Tell Me Lies

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

  Finally, she handed him the notebook with a flourish. “What do you think?”

  Noah scanned her neat handwriting. The suggestions she listed were spot on. “If I wasn’t sure before, I know now that you’re the person for the job.”

  Her blue eyes flashed. “Absolutely. Thank you for entrusting me. I won’t disappoint you, Pastor. School starts next week August 10th, but by the 24th or so, I should be ready to go.”

  She tore off the pages and took off before Noah could catch his breath. He swiveled his chair to look out the window. He was glad to have that ministry off his mental to-do list.

  Noah checked his watch and bit back his disappointment. He’d hoped to see a call from Sydney. As he drove home, Noah thought about his upcoming speaking engagement. He had planned a Revival service at Beulah and had invited Sydney. She assured him she’d be there to offer her support.

  He hadn’t invited her when he preached his first sermon. Now that they were an item, he wanted her to see what a life with him would entail. A few women he might have dated found his being a pastor too intense for their liking. They wanted to have fun … keep things lighthearted. Noah couldn’t do that. Any dating he did was with the serious intention of finding a wife.

  Noah stopped at the light. He sent Sydney a humorous text asking if she was tired of him, but she didn’t respond. Noah still hadn’t heard from her once he arrived home. He changed clothes, then went into the kitchen and nuked a steak TV dinner.

  While he ate, he wondered if he’d done something to offend her. He replayed all their encounters and conversations and shook his head.

  Unless, she’d discovered …

  She was an attorney. What if she’d decided to look into his background?

  Noah shook his head. He was being paranoid. Sydney’s reasons for not being in touch could be her being busy with a court case or a family emergency. He relaxed his shoulders. She’d call.

  “She hasn’t called, eh?” A voice came from behind him.

  Noah looked to the heavens. “No, I haven’t heard from her.”

  “It’s less than twenty-four hours, son. No need for alarm. She’ll call. You’ll see.”

  Noah turned toward his grandfather to say something, but whistled. “You clean up well.” Gramps was dressed in a crisp pair of black jeans, a plaid shirt and a light jacket. This was as close to formal as his grandfather would get in Florida. He said that once he moved here from Texas, he’d left formal attire and winter coats behind for good. Noah appreciated his grandfather’s efforts on his behalf.

  Gramps made a show of pushing his chest out as he slid on the stool next to him. “Thanks, but those young gals aren’t lining up to see me.”

  Scurvy materialized and nipped at Gramps’ heels. Gramps stroked the dog’s ears. “You hungry boy?” Scurvy wagged the stub that constituted a tail and followed Gramps into the kitchen.

  Gramps retrieved the dog treats and poured fresh water in Scurvy’s bowl. Noah was glad Scurvy was well trained. He didn’t have to worry about any “accidents.”

  Gramps looked at Noah. “Don’t you think it’s time for you to get fancified?”

  Noah scanned his cutoff jeans, sandals and black t-shirt. “It shouldn’t matter what I wear. What matters is what I have to say about God.”

  “Uh, uh.” Gramps lifted a brow. “Nobody is going to listen to a word you say if you look like a hobo from off the street.”

  “I know. I know.” Noah held up his hands. “I’m going. I was just finishing my meal.”

  “You mean playing with your food.” Gramps chuckled and slapped his knee. “Admit it. You’ve got it bad. I’d say this is a double dose of the love bug. I hope this girl is worth it.”

  “She is.” Noah recognized his grandfather’s loaded sentiment. He knew why Gramps had made it, but Noah was not going there. He jumped off the stool to go get “fancified.”

  “I know you’re avoiding a conversation about Sydney.”

  “Stop fretting,” Noah threw behind him.

  “I can’t wait to meet her,” Gramps said.

  “You’ll love her.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

  Noah pretended not to hear Gramps rambling. Instead, he got dressed. Together, he and his grandfather drove to Beulah church.

  Gramps chatted with Alma while Noah entered his study. He noticed a small envelope on his desk. It looked to be a card. Noah smiled. His church brethren in Texas had probably sent this. “I told them not to do anything,” he said and ripped open the envelope.

  There was no card.

  He reached inside and pulled out a 3x5 picture. Seeing the photo, Noah trembled. He slunk into his chair and gazed at his parents. Where had it come from? Who was he kidding? He knew.

  Noah flipped the picture over and saw a scrawl he recognized.

  About time I sent this back.

  There was no signature. But he knew who it was. He also knew what it meant. His secret was no longer safe. Sweat beads lined his forehead.

  Noah read the note several times. He reached for the envelope to see if there was a return address.

  There was none.

  His heart pounded. That could only mean one thing. This was only the beginning. Why now? Noah asked himself over and over. What did Matthew want with him?

  There was only one answer. Revenge. The mantra, you mess with one, you mess with all, echoed in his ear. And he’d messed with the biggest one, Ace. Noah had betrayed his family by ratting out Ace to the authorities. Ace had been sent to prison where he died at the hands of an inmate. Roger and Wylie had been shot and killed by the police in a foiled robbery attempt.

  So that left Matthew, the most dangerous one of all. And as Matthew had promised, he’d found Noah. But Noah was not that lost teenager anymore.

  He crumpled the envelope and tossed it in the trashcan at the side of his desk.

  The past was the past. There was no keeping the cover on a pot of boiling water. Sooner or later, the steam was coming out. Though Gramps had moved him from New York to Texas, Noah knew there was no distance too far to keep him from Matthew’s reach. He knew when he went into the ministry that Matthew would find him. But Noah had to obey God’s call. God had a work for him to do and Noah would follow.

  Noah thought of Gramps. He wouldn’t tell him about the photograph. He didn’t want Gramps worrying about him.

  Noah placed the picture in the top right drawer. He was glad to have it back in his possession.

  He thought of Sydney. Maybe Gramps was right. She did need to know the truth about him. But his heart quivered. If he told her the truth, she’d never look at him the same. He couldn’t risk that.

  Noah would fight this alone. He and God.

  Matthew knew Noah Charleston, the boy. The question was, was Matthew ready to deal with Noah Charleston, man of God? Noah recited the first two verses from Psalm 62. “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.”

  And he wouldn’t be moved. He was not going anywhere. When Matthew came, he’d be ready.

  13

  Belinda entered Beulah’s sanctuary hiding under her black straw-brimmed hat. She felt as if the lights beaming down from the church ceiling on her head would pinpoint her as a fraud.

  Her eyes searched for Sydney who had saved her a seat. She spotted her girl on the front row. “She just had to be seated up front. I can hear just as well from the back,” Belinda mumbled. Belinda approached her with legs that felt as if dead weights were attached. Any time she entered God’s house, she grappled with the guilt of her past. No matter how many times she told herself she was saved, she never felt saved.

  She walked down the aisle in a two-piece eyelet white suit, a leopard-colored tank and matching leopard-colored stilettos. Though she was suitably dressed, Belinda felt there was a scarlet letter attached to her back.

  Sydney faced Belinda with red-rimmed eyes and uttered a
weak, “Hi,” before patting the seat next to her.

  Belinda hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.

  Judas.

  Belinda rebuked the thought.

  “Are you going to be okay?” she asked Sydney.

  “Yeah. Just everything.”

  Sydney was still crying over her mother’s deception. Belinda was not going to let her wallow alone in her pain. So when Sydney called two hours ago to say she was going to church, Belinda agreed to come.

  She hoped Noah’s message tonight would help.

  Belinda took her seat and placed her purse on the seat next to her. The church overflowed with visitors. Ushers directed people to fill the pews.

  They were due on the local air in about forty minutes and the camera crew milled about shouting directions.

  Belinda heard a small stir in the crowd. Noah walked toward them. He greeted bystanders, but his eyes were pinned in their direction.

  Belinda knew the exact moment Sydney spotted Noah.

  Sydney rested a hand on her chest. “He looks so handsome. His blue suit makes his eyes pop. My heart is racing.”

  Belinda took in Noah’s navy blue suit, white shirt and matching tie, and nodded. “He looks good and he only has eyes for you.”

  Noah nodded at Belinda. “It’s nice seeing you, again. I’m glad you came.”

  Then he turned to Sydney. “I wasn’t sure if I’d see you tonight. I’m glad you came.”

  Sydney gave him a small smile. Belinda’s heart warmed watching their interaction. Her friend’s face glowed despite her sorrow.

  “I’m sorry I haven’t called. I’ve got a lot going on right now. It’s not you,” Sydney said. She fidgeted with her collar.

  Noah nodded. “We’ll talk.”

  Belinda watched his eyes narrow on Sydney’s face. His brows knitted. “Wait for me afterwards?”

  Sydney’s head bobbed.

  Belinda giggled. Judging by the searing looks between the two, a quick wedding might be pending. The chemistry between them was palpable. Noah was a healthy male. He was not going to be able to hold out for long.

  Sydney tossed her long tresses with the confidence of a woman basking in the knowledge that her man only had eyes for her.

  Noah departed and the praise session began.

  Belinda scanned the sanctuary. Several women glared their way. She grinned, knowing the ladies were hating on Sydney. Even the casual onlookers could see Noah was enraptured with her friend.

  Belinda noticed an older gentleman staring at Sydney and cut her eyes. A small shiver ran up her spine. Viagra was the curse of Satan.

  Sydney bounced to the worship music. Belinda pinched her on the arm and whispered, “There’s an old man over on the left who is staring you down, girl.”

  Sydney looked over, but the lights dimmed.

  Thunderous applause followed Noah’s introduction.

  Noah bid the crowd to settle. “I’m going to talk about the Fruit of the Spirit. Notice, that I said fruit and not fruits. As God’s children, we have to demonstrate His presence in our lives by our conversation. Now, I don’t mean yapping to your friend on your phone.” The crowd chuckled. “By your conversation, I mean your life. Christianity is not a walk, but rather, it’s a way of life. How we interact with people on the job, or even strangers in passing, in our conversation. Through our conversation, we then draw others to Christ. You know you’re doing it right when others want to get to know Christ because of you; not run away from Him.”

  “Hallelujah.”

  “Tell it, Pastor.”

  Belinda watched Sydney’s chest puff. She beamed at Noah’s words. Noah spoke for another thirty minutes before making an altar call. A sea of people headed up the aisle. Though she didn’t join the throng, Belinda poured her heart to God. Beside her, Sydney did the same.

  Both women rejoiced.

  “What a word,” Sydney said.

  Belinda asked. “After that word, are you ready to talk to your Mom?”

  Sydney faltered. “I’m not ready,” was all she said.

  Belinda patted Sydney’s hand and swallowed her disappointment.

  Once the benediction was given, Belinda kissed her friend on the cheek. “We’ll talk tomorrow,” she said and pressed through the crowd to her car. For once, Belinda was glad the yellow car was so prominent. It made it easy to locate through the sea of cars.

  “Bells,” a voice called out.

  She frowned. She knew that voice. Not him, again. Why was Lance at a church event? As soon as he got within earshot, she spat, “How dare you call me, Bells. You and I don’t hang like that.”

  “Really?” Lance’s smirk made Belinda’s blood boil. “And, hello to you, too.”

  Belinda folded her arms. All the peace from the service fled. “What are you doing here? Lost your way to the pen?”

  “Pen? I don’t get you.” Lance shook his head.

  “The pigpen.”

  Lance tilted his head back and laughed. “I forgot about your sharp tongue. But I do recall with vivid accuracy the more pleasurable things you’ve used it for.”

  Belinda popped him with her purse. “You’re so crass and uncouth. Imagine talking this way when you just came out of church. You disgust me.” She sprinted toward her car.

  Once again, Lance ignored her attempt to escape. “Oh no, you’re not getting away from me that easy.” He grabbed one of her hands.

  Belinda twisted her arm and tugged. “Get off of me.” To her surprise, Lance complied, but raised his hand to touch her face. “I’d never hurt you. You’ve no reason to fear me. I hope you know that.”

  Something about his tone said her answer was important to him. She licked her lips. “I know you wouldn’t hurt me.” Belinda reassured him. She he knew how much Lance needed to hear those words.

  “I know you’re not your father. You wouldn’t hurt a woman,” she offered.

  Lance closed his eyes and swallowed. “I didn’t think you remembered.”

  “How could I forget?” Belinda responded in a gentle tone. She and Lance had spoken for hours the night they spent in each other’s arms. A snippet of their conversation teased her mind.

  “I’m all messed up. I look in the mirror and I see my father. I don’t want to be like him.”

  Gently, she asked, “What did your father do?”

  “He hurt women.”

  Belinda’s eyes widened. “That’s not you, Lance. You’re nothing like that.”

  “Thank you,” he said before reaching for her, again.

  Lance had been a giving and passionate lover despite the fact they were betraying Sydney. Belinda halted her thoughts. She needed to blot that night from her mind. Permanently.

  “I know you don’t believe me, but that night changed me.” Lance stepped closer.

  “Pulease.” Belinda rolled her eyes and tugged out of his grip. “Who do you think you’re dealing with?” She gritted her teeth. “You expect me to believe that? You took off with Monica the very next morning, as if nothing had happened.” Her voice broke, giving away emotions she tried to deny.

  Lance’s brows furrowed. “There’s a good explanation for that.”

  Belinda was not going to get sucked into that sob story. She’d better leave. She looked behind her. If Sydney saw her with Lance, she’d be furious. “I’ve got to go. I have work tomorrow.” She walked away hating how she felt the loss of his presence.

  “You can’t run forever. One of these days you’ll have to talk to me,” Lance called out.

  Belinda sped out of the parking lot and drove to the Dairy Queen. She needed an emergency ice cream treatment.

  14

  Noah watched Sydney stand on her tiptoes. He hoped she was searching for him and gave a small wave. She smiled before sitting down. He gave her a thumbs-up sign and made his way in her direction.

  Gramps came over to him. “You’re drawing people to you like sugar to ants.”

  Noah laughed. “They’re just wishing me well.”r />
  “If you say so. But I know better. There were plenty of women circling.”

  Noah shrugged, not wanting to admit Gramps was right about the women. He patted his grandfather on the back. “Come, meet Sydney.” The men walked to where Sydney sat waiting.

  She stood with a ready smile.

  “So, you’re Sydney,” Gramps said.

  “You must be Gramps! It’s great to finally meet you,” she said, and snatched him into a hug. He momentarily stiffened before he gave her a pat on her back.

  Noah interjected, “Gramps get your paws off. I’ve got my eyes on this one.”

  Sydney giggled.

  Gramps chuckled and released her. “Why don’t you go on with your lady friend. I’ll drive your car home.”

  “Are you sure?” Noah asked. “It’s kind of late. I’d rather drive you home.”

  Sydney spoke up. “Or how about I just follow you to your house and then we can talk there?” Noah watched Gramps’ face soften.

  In less than five minutes, Sydney had charmed his grandfather. “Sounds like a good idea,” Noah replied.

  Once at the house, Noah led her on a quick tour before they settled in the family room. Sydney drew Gramps into conversation.

  “You’re a retired bull rider?” Her eyes were wide with fascination.

  “There’s a rodeo in Texas with my picture hanging there.”

  “Weren’t you scared of getting hurt?”

  “Every day,” Gramps said. “Fear kept you safe. I retired once my son and his wife—Noah’s parents—died. I’d been traveling all across Europe and didn’t learn about their passing until a year had passed. I didn’t own a cell phone back then. By then, Noah was in need of a strong hand. Yep, I settled down and worked as a custodian in Frisco, Texas. Noah needed a stable environment. I moved Noah in with me.”

  “Do you have pictures?” Sydney asked.

  Gramps nodded. “Somewhere in the garage. I’ll have to pull them out for you to see one day.”

  Noah could see her interest was genuine. It was not a contrived, stilted conversation geared toward impressing Noah. Sydney enjoyed the grumpy old man. His eyes widened. Even Scurvy succumbed. The mutt curled at her feet and licked her toes. Sydney had worn a black suit with a delectable pair of gray shoes. Shoes she’d placed by his front door upon entering. Noah enjoyed watching her paddle around in her bare toes. Seeing her nuzzle Scurvy with her feet, Noah felt jealous. He wouldn’t mind trading places with the mangy dog.