Let the Church Say Amen (22 page)

Simon turned to her. “Baby girl, I’ve made a lot of mistakes. When they announced that vote, I didn’t feel like I thought I’d feel. I was happy, relieved, ecstatic, and alone. I realized none of that means anything without someone to share it with. Just give me another chance to prove to you I can be a good father.”

“So, does that mean you’re going to let Zion Hill go?” Rachel asked.

Simon sighed. “I can’t do that. I have a mission to serve the Lord. But I’m not going to let you go, either. I want to start over.”

“It’s a little late to start over,” Rachel replied.

“Can we try? I love you kids, all of you. And I need you in my life.” Tears formed in his eyes as everyone sat in silence.

“Aw, dang,” David spoke up. “Can we cut all this mushy talk? I’m hungry.”

Jonathan ignored his brother. “Dad, can you accept me for who I am?”

Simon looked his son straight in the eyes. “I can’t do anything but tell you I’ll try. That’s all I can promise you.”

Jonathan smiled tentatively. That was better than nothing. He loved and respected his father so he desperately wanted to have a relationship with him.

“When Tracy showed up on my doorstep last Sunday night, my first inclination was to throw him out, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it because it seemed to be the only way I could reach you. I can’t say I’m welcoming him with open arms.”

Tracy walked over and draped his arms through Jonathan’s. “Oh, you’ll get there, Dad.”

Simon glared at Tracy. “I can say, I won’t ever be comfortable with him calling me ‘Dad’.” Everyone chuckled. Even Rachel let out a small laugh. “But, considering everything else, I’ll try to accept. If you’re a package deal, I don’t have a choice.”

“Oh, we’re a package,” Tracy said, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Simon smiled, then turned toward his daughter. “Rachel, what do you say?”

Rachel still wasn’t totally responsive, but her harsh look had softened. She shrugged her shoulder. “Whatever.”

“That’s a start. I know Loretta won’t be able to rest in peace until we make up. What about you, David?” Everyone turned toward David but he was gone. “David?” Simon called. They all looked toward the kitchen. David was leaning over the stove with a bowl in one hand and the ladle in the other. He looked up when he noticed everyone staring at him.

“I told y’all I’m hungry.”

“At least let me set the table.” Jonathan laughed. Five minutes later, they were sitting at the small glass table in the dining room. Simon sat at the head. Tracy and Jonathan on one side. Rachel and David on the other. “Dad, will you bless the food?” Jonathan asked.

“Oh, no,” David mumbled. “Let me say the grace. It’ll be another hour before we eat if we let Dad do it.”

Simon laughed. “I would be proud to hear you pray … Son.”

David smiled at his father. That was the first time he’d called him Son in years. “Bow your heads, please,” David began. “Dear God, thank you for the food. Amen.”

David ignored the laughter as he reached for the crackers and dug in.

S
IMON STOOD
at the podium. This had to be the best Sunday he’d had in all of his time at Zion Hill. The choir had been great and his sermon seemed to be received just as well. He had preached about judge not, lest ye be judged. For once, he admitted this sermon was directed at him and his family, but he was sure there were others in the congregation who would benefit from the message.

Simon swayed from side to side, letting the soft sounds of the organ fill the air. For some weeks after the church vote, he’d delivered rousing sermons, but knew he was just going through the motions. Now his spirit was lifted again. He asked everyone to join him in a silent prayer. He wanted people to take a few minutes and talk one-on-one with God.

Simon looked at his children in the front row. This was the first time all three of them had been to church together since they were little. His grandkids were both fast asleep, Nia lying across Rachel’s lap, Jordan across David’s. Simon was surprised Tracy wasn’t there, but when he’d asked Jonathan about it during their mix-and-mingle fellowship, Jonathan said Tracy stayed at home because he wanted this to be the family’s day.

Both Jonathan and David were silently praying, rocking side to side with the music. Rachel was adjusting Nia’s barrettes, an “I wish they’d hurry up” look across her face. Simon smiled. Oh well, he couldn’t ask for everything. He was just grateful she’d made it to church on time.

Simon hadn’t asked them to come that day. They came because they wanted to. It had been a huge surprise to him.

After dinner Friday night, the four of them sat around and talked about growing up, future plans, and, most of all, missing Loretta. Tracy, intrigued, took it all in. Simon had felt like they were a family again.

He thanked God for leading him to make the right decision and go to Jonathan’s. He had prayed all week on what to do. He asked God for a sign to point him in the right direction. He got nothing until Thursday evening when he was leaving the office and accidentally knocked the family portrait off his desk. It fell to the ground and the glass shattered into several little pieces. He had stared at that picture, realizing that was indicative of what had happened to his family.

That’s when he decided he was going. He had to glue his family back together. He not only wanted to honor Loretta’s wishes but he desperately wanted it for himself.

Simon motioned for the organist to begin winding down. He took a deep breath and said, “Church, I know now is the time I usually call for testimony, but if you don’t mind, I’m going to deviate from that a little today because God has placed a testimony on
my
heart.”

There were several “Go on, Preacher” and “You release it” comments made from the congregation.

“Y’all know I been through some family drama.”

“Boy, do we know that,” Sister Hicks loudly proclaimed.

Rachel rolled her eyes. Several people laughed.

“But what family hasn’t?” Simon continued, ignoring Sister Hicks again. “How many of you in here can say you’re proud of every single thing your child has ever done?”

Many members shook their heads. “I know I can’t,” one lady shouted.

“Amen to that,” another man said.

“But I’m here to tell you, put your faith in God and he’ll deliver you and your family through troubled waters.”

“Tell it!” someone shouted.

Simon made his way down to the front row where his children sat. “Church, if you will excuse me for just a moment. This here is for my kids.” He focused all his attention on Rachel, Jonathan, and David. “I take the blame for some of what you’ve become. Some, not all,” he said smiling, before becoming serious again. “I wanted to build Zion Hill up so bad that I didn’t realize I was tearing you down in the process, David,” he said, facing his eldest son. “The devil was at work on you and instead of forming an army to battle him, I left you out there alone. For that I’m sorry. I know you said you’re clean now, but I want to help you stay that way. I want to show you that I’m proud of you no matter what.”

Simon turned to Jonathan. “And you know the issues I have with you. But I’ll pray for myself, that I will be strong enough to accept your choice. I want to let my love overpower any negativity I may feel about your lifestyle. I hope that you will be patient with me while I work through that.

“And Rachel,” he said, turning to her. “You are a beautiful young woman who has made some mistakes. But we all have and I’m sorry that I withdrew my love as a punishment.”

Rachel started tearing up.

“I know repairing our family won’t be easy, but I want to try,” Simon continued. “I love you all and I can only ask that you forgive me. Can you do that?”

He looked at each one. All three hesitated, then nodded their heads simultaneously. Rachel lifted Nia’s head and gently laid it on the pew as she stood up. She took a couple of steps, then threw her arms around her father’s neck. David and Jonathan followed suit. All four of them began crying as the church loudly clapped.

Simon eased away from his children’s grip, still holding on to their hands. He looked at his congregation. Several members were in tears. “Praise the Lord. I got my family back.” He lifted his arms, still grasping Rachel’s hand on one side and David’s on the other. “Let the church say amen!”