“I'll get it,” he said to unhearing ears. He walked out of the kitchen to the front door. When he opened the door, Reverend Wilcox stood outside the door clutching her handbag and stomping snow off her boots.
“Hello, Marcus,” she greeted him. “Is this a bad time?”
Marcus was aware for the first time how loud Monet and her brothers sounded. The level of their voices had reached a high decibel level.
“Uh, no, Reverend Wilcox, come on in,” he said. He stepped aside to allow her to enter.
“I haven't talked to or seen Monet in church for a while, and I was beginning to become concerned about her,” she said.
“Well,” Marcus dropped his hands to his side, “we've had some issues, but we're working them out.”
“If the sounds from the kitchen are any indication, then I'd say you have your work cut out for you.” Reverend Wilcox smiled. She took off her black leather gloves and stuck them in her pockets. Then she took off her boots and sat them on the welcome mat near the door.
“I just got home from work and was getting ready to change clothes. Oh, I'm sorry, let me take your coat,” Marcus said.
She unbuttoned her black wool coat, took it off, and handed it to Marcus. He opened the closet and hung it up.
“Why don't you have a seat in the living room, and I'll send Monet in,” he said graciously. He turned on the light in the living room and walked toward the kitchen.
“Thank you,” Reverend Wilcox replied. She walked into the living room and sat on the couch. She put her bag beside her feet on the floor.
Marcus said to Monet and her brothers, “You all need to keep it down. Monet, Reverend Wilcox is in the living room. She wants to see you.”
Monet swiped her hands over her face and said to Marcus and her brothers, “We aren't done talking yet.”
Marcus said, “I need you guys to hang around if you can. I had a phone call awhile back and again today that I'd like to share with you.”
“No can do today. I have a date as soon as I leave here. What's it about?” Derek asked. He walked over to the stove and removed the top off the simmering stew. “This smells good. Is it done yet, Monet?”
Monet looked at her brother disgustedly. “Yes, the stew is done. I'm going to talk to Reverend Wilcox. Save some for me.” She walked out of the kitchen.
When she arrived in the living room, Reverend Wilcox was standing at the mantle looking at a silver framed 8x10 picture of Monet's mother and a portrait of Marcus and Monet on their wedding day. She turned when Monet came in the room. The women hugged and sat on the couch.
“How are you doing, dear? I probably should have called before I came over. But I was in the neighborhood visiting Sister Williams, and thought I'd drop by. I'd see you in the back of the church sometimes, but you'd leave before I had a chance to speak to you.” Reverend Wilcox looked at Monet's face and body. “Oh my, you're with child.”
“Yes, I am,” she said shyly. She pushed a stray curl out of her face. “Before you ask, I'm about five months along.”
“Well, then, congratulations are in order.” Reverend Wilcox looked genuinely happy for Monet. She smoothed down the hem of her navy blue skirt. She wore a matching jacket with an ivory colored blouse. A strand of pearls encircled her neck, and pearl earrings adorned her ears.
They chatted, and Monet brought Reverend Wilcox up to speed with what had been going on in her life.
“This has to be a difficult time for you,” Reverend Wilcox said sympathetically. She smoothed back her silver close cropped hair. “You should have called me. I hate to think of you suffering alone.”
“Well, as you know, Liz and I are prayer partners again, and we pray every night. I know I haven't been coming to church like I should, but between morning sickness and the weather, I've been taking it easy.” Monet caressed her stomach. “And Marcus has me almost paranoid about leaving the house, about what people will think when they see that I'm pregnant.”
“You haven't returned to work yet?” Reverend Wilcox asked, as she took her turquoise cashmere scarf from around her neck, folded it, and laid it on her lap.
“No, I don't plan on going back until after I have the baby. My doctor has diagnosed me as a high risk case, and I've waited so long to conceive that I just don't want anything to go wrong,” Monet explained.
“I can understand that.” Reverend Wilcox bobbed her head up and down. “But you don't want to seclude yourself away from life. I hope you're participating in some activities. I've missed you at church. Perhaps you can do some volunteering?” she suggested.
“I'll think about it.” Monet nodded. “I always said I suffered from the Sarah Syndrome. And God has blessed me like He blessed her.”
“Yes, and I remember how we prayed together many a times that you would conceive. Whenever I called altar prayer at church, you were the first person to come out of the choir stand.”
“I always believed and knew that I would have a baby. I just didn't envision these circumstances.” Monet leaned comfortably against the back of the couch.
“I know dear, and many a night I've included you in my prayers,” Reverend Wilcox remarked calmly. She patted Monet's hand.
“I need all the prayers I can get. I'm sleeping upstairs in the bedroom, and he's in the basement.” Monet lips tightened in a grimace. She had left out that part and a few other facts when she told Reverend Wilcox her latest happenings. Monet felt ashamed for not being totally honest with her minister.
“You can take some comfort in knowing that he's still here. He hasn't deserted you completely,” Reverend Wilcox said soothingly.
”That's true, and I do, but it's still a complex situation. I don't know what I'd do without Liz and Wade in my life. Liz is going to be my Lamaze coach.”
“That's a blessing and a testament to God's intervention. Where one door is closed, another one is opened. I wouldn't expect less from Liz and Wade.”
“Sometimes I feel so selfish and wonder if I'm handling the situation with Marcus correctly. I feel so conflicted about this situation. What do you think?” Monet asked. She held her breath, waiting for the Reverend's response.
“Life can get so difficult sometimes, and no one is aware of that better than me. In the long run you'll have to be patient, do what you feel is right in your heart, and everything will work out as God has ordained. From what I can see, Marcus is a pure alpha male, and he feels that he let you down by not being able to protect you when you needed it most. But he knows in the back of his mind that there was nothing he could do to stop the attack from happening. Keep praying, and know that God will resolve the situation. You can't be concerned about what people will say; everyone has their own opinion about how things should be done. But at the end of the day, you have to do what God guides you to do, and keep your head up. I really wish you'd come back to church and return to your rightful place in the choir stand. “
Monet nodded. “I miss church. It was the high point of my week. You know what, Reverend Wilcox?”
“What's that?” she asked.
Monet explained about her conversations with God, and how He assured her to be patient and that everything would be all right. Monet went on to say how she had been leaning on the Lord more heavily than before. They continued talking, and she felt comforted. One-on-one time with Reverend Wilcox, to Monet, was a treat, on the scale of talking to her mother.
Reverend Wilcox looked at her watch. “It's later than I realized. It's time for me to head home.” She and Monet stood up. “Monet, I want you to remember this simple verse when life gets overwhelming, and I believe it will comfort you. It's from the book of Second Corinthians 5:7:
For we walk by faith, not sight
.”
Then she took Monet's hands in her own and bowed her head. “Heavenly Father, we know that you can make a way out of no way. No matter how bleak our lives may look, we only have to come to you with a meek and humble heart, because only you, Father, know what is really in our hearts. Lord, take care of Marcus and Monet. Help Marcus to understand that even in this uncertain time, you are still watching over his family, and that you never put more on us than we can bear. Father, I ask that you protect the new life that Monet is carrying. And when that baby makes her appearance, we'll claim the victory for the miracle that you have bestowed upon your daughter, Monet. These blessings I ask in Jesus' name. Amen.”
“Amen,” Monet said in a strong voice. Then she and Reverend Wilcox walked hand in hand to the foyer. Monet took Reverend Wilcox's coat out of the closet and handed it to her. When Reverend Wilcox put on her coat, she hugged Monet.
“Keep the faith, Monet, and I promise you that everything will proceed according to God's will,” Reverend Wilcox said.
“I will,” she said, choking up.
“Come back to church soon. We miss you.” Reverend Wilcox reached out and pressed Monet's hands together.
Monet nodded her head and said, “I'll be there on Sunday.”
After the women exchanged good-byes and Reverend Wilcox left, Monet locked the door. Then she headed to the kitchen. Duane and Derek had gone home after coming to the living room to speak to Reverend Wilcox and telling Monet that they were heading home. Marcus had long since retired to the basement. She wondered what the important news was that Marcus had wanted to share with them. Then she thought,
Whatever it is, it can wait for another day
. Monet fixed herself a bowl of stew and sat at the table and ate dinner alone, except for Mitzi. With so much tension in the air, the little dog had become more protective of her mistress.
Chapter 18
Monet returned to the Temple the Sunday after Reverend Wilcox's visit as she promised she would. With strong impassioned cajoling from Monet, Liz, and Wade, Marcus agreed to attend the morning service with his wife. She called her brothers Saturday morning and asked them to join her for moral support. Duane promised he would be there, and Derek said he'd try to attend, but that it would depend on the outcome of his date the night before.
Monet had awakened early Sunday morning around six, feeling jittery as if angst had soaked into her soul. She knew it was due to a combination of Marcus's attitude, and their going out in public for the first time together during her pregnancy. She tried deep breathing exercises and praying, but afterward she was still left with a feeling of uneasiness.
Finally, after praying to God, asking Him to give her strength for the day ahead, Monet picked up her Bible and turned to Romans 8:26 and read, “
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray as we ought; but the Spirit itself can make intercession for us with groaning that cannot be uttered
.” She read the verse again, this time silently, using her finger to underline the words as she read them.
After reading the scripture, Monet's spirit buoyed. She lay down on the bed for a few more minutes. Then she got up, made up the bed, walked to the closet, removed a black pantsuit since the temperature had dropped below zero, along with a butter colored blouse, and set them on the bed.
After she showered, she spread Victoria's Secret pear body lotion over her body and donned her undergarments and hosiery, then put on a fluffy pink chenille robe. Then Monet went downstairs to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She cooked enough eggs, bacon, grits, biscuits, and coffee for both of them, and then called Marcus, but he didn't answer. She heard him stirring around in the basement. Monet sat down at the kitchen table, and once again, ate breakfast alone. She drained a glass of milk and placed it in the sink, along with her plate and utensils.
Twenty minutes later, Monet was dressed and sitting on her vanity stool applying her makeup. She pressed her lips together after putting on a coat of red lipstick. She then slid her feet into a pair of black leather boots. She put a gold bangle watch on her wrist, a gold chain that belonged to her mother around her neck, and gold hoop earrings in her pierced ears. She sprayed Lancome's perfume, Hypnose, over her suit jacket, and then put it on.
Monet looked at her face in the mirror and tried to smile, though her lips trembled. “I don't know why I feel so uneasy. Lord, grant me peace,” she said aloud.
She walked downstairs and found Marcus sitting in the living room watching
Sports Center
on the plasma television. He caught sight of his wife and his breath seemed to catch in his throat. He thought,
She is still as fine as the first time I saw her in study hall when I was in tenth grade.
He wanted to gather her in his arms and never let go. Instead, he asked Monet brusquely, “Are you ready to go?” He walked to the foyer and removed their coats from the closet.
When he held up Monet's coat and she put her arms into the bell shaped sleeves, the scent of Hypnose wafting from her body tantalized his sense of smell. Anyone looking at Monet would think she was thirty years old instead of forty. Her curly hair was piled high on her head, and Marcus thought she looked elegant.
Monet wanted to reach out and hug Marcus. He looked so handsome in his black suit and white shirt, accessorized with a yellow tie. But his stoic expression kept her urge at bay. She waited for him to put on his black wool coat, and then they walked to the kitchen and out the back door.
“Did youâ” she began saying.
“Yes, I gave Mitzi her food this morning,” Marcus replied, cutting her off.
A few minutes later, they were in traffic headed to the Temple. Monet turned the radio to WVAZ and listened to Effie Roth host the gospel brunch during the drive. When they arrived at church, the parking lot was starting to fill with automobiles. They walked inside to find Liz and Wade chatting with other members. When they spied their friends, they ended the conversation and sped toward Monet and Marcus.
The women gabbed, while Wade thumped Marcus on the back. “I'm glad you came today,” he said. “I think you'll feel better when you leave. Church will fill your soul with peace, and cure all your ills.”
Marcus sucked his breath loudly and stopped himself from rolling his eyes.
“I wonder if my brothers will join us today,” Monet commented to Liz as she looked around the area.
“I haven't seen them yet. Let's go to the ladies room before service starts,” Liz said.
Monet looked at her watch. “Okay, but let's hurry up. I don't want to be late for the start of service.” She unbuttoned her coat and took off her hat.
The women told the men they would return in a few minutes. The restroom was empty. Liz went into a stall and emerged seconds later. Monet took off her coat and draped it over her arm. She took a long tailed comb out of her purse and picked at her hair. Liz washed her hands and re-applied her lipstick.
“I like that suit,” Monet told Liz as she looked at her friend from head to toe. “Where did you get those matching shoes from? They look new.”
“Girl, you know me, I'm the DSW queen. I was browsing the mall and saw them and thought they would go perfect with my royal blue suit.”
“Nice.” Monet nodded. “I think it's time for us to go. The parking lot was beginning to get crowded. I hope we can all sit together.”
“Don't worry about it, we'll be fine,” Liz replied.
They left the ladies room and walked to the sanctuary. The doors were still closed. The choir had marched into the auditorium before Monet and Marcus's arrival, and the combined choirs were now singing “The Lord's Prayer.” Monet was pleased to see Duane standing with Marcus and Wade. The siblings embraced and exchanged greetings. When the usher opened the middle door, Marcus stood on one side of Monet and Duane on the other, while Liz and Wade walked behind them.
When they entered the sanctuary, the congregation rose and began clapping. Monet was taken aback and her steps faltered. She was confused for a moment, until she realized they were clapping for her.
Her eyes filled with tears and she said, “Thank you, Father.” The usher walked them to the third row of the middle pew.
Reverend Wilcox came down from the pulpit and embraced Monet and told her, “Welcome home.”
Marcus sat next to his wife, and Liz slid on the other side. “You knew about this, didn't you?” Monet asked Liz.
“Of course I did,” she replied smugly. “I knew you were feeling a little shaky about coming out in public and returning to church, so Reverend Wilcox and I put our heads together and came up with this, so you could get it over with in one fell swoop.”
“Elizabeth Anne Harrison, I'm going to get you later,” Monet promised.
The church clerk read the announcements. Before the choir sang their A selection, Avis, the choir director, walked up to the pulpit. “Giving honor to God and Reverend Wilcox, I'd like to just say how happy I am to see our sister and choir member, Monet Caldwell, at church today. Our prayers were with you for a speedy recovery, and God didn't fail us. Church, doesn't she look good?” The congregation clapped fervently as the organist played a jazzy riff. “We've missed you, Monet,” Avis continued. “And we await your return to your rightful place in the choir. The choir would like to dedicate our A and B selections to our sister, Monet.”
Monet initially felt abashed when Avis began talking, then her heart filled with joy that spilled over from her eyes as the choir began singing “Jesus Can Work It Out.” Her head swayed to the beat of the music, and peace flooded her heart when the choir began singing their B selection, “Long As I Got Jesus, I Don't Need Nobody Else.”
After tithes and offerings were collected, Reverend Wilcox walked to the pulpit and said in a cherry voice, “Isn't God good, church?” Replies of
Amen
and
Hallelujah
and thunderous clapping rented the air. “I don't know what you came to do, but I came to praise His name.” She raised her hands. “I was talking to a new church member the other day. Her walk with God is a new one, and she said to me, Reverend Wilcox, I just don't understand why God allows bad things to happen to good people.”
Marcus felt like she was talking to him, and he squirmed in his seat, while Monet's eye brimmed with tears.
“We go to church, we spread the news about Jesus, and yes, we tithe. Some people feel like that means they have a first class ticket to heaven, along with immunity from the trials and tribulations of life,” Reverend Wilcox said. Then she took a sip of water. “But church, that's not what life is about. We suffer through all types of ordeals, and along the way we learn to trust in God and know that He will never leave or forsake us.” The church clapped, signaling their approval. “For those of you that have your Bibles with you today, I'd like you to open it to Isaiah 26:3 and 4, and Proverbs 3:5 and 6. Please read along with me,” she instructed the church.
The congregation's voices sounded strong as they read, “
Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind stayed is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength
.” There was a rustle of pages as the members turned to the book of Proverbs. Then they continued reading. “
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct thy path.”
“Trusting in the Lord is what helps Christians accept the bad things in life that happen to good people, and help us realize that we're not alone.” Reverend Wilcox eyes roamed around the sanctuary.
“We live in a busy world, a digital society with statistics that tell us how quickly someone is killed, or how many children are born a minute, how many people will die from cancer or AIDS in a year. All you have to do is log on to a computer, do a Google search, and you'll be privy to all kinds of information. But despite the bad news that seems to overwhelm us at times, the earthquakes and hurricanes, rising unemployment, and hard times, there is one constant in life that's never mentioned in the newspapers and that's the love of Christ. He's our redeemer, our Savior, our bright and morning star, and He will never leave us alone. He will bring us comfort and peace when we need it most.” Reverend Wilcox continued her sermon on trusting in the Lord and having faith that He would provide deliverance in any situation.
Marcus half-listened and wore a bored expression on his face. He felt like Reverend Wilcox was singling him out, while Monet was totally intent on listening to the Word. Wade glanced at Marcus a couple of times, and could see by the set of his friend's rigid jaw that he didn't comprehend what Reverend Wilcox was saying. Wade closed his eyes and said a prayer for his friend.
By the time Reverend Wilcox had finished her sermon, the church was on their feet rocking. Monet, Liz, and Wade were along with them, while Marcus and Duane sat in their seats. The doors to the church were opened to prospective new members, and several people walked down the aisle to the front row, where they were welcomed by the deacon board and ministry staff. The choir sang, “God Be With You Until We Meet Again,” and recited the benediction.
Monet's spirit was overflowing, and she berated herself for not coming to church sooner. Reverend Wilcox stood in the back of the church at the conclusion of the service to speak with her members. Liz whispered to Monet that Reverend Wilcox wanted Monet to join her.
Monet's eyes widened. “Me?”
“Yes you. The members have been inquiring about you ever since the attack, so Reverend Wilcox and I thought it would encourage you to know that you're not alone. The church loves you and stands behind you one hundred percent,” Liz stated.
Monet turned to look at Marcus. He quickly said, “I'll pass. I'll see you in the parking lot when you're done.” He put on his coat and black fedora hat and went outside.
Liz was disappointed in Marcus's response. Quietly, she just took Monet's hand and they walked to the rear of the church to join Reverend Wilcox.
“It would've been nice if you had joined your wife,” Wade said, walking out of the sanctuary behind Marcus.
“She'll be fine without me,” he replied brusquely as he turned to watch a good portion of the membership swarm around Monet.
“Yes, she will,” Wade agreed,” but she still needs your love and support.”
“I know, Wade, and I'm doing the best I can. Look, I'll talk to you later.” Marcus turned and left the church.
Monet was in church for over an hour. The outpouring of love was overwhelming to her at times, and tears streamed from her eyes. Liz handed her a tissue to dab at her eyes.
When the last member had departed from the line, Monet turned and said, “Thank you so much, Reverend Wilcox. Talking to everyone was just what I needed. My heart is so full.” Her voice broke.