“The winds of heaven change suddenly; so do human fortunes.” Chinese saying
Stiles and Khalil finished their meeting with the trustees. Afterwards, they joined Omar for a game of pool at one of the local billiard rooms.
“I hope we answered all your questions and concerns, and that now you’ll make the final decision to come back to Holy Rock. We can use a good, strong man of God like you on our team, Stiles,” Khalil told him as he drove Stiles to Pastor and Josie’s house.
“I’ll have my decision for you in a couple more days for sure.”
“That’s straight,” Khalil stated.
“How’s your mom?”
“She’s good. Settling into her new spot.”
“I think that’s a good thing. Staying busy should help to keep her mind off of my brother and their divorce.”
Khalil didn’t particularly like the fact that his mother shared her personal business with Stiles. It wasn’t that he thought ill of Stiles, but he didn’t fully trust him around his mother. It was too easy for people with broken hearts to be vulnerable. Men like Stiles could easily take advantage of Fancy and that was one thing Khalil wasn’t having. If Stiles returned to Holy Rock he would make sure that Stiles kept his distance from his mother.
“Thanks for dinner and the game of pool. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Stiles said.
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
“Yeah, me too. I appreciate the invitation to share the word with the people of God.”
“That’s why I want a man of your statue to be the assistant pastor. You have a lot to offer and like me, you preach practical sermons that today’s people can relate to. Tomorrow will be just a taste of what we talked about. You said you didn’t want to commit to having to preach once a month, so instead when I go on sabbatical which I will start doing two weeks during the fall, two weeks during the summer, and one week in the winter, I’ll look for you to run all three services. Of course, as we discussed, you still won’t have to preach at every service during my absence but you will make sure one of the ministers is equipped and ready to deliver a powerful word. During my absence I would also like you to be available and in Memphis as much as possible.”
“Yes, that was made clear. What I might consider doing is scheduling my sabbaticals from Full of Grace so it will coincide with your sabbaticals.”
Yeah, that’s a good idea. I hope you’ll still be able to get a little R and R while you’re here. I think with God’s help you can do it.”
They arrived at Pastor’s house.
“How is the old man?” Khalil asked when he pulled up into Pastor’s driveway.
“He’s good. He misses being on staff at Holy Rock. He misses the church overall.”
“My pops is gone. Tell your father that he and his wife are welcome to attend Holy Rock anytime. I think I’ve seen him a few times since I took over the ministry.
“Yeah, you have. He comes more than he used to, but he and Josie still visit other churches.”
“That’s understandable. When a person is hurt, especially by the church, it can be difficult to return to that church and become an active member. Sometimes people stay away from the church as a whole, and from God.”
“Yeah, they do. You know, you’re a wise man for your young age, Khalil. If I haven’t said it before, I want you to know you’re doing a phenomenal job. Your membership has excelled and the times I’ve livestreamed church services, your messages are relevant, practical, and life changing.”
Hearing Stiles tell him that he was proud of him and calling him wise was a big deal for Khalil. It made him feel that he was doing exceptionally well for a guy who had no ministerial experience, and not even one single theology class.”
“Thanks, Stiles.”
“It’s the truth. You’re achieving greatness by leaps and bounds. To be starting your own televangelism ministry is huge, man! That’s something I’ve always dreamed of and here you are doing it. God is showering you with favor, Khalil.”
“And think about it, as assistant pastor of Holy Rock, you’ll be part of that too.”
Stiles nodded, smiled, and then opened the passenger side of the car. “Oh, another thing. Man, this ride is unbelievable. This thing is sweeeet!”
“Yeah, it is,” Khalil chuckled. “What can I say other than God is good.”
“All the time,” Stiles said, stepping fully out of the car and closing the door behind him.
Khalil let down the window of the passenger side. “You need me to send someone to swoop you up in the morning?”
“Naw, man. I’m straight. Remember, I rented a car while I’m here. It’s nothing like this baby here, but it’ll get me from point A to point B,” Stiles laughed again, waved his hand, and walked to the entrance leading to Pastor’s side door.
“Okay, I’m out,” Khalil said, and then exited the driveway.
“Stiles, is that you?” Josie said as she approached the side door.
“Yes, ma’am, it’s me.”
Josie opened the door dressed in a heavy purple robe, with rollers peeking out from underneath a black satin bonnet.
“How was the meeting?” she asked as she ushered him inside.
“It was, well it was much better than I anticipated. Things went so well that it gives me that much more to think about.”
“Think about but mainly pray about,” Josie mildly corrected.
“Yes, that’s right—pray about. Where’s Pastor?” he walked through the living room, following behind Josie with each step. “Sleep?”
“No, he’s in the den watching an episode of 48 Hours. You hungry? I made a pot of vegetable stew and some buttered cornbread. There’s an apple cobbler on the stove too.”
“I should say I’m not hungry, but then again I always have room for some of your cooking.”
“I’ll fix you a plate. You go on in the den and talk to your father.”
“No, I can fix my own plate, Josie. You go back and sit down or go back to doing whatever it was you were doing. I’m a big boy. I can do this.”
“Nonsense. I’m the elder here. You do what I say,” she said, heading for the kitchen.
“Josie?”
“What is it?”
“How is he really?” he said in a low, controlled tone.
“I’m worried. I know the neurologist says not to get all frantic about it, but I can’t help it; I’m scared.”
The day he arrived in Memphis was the day of Pastor’s neurology appointment. Stiles accompanied Pastor and Josie. Several tests were administered. During the three-hour plus visit, Pastor became highly irritated and short tempered, which was uncharacteristic of him. He was known to be an even-tempered and patient man, but the day of his appointment showcased a totally different man. He demanded that Josie take him home. The more she tried to explain that there were more tests to be ran, the more upset he became until Stiles stepped in, talked to Pastor, and managed to get him to calm down.
At the end of the doctor’s visit, the neurologist, a patient, understanding, and seemingly knowledgeable Indian physician, explained how the diagnosis would be determined. Pastor appeared irritated but remained quiet but with deep furrows lining his face.
“First, let me say this—there is not a single test that determines whether an individual has dementia. There are several forms of dementia with Alzheimer's being one of them. A diagnosis is made based on several factors. Those factors are the patient’s medical history, a neurological and physical examination, which we carried out today. There are also laboratory tests we use such as what we also administered today.”
“The blood tests and brain imaging?” Stiles added.
“Exactly,” the neurologist said. “Those with a form of dementia may exhibit characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day functions, and behavior shifts.”
Pastor remained quiet until the neurologist finished talking and then he abruptly stood. “I do not have dementia or Alzheimer’s,” he said looking at each one of them, including the doctor. “Why you would bring me here for something so ridiculous as this is beyond me, Josie. Sure, I forget some things, doctor.” He focused back on the doctor. “But I’m seventy-two years old. I’ve earned the right to forget. I have a lot that’s circulated through this mind during the years the good Lord has granted me to be here.”
“You’re exactly right, Mr. Graham. The diagnosis is determined by a number of collective factors, not just one symptom. But what often occurs is signs of dementia that may be more obvious to family members or friends. People with memory loss or other possible warning signs of Alzheimer's may find it hard to recognize they have a problem and may resist following up on their symptoms. We don’t want that to happen to you, if we happen to determine that dementia is what you do have.”
“I don’t want to be a stubborn mule,” Pastor stated and laughed. “I want to keep living the best life possible. I don’t want to be a burden on anyone, especially my darling wife.”
“Oh, Chauncey, you can never be a burden on me, but we’re here because like you, I want you to live your best life, and I want to live mine too. No matter what this turns out to be, I’m here for you. We signed up to be together 'til death do us part, and I’m praying that the good Lord isn’t done with either of us yet.”
The doctor and Stiles smiled.
“Well, Mr. Graham, I think you and your wife have said it all. Take this paper to the front desk on your way out, and the receptionist will schedule your next appointment. I want to see you back here in a month. We’ll discuss your test results and I should also have your medical history and files from your primary care physician.”
Pastor reached for Josie’s hand, helped her to stand, and then turned toward the door. “Thank you, doctor.” After Josie stood, Pastor turned back around and extended his hand to shake the doctor’s hand.
“Have a good day,” the doctor said.
Stiles walked up on Josie just as she stood in the entrance of the kitchen. He reached out to her and she stepped into his arms while he hugged her tightly. “Don’t be afraid, Josie. Pastor’s as stubborn as a mule. He’s going to be fine.”
Still being held in Stiles’ arms, Josie said, “I know, but it worries me when he forgets things; simple things, too, then on the other hand he can remember stuff that happened years ago, like when your mother, when Audrey was alive. And when he called me Audrey it darn near broke my heart. That’s when I knew something wasn’t right.”
She stepped back and out of his arms after accepting his loving hug of comfort. It felt good to have someone to confide in, to tell all about her fears for her husband’s wellbeing.
“I’m so sorry, Josie. You know he wouldn’t hurt you.” He watched as tears formed in Josie’s eyes and he felt deeply sad for her. He, too, was worried about Pastor. He prayed it was stress that caused Pastor’s behavior change.
While talking, Josie got plates and silverware, uncovered the containers of food that still sat on the stove, and opened them one by one, piling food on Stiles’ plate.
She got a bowl out of the cabinet and put several big spoonfuls of apple cobbler in the bowl with lots of crust, which she knew Stiles loved best. She put the food inside the microwave.
“Your father is a good man. That’s why I pray every day that Hezekiah will forgive him and just talk to him. I know it has to be hard on him, finding out the way he did about Pastor being his father. It was hard on all of us, but I just wish he would forgive Pastor.”
The microwave buzzed and Josie removed the food and placed the plate on the table in front of Stiles. Next, she put the bowl of cobbler inside the microwave.
“We have to keep petitioning God.”
“Yes, and I do,” Josie replied. “We all make mistakes. As long as we’re on this earth we’re going to make ‘em and we’re going to keep making ‘em. That’s why the good Lord had to send his son to die.
“As a man of God, I’m just hoping against hope that Hezekiah remembers that to be forgiven he has to first forgive.”