Saved Folk in the House (15 page)

“Have you ever been to Way Maker Ministries?” Nikki asked Kevin.

“No. Where’s that?” he asked.

“You don’t know where Way Maker Ministries is, as close as you live to it?” Nikki asked, shocked, then hoping she hadn’t offended him.

But Kevin was cool. He kept on with what he was doing. “Nope,” he said, never looking up.

“Where are you from?” she asked.

“Macon, thirty minutes from here. Born and raised, all my life,” he said.

“What church do you go to?” she asked.

“Actually, I’m looking for one. I go with Randy to his church sometimes, but I haven’t joined,” he said.

“Why don’t you come with us? Just to check it out, since you’re searching,” she said.

“I’m game,” Kevin said.

“This Sunday? We normally try and go to one of the early services,” Nikki said.

“Call me and remind me. I’ll give you my number.”

“Cool,” she said.

Kevin wrote his phone number on a piece of paper and left it on the counter. “What’s your number?” he asked.

He wrote down Nikki’s number, put the sheet in his pocket, and heading toward the door, he said, “Good night, and thanks again for the tip.”

“Have a blessed evening, and thanks for making the house call.”

Chapter Twenty-one

I
t was becoming common for Nikki’s family to get up early on Sunday mornings, have breakfast, go to the second service, come home, and jump back in the bed for a nap. They still had the whole day ahead of them to enjoy and were well rested if they wanted to explore. Kevin was supposed to go with them to church, but he didn’t answer when Nikki called. After church, just as Nikki was dozing off, the phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Hmm, hello. Hmm, this is Kevin. From downstairs.”

“Hey, Kevin.”

“I called to apologize for not going to church with you this morning. I went out of town and thought I would be back in time. I just got back. Did you go?”

“We sure did.”

“How was it?”

“Awesome. We are all up here recuperating from it.”

“Sounds like you had a good time. Sorry I missed it,” Kevin said.

“I’ll have to tell you all about it later,” Nikki replied.

“Okay. I just wanted to let you know I didn’t intentionally not go. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay, Kevin, maybe later on this evening. I’ll call you when we get ourselves together.”

“Deal,” he said.

“Bye now,” she said, and was fast asleep in no time flat.

After her nap, Nikki was refreshed and decided to cook a big dinner and invite her new neighbors for some fellowship. She praised, prayed, and hummed along to Fred Hammond as she prepared the evening meal. She missed having adult conversation and decided to let the children eat first and then invite the guys up afterward so that she could talk to them about the happenings in Georgia. She ate with the children in case the guys couldn’t come. After dinner, she called downstairs.

“Hello.”

“Hello. May I speak to Kevin?”

“Speaking.”

“Hey, it’s Nikki. Whatcha doin’?”

“Watching the game,” he replied.

“Have you guys eaten yet?” she asked.

“Naw, man,” Kevin said. “We’re trying to decide what we’re going to do about dinner now. Probably ride out for a burger or some hot wings or something.”

“When’s the last time you had a home-cooked meal?” Nikki asked.

“I couldn’t even tell you,” Kevin responded.

“That’s not good. Why don’t you and Randy come up here for a home-cooked meal?”

“Be right up,” Kevin said, and hung up the phone.

Nikki hung the phone up laughing. A few seconds later, she heard a knock. She saw Kevin through the peephole and opened the door, still laughing.

“It must have been a long while. Wash your hands and go on in the kitchen and help yourself. Where’s Randy?” she asked as they walked into the apartment.

“He was all into the game. On my way out the door, I told him you invited us to dinner, and he said bring him a plate back.”

“Uh-uh. No way. This is not a take-out joint. Come, sit down, relax, and enjoy, right here,” Nikki said.

Kevin washed his hands in the kitchen sink and dried them on a paper towel. Although Nikki preferred for people to wash their hands in the bathroom, she let it go and forgave him this time, but made a mental note to mention it the next time. She went into the kitchen behind Kevin and handed him a plate. As she took the top off each pot, she went over the menu.

“These are the collard greens,” she said. She replaced the lid and uncovered the casserole dish. “Here’s the macaroni and cheese.” Removing the top from the roaster, she unveiled succulent beef short ribs, roasted to perfection with a beautiful glazed barbecue sauce. “And your bread is here,” she said, uncovering perfect golden brown buttered rolls.

As she turned toward the refrigerator, she glanced at Kevin, who was standing behind her looking over her shoulder at the food. His tongue was literally hanging out of his mouth, his eyes as big as quarters. She burst out laughing. He looked so funny . . . cute but funny.

“Excuse me,” she said, still laughing as she moved past him to the refrigerator. He took one step back to let her pass. She opened the door and took out a dish. She said, “And this is the potato salad.”

“If it tastes half as good as it looks, I’m in for a treat. It looks absolutely scrumptious, as my grandmother would say,” Kevin said.

“Well, go for it. We’ve all eaten, and you can just help yourself.”

“Thank you very, very much,” he said as he filled his plate.

Nikki poured him a glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade and set it on the dining room table.

“If it’s not hot enough, you can run your plate in the microwave for a couple of minutes,” she said.

Tasting one of the ribs, Kevin threw his head back and shook it from side to side. “Hmm, hmm, hmm. Lord, have mercy. It’s delicious just the way it is,” he said, licking the barbecue sauce off his lips.

“Do you need anything else?” Nikki asked.

“No thank you. This is perfect. Sit down and relax. You worked hard in this kitchen today,” he said.

“All right,” Nikki said, taking a seat at the dining room table as she waited for Kevin to sit. She couldn’t wait to tell him about church.

“This is so nice of you, Nikki.”

“No problem. We have plenty, and the kids will be tired of it after tomorrow. One day of leftovers, then I’m throwing food away, with all those starving people in Africa.”

Kevin laughed. “If getting rid of leftovers is a problem for you, please call downstairs so we can help you out.”

She chuckled at him.

“The food is already blessed, but you might want to do your own praying,” she said, sounding like a mother.

She felt good sitting there with this young man and actually began to relax for the first time in a long, long while.

Kevin blessed his food, but before he put the first bite in his mouth, he said, “So tell me all about church.”

Thankful for the opening, Nikki dived in headfirst. “We joined today. The first time we went I was too caught up in it all. I hadn’t cried that much in I don’t know how long. I needed that cry too.”

Kevin looked at her, puzzled, and she discerned that he was wondering why she needed to cry.

“I was able to release some stuff I had been carrying for a long time,” she continued.

Kevin nodded, understanding, still chewing and listening intently.

Satisfied that they were on the same page, she said, “Okay, okay, I’ll start at the beginning. First, when we got there, actual policemen—I mean, uniformed guys—were directing traffic. Then they had parking lot attendants telling you exactly where to park. It was so organized. They’ve got their stuff together. Thousands and thousands of people were coming and going. Lines and lines of people were waiting to get into the different children’s classes and into the sanctuary. You have to conclude that any place that has that many people standing in line voluntarily has to have it going on.”

“Oh yeah, I remember hearing something about that church now that you’re describing it. I guess I never picked up on the name before,” he said.

“I figured you had to have at least heard about it in passing, you living so close and all. Let me tell you. I was tripping looking at the pastor in person, then closing my eyes and imagining I was in Virginia watching him on TV, then opening my eyes again.”

“That must have been wild.”

“It was fantastic. Felt like I had stepped into the TV. And the Word was just awesome. You have got to go and experience this for yourself.”

“Next Sunday, I promise,” Kevin said right before he put his last bite in his mouth.

“Good. Would you like some more to eat?” she asked.

“No thank you. That was delicious. I honestly can’t remember the last time I had a meal that good,” he complimented her after he finished chewing.

“Thank you, sir,” Nikki said, almost blushing. “We have some ice cream . . . vanilla.”

“Dag, you go all out, don’t you? Maybe later. I’m just too stuffed to eat another bite right now,” Kevin said.

She nodded and smiled, feeling comfortable with her new friend. “So what do you do?”

“I teach high school biology.”

“At the same school as Randy?”

“Yes. We’ve always done the same things, encouraging each other since we were kids. Good friends are hard to find.”

“That’s true.”

“So what was your major?” Kevin asked, assuming she had gone to college.

“Accounting.”

“Tough major,” he said.

“But worth it,” Nikki said. “Accountants can always find work.”

“Where do you work now?” he asked.

“I don’t. I have my résumé ready to take over to the church tomorrow. I don’t want to work right now. Maybe after school starts. I have enough to maintain for a while. I need to be here for the kids, to make sure they are settling in all right. Know what I mean?” Nikki explained.

“Sure. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a job when you’re ready. You’re in demand,” Kevin said.

“And so are you. Young, strong, intelligent black men are needed in the classroom. That’s exactly what our children need to see.”

“And I love it,” Kevin said.

“Do you coach football too?” Nikki asked.

“I coach the defensive backs . . . my guys against Randy’s guys.”

“That should be fun,” she said.

“Oh man, we have a ball. Ever since pee-wee football, he’s been trying to catch the ball and I’ve been trying to stop him. We always knew we’d end up doing exactly what we’re doing.”

“Maybe you’ll get to take it to the college level.”

“Why stop there? We should go on to the NFL. We may not have made it there as players, but as coaches, you never know.”

“Your faith can take you wherever you want to go. Mine brought me here,” Nikki said, thinking there was no place else she’d rather be at that particular moment.

“You know, talking to you, I see the possibilities.”

“Seeing them is the first step. Can you see yourself eating some ice cream now?”

Kevin sat back and rubbed his stomach.

“Actually, I’m still full,” he said, “but I’ll take a rain check. Let me help you clean up.”

“That’s okay. I got it. You sure about that ice cream?”

“I’m sure. Thanks again for dinner. I’m gonna go mess with Randy and tell him what he missed.”

“Glad you enjoyed it. See you later,” she said, laughing and walking him to the door.

Chapter Twenty-two

M
ommy, we’re going to need some more milk today,” Taj said as he held up the almost empty carton to show Nikki when she came into the kitchen to cook breakfast. He was the first one up, and not knowing when his mother would be preparing breakfast, he ate cereal, almost finishing off the milk.

“Boy, I’m going to buy you a cow for your birthday. After breakfast, I’m going to run up to the church to drop off my résumé at the personnel department. I’ll pick up some milk then.”

Shay came into the kitchen and gave her mother a big hug. She set the table while Nikki cooked.

“You all stay here and chill, and I’ll be back as soon as I can, okay?” Nikki said.

“Sure, Mommy. We’ll be okay,” Taj said.

“Yeah, take your time,” Shay agreed.

“You all are so responsible. I really appreciate how well you’ve been behaving. You’re the most precious darlings in the world, and I thank God for blessing me with you,” Nikki praised.

They grinned at their mother’s kind and loving words. Their behavior was no accident, but a direct result of how they were being raised.

Nikki went into her room to get dressed. She wasn’t sure what to put on. After staring in her closet for a few moments, she decided on a long olive-colored dress, complemented by a lightweight beige jacket, with olive flats. She wanted to look business-casual. Her short, low-maintenance haircut was a blessing at times like this when she wanted to look sharp and stylish without a lot of work.

Once dressed, she felt ready to conquer the world. Upon arriving at the church, she went to the front desk and informed the receptionist that she was there to deliver her résumé to the personnel director. Just then a woman walked in the door and stood beside Nikki and began talking to the receptionist.

“Any messages for personnel, Sister Tonya?” the woman asked.

“No, Sister Erica,” Tonya said.

An alert Nikki zeroed in on Sister Erica.

Extending her hand, Nikki said, “Hello, Sister Erica. My name is Nicole Riley.”

Erica shook Nikki’s hand. “Hello, Sister Nicole,” she said.

Nikki saw an opening.

“I am an accountant with fifteen years of experience. I just moved here from Richmond, Virginia, and am very interested in working here at the church. I have been saved and living for Jesus for six years. This is my résumé and letters of recommendation,” Nikki said, handing Erica the information.

Erica smiled as she took the package. Nikki felt she had made a good first impression.

“Walk with me to my office,” Erica said.

“Thank you,” Nikki said, overjoyed for the favor she was being shown.

They walked down the hall to Erica’s nice plush office. Soft inspirational music was playing in the background. Nikki looked around. She observed a beautiful wall painting of ladies dancing, flowing in subtle pastel colors. The flower arrangement on the file cabinet displayed the same colors. The textured wallpaper had a softly arched pattern, and the color blended perfectly with the rest of the décor.