Allegations: A NaNoWriMo Novel by ddBoone (2006)

The Story In Order

2006-11-05T05:43:00.000-06:00

Here is the story in order

More Information Here

You can learn more about my writing by going to my LiveJournal blog...

Chapter Three

2006-11-04T17:59:00.000-06:00

DeAndre had set up a meeting with Bishop Boston. DeAndre was going to take his cousin, Jasmine's advice and talk to Bishop. It could not hurt anything to listen to what the man had to say. But DeAndre would leave if the man said or did anything crazy. DeAndre finished dressing and made a dash out of the door to go get into his car.

DeAndre was thankful that he only lived a few blocks away from the church or he would have been late to the meeting. He did not want to give the Bishop the impression that he was late to meetings. DeAndre made it up to the church with three minutes to spare. He blew a breath when he saw that the Bishop was not there waiting on him.

DeAndre looked at his watch. It was 6:00. Bishop had not shown up yet. DeAndre gave him the benefit of the doubt. He was a bishop, so he might have been counseling someone or making a visit to the hospital. DeAndre calmed down and decided to wait patiently.

DeAndre looked at his watch again. It was 6:08. Bishop still had not arrived. DeAndre blew a breath. He was getting upset. He was sitting in his car waiting on this man. He could have been doing something else, but no, he was sitting around waiting on a man who did not realize that folk did not have time to be sitting around waiting on him all day. It did not matter to DeAndre that Bishop was a bishop. The Bishop needed to be conscience of folks time. DeAndre decided to wait until 6:15 and then leave. If the Bishop did not show up, that was it, DeAndre was not going to fool with the Bishop anymore.

DeAndre looked at his watch for a third time. It was 6:27. Bishop was not there. DeAndre kicked a rock as he mumbled, "This is some rotten eggs. I can't believe he kept me waiting like this." DeAndre walked to his car, opened the door, sat down in the driver's seat, slammed the car door, and started the engine. DeAndre was fuming. He had half a mind to call the Bishop and leave him a nasty message in his voice mail. DeAndre backed out of the driveway. As he backed out, a gray Mercedes pulled up into the driveway.

A tall skinny auburn colored guy got out of the car and flagged DeAndre down. DeAndre was half tempted to keep driving, but he stopped the car. The guy sauntered over to DeAndre's car. DeAndre made a face because the guy walked like a girl. "Good grief, he switches more than my cousin," DeAndre thought. DeAndre shook the thoughts he was having out of his head. He did not know the guy. He did not want to form an opinion of the guy before even meeting him.

DeAndre rolled his window down. The guy touched DeAndre's car door effeminately as he said, "Are you DeAndre?" DeAndre had to pause for a second. The guy's voice was higher than some women he knew. DeAndre shook his head and said, "Yes, I am." The guy said, "Well, Bishop is ready to meet with you." DeAndre almost said something smart, but he did not. He pulled his car back into the parking lot and turned of the ignition.

"Ok, Dre, don't act a fool with this man. He is a bishop, maybe he had something do. Just calm down," DeAndre told himself before he got out of the car.

The guy who had came over to DeAndre's car was still standing there waiting on DeAndre to get out of the car. DeAndre wanted him to leave, but they guy never did. DeAndre opened his car door and stepped out of his car. The guy closed the door for DeAndre. DeAndre said, "Thanks." The guy rubbed DeAndre's arm seductively, "It was no problem. Bishop is waiting for you in his office. I can show you the way." DeAndre wanted to ask the guy if the high pitched voice he was using was his real voice.

DeAndre followed the guy to the church. They went in a door. The guy walked DeAndre down a hallway and to an office. The guy stuck his head in the door and said, "Bishop, DeAndre is here." The Bishop said, "Okay, give me three minutes." DeAndre wanted to say, "I have already given you over twenty minutes," but he did not.

The guy turned and looked at DeAndre, "You can wait here. Bishop will call you when he is ready." DeAndre smiled. The guy gave DeAndre a sexy smile, "My name is Braydin Frost in case you were wondering." DeAndre thought, "I wasn't wondering." Braydin touched DeAndre's shoulder, "That's a nice outfit, handsome. See you later." DeAndre leaned in the opposite direction of Braydin. Braydin smiled at DeAndre and walked off. DeAndre made a crazy face, "Oh my Lord, was that nut flirting with me?" He started laughing as he thought, "Jasmine ain't gonna believe this."

"Bro. DeAndre, you can come on in," Bishop's voice said from in the office. DeAndre blew a breath and told himself, "Don't act a fool. Just calm down," then he walked into the office.

Bishop's office was nice looking. It looked as if a professional designer had decorated the office. There was a massive oak desk in the middle of the room. There was a large tall dark brown executive chair sitting behind the desk. Bishop Boston was sitting in the chair. There were some small oak chairs sitting in front of the desk. The chairs had a cushion in the seat, giving the impression that they might be comfortable. DeAndre sat down in one of the chairs. Looks can be deceiving, the chair was not as comfortable as it looked.

Bishop stood up and shook DeAndre's hand. DeAndre smiled as the Bishop said, "I am glad that we could have this chance to talk. I am very interested in each and every one of my ministers. I want the best for them because they are not only representing me and the church, but they are representing the Lord."

DeAndre smiled while he thought, "Did he say 'ME' first?" DeAndre brushed the thought out of his head.

Bishop continued, "As a representative of the Greater Faith Christian Association, the preachers should be excellent men of God. I would hate to get a bad report about one of my preachers."

DeAndre smiled and thought, "Did he just say 'MY'?" DeAndre focused on the Bishop.

Bishop asked, "How long have you been preaching?"

DeAndre smiled, "I have been preaching since 1993, for four years."

Bishop nodded, "That's good. Are you ordained?"

DeAndre tugged at his ear, "No sir not yet." DeAndre hoped that the Bishop would not ask him why he was not ordained.

Bishop asked, "Is there a reason why you are not ordained?"

DeAndre blew a breath, "My former pastor thought I was too young and he said that because I was not married, he could not recommend me for ordination."

Bishop nodded his head, "I understand about the marriage part. I believe that ordained ministers should be ordained as well. It just makes things easier on the minister."

DeAndre squelched his urge to say, "What difference does it make if I am married or not?" He just glowered.

Bishop noticed the look on DeAndre's face and said, "I take it from your expression, that you don't feel like that."

DeAndre let out a slow breath to calm himself down before he said, "No, I don't feel like that. The Apostle Paul was not married and he did many great things for the Lord. I would think that an unmarried elder would be able to do more than a married elder because he does not have a wife or children that he has to spend time with. I have never understood the church's need to marry single folk off versus putting them to work. You would think that pastors would put single folk to work while they aren't tied down to a family and family pressures. That's just how I feel about it."

Bishop stuck his chest out, "In Apostle Paul's time, he did not face the pressures that preachers during this time face. I doubt that he had women trying to seduce him and things of that nature. It is hard for a single preacher to maintain his reputation during this time. People these days will say some nasty things about preachers, especially if they think the preacher has done them wrong. It is just easier for preachers if they are married."

DeAndre paused, "I guess so. It still does not seem right to wait to ordain a qualified minister just because he isn't married."

Bishop made a mean face, "Well, that is what I believe and have believed for years now."

DeAndre could tell from the inflection in Bishop's voice that there was no need to argue with him.

Bishop said, "What ministries are you currently working in?"

DeAndre was dejected, "I work in the Sunday School Department and with the Youth Ministry."

Bishop twisted his lips, "Continue to work in those ministries. I will be watching you to see your progress. Also, I will tell Eld. Fugler to be sure and put you in the rotation to speak on Evangelistical night. I am sure that once I get a look at your work and your preaching style, that I can work on getting you ordained. Just be patient and things will work out like they are supposed to. Thank you for coming by and talking to me."

DeAndre titled his head and made a face. "Is he serious? He is not even going to ask me if I have any questions. This is a trip."

Bishop said, "I have another meeting at 7:00 so we are going to have to cut this short."

DeAndre formed his lips to say something smart, but he only thought it, "Naw this nigga ain't gonna rush me out of here after he was 20 minutes late. He ain't even apologize for being late."

DeAndre stood, "Yes sir, Bishop. Thanks for talking with me."

Bishop stood up, shook DeAndre's hand, and said, "You're welcomed. Be blessed."

DeAndre walked out of the Bishop's office without responding. He hurried out of the church because he did not want to run into Braydin, the way he was feeling, he might have cursed the effeminate acting man out. No such luck, Braydin was standing outside of the church door talking to some guy. Braydin smiled at DeAndre and said, "All finished I guess." DeAndre did not respond, he just walked past Braydin and the guy. Braydin grabbed DeAndre's arm, "I know you heard me." DeAndre looked shocked. Braydin sounded just like a girl when he said that. DeAndre smiled, "Yea, I heard you. Can you let my arm go?" Braydin slid his arm down DeAndre's arm slowly as he let it go. DeAndre shook his arm and balled his fist up. He wanted to hit this guy, but he knew that he should not do that. Braydin smiled and walked toward the church. The guy that he was talking to looked at DeAndre and said, "You have to forgive Braydin. He is very touchy feely. He doesn't mean any harm." DeAndre did not say anything. He just left. Jasmine was not going to believe any of what had happened to him.

DeAndre drove home quickly. He kept running the recent events over and over in his mind. He was trying hard not to form the wrong opinion in his mind. It was hard. He hated being pushed aside, especially when the other person was wrong. The bishop had came to the meeting late and then he had rushed through the meeting. DeAndre had given up his free time to come up to the church. How dare the Bishop show up late and then rush through the meeting? DeAndre had to stop thinking about the meeting.

He was glad that he only lived a few blocks from the church because if he had lived any further from the church, it would have made him even madder than he already was. He needed to talk to Jasmine. She would help him to calm down. She would help him to put things into perspective. She was good at that.

DeAndre tried to sing the song that was playing on the radio to help keep his mind from thinking the negative things that he was thinking. It was not working that well. DeAndre kept trying to distract himself until he reached his apartments. He parked in his usual parking spot and turned the car off. He got out of the car and headed for his apartment. He had almost made it when one of his female neighbors saw him. "Not her, good grief," he thought. His flirtatious neighbor walked up to him and said, "Hey DeAndre. You shole are looking good today. When are you gonna ask me out?" DeAndre smiled. Women were always hitting on him. He was not ready for a long term relationship. He had to get some things together in his life first. He was not raised to be a player and hit everything in a skirt. He could not win for losing in that area. His flirtatious neighbor said, "I know you are not ignoring me." DeAndre shook his head, "No, I am not. Thanks for the compliment. I don't think I will be asking you out. I can't date a woman who lives where I live. There would be too many people in my business." The neighbor twisted her lips and gave DeAndre the talk to the hand gesture. She walked off in a huff. DeAndre laughed and quickly walked up the stairs to his apartment.

As he walked into the door, he yelled, "Yo, JazzyWazzy. Where you at?" Jasmine looked up from the book she was reading in her room in the back of the apartment. She hated it when her cousin called her JazzyWazzy. She rolled her eyes in her cousin's direction before she said, "What do you want Pretty Boy Dee?" DeAndre laughed as he walked towards his cousin's room.

As he entered the room he said, "Girl, don't hate me because God made me pretty. Maybe on of these days, you can be as pretty as I am." Jasmine shook her head, "You are too conceited. You need Jesus." DeAndre did a model pose, "Never said I didn't." jasmine laughed, "You are just pretty for no reason. It ain't like you are a model or an actor. Why you so pretty?" DeAndre did another model pose, "God knew that some people were going to need something pretty to look at so He made me. You know you need this pretty man in your life, girl. Your life would be so dull if I wasn't in it." Jasmine rolled her eyes, "Whatever. How did your meeting go?" DeAndre reached for Jasmine's computer chair and sat down in it.

"Girl, you are never gonna believe what happened. Why was Bishop 20 minutes late?," DeAndre said. Jasmine gasped, "You lying." DeAndre shook his head, "I ain't even lying. I ain't that good of a liar. Some guy was with him. The guy came up to my car and told me that Bishop was ready to see me. Why was the guy acting all effeminate?" Jasmine made a face, "You know you lying!" DeAndre held his hand up as if he were being sweared in to testify, "As God as my witness, that boy was flirting with me. Anyway, the Bishop got me in his office and rushed through the meeting. And get this, he does not believe in ordaining ministers who are not married. What kind of mess is that?"

Jasmine looked baffled. She knew that was one of the reasons that DeAndre had a falling out with his previous pastor. She did not know how to respond to that. She asked, "Did he say anything positive in the meeting?" She knew DeAndre was purposely leaving out the positive things. DeAndre sighed, "Yea, he said that he was going to get Eld. Fugler to put my name on the rotation for minister to preach at the Evangelistical services. He also told me to keep working in the ministries that I am working in. He was going to be watching me. He also said that he was willing to help me." Jasmine smiled, "See something positive happened at the meeting. Just do like the bishop said and keep working. God knows your desire to be ordained. He is not going to let you down. Just keep on doing what you know is right. God's got you." DeAndre laughed, "You can lapse religious when you want to. Thanks for the advice, JazzyWazzy. I am going to give it some time, but you know that I will cut the fool if I get runt over." Jasmine twisted her lips, "Boy please. You are always trying to act a fool. You are too pretty to be that mean and hateful." DeAndre did a model pose, "I am ain't I." Jasmine threw a pillow at DeAndre, "Go somewhere. I am tired of looking at your pretty behind. It's making me sick." DeAndre stood up, walked over to Jasmine, and gave her a wet kiss on the jaw, even though she resisted his attempt to show her some affection. After DeAndre started to leave the room, Jasmine said, "You are nasty. Don't be kissing me. I don't know where your nasty lips have been." DeAndre laughed loudly, "You are so sick." He left the room.

***

DeAndre and Jasmine worked tirelessly in the ministries at Parkridge. They both became popular members of the church, especially with the youth of the church. The youth of the church often confided in the two of them more than they did with the official youth leaders. This lead to animosity between the youth director and DeAndre.

"Bishop, you have got to do something about DeAndre. He is getting on my nerves. He is trying to usurp my authority with the youth. They go to him more than they come tome. They won't even come to any events unless DeAndre and his cousin are going to be there. I think he is trying to take over the youth ministry," the youth ministry director said to Bishop Boston as he sat in the Bishop's office.

Bishop leaned back in his chair, "I don't think that DeAndre is trying to take over the youth ministry. I have talked to him on several occasions and he has never once expressed any interest in being a leader in that ministry. I will talk to him. You are the director of the ministry. You don't have to worry about anyone taking your place."

The youth ministry director smiled as he left Bishop's office.

Two weeks later, DeAndre was summoned into the Bishop's office. As DeAndre entered Bishop's office, the bishop said, "Have a seat. I need to talk to you about something." DeAndre mumbled, "Oh Lord. What is it now?" After DeAndre sat down the Bishop said, "It has come to my attention that you are trying to take over the youth ministry." DeAndre scowled, "What?" Bishop said, "I was told that you tell the youth to come talk to you instead of going to the youth ministry leaders."

DeAndre leaned forward in the chair he was sitting in, "Those kids come to me because I listen to them and do go running around telling their business. I have yet to tell anyone of them to come talk to me. It is not my fault that you have people in leadership over your youth who don't know how to talk to them on their level. Those kids already have parents. They don't need somebody who they don't like and don't have a relationship with trying to be their parents. I AIN'T TRYING TO TAKE OVER ANYONE'S JOB. Whoever told you that is a bold face liar. If they got a problem with me, then they need to step to me instead of running behind my back, talking about me."

Bishop made a stern face, "DeAndre, you need to calm down. I am just telling you what was told to me. If a youth comes to you, you need to advice them to go talk to one of the other youth leaders."

DeAndre blew a long exasperated breath, "I am not going to do that. Those kids trust me and I am not going to violate that trust. I have helped the youth have come to me. You can even ask their parents. I am not doing anything wrong. I am just doing what you told me to do, I am work in the ministries that I am a part of. I ain't my fault that those kids don't like the leadership of the youth ministry. I would rather not be a part of the ministry if it is going to be like this."

Bishop responded, "Perhaps, that is the best thing for you to. You should not work in the youth ministry if you can't work with the leadership."

DeAndre put his hand on his chin, "I do work with the leadership. I tell the youth to respect the leaders. I tell them to come to the youth events. I also tell them that they need to listen to the youth leaders. How is that not working with the youth ministry? This don't make no sense."

Bishop walked over to the side of the desk that DeAndre was sitting on. He sat down in a chair next to DeAndre. The Bishop placed his hand on DeAndre's shoulder and said, "DeAndre, it is obvious that you are a very charismatic and popular young man. It is best if you don't work with the youth ministry so that it will keep confusion down. I wouldn't want anything to mess up your chances to be ordained." Bishop rubbed DeAndre's shoulder.

DeAndre looked at the bishop, "If you say so." Bishop patted DeAndre on the shoulder before he walked back around his desk and sat down in his chair. DeAndre just stared at the floor. He had been thinking about not working with the youth ministry for awhile, but the youth kept asking him to hang around. He hoped that this would not disappoint the youth.

As DeAndre was leaving Bishop's office, Braydin stopped him. Braydin said, "Oh, was it that bad?" DeAndre responded, "I don't know." Braydin smiled a wicked smiled, "I know who said you were trying to take over the youth ministry." DeAndre looked at Braydin with a cold stare, "What did you just say?" Braydin said, "I know who went to the Bishop on you." DeAndre wanted to know who had went to the bishop. He heard his mother's voice say, "Son, we are not gossipers. Gossiping is a sin. Don't get caught up in it." DeAndre tried to brush his mother's word out of his head, but her voice kept haunting him. He knew that he should not ask Braydin to reveal the tattle tale. DeAndre said, "I don't want to know. I don't gossip." Braydin twisted his lips effeminately, "Whatever. It ain't gossiping anyway. I am just SHARING information." DeAndre rolled his eyes, "Whatever it is. I don't want to know." Braydin snapped, "Well, that's your business. I was just trying to help you out. Anyway." Braydin spun around in a way that DeAndre had only seen women turn around. DeAndre shook his head as Braydin switched off. DeAndre prayed, "God, help me please."

***

DeAndre had become a popular preacher during the Evangelistical services at Parkridge. On the nights that he was going to preach, the house would be packed. Mostly because DeAndre told people that he was preaching. Most of the people who came to hear DeAndre were friends of his from other churches. The members of Parkridge rarely came to the services, have the time, the ministers didn't even come to the service and it was their services.

DeAndre never wavered. He kept on doing what he knew was right. He started getting closer to the Bishop, who had been encouraging him. Jasmine had started getting close to the first lady. Jasmine even served as Sis. Boston's adjutant. Things had seemed to turn around for both DeAndre and Jasmine.

One Friday night after the Evangelistical service, DeAndre, Jasmine, and two other young adult members were standing outside the church talking. The young lady said, "DeAndre, boy, you know you can preach." DeAndre smiled, "Thanks. Pray for me." Jasmine laughed. The young man said, "Girl, what are you laughing at?" Jasmine smiled, "Nothing." The young man said, "Uhh huh. Some of us are going out to eat. Ya'll wanna go with us." DeAndre looked at Jasmine. Jasmine looked at DeAndre. Jasmine made a face at DeAndre, who expected her to answer the question. She said, "Who's all going?" The young man said, "Some of the choir members, the youth leaders, Braydin, and us." DeAndre shot Jasmine a look that meant, tell them no. Jasmine said, "Not tonight. I had a long night and I am ready to go home. Maybe another time." The young man said, "Okay. That's cool." He and the young lady walked off.

DeAndre started walking towards the parking lot. Jasmine had to walk fast to catch up with him. She grabbed his arm once she caught up with him, "Would you slow down? What is going on? Why didn't you want to go out with them?" DeAndre kept walking, "I will tell you when we get in the car. I don't want anything I say floating in the air. You don't know who might be listening." Jasmine shook her head as she followed her paranoid cousin to the car.

After they got in the car, DeAndre said, "I ain't going anywhere with the youth leaders. They are shady." Jasmine sighed, "What are you talking about?" DeAndre made a face as he started the car, "One of them, better yet, somebody went to Bishop and told him that I was trying to take over the youth ministry." Jasmine gasped, "Are you serious?" DeAndre backed the car up, "Yea, I ain't that good of a liar. You know me, I would have said something to one of those trifling negros. I don't need any reports going back to the Bishop. Things are going good and I don't need any trouble." Jasmine shook her head, "Church folk can sure be shady." They rode home in silence.

Braydin Frost

2006-11-04T16:55:00.000-06:00

Character Sketch

2/19/1973

A tall skinny auburn colored guy got out of the car and flagged DeAndre down. DeAndre was half tempted to keep driving, but he stopped the car. The guy sauntered over to DeAndre’s car. DeAndre made a face because the guy walked like a girl. “Good grief, he switches more than my cousin,” DeAndre thought. DeAndre shook the thoughts he was having out of his head. He did not know the guy. He did not want to form an opinion of the guy before even meeting him.

DeAndre rolled his window down. The guy touched DeAndre’s car door effeminately as he said, “Are you DeAndre?” DeAndre had to pause for a second. The guy’s voice was higher than some women he knew. DeAndre shook his head and said, “Yes, I am.” The guy said, “Well, Bishop is ready to meet with you.” DeAndre almost said something smart, but he did not. He pulled his car back into the parking lot and turned of the ignition.

***

The guy turned and looked at DeAndre, “You can wait here. Bishop will call you when he is ready.” DeAndre smiled. The guy gave DeAndre a sexy smile, “My name is Braydin Frost in case you were wondering.” DeAndre thought, “I wasn’t wondering.” Braydin touched DeAndre’s shoulder, “That’s a nice outfit, handsome. See you later.” DeAndre leaned in the opposite direction of Braydin. Braydin smiled at DeAndre and walked off.

***

DeAndre walked out of the Bishop’s office without responding. He hurried out of the church because he did not want to run into Braydin, the way he was feeling, he might have cursed the effeminate acting man out. No such luck, Braydin was standing outside of the church door talking to some guy. Braydin smiled at DeAndre and said, “All finished I guess.” DeAndre did not respond, he just walked past Braydin and the guy. Braydin grabbed DeAndre’s arm, “I know you heard me.” DeAndre looked shocked. Braydin sounded just like a girl when he said that. DeAndre smiled, “Yea, I heard you. Can you let my arm go?” Braydin slid his arm down DeAndre’s arm slowly as he let it go. DeAndre shook his arm and balled his fist up. He wanted to hit this guy, but he knew that he should not do that. Braydin smiled and walked toward the church. The guy that he was talking to looked at DeAndre and said, “You have to forgive Braydin. He is very touchy feely. He doesn’t mean any harm.” DeAndre did not say anything. He just left. Jasmine was not going to believe any of what had happened to him.

Chapter Two

2006-11-02T21:57:00.000-06:00

DeAndre patted his hair into place. He knew he looked good. He was getting ready for church. It was a cold day in January, 1995. He was excited because it was cold enough to wear his black leather trench coat. It had not been cold enough to wear it before now.

He was going to Parkridge Pentecostal Church. His cousin, Jasmine, had been raving about the church every since she started going to the church. She was getting on his nerve. Jasmine was like that, once she got excited about something, she usually never stopped talking about it. She kept telling DeAndre that the church was a place where they could start over and be whoever they wanted to be. That was appealing to DeAndre because for so long, people had been asking him was he gay. He could not help it because he was good looking, knew how to dress better than most women, and always smelled good. He just liked to look good. He did not mind spending money to do so either. He had been raised by women and he had a bunch of female friends, but he was not gay. Okay, so he was 20 and did not have a girlfriend, but that did not mean a thing. It was hard to figure out why the church wanted him to get married. He was single and a hard working Christian man, you would have thought that the church would have found a way to put him to work. They were always complaining that there were not enough workers in the vineyard. With all the workers being married and tending to their families, a single man had to be a commodity, but church folk were always trying to marry him off. It got on his nerves, too. It was even worse for his cousin, Jasmine. She was forever telling him that some old hag from the church had cornered her and asked her, “When are you gonna get married and have some kids?” Jasmine would usually just smile and walk away. DeAndre always told her, “You need to just curse one of them old ladies out and then they will leave you alone.” Jasmine would respond, “That’s all I need is for those old ladies to go tell the pastor that I cursed them out. I would never hear the end of that.”

DeAndre laughed as he thought about his cousin. She was a cool person. She was understanding, patient, and always willing to give everyone a chance. That was the total opposite of him. He would cut a person that hurt him off so quickly that the person would never realize that they had been cut until two days later when they were in the hospital for a blood transfusion. He had been hurt so much in his life by church folk, that he had no patience for them. Church folk could be mean, brutal, and conniving, especially preachers. DeAndre had no love for church folk who acted like saints on Sunday and did dirt the rest of the week. That is what made him such a fire and brim stone preacher. DeAndre had preached a number of hell fire and damnation sermons since becoming a minister a year earlier. He was rarely ever invited back to many churches. What was it that made people not want to hear the true word of God? People only wanted to hear about what God could do for them, instead of what God expected them to do. Did not Paul the Apostle write in II Timothy 4, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” Why did folk act like that was not in the Bible?

DeAndre stopped the sermon that was running through his head and put the finish touches on his three button gray suit. He had dressed conservatively today because he did not want anyone to say anything crazy about him. He looked good in his Italian suit. His classic double reverse pleated trousers had a crease in them that would cut butter. His purple shirt was accented by his gray and purple tie and handkerchief set. He wore his light purple shoes with the suit, even though he had a pray of gray shoes that would have went with the suit just as nicely. He had to add a little flair to his outfit, so he went with the purple shoes. He also had a purple watch that went with the suit.

DeAndre took a step back and did his best model pose. He looked fabulous. He went to his closet to select a cologne to wear. He had the most expensive colognes that money could buy in his collection. He mostly purchased his cologne from Neiman Marcus. He did not like to smell like everyone else, so he had to make sure that he did not shop where everyone else shopped. He decided to wear Egoiste Platinum By Chanel. He strategically sprayed in the cologne in the right places. He walked back into his room and took one last look at himself in his full length mirror before he grabbed his coat and walked out the door to go get in his car and go to the church.

***

Jasmine was driving down the highway. She was planning on moving to Sheldyville next month, so she wouldn’t have to drive back and forth from Maysfield to Sheldyville every weekend. She had recently graduated from Maysfield State University in Maysfield. She was so glad that her uncle was a professor at the college, because she did not have to go to college in a city where she did not know anyone. He uncle had been a great help to her while she was in college.

Jasmine was grateful to her uncle and aunt. They had adopted her after her parents died in 1975. Jasmine’s parents died in a car crash. They were hit by a drunk driver while they were on the freeway. Her mother died at the site of the accident. Her father died on the way to the hospital. Her aunt and uncle, DeAndre’s parents, had raised her as if she were their own child. She and DeAndre were more like sister and brother than cousins. Her parents had left a some money to help care for Jasmine, so that helped her aunt and uncle out some. Thinking about her aunt and uncle made tears form in her eyes. Jasmine wiped her eyes.

Jasmine could not believe that she had to drive to Sheldyville on Sunday. She had planned to drive down on Saturday, but she was not able to do so. She had to get up at 6:00 AM and drive down on Sunday morning. There was not much traffic, so it was an easy drive. She did wish that her cousin DeAndre was in the car with her, but she knew that he was at his house primping in the mirror trying to get dressed. That boy was worse than a woman when it came to getting dressed. He dressed better than any woman that she knew, too. He was three years younger than her, but he always acted like he was the oldest. It must have been that alpha male thing that she had heard so much about in psychology class.

Jasmine was thankful that DeAndre had agreed to let her move in with him. His mother had recently moved back to her hometown of Booneville, so DeAndre was living in a three bedroom apartment by himself. He probably enjoyed it because he did not have anyone their to bother him. Jasmine, DeAndre, and her aunt had lived in the apartment for over 12 years, before Jasmine went to live in Maysfield to go to college. Jasmine could not believe that she had lived in an apartment for most of her life. Jasmine chuckled. She and her cousin had some good times living in the Broughwood Park Apartments, perhaps, the second time around would be just as fun as the first time. Oddly enough, the apartment complex was down the street and around the corner from Parkridge. That was cool because she would not have to get up that early to go to church. She had gotten use to living very close to the church that she went to because her uncle was a pastor and he lived in the church’s parsonage, which was right close to the church before he had a house built in Maysfield. That house was not that far from the church either.

Jasmine was glad that she was moving to Sheldyville in a few weeks. She was so tired of making the two hour drive from Maysfield to Sheldyville. Her uncle was constantly fussing at her because she was putting so many miles on her car. She would just laugh at him. She was about 30 miles from the church, but she was going to be late for the service. She hoped that DeAndre would wait for her outside. He liked to make an entrance, so walking in late might be cool to him. He world probably wait on him.

Jasmine picked up her cell phone. She dialed DeAndre’s cell phone number. The phone rung forever. Jasmine was about to hang up when DeAndre answered, “Where are you at girl? You got me out here in this car waiting. Folk are looking at me like I am crazy.” Jasmine laughed, “Good morning to you, too.” DeAndre smacked his lips. Jasmine shook her head, “I am still on the freeway. I am about 15 minutes away. You can either wait on me or go ahead and go in the church. It’s up to you.” DeAndre smacked his lips again, “I’ll wait on you. Hurry up and get here. I am tired of waiting on you.” Jasmine responded, “I am driving as fast as I can. I’ll be there. See ya!” DeAndre snapped, “Whatever. Just get here. Slow driving behind.” Jasmine laughed as she hung up the phone and sped drove down the freeway.

***

DeAndre watched as Jasmine pulled her dark blue Acura Legend Sedan up next to his gray Chevrolet Impala. He waved at her as she cut the car off and got out of the car. She walked over to his driver’s side door. DeAndre acted like he did not want to get out of the car. Jasmine made a face at him. He laughed and got out of the car. He grabbed his cousin and gave her a big hug that lifted her up off the ground. She laughed, “You need to quit hugging folk like that. You are gonna hurt somebody one of these days.” He smiled, “Look at you looking all good in your pink outfit. I am scared of you.” She laughed, “I do look good, don’t I.” DeAndre twisted his lips, “Whatever. I am the one who taught you how to dress so, you should be thanking me.” She licked her tongue out at her cousin. He had no problem reminding her that he was responsible for her whole look. “Whatever,” Jasmine thought. DeAndre put his arm in Jasmine’s arm and walked her to the entrance of the church, “You are wearing your heels. That’s good. You look like you may be able to walk in them. You are too cute.” Jasmine shook her head, “Leave me alone, please. Remember, we are starting a new life here, so don’t be telling all of my business. No one knows us here, so we can be whoever we want to be.” DeAndre laughed, “You are too serious. So, I can be a big time lawyer instead of an accounts payable clerk.” Jasmine shook her head, “Yea, if you want to be. You need Jesus.” DeAndre retorted, “Never said I didn’t.” That was his response to that phrase every time she said it to him.

They finally reached the door of Parkridge. DeAndre let Jasmine’s arm go as they walked through the front doors of the church. DeAndre looked around. It was as nice as Jasmine had said it was. The building met with his approval, as if the house of the Lord needed anyone’s approval. But DeAndre had had his fill of store front and small churches, the church had to look nice for him to consider joining it.

DeAndre was looking for a new church home. He had outgrown his current church home. He had been a member of the church since childhood. There were not any young people joining the church and the pastor would not listen to any of DeAndre’s ideas about revamping the service slightly to attract a younger crowd. DeAndre ad not suggested any drastic changes, just mostly updating the service style. The old fashion foot stomping, hand clapping, testimonial service style of worship was cool for a weekday service, but upwardly mobile young folk, were more into a structure Sunday morning service. The choir still even sung the old style of songs from the 1980s. Please, at least update the style of music that the choir sung, but the choir president, who had to be over 110 years old, would not do it. Okay, so Sis. Moss was only like 60, but she still needed to teach the choir some new songs. The pastor even preached an old style message. He preached a goulash message for over an hour. Young people wanted a more polished message that could be followed easily. DeAndre had a hard time following his pastor when he jumped from talking about shacking to talking about how it was when he first built the church. Seriously, what in the world does shacking have to do with building a church?

DeAndre did not want his pastor to change his message, just change his delivery. DeAndre understood the need to preach Holiness or hell, but there was a way to preach it without boring everyone in the sanctuary with the message.

Jasmine tugged at DeAndre’s arm, “Boy, would you come on. We have missed the beginning of the praise and worship service. Let’s go.”

DeAndre smiled as he thought, “Did she just say ‘Praise and Worship’ service? I may like this church after all.” He smiled as he made his grand entrance into the church. With each step down the middle of the aisle, he said, “Look Parkridge Pentecostal Church, Evg. DeAndre Woodside has entered the building. Ya’ll ain’t ready for him.”

Jasmine smiled as she watched DeAndre walk down the aisle. He was doing his “Ya’ll ain’t ready for me” walk. He was so funny. How could anyone who preached Hell fire and damnation sermons be so stuck on himself. He needed Jesus.

Jasmine and DeAndre finally found a seat close to the front of the church, DeAndre’s choice of course. He always had to be where he could see and other folk could see him. Jasmine did not understand that. She always took a back seat to everyone else. That often got her pushed to the side and overlooked, even when she was the one who had done all the work. DeAndre often told her, “You need to stick up for yourself. Open your mouth and quit letting folk run over you!” DeAndre could be harsh when he wanted to. He always spoke his mind. If he hurt your feelings, he would apologize for hurting your feelings, but not for saying what he had said. Jasmine shook the negative thoughts out of her head and replaced them with positive thoughts.

“I am going to be more vocal. I will not let people run over me anymore. This is a new day. I am a new me. This is a new start for me.”

Jasmine wished that she had more faith in herself, but she did not.

DeAndre stared at his cousin. She had that far off look on her face, so he knew that she was thinking about something. That is all she ever did, was think. One of these days, she was going to act instead of think. DeAndre knew that he should not think those kinds of thoughts about his cousin, but he was tired of her crying to him about how someone had hurt her feelings. She needed to speak up for herself and quit letting folk run over her. She was a sweet person and would give you the shirt off her back. But she had a nasty habit of giving people chance after chance. So many people had ran over Jasmine with a Mack truck and she just forgave them and still tried to be nice to then.. She need to learn to cut folk off.

“You get two chances with me. That’s it.” That was DeAndre’s slogan and he meant every word of it.

His cousin was forever telling him that he was too harsh. She did not know what she was talking about though. You had to be tough or people would walk all over you. DeAndre had tried to soften his stance more than once, but every time that he did, he got walked on.

DeAndre sighed as he thought, “Maybe I should try to be nicer and people more chances. Lord, You got to help me do that because I can’t do it on my own. Lord, while You are working, could You help Jasmine to not let people walk all over her?”

Both Jasmine and DeAndre stopped their thoughts and joined in the service. They both purposed in their hearts to make a new start and to make some much needed changes in their life.

The service went the same this Sunday as it had most other Sundays. The service was exciting, moved quickly, and was energetic. Jasmine could tell that DeAndre was having a good time. He was into the service. She did not expect him to dance or anything, because it took a serious jolt from the Holy Spirit to send DeAndre into a dance. Jasmine could tell that DeAndre liked the service and the church, so they were probably both going to end up joining the church.

***

It had been a year since both DeAndre and Jasmine had joined Parkridge Pentecostal Church. They had both taken things slowly before they got involved in the church. Since joining the church, both of their lives were going good. Jasmine had gotten a job at the local library and DeAndre had received two raises in the past year. Things were going good for both of them.

They had recently joined the Sunday School Department of the church. Jasmine was the librarian. DeAndre was the attendance secretary. It was easy work and the leaders were fun and did not act crazy. That was just what DeAndre wanted because he did not have time for any leader that wanted to act a fool with him. Jasmine was as happy as she could be at the church. DeAndre was still skeptical, but he was warming up to the people at the church.

Oddly enough, Jasmine had made more friends that DeAndre had, and he was the outgoing friendly one. Jasmine had introduced him to everyone that she had met, so he knew quite a few folk. He just was not ready to make any new friends. He had made some connections with some of the young men at the church. He liked working with young men. DeAndre had a knack for getting them to open up and listen to him. DeAndre had planned on taking his time and making friends, and that is what he was doing.

By the middle of 1996, Jasmine and DeAndre had become very involved in the ministries at Parkridge Pentecostal Church. DeAndre was the assistant Sunday School superintendent. Jasmine was a Sunday School teacher. They both were working with the youth ministry. That was a challenge at times because the director of the youth ministry did not seem to like DeAndre because he had a better repertoire with the young people than the youth ministry director.

Bishop Boston had taken notice of DeAndre’s work ethic and commitment to the church. DeAndre was at almost every service. He was willing to help out when necessary and he seemed to work well with other people. DeAndre was an excellent dresser, too. the bishop noticed how good DeAndre smelled every time he got near him. DeAndre always seemed to wear the most expensive colognes out on the market. Bishop Boston thought DeAndre was a perfect young minister to mentor and cultivate. The only problem the bishop faced was that he could never get DeAndre to say anything to him other than, “God bless you, Bishop.” If DeAndre would give him a chance, the bishop planned on turning him into a top notch preacher.

***

DeAndre sat down in the chair that was sitting next to Jasmine’s computer desk. He looked around her room. She had made herself right at home. She had pictures on the wall. She had her certificates and other awards displayed around the room. He laughed as he said, “You have made yourself right at home.” Jasmine looked up at her cousin, “Yea, and?” DeAndre threw the stress ball that was on her desk at her. She caught it and then threw it back at him. He laughed, “Let me ask you something.” Jasmine said, “What?” DeAndre asked, “What do you think of your pastor?” Jasmine made a face, “He’s kind of pretty and some of the things he says seem a bit chauvinistic, but other than that, he seems okay. You remind me of him sometimes.” DeAndre made a face, “Whatever, I am not a chauvinist.” Jasmine frowned, “Yep, you can be. Why did you ask me about Bishop?” DeAndre made a face, “Every time I get near him, he acts like he wants to talk to me or something. I don’t give him a chance to though. I ain’t got time to be getting close to another pastor. They shady sometimes. He is probably even worse because he is a bishop.” Jasmine shook her head, “You need to give him a chance. Maybe he just sees something good in you as a minister and he wants to help you be a better minister. I don’t know. Just give the man a chance. Every preacher is not evil.” DeAndre mad a mistrusting face, “You trust people too easily. Someone could be showing you a knife and you would invite them into your house. You need to quit that.” Jasmine shook her head, “Oh please. You need to quit.” DeAndre smacked his lips, “Oh please, you need to start.” Jasmine swung her pillow towards DeAndre. she knew that it was not going to come anywhere near DeAndre, but it made her feel better.

DeAndre reached for the pillow. He missed it. He laughed and said, “You are crazy. Do your really think Bishop just wants to help me be a better minister?” Jasmine shrugged her shoulders, “Yea, what else could he want?” DeAndre paused before he said, “I just don’t have time to be getting involved with any mess. Church folk are so messy. They get on my nerves. I just don’t want no mess. I would hate to have to act a fool up at Parkridge. And you know I can act a fool.” Jasmine knew oh too well how big of a fool that DeAndre could act. She smiled at DeAndre and said, “All I can tell you is to pray and seek the Lord on it. You said that you want to be a big time preacher. Maybe Bishop is the person who can help you do that. You will never know unless you give him a chance.” DeAndre shook his head. Jasmine made sense. Maybe it was time that he gave the Bishop a chance. At least he could have a conversation with the Bishop. That could not hurt anything, maybe it would turn out good.

DeAndre Woodside

2006-11-02T10:33:00.000-06:00

Character Sketch

9/11/1974

***

Bishop Henry R. Boston

2006-11-02T10:32:00.000-06:00

Character Sketch

11/1/1951

***

Finally, a tall, stocky, Sepia colored man walked up on the pulpit. Everyone in the congregation stood up. The dark-skinned elder said, "Now, I present to some and introduce to others, the founder and pastor of the Parkridge Pentecostal Church, Bishop Henry R. Boston. Let’s give him a hand as he comes."

Bishop Boston walked to the podium slowly as if he was the most important man in the world. He wore an elegant, dark purple robe that was accented on the collar and sleeve cuffs with gold designs. He had on a purple and gold Bishop’s Chi mere that was lower calf length with a pleat in the front and back. He had a confidence about him that radiated through his mannerism. He spoke clearly and properly, enunciating every word. He was somebody and he wanted everyone in the building to know that he was just that.

Jasmine Woodside-Davis

2006-11-01T10:28:00.000-06:00

Character Sketch

3/7/1972

***

Jasmine kicked her shoes off. She had just recently learned to walk in tall heels. She had not worn a heel over a half inch until this past year. She could not believe that she let her metrosexual cousin convince her to where some heels that were an inch high. After prating for a whole week, she was finally able to walk in the heels without stumbling. Oddly enough, her male cousin had taught her how to walk in the heels. Jasmine laughed as she thought about all of the things that her male cousin had taught her about being a girl. He was the one who had taught her how to put on her make-up. He was the one who had taught her how to put an outfit together. The only thing Jasmine hated about her cousin’s vast knowledge of being a woman, was that he was often called gay. He cousin was not gay. He was just good at looking good, smelling good, and dressing good. He was 20 and did not have a girlfriend, but he was not gay. Why did church folk think that you needed to be married once you turned 20? It was always amazing to Jasmine because most of the people who were always asking her when she was going to get married, either had rocky marriages or were divorced. Jasmine did not have a good view of marriage. With divorce running rampede through her family and having seen so many rocky marriages in her church growing up, she could not have a good view of it.

Jasmine brushed her long black hair out of her face. She hated having hair in her face. She would have cut it off, but her cousin, aunt, and former church family would have had a fit. They believed that women should not cut their hair short, especially if they had been blest with long hair. Jasmine would never cut her hair, but there were times when she was tired of having long hair. It did come in handy when she wanted to pull it back into a ponytail.

Jasmine rubbed her nose. She smiled because she had been teased so much growing up because she had a big nose. She hated been called big nosed. Jasmine was a beautiful young woman. She had few flaws, but she did not have a man. She often felt bad about it, too. It did not help that people, church folk in particular would ask her what was wrong with her, as if she had a disease that kept her from getting a man. It was not like she was sitting around her house praying, "Lord, don’t let men pay attention to me." In actuality, she was praying the exact opposite. "Lord, can I get a date, please." Jasmine did not understand church folk, especially the ones who said they spoke in tongues. they were constantly criticizing her and making her feel bad because she did not have a man. Apparently, their Holy Ghost was not working like it should have been because they would have discerned what and how she was feeling. She felt worse than they could have imagined about the whole situation. It got even worse when Jasmine overheard one of the mothers of the church say, "Maybe she is one of those girls who like girls." Jasmine almost had a fit when she had heard it. She told her cousin what the old lady had said. DeAndre said, "Girl, please don’t let those old ladies get to you. They say worse things about me." Jasmine had tried to shrug off the lady’s comments, but she never could. Jasmine often wondered how many other people were wondering the same thing.

***

Chapter One

2006-11-01T09:22:00.000-06:00

Jasmine stroked her hair as she stared in the mirror. She was supposed to be brushing her teeth, but she was having a hard time doing it. Her mind kept thinking about Parkridge Pentecostal Church and the things that had happened to her and her cousin, DeAndre. She kept wondering why she was thinking about the church and its people. It had been two years since she had last graced the steps of Parkridge. She had no intention of going back to the church either.

Jasmine picked up her toothbrush. She picked up the toothpaste, flipped the cap up, and squeezed the tube. She put the toothpaste on her toothbrush and started to brush her teeth.

***

Jasmine Woodside stood in front of Parkridge Pentecostal Church. It was warm on the fall Sunday in 1994, she was almost regretting wearing what she was wearing. She could not believe that she was actually standing in front of one of the most popular churches in the city of Sheldyville. She brushed her long hair back from in her face and walked into the church.

Jasmine knew that she looked cute in her purple suit. Her purple shoes and purse matched her suit perfectly. Her make-up was flawless. She wished that she would have told her hair stylist to put her hair up instead of down, but her hair still looked good. Jasmine knew that she was looking good.

Jasmine walked into the vestibule area of Parkridge. It was elegant and large. People were walking around. No one spoke to her, but that did not matter to her. She walked into the sanctuary of the church. It was massive. There were rows and rows of pews around the building. It was a lovely sanctuary. Some people were seated. Some people were standing up talking. Some people were walking around. It was an amazing scene to Jasmine because she had never been in a church this big. She had always attended small churches. Churches where everyone knew everyone and everyone thought of her as a baby. She was twenty-two years old and she was tired of being treated like a child. So what, if she was still a virgin. So what, if she had no children. So what, if she had no man. So what. None of that stuff meant anything. Perhaps, Parkridge could be the new start for her that the speaker at her college graduation had spoken of.

Jasmine was excited as the dark skinned usher smiled at her and hand her a program. Jasmine smiled back at the usher. The usher said, “Enjoy the service today. God bless you.” Jasmine nodded. She looked at the usher’s name tag. It read Marie Baxter. Jasmine made a mental note to remember the usher’s name.

Jasmine walked to the middle of sanctuary. She took a seat and looked at the program. The pastor of Parkridge was Bishop Henry R. Boston. Jasmine smiled because she was familiar with Parkridge’s church. She had several of their CDs. The choir was fantastic. Their songs had brought Jasmine through a number of hard times. Jasmine was happy to be sitting at the church. She was looking forward to hearing the choir.

Jasmine rubbed her nose. She smiled because she had been teased so much growing up because she had a big nose. She hated been called big nosed. Jasmine was a beautiful young woman. She had few flaws, but she did not have a man. She often felt bad about it, too. It did not help that people, church folk in particular would ask her what was wrong with her, as if she had a disease that kept her from getting a man. It was not like she was sitting around her house praying, “Lord, don’t let men pay attention to me.” In actuality, she was praying the exact opposite. “Lord, can I get a date, please.” Jasmine did not understand church folk, especially the ones who said they spoke in tongues. they were constantly criticizing her and making her feel bad because she did not have a man. Apparently, their Holy Ghost was not working like it should have been because they would have discerned what and how she was feeling. She felt worse than they could have imagined about the whole situation. It got even worse when Jasmine overheard one of the mothers of the church say, “Maybe she is one of those girls who like girls.” Jasmine almost had a fit when she had heard it. She told her cousin what the old lady had said. DeAndre said, “Girl, please don’t let those old ladies get to you. They say worse things about me.” Jasmine had tried to shrug off the lady’s comments, but she never could. Jasmine often wondered how many other people were wondering the same thing.

Jasmine let her old life leave her mind. She was at a new church, where the people did not know her. She could start over here. That is why she had come to the church anyway. She was going to be the woman that she wanted to be, popular, confident, and have a man.

A light skinned lady sat down next to Jasmine. The lady said, “God bless you, sister.” Jasmine responded, “God bless you.” The lady smiled and started talking to the lady that was sitting on the pew in front of her. Jasmine decided to talk to the lady after she finished her conversation. That would be her first step to being a different person. She would have never taken a chance and talked to anyone. Jasmine was shy, very shy. She had to get to know people before she was even comfortable talking to them.

Jasmine would have to wait for another chance to be a new person. The service began before the light skinned lady finished her conversation.

A dark-skinned older man walked up to the podium of the pulpit. He said, “Praise the Lord, everybody.” The congregation responded in kind, “Praise the Lord.” He said, “Let’s all stand for a word of prayer.” The congregation stood up. A light-skinned man with a full beard and mustache walked up to the podium after the other elder stepped back. The light-skinned elder said, “Every eye closed, every head bowed, every heart clear.” He then began to pray. He prayed for about ten minutes. He prayed with such an intensity that Jasmine had to look up a couple of times because she wanted to see the elders face. His face was crumpled up. He had one hand on the microphone and the other hand was raised in the air. He waved it around as he prayed. At the end of the prayer, he said, “God, come in the building today. Move in the choir. Move in the speaker. Move in each one of us. We will be ever so careful to give your name the praise. Thank You, Lord. Thank You, Lord!” He praised the Lord for a few more minutes before he said amen. After he said amen, the organist played a few notes. The people in the congregation began to praise the Lord frantically. It was crazy up in the sanctuary.

Before the organist could began playing the shouting music, the dark-skinned elder walked back to the pulpit and said, “Alright, Eld. Winbush. You are about to get something started in here. Eld. Davidson, come read the scripture for us.”

A tall dark-skinned man walked to the podium. He said, “The Lord is going to move today. I can feel Him already moving. Glory to Your name, Lord. Hallelujah! Let me leave that alone. Please turn in your Bibles to Psalms 100.” Eld. Davidson read the scripture. By the time he got to the last verse, he was almost preaching. The light-skinned lady sitting next to Jasmine yelled out, “Glory!” It startled Jasmine. She was looking around the church, instead of praising the Lord, herself. Jasmine shook her head, smiled, and thought, “I am going to like this church.”

The dark-skinned older man walked up to the podium. “Are you ready to praise the Lord?” The congregation responded with positive responses. He asked, “Are you ready to worship the Lord?” The congregation again responded with positive responses. The elder said, “Clap your hands as the praise team comes to bless us.”

Five women walked up to the front of the sanctuary. The began grabbing microphones as the organist began playing some music. A heavy set light-skinned lady said, “God is good! Yes, He is so good. Bless His name.” The congregation started clapping as the praise team started singing.

Jasmine clapped and sung with the praise team. This was the first time that she had been to a church with a praise team. The churches she had attended usually had testimonial service. Usually one person, the testimony service conductor, would stand in the front of the church, that person sung call and response songs, in between asking people if they had a testimony. From time to time, the people who stood up to testify, would sing a song before testifying. This part of the service was usually long, but jubilant. It could be a fun part of the service especially if one of the people who were testifying ended up dancing or praising God while they were testifying. It was so funny to see one of the sisters testify about how God had made a way so that her light bill would not be turned off and then watch her go into a frantic dance. The organist would play the shouting music and most of the rest of the congregation would join in the dance with the sister. Then after the sister was through dancing, she would finish the rest of her testimony. Each testimony could end up being 5 to 10 minutes long. With the conductor singing a 3 minute song in between each testimony, the testimony service could last an hour long. It felt weird having a praise team instead of a conductor.

The praise team finished. The praise service only lasted 10 minutes. Jasmine stood in shock. The praise service was already over. The praise team had sung some wonderful songs, but they were not the old school songs that Jasmine had grown up with, like “Have You Tried Jesus?,” “Jesus on the Mainline,” and “I Made a Vow to the Lord”. It felt weird not to hear old Mother York bellow out “Got My Sign Out for Jesus” and the congregation respond with “And I won’t take it down.” That was a Sunday morning tradition at Jasmine’s old church. “I guess with a new start comes other new things,” Jasmine thought to herself. This was going to be interesting.

The dark-skinned elder said, “Right now, we are going to ask Sister Maple to come and give us a testimony.” A lady came from the middle of the church, to the front of the church and took the microphone that was next to a podium on the floor. She began to testify. Jasmine smiled, “Maybe, I will still get to hear some testimonies.” Sis. Maple calmly testified and then placed the microphone back on its stand after she finished. Jasmine did a double take. It was a good testimony, but Sis. Maple did not dance or get excited. The dark-skinned elder said, “Sis. Crowder is going to come and give us a testimony.” A light-skinned lady rushed the front of the church. After she had the microphone, she gave an excited testimony, did a quick dance, and then went back to her seat. Jasmine smiled, “That’s what I’m talking about.”

The dark-skinned elder that was conducting the service walked back up to the podium. He looked back at the choir, who was behind him, and said, “Are you ready to sing choir?” The whole choir applauded. The dark-skinned elder turned towards the congregation and said, “And now, it’s time for this recording mass choir to bless us in song. Come on, choir.” The congregation started clapping like crazy. A light-skinned lady walked towards the front of the church and stood in front of the choir. The organist grabbed the microphone that was close to the organ and pulled it towards his mouth. He said, “Can you feel God moving?” The congregation responded back with a rousing, “Yes.” The organist said, “Pray for us as we sing, Can you feel God moving.” He pushed the microphone away from his mouth and started playing the song.

The choir started singing. They were awesome. About middle way through the song, most of the congregation was standing up, rocking, and clapping with the choir, including Jasmine. She was enjoying the choir. The choir directress was fun to watch. She was almost dancing as she directed. There was a woman at the end of the soprano section jumping up and down as the choir sung the up tempo song. Several of the tenors were rocking and clapping harder than any of the other choir members. The entire four member elder staff was standing up, clapping and rocking. The choir sung the song for awhile.

The song was over. Everyone was clapping and praising the Lord as the organist pulled the microphone over to his mouth once again. He said, “He’s an awesome God. How many of you know that God is an awesome God?” He started playing a slow song. Before he had played five notes, several people had stood up and started clapping. After he had played the introduction to the song, he started singing. He had a very soft, melodic voice. As he sung, more people stood up. He finished up the verse, then the choir started to sing the verse. As the choir sung, more and more people stood up and started praising the Lord. Some people were crying. Some people had their hands raised up. Some people were crying with their hands raised up. The worship song took the service to a higher level.

When the choir finished the slow song, the dark-skinned elder walked to the podium. “Bless His name. Somebody ought to bless the name of the Lord.” Some people who were sitting down, stood up. Some people who were clapping, clapped harder. Some people who were crying, cried even more. The organist played a couple of notes. The dark-skinned elder said, “Alright now, somebody wants to praise the Lord.” The organist played some more notes. The elder said, “If you want to get your praise on, now is the time.” After he said that, the whole church went crazy. People started dancing and praising the Lord like it was their last chance to praise the Lord. The organist was playing the shouting music at a frenzied pace that had everyone in the church dancing. The drum kept pace with the organ while playing rhythmic riffs that made the listener think that the drummer had six arms instead of just two. The church danced and praised for close to five minutes.

The dark-skinned elder said, “Come on Sis. Johnson, let’s welcome our first time visitors.” A dark-skinned heavy set lady walked to the front of the sanctuary. She took the microphone and said, “Would all of our first time visitors please stand?” People from all over the sanctuary stood up. As Sis. Johnson welcomed the visitors, the ushers handed the visitors a visitor’s card. The light-skinned lady that was sitting next to Jasmine handed Jasmine the visitor card.

A few minutes later, a caramel colored thin lady walked up to the microphone. She smiled. Someone from the congregation said, “Alright Sis. Boston. Let Him use you.” Sis. Boston smiled again and then said, “Praise the Lord everybody.” The congregation responded with, “Praise the Lord.” Sis. Boston said, “I don’t think you heard me. Praise the Lord everybody.” The congregation got louder as they said, “Praise the Lord.” Sis. Boston excitedly said, “They told me that this was a Holiness church. It’s mighty quiet in here for this to be a Holiness church. Can I get one witness in the building to praise the Lord?” All of a sudden, there was a loud screech. Jasmine thought it was from a woman, but when she looked around, a tall, good looking, dark chocolate man was running around the church. After he took off, the organist started playing the shouting music again. The rest of the church went to dancing and praising the Lord.

Before Jasmine knew what had happened, she started dancing. She tried to stop herself from dancing, but she could not. She had never danced in heels before. Jasmine danced as if it was going to be her last chance to dance.

When Jasmine stopped dancing, she looked up and she had danced her way to the back of the church. There were two ushers surrounding her. Jasmine had lost an earring, which one of the ushers handed her along with some Kleenex.

Jasmine walked back to her seat as Sis. Boston did the announcement. Jasmine had never been to a church where the first lady had stirred the whole church up while giving the announcements. Jasmine was going to like this church.

One of the elders from the pulpit conducted the offering. The choir sung during the offering. The offering seemed to take forever because the church was so large and everyone walked around.

After the offering, the dark-skinned elder who had been facilitating the service all morning came back up to the podium. He said, “We are up to the word.” The congregation gave a thunderous round of applause. The elder said it again, “We are up to the word. Are you all ready for the Word?” The congregation got even louder this time when they responded.

Finally, a tall, stocky, Sepia colored man walked up on the pulpit. Everyone in the congregation stood up. The dark-skinned elder said, “Now, I present to some and introduce to others, the founder and pastor of the Parkridge Pentecostal Church, Bishop Henry R. Boston. Let’s give him a hand as he comes.”

Bishop Boston began by saying, “Praise the Lord, everybody.” The congregation responded, “Praise the Lord.” Jasmine smiled as she thought, “They like saying that phrase a lot.”

Bishop Boston continued to stir the crowd up by saying, “God is indeed moving in this building today. Can you feel Him?” Bishop did not wait for a response from the crowd as he said, “If you can’t feel God in here today, then something is wrong with you.” Bishop continued to talk for about 15 minutes, trying to stir the crowd up.

Jasmine became bored with the ramblings of the Bishop. She was not even sure what or who he was talking about. He was sharing some testimonies of the members of his church, but she did not know who anyone was, so by the third testimony, she had lost interest.

Parkridge was the biggest church she had ever been in. It was clean and well-lit. The electricity bill had to be high. The light bulbs were high in the ceilings. It probably took some work to change all of the light bulbs in the church. The pews were comfortable. They were wooden, but the had a plush turquoise cushion on the seat and on the back to make the wooden bench easy on the sitter. There was a black baby grand piano on one side of the church. The organ and drum set was on the other side of the church. The choir stand looked like it could hold 100 or more people. The pulpit was large enough to hold 15 preachers, although it only held five at the time.

Jasmine’s thoughts were interrupted when Bishop said, “Let’s turn to Ecclesiastes chapter three, verses 1 through 13.” People turned the pages of their Bibles to find the scripture as they stood up. Bishop Boston said, “When you have it, say Amen.” Several people said, “Amen.”

Bishop began reading, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.” After he finished reading, he said, “May the Lord add a blessing to the readers, hearers, and doers of His word. You may be seated.”

The congregation sat down. Bishop said, “I would like to use for a subject, ‘What Time Is It?’” Many people in the congregation said, “Amen.” Some people said, “Bless His name.” Others said, “Alright.” One person said, “Talk about it then.” Another person said, “What time is it, Bishop?” Jasmine chuckled at the people as they talked back to the Bishop.

Bishop began his sermon... “The Bible states that there is a time for everything. It doesn’t matter what it is. There is a time for it. You can do some things during a certain and then you cannot do it at any other time. You have to know what time it is in your life.”

Bishop continued on with his sermon for awhile. Jasmine faded in and out on Bishop as he preached. Jasmine looked at the different people in the church. There were ladies in the latest styled suits with big hats with feathers to match. There were men in the latest styled suits, looking dapper with matching ties, shoes, and handkerchiefs. There were only a few children in the sanctuary because most of them were in Children’s Church.

“You may look at one person and they are prospering, getting everything that they want, and you do not have a dime to your name. You have to borrow money just to get a coke out of the coke machine. Don’t worry about it, it just isn’t your time right now. Just wait a little while longer, it will be your turn. Just keep doing what you are doing. Serve the Lord and live right. Your time will come.”

Jasmine thought as Bishop talked, “When is it going to be my time? I have been doing right for so long and I still ain’t got nothing. I can’t wait until it is my time.”

“Don’t get jealous when it is someone else’s time. Praise the Lord for them, like it was you that was getting the blessings. You got to be happy for other folk when they are being blessed.”

Jasmine thought for a minute, “I am always happy for other folk when they get blessed. I guess I just have to keep waiting.” She shook her head and then smiled.

Bishop began to tune up. The organist played a note. People began to stand and encourage Bishop to preach.

“Preach Pastor!”

“Go head and tell the truth!”

Bishop squalled, “What time is it?”

“What time is it, pastor?”

“Talk on it then!”

The organist played a string of keys that sent the bishop into a full fledge whoop. Bishop was melodically saying each phrase. In between each phrase, the organist played a string of notes and the drum kept beat with a loud crash of the high cymbal and a hard hit of the snare. The congregation chimed in an Amen, a Yes sir, and a preach pastor. The service was at its highest point. Before long, Bishop had everyone excited with praise.

“What time is it? If it ain’t your time now, keep on praising. Keep on giving. Keep on working. It will be your time soon. Somebody oughta give God a dance.”

The organist played a loud long string of notes and then everyone went to an effusive dance.

After everyone had finished dancing, the Bishop said, “We are having church in here. If you didn’t get your dance on, it ain’t nobody’s fault but your own.” That phrase started the dancing up all over again.

“Yea Lord,” Bishop Boston sung loudly and off key. That seemed to calm everyone down. Bishop walked down from the pulpit onto the floor and the elders on the pulpit followed suit. Several women from the audience walked out from behind the pews and joined the Bishop and the elders at the front of the church.

Bishop said, “If you are here and you are not saved, this is a good Sunday to get saved.” He pause for a few minutes as the organist played a slow song softly.

“If you don’t know the Lord, you need to get to know Him. You won’t know what time it is for you without Him.”

People started walking down to the front.

“That’s right. Come on down. We will get you saved and delivered right now. We have people up here who can pray for and with you.”

People continued to walk down. The bishop, elders, and female ministers prayed for the people as they came down for the altar call.

The altar call seemed to take forever, but it was finally over. The elders went back up to the pulpit. The women went back to their seats. The bishop was the only person standing on the floor in the front of the church. He sung, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul.” The organist took over the song and continued to sing it as the bishop said, “If you need a church home, the doors of the church are opened. If you got saved today, you should make your home here. If Parkridge is good enough to get you saved, then it’s good enough to keep you saved.” No one came down to the front though.

The bishop walked back up to the pulpit. He handed the microphone to the dark-skinned elder. The dark-skinned elder said, “And we are standing.” The congregation stood up as the elder continued, “The Lord moved for us today. Let’s take this praise home with us.”

Someone yelled, “I sure will Eld. Fugler!” Eld. Fugler said, “Alright then. What time is it?”

A lady sitting near Jasmine said, “Time to go home.” Jasmine stifled her laugh.

Eld. Fugler said, “All minds clear as we pray.” He paused before continuing, “Lord, thank you for the word today. We needed it. Help us to realize what time it is in our life. May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent one from another.” He paused again before the entire congregation sang, “Amen.”

People began leaving the sanctuary. Jasmine got caught in the traffic. She waited to get through the crowd. It was slow moving, but she waited patiently. Several people passed her and did not say anything to her. Finally, a lady said, “God bless you sister.” Jasmine smiled and respond, “God bless you, too.” Jasmine continued to work her way through the crowd.

She finally reached the back doors of the church. She was met at the door by the same usher who had greeted her in the beginning. Sis. Baxter said, “Did you enjoy the service?” Jasmine smiled and said, “Yes mame.” Sis. Baxter said, “Well, come back and join us again.” Jasmine said, “Yes mame. I will.” Sis. Baxter hugged Jasmine as she exited the sanctuary.

Jasmine walked out of the church building and headed towards her car. She knew that she would be back to Parkridge again. She was even considering joining the church.

Foreword

2006-11-01T09:20:00.000-06:00

This is just a story. Although it was inspired by events that happened, the people in this story are not real. I had planned on writing another story, but I decided to write this story because I needed to free myself. I did not write this story to hurt anyone, to make anyone feel bad, or to make anyone look bad. I wrote this story for myself.

Any resemblance to any real person is unintentional.

Places

2006-10-20T19:54:00.000-05:00

Here are the places for the novel.

Cooper Inc. – This is where Jonathon works. It is also where Jasmine meets Jonathon

Eastman – This is the city where DeAndre eventually moves to.

Kiger Co. – This is where DeAndre works.

Parkridge Pentecostal Church – This is the church where DeAndre and Jasmine are members.

Sheldyville – This is the city that DeAndre & Jasmine live in.

The Gables – The city where Jonathon and Jasmine move to.

These images are used solely for inspiration. They were taken from a clip art collection.

Practicing

2006-10-18T12:15:00.000-05:00

I am practicing writing everyday. It has been fun, but hard at the same time. You can read what I have written so far here.

I started with a story called Gossip. I am going to try to write four or five other stories, Rumors, Accusations, Backbiting, Betrayal, and Forgiven.

Here are my stories:

Gossip

Tammy Andrews
Angela Hines
Helen Ware
Mary Regal
Karen Valwood
Tammy & Helen
Highway of Glory Non-Denominational Church
Confrontation
Collier City

Rumors
Accusations
Backbiting
Betrayal
Forgiven

Dedications

2006-10-13T21:10:00.000-05:00

This novel is dedicated to alot of people.

To Eld. Jerry B. Madkins, Jr. (my brother) - Man, we lived through some Allegations, "But through it all God brought us through." You go boy and do your thang. God is going to use you mightily. Thanks for letting me free myself. Praise them haters off.

To Herman J. Boone (my husband) - Thanks for allowing me to use my talents. I know you thought I was ignoring you, but I wasn't. You are the most wonderful man in my life. I appreciate you so much. "I promise. I'll be off the computer in five minutes." Love you!

To Linda J. Madkins (my mother) - Thanks for always praying for Jerry and I even when we didn't tell you what was going on. I'm gonna call you next week. I promise.

To Dr. Jerry B. Madkins, Sr. (my father) - Thanks for teaching me that CHURCH FOLK can be funny and not ha ha funny. That's the only way I got through this with my sanity. I am going to write a serious book one of these days.

To Gloria Smith (my aunt) - Thanks for being there and having my back. I know that I could have made one phone call and you would have been on a plane to Dallas, ready to hurt somebody about your "Babies".

To Jolene Myles (my sister-in-law) - Thanks for calling me. Thanks for having my back. Thanks for not gossiping with me and to me. You are my girl, forever and always. I still got your birthday present from 2006.

To Lanette Pugh (my hair stylist) - Thanks for knowing me well enough to know who I really am. Thanks for having my back when folks were talking crazy about my brother and I. You will never know how much that meant to me. I need some braids.

To Westside Baptist Church (my church family) - Thanks for being my place of healing. I needed that time to heal.

To All the People Who Spread the Allegations (you know who you are) - Thanks for making me stronger. It's been over two years, can't you all find something else to talk about, like Kingdom work. The Lord is on His way back.

Characters So Far

2006-10-08T19:45:00.000-05:00

I decided to use some pictures for some of the characters (major and minor ones). The images are pictures from a clip art collection.

Major:
Jasmine Woodside-Davis

DeAndre Woodside (They are cousins.)

Minor:
Bishop Henry R. Boston - Pastor of Parkridge Pentecostal Church

Paige Hartcore - Sister-in-law of Jasmine (They are close friends)

Jamari Davis - Jasmine's Fiancee

Jaquez Morgan - Friend of DeAndre

Braydin Frost - The rumor mill at Parkridge Pentecostal Church

Others:
Sister Kelly Boston - First lady of Parkridge Pentecostal Church
Evg. Sara Reid - Women's Director of Parkridge Pentecostal Church
Eld. Nelson Fugler - Assistant Pastor of Parkridge Pentecostal Church
Mark Hartcore - DeAndre's & Jasmine's God Brother and Paige's husband
Lynne Brock - Praise Team Leader at Parkridge Pentecostal Church
Marie Baxter - Usher Board President at Parkridge Pentecostal Church
Shannon Baxter - Marie's daughter
Eld. Jersey Winbush - Former minister at Parkridge Pentecostal Church
Evg. June Allsop - Former minister at Parkridge Pentecostal Church
Bishop Nelson Lowery - Bishop in Carpenter Island
Minister Ryan Green - Choir president at Parkridge Pentecostal Church
Supervisor Caroline Norwood - DeAndre's godmother
Evg. J.R. Lyons - Minister that affiliates with Parkridge Pentecostal Church
Eld. Monte McCall - Pastor of Solomon Courts COGIC
Evg. Hannah Tatem - Friend of DeAndre's
Andrea Lyons - Hair stylist of Jasmine's
Rev. Ben York, III - Minister from Jasmine's new church

** The names of the characters are subject to change before November.

Story Premise

2006-10-08T19:42:00.000-05:00

The premise of Allegations is:

A rumor gets to Bishop Henry R. Boston (pastor of Parkridge Pentecostal Church) that DeAndre Woodside (Main character) is gay. The Bishop goes to several people other than DeAndre or his cousin, Jasmine Woodside-Creekstone (Main character) to find out if it is true. The rumor gets around church and grows from there. Rumors still fly even after DeAndre and Jasmine leave Parkridge.

DeAndre has to deal with people talking behind his back, especially after he leaves the church to go to another church in the city and even more after he moves to another city.

Jasmine has to deal with people talking about her cousin behind her back and smiling in her face. She also doesn't receive any help for her pain from the leadership of the church even after she seeks it. She goes to the Bishop for help, all he does is talk about her cousin and try to prove to her that he didn't spread the rumor.

** The names of the characters are subject to change before November.

About Allegations

2006-10-07T18:34:00.000-05:00

Here’s the story…

* Dedications * does not count for official word total

* Foreword

* Chapter One

*******

You can learn everything that you want to about Allegations on this page.

* Characters (updated recently)

* Places (recently updated)

* Premise

* The Covers

*******

I am writing 1,000 Words Per Day until November. Check it out.

NaNo Friends & Links

2006-10-07T18:22:00.000-05:00

The links on this list belong to other people. I am not responsible for what other people say on their site.

Do you have a site dedicated to NaNoWriMo? You can get yourself listed here! Email me your name & link.

Prewriting

2006-10-07T11:53:00.000-05:00

Here are the book covers.

Vote For Your Favorite Cover

2006-10-06T21:17:00.000-05:00

Look at the covers below. You can vote on which one you like the best. Click here, to go to my LiveJournal site and vote for the one you like.

Allegations Cover - Number Three

2006-10-06T11:24:00.000-05:00

Here is a novel cover that I designed for my novel.