The Other Side of Dare

by Vanessa Davis Griggs

  Paris smiled, then nodded as though she were shy. “Yes.”

  “It’s says PREGNANT. We’re pregnant? We’re going to have a baby?”

  She nodded quickly once more.

  He set the stick down on the bed as he pulled her to her feet. “Oh, baby, that’s wonderful!” He picked her up and spun her around. “We’re going to have a baby! We’re going to have a baby!” He suddenly stopped and gently set her back on her feet. “Doing that doesn’t hurt you or the baby, does it?” She shook her head. He couldn’t stop grinning. “I can’t wait to tell my mother!” He kissed Paris while softly cupping her face. “I love you. I love you.”

  She forced out a smile. “I love you, too.”

  He picked her up again and gently spun around as he sang, “I’m going to be a daddy! I’m going to be a daddy!”

  Chapter 49

  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

  —Revelation 3:16

  Darius was confused as well as distraught. He couldn’t believe his life had made such a harrowing dive in such a short amount of time. He’d been riding so high, and now he was slithering around like a snake on its belly. “I’m not going out like this,” he said as he located the phone book and looked up a phone number. He called and was told to come right in.

  He drove to the address he’d written down.

  “What can I do for you?” Frank Johnson, Lawrence Simmons’s Democratic opponent, said as the two men sat across from each other in Frank Johnson’s campaign headquarters.

  “It’s not what you can do for me; it’s what I can do for you,” Darius said.

  Frank leaned in. “Okay. You have my full attention.”

  “I realize that time is money,” Darius said. “And I don’t want to waste yours. I’m also hoping you’ll find the value in what I have to offer. I’m presently out of work, and I have a lovely wife with three beautiful children to support.”

  “You don’t have to say too much because I’m hearing you just fine.” Frank locked his fingers together. “Let’s hear what you got.”

  Darius smiled, swallowed hard, then nodded. “Up until a few weeks ago, I was working for your political opponent, Lawrence Simmons. I’ve come in possession of some information that I feel sure will help you cinch the win in November.”

  “Is that right now? Well, apparently you haven’t heard the news today.”

  “What news?”

  “Lawrence Simmons pulled out of the race. Had a news conference and announced it. That means he’s no longer my opponent. The Republicans are left scrambling to find someone to fill the slot. But this is pretty much all over but the shouting.” Frank locked his fingers behind his head and leaned back in his chair.

  Darius pulled back. “He dropped out? Are you sure?”

  “Yep. He made the announcement on TV a little while ago, citing family matters that required his attention. Says his family is more important than some election, so he’s pulling up stakes and stepping aside. I’m sure it’s more to it than that. It usually is. But he won’t hear any complaints from me. I wish him well. Called him up and told him so myself.” Frank sat forward, scooted his chair back, and stood up. “I appreciate you for coming by though. If you had shown up yesterday, I would have snapped you up in a hurry.” Frank extended his hand to Darius. “That’s the luck of the draw.”

  Darius stood up and shook his hand. “It was a pleasure to meet you. Listen”—Darius chuckled a little—“I can still use a job. I have experience working on a campaign. I was the co-chair in signing up and turning out the youth vote.”

  “I would love to help you out.” Frank sucked his teeth twice. “But you see you’re kind of tainted now. You were working for the other side. No offense, because I’m sure you’re a decent enough man, but we can’t trust somebody like you. It’s like when it comes to your commitment, you’re neither hot nor cold; you’re just lukewarm. Nobody cares much for lukewarm anything. You understand. I need someone on fire, hot to make my winning this election a manifested reality. Not just someone looking for his next paycheck.”

  Darius twisted his mouth a few times. “Well, would you happen to know of anyone who is hiring? I really need a job. I’m about to be homeless.” Darius didn’t feel he was lying; he was being put out of his home, which would make him homeless when that happened.

  “Not in this economy. But I’m sure you’ll land on your feet. You look like the type who generally manages to land on his feet. Good luck to you.” Frank sat back down, his red hair that hid his comb-over moving just slightly out of place. He took his hand and brushed it back to where it was supposed to be.

  “At the church where I belong, Followers of Jesus Faith Worship Center with Pastor George Landris, that’s a mega church you may have heard of it, we don’t believe in luck.” Darius was hoping Frank Johnson would be impressed with him mentioning the church, for one, and knowing that there were possible votes there.

  “Whatever floats your boat. Now, if you will, close my door on your way out. I do appreciate it. And if you’re in my district, I’d also appreciate your vote.”

  Darius gave a nod. “Of course.” He left.

  Chapter 50

  But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof.

  —Proverbs 1:25

  Darius couldn’t believe his life had fallen so apart. He didn’t know what to do at this point. Where would he stay now that he was being forced out of his home? What would he do for money now that he’d lost his job? Sure there was the familiar unemployment compensation. But Tiffany was surely set to get money for child support for their three children. He wouldn’t have much left to do much of anything.

  He had to talk to Tiffany and get her to see that she couldn’t do this. They were meant to be together. Married people weren’t supposed to so easily throw in the towel. They were supposed to work things out. When they married, the minister said for better or worse. Things couldn’t be worse. And yet, Tiffany was taking her ball and running with it. Yes, he’d been wrong. And if he had to crawl on his knees over broken glass and beg for mercy and forgiveness, then that’s what he would do.

  But he couldn’t do this alone. He needed some help. He made a U-turn and headed for the church, hoping Pastor Landris was still there. Pastor Landris would be able to help him. If anyone could help him turn things around, Pastor Landris could.

  Thankfully, Pastor Landris was there, but he was in a meeting. Darius was told Pastor Landris wouldn’t be able to see him, but that he could talk with another person on staff or make an appointment for later. Darius was telling the secretary that it was really important; he couldn’t wait another day. It was a matter of life and death.

  Johnnie Mae just happened to enter as he was saying that.

  “I’m sorry,” Johnnie Mae said. “Is there something I can help you with?”

  “Sister Johnnie Mae.” He gave her a hug. “I need to talk with Pastor Landris.”

  “And I just told him that Pastor Landris wouldn’t be able to see him,” the secretary said.

  “But I desperately need to speak with someone,” Darius said. “It’s important.”

  “Well, I happen to have some time if you’d like to talk to me, ” Johnnie Mae said.

  Darius looked back and forth between the two women. “No offense, but I don’t know about talking to you about this,” he said to Johnnie Mae. “I was hoping to possibly speak with a man, preferably my own pastor.”

  “Well, I don’t mind talking with you. But you have to suit yourself,” Johnnie Mae said.

  “I can make you an appointment for tomorrow with one of the other counselors on staff,” the secretary said.

  “What’s your name?” Darius asked her.

  “Phyllis.”

  “Well, Phyllis, I appreciate your help,” Darius said. “But I really need to see someone right now . . . today. Can you ask Pastor Landris if he might be able to speak with me for a few minut
es? A few minutes, that’s all I really need.”

  Phyllis looked up at Johnnie Mae.

  Darius turned to look at Johnnie Mae, wondering if maybe she’d been shaking her head no to Phyllis behind his back. “Okay. If you have time,” he said to Johnnie Mae.

  “If you’re sure about it,” Johnnie Mae said. “I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable talking to me.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “Phyllis, what conference room is available?”

  Phyllis typed something on the computer. “Conference room L.”

  “Great. Right this way.” Johnnie Mae led Darius to the conference room. She moved the sign on the door to state IN USE.

  Johnnie Mae sat down at the rectangular table. “Please have a seat, Darius.”

  “I’m impressed. I see that you know my name,” he said.

  Johnnie Mae smiled. “Yes, I’m familiar with you, Darius Connors.”

  “You’re probably a little more than just familiar with me. You likely know everything that’s going on with me and mine. You know my wife, Tiffany.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, did you know that she just served me papers for a legal separation?”

  Johnnie Mae looked at him without giving anything she may or may not have known away. “Before we begin, I’d like to pray.”

  Darius nodded. Johnnie Mae prayed.

  “Okay, Darius, now tell me what you consider to be a matter of life and death.”

  Darius stared straight ahead. “I’m about to lose my wife and family and I can’t go on without them. I’ll die without them in my life. Tiffany is like the air I breathe. One can’t live without air.”

  “Sure you can live without her. If you have to, you can make it.”

  “No, I can’t. Tiffany and my children are everything to me. They’re my world. I know it’s a cliché and everybody says it, but for me, it’s true.”

  There was a sharp rap on the door. Johnnie Mae frowned. “Excuse me. I’m sorry. This must be important since the sign outside the door indicates that someone is in here in conference.” She got up and answered the door.

  “What are you doing here?” Johnnie Mae said with a jubilant lift in her voice.

  “I came to lend my assistance,” Pastor Landris said. “Do you mind if I come in?”

  Johnnie Mae smiled as he strolled in and closed the door behind him.

  “I heard you came by my office earlier,” Pastor Landris said to Darius.

  Darius stood up and shook Pastor Landris’s outstretched hand. “Yes. I was told you were busy and wouldn’t be able to see me today.”

  “You were told right. But God must have had other plans because here I am.”

  Darius sat back down.

  Pastor Landris sat down across from Darius. “Go on, honey. I’m just here for support and assistance if you should need me,” he said to Johnnie Mae, who was sitting at the head of the table.

  She grinned as though the two of them had a secret between them.

  “No, we were just getting started,” Johnnie Mae said to her Pastor Landris. “We’ve already prayed and we were just about to talk about what’s going on with Darius. He’s married to Tiffany Connors. They have three children: Jade who is close to Princess Rose’s age, Dana, and Junior. Correct?” Johnnie Mae said to Darius.

  “Yes, that’s right.” Darius said to Johnnie Mae, then turned to Pastor Landris. “Tiffany is in the dance ministry.”

  “All right, Darius. Fill me in on what’s going on with you.”

  Darius told Pastor Landris about him having worked for a politician’s reelection campaign, how he’d lost that job about a month ago, how his wife had sent papers for a legal separation that just arrived today, and how there was now an order for him to leave his own house.

  “And what are you leaving out of all this that you’re not telling?” Pastor Landris asked.

  “That’s pretty much it,” Darius said, playing with his hands.

  “So you want me to believe that your wife just up and wants a separation for no good reason? You’ve done nothing to prompt any of this? She just decided she doesn’t want to be married anymore and has papers delivered to just put you out?” Pastor Landris leaned forward toward Darius. “Come on, Darius. If you’re going to come here for help, you need to confess the problem. Nobody can help you if you’re going to present half-truths or hold back information. Either you want help or you don’t. If you don’t, there are plenty of folks out there who would love having this time and opportunity and would use it to be helped.”

  “I had an affair and my wife found out about it,” Darius blurted out. “All right?”

  “Okay,” Pastor Landris said. “Well, you’re not the first person to have an affair. It’s not the best thing to be saying, but people have been able to put marriages back together after such a revelation. That’s when the party who did the wrong repents and truly turns from that behavior. Nobody wants to forgive a serial adulterer.”

  “I told her I was sorry,” Darius said. “And this affair was over five years ago. It’s old news and, quite frankly, in my mind, irrelevant as this point in time.”

  “When it happens makes no difference; it’s the fact that it happened that hurts and can be hard to get over,” Pastor Landris said. “Is there anything else you think we should know?” Pastor Landris tilted his head slightly and waited.

  “Just that the person I had the affair with is someone my wife has become friends with. I think that probably hurts her even more. But the two of them didn’t even know each other back when me and her were together.” Darius stood and began to walk around the room. “She’s a member of this church, you know.” He stopped and looked at Pastor Landris and Johnnie Mae. “The woman I had the affair with; she’s a member here. She’s also in the dance ministry with my wife.”

  “Does your wife know this woman is the person you had the affair with?” Pastor Landris asked.

  He laughed. “Oh, she knows. She knows. It’s Fatima Adams. Well, Fatima whatever her last name is now that she got married.” Darius looked at Johnnie Mae, who didn’t even flinch. “So I just need to fix all of this. I don’t want to lose my house.”

  “Are you only really worried about losing your house?” Johnnie Mae asked.

  “No, of course not,” Darius said with a slight chuckle. He came and sat back down. “I told you: I don’t want to lose Tiffany . . . I don’t want to lose my family.” He turned to Pastor Landris. “So tell me: What do I do to fix it? Can you pray for me that I keep my family? Lay hands on me if you have to, so things will get back right. I can’t lose everything. I’ve worked too hard for this stuff, Pastor Landris. I can’t.”

  “I’m going to tell you what I think you should do,” Pastor Landris said. “And then my wife and I are going to pray for you again.”

  Darius nodded with a smile. “Sounds good. I’m ready for things to get better. This has not been fun, you can believe that. I’ve learned my lesson.”

  “First, you need to move out as your wife requested,” Pastor Landris said.

  Darius jumped to his feet. “Hold up, playa! You apparently weren’t listening to what I was saying. I can’t leave; I have nowhere to go. I don’t have a job. So if I leave my house, where incidentally I pay the note, where am I supposed to live?”

  “Have a seat, Darius,” Pastor Landris said.

  “For what? So I can listen to this mumbo jumbo you’re spouting? I didn’t have to come here and spill my guts just to be told I should leave like my wife is asking me to do.”

  Pastor Landris pointed to Darius’s vacated chair. Darius eased down.

  “Now,” Pastor Landris said. “We have a program here that you can participate in. We work a lot with folks dealing with substance abuse who need help—”

  “I don’t have problems with alcohol or drugs,” Darius said.

  Pastor Landris leaned in, propping himself up on the table with his forearms. “If you’ll just allow me to finish. We also deal with peop
le who are going through marital troubles like you. There’s a facility for women who are having problems or need a place to stay when their spouses have either put them out or they have left on their own, and we have a separate facility for the men. What I’d suggest is that you avail yourself of the men’s facility. That will provide you with a place to stay. We have counselors on hand to work with you and who will help you work through the problems that caused the breakdown in your marriage. We encourage estranged spouses to participate during certain sessions as we tear down the old foundation and build up a stronger one. Our success rate is quite high for those who commit to working through the whole program. So what do you say?”

  “If I do this, can you guarantee me my family back?” Darius asked.

  “No one can guarantee that,” Johnnie Mae said. “But if your wife sees you’re making an effort, believe me, she’ll be more likely to be receptive to reconciliation than not.”

  “Look, it’s up to you,” Pastor Landris said. “But if you’re not serious or you don’t really want this to work, then there’s no reason for you to waste anyone’s time, including yours.”

  “So you can’t just talk to her and convince her to let me stay and we work this out that way?” Darius said. “I could still do the sessions. I just don’t see how me leaving is going to make things better. My wife and I need to be there together in order to make things work. I still can’t believe she had the nerve to see a lawyer. That’s so not like her at all. I’m certain one of her little friends had something to do with her doing that. I wouldn’t put it past Fatima or Gabrielle. We were doing fine until all of them hooked up and became friends.”

  “Darius, saying things like this won’t help your cause any,” Johnnie Mae said.

  Darius began to chuckle. “Heck, I wouldn’t doubt it if she hasn’t talked to you and you just may have been the one encouraging her to do this,” Darius said to Johnnie Mae.

  “All right, now. Slow your roll. That’s my wife you’re talking to,” Pastor Landris said. “And you will respect my wife. You might not have respected your own in the past, which is an indication as to why you’re in the predicament you find yourself in in the first place. But you will respect mine. Do we have an understanding?”