER 12

  Camden was enjoying Sunday service. Especially after So G.I.F.T.E.D brought their A-game. Blaine and Amber ended up sharing the lead on “I Am Free,” and it was perfect. And once again Royce London was in the front row getting his praise on.

  Pastor Wilson was in an extremely good mood too. He cut a little praise step while they were singing—something he never did. He still had a little pep in his step as he walked up to the podium to start preaching.

  “Before I get into the Word today, church, I just want to share some of the wonderful things God is doing in this house! You could go to church anywhere in the city, but you chose to come here, and for that I appreciate you and this city appreciates you.”

  Blaine made eye contact with Camden. Blaine smirked and Camden knew exactly what it meant. Pastor Wilson was about to go into one of his infamous speeches. They’d been hearing the speeches since they were little boys, and they weren’t mesmerized by them. The congregation, on the other hand, was completely enthralled.

  “Some of you have been with us since the beginning. You’ve seen my family grow up before your eyes. A few weeks ago, we installed Camden as Minister of Music, and in the very near future we’re going to watch Blaine walk into his destiny as the pastor of our first satellite church in Oklahoma City. I wanted to keep this under my hat, but I feel that God wants you all to know. He wants everyone in this house to pray for the success of my son and this ministry.”

  Camden felt his jaw tighten. Blaine being elevated to the office of pastor was good news. Camden chided himself for feeling irritated at the announcement.

  Pastor Wilson held one hand out to Blaine. “Son. Come forward, please.”

  Blaine’s eyes widened and his jaw slackened. He seemed genuinely surprised, so Camden was sure he wasn’t in on this. Yet he quickly rose to his feet and crossed the enormous stage to where his father stood behind his podium, or as Pastor Wilson called it, the sacred desk.

  Pastor Wilson placed both his hands on Blaine’s shoulders and pushed Blaine down until he was on one knee. Camden’s eyebrows came together in a frown, and he remained glued to his seat while many of the congregation members—including Dawn—stood. Blaine bowed his head, and from where Camden sat, he appeared to be trembling.

  Pastor Wilson took a huge sheet that had Hebrew markings on it and draped it over Blaine’s shoulders. Then he took a large container of oil and poured it slowly over Blaine’s head.

  “Son, I am about to pray an Elijah prayer over you as I pass the ministry mantle. I hear in the spirit that God will perform awesome miracles through this ministry just as He did in the days of Elijah. In fact, the spirit revealed that even greater work will we do, because we will operate together. Elijah passed his mantle on at the end of his ministry, and I bestow the mantle at the height of mine.”

  Pastor Wilson started his prayer and the congregation joined in with him. Well, almost the entire congregation. Camden was too floored to pray. He’d had to beg for a prayer when he was being released into a ministry, but Blaine was having a full coronation.

  When the bottle of oil was empty, Pastor Wilson leaned over and rubbed the oil that hadn’t dripped onto the cloth into Blaine’s hair and scalp. Many of the women, including Regina, shouted and danced.

  After Pastor Wilson was done with his prayer, he pulled Blaine up to his feet and hugged him.

  “Walk in destiny, my son. We are going to take a season of prosperity from our congregation here in Dallas to Oklahoma City. People will look upon our congregations, and seeing them living the abundant life, they will ask, ‘What can I do to be saved?’”

  Camden felt his stomach churn at the blatant disrespect of the Bible. He knew that his father was twisting the story of Elijah and Elisha for his own purposes, but the church didn’t care. They were in a frenzy.

  After the excitement died down, Pastor Wilson went into his sermon. Camden did something he hadn’t done since he was a little boy. He got up during service and walked out. He just couldn’t listen to his father another second. Amber saw him get up and followed him.

  “You okay, Cam?” Amber whispered as they stood in the narrow hallway between the pulpit area and the church offices.

  “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

  “I don’t know. You just look like you’re … I don’t know.”

  “I’m cool, Amber. Thank you for asking. I’m okay.”

  Amber stepped close to Camden and took his hand. “I understand. No matter what Pastor does, it doesn’t change who you are. You know that, right?”

  “I had to beg him to pray for me when I took over as Minister of Music. He acted like he didn’t want to do it, really. And he’s pouring oil over Blaine’s head like he’s anointing King David or somebody.” Camden’s whispers were full of fury.

  Amber squeezed his hand tightly and stroked his arm with her free hand. “I know. I know. Just try to be happy for Blaine. You know he’s always wanted this, and you love him. He’s excited for you.”

  “I am happy for Blaine.”

  “Well, let’s go back into service, and maybe try to look like you’re happy for him.”

  Amber pulled Camden into a tight embrace and rubbed his back. As she kneaded his muscles, Camden felt his tension leave.

  “Thank you,” Camden said. “You always know what to say.”

  “Only to you, Camdizzle, and my brother. With everyone else, I’m pretty much clueless.”

  Camden and Amber both returned to their seats. Dawn gave Camden a curious look as he sat down next to her.

  “Everything okay?” she whispered. “Where did you go?”

  “Yes. Bathroom.”

  Camden surprised himself with that lie. He wasn’t quite sure why he said that. Dawn knew that he and Amber were friends and it wasn’t like Dawn would ever be jealous of her.

  No. Camden thought, It wasn’t Amber at all. It was Dawn.

  Dawn was caught up in Pastor Wilson and Blaine’s show just like everyone else. She was enraptured and shouting out Hallelujah while her man was hurting.

  “Church, we are about to dismiss, but before we do, I want you to listen,” Pastor Wilson said. “I want each of you to be able to lay hands on Blaine and give him the gift of your collective spiritual anointing. He will be in the vestibule immediately after service. Please note that I did not say monetary offerings. I want only prayers
and impartations for our young Elisha. There will be plenty of time to contribute financially to the ministry. Come on, Camden, give us some shouting music. I feel another praise in my spirit.”

  Camden walked over to the piano with a tight-lipped expression on his face. He sat down and played some shouting music for his father. Pastor Wilson rarely carried on the way he was doing this morning. Clearly he was making a point about Blaine.

  Camden continued to play the upbeat music while everyone streamed out of the sanctuary. He stayed at the piano after everyone was gone. He couldn’t make himself go out in the church’s foyer to give Blaine well wishes.

  Camden jumped at the light touch on his shoulder. He looked up and saw his mother standing there with a sad smile on her face.

  “Are you coming, honey? Your brother is looking for you.”

  “He’s not looking for me.”

  Lady Rita sat down next to Camden on his piano bench. “Blaine needs you. He’s not strong like you. He won’t be able to do this without you.”

  “He’s got Dad.”

  “And that’s not the same as a brother. He looks up to you. Always has. Don’t leave him alone in this.”

  “I won’t.”

  Camden rose from the piano bench and followed his mother out to the foyer. He untightened his lips and got ready to show a united front to the world. Because that was the Wilson brand.

  CHAPTER 13

  Camden couldn’t believe they were actually in the recording studio. After things had died down from Pastor Wilson’s announcement concerning the new church and Blaine, it was back to the status quo. So G.I.F.T.E.D practiced new music, rearranged some old music, and then practiced some more. Finally, they were ready to record.

  Their strategy was to do an upbeat praise song and a worship song, and to release them both as singles. If the singles did well, they’d release an entire album and go on tour with it. But first, they had to get the songs down.

  Pastor Wilson joined them in the recording studio lounge. The plush carpet and expensive high-end furnishings hinted that they were at a quality establishment. Camden had recorded in spaces that were a lot less sophisticated—nothing more than a few microphones, some noise-canceling foam on the walls, a keyboard and a computer. This was absolutely a step up from all that. The best that Pastor Wilson’s money could buy.

  “How long is this studio session going to take?” Pastor Wilson asked. He sat on one of the couches with his arms folded tightly across his chest.

  Camden smarted at the question, just as he was annoyed at his father’s presence at the studio. Pastor Wilson knew absolutely nothing about recording, or even music, so he didn’t need to be there, but since it was his money buying the studio time, no one was going to tell him to get out.

  “We’re prepared, so I’m thinking no more than three hours per song to lay down the lead and background vocals. It’ll take longer to mix them down. We’re looking at a full day.”

  They had blocked ten hours for studio time with an hour break for dinner. None of which Pastor Wilson had approved or was privy to.

  “A full day at one hundred fifty an hour?”

  Camden’s nostrils flared as he tried to control his irritation. His father had made millions off his speaking engagements, devotionals, love offerings, etc. There was absolutely no reason for him to be penny-pinching on this. If he really cared about their musical talents he could’ve built them a recording studio. But no. The only thing he ever offered to pay for was seminary, which Camden and Blaine had both turned down.

  Blaine said, “Dad, are you sure you and Stephen don’t want to just come back when we’re done?”

  “You all don’t want me here?” Pastor Wilson asked. He sounded genuinely hurt.

  “It’s not that. This will be very boring for you, and you’re kind of stressing everybody out.”

  Pastor Wilson nodded slowly and rose to his feet. “I’m sure you all don’t need me. You know what you’re doing. Stop by the house with the final product. I want to hear what I paid for.”

  Pastor Wilson motioned toward the studio front door with his head, and Stephen rushed ahead of him to open the door. Stephen got on Camden’s nerves. He seemed like he wanted to be one of Pastor Wilson’s sons.

  But Stephen had no idea what it was like to grow up in the house with Pastor Wilson. Camden wouldn’t wish it on anyone. He hated having the memories.

  “Ooh, I thought they would never leave!” Amber said. “He was irking me for real!”

  Camden laughed out loud. “He was on my nerves too.”

  “Well, I don’t mind my future father-in-law being here,” Dawn said.

  Everyone was silent, probably waiting for Camden’s response. He lifted both eyebrows and smiled, but Akil, who sat next to Dawn on the other couch, picked up a couch pillow and hit her in the head with it.

  “Ow, Akil!” Dawn shouted.

  Everyone burst into laughter, and Dawn pouted. Camden rushed to her side and knocked Akil out of the way.

  “Leave her alone. My mom took her looking at wedding dresses, so she can call them her future in-laws. I am not mad at that.”

  Amber chuckled. “Well, as long as you’re not mad….”

  “Why would he be mad?” Dawn snapped. “We’ve been dating since we were in diapers.”

  “Y’all have,” Blaine said. “I’m not sure I’m okay with that.”

  “So he should be more like you, then? He should date ninety-seven percent of the women in a megachurch?” Dawn asked.

  “Not ninety-seven percent!” Amber said with a laugh.

  “Maybe not that many, but er … uh … a little variety maybe,” Blaine said.

  “Okay, come on, y’all. Let’s not lose focus,” Camden said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do today. Akil, lead us in prayer.”

  Camden pulled Dawn up from the couch and they all joined hands. Blaine tried to take Dawn’s other hand and she rolled her eyes.

  “You about to go before the Lord with an attitude?” Blaine asked.

  “You about to go before the Lord with that girl’s lipstick on your collar?” Dawn snapped back.

  Blaine reached for his collar, and Camden groaned. There wasn’t even any lipstick there.

  “For real? Junior Pastor Wilson, you gotta be more careful!” Amber said.

  “You need to put out an APB for the comb that got lost in that horror movie on top of your head!” Blaine quipped. “You wish it was your lipstick on my collar.”

  Camden sighed again as his phone buzzed in his pocket. “I’m about to step out and take a phone call. Can y’all please have individual conversations with Jesus while I’m on the phone? The clock is ticking.”

  When Camden pulled the phone out of his pocket on the way out the room, he jumped when he saw Royce London’s number in the caller ID. He quickly hit the talk button on the phone. He couldn’t believe that he’d almost missed the call dealing with drama.

  “Royce, how are you?” Camden said.

  “I’m blessed, man. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  “I was about to start an all-day studio session with the group, but I have a minute.”

  “Okay, I’ll be brief. I just wanted to share an opportunity for you and for your group. My record label just gave me my own label and they want me to bring on some new talent. I think you all have a fresh sound and I would love to meet with you about bringing you on board.”

  Camden nearly dropped the phone.

  “Y-yes! I would love to meet with you. Just tell me when.”

  Royce laughed. “I was going to say today, but I want you to get your session in. How about lunch tomorrow?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Okay, meet me at two at the Oceanaire. My treat.”

  “Will do!”

  Camden disconnected the call and shouted for joy. Everyone rushed out of the studio lounge.

  “Are you okay?” Dawn asked.

  “Yes. Yes! I am better than okay!”

  Camden
scooped Dawn up and spun her around. Then he set her down and scooped Amber up. She squealed.

  “What is up?” Amber asked as he put her down.

  Akil backed up when Camden looked in his direction. “Dude! You ’bout to spin me around too?”

  “I just might! That was Royce London on the phone. He’s offering us a record deal.”

  Blaine yelled, “That’s what I’m talking about! Hey, we need to get in here and lay down these tracks.”

  “Yeah. He and I are having lunch tomorrow. I’d like to let him hear some great material.”

  “Let’s do this, then,” Amber said.

  Akil said, “Can I pray now, then? Sounds like we’re ready to roll.”

  This time, everyone willingly joined hands. Camden felt tears come to his eyes as Akil prayed for the success of their studio session and for the opportunities coming their way. Maybe it was God’s will that Pastor Wilson didn’t choose him to run his Oklahoma City church. All things—even the things that his father did to break his spirit— were working together for good.

  CHAPTER 14

  Camden cracked his knuckles nervously as he waited for Royce to disconnect his phone call. He, Royce, and Blaine were having lunch at the Oceanaire for their conversation about a record deal.

  Camden had dressed carefully for the meeting. The warm May afternoon was too stifling for a blazer, so he wore a fitted button-down dress shirt without a tie and unbuttoned at the top, copying the style of men in Royce’s Grammy-winning singing group, Spirited. Camden’s muscular chest strained across the tight fabric and his arms struggled against the sleeves. He wondered how anyone could be comfortable in a shirt like that.

  Blaine looked annoyed as he chewed furiously on a piece of bread. Camden kicked him under the table, and when Blaine looked at him, Camden smiled. Blaine got Camden’s nonverbal “be nice” message, but all he managed was a grimace.

  Camden had to admit that he was bothered by Royce’s lack of table manners too, but he was known for that type of thing. Whenever Camden had heard stories about him from industry folk, they told similar tales. Royce was hard-core and talented, but he wasn’t likable.