by K.B Gumbi
THE BISHOP
By K.B.Gumbi
Copyright 2016 Khul Publishers
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The image used in the cover. Is under license from Michael Maggs (own work) under CC-BY-SA-2.5. And has been modified.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To my late father for exposing me to books and music at an early age. My mother and brother for the love.
And to Napo Masheane for telling me, it’s possible.
CHAPTER 1
Bernard looks around the small dark purple room and hears a voice next to him. '' Morning, I see you are awake. Do you want to have another go? Because last night you were amazing.”
His head feels heavy and stands at the side of the queen sized bed.
''Who are you? How did I get here and what are you talking about? Bernard says whilst feeling his head and looking at the slim but masculine man, who is fair and of mixed race.
“Don't you remember? I'm Robert. We met at the conference and hit it of so we took our business here at my hotel room. As you can see we had a party for two, that why you have a hangover from hell.” Robert tells him and points at the empty beer and vodka bottles at the side table.
“You mean me and you we...but I'm...Oh god. I need water.” Bernard feels confused beyond words.
“Yes we did, can we have one for the road. It will definitely ease the headache. Trust me. No need to be confused.” He walks toward him stalk naked, visibly excited. This sends Bernard in a panic and nearly falls as he trips over the clothes on the floor.
“What are you doing? This is madness. If you move an inch towards me, I will slap you. I have had enough of this. There is no way that me and you could have...I'm a decent man god. I'm a bishop for heavens sake there is no way this could have happened. This is a trick, did you drug me?” He lashes out trying get dressed as quickly as possible.
“No this is no trick. We had SEX and you LOVED it. So no I did not drug you. You wanted it as much as I. Now because you got what you wanted you treat me like this.”
“I am getting out of here you are sick.” He searches the room making sure that he leaves nothing behind.
“Now you get scared when you look at it but a few hours ago you handled it like a pro. You still don't believe me look in the mirror and see the proof.”
Sure enough he looks at the mirror at first he thinks it is just????? Than he realises it is dry sperm. Before he could even utter a word, he grabs the nearby ice bucket and throw up.
“I guess you the one who is sick.”
Bernard Tooper is a 43 year old bishop, who is married to a wealthy wife named Lucy. He is known for his large following and saving the church from many scandals and financial miss management. He is also known for his homophobic comments and his stance on anti-same sex marriages. This at times has landed him in hot water, at the same time raising his profile and that of the church. 'Traditionalists' love this and frequently invite him to church sermons and conferences.
He has never pictured himself being in this situation, he keeps second guessing himself. Whether he really enjoy and wanted it to happen. If so how will he explain it if it comes out, and most importantly, his wife and what it will mean for their marriage? For now thinks of a story to tell her.
He storms inside the bathroom and washes his face a few times with soap and uses the mouth wash before leaving the now fully dressed Robert without saying a word.
CHAPTER 2
He takes a moment to think of the events, he checks the time and its 7:30. He charges his phone and smses Lucy. Morning sweetheart! Sorry for not making it home last night, I got tied up and ended up sleeping in the hotel but I'm on my way home now.
A moment later she replies. OK honey, drive safely.
He drives to a small shopping complex on Pick Street to buy aspirin and flowers for the Madam.
The complex is packed and the hangover intensifies which naturally frustrates him. The car guards helps with the in and out going traffic, he gets a parking spot a little further from the pharmacy. He is greeted by the car-guard with a smile. “Good morning sir, my name is Eric and I will be looking after your car.”
“Morning Eric!” He responds.
He locks the car, turn the mobiliser on and dashes to the supermarket instead. Goes to the pharmacy session and buys the aspirins and pain killers. He remembers to buy still water and a bunch of roses, he pays for everything in the less crowded till. People stare at him because of his red eyes looking like there are about to burst, he takes no notice of this and proceeds to his car. He drinks the still water and downs the pain killers, he gives Eric a generous tip. “Thank you sir. Enjoy your day.”
The dizziness subsides which allows him to drive ease for the reminder 5km. Rehearsing every line and emotion, he should display as to not raise any suspicion. He contains his fears and shame he feels. He has been driving at a normal pace, even though he did focus on driving. The journey felt short.
He arrives, pulls over at the driveway of his expensive colloquial mansion overlooking the ocean. Which was once owned by a mayor. It has been featured numerous times on lifestyle magazines and was once the most expensive property on the suburb. It is situated on the millionaires’ row plus they have an international soccer star as a neighbour. Opens his gate and drives thirty metres to his double garage, he parks the car. “There you are! How was the conference?” His wife asks and kisses him.
“It was OK but a bit stressful. I would have been happy if I woke up next to you. Here are your flowers love.”
“You are such a charmer. Thank you! It is good that the Lords work was done. Blessed are those who walk through the mud and thorny hills to deliver the good news.”
“That holds true because my feet are killing me. I wish to have a quick shower and have a nice breakfast with you my lovely wife.”
“Breakfast will be ready soon. You go shower and relax.”
They go they separate ways. The guilt was killing him and he wasn't sure whether she saw through him. They are very close. The almost perfect couple, who don't have secrets. Lucy the kind and nurturing wife who loves people. Bernard helped her find direction in life. They met in their 20s. She was this young lady full of life but lost in the money, focused on parting and fashion. Her father was a prominent businessman who benefited from the Apartheid regime and so afforded to take his daughter and son to the best schools. The best lifestyle blinded her from the reality of it all and only got to see it when she met Bernard.
Bernard was the shy type Reverend who out of all the hardships he had to face while growing up in a poor crime ridden neighbourhood. But he still found hope for a better life and so he found it with this powerful woman and with faith.
In his position as bishop, he has made a lot of criticism and enemies within the church and also the community.
Meanwhile at the hotel, Robert has invited his partner in crime to discuss what has happened and what to do next. “So you got him to think that he slept with you, stupid old fool. I did not think that this phase of the plan will be this easy.”
“Yes it was but briefly it was scary, if it was not for his religion. I swear he would have killed me, especially when
I told him in detail what we did, he almost had a heart attack.”
“I bet that would have been hard to explain to the Mrs, if he would have woken up from that.”
“You were right he is deeply homophobic and to wake up next to a man and he tells you, you had sex that must be the hardest part.”
“It sounds like you feel sorry for the guy.”
“No, no not at all just saying what I think he is going through that all.”
“Because jokes aside, you must remember why you doing this and don’t forget who is paying you. There is no time to sympathise with him, a minute ago he would have cursed the ground you walk on and now you are making him ashamed, that’s the same way people like him make you feel.”
“You right so what’s next. And you never told me your reason or interest in him.”
“My reason are of no concern to you. Next I will print these photos of you two, including the one when you kissed him and from that hidden camera from the bathroom. I will take it from there, here is your money. I will contact you but if you do speak to him tell me.”
“Let me count it 2, 4…..JA R5000 all there will do. But you did not give me money for the room?”
“It already been paid for.”
This was a hard man to read. He did not give Robert enough info on the subject as to not reveal his relationship with him, did not reveal his identity. He saw this young unemployed graduate as an easy way to execute his plans. He knows that the Bishop will have a problem in communicating what had happened which makes it a better way to blackmail him and Robert will have no problem in executing the plan because of Bernard's hate for gay people.
If he should succeed in creating a scandal for the bishop, it will force him to step down as he would be seen as a hypocrite not to mention destroy his marriage.
CHAPTER 3
Bernard has spent the last 3 hours in his study, just thinking. Walking up and down, looking through his north facing window the building afar. Trying to find answers. What came of him to do what he did? What will he tell his wife and church if this should come out? His thoughts paralyses him, unable to move just staring into space.
He knows that if is a plot against him, it would be hard to track down the enemy as he has a lot of enemies known and unknown to him. He is a very smart man who has gone through a lot in his time as a bishop including death threats, one time they had to live under police protection when by chance he blow a lid on a child trafficking ring a few blocks away. Looking over his shoulder is something his used to. He feels even shy to pray about it, feeling guilty that maybe he did want it to happen because of the chemistry he thinks he felt when Robert tried to kiss him. Never has he felt like this like that world could just swallow him. Every fear and frustration he has been able to tell his wife but not this, what will she do? Will she distance herself from him like he did to his nephew?
“What’s on your mind? The phone has been ringing nonstop. You seem distant since your return.”
“Um ah! Sorry I did not hear it whoever it is will call back. I was just thinking. Am I doing a good job as a bishop or am I too hard. It’s just that I don't want to push people too hard nor push them away.”
“I think that you doing a great job that is why you are popular. Being hard on us comes with the job otherwise people won’t transform.”
“Yes there has been some good work that I have done but what about the grey areas, the people that I do not share the same views with?”
“There will always be people who hate or not share the same views with. It about showing love and direction as you once said. “Hating an enemy is hating apart of you. So I ask you not to doubt yourself but to improve were you think you lack. You are not perfect and God does not expect you to be.”
“Thank you! You always advise me well. You could do this better than anyone, maybe you should have been bishop.”
“Ha-ha who me, I would not know how to deal with all the people like you do. Don’t make me laugh love. What did bring this up? Did someone say something to you?
“Yes something like that. You know sometimes that does happen. And I was thinking about my nephew, whether I was too hard. Kicking him out of our lives now seems harsh. I miss having him around, the cottage is not the same without him.”
“You know it’s the first time you have spoken about him ever since. Did you see him again? I think that you tried your best but you cannot choose for him as much as we don’t agree with his lifestyle. Maybe we can invite him for diner sometimes, we can start there and slowly live with who he is.”
“No not since 6 months ago. How did you know I saw him?
“Your body language told me. Anyway I spoke to him once at the mall and he told me.”
“But! I... we can not be seen with him what will people from the church say or the media because they reported on what happened and I am sure they would if we reconcile. We cannot do that it will tarnish our reputation.”
“Don't be intransigent. This is not about anyone but our family. We cannot preach forgiveness and acceptance if we don't do it in our family. It is good that now we can talk about this. Just don't be hard on him or on yourself. The both of you deserve a break.”
“I thought you felt the same about him, I wasn't trying to dictate to you. Shame consumed me and I made decisions that I have told people I would make that decision if it happened to me. But now it pains me when you say I behaved harshly. I don't want to fail my family especially you my sweet heart.”
“I hear you and trust me I understand. We have to stick together in spite of our differences. I will call to invite him for dinner next week. I'm leaving in an hour to meet the client hopefully he signed the contract.”
“It’s soon but it has to be done so you can set it up. Good luck I know you will come back with the signature, I know it means a lot to you. Again, thank you for your wise words.”
He breathes a sigh of relief. Even though it not an answer to his problems, it certainly be a good move. It becomes clear that he needs to change his life for the better and confront his demons.
CHAPTER 4
3 weeks later.
All is well for the Toopers. They have had numerous dinners with the nephew, they are on their way to be close again. It came as a surprise to him as his uncle doesn't usually change his mind, a year had gone along with I his hope to reconcile with his uncle, it came when he least expected it.
Some close church members have asked him and that prompted him to speak about it openly. This has caused confusion even to his enemies that are planning to blackmail him. They think the timing is just too convenient.
“Bishop! Have you read the newspaper?”
“No its 7am, why what are they saying?”
“Well on page two on The Daily, the headline reads. The Bishop and the gay nephew.' The rest of the article, you can read yourself. Just thought I should let you know.”
“Thank you Sol.”
He wakes up, Lucy not by his side as she had to leave for work early. He puts on his gown and takes a walk to check if it has been delivered yet. And there it is The Daily, the front page reads the president applauds young businesswoman, on the right the bishop and his gay nephew more on page 2.
On a resent turn of events bishop Bernard Tooper and Stan Tooper, his nephew have reconciled after a bitter fight over his sexuality. Which the bishop condemned in public and vowed to never speak to him again. Sources close to the family have said that this has come as a shock to them to reconcile after a year of silence, as Bishop Tooper is a non-Homophobic who despise gay people.
When asked for comment Stan Tooper replied the journey for his acceptant has been hell and god can attest to that, he has been fired from his job and received death threats from the community when he refused to change his sexuality….
Unable to carry on reading the article, he closes the newspaper and tries to hold back the tears because he wasn't aware of what had transpired after his fallout with Stan about 'reh
abilitation'. They public spate prompted the LGBT group to call the public to boycott the bishop's businesses, church and any other church that support his views.
“God, what did I do? I thought I was doing the right thing. But alienated the people that matter the most in my life, even my daughter lives in the college campus as she doesn't want to live under the same roof as me. God please forgive me if I did wrong. My life is a mess because of my doing. I just want to do good be a good example to the community but not at the expense of my family. I need you guidance Lord, in the name of the Father, my saviour Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In his entire career, he has never felt this lost. The mighty bishop is cracking before even his enemies lifting a finger. The power that he has feels obsolete. A hypocrite who fears being what he despises. For today he will run his two petrol stations and franchised supermarket from home. The scandals have not had a good impact on their businesses particularly Lucy's cosmetics brand.
“Mrs Tooper, I just heard from the sales department. They say the products are flying of the shelves. It would seem the articles and all the media coverage, are all working to our advantage.”
“That is great make sure that we advertise on all the major magazine, to ride on this wave. Since we can now afford it thanks to our new investor. I guess success comes at a price.”
“Yes mam, maybe the boycott is over. If the sales improve we will be able to afford that celebrity we wanted to be our ambassador.”
“If that happens maybe I will give you that raise you need Thembi. One step at a time. Do I have an appointment after 3?”
“No mam the last appointment will be with Miss Luvuno from Dis-chem Pharmacies, at quarter past 2 at the boardroom. “
“Thank you Thembi. I will need those sales states from the past financial year and tell Jack to brief me on our advertising campaign, please.
