God Has Spoken (15 page)

Dwight whistled happily as he entered his four-bedroom, upscale house in Cherry Gardens, St. Andrew, one of Jamaica's elite neighborhoods. As he walked into the huge master bedroom, the telephone rang. In quick strides Dwight reached for the phone sitting on his bedside table.

“Hello?” Dwight practically sang into the phone.

“My, my, my. Aren't we in a good mood tonight,” said a cold, feminine voice on the other end.

Dwight took a deep breath. “How are you, Mother?” he asked dryly. “I am actually in a good mood . . . or I was before the phone rang.”

“Don't get sassy with me, Dwight Humphrey,” Mrs. Eve Humphrey snapped. “You have been avoiding my calls all week.”

“I wonder why,” he mumbled, looking up at the ceiling in frustration.

“What was that? I didn't hear you,” Eve Humphrey said impatiently.

“I have been busy, Mother. I do have a very demanding job, you know.”

“Too busy for your family, huh?” Eve Humphrey replied. “Your father and I need to speak with you as soon as possible. Since you came back to Jamaica you seem to be distancing yourself from us.”

“I'll stop by tomorrow after church,” Dwight finally relented. “Okay?”

“After church? There you go again putting something before us,” Eve Humphrey complained.

“I'm not putting something before you, Mother,” Dwight said wearily. “I'm putting someone. That's Almighty God. He comes first in my life.”

“Boy, you let your aunt Clover fill your head with that religious rubbish,” Eve Humphrey said in reference to her sister-in-law. “I knew we shouldn't have let you stay with her in New York. That woman is as crazy as a cuckoo bird.”

“Don't go there, Mother,” Dwight warned in a stern voice. “Don't you dare disrespect my aunt or you won't see me tomorrow or anytime soon thereafter.”

Eve sucked her teeth loudly, but she remained quiet. One thing she had learned about her only child was that he meant what he said. “Fine. I won't say anything else about your precious aunt,” she replied sarcastically. “Even though it's the truth.”

Dwight ignored the comment. “I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow after church.” The telephone then went dead on the other line. Dwight slowly hung up the phone. “Maybe I should have stayed in New York,” he said aloud as he paced the thick carpeted floor. “But my heart and spirit told me to come back home. Lord, did I make a mistake doing so?”

Dwight Humphrey was the only son of wealthy Jamaican socialites, David and Eve Humphrey. His father was the group managing director (CEO) at National Commercial Bank Jamaica Ltd (NCB), a position he held for the last twenty years. His mother, a former Miss Jamaica and international fashion model, was currently the president of Pulse Model Agency.

Dwight grew up in a small mansion in the affluent Beverly Hills in St. Andrews, Jamaica. They had servants to do just about every chore around the house. Growing up, he was only allowed to socialize with rich kids of his parents' friends. It was at Wolmer's Boys' School, considered as one of Jamaica's most prestigious schools, that he met Omar. A fast friendship developed between the two boys. His parents objected to their friendship because Omar lived with his single mother and four brothers on Molynes Road, a vast contrast to their Beverly Hills palace. However, Dwight resisted and for the first time in his sheltered life, he went against his parents' wishes. The bond between him and Omar only intensified after he met Mama Pearl. Their first meeting endeared her and her family in his heart forever.

Dwight jumped slightly as the telephone rang. “Hello?” he answered hesitantly.

“Baby, are you okay?” asked Mama Pearl.

Dwight breathed a sigh of relief. “I am now, Mama Pearl.”

“I am here praying before going to my bed and you came to my spirit,” she told him. “So I got your number from Omar and called you. I want you to know that I am praying for you, my child.”

“Thank you, Mama Pearl,” Dwight said with gratitude. “You are always praying for me.”

“And I will never stop,” she told him. “Don't worry about a thing, Dwight. Everything is all a part of God's plan. Okay, my dear?”

“Okay, Mama Pearl.” Dwight's smile was slowly creeping back on his face. “I really needed to hear that. You know I love you, right?”

Mama Pearl chuckled. “I love you too, Dwight Humphrey. God bless you, son. Good night.”

Dwight hung up the phone. “Don't worry about a thing, cause every little thing gonna be all right,” he sang, nodding his head and snapping his fingers. He knew in his heart everything would be fine.

“Please remember we have a date after church, ma'am,” Omar said to Eleanor as she walked with him and Mama Pearl to his car in the driveway.

“Oh, where are you guys going?” Mama Pearl asked as Omar opened her door and she slid into the front passenger seat of the car.

“Nowhere,” Eleanor said and went to sit in the backseat. “I have to study for finals next week.”

Omar walked around the car and sat behind the steering before he closed his door. “We are going somewhere, Mama.” He adjusted his mirror. “We are going to Devon House, and then for a drive. She needs to get out of the house for a while.”

“I totally agree.” Mama Pearl laughed when she glanced over her shoulder and Eleanor gave her the beady eye. “All work and no play makes Eleanor a dull girl.”

They all laughed as Omar drove off, headed for Eastland Church of Christ on Red Hills Road. The parking lot was full to capacity when they got to the church.

“You ladies go on inside,” Omar said. “I'll try to find parking around the back.”

Mama Pearl and Eleanor exited the car and walked up the steps to the entry of the church. They exchanged greetings with the pleasant usher waiting by the front door, who then escorted them to their seats.

“Thank God, they are just starting,” Mama Pearl whispered to Eleanor.

“Welcome into the house of the Lord,” the liturgist said loudly into the microphone. “This is the day that the Lord has made, so let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

“Amens” rang out all over the church as everyone prepared themselves for worship and praise. Eleanor closed her eyes, forcing herself to put aside all other thoughts to focus only on the Lord. Suddenly she felt a tingling sensation creeping down her spine. Her heart began to beat faster, her breathing labored.
Oh, no! He's here!

“Hi, Eleanor, do you mind if I sit beside you?” Dwight said close to her ear.

Eleanor took a deep breath, plastered a smile on her face, and turned her head to look at him. Big mistake. Their eyes met and held as they lost themselves in each other.

“Ahem,” Mama Pearl said beside her. “Eleanor, why don't you slide over so Dwight can sit with us?”

Eleanor shook her head as if she was coming out of a trance and did as Mama Pearl asked.

“Thank you.” Dwight sat down at the end of the row, his leg pressing against Eleanor's due to the tight space.

Eleanor stared straight-ahead, her body as stiff as a piece of iron. Except for the blinking of her eyes, nothing else moved. She felt Dwight and Mama Pearl throwing her looks, but she ignored them.
This is going to be a long service,
she thought.
But I just need to get through it and get back home.

Finally church was dismissed. Everyone stood up to fellowship or to go home. Eleanor excused herself to go to the bathroom. She hustled her way through the crowd toward the back, excusing herself, slightly running and waving to familiar faces.

In the bathroom, she found an empty stall and quickly locked herself in. “This is ridiculous,” Eleanor whispered angrily. “I have to get ahold of myself and stop reacting this way to that man. I don't need any more complications in my life.”

With her forehead resting on the wall, Eleanor inhaled and exhaled a few times, willing her nerves to settle down. Minutes later after washing and drying her hands, she left the bathroom to find Mama Pearl and Omar.

The first person she saw as she walked out to the parking lot was Dwight. He leaned his tall, slim frame against Omar's car with his hands folded across his chest as he conversed with Omar and his fiancée, Rose. Eleanor paused and looked around for Mama Pearl, but she was nowhere in sight. Slowly she made her way over to the group.

“Hi, Eleanor,” Rose greeted her in a friendly voice. “Girl, you are
wearing
that dress.”

Eleanor blushed slightly. “Thank you, Rose.” She felt Omar staring at her but was determined to ignore him.

“Eleanor, Dwight and Rose are going to join us on our little date,” Omar told her cautiously. “Is that okay?”

“Oh, you guys can go ahead without me. I have a lot of studying to do. Go on and have fun,” Eleanor rambled on. “I really won't mind. In fact—”

“Please stop, Eleanor.” Omar, a look of disappointment on his face, stepped closer to her, his eyes locked on her face. “If you don't want to come, I'll just drop you off at home.”

“Excuse me,” Dwight said and everyone looked at him. “I don't have to come. In fact, I had told my mother I would stop by after church.” He looked at Eleanor. “I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to impose on your date. Omar invited me, and I accepted.”

Eleanor felt like an eel. Here were these people welcoming her in their circle, trying to get her to have a little fun, but she was throwing it right back in their faces. “I'm sorry,” she said mildly, hoping her shame wasn't visible on her face. “I'm just nervous about my finals and feel I'm wasting time when I'm not studying.”

“Sis, you are going to kick butt.” Omar patted her on the back. “Don't worry, you got this.”

“Thank you.” Eleanor smiled. “So what are we waiting for? Let's all go and get some ice cream.” She looked at Dwight. “It's okay if you would like to join us.”

“I would like that very much.” Dwight flashed his sexy grin. “Meet you guys there? Unless you would like to ride with me, Eleanor?”

“Huh? Sure, that's fine.”

“Okay. I'm parked right over there.” Dwight pointed to a sleek, stylish, red Mercedes-Benz a few feet away.

“Rose and I will see you guys in a bit.” Omar took Rose's hand.

Eleanor nodded and walked away with Dwight toward his car. Her legs were shaking like cooked spaghetti with each step she took. Dwight opened the passenger-side door, and she got in, tugging down her dress to cover her legs.

“Are you all right?” Dwight asked after he strapped himself in his seat. His eyes were filled with concern. “Have you changed your mind about riding with me?”

“No,” Eleanor replied quickly. “I'm fine.”

He stared at her for a few seconds before he started the car and drove off.

The drive to Devon House was only a few minutes, but to Eleanor, it seemed like hours. The silence that wrapped around them was uncomfortable, but she had no idea how to break it. Dwight threw her a few glances but didn't say a word. This made her feel even worse.

Soon they were parking in Devon House's parking lot. Dwight opened his door and got out, then came around to open her door. As Eleanor stepped out of the car, her shoe slipped on a little rock. She stumbled, sending her into Dwight's arms as he grabbed her before she fell.

Standing nose to nose, neither one spoke as they looked into each other's eyes. The attraction was magnetic and powerful. It was a force that was out of their control and beyond their comprehension. This was way too scary for Eleanor.

“Tha . . . Than . . . Thank you,” she stuttered as she gently pulled away from Dwight.

“You okay?” Dwight asked in a hoarse voice. He cleared his throat, looking everywhere but at Eleanor.

“There you are,” said Omar as he and Rose walked up to them. “I was just about to send out a search party for you two.”

They all laughed, shrinking the strong tension between Eleanor and Dwight.

Eleanor was surprised at how much she enjoyed herself. The Devon House Heritage Site was one of Jamaica's leading national monuments. It created an urban panorama in a clean, magnificent, green space that was great for recreation, dining, and shopping.

They sat outside on a lush, expansive lawn, eating the popular, rich, creamy “Devon House I Scream.” The conversation was refreshing as Omar and Dwight shared stories of their high school days. Eleanor found herself laughing a lot, especially when Dwight spoke. For just that moment, her demons seemed to have been exorcised, allowing her to have some fun. This was a rarity for her.

“This was so much fun,” Dwight said happily as he looked at his watch. “Guys, I hate to run, but I promised my mother that I would stop by the house.”

“May the Lord be with you.” Omar shook his head in pity.

Dwight playfully punched him on the arm. Eleanor looked from one man to the other, curious to know why Omar made that statement. However, she was too shy to ask.

“Eleanor and Rose, thank you for the wonderful company,” Dwight said as he stood to his feet. “Bighead, I'll talk to you later.” He looked at Eleanor and winked.

Dwight watched as Eleanor threw her head back, her laughter sounding like a sweet melody to his ears. With the sunshine splashed across her pretty face, accentuating her dazzling smile, she looked like an angel. Mesmerized he gawked at her, his mouth slightly opened.

“You are so funny,” Eleanor said as she wiped tears from her eyes. She had laughed that hard. She glanced up at Dwight and realized he was looking at her again. Blushing, she quickly lowered her gaze into her lap.

Rose and Omar looked on in amusement.

“Well . . . I . . . I'm going now,” Dwight said in a high-pitched voice, clearly disconcerted.

“Bye,” Omar and Rose replied, giggling.

Eleanor briefly waved her hand, still fixated on a tiny speck of lint in her lap. She only looked up a few seconds later when she knew Dwight was gone.

“Sis, it seems like you had a great time,” Omar said smiling, his eyebrows rising and falling as if he had a secret that he wasn't telling.

“Shut up, Bighead,” Eleanor remarked lightly, rolling her eyes at him with a big smile on her face. It was indeed a wonderful afternoon . . . But it would not be long before terror struck again, sending Eleanor back into hell.