| Nov 3, 2005 |
| 11/3/05, 6:00 PM, 3,848 Words |
Before his father began praying, Mac grabbed all of his stuff. He had to make a quick exit from the choir loft. As soon as his father began praying, Mac bowed his head. When his father said, “Amen,” Mac lifted his head quickly and began moving out of the choir loft. He kept saying excuse me and bumping into people. He didn’t have time to worry about people’s attitude; he had to get out of the choir stand. He made it to the choir room. He was the second person in the room. Carolyn was already in there. She never spoke to anyone, so he knew that she wouldn’t bother him, other than to speak. Mac took off his robe, hung it up, and started to head towards the door. Carolyn said, “Hey Mac. I enjoyed you and your family today.” Mac hollered back, “Cool. Thanks.” He left the choir room and headed for the sanctuary. He was almost there when Sis. Trevor’s twelve year old son grabbed him. Mac huffed and stopped to talk to the little boy.
People began to leave the sanctuary. People were hugging other people. Kids were coming in the church and running around. Deacons and ushers were yelling at the kids.
Dianne gathered up her stuff. She wanted to get out of the church before she was hugged by 20 people, but Dr. Adkins-Garnett grabbed her by the arm and began leading her around the church to meet people. Dr. Adkins-Garnett walked over to an elderly woman, “Mother Andrews, this is the young lady I told you about.” The elderly woman stood up on her cane slowly. She hugged Dianne, “Baby, glad you came. Sis. Adkins has been talking about you a long time.” The elderly woman sat back down. Dr. Adkins-Garnett shook her head; Mother Andrew always called her Sis. Adkins. Dianne was going to try to tell Dr. Adkins-Garnett that she had to go, but Dr. Adkins-Garnett grabbed her and whisked her away to meet someone else.
The next person Dianne met was First Lady Adkins. Dr. Adkins-Garnett walked up to her sister-in-law and hugged her. Sis. Adkins said, “Girl, the Lord showed up and showed out.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled, “Yes, He did. This is Dianne Roberts.” Sis. Adkins hugged Dianne, “Good bless you. Glad that you joined us. Hope you will be back.” Dianne was about to respond to the first lady, but someone grabbed the first lady. Dr. Adkins-Garnett drug Dianne in another direction. Dianne stopped walking abruptly. It made Dr. Adkins-Garnett stumble. Dr. Adkins-Garnett turned around, “Are you okay?” Dianne grimaced, “No, I am not. You keep dragging me all over the place.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett gave Dianne a motherly smile, “Sorry, I am just so excited about you being here. I can tend to get overzealous at times.” Dianne sat down on the bench, “It is ok. I just wasn’t expecting all of this attention. I will be okay.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett sat down beside her, “There is just one more person I want you to meet and I will leave you alone.” Dianne looked up at the ceiling and then back at Dr. Adkins-Garnett, “Okay. Who is it?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett motioned at a group of men. An average sized dark-skinned started walking towards them. When the guy reached them, Dr. Adkins-Garnett stood up and hugged the guy. The guy whispered something in Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s ear. Dr. Adkins-Garnett giggled, “You need to quit.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett let the man go, “Dianne, this is my husband, Eld. Kevon Garnett. Kevon, this is Dianne Roberts.” Eld. Garnett extended his hand to Dianne, “Nice to meet you Dianne. I have heard a lot about you. You are probably tired of my wife by now. You have to forgive her. She gets excited at times.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett nudged her husband, “Would you keep?” Eld. Garnett smiled at his wife and then looked at Dianne, “Has she given you a job in the ministry yet?” Dianne looked at Dr. Adkins-Garnett who was blushing, “No sir, she hasn’t.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked miffed, “Alright Kevon, Dianne is leaving, so quit being messy.” Eld. Garnett smiled, “Dianne, would you like to go out to eat with us?” Dianne was caught off guard by the question. She paused before she said, “Not today. I already have plans.” Eld. Garnett hugged and kissed his wife, “I guess she doesn’t want to hang out with us old folk.” He turned to Dianne and extended his hand to her, “Nice to meet you. Oh yea, I did like the black nightie.” Dianne put her hand over her opened mouth. Dr. Adkins-Garnett turned bright red before she said, “Oh Lord, that man needs Jesus.”
A young lady brought Dr. Adkins-Garnett her stuff. Dr. Adkins-Garnett handed the young lady some keys that she took from her purse. “Donna, take these to my office for me.” Donna took the keys and Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s stuff and walked off. Dr. Adkins-Garnett put her arm through Dianne’s arm and began walking her up the aisle. Dianne asked, “Where are we going now?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett responded, “I am going to walk you to your car.” Dianne stopped walking. Dr. Adkins-Garnett grimaced, “You have got to stop doing that. You cannot just stop like that. You are going to make me hurt or break something.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett laughed. Dianne looked at the woman who had her in a vice grip, loving as it was, it was still a tight hold. Dianne said, “You do not have to do that. I can go by myself.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett started walking, pulling Dianne against her will, “Don’t worry about it. If I don’t you to your car, I will have to talk to 50 people. Let’s go.” Dianne started walking out with the woman that had attached herself.
Mac was not listening to Sis. Trevor’s son. The boy said, “Yo, Mac, you listening to me?” Mac jumped, “Sorry, Jay, what’s up? I am kind of in a hurry. What’s up?” Jay said, “Can I go with you today?” Mac said, “Naw, not today. I got something to do. Maybe another time.” Jay was mad, “You don’t never want to let me go with you.” Mac patted the boy on his head, “Alright, on Tuesday, I will come up here and we can go hang out. Is that cool?” Jay smiled, “Yea.” Mac gave the boy some dap, “Cool. Make sure you ask your mother can you do it. And be good in school on Monday and Tuesday. Later man.” Mac took off before the kid could say anything else to him.
Mac ran into the sanctuary. He was stopped by a couple of people who were trying to talk to him. He quickly spoke to them and looked around the sanctuary for his aunt. He didn’t see her, but he saw his uncle talking to some of the other minister. Mac went over to the group of minister. He tapped his uncle on the shoulder, “Excuse me, Unc. Have you seen aunnie?” Eld. Garnett turned and looked at his nephew, “Yea man, she just walked out of here with Dianne.” Mac tapped his uncle’s shoulder again, “Thanks Unc. Which way did they go?” Eld. Garnett pointed towards the back of the church, “That way. What are you looking for her for?” Mac walked away from his uncle, “I gotta tell her something before I leave. Later Unc.” Mac tried to walk off, but his uncle grabbed his arm, “You need to speak.” Mac huffed, “Hello Elders. God bless you all.” He took off before his uncle could grab him again. One of the ministers turned to Eld. Garnett, “Where is he going?” Eld. Garnett smiled, “I don’t know.”
Mac moved through the sanctuary full of people as quickly as he could. People stopped him a time or to speak to him. He spoke as quickly as he could and kept walking. He knew that someone was going to complain to his father about him being rude, but Mac was willing to take the reprimand that he would get from his father.
Mac made it to the vestibule area. He looked around, but he didn’t see his aunt or Dianne. He was about to go outside when someone tugged on him. It was Kelly, Sis. Trevor’s ten year old daughter. She had her hand on her hips, “How are you gonna take Jay somewhere and not take me? You mean.” Mac didn’t have time for this. He bent down so the he was looking in the girl’s face, “Kelly, I gotta go. We can talk about this later.” Kelly rolled her neck, “Whatever.” Mac dropped his head, “You know better than working your neck like that.” Kelly rolled her eyes and said, “Whatever.” She smacked her lips and walked off. Mac stood up and thought, “That girl has too much attitude.”
Mac made it outside of the church without being stopped. He looked around for his aunt; she was no where in sight. Mac looked around to see who was outside that might know his aunt. Sis. Taylor was out there talking to Sis. Davidson. Mac walked over to the two women. Sis. Taylor stopped talking to Sis. Davidson and hugged Mac, “Hello handsome. How are you doing?” Mac blushed. Sis. Davidson, not to be outdone, “Hugged and kissed Mac. Now Taylor, leave my sweetheart alone. He don't want no old woman like you.” Sis. Davidson laughed as Sis. Taylor worked her neck, “Davidson please. He don't want you either.” Mac laughed and said, “Have you all seen my aunt?” Sis. Taylor said, “She walked off in the parking lot with that lady that came to church with her. That girl is pretty and she was sharp. She acted a little stuck up though.” Sis. Davidson laughed, “Taylor you need to quit.” Mac thanked the two ladies and walked towards the parking lot. He stood at the front of the parking lot. There was no way he was going to find his aunt. He was heartbroken. He would have to wait and see if Dianne would be at another church service. He sure hoped that she would be.
Dianne and Dr. Adkins-Garnett made it to Dianne’s car. Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked at the shiny black Honda Accord. Dianne took her hat off and smoothed her hair down. She unlocked the car and put her hat on the back seat. She walked over to Dr. Adkins-Garnett to hug the woman and tell her good bye. Dr. Adkins-Garnett walked over to the passenger side of the car and got in the car. Dianne rolled her eyes, huffed, and walked over to the passenger side of the car. She thought, “Lord, I’m going to strangle this woman.” Before Dianne got in the car, an old man yelled, “God bless you, Sister.” He had a sly grin on his face. Dianne nodded and got in her car.
Dianne looked at Dr. Adkins-Garnett, “Do you want something, Dr. Adkins-Garnett?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked around Dianne’s car, “Girl, this is a nice car. I like this.” Dianne laid her head back on the head rest, “Thank you. Do you want something?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett could tell that Dianne was getting irritated. Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled, “Can you drive me back to the front of the church? That was a long walk.” Dianne laughed, “Sure.” Dianne put the keys in the ignition and started the car. Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked around the car again, “Where do you work at?” Dianne was looking backwards to see if it was safe to back up, “I do not have on right now.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked at Dianne.
“Oh, why not?”
“I just do not have one right now.”
“Are you looking for one?”
“No Mame. Not right now. I guess your husband was right. Are you gonna offer me a job at your ministry?”
“No, you probably wouldn’t accept it anyway. Where did you work before?”
“I do not really want to talk about it.”
“Okay. There’s a car right there.”
Dianne huffed, “Thanks, I saw it.”
Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled, “You’re welcomed. Are you getting tired of me?”
“Yes, I am. I am not used to people fussing over me like this. I don’t mean to offend you.”
“I am not offended. I just see something special in you. I just have to learn to quit being so overzealous.”
Dianne looked at Dr. Adkins-Garnett, “What do you mean; you see something special in me?” Dianne backed her car out of the parking space and began driving towards the church.
“I can tell that you have been hurt in the past. You hide it very well with your sophistication and glamour, but I still see it. I can also see that you have a testimony that will bless other young ladies. You are a very giving person once get to know people. There is something very loving about you and despite the hurt that you have had, you still want to share that love with people you love. It can be hard for you, but you still try to share it. There is something inside you that is going to bless other young ladies.”
Dianne forced the lump in her throat down. She demanded that the tears welling up in her eyes go back where they came from. There was no way that she was going to cry. She forced a smile on her face. Dr. Adkins-Garnett touched Dianne’s arm, “One of these days, that smile will come out much easier.” Dianne glared at Dr. Adkins-Garnett, “You don’t know what you are talking about woman. I ain’t got nothing to tell anyone. You are starting to bother me, too. I hope this is close enough, because I am turning here.” Dianne stopped her car and waited for Dr. Adkins-Garnett to exit the car. Dr. Adkins-Garnett complied with Dianne’s request. As Dr. Adkins-Garnett was getting out f the car she said, “I am right. And I am not mad at you for getting an attitude with me and throwing me out of your car.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett closed the door and walked off smiling.
Mac was standing at the front of the parking lot talking to a young lady when someone grabbed him around his neck. He felt a pair of wet lips kiss him on the jaw. He turned around, it was his aunt. He smiled at her, “Hey aunnie. Where you been?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled at her nephew, “I walked Dianne to her car and made sure she got off okay.” Mac lips dropped for a second, “That’s cool. Do you know Brianna?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked at the young lady, “No, I do not know here.” Mac introduced them. He left when his aunt began telling Brianna about By Example Ministries. Mac knew that they would be there for awhile.
Dianne was fuming. “How dare that woman ingratiate herself on me? How dare she try to tell me who I was and what I was going to do?” Dianne blew a hard breath. She drove as quickly as could over to her friend, Ariel Lewis’ house.
Dianne reached Ariel’s house. Dianne was hoping that she could borrow something from Ariel because she didn’t have a change of clothes. Dianne went over to Ariel’s house every Sunday to keep Ariel company while Ariel’s husband, Greg and his friend watched some sporting event.
Dianne knocked on the door. Ariel answered. Ariel looked at Dianne, “girl, where you been? Oh yea, you went to church today. You look good. Did you get you a man while you were there?” Dianne smiled and said, “Maybe I did and maybe I didn’t,” as she walked in the door. Ariel yelled, “Greg, Di is here and she is in her Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes.” A big burly deep dark-skinned man walked in the living room he uttered an expletive before saying, “Girl, you look good. Did you catch a deacon at the church today?” Dianne shook her head, “You two are heathens.” Greg laughed his usual deep laugh, “What did pastor preach on today?” Dianne smiled, “His topic was, ‘God Has Saved Me, And My Past is Over.’ It was about not letting your past dictate your future and that once you are saved, your past no longer matters because God has forgiven you and forgotten about your past sins.” Greg laughed his deep laugh again, “Yea, whatever. I bet you believe that too. Church folk.” Greg walked out. Dianne felt dejected. Ariel wrapped her arms around her friend’s shoulders, “Come on; let’s go say hi to the fellas.” The two women headed towards the den.
Dianne walked into the den with Ariel. The usual suspects were there, David, Steve, and Ed. They were Greg’s poker buddies. There were two other guys there that Dianne didn’t know. Ariel introduced them to Dianne, “This is Paul and Drake.” Drake didn’t even look at Dianne. Paul looked at Dianne and said, “where you been all dressed?” Ariel answered before Dianne could, “She went to church. She ain’t heathens like you all.” Greg winked at Ariel, “Yea, but you love your heathen, don't you. Now, get on outta here so we can watch the game.” Ariel and Dianne walked out of the room into the kitchen.
Ariel reached in the refrigerator and grabbed a wine cooler out of it. She took a drink and walked over to Dianne, “You want a sip?” Dianne shook her head no. Usually, Dianne would take a sip of Ariel’s wine cooler, but today, something insider he told her not to take that sip. Ariel shrugged her shoulders, “I guess you are too saved to even keep up an old tradition. Excuse me. Before long you are going to be walking around with a big Bible, preaching all the time.” Dianne laughed, “You need to quit.” Ariel went and sat by Dianne who was sitting at the dinner table.
“A, I ain’t too sure about this church thing. I don’t think I am going back to that church again.”
“You kidding, right? You were about to foam at the mouth when you told me you were going to the church. What happened?”
“I don’t know. I just felt funny. I got all hot and a felt weird. I don’t know what was going on.”
Ariel started laughing, “Girl, you caught the Holy Ghost.” Ariel yelled towards the living room, “Greg, Di caught the Holy Ghost at church.” A few seconds later, Greg walked into the kitchen, “What? Did you do one of those weird dances that they do?” Greg began jumping around and acting like he was dancing. Ariel was laughing, but it made Dianne mad. Dianne stood up, “Greg, you need to quit that!” Greg looked at Dianne, “Woman, watch your voice up in my house.” Dianne glared at Greg, “You need to quick making fun of people. That ain’t right.” Greg looked at Dianne like she was crazy, “You’ve change, Di. You ain’t the same no more.” He walked out of the kitchen.
Dianne sat down and looked at Ariel, “A, have I changed that much.” Ariel looked at her friend, “Yea, you are different. It is a good different, but it’s going to take some getting used to. Forget Greg.” Dianne could not figure it out, but she felt out of place. She had spent countless Sundays over at Ariel’s and Greg’s place, but at that moment, she wanted to leave. She didn’t want to be there anymore.
Dianne stood up, “A, I am tired. I am going home. I’ll call you later.” Ariel looked hurt, “You cannot just leave me here with these nuts. Come on Di. Does this have anything to do with what Greg said?” Dianne rubbed her hair, “No, it doesn’t. I am tired. I had a long day at church. You’ll be alright. I need to go home.” Ariel twisted her neck and walked off from Dianne, “This is how it starts, before long, I won’t see you anymore cause you will always be at church. This ain’t right. Just gone and leave.” Dianne went over to her friend to hug her. Ariel moved away from Dianne so that she could not hug her. Dianne touched Ariel’s shoulder, “It isn’t going to be like that. We are girls for life. You had my back when no one else did. I ain’t going to forget that. I love you. I will call you later.” Ariel didn’t even acknowledge Dianne. Dianne walked to the door of Ariel’s house. Dianne yelled by to everyone in the house and then left.
Dianne drove to her house. She felt bad about leaving Ariel, but she had to get out of that house. Dianne thought about how she had treated Dr. Adkins-Garnett. Dianne felt bad. When she stopped at a red light, Dianne dialed the number that Dr. Adkins-Garnett had given her. No one answered the ministry’s telephone. Dianne left a message for Dr. Adkins-Garnett, “Dr. Adkins-Garnett, I apologize for how I acted today. I overreacted. I will talk to you later. Thanks for inviting me to church. I had a great time.” Dianne clicked the phone off. Dianne continued on to her house. She picked up a catfish nugget basket from Joe’s Chicken & Fish before going to her house. Her car was going to smell like catfish for a couple of days, but Dianne didn’t care. She was hungry and she wanted to eat in the solitude of her own house.
Mac didn’t want to go out to eat with his brother and friends. They all went back to the house to change clothes. Mac went to his room and got out of his suit. Someone knocked on his door. It was Shalalah Cargile, one of the girls who hung out with him and his brother. He opened the door, “What’s up?” Shalalah responded, “We are about to leave. You coming?” Mac shook his head, “Naw. I’m a stay here today. I do not feel good.” Shalalah left the door. A few minutes later, Mec came through the door. Mac sat up in his bed, “Fool, do you know how to knock on a closed door. You rude punk.” Mec snarled at his brother, “I got your punk. Why you not going wit us?” Mac huffed, “Cause I do not want to. Leave me alone.” Mec bounced down on the bed next to Mac, “I bet it has something to do with that old lady you were staring at in church.” Mac made a face, “It ain’t got anything to do with her. And quit talking about people.” Mec punched his brother in the chest, “Yea right. You want me to bring you something back grave robber?” Mac laughed, “I ain’t a grave robber. Naw you ain’t gotta bring me nothing back.” Mec stood up from the bed. He kissed Mac on the forehead and headed out the room. Mec stopped at the door and started singing, “Mac likes that old meat, old meat.” Mac threw a pillow at his brother. Mac could hear Mec singing down the hall. |
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| 11/3/05, 11:45 AM, 5,751 Words |
It was a cool October day. The wind was blowing lightly. The leaves on the trees had just started to change. It was a good day for Dianne to make her first appearance at the Greater Buelahland Interdenomational House of Rest. Dianne had decided that she was finally going to go to church with Dr. Adkins-Garnett. Dianne was tired of the woman asking her when she was going to a church. Dianne got dressed for church. She made sure that she looked extra good. She wore her pink 2-piece suit with the gold buttons and extra shiny rhinestones. She had her pink strapless purse that matched the suit. Her pink sling back size 8 pumps went perfectly with her outfit. She put on her gold jewelry. She was going to steal the show today. Even if the people in the church didn’t like her, they were going to know that she knew how to dress. Dianne took one last look in the mirror. She smoothed out her lip stick. She stepped back and took one last look at herself. She looked fabulous. She reached for her medium brim pink hat and put it on her head. She looked in the mirror and tilted it to the right slightly and then to the left. She decided to wear it tilting to the right. She took the hat off and held it in her hand, and then grabbed her purse, her keys, and the Bible that Dr. Adkins-Garnett had given her. She headed out of the door for church.
For some reason MaClandon decided to look extra special today. He took longer than usual to get dressed. He changed suits three times before deciding to wear his burnt orange suit with his yellow shirt and burnt orange, yellow, and gold tie set. He combed his hair twice. His twin brother, MeClendon came in the room. Mac scowled at his brother, “Dang, man. Don’t you know how to knock?” Mec frowned at his twin brother, “Man, come on. You are going to get left. You got somebody coming to church today?” Mac ran his fingers through his hair, “No, I just wanna look good.” Mec pulled Mac’s tie, “It doesn’t matter. Ain’t nobody going to see you because you are going to be in that robe. Come on man, for you get left.” Mec walked out of the room. Mac shook his head and put on one more spray of cologne before grabbing his Bible and leaving his room.
MaClandon and his friends reached the church at 10:30 AM. On the Sundays that the young adult choir sang, the fellas usually didn’t go to Sunday school, much to the disappointment of Bishop & First Lady Adkins. People were outside of the church walking around and talking to each other. It was a beautiful scene to see all the women in their Sunday-go-to-meeting best; with hats and purses to match. The men looked dapper in suits that looked like they were tailor made. A rainbow of colors graced the parking lot of the church; red, yellow, blue, black, green, and black, the colors were definitely precious in God’s sight. A couple of kids ran by Mac. He yelled, “Slow down before you all fall.” A few seconds later, Sis. Trevor walked by. She said, “Thanks, Mac or is it Mec? Anyway, thanks.” Mac smiled, “You’re welcome. Enjoy the service Sis. Trevor.” Mac felt sad for Sis. Trevor at times. She had 6 children, 5 boys and 1 girl; all of them had different daddies. Mac tried to help her as much as he could by making sure that the kids didn’t run all over the place. She was trying, though. She always brought them to church; to every service. Mac silently prayed for her. He walked towards the church. He caught up with his brother and their friends, Donnyea, Shalalah, DeWright, and Norie. Every one of them was dressed up. They always dressed up on the Sunday’s that they sung. They all hugged each other and headed for the choir room.
Dianne knew that she was going to be late for church. She hated being late. Dr. Adkins-Garnett had offered to give Dianne directions to the church, but Dianne told her that she could find the church on her own. Dianne wished that she would have taken Dr. Adkins-Garnett up on her offer. Dianne drove around for awhile longer before she picked up her cell phone and dialed the number to the church that Dr. Adkins-Garnett had given her. “Praise the Lord, Greater Buelahland, this is Sis. Collins, how may I help you?” Dianne responded, “I am trying to get to your church. I am at the corner of Davis Street and Willoughby Road.” The woman on the other end of the phone gave Dianne directions to the church. Within 6 minutes, Dianne was pulling up to the church.
Dianne found a parking space toward the back of the parking lot. The front of the lot was full, so Dianne had to park a ways off. She was upset, but none the less, she had made it to the church at 10:57. She had three minutes to get into the church. She got out of her car, put her hat on, grabbed her purse and Bible and started to walk towards the church. As she walked to the church, a group of woman caught up with her. One of them said, “Girl, I like that outfit. You look good.” Dianne said, “Thank you,” as the ladies walked pass her.
Mac was sitting in between Mec and Norie in the choir stand. As hard as the choir director tried to separate him his brother and their friends, two or three of them ended up sitting together in the choir. Mec was flirting with a couple of the sopranos sitting next to him. Norie was talking to the guy sitting next to him. Mac looked around the church to see who was there. He saw his aunt sitting in her usual seat on the third row. She seemed to be saving a seat for someone. Mac didn’t think twice about it. He caught his aunt’s eye and smiled at her. She smiled back. Mec elbowed him, “Who you looking at?” Mac nodded, “At Aunt Denise.” Mec looked a t his aunt. She scowled at him. Mec flashed his playa smile at his aunt. She shook her head at her rambunctious nephew.
Dianne made it to the entrance of the sanctuary at 11:01. She was the only person at the door. The doors were closed. One of the ushers stopped her, “Let’s wait and see if anyone else comes and then I will let you in.” Dianne smiled a slight smiled, “Do you know where Dr. Adkins-Garnett sits?” The usher nodded, “Are you here visiting with her today?” Dianne adjusted her purse under her arm, “Yes Mame.” The usher smiled, “Well, I guess no one else is coming. Let’s go.” The usher opened the door for Dianne and then began to walk beside her. Dianne stepped in the sanctuary. It was huge. There was a big chandelier hanging in the middle of a high vaulted ceiling. The pews were laced with gold trim, which was shining. There were about seventy pews on each side of the four sections of rows in the church. The carpet was plush and blue. Dianne could not hear her heels clicking on the carpet.
They have been walking for awhile before the usher pointed to a row. Dianne thanked the usher and sat down next to Dr. Adkins-Garnett who had gotten excited and was smiling like crazy. Dr. Adkins-Garnett hugged Dianne tightly, “Glad you could make it.” Dianne fixed her hat that Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s hug had messed up, “Thanks. Sorry, I am late. I got a little lost.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett laughed, “That’s ok. I am just glad you’re here. ”Taylor, this is Dianne Roberts, the young lady that I invited today.” Dianne leaned forward and was met by a forty or fifty year-old woman in a gray suit and a big smile. The lady reached over Dr. Adkins-Garnett and extended her hand to Dianne, “I am glad that you came today. I am tired of hearing Garnett talk about you. You would think you were her long lost daughter the way she talks about you.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett elbowed Sis. Taylor, “Taylor, quit causing trouble. Dianne just ignored her. You look fabulous as usual.” Sis. Taylor chimed in, “Yea, you do. Garnett said that you could dress.” Dianne smiled. Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled at her. Dianne looked around the church. The pews were full of people.
Dianne looked up in the choir stand. Most of the people in the choir stand appeared to be about 20 to 25. Dianne was about to look somewhere else when she saw the guy from the picnic staring at her. His eyes were glued on her. She looked at the guy sitting next to him. He looked exactly like the boy who was staring at him. The guy from the picnic kept staring at her. She smiled at him, hoping that would make him stop staring. He smiled back and kept staring. She looked at the musician who had begun to play; ignoring the young boy that was staring at her.
Mac was waiting for the musician to call the service to order. It seemed like it was taking forever this Sunday. Usually at 11:01 exactly, the musician began to play, but today he didn’t. Mac looked down the aisle. One of the ushers was escorting a single woman down the aisle. That was unusual because the ushers usually only escorted special guests down the aisle. As the usher and the woman got closer, Mac could tell that it was Dianne. His heart dropped, his hands started sweating, and a smile grew across his face. He wanted to break out in dance right then and there. He watched her walk down the aisle. She glided in her 2 inch heels, walking as if she was the queen making a grand entrance. She walked with her head held high; not worrying about the sanctuary of people staring at her, wondering who she was to be escorted down the aisle in such a grand fashion. Mac studied her outfit from top to bottom. The woman looked fabulous. With every other step, one of the rhinestones on her outfit would sparkle as the light hit them. He wanted to get close to her because he knew that she had to smell great.
Mec stared at Mac, “Boy, who are you looking at like that?” Mac didn’t say a word. He just watched Dianne walk down the aisle. Mec looked in the direction that Mac was looking, “Awe, naw. You done spied out an old woman. Boy, she probably has shoes older than you.” Mac ignored his brother. Mec said, “Who does she think she is anyway? She all late.” Mac said, “Man, shut up.” Mec punched his brother in the arm. Mec rubbed his arm as he continued to stare at Dianne.
Mac watched Dianne as she sat down next to his aunt. He watched his aunt hug Dianne. He watched Dianne interact with his aunt and her best friend, Ida Taylor. Mac knew it was wrong to stare, but he couldn’t help it. Before Mac had a chance to turn his head, Dianne was looking at him. In his mind he said, “Boy, turn your head. Stop staring at her. You idiot!” Mac could not stop staring. Dianne stared back at him for a few seconds and then she smiled at him. Mac’s heart did a flip and then jumped in his throat. He managed to smile back at her. A few seconds later, she stopped looking at him. Mac shook out of his stare when the musician played the introit.
All of a sudden, everyone in the congregation stood up. They turned towards the back of the church. Twenty men were walking down the aisle as the musician played softly. It took awhile for the men to walk down the long aisle. When the men got to the pulpit and took their seats, the musician began to play “You’re Worthy to Be Praised.” After the introduction of the song, the congregation began to sing. After two verses and four choruses of the song one of the ministers walked up to the pulpit podium and said, “Can you say praise the Lord?” The congregation responded in accordance. The minister said, “Can you say praise the Lord?” more forceful than the first time. The congregation responded with more vigor this time. The minister said, “They told me this was a church that liked to praise the Lord. Somebody needs to act like it.” Some of the people in the congregation clapped their hands and praised the Lord. The minister smiled and said, “Bless God. Let’s pray.” He prayed an excited prayer that last for 10 minutes. By the time he was through and had said Amen, a lot of the people in the crowd were praising God loudly. The man walked back to his seat.
A man in a purple and white robe walked to the podium, “God bless you all.” The crowd responded back, “God bless you Bishop.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett leaned over to Dianne and whispered, “That’s my brother, Bishop J. Berry Adkins. He is the pastor.” Dianne nodded. The bishop was a handsome man. Dr. Adkins-Garnett seemed quite proud when she announced to Dianne that the man standing before the congregation was her brother.
Bishop Adkins adjusted the microphone before he said, “Please turn in your program to the responsive reading page. I will read the bold print. Please respond by reading the light print.” Bishop Adkins began read the responsive reading and sat down after he had read the last verse. As he was sitting down, a group of men and women began to gather in the front of the church. A tall skinny man grabbed the microphone and said, “Anybody wanna praised the Lord?” The congregation responded with various positive responses. A lady said, “Do I have any worshippers in the building?” The congregation responded with various affirmative answers. The man began singing, “Let the name of God be exalted in this place.” The praise team and congregation responded as they continued to sing the song.
Dr. Adkins-Garnett leaned over to Dianne and said, “See the woman on the front row in the light blue suit, that’s my sister-in-law, Darlene Adkins.” Dianne looked at the woman. She only saw the side of Sis. Adkins’ face. Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked up in the choir stand and said, “See the two guys on the second row that look just alike. They are my nephews MeClendon and MaClandon. As you can tell, they are twins. My niece Gloria is the third girl from the end of the pew on the first row.” Dianne looked at Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s nephews; she wondered which one was the one that was at the picnic. Dianne looked at Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s niece, before turning her attention back to the twins. Dianne said, “One of your nephews was the picnic. Which one was that?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled, “That was MaClandon. We call him Mac. He is a sweetheart. I have another niece, but I don’t know where she is sitting. I have two more twin nephews, but I couldn’t tell you where they are either.” Dianne added up the number of nieces and nephews that Dr. Adkins-Garnett had mentioned. It added up to six. Dianne shook her head and asked Dr. Adkins-Garnett, “What is there ages?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett rolled her eyes, “Let me think, Mac and Mec are twenty-four. Gloria is twenty-two, I think. Angel is seventeen or eighteen. Dustin and Justin are fourteen.” Dianne nodded. Dr. Adkins-Garnett went to talking to Sis. Taylor. Dianne looked up at MaClandon. He was staring at her. Dianne scowled at him as she thought, “Lord, this boy is too young to be thinking about me.”
Mac was trying to sing with the praise team in between stealing glances at Dianne. She seemed a bit nervous. Mac giggled at the idea that this may be Dianne’s first time in a Pentecostal church. Mec nudge his brother, “You going to stare at her the whole service. She is going to think you are a pervert.” Mac looked at his brother and rolled his eyes. Mec went back to singing and Mac went back to looking at Dianne. Dianne was looking at Mac. He smiled. She scowled at him. He blinked his eyes as she stopped staring at him.
After the praise team had sung another song, they left the front of the church. Bishop Adkins took the podium and said, “You may be seated. Let’s get ready to enjoy our young adult choir. Ya’ll better sang.” The congregation clapped as the group of young adults stood up. A guy walked to the front of the church and motioned for the musician to play. After the introduction, the choir began to sing, “All that I have belongs to God.” People in the congregation began to stand up, clap, and rock with the choir. A female voice yelled, “Ya’ll betta sang, then.” A male voice said, “I like that. I belong to God. Sang then.” Everyone was into the song. Dianne even stood up and clapped with everyone. She rocked her head. Mac looked at Dianne. She was standing up, clapping, and rocking. Mac smiled as her hat went from the left side to the right side to the beat of the music.
When the choir finished singing the first song, the choir director walked over the organ and grabbed the microphone, “Does anybody belong to God?” The congregation yelled back at him with varying responses. The choir director said, “Do you want to Holy Spirit to fall on you today?” The choir went wild. The choir director said, “Come on Gloria.” Bishop Adkins said, “You better direct baby.” Sis. Adkins stood up, “Go head baby.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett said, “Help yourself baby.” Dianne giggled as she thought, “These folk are crazy.”
Gloria stood in the front of the choir and began to direct the song. It was a slow song. The choir sung the song. People in the congregation were crying, waving their hands, and praising by the time the choir got to the vamp. At the end of the song, Gloria jumped up and down in the front of the choir. The musician started playing some fast music. Gloria started dancing. A bunch of people in the audience started dancing too. The choir started singing, “I got the joy of the Lord. Joy of the Lord…”People all over the place were dancing, shouting, clapping, and running.
Dianne wasn’t sure what to do. She looked around at the people moving around wildly. She had only send people act like this on TV, never in person. Dianne clapped her hands so that she wouldn’t look weird not clapping. Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s shoulders were bouncing when she leaned over to Dianne and asked, “Is this your first time at a Pentecostal church?” Dianne nodded her head up and down. Dr. Adkins-Garnett went back to praising God. For some strange reason, Dianne wanted to know what Mac was doing right then. She looked up at him. He, his brother, and two other guys were clapping the same way. Dianne laughed at the four guys. She looked back at Gloria. She was still dancing. Dianne laughed as she clapped. This was the most exciting church she had ever visited; even though this was only the third church service she had ever been to in her life.
The audience calmed down as Bishop Adkins walked to the podium, “These young folk are going to make me dance in here.” The congregation clapped and yelled, “Go ahead Bishop.” The musician played some fast notes. Some people started back to dancing. The other people started clapping. Bishop said, “Come on we gotta move ya’ll. We gotta move.” The audience became more frenzied when he said that. He looked at the musician and nodded the musicians played the fast music again. People who hadn’t danced before started dancing this time.
Dianne looked at Dr. Adkins-Garnett. Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled, “Are you okay?” Dianne just looked at Dr. Adkins-Garnett. Dianne was not sure what was going on, but she felt like there was a fire on the inside of her. She kept telling herself to calm down. She began to fan herself with her hand. She thought she was getting sick. Dr. Adkins-Garnett grabbed Dianne’s arm, “Dianne, are you okay?” Dianne said, “I feel sick. I am hot inside. I have never felt like this before.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett laughed, “Do not worry about it sweetie, that’s the Holy Spirit. You are alright.” Dianne looked at Dr. Adkins-Garnett like she was crazy. Dianne thought, “What had this woman gotten me into?” as she fanned herself.
Bishop motioned for the musician to stop playing. The musician stopped as Bishop said, “I am going to do something right quick. Where are my children? Ya’ll get up here quick. Quick, come on.” Mac, Mec, and Gloria left the choir stand. A teenage girl walked from the center of the church. Two boys that looked just alike walked from the back of the church. They walked up onto the pulpit. Bishop said, “I am going to praise God with my children. Any of you out there that have children that you are asking God to save, this is for you. If you see my children and your children and me as you, and praise God as if it were happening, then God is going to bless you today. Come on ya’ll, let’s praise God.” Bishop and his six children started clapping and praising. Bishop said, “Come on, we are praising some mother’s son to the Lord.” The kids made some more noise. Bishop said, “Come on, there’s someone daughter on drugs. We gotta praise God for her.” Before long, Gloria and Angel were standing. Dustin and Justin were one their knees with their faces, hands, and arms lifted towards Heaven. Mac and Mec were both crying with their arms extended towards Heaven. People all over the building were crying, clapping, praising, and basking in the glory of the Lord.
Dianne had started crying. She was trying to stop the tears, but she could not. Before she could figure out what was going on, Dr. Adkins-Garnett had hugged her. Dianne was laying on Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s shoulder, crying like a baby. Dr. Adkins-Garnett kept saying, “Work it out for her Lord as only You can.” Dianne felt comfortable on the woman’s shoulder.
After about 20 minutes Bishop finally said, “God is doing something here today. If you need something from Him, now is the time to get it.” His children were still in the pulpit praising the Lord. People were still crying, clapping, and praising. Dianne’s was still on Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s shoulder crying. Bishop said, “Yes, yes, the Lord is moving. The water is trouble. You need to get in the pool with us.” After he said that, a woman let out a high pitched squeal that sent chills down everyone’s spin. The woman started running all over the place. Bishop said, “That’s right, praise him Sis. Trevor. Let the Lord bless you.” Bishop nodded at the musician. The musician began playing “Hail Jesus You’re My King.” People kept on praising until the end of the song.
Dianne stopped crying when the musician began to play the song. She raised her head up from Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s shoulder and rubbed both her eyes. Someone handed her some Kleenex. Dianne blotted her face as she sat down. Dianne felt a hand rub her back as someone said, “That’s right baby, let the Lord bless real good.” Dianne kept her head down. She was not sure what to do at that moment so, she just sat there.
Dr. Adkins-Garnett was crying. She was happy because the Lord had touched Dianne. She wanted to hug Dianne and take away every hurt that Dianne had ever had in her life. Dr. Adkins-Garnett knew that she could not do that. It was going to take God to do that. Dr. Adkins-Garnett began praising God as if she had given birth to Dianne.
Mac, Mec, Gloria, Angel, Dustin, and Justin went back to their seats after they each hugged their father. Some of the people in the congregation sat down. Some were still praising. Sis. Trevor had stopped running. She was in the middle of aisle dancing. Bishop went back to the podium, “I feel like preaching.” The crowd went crazy. Bishop smiled, “God has changed the program around. Is that alright?” The congregation clapped and praised. Bishop responded, “IT doesn’t matter if it is okay with you all or not, as long as it is okay with God.” The congregation clapped.
People began to sit down as a man brought Bishop his Bible and a notebook. Bishop grabbed his Bible, “Turn in your Bibles to Acts chapter 10. Let’s look at verse 43.” People all over the congregation stood up. Bishop said, “It reads, ‘To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.’ You may take your seat. I want to use as a thought for a brief few minutes, ‘God Has Saved Me, And My Past is Over.’ I don’t know who I am talking to today, but this message is for someone out there.” People began clapping. A female voice said, “It’s for me pastor.” Bishop laughed, “Alright now.” Bishop began his sermon after that.
Dianne thought about the sermon topic as she looked at the program. They had skipped over most of the stuff listed in the program. It seemed odd, but okay. Dianne thought to herself, “Why in the world would he preach a sermon like this today? Does he know something about me? No one at this church even knows me or anything about me. This is weird.” Dianne listened to Bishop preach.
Mac was hot in his robe. After standing on the pulpit praising God in his robe, he couldn’t help but be hot. He looked at Dianne. Her make-up seemed smeared. He figured that she had been crying along with everyone else. He looked at her awhile longer. Dianne was paying attention to his father. Mac decided to do the same thing.
Bishop said, “Some of you are still wondering, what if someone knows about my past. It is doesn’t matter about your past. Once you accepted Christ as your personal Saviour, He forgot about what you did before. You are a new creature.”
Dianne looked at Dr. Adkins-Garnett. Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked at her with a sly grin. Dr. Adkins-Garnett had told Dianne the same thing. Dianne still wondered how God could have forgotten about all the stuff she had done. She still thought it was going to take a long time for God to forget about some of the things that she had done.
Bishop continued, “When folk try to bring up your past, do not let them get to you. Someone always wants to remind you of what you use to be. Just tell them, ‘Look at me now. Look what God has made of me. I am a whole new person. Don’t hate me, baby. Come join me and god will change you, too.’” People laughed, clapped, and praised.
Dianne laughed too. She could not imagine saying that to anyone. It was all too weird for her. She had been forgiven. She had been made a new creature. Her sins had been forgotten. All of this happened in a matter of minutes. There wasn’t anyway that this was true. It could not possibly be that simple.
Bishop said, “Some of you make it too hard. Once you asked Jesus to come into your life, He forgave you, saved you, and made you brand new. It is that simple. Now, staying that way, takes some work. That’s why you need to get into a good church home and be taught the word. You need to be accountable to someone. To someone who will tell you when you aren’t doing right. Someone who will tell you that you need to straighten up. It cannot be just anybody. It has to be someone who is saved themselves and have a relationship with the Lord.”
Dianne looked at Dr. Adkins-Garnett. Dr. Adkins-Garnett was nodding and listening. Dianne smiled. What Bishop Adkins was saying made sense, but she still had doubts. This was all new to her.
Bishop said, “Salvation, understanding, and living for God takes time, takes commitment, takes pray, takes fasting, takes a lot, bit it sure is worth. I tell ya, the blessing of the Lord maketh rich and added no sorrow. Now, I am not just talking about money, but every aspect of life. I’m talking about your soul, your family, your health, and so much more. It is just like at work. You expect your paycheck, that’s one thing, but the better the benefits package, the better you feel. God has an awesome benefit package.” People all over the congregation stood up and clapped. Bishop continued preaching.
Dianne thought to herself, “This is going to be okay. I think I might be able to do this. I sure hope Dr. Adkins-Garnett doesn’t mind me bugging her from time to time.” Her thoughts were interrupted when Dr. Adkins-Garnett tapped her on the shoulder, “Excuse me sweetie. I need to go up front.” Dianne let Dr. Adkins-Garnett by. Sis. Taylor walked over to Dianne and hugged her. Sis. Taylor whispered, “God blessed you real good today.” Sis. Taylor released Dianne.
Bishop Adkins had finished his sermon. He said, “If there is one of you who doesn’t know the Lord, will you come? Will you come?” No one moved. Bishop said it a few more times before anyone moved. Three people came at first, then more people started coming. The ministers prayed with the people as Bishop continued to talk, “If you are saved, but you need some pray, you may come down to the altar. There is room for you at the cross.” People from all over the building began to come.
After the altar was over and people were back at their seats, Bishop Adkins took the microphone, “I better do this or the deacons will be upset with me. Let’s get the offering. Deacons, will you come? Ushers will you come. If you need an envelope, please let the ushers know, they will get you an envelope. Come on choir, sing us a song.” Bishop went and sat down as the choir stood up. After a few minutes, one of the ministers walked to the podium. He motioned at the musician. The choir and the musician sung and played softly. The minister said, “Let’s stand. Father, we thank You for this service that You moved mightily in. We thank You for what You have blessed us with. Lord, we bring just a portion of what You have given us so that we may bless Your that it may be able to do Your work. Let us give with a sincere heart, not giving grudgingly, but in love. Bless this offering, its use, and those that have given it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” The congregation responded with an Amen. The minister said, “Hold your offering up and repeat after me… Lord… I give You this offering… I give it freely… I give it in love… Bless it that it will be multiply that Your kingdom may be multiplied… Ushers, choir.” The ushers began to usher the people down to the offering table. The choir went back to singing.
Mac looked at Dianne as she was standing up for the offering. He wondered if her feet were hurting from standing up in her heels. Dianne looked up at him. He smiled at her. She rolled her eyes and looked back at the people who were walking down the aisle. Mac was trying to figure out how he could get back to the choir room, get out of his robe, and get back to the sanctuary in time to meet Dianne before she left. It was going to take some doing, but Mac purposed in his heart to do just that.
Bishop took the podium, “Sis. Ransom, can you come do the welcome for us right quick. We do not want our guests to feel unwelcome.” A lady emerged from a side door of the church. She took the podium, “Would all of our first time visitors please stand?” People stood up all over the place. Dr. Adkins-Garnett nudged Dianne and made her stand up. After a few seconds, an usher handed Dianne a packet. Sis. Ransom said, “We are glad that you came to visit us today. You could have gone anywhere else, but the Lord led you here with us. Please come back and visit us any time our doors are open. Congregation, let’s greet our visitors.” People started hugging the visitors. Dr. Adkins-Garnett hugged Dianne. Sis. Taylor hugged Dianne. Three other women hugged Dianne. A man shook Dianne’s hands and another man hugged Dianne.
The musician began playing “God Be with You” as Bishop walked up to the podium. Bishop took the microphone and said, “We are going to let you go in a few minutes. It’s only a little after 1:00. We will be going home in a minute or two. The doors of the church are opened. If you would like to join our church, please come to the front. If there is one, please come.” A mother and her two children came down. Three young men walked down together. A father and his son came down. Bishop walked down from the pulpit to where the people were. A woman came from the audience and went to each person and asked their names. She said each person’s name. Bishop shook each person’s hand and said, “We are glad to have you as a member of our family.” After each person had been introduced, the woman took them out of a side door of the church.
Bishop walked back up to the podium, “And we are stand as the choir sings…” The choir sung “God Be with You.” Bishop did the benediction and dismissed the congregation. |
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| 11/2/05 - 3,031 Words Total |
Yesterday I did 3,031 words. Yesterday was harder than the first day.
I have a total of 6,338 for the first two days. I feel good. I have been reaching my goal, so that’s good, too.
Hope you are enjoying what I have written so far. You can view it by going here.
I am going to get going on today’s session. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow. |
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