“The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning.” George Baker
“I’m planning a small dinner party next weekend, Xavier. I want you and your brother to be here.”
“Ma, what will it look like with me and Khalil being at a party you’re having? I mean, what would we do?”
“What are you saying exactly, Zay? Are you trying to call me old?” Fancy asked and broke into a wide smile.
“No, that’s not what I’m saying…not really.” Zay looked uncomfortable. He had stopped by his mother’s office to discuss some questions he had about the youth ministry. She was always able to give him great advice and guidance when it came to that part of the ministry.
“Boy, don’t be foolish. It’s not like a real party party. It’s a small intimate gathering to celebrate my upcoming divorce.”
“Really, when it’s all said and done, I don’t have to hear from your father.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying, my lawyer is handling everything. We don’t have minor children and I don’t want to be in a long and drawn out divorce battle. He doesn’t want me then cool. I’m going to let it be. I’m not going to be one of those women who want to wallow in unnecessary drama. I want it over and done with.”
“Yeah, but you could get something, Ma. You could find out about those bank accounts, what’s in ‘em, and any other assets he’s hiding. You have to fight him.”
“Nope. Don’t wanna do it. Not going to do it. I already took all of the furniture, the house is sold, and it was in his name anyway, so I didn’t contest that. Anyway, I prayed about it and decided the best thing to do is let it go and move on with my life. It’s more about the principle. Like I was getting ready to tell you, my lawyer sent a car to take me to his office. When I arrived, we went over my decisions and I signed the divorce papers. Now all we have to do is go to court. That takes place a week from today.”
“It’s that simple, huh? After all the years you and Dad were together, it can be erased with the stroke of a pen. I’m sorry, Ma. I know this has to be hard for you.”
“I’m fine. I’m a big girl. I’m a survivor. God has given me the strength to persevere through everything that’s happened, and I will continue to stand.”
Xavier walked over behind the desk where his mother was seated. He leaned down and gave her a tight hug.
Fancy patted him on the back of his hand. “Thank you, baby, but don’t feel sorry for me. I’m not dead. There’s plenty of life left in this forty-two year old body. Who knows, I might be able to pull a stepfather for you and Khalil.”
“Ma? Stop it. But then again, whatever floats your boat. You are the most beautiful mother and woman in all the world, so I’m sure some of the men at Holy Rock have been secretly eyeing you. I won’t be surprised when you start dating.”
“Why, thank you, Zay. That’s very nice of you. I’ve cried enough tears. It’s time for me to start enjoying life again.”
“Yep, fa sho.”
“So, can I expect you and your brother to be at the divorce party?”
Xavier laughed. “Yeah, count me in, Ma.”
“Good.”
“Thanks for the advice about the youth ministry. I’m going to incorporate some of your ideas. You always have the best suggestions. If you don’t need me, I’m going to leave early. I have plans later this afternoon.”
“Umm, is that right? Is it one of the young ladies working with you on the youth ministry? I’ve seen a couple of them giving you the eye.”
Xavier frowned. When would his mother and brother accept that he was not interested in any female?
He maintained his self-composure as best he could. “No, I made plans with Ian. I’m going with him to Nashville. I’ll talk to ya later. ” He reached for the doorknob but Fancy in true Fancy fashion wasn’t about to let the conversation die.
“Nashville? Right now? Don’t you have to be at work tomorrow?”
“I already told Khalil that I wasn’t coming in tomorrow. Ian has a meeting there tomorrow morning. He invited me to tag along.”
Fancy didn’t like what she was hearing, not at all. She had to hurry and put her plan into place.
“If he’s going on business then what in the world are you doing going? Surely, you can’t sit in on the meeting with him?”
“We’re going to hang out when we get there and after his meeting ends. I want to do some restaurant hopping, listen to some country music, oh and we’re going to Green Hills Mall where all the name brand shops are.”
“I still don’t see why you have you go. If you wanted to go to Nashville, you and I can drive there any time. You are not his babysitter.”
“No, I’m not. I’m his friend. No, I’m his partner, Ma, and I don’t have time to get in a debate with you about my personal life. So, deal with it. Anyway, I gotta go. Thanks again for the help.”
Xavier didn’t give her the opportunity to respond. He walked out of the door, closing it behind him. Shaking his head as he went out the door, he didn’t see Leo and he bumped into him.
“Oh, sorry, man,” Xavier said. He hadn’t talked to Leo since the day the man made a pass at him. On occasion, Leo worked with the youth too, but Xavier made sure he stayed as far away from him as possible. So far, until now, it had worked.
“How’s it going?” Leo asked.
“Pretty good.” Xavier continued walking up the hall and toward his office. Arriving in front of his door, he opened it and then looked at Leo who was standing there like he expected Xavier to invite him in. Not.
“Hey, do you have a minute? I need to talk to you about the sleep-in the youth are having this weekend.” Leo asked just before Xavier closed his office door.
“I really don’t, Brother Leo. You can talk to Sister Amy about that. She’s overseeing the sleep-in.”
“Yeah, I know, and that’s what I want to talk about.” Leo looked around like he was making sure no one else was in earshot. “I don’t think she’s the best choice. If you have a minute, I’ll tell you why. I don’t want anyone to overhear what I have to say.”
Xavier exhaled. He didn’t want to let the man in his office, but then again, he was the director of the youth department. If someone had issues or problems, he was the one they were supposed to come to. But he didn’t exactly trust Leo’s motives. Nonetheless, he opened up the door so Leo could come in.
“Okay, but I only have a minute. I have an outside meeting I can’t be late for.” Xavier made his point clear.
“Sure.” Leo was about to close the door behind him.
“You can leave it open.”
“I really think we need to close it. I don’t want to take a chance of anyone overhearing what I have to say. Not until you have a chance to talk to Amy.”
Xavier reluctantly nodded and Leo closed the door.
Leo went on to tell Xavier some crazy story about Amy hollering at the kids and the kids not liking her. Xavier didn’t believe a word he said. The youth loved Amy. She was bubbly, friendly, and she was always planning great events for the youth ages thirteen to sixteen.
“I’ll look into it. Thanks,” Xavier said, sounding short.
Leo sensed Xavier’s coldness.
“Look, Xavier. Let me say this, I’m sorry about that incident a few months ago. I was way out of line, but I think you took it the wrong way. Sometimes I get a little, well let’s just say I apologize if I made you uncomfortable in anyway. I know you’re gay and that’s cool with me.” Leo showed both palms while Xavier folded his arms together with a look of disdain plastered over his handsome face.
“Apology accepted,” Xavier said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have to get ready for this meeting.”
“Sure,” Leo said. “Handshake?”
Xavier looked at Leo’s outstretched hand. He didn’t want to accept the shake but since the guy apologized, who was he not to accept it and let bygones be bygones. He extended his hand and Leo took it. He yanked hard, pulling Xavier against his aroused body with brute force. Xavier fought against him but Leo’s grip proved stronger.
“What’s wrong with you? Let go of me!” he shouted as Leo held him.
“You know you want it, “Leo snarled. “Come on, Xavier.”
Xavier continued to fight against Leo. He managed to knee him in the groin with all of his strength. Leo abruptly released him and doubled over in agonizing pain.
“You little punk!” Leo yelped.
Xavier raced over to his office door, opened it, and then proceeded to push Leo out the door. “Get out of here and don’t you ever come anywhere near me or I’ll tell the whole bloody church what kind of pervert you are!” Xavier slammed the door so hard it sounded like it popped off its hinges.
Down the hall, Fancy ran out of her office from one end and Eliana thought she heard someone yelling, too. She got up from behind her desk and raced up the hall. Fancy’s office was up the hallway and around the corner from Xavier’s office but the thud she heard was loud enough for her to hear and send her running out of her office to see what was going on. When she saw Leo doubled over, she didn’t know what to think. “Leo, are you all right?”
“Brother Leo,” Eliana yelled next, and raced toward him. “What happened?”
“I’m okay,” he said, forcing the words to come out through the paralyzing pain coursing through his groin and radiating down his legs.
“I heard yelling.”
Xavier opened his door back up. “You okay, Brother Leo? Sounded like you met the wall.” Xavier stifled a satisfying smile and instead put a serious look on his face.
Leo glanced up at him and rolled his eyes and pursed his lips. With every word he forced, the pain magnified.
“Everything’s good. Sorry about that,” he said and rushed past Eliana until he was out of her view.
“What was that all about?” Sista Mavis walked up and asked.
Eliana shrugged. “I don’t know,” and returned to her workstation.
Fancy looked at Xavier with a look that said, I know something just happened…and it involved you. She turned and walked back into her office, closing the door behind her, while Xavier closed his door, locked it, and left the premises.
Xavier was outraged. On the drive to Nashville, he told Ian what happened. “The nerve of that prick.”
“I’m glad you were able to fight him off. There’s no telling what he would have done.”
“Yeah, but I bet he’ll think twice before he steps to me again. I kneed him as hard as I could.”
“Are you going to report it to your brother or your mom? I think you should. That was sexual assault you know?”
“I stopped him. That’s all that matters.”
“Yeah, this time you were able to fight him off. What about the next time?”
“There better not be a next time.” He had thought about it while he waited on Ian to swoop him up. His decision was final. He would keep this to himself like he did the first time Leo got out of line. It was the only choice he felt he had.
“Look, Xavier, I care about you. I don’t want to see you get hurt. This Leo dude frightens me, man,” Ian expressed.
“I can handle myself. I did today, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, pretty much, but again, next time you may not be so lucky.”
“I’m telling you, it’s not worth running to my mother and my big brother. I really would look like a punk in their eyes. They’ll say that I can’t take care of myself. Well, I can, Ian. I’m a grown man. I can’t run to my momma and brother every time I face a situation. This world is crazy, man. I know that, but I can handle it. Okay?”
“You sure you don’t want me to talk to Eliana?”
“What! Are you crazy, man?” Xavier shouted.
“Chill out. It was just a suggestion. I won’t say a word. What do you say we talk about something else?”
“Yeah, like how we’re going to rock Music City tonight,” Xavier replied, turning up the dial on the radio and moving to the music.