Janine smiled, but Charlotte could tell she wanted to talk more about her and Curtis. “They’re both fine. Bethany is getting bigger all the time, and it’s so hard to believe she’s already one.”
“I know. Time flies, doesn’t it?”
“It does, but she’s such a blessing to us.”
“She’s definitely a little sweetheart.”
“Yeah, and so is Curtina.”
“I know. She’s my heart, J, and interestingly enough, I feel closer to her than I do to Matthew these days. He’s still so distant toward me.”
Janine didn’t say anything, and now Charlotte wondered if Curtis had told her about the incident on Saturday right before Matthew had left for his prom. She didn’t dare ask, though, because the whole scenario was too embarrassing.
Finally, Janine said, “He’ll eventually come around. Children always do.”
“I hope so, but I’ve always thought it was strange how the one person I despised is now the little angel I love and would give my life for if I had to.”
“I knew you’d eventually come to terms with your feelings about her.”
The waiter returned with their drinks, took their orders, and left again.
Charlotte immediately sipped some of her wine. “I haven’t had shrimp DeJonghe in a long time, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
“I haven’t either, so I’m glad I ordered that, too.”
The two of them sat chatting about one thing after another, and Charlotte was happy she’d finally gotten a chance to spend some time with Janine. She’d been a little irritated about her having a conversation with Curtis, but she also knew Janine was the best friend any woman could have and that she was only doing everything she could to help her. She was genuinely worried, and Charlotte was thankful for that. Suddenly, though, Charlotte thought about Curtis again, and her questions from the other night came flooding back: Who’d seen her at Chelsey’s and told him about it? And who’d he been talking to on the phone? Both questions drove her curiosity wild, and she wouldn’t be satisfied until she had answers. She wouldn’t be content until she knew exact names and saw faces.
Chapter 22
Less than twenty-four hours ago, God had lovingly saved Curtis from himself, and he was very grateful. He’d come a mighty long way in terms of renewing his relationship with the Man upstairs, but in a matter of seconds, he’d almost ruined everything by sleeping with Sharon. The sad part of it, too, was that he’d wanted her badly. He’d fantasized about her and vividly pictured himself in bed with her, and for a few moments he hadn’t felt the least bit of guilt. For a few seconds, he’d told himself that everyone was human, that we all made mistakes, and that it was okay to do what he had to do, as long as it would help alleviate his disappointment and pain. He’d decided there was nothing wrong with sleeping with a gorgeous woman who was dying to satisfy him, even if he wasn’t in love with her. He did like Sharon, he enjoyed talking to her, and he was strongly attracted to her, but for some reason, there was no I-want-to-spend-the-rest-of-my-life-with-you connection. At least not on his part, anyway. He wasn’t sure why exactly, but he knew he’d never be in love with her. He was sure of this because when he’d originally met Tanya, it had been love at first sight. Then when he’d reconnected with Charlotte, he’d fallen in love with her pretty quickly as well. However, when it came to Sharon, he felt a lot differently, like they could never be more than just friends or, at the most, friends with benefits.
Still, he was glad he hadn’t gone against God’s Word and that he’d left her house in a hurry and driven home. Sharon had even tried calling him only minutes after he’d backed out of her driveway, but he hadn’t answered. Partly because he didn’t want to take a chance on her convincing him to change his mind and partly because he honestly didn’t want to mess up. He didn’t want to commit adultery and then regret it. What he wanted was to do the right thing, end of story.
Curtis went inside one of his favorite sandwich spots and wished he’d come a little before noon because the place was packed. Riverside Deli wasn’t in the heart of downtown or on the busiest street in town, but people still patronized the establishment regularly because of how good the food was. Curtis loved their Reuben and fries combo, and since he’d had a taste for it for a while, he decided it was very much worth waiting in line for.
“Hey, Pastor,” a woman who looked to be in her thirties said, walking in with another woman and standing directly behind him. He didn’t know her name but was pretty sure he’d seen her at church.
“Hey, how are you?”
“I’m good,” she said. “And I enjoyed your sermon yesterday.”
“Good to hear. Are you a member?”
“Not yet, but I’ve been attending for a few months now. By the way,” she said, extending her hand, “I’m Alexis, and this is my coworker, Katrina.”
Curtis shook their hands. “Nice to meet you both.”
“I’ve heard the food here is great,” Alexis said.
“It is. They have some of the best sandwiches I’ve tasted.”
Curtis turned back around and moved a bit closer to the counter. There were still three people ahead of him, though, so he turned to Alexis and Katrina again. “So, if I may ask, why haven’t you joined the church yet?”
Alexis raised her sunglasses toward the top of her head. “I’m thinking about it, but I guess I’m a little hesitant because of the way things turned out at the last church I went to. When scandals happen and pastors disappoint you, it really shakes your faith.”
“Sounds like you had a bad experience.”
“It was horrible.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but I hope whatever happened won’t stop you from choosing another church family. I also hope you won’t allow another person’s errors to affect your relationship with God.”
“I’m trying not to, but it’s hard.”
“And what about you?” he asked Katrina. “Do you have a church home?”
“Yes, I attend Zion Chapel AME.”
“Of course, Pastor Worthington’s church. I know him well, and he’s a great pastor.”
“My parents are charter members, so I’ve been going there since I was a child.”
Curtis took a few steps forward, seeing that he was almost next in line. Just then, though, D. C. Robinson, the loan shark Curtis’s former CFO, Raven, had gotten in trouble with, strolled in. It was interesting how whenever Curtis saw him, the first thing he thought was how polite D.C. was and how, regardless of the street life he lived, he’d once given huge financial support to Deliverance Outreach. Curtis had also always been able to trust him.
“Wow, long time no see, Pastor,” D.C. said, shaking Curtis’s hand.
“It’s definitely been a while. So, how are you?”
“Can’t complain.”
“Good.”
“So, you ladies buying?” D.C. asked Alexis and Katrina.
Curtis laughed because it was just like D.C. to flirt with two beautiful young women. Although, since they were dressed professionally, he doubted D.C. was their type.
“Yeah, right,” Alexis said. “Since when do I pay for anything when I’m with you?”
D.C. shook his head. “See what I gotta deal with, Pastor? A sister who uses and abuses me.”
“This is your sister?”
“Unfortunately.” Alexis hit him playfully, and D.C. laughed. “She’s a good little sister, though.”
“I’m only two years younger than you, remember?”
“But you’re still the baby.”
“Whatever.”
Curtis chuckled. “I didn’t even know you had siblings.”
“I guess I never got around to mentioning it.”
They chatted a few more minutes. Curtis finally placed his order and moved to the side, and D.C. did the same. When Curtis’s food was ready, he found a table and soon D.C. joined him.
“So, you invite us to lunch and then you ditch us, huh?” Alexis said.
“I guess,” Alexis said. “It was good seeing you, Pastor.”
“Same here, and I’ll look to see you joining Deliverance Outreach very soon.”
Katrina followed Alexis and said, “Take care, Pastor.”
“You, too.”
D.C. ate a couple of fries. “So, how’s everything been goin’?”
“Well, to be honest, man, not all that good.”
“Is everything okay with the ministry?”
Curtis took a bite of his Reuben. “Everything’s fine with that. The problem I’m dealing with is personal.”
“Oh. Well, that’s a bummer.”
“Yeah, it is, and I may as well tell you, I’m getting a divorce. I haven’t told my congregation, but that’s the deal.”
“Wow, Pastor, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s been a long time coming, but once my son leaves for school this fall, I’m going ahead with proceedings.”
“I don’t wanna get too personal, but did somethin’ specific happen or is it that things just ain’t workin’ anymore?”
“Long story short, my wife chose to sleep around again.”
“You kiddin’ me?”
“Wish I was.”
“You’ve really been through it. First you get stiffed by that trick Raven who stole money from the church and now this.”
“Yeah, this last year has been the worst, but that’s life.”
“I guess so, but I hope things get better for you real quick.”
“I’m sure they will. But hey, how’s Levi?” Levi was one of D.C.’s closest friends, and he was also someone Alicia had had an affair with when she was married to Phillip.
“He’s good. Gettin’ out next month.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah, he’ll finally be free again.”
“Good for him,” Curtis said. “He hasn’t contacted me in a while, but last time I spoke to him, I think he quoted more scriptures than I did.”
D.C. laughed. “Don’t remind me.”
Curtis laughed, too. “I know you’d much rather see him hanging out with you, but I’m thrilled about him turning his life around. I’m glad he knows God and that he plans on doing something different with his life. As a matter of fact, I’m hoping his new way of thinking will rub off on you someday.”
“Whoa, now, come on, Pastor, you know I love and respect what you do, but that whole going-to-church-every-Sunday thing ain’t me.”
“It could be.”
“Never.”
“Well, I’m not giving up hope, because there comes a point in time in every man’s life when he needs God.”
“Maybe I should have sat with my sister and her friend,” D.C. said, and they both laughed again.
“Maybe you should’ve because there’s no way I’m going to sit here without ministering to you. I’d be less than a pastor if I did.”
“I hear you. And don’t get me wrong, I do believe in God, but I’d rather love and praise him outside of the church.”
Curtis shook his head but couldn’t deny how much he liked D.C. “Some things never change.”
D.C. grinned. “I guess not, but you know I’ve got ya back if you ever need me.”
“I’ve always appreciated that.”
When they finished eating, Curtis and D.C. went outside and Alexis and Katrina joined them minutes later. They all stood making small talk, but right when Alexis said, “I guess we’d better get back to work,” a silver Mercedes pulled into the parking lot, and Curtis wondered what Charlotte wanted. She’d never been in the habit of following him around, so he could only imagine what kind of drama she was planning. But as the car rolled closer, Curtis got a better look and saw that it was Sharon. He was a little shocked because he’d had no idea she even owned a Mercedes, especially the same model and color as Charlotte’s. He hadn’t seen her wearing her hair in the exact same style as Charlotte’s before either, even though the color had always been similar.
D.C., Alexis, and Katrina said their good-byes, got in their vehicles, and left, and that’s when Curtis walked over to Sharon. Her window was already half down, but then she lowered it all the way. Curtis wanted to ask her why she was wearing the same Gucci sunglasses Charlotte had been wearing for months now. It was all very strange, and he’d be lying if he said all these similarities didn’t trouble him a little.
“Well, isn’t this a coincidence,” she said, smiling. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”
“No, I was just having lunch with an old friend of mine. Haven’t seen him in a long time.”
“Looked like you were having lunch with more than just him.”
“I don’t get what you mean.”
“The two women who were standing next to you when I pulled up.”
“One of them was his sister and the other was her friend.”
“I’ve seen the tall one at church before.”
“Yeah, she’s been coming for a few months.”
Sharon seemed agitated. “I’m sure she has.”
“Why do you say it like that?”
“No reason.”
Curtis was ready to go. “Okay, well, hey, I’d better get out of here. I have a couple of other stops to make, and then I need to pick up my daughter from school.”
“That’s fine, but, baby, can I ask you something?”
“What?”
“Why did you walk out on me like that?”
He’d hoped he wouldn’t have to have this conversation with Sharon, but no such luck. “I’m sorry, but if I hadn’t left, I knew we’d end up doing something we shouldn’t.”
“But we were having such a wonderful time. We were so connected and in sync with one another. Everything was perfect.”
Curtis positioned his sunglasses over his eyes. “Look, Sharon, this is all my fault because I never should have come over in the first place.”
“You came because you wanted to make love to me, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“There’s a lot wrong with it.”
“But we were so close to solidifying our relationship.”
Curtis looked around, realizing the last thing he wanted was for anyone to see him having a lengthy conversation with some beautiful woman in a restaurant parking lot, because it wouldn’t take long before rumors started. “Hey, I really have to get going.”
“Will you call me later?”
“I’ll try.”
“I love you,” she said, but Curtis ignored her and went to his SUV.
He’d never seen Sharon act this way before, and he hoped her seeing him standing in the parking lot of a deli was mere coincidence and not something that had occurred on purpose. He hoped she wasn’t in the habit of following him—more important, he hoped she wasn’t obsessed with Charlotte, because while he hadn’t wanted to stare at her, he could have sworn the white jean outfit she was wearing was the same one he’d seen Charlotte wearing last summer. But maybe his eyes were playing tricks on him. Maybe it wasn’t the same outfit at all. Maybe none of what he’d noticed was any big deal, and it was simply a matter of two women having the same taste in clothing—and in hairdos, sunglasses, purses, and cars. Although, there was something else that crossed his mind. Why had she been at Chelsey’s yesterday afternoon at the very same time as Charlotte? If he could recollect, not once had Sharon spoken about Chelsey’s before yesterday. In the past, she’d talked about a number of restaurants she enjoyed eating at or getting carryout from, but never Chelsey’s.
Although, maybe he was overthinking this whole scenario, and there was no problem at all. Maybe he was just paranoid for no reason. Yes, that had to be it because the alternative was too alarming.
Chapter 23
Charlotte couldn’t take it anymore. She needed to know who Curtis had been chatting with on the phone, and today was the day she’d find out. It was the reason she’d zoomed home
right after having lunch with Janine and had quickly rushed upstairs to her computer. Now she sat perched in front of the screen, creating a user ID and password for Curtis’s cell phone account on the Verizon Wireless website. She’d been worried that maybe Curtis had already set them up, but once she’d registered as a new online user and typed in all pertinent information, she discovered he hadn’t. They paid their bills through the online bill pay service their bank offered, and knowing Curtis, if there was a discrepancy of some kind or a question he had about his account in general, he would much rather call customer service.
Charlotte accessed the account and saw that she could select either her cell or his, so she clicked on his number and then clicked View Usage and then View Call Details. She scrolled through today’s calls and yesterday’s and finally saw Saturday’s. Right away, she spotted a call Curtis had made very close to midnight. She knew that had to be the one she was looking for because while she couldn’t remember for sure, she knew Matthew had just changed and left for his postprom party around that time.
She pulled her cell phone out of her purse, dialed *67 to block her number, and then dialed the mysterious number on her computer screen. There were two rings before a woman said, “Hello?” But all Charlotte did was sit listening and trying to figure out if she recognized the voice.
“Hello?” the woman said again. “Who is this?”
Charlotte listened intently but still didn’t say anything, and finally the woman hung up. So she called her again.
“Hello?”
Charlotte almost asked her who she was but then decided it was best she did more investigating before verbally confronting the woman.
“Hello?” the woman yelled this time. Then she hung up again.
“I knew it,” Charlotte said. She was steaming, but at the same time, she was hurt. Curtis really had been talking to some woman on the phone, and she had to find out who it was. Did she attend Deliverance Outreach? Was she someone from his past? Worse, was she a woman Curtis had fallen hopelessly in love with and was going to marry as soon as possible? Had he already unofficially replaced Charlotte and was simply biding his time?
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