“Nothing remains constant except change itself.” Unknown
Stiles sat behind his desk in his office at Full of Grace Ministries, still feeling shocked about Khalil’s offer to him to return to Holy Rock. Could he do it? Did he even want to return to the church and how would it affect his ministry at Full of Grace? There was a time when he would have given anything to grace that pulpit again but now he wasn’t so sure. He had to pray, really seek God’s guidance and direction before he gave Khalil his answer.
Khalil told him to take his time, think about it, and then get back to him. Stiles made up his mind to do exactly that.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
Kareena walked in, looking lovely as ever. Her hair was in long thick locks that cascaded past her shoulders and down her back. Her dark skin was such a turn on for Stiles. And her walk…her walk was like someone walking on clouds. She was just that light on her feet, and every move was like a sleek gazelle. Her thick lips were soft as cotton. He knew that because he had the pleasure of feeling them against his many times. Her tiny waist, petite frame, and luscious bottom sent lustful chills up and down his spine and saturated his mind with thoughts that a Godly man like himself shouldn’t have been having, but he did.
“Morning, Kareena.”
“Good morning, Pastor Graham. It’s time to go over the membership reports. Are you ready?”
“As ready as I’m ever going to be. Let’s do this. Pull out a chair and sit down.”
For the next hour and forty minutes, they went through the membership roll. When they were done, Stiles invited her to have lunch.
“You want to go somewhere to have a sandwich or would you like to have a full course meal? Your choice?” he offered.
“I am hungry. I didn’t eat breakfast, so I can use some real food.” Kareena and Stiles laughed.
He loved this about Kareena. She was not afraid to be herself. She was funny and carefree about life, and enjoyed the simpler things, yet she could be spontaneous. On top of that, she was smart and there was nothing she didn’t know about her father’s church, Full of Grace. When he died, and Stiles began leading the church, it was Kareena who helped him maneuver through the day-to-day functions, ministries, and staff. She was a whiz at it all and he was grateful for her.
Stiles stood up and walked from behind his desk, while Kareena stood too.
“I’m going to go and put these in my office,” she said. “I’ll meet you outside. Your car or mine?”
“Mine,” Stiles said. “Unless you insist on chauffeuring me today,” he teased.
“Me? Chauffeur you? Not in this lifetime,” she mocked.
Stiles chuckled and they walked up the hallway. She stopped in her office along the way and Stiles proceeded to the side door leading to a small, covered, two car private parking area.
Minutes later, Kareena appeared. He looked at her in awe again. The blue, sleeveless, v neckline dress she wore had what was called a handkerchief hem and empire waist. It rested just above her knees, showcasing her beautiful, shapely legs. He swallowed hard as he stood next to the passenger door with it opened, allowing her access into his ride.
“Ready?”
“Yep. I’m ready and I’m starving,” she said and reared her head back and laughed.
As usual, they enjoyed talking and laughing while they ate. Things turned serious when Kareena posed a question.
“Have you given the offer to return to Holy Rock any more thought?”
Stiles shook his head from side to side, while chewing his food. He picked up a napkin from off the table, and wiped his mouth before responding verbally.
“I’m seeking God. As much as I would like to accept the offer, I can’t, in good conscious, forsake my duties at Full of Grace Ministries. Khalil said he would not require me to be there but one, maybe two, Sundays a month. They would fly me in or pay for my transportation if I drove. I would be expected to fill in when my nephew is on sabbatical or called away.”
“That could be worked out at Full of Grace. All you need to do is find a good assistant pastor, or have guest ministers come in and preach during your absence. I mean, at the end of the day, you have to do what you feel is right for you, Stiles. I know how much Holy Rock meant to you and how much it still means.”
Kareena reached across the table and kneaded Stiles’ hand in hers. “You know inside your heart what direction you want to take. I think I know you well enough to know that about you.” She smiled tenderly at him, removed her hand, and then proceeded to finish eating her meal.
“You’re right when you said I need to do what’s best for me, but it’s bigger than that, Kareena. I have to operate under God’s direction. I don’t want this to become a ‘me’ thing. You know what I mean?”
“Yes, I understand. I’m just saying that you have a feeling about what you should do. Pray about it like you’re doing. God will direct you.”
They enjoyed the remainder of their meals and then returned to the church. The rest of the day went by relatively fast. Stiles went home, kicked back in his man cave, before getting on his knees and petitioning God for direction and answers.
When he finished praying, he made himself two sandwiches, opened a can of tomato soup, and proceeded to watch an ESPN sports talk show.
His phone rang in the middle of the program. He picked up the phone from the table and looked at it—it was Fancy.
“Hi, there,” he said. “How’s it going?”
It took a few seconds before she responded.
“Hello?” Stiles said again. “Fancy?”
“Hi, it’s me. Were you busy?”
“No, just sitting here eating and watching television. What’s up? Everything okay on the home front?”
“That’s why I was calling.” Fancy didn’t want to break down over the phone, but she couldn’t help it. She was so hurt about Hezekiah’s latest actions. Having no one but her sons to confide in, she turned to the person outside of her sons and nearest to her, the one who she knew she could trust.
“Fancy? You sound like you’re crying. What happened?”
“It’s Hezekiah.”
Stiles’ heart pounded as he thought about what she was about to say. “Is...is he…is he dead?” Stiles asked, not wanting to hear the answer he felt she was about to give.
“No…thank God, it’s nothing like that. I assume he’s doing better but I haven’t personally spoken to him or seen him in some time.”
“Whew, I’m glad to hear my brother is alive. Thank God for that. I’ve been praying for him constantly. We still believe God for his healing. So tell me what happened?”
“I got a letter yesterday and I was served divorce papers. I have to be out of the house in two weeks. Hezekiah sold the house to some private buyer. He sent me a letter by priority express mail. After receiving the letter is when I was served with divorce papers.”
“Oh, my God. I’m so sorry, Fancy. I don’t know what’s up with my brother. Have you found a place to live yet? When we went and looked at houses you couldn’t narrow it down to one or even to your top three.” Stiles laughed.
Fancy placed a hand over her mouth and laughed, too. “Yea, I know right, but that’s because I thought I had time so I wasn’t really giving it much thought. But things are different now, which is why Xavier and I went out looking earlier this morning. Khalil is lining up some places for me to look at, too. The blessing is we have some good real estate agents at the church that Khalil knows. He’s reached out to one that he especially likes who’s worked closely with several of the staff ministers in the past to help them with purchasing homes. In the meantime, a mover came over and helped me pack my things. I’m taking everything in this house, every stitch of furniture there is, and every pot, pan, fork and knife. I’m even taking the toilet tissue. And do you know he had the audacity to send someone over here about an hour ago to pack up the furniture and his clothes? Thank God, everything was moved out by that time. The nerve of him, Stiles. But I’m glad I had the mind to have the movers move everything out of that house. Serves him right.”
“Where are you now?”
“I’m at a hotel. I couldn’t stay at that house if I wanted to. It’s not mine anymore. My dreams, my memories, all of it’s gone. Khalil said I could stay with him until I found something, but I don’t want to impose on him or anyone else. I can afford a hotel. I am on the church’s payroll, so I’m making some money to take care of myself.”
Stiles felt bad for Fancy. She was a wonderful woman. How could Hezekiah throw his marriage, his family to the side like that? Stiles couldn’t understand the man’s reasoning.
“Where is Xavier? He staying with you or is he with Khalil?”
“He’s staying with one of his friends,” she said and left it at that. She didn’t want to think about where he was staying or God knows who he was staying with. She had enough on her plate and that was the last thing she wanted to dwell on.
“Do you have any idea if Hezekiah is still at the nursing facility?”
“No, he’s in an assisted living facility, I think. At least, that’s the last I heard.”
“What did you do with all of your furniture? Put it in storage?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I did. I’ll let it rot in there before I give him any of it. I have an appointment with an attorney that Khalil set me up with. She’s a new member at Holy Rock. She’s supposed to have a great reputation as a divorce attorney. We’ll see. I will meet her tomorrow. All of this is weighing on me, Stiles. I hate to keep bombarding you with my worries, but right now, you’re the only true friend I have.”
“How many times do I have to remind you—I’m here for you. I mean that.”
“I know you do, and I’m thankful for your friendship.”
“Look, I’m praying for you. Keep me posted about your whereabouts and about the meeting with the attorney. And call me anytime. You hear me?”
“Yes, I hear you,”
“I mean it, Fancy,” he reiterated.
“I know you do. Goodnight, Stiles.”
They ended the call, and Fancy curled up in the hotel bed and flipped channels on the TV remote. She began thinking about the kiss she’d given Stiles. She couldn’t deny that it ignited a fire inside her when she did it. It wasn’t because Stiles was so good looking, although he was, but that wasn’t what drew her to kiss him like she had. It was his self-assuredness, the way he carried himself, his swagger, it all exuded sex appeal and power, and it drove her wild. There was no way she would ever cross the line and try to pursue something more. She couldn’t do that. It would be too degrading to her and to her ending marriage. Yet, she was not going to lie to herself either. She was attracted to him but that was that on that. She refused to let it be anything more. She had to remain in control of her feelings. There had never been another man, besides Hezekiah, in her life and until God totally closed the doors with him, she would keep her legs closed and her kisses to herself.