by Nia Arthurs
“That’s why you love us.” I teased, flinging my arms around his shoulders.
Melody caught on to the movement like a shark senses blood and commented slyly, “Mia told me Archie spent the night over at your place last night, Susan.”
I glanced at Archie, bewildered and wondering how in the world Melody had heard that so fast.
“It’s not what you think,” Archie stammered.
“Oh, I know you, Archie. I know nothing too serious happened. Still, it’s very romantic isn’t it, Susan?”
I ignored that loaded question, “How did Mia find out?” I asked instead.
“Her old neighbor,” Melody explained, “she was very protective of Mia when she lived there and I guess the habit is hard to break.”
Weird. I didn’t remember any nosy neighbors… except for that weird old lady that always ducked her head into her room when she saw me at night. Could that be the infamous Mrs. Bethel? She hadn’t introduced herself to me and I hadn’t gone door to door pushing my presence on my apartment peers since my landing in Belize two weeks ago.
Spencer appeared at the doorway and walked in, handing his wife a glass of ice and opening the water bottle for her.
“What’s a hard habit to break?” Spencer questioned.
Melody picked an ice cube from the cup and sucked on it, “Mrs. Bethel’s faciness. Remember Mia’s old neighbor? Well she’s Susan’s neighbor now. Mrs. Bethel told Mia that Archie spent the night at Susan’s yesterday. And of course, Mia told me.”
Spencer’s astonished gaze raked over his friend, “Archie, do we need to have a talk?”
I giggled. Aw, that was cute; Spencer was acting like a big brother. Archie, however, did not find it funny and rubbed at his eyes in embarrassment, “No, you don’t. Nothing happened. We just sort of fell asleep on the couch.”
“That’s so romantic,” Melody said as her eyes began to water.
“It’s actually not.” I said, rushing to bar her tears, “I drooled all over him.”
“I was wondering why my shirt smelled so weird,” Archie muttered.
“You slept on his chest? That’s double romantic!” Melody cried.
“Babe, calm down,” Spencer scolded his wife, apparently uncomfortable with her tears, “stress isn’t good for you or the baby.”
“But I’m not stressed, I’m happy.” Melody explained as the tears crystallized on her cheeks.
“I think we better go, Susan.” Archie teased, “We’re not good for her.”
“Stop yuh fool.” Mel threw an ice cube at Archie, “you’re perfect for me.” She wiped at her eyes, “You’re perfect for each other.”
I rubbed my arm awkwardly. “Spencer,” I changed the subject, “has the doctor suggested a date for when she can go home?”
Spencer shook his head. “They still want to observe her for a couple more days before they release her, but she’s a crappy patient so they might keep her longer just for spite.”
Melody rolled her eyes, “It isn’t my fault that the doctors ask me stupid questions.”
“Babe,” Spencer sighed, “They’re doctors. They never ask stupid questions.”
“Says you.” Melody sassed.
Spencer grinned, even as he shook his head in frustration, “Don’t rush into marriage, Archie. They all stand like this.”
Mel gasped and selected a cube of ice to flick at her husband, “I resent that.”
I laughed, “Where’s Mia?”
“She went to drop my mom home and pick up the stuff from the store.” Melody winked at me and I knew she was referring to the fried chicken.
“What stuff?” Spencer asked, catching on because Melody was a terrible spy and would be the last person I’d take with me to rob a bank. If I ever stooped to such moral degradation.
“Oh, you know… lady stuff.” Melody dragged out, wincing slightly. I tried not to snicker. Spencer looked uncomfortable like he regretted even asking.
“Oh,” he pronounced and the matter was dropped.
We visited with Melody until five o’clock when Spencer left to go home, shower, and change and Mia brought the ‘goods’. Melody inhaled her fried chicken like a monster. Luckily, we were all too busy chowing down to judge her. Somehow, the topic returned to the Pride and Prejudice novel and once more, Archie and I were divided.
“Are you seriously saying,” I waved my chicken leg in the air to punctuate the statement, “that Elizabeth trusted Mr. Wickham because he was poor?”
“She didn’t trust Darcy because he was rich.” He pointed out.
“That’s crazy. Elizabeth trusted Wickham because he was kind to her and he paid attention to her, while Darcy sulked like a child.”
“It didn’t hurt that Wickham was ‘handsome’ and a ladies’ man.”
“He was not a ladies’ man.” I defended.
“I’m sorry, you’re right he was a con artist!”
“Whoa!” Melody yelled, bring our attention to her, “All I wanted was to eat some fried chicken in peace and hang out with my friends. You two are ruining my favorite book for me. Would you cut it out?”
“Sorry,” Archie and I apologized.
Mia smirked, “I’ve never seen two people get more fired up about a romance novel.”
“Hey,” Melody protested, “it is not just a romance novel. It’s a book on the consequences of…”
“Of marriage, family and status.” We all finished for her.
“Geez, Mel,” I scoffed, “we know.”
“You guys suck.” Melody complained as she popped a fry into her mouth.
Archie stood and inched her plate of fried goodness away from her, “I guess we shouldn’t have brought you all this fried chicken, then,”
Mel swatted at his hand, “Don’t be silly.” Archie returned to his seat and Mel guarded her fried chicken with care.
“Hey, where’s Peyton?” I asked, noting the absence of the handsome, auburn haired man.
“Oh, I sent him with Spencer. Those two are too tight. He’d have squealed on us.”
I laughed, “You are terrible.”
Mia shrugged and smirked, “I know. Now hurry up and finish so we can hide the evidence before he gets back. Peyton just texted that they’re on their way.”
Grinning widely at our successful coup, we dumped the evidence of our fried chicken feast in the garbage dumps outside and washed our hands. Mia and I brought a bucket over so that Mel could clean herself up and then we doused the room with perfume. When the men finally arrived, they were none the wiser, and the four of us shared secret grins for the rest of the night.
Archie and I left sooner than the others because he had worship team practice at The Gym. At the mention of the church, I recalled my promise to the Big Guy and felt a conviction to keep it. I’d traded Mia’s life for a go at this Kingdom living. It was time I held up my end of the bargain.
“Hey, would Pastor Stanley be there, tonight at your practice?”
“Uh, yeah,” Archie said, pulling out of the parking lot at the hospital, “Why?”
“Would you mind taking me with you to The Gym? I’d like to talk to him.”
Though Archie did not know why I wanted to talk to the pastor, his mood lifted at my words.
“Sure.” He said enthusiastically and we drove to the church in content silence.
When we arrived, Archie directed me to the Pastor’s office and then scurried off to the sanctuary.
“Text me when you’re done!” I waved at him and then began my trek to the office. This part of the church looked more like an activity center than a place of worship. Boxes lined one side of the room and above the boxes a sign read “FOOD DONATIONS”. Little painted hands were the decorations on the walls and though I thought it an unprofessional display for an office, I imagined that the children that stamped their wet hands there thought the death of the ambiance well worth the sacrifice. I tiptoed past the outer lobby and knocked on the Pastor’s office door.
“Come in,” he s
aid. I stepped inside and left the door slightly ajar.
You couldn’t be too careful.
Pastor Stanley’s room was well lit. A huge wall to wall bookshelf took up one length of his office. The bookcase had a large cut out where an aquarium of colorful fish swam about. The walls were painted a dark green and there were two sofas in the other corner of the room. The blast of the air conditioner beckoned me to curl up in the chairs and sleep, but I resisted the urge.
“Susan!” the pastor greeted, “What a pleasant surprise.”
“Hi, Pastor,” I waved at him awkwardly.
“Please, have a seat.” He pointed to the wingback chairs in front of his desk and I selected one. “How’s Melody?” he asked. “I came by the hospital this morning and she seems to be doing better.”
“She’s great. Don’t tell Spencer, but we smuggled her some fried chicken.”
Pastor Stanley chuckled, “I’m sure she was happy about that.”
“She was.” I agreed.
“So,” Pastor Stanley asked, “how did you feel about what happened.”
“Actually, that’s what I came to talk to you about.” I explained my feelings on that night and the deal that I’d made with the Man Upstairs. “I promised that I’d at least give the God-thing a try.” I admitted, “I was wondering if you could help me.”
“I’d be delighted.” He agreed, “I’d like to give you a book,” he stood and reached for a paperback book from his shelf, “It was written by a powerful man called Dr. Myles Munroe. It’s about the Kingdom of God. The country and Constitution by which we live.” He offered it over the desk, “Take it and please, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.”
I accepted the book and looked from him to the paperback. “That’s it?”
He glanced curiously at me, “Come again?”
“Aren’t you supposed to preach to me? Tell me, I’m a sinner but that Jesus loves me?”
“It sounds like you already know the basics.” He grinned.
I shuffled from one foot to the next. “I don’t know. I just expected more.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you.” Pastor Stanley returned to his chair. “I hope it hasn’t dampened your search.”
“It hasn’t.” I admitted, “But I thought you’d anoint me with holy fire or something like that.”
“I have olive oil if you think it will help.” He pointed to a bottle on his desk.
Though I caught a hint of derision in his approach, I couldn’t help the smile that spread on my face.
“You’re not like most preachers, are you?”
“If you’re trying to say that I’m not religious, I take that as a compliment. See, I could hit you with religion, Susan. I could douse you in oil and preach at you till I’m blue but that’s not how it’s done where I come from. I’d prefer for you to read that book,” He pointed toward the text in my hand “and renew your mind with knowledge, rather than puff myself up and spoon-feed you.”
“I’ll be back.” I said as I stood and held the book up, “I ask tons of questions.”
“I’m betting on it.” Pastor Stanley replied and I quietly left his office. The entire exchange had taken less than fifteen minutes so I wandered to the sanctuary where the band was practicing the popular Caribbean medley called “I’ve Got my Mind Made Up”. I slipped into the back row undetected and bobbed my head to the reggae beat.
Once more, I observed Archie unabashedly from my secret place. If one went by appearances alone, whether you lived in Belize or America, Archie definitely looked like the kind of person that you’d cross the street to avoid. He was covered in ink and rocked a scruffy beard that only added to the persona of aggression and violence. But to watch him laughing liberally and having fun on his instrument as he sang along with the lead singer about “standing on a rock” and being “born of the water, Spirit, and blood” revealed a new side to him. He was more than his skin, more than his appearance, and more than any pre-conceived judgments and prejudices that sprout to life based on first impressions. He was my friend and in that moment, I realized just how much I’d let him in past the walls. Heaven knows, I was determined to never let that happen again, but Archie burrowed his way through my defenses and I was glad. Sometimes, the best kind of friend is the one that challenges you to be a better person and Archie fit that bill for me.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The team took a break while I was in the first chapter of the book. Archie passed by my row to get to the water cooler at the back of the building and did a double take when he spotted me.
“Hey,” he said, a welcoming smile spread across his face, “You’re finished already?”
“Yeah,” I closed the book and held it up, “Pastor Stanley offered this fine piece of literature,” I said.
“Cool, Rediscovering the Kingdom. I haven’t read that one yet.”
I smiled and indicated the stage with a nod. “You guys sound good.”
“Thanks. We’re kind of just goofing off. I can take you home now if you want.” he bent to pour water from the water cooler.
“Nah, I’m good. I’ll wait for you.”
He dimpled, “Nice.”
“Hey, Hamilton. Who is this lovely lady?” The drummer stepped up to the water cooler and poured himself a cup. He took a swig of it and offered his hand for me to shake. “I’m Jamie.”
I captured his hand in mine and stood, “I’m Susan. It’s nice to meet you, Jamie.”
“Oh, come on now. We hug here… in Jesus name.” Jamie teased and I gladly entered his arms and accepted his embrace.
Okay, I admit it… I’ve always had a thing for drummers. They’re so rebellious and bad-boyish. I loved the appeal of a bad-boy turned church-boy drummer even more and I could tell that Jamie was vibing me. Jamie held on to my hand for a second longer than necessary before releasing it.
“What are you doing way back here? You should join us in the front. Better yet, why don’t you grab a mike and sing? You look like a singer.”
“Actually, she can’t sing to save her life.” Archie quipped. I turned to look at him, a bit startled that he had spoken. I’d forgotten that he was even there!
Ignoring his weird attitude, I shook my head, “It’s okay; I don’t need to do that. But I wouldn’t mind coming closer to the front. It’s kind of heated in here.”
What I meant to say was it was as hot as hell back there but it didn’t seem like the right phrase since we were in church and all. I looked toward the front. Those standing fans had been calling my name for a while now.
“I’ll go set up a fan for you so you’re nice and comfortable,” he offered helpfully and then scurried to the front to secure a sweet deliverer of breezes.
“He’s cute.” I grinned after him, waving lightly when he looked my way.
Archie frowned, “He’s also bad news. Jamie is always flirting with girls. He’s been warned about that several times. You shouldn’t even entertain him.”
“Whoa,” I picked up on Archie’s intensity and stood in front of him, “What is your problem?”
“Nothing. I’m just looking out for you.”
I put my hands on my hips, “I can look out for myself.”
“That’s exactly why your boyfriend was on an online dating app, right? Because you did such a good job of that.” The blood drained from my face at his words. “Susan…” he groaned.
I walked away from him before he could apologize, “Don’t speak to me.” I warned stalking toward Jamie and the fan. I needed something to cool me down right now.
How dare Archie insinuate that I was somehow responsible for Brian’s unfaithfulness? That arrogant, pompous, condescending know-it-all! It was all I could do not to stalk from the church and walk home. Two things stopped me from doing just that. Firstly, it was dark out and I didn’t feel comfortable enough in Belize yet to waltz alone on the streets at night and secondly, lightly flirting with Jamie made Archie mad for some reason, and right now I wanted to tick Archie o
ff. It was a win-win.
“Are you okay?” Jamie asked when he saw my face.
“Great! Thank you so much for the fan, Jamie.” I gushed.
He flashed me a charming smile. “You’re welcome.” He sat beside me, “Can I confess something?”
“Sure,” I nodded, batting my eyes softly at him.
“The first time I saw you at church, I thought ‘wow, this girl is gorgeous… and she’s so out of my league.” I giggled, genuinely thrilled at the flattery.
Just because I didn’t trust men anymore didn’t mean I was immune to them.
“Really?”
“Yeah,” his eyes captured mine, “Was I right?”
“Yes.” I laughed, “But that doesn’t mean that we can’t be friends.”
He put a hand to his heart and I giggled, “Ouch, I’m firmly in the friend zone already? I was trying to avoid going there.”
I shrugged, “Looks like you failed.”
We shared a laugh which was cut short when Archie sat down beside me. “Susan, can I talk to you for a second.”
I desperately wanted to say ‘no’ but I didn’t.
“Could you excuse me for one minute?” I asked Jamie. The man nodded good-naturedly and then returned to the stage and to his drums.
“What.” I turned to Archie and folded my arms.
“I should never have said that earlier. I’m really sorry.”
“Okay,” I said blandly, “Are we done here?”
“Susan,”
“What do you want me to say, Archie? You accuse me of being the reason my fiancé cheated on me and you expect me to just forget that?”
“I never said that, Vegan.”
“Don’t call me by that stupid name.”
“I’m sorry. I am. I spoke out of anger and it was stupid…”
“I don’t get it. I didn’t do anything to you and neither did Jamie.”
“Is there a problem here?” Jamie materialized in front of us.
“Stay out of this, Davis,” Archie threatened.
“What will you do to me if I don’t, Hamilton?”
I could see that the argument was escalating and stepped in between the men, fighting to remain alive over the stench of testosterone.
