A Time to Stand

by Robert Whitlow

  “Luke! Luke!” he heard Jane yell with clear hysteria in her voice.

  Luke scrambled to his feet and burst out of the woods. “Here I am!” he responded. “Everything’s fine!”

  He ran over to Jane, who was standing sideways in the open doorway at the rear of the house.

  “What were you doing?” she demanded. “I can’t believe you left Ashley and me alone in the house! You could have been killed. We could have been killed.”

  Luke opened his mouth to speak but knew words would be meaningless. He reached out to wrap his arms around Jane, afraid she would angrily push him away. To his surprise, she collapsed against him and buried her head in his chest. He took a deep breath and exhaled.

  “I’m sorry,” he said.

  A way to justify his actions began to form in his mind, but instead of immediately offering an explanation, he simply continued to hold his wife. Luke was mad at himself for not considering Jane’s reaction when she woke up and he wasn’t in the house. And he was seething with rage at the unknown assailant who’d put his family in mortal danger. Finally, he felt Jane begin to relax.

  “I’m sorry,” he repeated.

  Jane pulled away and placed her hands against his chest. “When I couldn’t find you in the house, crazy, scary thoughts began racing through my head.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said for the third time.

  “What were you doing in the woods?”

  “Checking things out, but that was a mistake,” he replied. “I should have stayed here with you and Ashley.”

  Jane nodded. “Yes. For a while I’m going to need to know where you are every minute. It’s the only way I can keep my mind from spinning out of control.”

  “I understand,” Luke said. “And that’s what I’ll do.”

  Jane brushed a stray strand of blond hair away from her forehead. “Which means I’m not going to take Ashley and stay with my mother in Florida,” she said. “I can’t keep up with you and what you’re doing long-distance. For that, I need to be here.”

  Luke hugged Jane again. This time tighter.

  Adisa and Shanika helped Aunt Josie into the front seat of Adisa’s car. They drove slowly down the street. Aunt Josie clearly enjoyed reconnecting with her world.

  “The Clancys need to cut their grass,” the older woman observed when they reached the corner. “I wonder if they’re out of town visiting their granddaughter in Massachusetts. I cut their grass for them when they went to see her last year.”

  “That’s not an option this year,” Adisa said.

  “Amen,” Shanika echoed.

  They turned onto East Nixon Street and approached the flower display in the grass beside the spot where Luke shot Deshaun.

  “Those are the flowers for Thelma’s grandson,” Adisa said to her aunt. “Your eyes were closed when we passed on the way home from the hospital.”

  Adisa pulled to the curb.

  “And you’re in the middle of this mess,” Shanika said to her sister, shaking her head.

  Adisa thought about all that had happened that morning at Luke and Jane’s house. “Yes,” she replied. “Right in the middle.”

  “Roll down my window,” Aunt Josie said. “If I was walking down this street, I’d stop and pray for Deshaun.”

  Once the window was open, Aunt Josie slowly raised her right hand and gripped the window frame. Adisa could see the veins standing out on her aunt’s hand. It was a hand that had worked for decades to provide for herself and others and taken time to do small things like braid Adisa’s hair when she was a little girl.

  “Lord,” Aunt Josie finally said. “Don’t let go of Deshaun. Keep him in your strong hand where the devil can’t touch him. Amen.”

  Aunt Josie released her grip and slowly returned her fingers to her lap.

  “That boy is fighting more than one battle,” the older woman said. “And he needs reinforcements from heaven.”

  “The main battle is to live and recover,” Adisa replied.

  “I prayed what I believed I was supposed to pray,” Aunt Josie answered. “God’s purposes and his will are bigger than anything we can imagine. And attacks come from more than one direction.”

  Adisa eased the car forward. “Do you think it’s God’s will for me to drive us to the Jackson House for take-out banana pudding? My treat.”

  “That’s definitely God’s will,” Aunt Josie said, turning her head so that Adisa could see a big smile on her face. “If it turns out there isn’t any banana pudding in heaven, I want to make sure I eat my fair share on earth.”

  “Reggie likes banana pudding,” Adisa said.

  “Then maybe you’d better ask for the Jackson House recipe so you can make some for him,” Shanika said.

  “Oh, he likes Adisa for a lot more reasons than her cooking,” Aunt Josie said.

  “He liked the soup I made the evening you came home from the hospital,” Adisa protested.

  “Yes,” Aunt Josie answered. “But I stand by my words.”

  TWENTY-NINE

  SUNDAY MORNING APPEARED with dark clouds in the sky ready to drip rain. Adisa fixed coffee for Shanika and herself. Aunt Josie, still restricted from anything containing caffeine, drank herbal tea.

  “Are you sure it’s okay for Shanika and me to drink coffee in front of you?” Adisa asked.

  “Go ahead,” Aunt Josie said. “I’m just thankful to be in my own house on Sunday morning. The only thing better would be getting ready for church. But my problems shouldn’t keep you girls from going.”

  “I’m not sure it’s smart to leave you alone,” Shanika began. “What if you need help?”

  “Don’t argue with me like you did when you were a teenager and wanted to skip church so you could meet Calvin Norris in the dugout at the ball field.”

  Shanika’s mouth dropped open. “How did you know about that?” she asked. “And I only did it a couple of times before his mother found out he didn’t really have a stomachache and made him go to church himself.”

  “I didn’t know about you and Calvin,” Adisa said. “Aunt Josie, I’d like to hear more.”

  “Scoot, both of you, and get ready,” Aunt Josie said. “You’re wasting time.”

  Adisa and Shanika left the house wearing heels and nice dresses. Adisa’s dress had a blue theme. Shanika’s outfit was white and bronze.

  “The church Ronnie and I started attending about six months ago is casual for everything except weddings and funerals,” Shanika said, adjusting her top.

  “It was the same with me in Atlanta.”

  Adisa backed her car down the driveway.

  “What do you and Reggie talk about?” Shanika asked.

  Adisa summarized some of her conversations with the young minister.

  “Are you attracted to him?” Shanika asked while Adisa waited for a traffic light to turn green.

  “When he looks at me, I feel like I’m the center of his universe in that moment.”

  “Wow,” Shanika replied. “That’s intense.”

  “But I’d like to see what you think about him.”

  “If that’s what’s going on with you, it doesn’t matter what I think.”

  “Could you repeat that? It sounds wonderful hearing those words from your bossy lips.”

  Shanika laughed and tapped Adisa softly on the arm. They reached the church. The parking lot was almost full, and Adisa had to squeeze into a tiny spot next to a power pole. The sky thundered when they exited the car.

  “I hope lightning doesn’t hit that pole and cause it to fall and crush your car while we’re in church,” Shanika said.

  “If it does, I’ll take it as a sign there’s no future for Reggie and me.”

  Several people recognized the sisters and wanted an update on Aunt Josie’s condition. Thankfully, no one mentioned Luke’s case.

  The sanctuary was buzzing with voices. Adisa and Shanika found seats toward the front. Thelma Armistead was sitting on the other side of the sanctuary surrounded by a group of
older women. The choir, wearing brilliant red-and-gold robes, entered from a side door followed by Reggie. Shouts of “Amen!” and “Hallelujah!” burst forth from the congregation.

  “That’s a bit much, don’t you think?” Shanika whispered to Adisa.

  Adisa didn’t respond. The choir launched into a lively chorus. Shanika had a strong voice, and Adisa moved into her sister’s vocal slipstream. An older woman standing next to them patted Shanika on the arm and pointed to the choir loft. The worship was designed to lift the members of the church from the dust of daily life and transport them into the heavenly realm. Group singing can assume a life of its own, and it didn’t take long for the congregation to sway and sing as a unit, not a collection of individuals. Adisa clapped her hands in rhythm. There was a pause, and Reggie stepped to the pulpit. A tall, skinny man who was playing an electronic keyboard provided background music.

  “That was good singing, church!” the preacher called out. “But I think you can do better!”

  “Amen!” the congregation responded in anticipation of a rapid ramp-up in enthusiasm.

  But Reggie didn’t back away from the pulpit.

  “And I’m going to give you a new reason to praise the Lord!” the minister continued.

  “What’s that, Preacher?” several voices called out.

  Reggie grabbed the microphone from its holder on the front of the pulpit and waited several seconds for the anticipation to build before he spoke.

  “As most of you know, a neurosurgeon successfully removed the bullet from Deshaun Hamlin’s brain several days ago. And around eight o’clock this morning, Deshaun opened his eyes and drank a sip of water!”

  Adisa quickly glanced over at Sister Armistead, who stood with her eyes closed and her hands raised high in the air. The choir started a new song, and the older woman left her seat and began to shuffle dance across the front. Adisa suspected none of her former colleagues at Dixon and White would have adequately appreciated the older woman’s response to the wonderful news about her grandson. But like a tea bag in water, Adisa had steeped long enough in the black church culture of her hometown to appreciate Thelma Armistead’s celebration. Adisa glanced at Shanika, who, like most everyone else in the sanctuary, had her eyes glued to the older woman, who swayed back and forth for a moment before taking a few steps forward. Other women joined her in a chorus line of thanksgiving that stretched across the front of the sanctuary.

  “It’s like King David dancing before the Lord,” Adisa whispered into Shanika’s ear.

  Shanika nodded her head. “It is holy.”

  As she watched the ensuing celebration, Adisa couldn’t keep from thinking about the implications of Reggie’s news for Luke’s case. Deshaun entering the courtroom and walking slowly to the witness stand would have a huge impact on a jury. And if the teenager was unable to walk on his own and made his appearance confined to a wheelchair, it would be even more dramatic.

  Adisa tried to refocus on Sister Armistead and the group of women who’d labored alongside her in intercession for Deshaun. Adisa had prayed, too. But her prayers in the hospital room now seemed disconnected from her present reality. She remembered the intense reluctance she’d felt when first confronted with the prospect of representing the police officer. Had she made a terrible mistake?

  The music slowed, and Sister Armistead and the other ladies made their way back to their seats. Sister Armistead collapsed, and several people began to fan her. The older woman lifted her hands in the air again, as if signaling that though she was tired, the fatigue she felt was the kind that comes after winning an exhausting battle. The choir transitioned to a more intimate song. Adisa closed her eyes and kept them shut until the choir sang its last note.

  “What did you think of the sermon?” Shanika asked Adisa when Reggie pronounced the benediction and people began to move about the sanctuary.

  “He’s a good speaker, but I thought he was going to talk about forgiveness, not why God didn’t allow Moses to cross over into the Promised Land.”

  “Forgiveness?”

  “Yes,” Adisa replied, glancing in the direction of Thelma Armistead. “I’ll explain later. I need to talk to Deshaun’s grandmother for a second.”

  Adisa left Shanika and made her way through the press of the crowd toward Sister Armistead. The older woman was surrounded by those intent on communicating a personal word of thanksgiving. Adisa reached the edge of the group but couldn’t get closer. She felt a light tap on her shoulder and turned around. It was Reggie.

  “Shouldn’t you be shaking hands with people as they leave?” she asked.

  “I did, but when you didn’t show up I came looking for you. That had to be your sister sitting with you.”

  “Yes.” Adisa looked again toward Thelma Armistead. “I wanted to let Sister Armistead know how thankful I am about her good news and give her a word of explanation about why I’m representing Officer Nelson.”

  “She already knows about it,” Reggie replied.

  “Oh.” Adisa stopped. “You told her?”

  The minister nodded. “Yes. I didn’t want her to read about it in the newspaper and question your motives.”

  “You questioned my motives,” Adisa replied. “How did you explain it to her?”

  “Even though I disagreed with you, that didn’t keep me from truthfully relaying what you said to me.”

  “How did she react?”

  Reggie smiled slightly. “Like the saint she is. The words she spoke at that Wednesday-night service didn’t leave her lips and fall to the ground. They took root in her heart. I don’t think Thelma has a shred of animosity toward Officer Nelson. That’s hard for me, even as a minister of the gospel, to believe. It has to be the result of incredible grace, the kind Jesus showed to those who nailed him to the cross.”

  Adisa stopped trying to move forward. She could see a woman with tears in her eyes giving Sister Armistead a big hug.

  “It made me reexamine what I believe about forgiveness,” Reggie continued. “Until I’m sure what to say, I need to keep my mouth shut. So I shelved the forgiveness topic and pulled out a sermon I preached several years ago at a church that was thinking about calling me as their pastor.”

  “‘LaGrange is to Alabama what Mount Nebo was to the land of Canaan,’” Adisa replied, quoting a line from the message.

  “Yes, I added that later. Anyway, the church in LaGrange didn’t identify me as their Joshua. I was disappointed then, but I’m glad that I’m here in Campbellton.”

  “Me, too,” Adisa said. “I’d better get back to Shanika. We left Aunt Josie home alone and should check on her soon. Simone is working out beautifully. She was a great suggestion. Thanks again.”

  “Let me meet Shanika.”

  Adisa led Reggie over to her sister, who was talking to Darlene Singletary, the former high school party girl. Shanika held out her hand and spoke before Reggie introduced himself.

  “Adisa has told me so much about you,” Shanika gushed. “And we really appreciate you treating Aunt Josie like one of your own sheep when she was in the hospital.”

  “You’re welcome,” Reggie replied. “Your aunt is a great lady.”

  “And Adisa has all her good qualities,” Shanika replied.

  “I don’t doubt it,” Reggie said, smiling playfully at Adisa. “Plus a lot more of her own.”

  Adisa rolled her eyes.

  “I know you’re super busy,” Shanika continued, ignoring Adisa. “But we’d love for you to come over for a visit while I’m here.”

  “How long are you staying?”

  “I have to go home tomorrow to take care of my kids.”

  “Uh, I’m speaking at the service tonight, and I have several obligations this afternoon,” Reggie said. “But the next time you’re in town we’ll make it happen.”

  Reggie nodded to Adisa and stepped away to talk to a group of men.

  During the return trip to Aunt Josie’s house, Adisa told Shanika about Thelma Armistead’s reac
tion to the news that Adisa was representing Luke Nelson.

  “Reggie’s right about her sainthood,” Shanika said.

  “Yeah, but her reaction is going to be the exception rather than the rule when the word gets out.”

  “You’re a lot tougher than you used to be,” Shanika said. “That’s another quality Reggie needs to know about. The last thing a man wants in a woman is for her to be a crybaby about everything. A guy needs to believe you’re strong and won’t call for his help unless it’s the kind of situation where he wants to step in.”

  “I can’t believe that’s the way you and Ronnie treat each other!”

  Shanika smiled and cut her eyes toward Adisa. “Okay, I’m kidding,” she said.

  Simone arrived while Adisa was getting ready for work the next day. The caretaker and Shanika hit it off immediately and began talking about twins. Adisa had just started the car to leave when the front door of the house opened and Shanika ran up to her. Adisa cut the engine and got out.

  “Hey! Aren’t you going to tell me good-bye?” Shanika asked. “I’ll be on the road as soon as we finish eating lunch.”

  Adisa gave her a hug. Shanika held the embrace longer than normal before releasing her.

  “That barely scratches the surface of my appreciation for how you’ve stepped in to help Aunt Josie,” Shanika said. “It’s meant the world to me that you’ve been here in Campbellton. Otherwise I’d be going crazy with worry.”

  “It worked out,” Adisa answered simply.

  “I know, but that doesn’t keep me from being grateful. And I also admire you taking a job with Mr. Grayson’s law firm. Aunt Josie told me you took a huge pay cut. God is going to bless you for being unselfish. And the next time I visit, I promise not to act like a teenager about Reggie, although he is a gorgeous man who has totally fallen for you. Your ‘hard to get’ approach has worked way better than any strategy I could have cooked up.”