My Son's Wife

by Shelia E. Bell

  Pastor went into the family room and sat contentedly in front of the television, sipping on a steaming hot cup of decaf coffee. He mouthed a thank-you to God for everything turning out so well. He loved to see Audrey happy. Being troubled about Francesca was hard for her. The fact that Audrey believed her daughter was a lesbian made things that much worse. Audrey told him that members of the church whispered and gossiped about Frankie all of the time. It had made its way back to Audrey that some of the members had seen Frankie out in the streets and malls with women who looked like they were gay. One of the Holy Rock members worked at the Criminal Justice Center and had been Frankie’s pre-trial counselor. Pastor understood the embarrassment it caused the First Lady.

  He tried everything in his might to soothe Audrey’s nerves and to keep her from worrying. He explained to his wife that when a child, a child who especially has been raised to know God, rebels and chooses instead to walk in darkness rather than the light, there is nothing to do except turn that child over to God for God to deal with. But Audrey didn’t want to do that. She wanted so badly to solve Frankie’s problems herself.

  The weight of the family’s problems, coupled with being the shepherd of Holy Rock, sometimes tired Pastor so much that he started having anxiety attacks. From time to time his heart fluttered and a cold sweat would come over him. He did well to hide it from Audrey. She didn’t need anything else to add to her list of worries. God would take care of him. No need to claim sickness of any kind is what Pastor told himself.

  By the time the kids finished cleaning the kitchen, it was close to noon. They sat around for about an hour or so before Frankie stood up.

  “We had a good time, but I think it’s time for us to push.”

  Rena stood up next to her with her head slightly downward, as if she was hiding something.

  “I hate to see you all leave so early,” said Pastor. “Come on over here and give me a hug.”

  Pastor hugged the girls but remained seated.

  Stiles and Audrey followed them to the front door. Pastor could hear his wife in the front reminding them about church tomorrow. Stiles was going to deliver the morning message and afterwards they were going to have dinner at the church. Pastor didn’t hear a response from Frankie. He only heard Rena say that she and Frankie would be there. For Audrey’s sake, Pastor sure hoped Frankie showed up.

  Stiles and Audrey returned to the family room after Frankie and Rena left.

  “Mom, Dad, thanks for a wonderful feast. I enjoyed it,” Stiles stated.

  “Baby, now you know there’s no need to thank us. You’re our son, and we’re proud of you. I know you wanted to see your sister. Since she didn’t have the common sense to come by last night, I knew she had to come and see her brother this morning,” Audrey complained.

  “Now, honey. There’s no need to drudge over yesterday. We had a good time today. Francesca came and that’s all that matters.”

  “Daddy’s right, Mom. I wasn’t expecting Frankie to drop everything just to come to see me. I am here to stay you know. Plus, you said that Rena told you last night that Frankie wasn’t feeling too well. Like Dad said, what counts is now. It was good seeing my sister. And Rena, that young lady looks awesome.” Stiles chuckled.

  “She is a nice girl. Always has been,” remarked Pastor.

  Audrey raised an eyebrow and added, “And she’s quite available.”

  “Mom, no,” Stiles laughed and held up a finger, waving it back and forth. “Don’t you even go there. The last thing I need is you to try to set me up with Rena. She’s like another sister.”

  “Stiles Jennings Graham.” Audrey gleaned. “It’s too late to try to convince me that you weren’t looking at Rena with more than a sisterly eye. Didn’t you notice it too, Pastor?” she asked and looked directly at Pastor.

  “This time, son, I have to take your mother’s side. It sure looked like you had an extra sparkle in your eye.”

  “Well, maybe,” his mouth curved into an unconscious smile. “Shoot, I couldn’t help it. The girl is beautiful. But before I say anything else, I’m going to the study. Since you asked me to preach, I don’t want to disappoint you. I want to go over my message for tomorrow.”

  “Sure, you do that, but I already know you’re going to set the church on fire. Isn’t that right, sweetie?”

  “Yes, that’s right, Pastor. I believe our son is certain to do just that.”

  “I had a good time, didn’t you?” Rena asked Frankie as she drove away from the Graham’s.

  “Yeah, I have to admit that I had a great time. It was good to see Stiles. He’s still crazy as ever.” Frankie remarked. “I’m glad Momma didn’t ruin it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She can be so judgmental and condemning. That’s all. And you know it. I was waiting for her to start in on me. I wasn’t having it today.”

  “Well, she didn’t start in on you, as you put it,” Rena replied and glanced over at Frankie. “So there’s no need to go there or even think about that. I’m glad you’re going to come to church tomorrow. It’s been like forever since you stepped foot in Holy Rock,” Rena commented.

  “What have you been doing? Keeping count or something? Anyway, I didn’t say that I was going; you did.”

  “So you’re not coming?” Rena looked over at her again before quickly dropping her lashes to hide the hurt.

  “I didn’t say that either. Just drop me off at my apartment. I have to take care of some things.”

  “Do you want me to wait on you?”

  “No, that won’t be necessary. I’ve got to do a couple of things and if I do decide to go, I need to find something to wear.”

  “Oh, Frankie,” Rena said excitedly. “I knew you wouldn’t let Stiles down. I knew you wouldn’t.”

  “Hey, wait a minute. I’m not doing this for Stiles. I’m doing it for you. It’s the least I can do for you. You’re always there for me.” Frankie reached over and grabbed hold of Rena’s free hand. “Sometimes I know you think that I don’t appreciate you, but I do.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. All I want is what’s best for you. I know you’ve been through some tough times over the years and I know you don’t want to have anything to do with the church or God right now. But if you’ll just come tomorrow, give it a chance, then I believe you’ll start to feel better about your life.”

  “Maybe you’re right. It’s hard out here in these streets. But it can be hard in the church too. You know how Christian folks do. They’re always condemning each other. Always judging and pointing fingers. Accusing and chastising people. I don’t want to hear it and I don’t want to see the stares and listen to the whispers. I might just go off. Then Daddy’s congregation will really have something to talk about.”

  “You’re not going for those people. They have to answer to God for themselves. So don’t even let that get next to you. Anyway, it might not be like that at all,” Rena told her.

  “We’ll see,” Frankie said.

  When they pulled up at Frankie’s place, she leaned over and gave Rena a light peck on the cheek before climbing out of the car.

  “I’m going to pick you up at around 10:30 tomorrow morning, so be ready.”

  “Cool.” Frankie told her. “I’ll call you later on tonight.”

  “Okay.” Rena waited until Frankie disappeared inside the building then turned the car around, driving off with a smile of satisfaction on her face.

  8

  It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. -Unknown

  Rena dialed Frankie’s number for the fourth time. There was still no answer. It was well after midnight. Rena hadn’t heard from Frankie since she’d dropped her off at the apartment earlier that afternoon. She checked her cell phone to make sure Frankie hadn’t tried to call, but there were no missed calls.

  “Why would she lie to me?” Rena asked herself. “If she didn’t want to go to church she should have just said it. Well, if that’s the way she wants to p
lay, then so be it. I’m sick of her games.”

  Rena got on her knees and said a short prayer, asking God to do the usual things like taking care of her parents, her sister and brother, the Graham’s and those who were sick or grieving. She said a special prayer for Stiles that his sermon would be a good one. Before she said, Amen, she asked God to take care of Frankie wherever she was and to keep her safe and in His care. Climbing between the pastel colored sheets, she wondered where Frankie could be and who she could be with, until her eye lids drooped and she answered the call of sleep.

  The next morning, the alarm clock woke Rena at eight thirty. She turned over sleepily and pushed the button to turn it off. Reaching for her cell phone, she looked to see if Frankie had called. No such luck. She then searched for the cordless phone and found it underneath the covers. No calls. Dialing Frankie’s number, she climbed out of the bed and walked into the bathroom holding the phone up to her ear.

  “Dang, Frankie, you’re pissing me off!” Rena screamed into the receiver when Frankie still didn’t answer. “I don’t have time for your mess this morning.”

  Rena slammed the phone down on the vanity. She walked over to the tub, turned on the water full force, reached for the scented bath beads, and she poured some underneath the warm running water. While the tub filled, she brushed her teeth.

  Rena finished her bath, dried off and walked to the closet in her birthday suit to peruse the clothes. Settling on a dove grey strapless dress with the matching jacket, she laid the outfit across her unmade bed. She pulled out her underwear set from her dresser and an unopened package of sheer pantyhose. After putting on her underwear and hose, she opened the hall closet where she kept her dozens of shoes. Rena searched through the closet until she located her grey leather sandals with the wraparound ankle strap. Once she finished dressing, she called Frankie again. The buzz in her ear infuriated her that much more. She looked at the clock. Ten minutes to ten. Without bothering to eat, Rena picked up her purse and cell phone and headed out the door.

  She made it to Frankie’s in record time. Racing up the stairs, she didn’t stop until she reached the door of Frankie’s apartment. Just as she opened her clutch purse, she huffed loudly when she realized she had left the key to the apartment in her other purse at home. She beat on the door for several minutes while calling out Frankie’s name. No one answered other than one of Frankie’s neighbors who cracked the door and told Rena that Frankie left with some chick the night before. The neighbor sneered when he told Rena what he’d seen. Rena gave him a less than pleasing stare before she stormed away and back down the stairs.

  Rena went back to her car and sat quietly inside for several minutes with the air conditioning running. She had to cool off inside and outside. It was time to gather her thoughts. She pondered over who Frankie could have left with. Now instead of anger, Rena grew somewhat concerned. It was one thing for Frankie not to be at home, but it was another for Rena not to have received at least one call from her by now. The only times that occurred was when Frankie managed to get herself in trouble, or locked up.

  Rena rested her head against the head rest while holding on to the steering wheel with both hands. If Frankie was in trouble again, Rena was finished. She couldn’t keep rescuing her. Rena sat in the car for fifteen minutes before leaving and heading for church. She was not about to miss Stiles’s sermon. She would have to deal with Frankie later, that was for sure, but for now her mind was on Stiles Graham.

  Rena walked into the sanctuary and claimed a seat on the third row. The First Lady walked up beside her.

  “She isn’t coming, is she?” Audrey asked Rena.

  “No, ma’am. I don’t think so. I think she….”

  “Stop right there. Don’t do it, Rena. Don’t make up another excuse for that ungrateful child of mine. How could she do this?”

  “Mrs. Graham, I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could say.”

  “Rena, maybe you’ll let go now,” Audrey whispered. “This is the last straw for me and you need to move on with your life too. People are already talking about you, associating you with Francesca’s ungodly ways. Some of them are even calling you… Well, I don’t want to say it in God’s house,” Audrey said and placed her freshly manicured hands over her lips.

  “No need to, Mrs. Graham. I don’t care what other people say. Frankie’s my friend, my best friend and I won’t turn my back on her. I can’t.” Rena said. “I’m worried about her. I haven’t heard from her since I dropped her off at her apartment yesterday afternoon.”

  “You know, and I know, that she’s fine, wherever she is. She always is. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s laid up somewhere with God knows who just so she wouldn’t have to be here. But I tell you, Rena. I’m through with her. I’m giving her over to Jesus. I won’t send myself to an early grave worrying about Francesca. Friend or no friend, move on, Rena. You’re too smart, too beautiful and too intelligent. You have a lot going for you. It’s time you start living your own life and concentrating on yourself. Do you hear me, young lady?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I hear you. And you’re right. It is time for me to let go.” Rena slowly agreed.

  “By the way, you look lovely this morning.”

  “Thank you, First Lady.”

  “We’ll talk later. I’m going to go and greet some of the members. I don’t know what I’m going to tell Stiles,” Audrey remarked and then turned and walked away.

  Eleven o’clock Sunday morning worship service started and the praise team encouraged the congregation to join them in singing Donnie McClurkin’s, “I Call Him Faithful”. After a prayer by one of the deacons, and two songs by the choir, Stiles walked up to the pulpit. The congregation stood and applauded.

  Stiles stood tall in the pulpit. His black tailored suit, crisp white shirt and patterned tie added a somewhat spiritual aura to his already dashing, handsome build. Rena swallowed hard as her eyes became transfixed on him.

  Stiles took his place in the pulpit and allowed his eyes to scan the congregation. When his eyes stopped on Rena, his heart quickened at the sight of her. She looked simply ravishing. He cleared his throat before taking his eyes off of her. He scanned the sanctuary farther. Not seeing Francesca, he concluded that she had not come to hear his message. I won’t allow the enemy to steal my joy; I’m here to do what you have called me to do, Lord.

  Before taking his text, Stiles prayed. “Father, thank you for this opportunity to speak your word. I ask you to anoint every word that proceeds from my mouth. Amen. What kind of fruit is growing in your garden? Turn your Bibles to the fifth chapter of Galatians, verse 22 and following. Reading from the New Living Translation, you’ll find these words. But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The word of God is true, people. The word of God in this passage of scripture calls the character that we, as children of God, should produce-fruit.” Stiles looked at his mother. At that moment he felt a magnetic pull of his spirit directed toward her. “There’s a story I read not too long ago about a Special Olympics team. There were nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the sound of the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a mad dash, but with delight to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back.” Stiles looked over his shoulder. “Then they all turned around and went back until they reached the crying boy; every one of them. One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said: "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes.”

  “Hallelujah, Praise God,” several members shouted one after another. “Preach, boy, preach,” someone else called out.r />
  Audrey’s eyes gleamed with tears. A smile spread across Rena’s face. Pastor stood on his feet and shouted across the pulpit behind Stiles.

  Nothing seemed to faze Stiles. He kept on preaching. His message was simple and clear.

  “I shared that story just to make you understand that it’s not about you or me. The life we live should be all about God, about helping someone who’s down and fallen by the way side.” Stiles pointed a finger upward. “It’s not about whether you win the race or not, it’s about who you help to win. Sometimes that means you have to change your direction in order to save someone else. Sometimes, people, you have to go to the places you don’t want to go in order to pull someone out of the dungeon. What kind of fruit are you growing in your hearts for God? What are you doing to further God’s kingdom?”

  Stiles appeared to be at ease. He was truly in the place where he was supposed to be, in the house of God. “In Galatians chapter five, verses nineteen through twenty-one,” Stiles bellowed. “It tells what happens when you follow the desires of your sinful nature. Some of you don’t want to hear what I’m saying, but I’m still going to tell you what’s true. Follow the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ. Stop being stuck up and self-centered. Stop pointing fingers at everybody but yourself. The next time you encounter someone whose behavior is frustrating to your patience, think about what that person’s life experience may be and give them a little extra love and attention. You never know what’s going on in another person’s life. Both hands were positioned on his waist and his body reared back. “If you want to spend eternity with Jesus, you better hear me.” After several more minutes of preaching, Stiles closed out his sermon by offering Christ to any one who was in the congregation and did not know God as their personal Lord and Savior.