Drama In The Church

Book 1: Drama in the Church

by Dynah Zale

Genres: African American Urban

Synopsis

Drama ensues when the chaos of the world enters the doors of First Nazareth AME Church. Tressie faithfully prays every night that God will send her a thug. It isn't long before her prayers are answered, and she meets a handsome ex-convict named Payce Boyd. He is a fine roughneck, everything Tressie imagined and more - that is until Tressie experiences firsthand the reality of being a thug's girl. Seeking solace and comfort in the sanctuary, Tressie soon learns valuable lessons and shocking truths about herself and others. Val and Julian's love for one another has grown so strong over the years that the time has come for them to take the next step. Val is sure that this time nothing will come between them, until a secret from Julian's past comes back to haunt her and forces her heart to open up to another. Dean is saved, thoughtful, and understanding to Olivia's need to remain celibate until she's married. Finally Dean pops the question, and Olivia wonders why the sudden rush to get married. When the wedding day comes, will the marriage be consummated? Danyelle has plans that don't include a man - until one enters her life and shows her what it means to be in love. Share in the journey of love, lust, self-doubt, and Drama in the Church.

Release date: October 1, 2008

Publisher: Recorded Books

Print pages: 288

Sample

JUNE 2003

Valencia Benson, a twenty-year-old, mocha-brown knockout—which was how most guys referred to her—stood five feet, three inches tall with a small body frame and ample 38D breasts. Her large bust size drew a lot of attention, which at times could be a problem. Guys would approach her just to stare at her chest. She had seriously considered undergoing a breast reduction, but when it came time for her to meet with the doctor, she lost the nerve. Her bust was probably the only part of her body she wanted to change. Val’s body closely resembled an Olympic athlete’s; her stomach was tight, her thighs were strong, and her booty was firm. She worked out often and drank plenty of water to keep her body fit.

Val tossed her shoulder-length weave over her shoulder and gazed up at the wooden cross illuminated by light hanging above the pulpit and whispered a silent prayer. That cross held so much power, she thought to herself. She had knelt in front of it a zillion times since she was old enough to walk. The cross was a reminder to her that God was her foundation and nothing would break the promise He made to walk with her through life. She often looked to the cross when she was going through bad times, but she was glad to know that God was also there during the good times.

“Here you go, dear. Enjoy the service,” came a soft voice.

A startled Val looked up to see Ms. Young handing her a Sunday program. Ms. Young was a member of the prestigious Seniors Club. There were only a few senior members left in the church. All of the others had gone on to see the Savior, but Ms. Young was still biding her time here on Earth. She was a dedicated member who walked a mile to church every Sunday. She never allowed a foot of snow or a deadly hurricane stand in her way of serving the Lord. Val admired Ms. Young’s commitment and love for Jesus.

Val loved being a member of First Nazareth A.M.E. Church, where the congregation felt like family. Every Sunday she was always welcomed with a huge smile and a warm hello. Once she entered the church, the Spirit took over and all she could do was sit back and enjoy the ride. The choir shouted praises to the Lord and Reverend Simms jumped for joy at the teachings of God’s word.

Although First Nazareth was a small church with less than seventy-five members listed on its church roster, it still ranked high on the list of lying, scheming, backstabbing, and deception that played out among its members.

Mrs. Simms, the pastor’s wife, interrupted Val’s thoughts when she began to speak before the congregation. “The time has come for us to bring our burdens to the Lord,” she said. “We use this time to tell God what’s in our hearts and minds. It’s also a time for us to repent to the Lord for the wrong things we’ve done by thought, word, or deed.” She motioned for Olivia to come to the front of the church.

“Church, our dear, sweet Olivia has an announcement to make.” Mrs. Simms held Olivia’s shaking hand tightly. Silence filled the church. All eyes settled on Olivia, waiting on her to speak. Finally, words began to drift from Olivia’s mouth.

“Church, I’m a s-s-sinner,” she stammered. “I’m pregnant.”

The announcement stunned Val. She stared at her cousin and tried to understand what she was doing. Val thought everyone in the church was a sinner, so for Olivia to make a public announcement was extreme. The congregation replied with disapproving stares and whispers.

The women in the church ran to her, poured oil over her head, and began to speak in tongues. Others caught the Holy Spirit and ran around the church. The remaining members formed a circle around her and held hands while they prayed. They acted as if they were performing an exorcism on her. Val wanted to console her very passive cousin, but Mrs. Simms lovingly placed her arms around Olivia’s shoulders.

“I’ve spoken to Reverend and Mrs. Simms, and they have shown me the error of my ways,” Olivia continued. “I have repented to the Lord, and I want to apologize to the church for any shame or embarrassment I may have caused.” Olivia wiped her eyes as tears fell down her face.

“Church,” Mrs. Simms yelled above the commotion. “I have assured Olivia that the Lord loves her and no one here would ever judge her. Isn’t that right, church?” she asked. Suddenly, amens and hallelujahs exploded throughout the sanctuary. Olivia’s announcement had really moved the congregation. The pianist began to play, and members stomped their feet.

Val felt like the church was treating Olivia’s confession as a black stain on a pure white wedding dress—like it was something she was supposed to hide or be ashamed of. When Val looked at Olivia she saw that innocence she had possessed since they were kids. Her light brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail that cascaded down her back. Most people would describe Olivia as plain looking, if not homely. She never wore make-up or any type of revealing clothing that showed off her curves. The only distinctive features she had were her light, hazel eyes and round, full lips.

Val was older than Olivia by seven months, and it was still hard for Val to accept that Olivia was no longer her little cousin. Val remembered the many times she had to fight girls on the playground because Olivia wouldn’t stick up for herself. She was always very quiet and kept to herself.

Bryant, whom Val had met a few times, was Olivia’s very first boyfriend. Olivia never dated much, so when Olivia began often talking about the things she and Bryant had done together, Val knew he must have been something special. Val was eager to get to know him better, but every time she suggested they go out together, Bryant was always working out of town. It was a surprise for Val to find out that Olivia was having sex. She had always assumed that she would be the first one to have a baby.

The church settled down and refocused its attention on Mrs. Simms and Olivia.

“Olivia has decided to keep the baby,” Mrs. Simms announced. “And the church is going to support her in any way we can.”

Another series of amens and hallelujahs stirred the church. Mrs. Simms hugged Olivia one more time before Olivia returned to her seat next to Val.

Val immediately pounced on her. “Olivia!”

“Val, don’t say anything to me. You’re going to make me cry.” Olivia took a tissue out of her purse and wiped her eyes.

“Olivia, how could you not share this kind of information with me?” Val whispered.

“I was going to tell you. I could never find the right time.”

“But you found the time to tell the entire church?” Val asked, astonished by her cousin’s last comment.

“Val, can we discuss this later?”

“Hell no!”

“Val, we’re in church!” Olivia said. She looked over her shoulder to make sure no one had heard her cousin’s foul mouth.

“How could you let them coax you into doing that?”

“What . . . what did they do?”

Val hated it when Olivia acted so naive. She was always trying to please somebody instead of doing what was right for her. Val knew that Olivia was blind to many things that went on around her, but she thought the girl would know when someone was trying to manipulate her.

“They had you crucify yourself as the sacrificial lamb. You put your flaws on public display, when not one of them is any better than you. They ain’t nothin’ but a bunch of hypocrites.”

“Val, stop it! I won’t have you speaking against the church.”

“Olivia, you know I’m telling the truth. Remember how Desiree Carter stole the Sunday School Superintendent position from you?”

“She didn’t steal it! The elders appointed her to the position.”

“Yeah, right. She played you for months, stealing all your ideas for the Sunday School.” Val laid her hand down on the Bible. “You told her all the plans you had, and she pretended to be your friend, telling you that you would be perfect as Sunday School Superintendent. Then when the announcement was made, Desiree acted surprised when her name was called.

“Her husband made a three thousand dollar donation to help the church get a new roof,” Val continued. “Then the following week an announcement was made that she had accepted the position of Sunday School Superintendent. They never even held the required elections like they were supposed to.”

Olivia tried to ignore Val by opening her Bible.

“Val, what does that have to do with anything?” she asked anxiously.

“It bothers me that you told the entire congregation personal information, when you couldn’t even tell me, and we’re cousins.”

“Val, I needed to talk to someone. I spoke with Mrs. Simms about it and she suggested I tell the church. She said I would feel a lot better if I confessed my sins.”

“Yeah, confess your sins to the Lord, not to the whole damn church!”

“Val, stop cursing in church!”

“I can’t help it. I’m so mad. I don’t believe they did this.” Val tried to calm down.

Focusing back on the service, the pastor asked everyone to open their Bibles to John 8:7. “My sermon this morning is entitled, ‘Let thee without sin, cast the first stone.’”

“What a coincidence,” Val sarcastically mumbled.

Elise, Val’s Bible Study facilitator and mentor, walked through the church gathering Bibles. Val followed behind her ranting and raving about what had happened to Olivia on Sunday. Elise believed in giving direction and spiritual guidance to each one of the young adults in her Bible Study class. She listened to their problems and gave advice on how to lead a righteous life, but it wasn’t always easy trying to nurture a young adult’s mind.

“Elise, are you listening to me?”

“Val, I’m listening to you. I was there.”

“I know. That’s why I don’t understand why you didn’t do anything.” Val took the Bibles out of her hand.

“What was I supposed to do?” Elise ran her fingers through her Halle Berry haircut.

“They used her!” Val said boldly.

“Are you cold?” Elise asked, trying to change the subject. She walked over to the thermostat. “They didn’t use her. They just helped her realize the wrong she had done,” Elise finally commented.

“So, you agree with what they did?”

“Val, Olivia committed a major sin. This sin is going to follow her for the rest of her life. Perhaps Mrs. Simms thought that if Olivia acknowledged her sin then others wouldn’t make the same mistake. The pastor’s wife did say that the church was going to support her in any way they could.”

“Elise, you were the one who taught us that a sin is a sin, that it doesn’t matter how big or small you may think it is. It’s all sin,” Val said.

Again, Val stared at the wooden cross that hung in the front of the church. She was determined to get her point across. “Listen to this.” She sat in one of the pews. “Olivia never actually admitted to doing anything wrong. She just announced she was pregnant.”

“The last time I checked, sex outside of marriage was a sin,” Elise replied.

“Yeah, but pregnancy outside of marriage isn’t.”

Elise looked at her strangely. “Val, what are you talking about?”

“The Virgin Mary wasn’t married when she got pregnant with Jesus. She wasn’t considered a sinner, so why should Olivia?” Val replied with a smirk on her face.

“You always have to have the last word, don’t you?”

Val smiled brighter.

Suddenly, the church doors swung open and Julian Pennington, Val’s boyfriend, strolled down the church aisle flashing his pearly whites.

Val and Julian had been together since their freshman year in high school. They had endured their share of ups and downs like every couple, but their love for one another always pulled them through.

Most of the girls at Philly High School described Julian as a pretty boy with a baby face. He was often told he resembled the R&B singer, Usher. Julian was considered a good catch, not just because of his handsome good looks, but also because of his determination to be successful.

Obsessed with the dream of one day becoming a basketball star, Julian perfected his basketball skills by spending all his spare time in the gym. Ultimately, it paid off, securing him a spot on the varsity team. The coach recognized his talent and appointed him co-captain of the team his freshman year.

Despite Julian’s arrogant attitude and boastful behavior, Val’s love for Julian was rare. He was her first love and she dedicated her life to making him happy. She would do just about anything he asked. Whether she had to stay up all night writing a paper for him or finishing his homework before her next class, Val was the kind of woman who stood by her man through the good and the bad.

Julian’s feelings were mutual for her. He knew how lucky he was to have Val in his life. The love they shared was special and hard to describe. Their bond was strong and they refused to let outsiders interfere with their love. Their decision to wait until after marriage to have sex seemed to strengthen their relationship.

Julian finished his sophomore year at the University of Kentucky, and after several debates with his parents, he decided to forfeit the remaining two years of his scholarship and enter the National Basketball Association.

With his six feet, two inch, 210-pound frame, Julian bent down to kiss Val on her lips. “Valencia, I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything.” Julian always used Val’s full name. He loved the way her name rolled off his lips.

Elise shot Val a look that asked the question, “Were we finished?”

“No, honey you didn’t interrupt anything,” Val responded. “Where have you been?”

“I went to get a haircut and then I went to the gym.” He thrust his arms into the air and bulged his biceps, mimicking Popeye. “I’m trying to get in shape. Is it working?”

“Yeah, baby, it’s working,” Val replied sarcastically.

The next person to arrive for Bible Study was Montrese Cox, whom they called Tressie.

“Hey, Tressie.” Elise greeted her with open arms. “We missed you in church on Sunday. Where were you?”

“I overslept,” Tressie responded. She took a seat in the pew directly in front of Val and Julian.

Elise stood up. “While we wait on Danyelle and Olivia, I thought maybe—”

“Danyelle is outside,” Tressie said, interrupting Elise mid-sentence. “She’s outside smoking a joint.” Tressie made a loud cracking sound with her gum.

Elise walked to the church doors and stuck her head outside. “Danyelle, what did I tell you about smoking marijuana in front of the church? If the police catch you they’re going to arrest you.”

Danyelle took one long last drag of her joint and threw it on the ground. She walked up the church steps. “I’ll just tell them that it’s a European cigarette.”

“I’m sure they can tell the difference,” Elise said.

“Jesus loves me,” Danyelle sang as she entered the church. Her high-pitched voice went to a screeching high that made everyone in the church stop and look at her.

“Yes, Jesus loves me,” she sang out again. She laughed because she was used to getting strange looks because of her odd behavior at times.

Danyelle was a hefty girl and nobody would ever make the mistake of calling her petite. Her body had lots of curves. Her hips were wide and her huge bust size was a genetic trait that had been passed down in her family from generation to generation.

Danyelle smoked morning, noon, and night. She claimed that marijuana was her motivation to get out of bed in the morning. Before inhaling her first puff, she would always kiss it up to God first and say a silent prayer. She prayed that the Lord would bless her experience, so she would get the most out of her high. She believed that God made weed as a natural herb, and it was there for everyone to enjoy.

“For the Bible tells me so.” Danyelle finished her song. Julian laughed at her.

Elise walked in after picking up the joint Danyelle threw on the ground. “Danyelle, why must you do that every time you enter the church?”

Danyelle knew she was referring to her singing, “I’m just letting the Lord know that I’ve arrived.”

“I’m sure the Lord could never miss you. Where’s Olivia?” Elise asked Danyelle.

“She said she wasn’t feeling well and decided to stay home.”

Val gently cleared her throat to signal to Elise that Olivia was embarrassed by what happened on Sunday.

Elise spoke up. “Today, I would like to talk about the power of prayer. It is so important for us to maintain a close and intimate relationship with the Father.” She clasped her hands. “The only way to do that is through prayer. God wants us to tell Him about any burdens that we are carrying. He also wants us to tell Him about the amazingly good things that happen in our lives. We can only do that by going to Him in prayer. I challenge everyone in here to double the amount of time they spend in prayer. If you pray for five minutes a day, double it to ten minutes. If you pray for an hour a day, double it to two hours a day. Prayer is going to be our focal point for the next few weeks. We will have a more in-depth conversation on prayer next week. Does anyone have any questions?”

Julian raised his hand. “Is it all right that I pray about which team I prefer to get drafted to?”

Elise laughed at his question. “Yes, Julian, if you want something specific, you need to be specific in your prayer. If you desire something and it’s in God’s plan for you to have it, you will receive it. God wants to bless you. All you have to do is ask.”

“Can I pray for a man?” Tressie asked.

“Sure.”

“Can I pray that the Lord send me Nasir Jones?”

“Who is Nasir Jones?” Elise asked.

“Nasir Jones is this rapper who’s already engaged to Kelis,” Val spoke up.

“Tressie, I’m pretty sure God isn’t going to give you someone else’s fiance, so you need to change your prayer request.”

Elise fielded the other attendees’ questions and they all sang a few hymns.

Elise concluded her lesson by saying, “For the first week everyone should pray for one thing. Next week, when we gather again, we’ll discuss whether or not God answered your prayer. Is that all right with everyone?”

Everyone in the room nodded.

“I’ll close out in prayer.”

Everyone held hands while Elise prayed.

“Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for once again bringing us safely together. I ask that you bless each and every heart here, and that they increase their prayer life to get closer to you. Through prayer they will realize and experience that you have control over all things great and small. Amen.”

In unison everyone responded, “Amen.”

The following day, Olivia walked into the apartment she shared with her sister, Danyelle, and was welcomed by a cloud of smoke. She waved her hand in front of her face to see what was causing the entire apartment to be engulfed in smoke. She found Bryant and Danyelle sitting in the living room with what appeared to be a pound of marijuana lying on the coffee table.

“Why can’t you two smoke outside?” Olivia asked, annoyed. This was not the first time she had asked them not to smoke in the house.

“Hey Livie,” Bryant said. “How was your doctor’s appointment?”

Olivia looked at him, surprised that he had even asked. After her first doctor’s appointment, weeks had passed before he asked her how it went. Lately, he had lost interest in the baby, which concerned her because when she first told him, he was so excited. Olivia badly wanted Bryant to participate more in her pregnancy.

Ever since Olivia was a little girl she had wanted to be a mother, and the idea of her soon becoming one bought joy to her heart. She looked forward to the monthly doctor visits and midnight food cravings.

Her only regret was that she and Bryant weren’t married. She never thought she would be having a baby out of wedlock, but she knew there wasn’t too much she could do about it now. Bryant had made it clear that he was not going to marry her just because she had gotten pregnant.

“Well the doctor said that . . .” Olivia began.

“Hold up, baby.” Bryant held up his finger. He turned toward Danyelle. “Yo, where you going with that?” Danyelle had gotten up from the couch and started to retreat to her bedroom, taking the smoking joint and the ashtray with her.

“Oh!” She looked back at Olivia. “I was going to my room. I wanted to give you and Livie some privacy.”

“Yeah right, you were trying to smoke the whole joint by yourself.”

Danyelle pointed back at Bryant. “Negro, you’ve got five joints rolled up in front of you that we haven’t even touched.” Then she pointed over in the corner. “Not to mention the bundle we haven’t even opened.”

Olivia looked over at the cube of marijuana securely wrapped in clear plastic wrap lying on the floor.

“No need to get hostile. I forgot. My fault!” He turned back to Olivia. “Sorry, honey. Now what did the doctor say?”

“Forget it!” Annoyed, Olivia stormed toward her bedroom. She was tired of Bryant putting his marijuana habit before. . .