Two weeks had passed and Shante had busied herself fielding phone calls about her trip to Hilton Head and the minister’s conference. It seemed to her that rumor spread with lightening speed. People finally had some dirt on her and Max, and they welcomed the opportunity to tell anyone who would listen. Shante attempted to assure everyone who had the nerve to ask her that it was only a false rumor. However, prominent members of her church began questioning her integrity and her relationship with Max. It had been overwhelming for her. With all she had done for the community and her church, she felt no one should question her integrity. Her only reprieve from the constant innuendos was Josh’s birthday party. Only a few very close friends and members of his kindergarten class were invited to his party. Still, she felt people were staring at her as she tried to busy herself helping with the party.
“Happy birthday,” everyone yelled as Josh blew out the candles on his cake. The high-pitched voices of children screaming filled the air at Max’s home and he found it difficult to hear himself talk. Joshua was at the picnic table looking at the mountain of gifts he’d received, especially the one he most wanted.
“A big kid’s bike,” Joshua yelled excitedly, jumping on the small, electric blue dirt bike. “It’s what I’ve always wanted. Thanks, Dad.”
Max smiled broadly as he looked at Joshua. He was so proud of his son. At five years old, he had a near-perfect memory and was able to read simple books. Of all his children, Joshua looked most like him, dark skinned with a smile that could light up the room. Max wanted this birthday to be special. Joshua was entering another phase of his life. He would be going to school with Jacob—the big kids’ school, he called it—and Max would no longer have to go to three different schools every day.
“Max, where’s the helmet?” Shante asked. She had gone with him earlier in the week when Max had gone searching for the perfect bike.
“It’s on the picnic table. I’ll get it.”
“While you’re doing that, I’ll go in the house and bring out the ice cream. This is a wonderful party, Max. Everyone seems to be having fun. Maybe later, I’ll get the clown to teach me how to make balloon animals. Let me go get the ice cream,” she said.
“Hey, girl, you need help?” Gwen asked, walking through the door of Max’s custom kitchen, which he had designed himself.
“No, I think I can handle it. I’m just getting the ice cream. Thanks for coming to Josh‘s party. I think he loved the drum set you got him. Now you know Max is going to kill you,” Shante said, laughing.
“He told me he wanted a drum set, so I got him one. I’m sure Max will appreciate it when he’s making millions playing the drums, and when he wins his Grammys he’ll get up and thank his Aunt Gwen for giving him his first set.”
“Okay, Aunt Gwen, can you get those bowls out of the cabinet over there, the plastic ones on the second shelf?”
“Sure. So I see you know your way around the kitchen,” Gwen said, walking over to the oak-stained cabinet.
“Don’t start, Gwen. There are enough rumors going around about me now. I don’t need another one started.”
“I know, girl. When someone told me you used to be a stripper, I just laughed in her face.”
What? Shante was stunned. Why would someone say something like that about her? How had such a rumor gotten started? She had tried so hard to keep her name out of the rumor mill.
“Didn’t you hear that one? Yeah, someone said you used to be a stripper and that’s why you fought so hard to stop the strip club from opening. I said to them we’ve been friends most of our lives, and I have never known you to be a stripper, but then you never know . . .” Gwen said jokingly.
“I didn’t hear that one. I heard about me and Max having sex on the beach at Hilton Head.”
“No, you didn’t. Do you think someone saw me and Ron?”
“It’s possible, but your name isn’t attached to it; Max’s name and my name are. I talked with Max about it when we went shopping for Josh. He said not to worry, that like all rumors, this one will go away as soon as someone else gets caught doing something, but . . .” She set down the ice cream container and sat at the small table next to the window. Gwen joined with her.
“But what, Shante?”
“Well, it’s just that people are canceling my speaking engagements. I know it’s because of the rumors. Can’t people see how ridiculous all this sounds? I also had one speaker cancel with our women’s ministry. She told Gail she couldn’t be associated with our ministry at this time. It’s embarrassing to walk into a room and know that everyone is talking about you and watching you, looking to see what you’re going to do next. You know it’s already hard for a lady preacher. Rumors only make it worse, and it eats at the heart of your integrity. Even today, it feels as if everyone is watching Max and me. I’m trying not to stand too close to him or sit next to him. As much as I love those boys, I’m afraid of what people are going to say. I thought for a moment of not coming at all.”
“You know Josh would have been hurt. He loves his Mama Tay; you’re his godmother. You had to come. You can’t let all these rumors bother you. I know it’s hard, but I also know how hard you work to keep yourself clean. You wouldn’t do anything to hurt your ministry or the church image as a whole. Shante, I know all this will blow over soon. Just keep the faith.”
“Gwen, you don’t understand.” The fear of losing her ministry was more than she could handle. She had learned of secret board meetings—the phone calls. Some were already plotting against her.
“Understand what?”
“Well, the board of the church called an emergency meeting today, and they’re discussing me. They didn’t ask me to come. Tank told me about the meeting. He said they would have another one with me soon. He thought I should know. I’m glad he told me.”
“Oh, no, Shante. All this over rumors and gossip?” Gwen said, grabbing Shante’s hand.
Shante began to cry. Gwen hugged her and prayed. “Father, we thank you for being the Most High God. We know that nothing is too hard for you. Right now, my sister Shante needs you. She needs your peace. You said in your Word that you would send us a comforter. Father, I ask that you send the Comforter to her right now and send peace into this situation. Father, we thank you that it is already done. We thank you that you have already given us the victory. In Jesus name. Amen.”
“Thank you, Gwen,” Shante said, wiping away her tears.
“I know that it’s going to work out. Sometimes our faith is tested. Know that it’s not God testing you, but the enemy. He wants you to give up, but I won’t let you. I’ve got your back. Is there anything I can do?” Gwen asked stroking Shante’s arm.
“Gwen, what if I lose my church? What am I going to do?”
“Shante, don’t say that. Watch what you say. You aren’t going to lose your church. I know it. I know things look bad now, but it will get better, you wait and see. Shante, you’ve got to keep the faith. Promise me something.”
“What?”
“If you need anything—and I mean anything— please let me know. You know I’m here for you,” Gwen said, drawing closer to Shante. They were hugging when Max walked in, startling Shante and Gwen.
“Hey, where’s the ice cream?” Max asked. He stopped and looked from one to the other. Shante was crying. “Is anything wrong?” Max asked, looking at Shante trying to hide her tears.
“No, nothing’s wrong. I’ve got to go to the bathroom,” Shante said, running past Max.
“Gwen, what’s wrong with Tay? Why is she crying?”
“You know women. We’re hormonal. She’s alright. I’m taking the ice cream out to the kids.” When she got to the door, she stopped and turned to Max. “I don’t know what’s going on between you two—it’s none of my business—but if you love Shante, you should support her now. She needs you. Do you love her?”
“Why are you asking me this?”
“Answer my question. Do you love her?”
“Maybe I should discuss this with Shante.”
“That’s all right. I think I know the answer. You should let her know. She needs to know she’s not alone now. You know how private she is. She needs to know that her friends love her and will be there for her no matter what happens.”
With that Gwen turned and walked out the door. Max wondered what was going on with Shante. He was aware of the gossip about them, but he thought she was handling it fine. He didn’t see that she was having any problems; at least none that she’d revealed to him.
Shante returned to the kitchen and was surprised to see Max still standing there. “Are you okay?” Max asked, walking toward her.
“I’m fine,” she said, moving around him and trying to avoid eye contact. She didn’t want him to know what was going on, or even be involved, for fear his ministry would suffer, too. Besides, it was Joshua’s special day, and she didn’t want to ruin it for him.
“You’re crying.”
“It’s my allergies. I’m fine.”
“I haven’t heard you use that excuse in a long time. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’d better go outside. It isn’t a good idea for us to be seen alone in the house.”
“I don’t care what people think. I do care about what’s happening with you. Talk to me.”
“This isn’t the time. I’m going outside.”
Max grabbed her arm. He wanted to tell her he loved her. He wanted to hold her and comfort her. Something was definitely going on with her. Why wouldn’t she talk to him?
“Let me go. Not now. We’ll talk later.”
Max released her arm, hoping she would talk with him later as she said. She walked into the backyard. Max followed.
Shante was looking around the backyard for Joshua, but there were so many children running around he was hard to spot. Then she saw him. He had on his bicycle helmet and was on his bike. Jonathan was helping him pedal. Something about the scene made Shante feel uneasy. She returned to the house and got her small bottle of anointing oil from her purse. She returned to the backyard and went over to Joshua.
“Let me help your brother. You guys go entertain the other guests,” Shante said to Jonathan and Jacob.
“Mama Tay, I love my bike, and my helmet is cool, too. Can you teach me how to ride?”
“Yes, I’ll teach you, but first there’s something I need to do. Whenever you get a new vehicle—”
“Vehicle? Like a car?” Joshua asked.
“Yes, a car when you’re older, but now your transportation is a bike, and whenever you get a new one, you should bless it so that God will always take care of you when you travel. Look, I have my oil. I’m going to bless you and your bike.”
Shante put oil on the front and back fenders of the bike and anointed Joshua’s forehead. She began to pray. “God, we thank you for your many blessings. We ask that you protect Josh as he travels on his new bike. Send your angels to surround him and keep him from all harm. We thank you that it’s already done. In Jesus name. Amen.”
“Thank you, Mama Tay. Now will you push me?” Joshua asked, hugging Shante.
From the other end of the yard, Max watched Shante with Joshua. He would have to tell her how he felt soon. He knew he wanted to marry her. To him, there was no separation between him, her, and his children. They were already a family.