All I'll Ever Ask (The Greatest Love Book 1) (10 page)

As the praise team started to minister through song, the aisles of the church became filled with people who were ready for the strength exchange. Karen Locke was one of those people. She squeezed out of the aisle past Frankie without a thought of him. She was serious this time. She would not be going back to that place of barely hanging on for a trigger from her past, to have her sink deeper into sin. Although she did not understand it fully, she admitted she was a person in bondage to sin, un- forgiveness, wrath and self-abhorring. She wanted to exchange it all at the altar.

Camille was behind Karen. She wanted to be there to say she was sorry and to ask for forgiveness of her best friend. She also needed to exchange fear for strength. She had to tell Karen who was already broken from rejection and abuse that she had a sister and a coward as a father.

Benjamin saw that Frankie was struggling with the events of the service. He knew that Frankie attended church but obviously it was not Pentecostal. Benjamin went up a row and asked, “you alright man.” Frankie answered, “I want whatever this peace is.” Benjamin pulled Frankie into a man hug and told him, “there is room on the altar for you.” As Frankie made his way out of the aisle he, motioned to Kevin asking if he was ok. Kevin put on the politician smile and said, “I will wait here with Paige.”

Paige out of sheer stubbornness, thought to herself, like Hell she would be waiting with him. She threw her head back with a scowl and rushed out of aisle. Ben smirked and thought to himself, whatever gets her to the altar. Kevin took a seat with his face in his hands, the last forty-five minutes had simply been too much.

When Camille arrived to the altar she was delighted Mother Ellen was with Karen. The two ladies were hugging with tears streaming down Karen’s face. Mother Ellen was praying for Karen while rubbing her back. Camille made her way over to them, just to be close to Karen. Mother Ellen saw her first and said “here is your best friend.” Karen turned around and when she saw Camille the two women said, “I’m sorry,” at the same time and then embraced. Mother Ellen smiled and moved to the next soul on the altar. Frankie and Benjamin were with Elder Samuel Carmichael, in a prayer room. This is where people were taken who are new to Church or the Pentecostal way. It is a place for questions to be asked and answered. Frankie had asked how he could be saved and now understood, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). Jesus answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God'" (John 3:3).

Frankie accepted Jesus Christ as Lord in his life and savior of his soul. His new brother in Christ, Benjamin, was standing with him.

Paige stood on the altar with her hands up, thinking why did she just not go to the restroom. Where was Mother Ellen? Paige thought, Camille was always bragging on how gentle of a lady she was. Unlike this fool who was speaking in tongues in her ear, while her spittle was hitting the side of her face. She was about to snap but she counted back from twenty. She must remain calm, as this church means a lot to Camille. Slapping this babbling old lady, who had now just stepped on her toes and her peep toe red bottoms, would not be a good look for her. After all, Paige understood the message and how to give her life to Christ. She didn’t want to. Therefore, she closed her eyes and just said, “Thank you, Jesus!” That seemed to give this desperate church mother some form of victory and she moved back, doing a holy dance, as if she just scored a touchdown. Paige was willing to say and do whatever the mother wanted, just to get rid of her. So Paige confessed Jesus was Lord with her mouth but not in her heart. Her heart was filled with too much bitterness and anger. She needed her walls up because it was too many people like Julia Michelson who wanted to kick you down in the world. Paige had to keep her guards up. Camille was the only friend she had ever let them down with.

After church dismissed, Paige made a mad dash to her car without saying a word to anyone. She had to get away from Liberty Fellowship. She wanted desperately to stop at the first bar and have a drink. She cried as she spoke aloud to herself, “dealing with church folk makes a girl need a drink.” Paige was not against religion, she believed in Jesus Christ. He was just not into her life. When she was younger and living with her Aunt Jane, there was a missionary who belonged to a sanctified church that would pick up all the kids and take them to Sunday school and worship service. She enjoyed going to Sunday school and started to pray that God would send her someone who would love her. Someone like her dad, whom she still has not met to this day, but back then she believed her prayers would cause him to look for her. When he found her, he would take her away from the projects but that never happened. Instead she was neglected by her Aunt, who only supplied her with the bare minimum of clothing and food. To add insult to injury, Aunt Jane only helped her become pretty when the social workers would come visit. Paige put in the prayer box that she wanted to be loved. She wanted to be wanted. She started to speak it aloud in her bedroom, Aunt Jane heard her praying and beat her with an extension cord until she bled. Nope, Jesus did not answer that prayer either. In reflection, by the age of fifteen, with no rescue in sight, she told herself she was the only person she could trust. If Jesus was her savior, why did he give her a drug addict for a mother? No, Jesus was not into her.  However, she knew about self-empowerment and that is what she drew from when she was eighteen and Aunt Jane kicked her out. She worked three jobs and put herself through school. The only miracle in her life, that had not crumbled, was her friendship with Camille. Paige blinked out of those tragic thoughts as she drove and wiped the tears from her eyes. She wanted a drink desperately and to go home and dive in her bed. But she could not do that, she had to go to the Adams. Benjamin was adamant about her coming to Sunday dinner. There was nothing she would not do for Camille. She was grateful to God for sparing Mille’s life. Good thing Ben and his mom were praying, otherwise Camille would be in Heaven, especially, if it were left up to her prayers being granted. Paige turned on one of her favorite pick me up songs by Mary J Blige, Just Fine. She started to feel better as Mary belted out the girl power lyrics.

Can't let this thing called love get away from you. Feel free right now, go do what you want to do, Can't let nobody take it away, from you, from me, from we-No time for moping around. Are you kidding? And no time for negative vibes, cause I'm winning.

Paige was coming back to herself. She looked into herself and found the strength to carry on, that was all the exchange she needed. Paige made the right turn onto Mother Ellen’s street and prepared herself to be a supportive friend. Whatever Ben had planned, better be good.

***

Mother Ellen Louise Adams, was a perfect southern host. She had taken her church suit and hat off and was now wearing a beautiful gold caftan. She looked like a walking angel to Benjamin, who greeted her with a hug and kiss. As Camille stood by Ben’s side, she could see the love. Mother Ellen had for her only son, it was beautiful. Camille hoped if she ever had children, they would be able to feel the love and warmth from her in the same manner. Mother Ellen let go of Benjamin, pulled Camille in for a hug, saying “daughter, let’s get you comfortable and out of these stuffy church clothes. I have something you can relax in. I bought you one of those lazy-boy chairs Ben said it would be good on your body.”

Camille blushed, “Mother Ellen you did not have to do that.”

“Nonsense child, you are Ben’s angel. We got to make sure you are all fixed up.”

“Well I certainly hope we have not forgot about Benjamin’s true angel!”

Camille looked around to see who could have been responsible for that awful jab to her gut. She gasped as she recognized Mrs. Carol, Lauren’s mother. She had met her at church and the lady always seemed pleasant. She sat on their row by Mother Ellen, most Sundays. Camille was frozen in shock. She could not even take a glance at Ben, who had pulled her firmly into his side. Mrs. Carol was about five feet, eight inches tall. She had on a black two-piece suit, black opaque tights, and black ballerina flats. Her hair was in a basic bob that missed any sheen. She had ebony skin and wore no make-up. Her eyes were filled with grief, despair, and contempt. If there was a hole in the floor that could swallow Camille, she would have no objections in disappearing at that moment.

Mother Ellen spoke with a controlled voice, “Carol, you know Camille, Benjamin’s girlfriend. I told you she would be in attendance today and hopefully here on out. Daughter, this is Carol, a close family friend. I am sure Ben has informed you that she is the mother of our beloved late Lauren.”

Camille was in love with Mother Ellen’s compassion and ability to control the situation. It helped Camille relax. She extended her hand and said, “it is wonderful to officially meet you, Mrs. Carol. Benjamin has spoken of you and your husband, in the highest regard. I’m sorry for your loss and hope to get to know you.” Camille thought she did a great job. She did not make mention she had spoken to this lady at church for the last six weeks, with no reply from her.

              Mrs. Carol simply shook Camille’s hand and walked off, with what sounded like humph but Camille could have been mistaken. She had finally taken a glance at Benjamin and the only description that could match the look on his face was that of scowl. Benjamin asked his mom without turning to look at her, as his gaze was fixed on Mrs. Carol’s back, while she exited the room. “Mom why did you invite her?”

              “Ben she comes to all the big Sunday dinners. She has for the last nine years.”

Benjamin grinded his teeth. He did not count on having to deal with Lauren’s mother today. He shook it off and turned to look eye to eye with Camille, while rubbing the outside of h her arms. “Are you okay, Cam? We can leave if you want to.”

Camille gave him a look of disgust, “No way Benjamin Adams, I want to meet your extended family. I understand Mrs. Carol is still grieving. You can replace a girlfriend or lover but she can’t replace her only daughter. It has to be difficult for her to see me…us. She will have to accept it, so no running away.” She pulled her arms out of Ben’s grip and grabbed one hand and said. “
Now all the other introductions have to be easier than that one
. So come on big guy show me off.”

Ben kissed her on the forehead and whispered in her ear. “This is why I love you and the reason you are my love. Come on, let me introduce you to everyone.”

There were so many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Camille could not keep up with all the names. Everyone seemed so excited to meet her and were so funny. They all had a story about Ben or Benny, which was his childhood nickname.  Camille thought it was adorable. The older family members spoke on how remarkable he always was and how they knew he was, going to be something grand. The younger group told Camille how supportive he was as he showed up to school talent shows and sporting event, whether it was little league or college level, Cousin Benny was there. The teenagers of the crowd called him uncle. That is what impressed Camille the most, because that title is never given lightly in anybody’s family. She felt like she knew firsthand about that, because she had earned the right to be Nikki’s Tee-Tee, long before her dad had broken the sibling bomb on her. Benjamin took special care in introducing Camille to Tabitha. Tabitha was Ben’s cousin who Mother Ellen raised like a daughter, after Mother Ellen’s brother Jerry and his wife Diana, passed away in a car crash. Tabitha lived with the Adams, from the age of ten until she graduated college. She was introduced as his sister and Mother Ellen’s oldest child. Tabitha was a few years older than Ben. She was married to a dentist, Dr. Ralph Jennings, and she worked as a dental hygienist in his practice. Tabitha and Ralph had a fifteen-year-old daughter Kierra, who was a stunning scholar. She took to Camille right away and when she found out Camille owned her own business, she never left her side. Camille warmed up to Kierra too and promised to accompany Ben to some of her debates as well as to some football games and parades, to watch her strut her stuff as a color guard. Camille was finding her place in Ben’s family seemingly fine, after Mrs. Carol went and sat in the corner.

Ben however, was becoming more anxious by the moment. He started second guessing if he should ask Camille so publicly, to marry him. What if she said no? What if she laughed in his face? What if mother Carol caused another scene? What if Paige who looked like she was going to snap, caused a scene? There were so many what ifs, that he did not hear his mother call the family into the dining room.

Kevin came up to him and said, “Yo Ben, dinner is ready.”

Everyone piled into the dining room grabbing a seat either at the adult table, or one of the two kid’s tables. Ben’s uncle Jack, who was an elder at Liberty, led the family in prayer. Everyone held hands with bowed heads, as Uncle Jack blessed the cook, partakers, children, pastor and wife (who were not present), the sick, the shut in, the mayor, and President Obama. The prayer would have gone on until the food was cold, had Ben not interjected with an “Amen, thanks uncle.”

“The food prepared, was scrumptious,” Ben told his mom. She replied with a thank you, bashfully. Camille could not believe the spread of food that was before them. Mother Ellen had something for everyone, from lean food for the calorie counters, gluten free for the diabetics, and fried food for those who were ready to chow down. The conversation was light and pleasant with laughter and smiles. Camille tried to shake off the death stares she was receiving from Mrs. Carol. She would not let her steal away the joy of today’s gathering. Camille reminded herself that all people grieved differently and needed time for healing. However, Paige leaned in and whispered to Camille. “That crazy lady looks like she is feeling some type of way down there. She better be cool because I’m about ready to snap her neck.”