The Devil Made Me Do It Page 8

  “Briggs, will you bless the table?” Reverend Gregory asked.

  Briggs said grace, and they began to eat.

  “Esther, I know we need to eat, but please continue if you can. I want to hear the rest,” Briggs requested.

  “No problem, I can do both,” Esther said and waved her fork in the air as if to shoo away any doubt that she couldn’t. She was in her element and enjoying relaying the chain of events. “We have a wonderful congregation, and some have been materially blessed. We took the problem to them, and one of our newest members came up and said he had many rental properties, and that he wanted to give a duplex to the church. He said it needed a lot of work, but if we did the repairs, it was ours. Well, every plumber, carpenter, electrician, painter, and one or two Indian chiefs stood up and offered their services free of charge.”

  Reverend Gregory and Briggs laughed.

  “You haven’t seen anything until you see church folk outdoing each other,” Reverend Gregory added.

  “You’re so right,” Esther agreed, “but they have good hearts.”

  Reverend Gregory hit the table in delight. “Yes, they do. I was so pleased with them. We had a big celebration after the project was finished.”

  Briggs assessed Esther’s animated face. “You really are in your element.” He rubbed his chin as he murmured, “So your clumsiness was due to nervousness or excitement? Wonder which one.”

  Reverend Gregory leaned over. “Say that last part again, Briggs. My hearing isn’t what it used to be.”

  “Sorry, just thinking out loud,” Briggs replied.

  “Anyway,” Esther continued, “we rented the other side out to another church member, and then used the duplex to leverage other properties. Now we have twenty properties, and we have a full-time housing manager. We make the homeless with children and those families living in dilapidated housing our priority.”

  Pleased, Briggs clasped his hands together. “Love Zion is doing a lot more in the community than I realized. And Tracy?”

  “Our first resident,” Reverend Gregory boasted. “Many churches today are helping the community. People are busy talking about how much money we take, but few recognize how much is given back.” Reverend Gregory slid his chair back and stood, placing his hand on Briggs’s shoulder. “Learning all of this will take some time, but it will come. I hate to leave you, but I have another appointment. I’ve taken care of the bill, so please stay and enjoy the meal. I’m leaving you in capable hands.”

  “Yes, I see that. I’ll see you at your home later?”

  “No, meet me at the church around six; we still have other paperwork to get through.”

  “I’ll be there. I’m sure Esther will take care of me until then.” Briggs’s eyes rested on Esther.

  Esther stood and hugged Reverend Gregory. When she sat down, Briggs was staring at her. “What?”

  “The Esther I’m seeing today is the Esther I remember from college and more. You always were in the middle of any good fight, but now you’ve added compassion for others. The church is blessed to have members who commit not only their tithes, but also their time. Esther, you are a gift.” Briggs leaned back in appreciation.

  Esther blushed at his compliments. She looked down and used her fork to move her food aimlessly around her plate. Then she exhaled, determined that he wouldn’t rattle her.

  She dabbed her mouth with her napkin. “I didn’t do it alone. It was first God, and then those who answered His call that made all of this work.”

  Briggs rubbed his hands together in anticipation. “I look forward to meeting with all the members.”

  “You’re excited.” Esther grinned at his apparent eagerness.

  “Well, Dad is pretty well-known, and he cast a big shadow. This is my chance to break out on my own and see what God has in store for me. Seems I’ve always been someone’s something. Coming here like this lets people know me for just me before they know the family I belong to; they’ve produced pretty big shoes to fill. I want everyone to know me first as their shepherd, a man of God, even if it is a temporary assignment.”

  “You always were closed mouth,” Esther said. “I remember getting angry with you because you never let the girls who drooled over you know that you had a girlfriend. I was always defending my territory.” Esther put up her small fists in a mocking fight stance.

  Briggs grimaced. “I wasn’t interested in those girls. But you were so popular on campus the guys use to call me Mr. Wiley.”

  Esther’s hand flew to cover her mouth. “Oh no.”

  “Oh yes, it was humiliating, so, now, I try to keep my own identity for as long as possible. I guess my overreaction came from a lifetime of being the son of such a revered man. Everyone wanted to open doors for me because of him. I wanted them to open because of me.” Briggs zoned out, caught in past memories.

  “I never knew that.” Feelings of empathy for him washed over her.

  Briggs shrugged his shoulder. “It isn’t something you tell your girlfriend.”

  Esther’s gaze explored Briggs’s. “So, you feel that your time has come?”

  “Yes, no matter what, this time I rise or fall on my relationship with God; not the people’s around me relationship with man.”

  Esther’s smile built slow, and then was wide and bright. “I have faith you’ll do just fine.” She evaluated him for a moment in silence. “I remember a few things about you from the old days too. Like, your determination to succeed, your willingness to listen, and your sense of integrity in dealing with people. You’re assisting God, He’s not assisting you. Let Him lead; you just follow.”

  “Well, all right, Ms. Thang, teach the children.” Briggs raised both his hands in a praise salute.

  Esther snickered. “A little over the top?”

  “Just a touch,” he said pinching his fingers together.

  “Sorry.”

  “Apology accepted.” He was enjoying her. He shook his head in amusement. “I can’t wait to get started. Girl, you’ve got me motivated.”

  Esther scooted her chair back preparing to pick up her napkin that slid under the table. At the same time, Briggs jumped up to pull her chair out, believing that she was rising to leave.

  His hand covered hers in the confusion, and she marveled at their connection. His voice was full of wonder. “I can’t believe you’re here. I never imagined I would see you again.”

  Wisdom led Esther to ease her hand away. She observed there was no wedding band. However, ten years is a long time and people change. He had. He was now a pastor. Esther decided to deal with the elephant in the room. “We didn’t part on the best of terms, did we?”

  Briggs moved closer by sitting in Reverend Gregory’s vacated seat, his cologne merged with her perfume, and created an exotic light scent. “All the more reason to be friends now. This is a new town, and my first assignment as the head pastor.”

  Esther inhaled their combined scent. “I’d like that. I’m a little rusty in male-female friendships, but it’ll come back.”

  Briggs gave a jubilant laugh. “I’m the one who’ll need help. You know you’re a handful.”

  Esther’s face tightened. “As a friend, let me warn you to stop making weight references.”

  Briggs froze at her wintry response. “Whew! Girl, that was cold. I have not been making comments about your weight. I’m a grown man, not a boy. If I wanted to say something, I would say it. You’re beautiful, and that’s all I see when I look at you. I thought you knew me better than that. I think you owe me another apology.”

  Esther knew her cheeks were crimson again. “I’m sorry, Briggs. Guess I’m carrying a little baggage.”

  “Want to talk about it?” he asked, his ministerial calling kicking in.

  “Not really. Let’s just say my ex-husband was not a nice man and leave it at that.”

  “Come on, now, we’re old friends. We used to talk about anything and everything.”

  Esther grunted. “Evidently not, since I’m just lear
ning about the identity issues you carried in college. Although I do remember how much you wanted others to be okay with you.”

  “Touché, but, in my defense, I was raised in a glass bowl. We’re older and better now. Let an old friend help,” Briggs coaxed.

  Esther bit her lower lip. “He left me feeling pretty shell-shocked about how others see me and how I see myself.”

  “Thanks for sharing that. I hope as your pastor and your friend, I can help you accept the restoration that you deserve. I won’t push for more right now, but I’d be honored if you would think about us meeting and discussing this some more in the church office. So . . . tell me more about Love Zion’s business holdings.”

  “Right away, sir,” she said as she saluted him and continued their meeting.

  Later that night, Esther massaged cold cream into her face as she sat in front of her vanity. It had been a good day. She was curious though. It was the second conversation she had with Briggs, and except for some pretty vague comments, she hadn’t a clue to what he had been doing with his life outside of ministry in the last several years. They either talked about her personal business or the church business; but she knew it was time she found out about his personal business. She was feeling some stirrings of old magic, and she was minding what her mama always told her, “You better look before you leap, or you might end up on a big stinking trash heap.”

  “Lord knows, I’ve shifted through enough garbage in my life,” Esther declared as she used a tissue to wipe the cold cream off of her face.

  Chapter Ten

  Briggs tapped the phone off in frustration. Monica had hung up on him again. Annoyed, he placed his hands over his face and prayed that this move would improve their life together. He would do anything at this point to turn things around. The constant arguing was draining.

  He’d had a good first day, calling his wife and sharing with her should have been its highlight, but it wasn’t. She was still upset about having to stay in Reverend Gregory’s home. He told her it didn’t make sense to rent when the Gregorys’ home would sit empty in their absence. But she was not hearing it, and from experience, he knew it was easier to let her have her way. He sat on the bed, his body and soul bone tired. His marriage kept him before the throne of God.

  The house was quiet, the Gregorys asleep. Briggs thought about meeting Esther again after all these years. She was beautiful and full of life. If the tingling was an omen, they still had chemistry. He smiled as several warm memories washed over him. He chuckled aloud as he got ready for bed; some of Esther’s escapades were legendary. Briggs crawled beneath the covers, the sheets cool against his skin, his head sunk into the pillow, and he fell into an exhausted sleep. As he slumbered his cell phone vibrated on the nightstand.

  The following morning, Naomi, Reverend Gregory’s secretary, frowned at the phone as she placed it on its hook. “It’s too early to be messing with me,” she said out loud. It was nine in the morning, and that was the third call for Pastor Stokes from some woman named Monica.

  “No home training, that’s what it is; no home training at all,” she mumbled as the door opened, and Reverend Gregory and Briggs entered the office, laughing.

  “ . . . and then she said, ‘That’s what I’m trying to do.’”

  Both Reverend Gregory and Briggs laughed again at the punch line to Reverend Gregory’s joke.

  “I’m glad y’all having a good morning ’cause somebody’s working my nerves already,” Naomi complained to both men.

  Reverend Gregory leafed through his messages in his in-box. “Now, Naomi, we have talked about having a Christian attitude every day, not just on Sunday.”

  “Yes, Reverend, I know, but it has been mighty hard with all these evil people around.” Naomi pinched her narrow nose under her sliding glasses.

  “That’s when we most need Jesus, Naomi.” Reverend Gregory motioned to Briggs to enter his office.

  “Right, right. I sho’ hope they meet Him,” she said turning her attention to Briggs. “Pastor Stokes, before you go, a woman name Monica has called you three times this morning, and she wants you to call her right away.”

  “Why don’t you go on in and use my office, Briggs,” Reverend Gregory suggested.

  Briggs opened the door, but before he could close it, he heard Reverend Gregory say, “Naomi, Monica is Pastor Stokes’s wife.”

  Briggs paused to hear her response. “Well, why in the world didn’t she say so? She just kept badgering me, asking me if I knew where he was. My goodness,” Naomi exclaimed as she turned her exasperated glare toward the reverend’s closing door.

  Briggs walked into Reverend Gregory’s office and picked up the phone and dialed. He took a deep breath and greeted his wife when she answered. “Hi, sweetheart, you were trying to reach me?”

  “Where did you go last night?” Monica fussed.

  “Nowhere. After we talked, I went to bed.”

  “I called you right back, and no one answered. Where were you?” she badgered.

  “Oh, right . . . my phone was on vibrate from earlier meetings. That’s why I didn’t hear the phone ring,” Briggs said, remaining calm during her inquisition.

  “Yeah, and where were you this morning? And why isn’t your cell on now?”

  Briggs held fast to his rising temper. “Monica, I had a breakfast meeting. I cut the phone off during the meeting and forgot to cut it back on. Was there something you needed to tell me?”

  “We need at least eighteen hundred square feet of living space,” she said, still harping on their previous conversations of having her own home in Detroit.

  “Monica, I’ll do what I can, but I won’t promise. I’ll have to rent what we can afford.”

  “It’s always money with you. Ask the church to subsidize it. After all, we’re doing them a favor coming to bail them out. Stand up, for goodness’ sake,” she commanded.

  Briggs blew heavily into the air. “Monica, I’m on Reverend Gregory’s phone. I’ll call you back later.”

  Monica continued her tirade. “Briggs, no excuses this time.”

  Briggs knew there was no way he was asking the church for more than they had already generously agreed to pay him. Monica wanted her own way at any cost. They couldn’t afford half the things they owned. They definitely couldn’t afford two homes, not even for a year. After five years of marriage he wanted a family. If they kept living like they were it would never happen.

  “I’m going to need you on this one, God,” Briggs prayed.

  Minutes passed and Reverend Gregory knocked before entering his office. He folded his arms and watched Briggs pace back and forth in front of his desk.

  “Rough time?” Reverend Gregory asked.

  “Sort of. You know Monica has her own ideas, and sometimes it’s hard to get her to see the other side.”

  Reverend Gregory perched at the end of his desk. “Do you guys talk about these things?”

  “More like she talks, I listen.”

  “Doesn’t sound like a good way to live. Maybe it’s time to try something new. Like sitting down and learning how to communicate with each other.”

  Briggs paused before Reverend Gregory. “You must think we’re a piece of work. I may have marital problems, but I hope you know that I am a good pastor.”

  “Briggs, everyone faces problems in their lives. It’s how we handle them that count. Son, it’s not enough to be a good pastor, you must be a godly pastor. That means all of your cares must be laid before the Father, and let Him direct your path.”

  “Physician heal thyself? Or better yet, physician, stop trying to heal thyself?”

  “Exactly. A man who can heal himself doesn’t need God. But those of us who know, we know that He is the way, the truth, and the life. So . . . how about I give you the name of a trusted friend and therapist who can help both of you get all God wants His children to have out of their marriages?”

  Briggs rubbed his chin and nodded in agreement. “I’ve tried to get her to go before, but s
he was always afraid we would run into someone we knew, and then people would gossip. Maybe being away from home she won’t have that fear.”

  “That’s right, son. But, you can’t fix it if you’re in two different places. Here’s a little wisdom from someone battle scarred, you must make time for your family in ministry. Too many pastors and member’s children are in prison, pregnant, or on drugs. It’s not because they are bad parents, but this life will take you over if you don’t put boundaries around it.” Reverend Gregory clasped Briggs’s shoulder. “Now, think on what we talked about and let’s get back to work.”

  Briggs bent his head in compliance and opened his notepad. “So, the deacon board was receptive. What’s next on the agenda?”

  Reverend Gregory pulled out his cell and checked his appointment calendar and notes. “The church mothers can be a little stuck in their ways. We need to approach them next. We’ll start with Mother Reed; she’s the sweetest and a strong pillar of the church. God uses her mightily. We’ll visit her later on today.”

  “I’m sure everything will be fine,” Briggs said, leaning back in his chair, confident. The church mothers at his home church loved him.

  Reverend Gregory shook his head at the arrogance of youth. He decided to share with Briggs what he was getting in the Spirit. “Briggs, I promised I would allow you to do things your own way. But I feel the beginning of danger brewing. The shadows are gathering, and nothing is as it seems. Be vigilant in your prayers; sharpen your spirit of discernment. Soon there will be a heavy rain,” Reverend Gregory paused. “It will storm, and it looks like hurricane quality.”

  “He suspects, he suspects,” Imp One screeched into the ragtag group of underlings.

  Imp Two crawled to Imp One’s feet. “It does not matter, sir. Your plot cannot be stopped. You have covered every angle. This decaying carcass is strong in pride and ignorance. There is so much he does not know. Soon, the old one will depart, and The Leader’s mission can then be fulfilled.”