“Let me take the luggage into the house,” Levi said to Drake and Sasha. “You guys are my guests.”
Drake took back his luggage from Levi and said, “I appreciate the gesture, buddy, but we don’t want to be treated as your guests.”
“Lighten up, man.” Levi chuckled. “I don’t mind dragging one or two of these mammoth-looking things into the house. I can see you need my help.”
“Well, if you insist.” Drake placed his arm around Sasha and pulled her close to him. “My wife and I certainly could use the rest after spending three, long incredible days getting to know each other a little better. We barely slept.”
Sasha could feel Levi’s eyes burning a hole through her, but she dared not look at him for fear of what she might see. Why did Levi ever agree to this silly arrangement? Because when it was all said and done, Levi was going to be the only one who would end up getting hurt.
“Say no more, my friend,” Levi said. “Your room awaits you and your new bride. Please follow me.”
Sasha was very familiar with Levi’s place. In fact, she’d spent time lounging on Levi’s couch, watching reruns of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air while Levi changed out of his work clothes before they went to see a movie. Other times they’d just sit and play board games like Checkers and Monopoly as they discussed a wide range of subjects. However, to avoid getting suspicious looks from Drake, Sasha acted as if it were her first time.
Drake looked over his shoulder at Sasha. “I don’t recall ever bringing you here to Levi’s house since he purchased it three years ago.”
“She never had a reason to,” Levi said, speaking up for Sasha. “And that’s because you were rarely on the island or when you were here, which was never more than a week, by the way, you spent it at the church.”
“The way I see it,” Drake said, intending to remove the spotlight from himself, “nothing happens before its time. We’re here now, so let’s make the best of these four days.”
Levi nodded. “Fine by me...” He opened the door to the spare bedroom, which was surprisingly well-coordinated for a space in a male’s territory. “This is where you guys will be staying...I hope you like it.”
For a brief second, Sasha’s gaze connected with Levi’s and the only thought that came rushing to her mind right then was how she’d French kissed him in his car. A spur of the moment reaction that had been brought on by the weakness of her flesh. But she realized now it’d been a dangerous mistake and wished she could take back that irrational moment. Levi never allowed her to forget it and even now she could see in his eyes that he would do anything to be that close to her again.
“You guys settle in,” Levi said. “I will bring
in the rest of your luggage.”
Drake extended his hand to Levi for a handshake. “Seriously
speaking, Sasha and I really appreciate you taking us in on such
short notice. We understand that you didn't have to do it.”
Levi gripped Drake’s hand and said, “We may have our differences, but I will never leave you out in the cold, especially now that you have a wife. No worries, mate; it’s a pleasure to have you guys crashing here.”
As Levi turned to leave, Drake parked his inquisitive eyes on Sasha. “You seem pretty quiet. Is everything okay?”
Sasha rubbed her throat. All of a sudden she felt as if she needed a cold drink of water. “I’m fine,” she answered, “considering that I didn’t want to come here in the first place. But I digress. I will follow you as you take the lead as my husband.”
“I only want the best for you,” Drake said. “In time, we will have everything that you could ever dream of, including a six-bedroom house in which to raise our five children. All I ask is that you be patient with me.”
Drake’s idea of a family was not exactly what Sasha had in mind, but she smiled anyway to portray the perfect wife.
“Would you excuse me?” she said, leaning over to kiss Drake on his cheek. “I need to use the bathroom.”
“Sure...”
Drake observed the way that Sasha navigated her steps without making one wrong turn. She knew the exact door that led to the bathroom. Was that a coincidence? Drake couldn’t say for sure. However, Sasha’s actions certainly left a question mark in his thoughts. He dug in his pants pocket and pulled out that offensive note some anonymous coward had handed him on his wedding day. This time, Drake read the note with renewed interest. Maybe, somewhere in the back of his subconscious mind, he’d suggested coming to Levi’s place because he needed to find out the truth.
****
El Shaddai Ministries was no ordinary church. About ninety percent of its membership came from what some would call the wrong side of the tracks. Men and women who were once drug and alcohol addicts, prostitutes, and chronic gamblers could be found sitting in the pews or on the pulpit, fully operating in their God-designed purposes. Even the presiding bishop, Rev. T.G. Henderson was once a flaming philanderer before the hand of God arrested him and molded him into one of the most profound preachers on the island.
But with his precious wife now dead and his vitality rapidly declining, old Rev. Henderson was ready to retire. And though he believed strongly in the power of succession, he had no sons to take over the vision he’d built. He had one daughter, but she lived in Paris and Rev. Henderson knew that her love of the entertainment industry would prevent her from following into his footsteps. However, there was one young up and coming preacher by the name of Drake Beckford who Rev. Henderson had had his eyes upon ever since Drake was a child. In fact, he’d taken him in as his own son.
In Rev. Henderson’s eyes, Drake was the ideal candidate. A sturdy young man, who was as disciplined as he was loyal. That was why Rev. Henderson had had no qualms in sending Drake to Bible School aided with a full scholarship from the church. It was all part of his plan in the making. Hence this afternoon’s meeting with the board gathered around the large mahogany table – to officially select the next bishop of El Shaddai Ministries. But of course, whenever there was talk of promotion, the spirit of jealousy always surfaced in certain people who thought that the candidate in question was not worthy of such elevation.
There were two such individuals sitting at the table, but only one of them had the courage to speak up. Everyone knew him as Elder John, who’d been both Head Deacon and Head Usher at one time in the ministry. Drake was also required at this gathering, but because Rev. Henderson wanted to give Drake a little more time to enjoy his new wife, he decided to meet privately with Drake at another time.
“We all know why we’re here,” Rev. Henderson started. “This church will soon need a new leader. However, my choice has been clear from day one. I also plan to announce my retirement to the church at the end of the month, but I did not want to do so without my senior leadership finding out about it first.”
Elder John uncrossed his legs, obviously not afraid to show his disdain. “May I say something, Rev. Henderson? And I believe I’ll be speaking for most everyone sitting at this table.”
“Please proceed with your concerns,” Rev. Henderson urged. “I already know that you don’t approve of my choice.”
“It’s not that I don’t approve,” Elder John said, allowing his eyes to rove around the table. “We just don’t feel that Drake is ready to take on the… how should I put this? …the unique nature of this church. May I remind you that most of us came from the streets, from violent gangs and from extremely harsh backgrounds that Drake knows nothing about. He’s not even twenty-five years old as yet, which is the minimal age for a qualified minister to ascend to such a post.”
“And what is your point?” Rev. Henderson reprimanded. “I’m the one who established the prerequisites. Do I not have the power to adjust them? The Apostle Paul said to his young protégé: ‘If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, not covetous. One who rules his house well…”
Rev. Henderson paused for effect. “Need I go on? These are the qualifications for a bishop, directly from the word of God. I advise that you read 1 Timothy 3 and reacquaint yourself with it. Now I want all of you to sincerely compare Drake’s life to the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and tell me – after you’ve done a thorough examination – that you aren’t left with the impression that Drake is not only qualified, but prepared to take this church to the next level. And to you, Elder John, this portion of scripture made no distinction over what sort of people a bishop is required to lead. It doesn’t matter. Because frankly, we all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.”
“It did say, however, in that same scripture,” Elder John said, “that one desiring to be a bishop should not be a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he could fall into the condemnation of the devil.”
“I am not dead yet,” Rev. Henderson said sharply. “All that Drake needs to know about taking care of the house of God, he will learn from me. And I am requiring all of you to support him. We might as well admit that in ten years or less, we all may be in our graves or too old to keep up with this thriving young generation.”
Elder John sat back in his chair and mumbled in conceit, “Well, it is your decision to make, Rev. Henderson. I rest my case.”
The meeting adjourned after ten minutes with Rev. Henderson briefing the board about the plans surrounding his retirement. Elder John had long since disregarded anything else Rev. Henderson had to say that day. In Elder John’s mind, however wrong he may be, he believed Rev. Henderson had only waited on Drake to get married to put this silly plan into effect. But if Elder John had anything to do with it, Drake Beckford would never be the next bishop of El Shaddai Ministries – even if he had to use the vices of his own daughter to bring down that young man.