Chapter Two
Jonathan let out a deep sigh and rubbed his hands across his chiseled beard. His mother seemed to be handling things as she always did with her usual grace. Mother Eliza had shaken every hand and accepted every hug. Now she sat with old friends, smiling and laughing. She didn’t appear too heartbroken that they had just buried his father, but then again, his dad had been sick so long, it was inevitable. Still, the experience of seeing his father take his last breath caused Jonathan’s heart to sink.
“Dad?”
Lost in his own thoughts, he jumped slightly at the touch on his shoulder. He turned to see his youngest son standing over him.
“Mikey.” Jonathan looked around his son. “Where are Keith and your mother?” Jonathan thought he saw Lenora a few minutes before coming toward him, but then she disappeared in the crowd. As much as he loved the church’s support, he was really ready to go home. Dad’s death the day after Easter had left Jonathan with no time to rest this week.
“She’s outside.” Michael shrugged his shoulders. “I guess she’s coming in.”
Jonathan didn’t have long to wait as his beautiful wife’s face appeared. As Lenora approached them, he thought her face looked especially troubled. Grief? He frowned as he watched how Lenora twisted her hands. He hadn’t seen her do that in a long time. The girl he met in college was shy and quiet, often looking down and twisting her hands. Lenora had long transformed into a woman who stood steadfast in her faith.
He asked her, “Are you okay? I know this has been a long day.”
She reached down and hugged him. “I’m good. Why are you asking me that? I should be asking you how you are doing.”
“As best as I can.” Jonathan noticed Lenora was smiling, but it wasn’t her usual confident grin. Her mouth was slightly curved, indicating she wanted him to know she was okay, but something was on her mind. He inquired, “Where did you disappear to?”
Lenora sat down in the chair next to him. She responded. “There are so many people here today. I wished I could have greeted and talked to as many people as I could.” She tilted her hat slightly back and rubbed her forehead. “You know I think I’m going to have to head home and lie down.”
“That sounds like a plan. I think we all should probably do that.” He looked across over to where his mother still sat with other women in the church. “Why don’t you and Michael go ahead? I think Mother needs to be around the church family right now.”
Lenora stared at him. “I guess you are bringing Mother Freeman to the house.”
Jonathan looked away from his wife’s eyes and nodded. “She needs us right now.”
“Of course.” Lenora rose. She waved her hand at Michael. “Michael, I need you to come with me.”
Michael strolled over. “Can I drive?”
Jonathan started to protest, but Lenora cut him off. “You know, that’s a good idea. My head is killing me.”
Jonathan pointed his finger at his sixteen-year-old son. “Drive carefully, young man.”
Michael grinned, “I got this, Dad.”
Jonathan watched his wife and youngest son leave the center. He knew there were years of conflict between his mother and wife. He often stood to the side when he should have said something to one or both of them. Hopefully, Lenora understood his mother would move back to her home soon. Mother indicated that she needed some time away from all those memories. She was the main caregiver for his father during his illness, making sure he went to dialysis three times a week.
“Jonathan, where is your wife going? She can’t leave now.”
He whirled around to see Eliza leaning on her cane. He stood and pulled out the chair. “Why don’t you sit down?”
Eliza shooed his hand away from her back. “I’ve been sitting down all day.” She jabbed her finger in the direction Lenora had just left. “She should be by your side.”
Jonathan responded. “She’s not feeling well. You should probably be heading home to lie down too, don’t you think?”
Eliza shooed him. “No need to worry about me. I’m fine.” She stretched her arm out. “We are with family.”
He agreed. When he was officially installed as the pastor for Victory Gospel Church a month before, Jonathan had many doubts about trying to step into a role his father held for twenty-five years. Jonathan’s grandfather had founded the church thirty-five years ago before his father’s pastoral time. This was his legacy, and while there had been steady growth in the church, in the back of his mind, Jonathan had doubts he’d never voice to anyone. Was this church truly his calling? Out of all the dreams he had, he’d never pictured himself in this position, legacy or no legacy.
“Did you tell Lenora about your plans?”
His mother had interrupted his thoughts. He looked over at her. “Mother, this isn’t the time to discuss it.”
“I didn’t say you had to announce anything today. If and when you do, Lenora is going to need to know.”
“I know that, Mother. I just haven’t had time. The funeral arrangements that Dad wanted needed to be carried out.”
Eliza patted her son’s hand. “Well, now you can move forward. Pastor Jeremiah would be so proud of you. You are going to step into territory that even your father wouldn’t.”
Jonathan took a deep breath as he thought about the last piece of advice his father left him. A few days before his father had passed away, Jonathan had told him about an opportunity that had been presented to him. Pastor Jeremiah was tired, but lucid. “Son, don’t mix politics and the church. You need to think about which road is more important and which one is your true purpose.”
Son, don’t mix politics and the church.
That wasn’t going to be easy for Jonathan. Jonathan had always seen himself being a public servant. After getting his MBA, life took a turn five years ago and he found himself in seminary school. Still, in the back of his mind, he always thought if the opportunity arose, he would consider it.
A few weeks before, his longtime friend, Mayor Alex Carrington, asked to meet with him. The conversation ended with the mayor asking Jonathan to consider running for Charlotte City Council District 2 seat.
Jonathan was intrigued by the possibilities, but he needed to have the support of his wife. Lenora had shown reluctance when Jonathan decided to fill in as interim pastor. She had since grown into her role as first lady and incorporated the facilities on the Victory Gospel Church campus in her wedding planning business.
How would she feel about her husband placing her and the family even more in the spotlight? He wasn’t sure if Lenora ever had to worry about it. With his father’s death, the church needed him now. Maybe he just needed to let this opportunity pass him by.