Chapter Twenty-six
It was the first Sunday in April. And although the old adage said April brought showers, it couldn’t be further from the truth. The weather was bright, crisp, and clear.
The divorce group members all assembled in their Sunday School meeting room and were in the midst of a heated, but Godly debate. Kenya stood at the front of the room, leading the women, and Keithe led the men. The two had talked, but only pertaining to the group. Kenya wanted nothing more than to express her feelings to Keithe but she wanted to move when God told her to move. She was still in prayer.
“And, furthermore, a Christian woman shouldn’t want to be sized up as worldly women,” one of the men offered.
“That’s not what she’s saying, brother. What the young lady is saying is just because we are saved and sold out to Christ, doesn’t mean we want to be invisible to the Christian man. Why not get the compliments? Why not hold my hand if we are on a date?” a female divorcee offered.
“May as well ask for a kiss while you’re at it. Lord knows what that will lead to,” the man blurted out. A bit older than the others in the room, he wasn’t backing down from courting the old-fashioned way.
With some laughter from the room, while others groaned and others gasped, Kenya jumped back into the mix. “So in this day and age, how many court? Truly date, and I’m talking about a monogamous couple.” She held her hand high to show an example of what she was looking for. “And we’re talking about without holding hands or kissing? Is it even possible? Anyone?” Kenya waited for someone in the thirty-person group to jump in.
“Well, I think being realistic is key, definitely.” Keithe nodded toward the older gentleman who was speaking. “But I understand what my brother is saying. Don’t forget the basis behind dating. It’s to find out who God has synched you up with, in order to join in a union to fulfill God’s vision. Because—”
“Because if you get in too deep, one thing leads to another and before you know it, you and your mate, your partner, are in the bed, bypassing that purpose,” an angry voice rang out from the back.
Keithe swerved his head from side to side trying to see who added themselves to the discussion. Kenya didn’t have to search for the voice. She knew who it was. Stiffened by the memories of her deception, Kenya just stood where she was.
“Who is that?” Keithe asked. “Please stand and share. Hi there.” Keithe remembered her face from the hospital. “Thank you for joining us. Please continue.”
“I’m just saying. I understand what the brother is saying.” She patted the gentleman’s arm, being that she was sitting behind him. “It’s easy to fall for someone from the first time you hold hands, hug, and especially the kiss. You have to know what your intentions are. You don’t want to go around hugging and kissing everyone who comes into your life.
“What if you think it’s for a lifetime?” Charlene bore holes into Kenya as she was the woman who was speaking. “And what if it’s only a season for them? Heaven forbid you allow the enemy to thrust you into someone’s bed and do what God hates. Then your feelings are here, their feelings are there. Then what?” She finally removed her eyes from someone she had grown fond of, though for selfish reasons.
Keithe stood back and watched Kenya shrink into a shell. If no one else noticed, Keithe noticed the effect Charlene had on Kenya.
“Great ... great insight, sister,” Keithe said. “It gives us all something to ponder until next time. How do we date as Christians? Is flirting okay for Christians? Hugging, kissing? Let’s talk about it next time. Let us all stand and, Brother Crow, if you’ll pray for our dismissal, I’d appreciate it.”
They all bowed their heads.
After the prayer it didn’t take long before Charlene found her way to the front of the classroom. Keithe made sure he kept his ears open while busying himself with setting the chairs back in order.
“What are you doing here, Charlene?” Kenya stood with her arms folded across her chest.
“What do you mean? This is God’s house. Isn’t that what we preach? ‘Get to God, at all cost?’” Being sarcastic was her way of getting under Kenya’s skin.
“You know what I mean,” Kenya tried again.
“You wouldn’t answer my phone calls. You won’t allow me to come over. So I should just read between the lines, huh?” Charlene didn’t try lowering her voice.
“Can you hold it down?” Kenya lowered her voice and eyes. “I left that there, in Africa. It was a mistake. I thought you’d understand it by my not calling you or returning your calls.”
“Are you kidding me?” Charlene inched closer. “You think it’s something you can just pick up and put down. We spent way, way too much time together.”
“Charlene, I will not discuss this here. I will not disgrace God’s house with your or my mess. What? You want to testify about it? Is that why you’re here? It’s been almost a year.”
Charlene said nothing but added a smirk to her lips. “Don’t worry about it,” Charlene comforted. “I’ll be over your house after church and we’ll talk then. I advise you to be there. And open the door.” She turned and walked off.
Walking over to where Kenya had stood, Keithe was worried about her. “Hey. You okay? What was that all about?” Keithe asked.
“I ... I ... I can’t ...” Kenya walked past him, grabbed her purse off the podium, and ran out the door. It didn’t matter how many times she heard Keithe call out her name, Kenya had to get out of sight.