The White Man is the great father of a master race that reigns supreme when the purity of his genes and intellect are kept intact. Today we watch the slow but methodical destruction of his species by those that say that through diversity and interbreeding the world will be more equal. Throughout history, such rationale has been proven false and is a threat to all that the White Man holds dear.
–Christian Soldiers
Amid the rolling hills in charming single-family ranches lived artists, musicians, and farmers, surrounded by a selection of resort hotels stretching from San Luis Obispo to Pismo Beach. The House of Jeremiah purchased the property, stocked it with medical equipment, and had it registered as a retirement home. The medical facility had a guard gate installed to control the flow of traffic in and out of the birth center. The addition of three dozen disciplined security men from the Los Angeles Temple made the birth centers almost impenetrable.
It was early dawn when Minister Kublai Khan spoke to the assembled team. He told them that his new friends at Homeland Security had tipped him that there was a likely threat against the birth centers from The Church of the Christian Covenant. Audio surveillance had confirmed that Pastor Dalton was meeting with a paramilitary group, plotting against The House of Jeremiah. The minister was confident that his team could rebuff a ragtag group of religious zealots, but not without casualties. This called for an extra shot of confidence.
“Today we are charged to protect our freedom to worship as we see fit. It is our right as citizens of America to protect our property and personages also. Today, we can support our faith by trusting our lord Yahweh to protect us from the evil intentions of a violent few. Each one of you is the keeper of the flame of our faith. Please be strong and exhibit the courage to command our survival and turn back the forces of evil that are lurking in the hills around us.”
The soldiers chanted, while brandishing their side arms and automatic rifles in outstretched arms toward the sky.
“The power of Yahweh is within us.”
The Minister’s chief commanders assembled their troops and headed toward their appointed positions around the perimeter of the birth center. The nurses and doctors of the secluded clinic continued their routines of attending to the infants and mothers on the second floor while monitoring the vital signs of the women still in waiting. On the third floor of the resort, there were five birthing suites where the women and their families awaited the next round of births. The first floor of the facility held the daycare center, along with sleeping quarters and a cafeteria to feed the men, women, and children of the operation.
With his security troops in place, the minister headed to Los Angeles for meetings and the opportunity to see Chaka for lunch. They met at a popular white-tablecloth restaurant in Beverly Hills. It was Mr. Chow’s, the most expensive Chinese food in Los Angeles. Chaka was already sitting at their favorite table, munching on an order of chicken satay when he arrived. She was finishing a call when Kublai Khan took a seat next to her. They greeted each other with a kiss.
“How’s it going?” she asked.
“Smooth enough. The center is still on the human-trafficking watch list. But they have been good about the Christian Soldiers investigation.”
“And your shoulder?”
“Never been better,” he said, flexing his arm so that his bicep bulged against the fabric of his tailored sleeve. “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.”
“They tried to murder you,” she said, reaching out and touching his hand tenderly.
“But there’s been a breakthrough,” he answered.
“A breakthrough?”
“You know Pastor Dalton of the Christian Covenant?”
Chaka tilted her head. “He hates Black people.”
“He’s behind the Christian Soldiers and he’s wanted for questioning.” Kublai Khan smiled broadly. “They raided his church and he’s on the run.”
“I heard a childcare center in Lancaster was destroyed last night,” she remarked. “Hate is like wildfire. Be careful.” She took a delicate sip of her iced tea.
“That’s why we must be brave,” the minister said as he reached into his inside breast pocket and opened his right hand, palm up, on the table. On his ring finger was a beautiful diamond ring. “Speaking of which.”
Chaka stared down at his hand.
“Will you marry me?” Kublai Khan prompted.
Chaka was silent.
“Honey. I said will you marry me?”
“What’s got into you?” Chaka said, finally, with a clipped laugh.
“That’s not an answer. Or is it?” He closed his hand and slipped the ring into his pocket.
She lifted her eyes to his. “Sweetheart, did you get the help we talked about?”
“I did,” Khan said, looking up to catch the eye of the waiter. He wanted something strong.
“What did you do?”
“I’ve been seeing Reverend Ricky,” the minister confessed.
Chaka was aware of the notable life coach but was a non-believer.
“Learn anything?” she asked with a cursory smile.
Khan sighed heavily. “I had a spiritual insight. I wanted to be like my dad, even though I knew how he mistreated my mom. I never knew any different. I looked to him to learn how to treat a woman…even when he was abusive.”
“What do you mean?” Chaka’s eyes narrowed.
“He hurt my mother. Often beating her in their bedroom.”
“How did you discover this?” Chaka asked.
“Reverend Ricky took me on a visualization journey. I saw my childhood. I didn’t realize how much I hated my mother for leaving me.” He reached out again, took Chaka’s hand, and tucked the ring into her palm.
“How do you feel about that?” she asked.
“I had a satori moment. I experienced knowing she was right to leave,” Kublai Khan said. “My purpose is clear now. And I want you with me.”
Chaka dropped her gaze and studied the exquisite stone for a moment. Then she closed her eyes briefly, shook her head, and pushed the ring back into his unresisting hand.
“What will happen with us?” Chaka asked as she met his gaze again.
“I think I’m a better man,” he assured her. “This won’t happen to us.”
Chaka pursed her lips, clearly unsure. “I don’t feel safe with you. Maybe in time I will.”
Khan leaned forward, his eyes pleading. “I want a life with you, now more than ever. Do I frighten you?”
Chaka sat back. “Just at the wrong times,” she said warily. “You know I will always love you.” A tearful smile spread over her face. She discreetly wiped her eyes with the white table napkin.
“I can control this,” Khan insisted. “Only with you I feel…whole.” He took her right hand with both of his.
“I’m sorry,” she told him gently. “But I can’t marry you. Your spiritual journey comes first. Then we’ll see where things go.” She silently signaled to the approaching waiter to hold off.
Minister Kublai Khan sat silent. The tightness in his chest lifted his arms inches off the table and caused his hands to form fists that slowly tapped the tabletop without his volition. His throat clenched and his mouth became parched. His eyes remained open, unblinking. After an eternity, he relaxed his right hand, reached for the water glass, and brought it to his lips, causing the ice cubes to rattle loudly. The water he sipped cleared his throat and brought his vocal chords back to life.
“I don’t believe you,” he rumbled. “You’re abandoning me at a time like this?” He stared down at the huge ring, and then squeezed her right arm hard, just below the elbow. She winced before pulling it out of his grasp.
Khan looked up in surprise and quipped.
“Too much? Too soon?”
“Give me time to digest it all.”
After lunch, Chaka went back to the office to become absorbed in anything but love while Minister Kublai Khan and his security men returned to LAX to fly to Monterey Regional Airport and then return to the birth center by nightfall.
