Ted took the sheet. “I’ll do that,” he said, barely glancing at the sheet before tucking it in his portfolio.
Stuart smiled. “I’m glad. Is there anything else we needed to talk about?”
Ted shook his head. “I’ll have my attorneys look this over and we’ll get back to you.”
Stuart stood and extended his hand. “Good, good,” he said. “I look forward to talking with you. You have an innovative idea here that could go a long way toward building the kingdom of God. I’d love to see it be a success, but as you know, it’ll only be as sound as its foundation. We all want to be a part of something that has a strong foundation, right?”
Ted stood and took Stuart’s hand. “You’re right about that, Judge Rogers. We’ll look this over and get back to you soon. We want Faith Central on board.”
Stuart escorted him to the door. “I’ll look to hear from you,” he said. “Have a great day.”
As Stuart walked back to his desk chair, he wondered about Ted Campbell. It had been obvious the man didn’t like his request for yet more changes, but he had gone along with it, or pretended to. He’d wait until he saw the next set of revisions before he made his final judgment of Campbell. He’d give the man the benefit of the doubt until he proved himself otherwise.
Campbell and BCN moved to the back of his mind when he reached his desk and all his thoughts turned to Monika. He picked up his desk phone and dialed Dolores’s number. She answered on the first ring. She must have been sitting right next to the phone.
“Hi, Dolores,” he said, “It’s Stuart Rogers.”
“Oh, hi, Stuart,” she said. He heard the tiredness in her voice. “I just hung up from talking to Francine.”
“Sony to bother you, but I wanted to check on Monika. How is she?”
“Oh, Stuart, like I told Francine, I just don’t know. She’s so emotional.”
“Well, she’s a teenager.”
Dolores gave a dry laugh. “Tell me something I don’t know. I know it’s hard being her age, but she’s been such a good kid. This is so new for her and for me.”
“What are you doing about her father? You know that’s what’s on her mind.”
“I know,” Dolores said.
“If there is anything I can do—”
“No,” Dolores said. “This job is mine and mine alone. I knew this day was coming. I just kept fooling myself that I could put it off longer. I guess I was wrong.”
“You’re not alone, Dolores,” Stuart said. “If you need some help—”
“I appreciate it, Stuart, but I have to do this myself. Besides you’ve done enough. I appreciate what you and Marie were to Monika, what you still are to her. I admit that I was a little jealous of how quickly she grew attached to you two, but I got over it when I saw how mush good it did her.”
“I know you love Monika, Dolores.”
“Sometimes so much it hurts. All I ever wanted was to be a good mother to her. I don’t think I’ve done a very good job. My past is coming back to haunt me.”
“The past can’t hurt an honest heart before the Lord,” Stuart said. “Remember Romans 8 and 1, where it says, ‘There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.’ ”
“I’ll try,” Dolores said. “I think I hear Monika. Do you want to talk to her?”
“Just tell her I called. I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure,” he said. “I’ll let you go.”
“Thanks, Stuart,” Dolores said, and hung up.
Stuart prayed silently for Dolores and Monika as he hung up the phone. He wanted them both to feel the Lord’s presence with them as well as the love from the people that God had placed around them. He added a special prayer for Francine and the role she was beginning to play in the young girl’s life.
~ ~ ~
Francine was helping a customer when Dawn walked into the bookstore that evening. She looked up at Dawn and gave her a questioning smile. Dawn returned it with an open and apologetic one. She browsed the fiction section while she waited for Francine, though she didn’t read much fiction, preferring autobiographies. She’d recently finished Shirley Ceasar’s story and was now working on CeCe Winans. She admired both women.
“Hey, sis,” Francine said, coming up behind her.
Dawn turned. “Hey yourself. How’s it going?”
Francine picked up a nonfiction title that had somehow made its way to the fiction shelves. “We’ve had a busy day but things are settling down now. What brings you by?”
Dawn rested her hand on her sister’s arm. “I’m sorry about this morning, Francine. I wanted to apologize. The argument was between me and Sly. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Francine said. “Is there anything I can do? About you and Sly, I mean?”
Dawn shook her head. “Not really. The problem is between us and we should keep it that way.”
“Are you sure?” Francine asked. “Sometimes it’s good to talk things through with someone not directly involved.”
“I appreciate your offer, Francie. I really do, but this three-way relationship with me, you, and Sly is complicated enough as it is.”
“Would it help if I moved out? You and Sly deserve some privacy to work out your problems.”
Dawn shook her head. “No way should you move out. It’s your home too. We both want you there. We just don’t want you in the middle.” She squeezed her sister’s arm. “Even though I act like a crazy woman sometimes, I do love you, Francie. I hope you know that.”
Francine placed a hand on top of her sister’s. “Of course I do, and I love you too. That’s the only reason I’m asking questions.”
“I know, but can we agree to keep this door closed between us? At least for now?”
Francine nodded. “But know that if you ever change your mind—”
“I know, I know.” She pulled her sister into a brief embrace. “Now how about some dinner? Isn’t it nearing closing time?”
Francine looked at her watch. “It certainly is, but you don’t have to take me to dinner. Do you want to—?”
“No, I don’t want to spend the evening with Sly. You promised to stay out of it, Francie. That means all the way out.”
“Okay, okay,” Francine said. “I’m out of it. Since you’re so determined, why don’t you help me close up so we can get out of here quicker?”
Dawn grinned as she pulled a book off the shelf. “I could take a seat on that stool over there and read while you close up.”
Francine laughed. She took the book from her sister’s hand and placed it back on the shelf. “You could, but you won’t. You take the vacuum cleaner and I’ll handle the rest. Deal?”
“Deal,” she said. “Point me to the instrument of torture.” Francine laughed. “It won’t be that bad.”
The two of them quickly set the bookstore to rights and headed out for dinner. They decided on the Chinese restaurant a couple of doors down so they wouldn’t have to drive.
“This is the best offer I’ve had all day,” Francine said after they were seated in the restaurant. “I didn’t get much of a lunch.”
“That busy?”
Francine told Dawn a little about the incident with Monika.
“I hate that for Dolores and the girl, but I’m glad Stuart was there with you. What do you think of him?”
Francine peered up at her sister. “Not you too?” she said.
“What?” Dawn asked.
“The other night I got the impression Sly was thinking about playing matchmaker. Now you’re sounding like you are.”
Dawn smiled. “Maybe it’s your own thoughts. I only asked what you thought of the man.”
Francine wasn’t sure her sister’s intentions were as innocent as she claimed. “He seems like a good guy. He really cares about Monika and she needs his friendship a lot right now.”
The waite
r came to the table and took their orders, leaving crispy fried noodles, hot mustard, and sweet and sour sauce on the table. Dawn dipped a noodle in the sweet and sour sauce. “Sly told me what happened with George last night. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Francine said. “I should have expected it. And that’s not all. LaDonna came to see me today.”
“Oh no, what did she have to say? I like LaDonna, but she thinks George walks on water, and nobody does that. She goes a bit overboard if you ask me.”
“She says that Mrs. Roberts will stop going to Faith Central because I’m back. She doesn’t want to run into me.”
Dawn’s heart went out to her sister. “She’ll come around, Francie. It’ll take some time.”
Francine shook her head. “I want to believe that, Dawn,” she said, “but I can’t.” She went on to share with her sister more of what LaDonna had said to her.
“LaDonna has some nerve! You don’t have to go anywhere. You’re not leaving. This is your home and Faith Central is your family church as much as it’s hers. If a person can’t come home to heal, where is she supposed to go? And LaDonna calls herself a Christian. Puh-leez! Home girl needs to check herself.”
Francine took comfort in her sister’s outrage on her behalf. “They’re probably not the only ones who want me gone. I wouldn’t be surprised if some others had a few words for me that they want to get off their chest.”
“Yeah, well, you don’t have to sit back and take it.”
“Yes, I do.” At her sister’s wide eyes, she explained, “It’s no more than I deserve, Dawn. You have to remember the way I was up in people’s faces before I left. What goes around comes around. I’m just reaping what I sowed.”
“Puh-leez,” Dawn said again.
“I’m serious.” Francine tossed a couple of the crispy noodles in her mouth. “I was talking to Mother Harris about it earlier today, before I talked to LaDonna. She said something that got me thinking.”
“What?”
“She said I should fix things the same way I broke them.”
“What does that mean?”
“I think it means that I need to make some kind of statement of apology at church on Sunday.”
Dawn sat back in her seat. “You really want to do that?”
“Not really, but I did stand up and confront everybody when I left. Maybe they deserve as bold an apology as the condemnation I heaped on them. Maybe it’ll make a difference to George and his family.”
“And maybe it won’t.” Dawn sipped her tea. “Why bring all that attention on yourself? But it’s your call. You’re a stronger woman than I am.”
Francine chuckled. “I don’t think I could fade into the background even if I tried. George and LaDonna have made that very clear. I left in a thundercloud of emotion, and people are going to notice my return. No, I think Mother Harris is right. I need to take responsibility for what I did.”
“So you’re going to stand up in church and apologize?”
“I’ve been thinking about it, but what LaDonna said has me wondering if I should just leave it alone. Maybe it would be best for everybody if I did leave town. What if my trying to make things right is only making them more wrong?”
Dawn reached across the table and grabbed hold of her sister’s hand. “Listen to me,” she said, “you’re not going anywhere. If you feel you need to speak to the church, then you speak to the church, but you’re not going anywhere. You hear me, Francie?”
Francine nodded to appease her sister, but her mind was far from made up when it came to whether she should leave town. “I hear you.”
Dawn leaned back in her chair. “Good. Now, what are you going to do about church on Sunday?”
“I don’t know,” Francine said. “Maybe I should talk to Pastor first. I haven’t seen him or Sister Thomas yet. I’d like to talk to them privately before making any statement in the church.”
Dawn nodded. “We can go over there after dinner.”
Francine knew her sister was pushing her to take action for fear that she’d let LaDonna’s words influence her. “It’ll be too late.”
Dawn shrugged. “They’re night people. They’ll be up. Besides, if you’re going to make your public apology on Sunday, tonight will be the best time to talk to Pastor. It’s the only night he doesn’t have Bible Study or scheduled counseling sessions.”
“You’re right,” Francine said, “but you don’t have to go with me.”
“I know I don’t have to,” Dawn said. “I want to. The Amen sisters are a team. Don’t you forget that.”
Francine smiled at her sister. “Thanks. We’ll go over after dinner.”
Chapter 13
After an exhausting day at work, Sly needed some physical exertion and he thought a game of pickup basketball would do the job. Knowing he could usually find a late afternoon game at the Genesis House Community Center, he left the funeral home headed in that direction. Stuart was pulling out of the community center parking lot when Sly drove, up.
He stopped and rolled down his window as Stuart did the same. “Man, I wanted to shoot some hoops this afternoon.”
“Rough day?”
Sly nodded. “You up for a few more baskets?”
Stuart shook his head. “I wish I could oblige you, man, but those guys about wore me out. After a hot shower I may be able to tackle a game or two of pool, if you’re interested, but that’s all I can offer.”
“I’ll take you up on it. You got any home-cooked meals in the fridge?”
“Afraid not, my friend.” His empty refrigerator was a reminder of the fact that the single women at church were no longer preparing meals for him—a fact that Sly knew well.
“I thought so,” Sly said. “Why don’t you head home and shower? I’ll be there with dinner in about forty-five minutes.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Stuart said. “Since the guys kicked my behind at basketball, I’ll have to whip yours in pool as a way of reclaiming my manhood.”
“Keep dreamin’, Rogers.”
Sly rolled up his window on Stuart’s laughter. Two hours later, a little food, a few games of pool—even though he was losing—and the companionship of a good friend had eased the cares of the day from Sly’s shoulders. He watched Stuart sink another easy pocket. Either Stuart was playing better than he ever played or Sly was losing his touch.
After sinking the last ball, Stuart lifted his arms in victory. “I’m good, man,” he told Sly. “So good, I’m going to have to look for higher-quality competition. You’re Little League compared to me.”
“Don’t get carried away,” Sly said, placing both cues in the rack. “Everybody has a lucky day sometime. Today is yours.”
Stuart blew on the knuckles of his right hand and then rubbed them against his chest. “Not luck, my man,” he said. “Skill—S-K-I-L-L.”
Sly reached into the mini-refrigerator that Stuart kept in his rec room and pulled out two cans of cold soda. He tossed one to Stuart and said, “That ought to keep you quiet for a minute or two.”
Stuart popped the tab and took a big gulp. “So what’s on your mind? It definitely wasn’t this game of pool.”
Sly popped the tab on his soda. “Admitting it was my lack of concentration and not your superior skill that led to you winning?”
Stuart perched on the corner of the pool table. “No way. Just trying to give a brother an excuse. So what’s up?”
Sly was reluctant to talk about his day. A night away from his troubles was what he needed. “Can’t a brother come by and shoot some pool without there being something up?”
Stuart clapped him on the shoulder. “Good try, but the answer to that one is no. You’d be at home with your lovely wife instead of here with me if all was well. I know you enjoy my company, but you don’t enjoy it that much.”
Sly focused on his soda. “I think she’s talked to a divorce lawyer.”
Those words wiped the smile off Stuart’s face. “You’re joking, right?”
&nb
sp; Sly shook his head. “I wish.”
“Wait a minute. Tell me what happened.”
Sly started from the beginning and told Stuart the story.
“I think she’s right,” Stuart said. “You overreacted. Her interest in the business doesn’t mean she’s seen an attorney.”
Sly snorted. “No, it means she’s afraid I’m going to seduce her sister. Man, I can’t win! All I’m trying to do is take care of business at the funeral home without having her worry, and she thinks I’m trying to seduce her sister.”
“Maybe that’s not what she thinks. Maybe she simply wants to share that part of your life.”
Sly wished Stuart was right because it would be a sign of hope for his marriage, but he couldn’t be sure. Not with Dawn. “Why now, though, when things are so bad with us?”
“Only Dawn knows that.” Stuart dropped down on the couch. “Why is her interest such a problem for you, Sly? She wants to be involved. Why don’t you let her?”
“Because the business of running the funeral home is my turf. I’m supposed to take care of it. She’s supposed to trust me to take care of it.”
“Says who?” Stuart challenged. “You make this sound like some type of rule. Was it part of your wedding vows that you’d take care of the business?”
“No, but it was understood. Her job was to take care of the families and mine was to take care of the financials. I haven’t done anything to make her not trust me in this area.”
“So we’re back to trust again.”
Sly nodded. “She doesn’t trust me with her sister, she doesn’t trust me with the business. Where do we start to rebuild, Stuart?”
“Maybe it’s the funeral home. You two need a place where you can work together toward a common goal, learn to rely on each other again. Maybe working on this collective project with Dawn is the perfect vehicle. It’ll give you something to focus on other than your relationship.”
Sly considered his friend’s words. “I hadn’t thought about it that way. Maybe I did overreact.”
“Maybe.”
Sly grinned at his friend. “No need to rub it in.” He put his hand on the back of his neck. “These days I don’t seem to be able to think straight about much of anything. I know part of it is just the frustration I feel because Dawn and I aren’t sleeping together. I miss my wife, man.”
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