Joy Comes in the Morning

by Ashea S. Goldson

Genres: African American; African American Christian; Christian Fiction

Synopsis

Sister Alex Carter is seemingly a pillar of spiritual strength, working diligently in the ministry, trying to help everyone. But she has a secret, and as a result, she is unable to help herself. In fact, she is really a ticking time bomb. Although the one thing she wants more than anything else is to marry Deacon Joshua Bennings, a Bishop's son and the church's most eligible bachelor, she can't seem to escape the mistake from her past. So instead, she distracts herself with drama, striking a moral indictment against the church, competing with a flirtatious church sister for the man she loves, holding onto a job that's pulling her further away from the will of God, and trying to block an old lover's selfish attempt to expose her. As Alex wrestles to hang on to her spotless reputation, her pre-packaged life begins to unravel, bringing her to the brink of losing everything she has worked so hard for. Alex is forced to face not only her past, but her future, as well. Will she ever learn that through Christ, no matter how dark it gets, joy comes in the morning?

Release date: June 1, 2013

Publisher: Urban Christian

Print pages: 270

Sample

It was barely past eight o’clock, and already I felt like I had taken a trip to the pit of hell. It should have been the happiest day of my life, but the flip flopping in my stomach, when Joshua popped that huge rock out of that Tiffany’s box, told me that it wasn’t. I couldn’t stop feeling that there was no coming back from this. Here I was sitting in one of the finest restaurants in New York City being proposed to by a very eligible bachelor, yet I couldn’t even look into the eyes of the one I claimed to love. Guilt, torment, and confusion all wrapped themselves around my heart, paralyzing me. Why did the words I had waited thirty long years to hear turn my stomach inside out? Not that I didn’t love Joshua, because everything that was woman about me screamed out his name in my dreams. Yes, I loved him, but I wasn’t sure he’d still love me if he knew the truth.

He looked into my big, dark eyes with his chestnut brown ones and grinned, revealing two deep dimples. “Alex, will you be my wife?” Joshua kneeled down next to the table. The white linen tablecloth draped itself over his well toned legs. Two waiters, dressed in black and white, stopped and stared as an attractive hostess passed by.

I was speechless. Instead of the joyous leap into his arms that I had always imagined, terror consumed me. Perspiration began to trickle down my eyebrows. He seemed to be waiting for an answer. “Alex, are you okay?”

All I could do was sit still and wonder if I could do it. Could I marry this wonderful, sanctified man and bury the past once and for all? “I . . . I don’t know what to say.”

Joshua chuckled. “I hope you’ll say yes.”

“Yes, I . . . I . . .” I fumbled with my fork.

“Well?” Joshua’s eyes sparkled under the light of the crystal chandelier.

“Of course I’ll marry you.” I gave in. Afterall, how could I turn away the only man that was peanut butter to my jelly?

“Wow, you had me afraid for a moment there.” Joshua loosened his tie and collar.

“I’m sorry . . . it’s just that I’m so happy and so surprised.” I forced my lips into a smile.

“You had to see this coming. We’re together all the time. I love you.” Joshua took my hand in his. “You’re one of the few people I can trust.”

His confidence in me made me cringe. “I love you too.”

“You’ve made me a happy man.” Joshua kissed my lips softly. “I’m going to take care of you.”

For a moment I felt sorry for him because I knew he’d try to take care of me, but there was that pain in me he wouldn’t know how to take care of; that pain he knew nothing about. Only God could settle that. Nevertheless, Joshua was a special sort of man, a thirty-five-year-old widower, a distinguished deacon, a son of a bishop, and a ministerial student himself. He was on the fast track into ministry, the future heir to one of the biggest churches in New York City. By day he was the brilliant bank manager for one of the largest banks on the East side and an MBA graduate of MIT. His most important job, however, and the one which impressed me the most, was being a father to his three-year-old daughter, Lilah, although she seemed a bit spoiled for my taste. Fortunately, none of these things were the reasons why I loved him. I loved him for his dedication to the things of God, for how he made me a better person, and for how his sweet smile could bring tears to my eyes.

Joshua and I continued to dine that evening, and I was careful not to let him see worry in my face. I only wanted to enjoy the moment, to be swept away in the romance of my engagement, to envision my wedding day and all the happiness we would share. He grasped my hand. “I’ll be right back.”

Then he excused himself to the restroom, and I whispered a prayer. “Lord, please help me to focus on the present.” A shallow calmness fell over me for the remainder of the evening as we ate, laughed, and talked. Still there was uncertainty hidden behind my smile.

The magical night continued with Joshua and me riding in his Chevy Tahoe over the majestic Brooklyn Bridge, with its Gothic Piers lit up in all their urban splendor. I looked out at The Empire State Building, Lady Liberty holding her torch, and numerous other skyscrapers towering over the flowing waters. For a moment I thought of September eleventh as I pictured The World Trade Center, once a dominant force in my world, now just an eerie remembrance lurking behind the clouds. The water glistened under a sky streaked with lights, and I felt God’s presence.When we finally arrived at my apartment building, Joshua jumped out and ran over to my side to open the car door as he always did, then we walked up the front steps holding hands. There in front of the metal door to the lobby, he held me in his arms, tucked my hair behind my ears, and planted a goodnight kiss on my lips. It was a gentle kiss, one that reminded me of all the reasons I loved him, and I was shaken by its affect on me. “Tomorrow we’ll discuss the wedding plans,” Joshua said. I smiled at the mention of our wedding. “I can’t wait.”

“Goodnight.” Joshua started walking back to his car which was double parked.

“Goodnight.” I watched him walk away and admired his gallant stride. The form of his slightly bow shaped legs could be seen through his tailored suit, and I had to fan myself to stay in the Spirit and not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

So I walked into the building, quietly up the flights of stairs leading to the small, two bedroom apartment I shared with my twin sister. Before I could turn the key in the lock, Taylor swung the door open.

“You’re back already?” Taylor confronted me, as she often did, with one hand on her hip.

“I should be saying the same thing about you.” I was surprised she wasn’t out with one of her many scandalous suitors.

“I was a little tired tonight so I cancelled.” Taylor sat down on the velour couch.“But what’s up with that smile on your face, girl?”

I showed her the diamond on my ring finger. “Joshua purposed tonight.”

“Nice bling,” Taylor said, grabbing my hand. “I guess Deacon has got some sweet taste, huh?”

“Oh, yes.” I looked down at it, still admiring the ring. “I said . . . yes.”

“That ain’t no surprise, but why do you sound so funny about it?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean this is Deacon Joshua Bennings we’re talking about here. You been all up on him for months now. He’s so this and he’s so that.”

“I have not.” I put my hands on my cheeks to hide my embarrassment.

“Seems like you would be jumping up and down with joy. And all I get is a ring in my face and a fake smile.” Taylor smirked. “Uh-uh. Something is up.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m just happy, that’s all.” It wasn’t easy trying to fool my sister. After thirty years of living together, in addition to the nine months we shared in the womb, she knew me all too well.

“Good, ’cause I’m all for couples getting their groove on, especially my almost identical twin.” Taylor hugged me tightly, and then let me go. She was a jazzier, more muscular, weave wearing, tough mouthed version of me; a diva from the beginning to the end. “Hey, better you than me. I ain’t tryin’ to let nobody lock me down.”

“Well, the way you run, there is little chance anyone would be able to catch up to you in the first place.” I laughed heartily.

“Yeah, girl, but I’ve got to hand it to you; you work fast.” Taylor smacked her gum like gum was going out of style.

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve only been dating homeboy for three months.”

“Oh, come on, we’ve known each other for much longer than that.” Now I was on the defensive.

“Yeah, I know he has been around for a while, but every female in the church had their eyes on him too.” Taylor snapped her fingers. “You really worked it, girl.”

“He worked it; God, I mean.”

“Whatever.” Taylor rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I know you and Mr. soon-to-be-a-minister had this weird holy roller relationship thing going, but still . . . three months. I’m just sayin’ I ain’t mad at ya.” Taylor gave me a high five, and then walked into the bathroom without another word.

I was used to my sister always being the rebellious one, but the way she felt about God and organized religion kept me on my knees. She was never big on church stuff even though Mom was. But right after Mom died, things took an obvious turn for the worse. She told me and Aunt Dorothy that it was the church that killed Mom. All that unrealistic faith talk, together with Daddy’s years of infidelity, that is. She swore right there, before we ever left the cemetery, that she’d have nothing more to do with either of them. Now Taylor could be a little overly dramatic at times, but not one of us, not even Aunt Dorothy, dared to cross her.

Yet, even though my identical twin sister was a drama queen, she was right. Everything had happened so fast. Joshua and I knew each other from the Bible college since he began taking classes there, but it wasn’t until my church started partnering with his about six months ago that he seemed to notice me on a different level. First of all, he left his dad’s church to join ours because he claimed he wanted to follow the intricate inner workings of a smaller church. Personally, I thought there was some kind of rift in the relationship between him and his parents. In any case, he began working diligently at Missionary, and I started to notice him. Good looking, single, and working for God.

I didn’t find that combination too often. I still don’t know what it was that made him interested in me, since I wasn’t the glamorous type, and he certainly had his share of potential female companions. I sure was glad, though, when he sat me down one day after Sunday service and said he wanted us to see each other exclusively, to see where our relationship would go. Now that was a great day. I mean when a handsome, successful, God fearing man like Joshua Bennings asks if you’re interested in courting, you shout an emphatic yes, amen, hallelujah, and hold your breath, all the while hoping he doesn’t change his mind.

My cell phone rang, and I answered it quickly.

“Hello,” I said.

“Hi, babe. I have great news.” Joshua’s voice exuded excitement.

“Really? Better than everything that has already happened tonight?”

“Well, it’s not better than you agreeing to become my wife, but it’s good.”

“What is it?” Now I was intrigued.

“My mother and Lilah will be back in town the day after tomorrow, so we’ll be able to spend time together, this time as a family.” Joshua chuckled.

“That sounds great,” I lied. “I can’t wait.”

I listened intently while he explained the change in plans. Joshua’s mother had cut her trip to Chicago short so I’d be faced with spending extended amounts of time with Lilah sooner than I expected. I managed to escape the inevitable in the three months we were exclusively seeing each other, since the child had been shuffled off to visit her paternal great-grandmother.

Now that Joshua’s mother had picked her up from Chicago, she’d be back in action. I’d have to smile, be friendly, and most of all, I’d have to be motherly. Don’t get me wrong; it’s not that I didn’t want to be a part of that sweet little girl’s life, but I just didn’t think I had it in me anymore. I had tried once before, only to be disappointed in myself, when at the last minute, I freaked out and left town with the choir. I didn’t even belong to the choir, but I knew as soon as we were scheduled to spend a weekend together, I had to get the heck out of there. So I used the excuse of the choir’s spring concert, and it won me a little time. Unfortunately, this time, leaving was not an option. I’d have to stay and face my own fears. I’d have to look into her eyes, cuddle her in my arms, and have the same nightmare I always had. Of them.

I woke up excited, hopped out of my carnation pink canopy bed with expectation, and looked down at my exquisitely dressed ring finger. The memory of yesterday’s magnificent events was still dancing around in my head, still making me the happiest I’ve ever been. I grabbed my terrycloth robe and headed for the bathroom, filled with a mixture of emotions. How could I marry the man of my dreams and spend the rest of my life lying to him? Sure people did it all the time, but I wasn’t other people. I had a real relationship with my Heavenly Father that I didn’t want to mess up for any reason. Lord knows I’d messed up enough times before. While I showered, I decided to pray, something I did quite often. When I came out, I covered my body with shea butter lotion, then chose a cotton aquamarine dress to wear. Determined to squeeze my size fourteen body into that size thirteen dress, I took a deep breath and zipped it up before I let it out. A couple of inches were not going to stop me. Twirling myself around in front of my full length mirror, I promised myself I’d make up for my tasty indiscretions with extra workout time at the gym. Not that I was a fitness enthusiast, but my sister was, and she dragged me down there kicking and screaming anytime she noticed I was putting on a few pounds. I couldn’t argue this time, not unless I wanted them to roll me down the aisle. I sucked in my stomach and put my hands on my hips. If I were going to be a chic bride, I had a lot of work to do.

Within minutes I was out of my apartment building and on my way to work where I could escape my problems by hiding myself in service, the same thing I always did. Help the college, help the church, help the family. If only a sista could help herself. Since my car was in the shop, and I had to take the subway, I arrived at work a little early. When I walked through the front door of Brooklyn Missionary Bible College, I smelled cinnamon in the air and wondered if Dr. Harding was having a bagel with his morning coffee. As I turned down the corridor, the first person I saw was Marisol sitting at her desk. She had her usually free flowing brown hair pulled up into a bun with a butterfly pin in the center.

I guess I could say that next to my sister, Marisol was my closest friend. We were not only co-workers, but sometimes confidants. And I do emphasize sometimes. See, I didn’t keep many females close to me, didn’t trust them much at all. Mom taught me that way back in the day. I always seemed to work better with men anyway, and I didn’t mean that the way my freaky sister would. I meant that I genuinely got along better with men, without all the drama and hater issues. Now I’m not saying that I’m special or anything, but I am saying that I don’t have time for female foolishness. Some of the sisters I ran into wouldn’t know common sense if it kicked them in the face. Anyway, here at work,Marisol was my girl.“Good morning.” I waved cheerily, throwing my hand in her face.

“Morning, girl.” Marisol waved without looking up from the papers in her hand.

I cleared my throat and kept my left hand in her face. “I said good morning.”

“What’s wrong with you? I . . .” Marisol looked up, right into the glare of my three-carat diamond ring.

“Nothing. Everything is right with me, very right.” I tried to contain my excitement.

“Girl, no.” Marisol covered her mouth in disbelief. Then she started jumping up and down, hugging me over and over again. “When did you get this?”

“Last night.”

“Last night? Wow.” Marisol examined the ring from top to bottom. “And you didn’t call me?”

“It was so romantic, and it was like everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”

“Ooh tell me, tell me. I want to hear every detail,” Marisol squealed.

“You know I’ll tell you, but not now.” I lowered my voice and looked over my shoulder as a few professors walked by.

“All right, but I don’t know if I can wait until then.” Marisol picked up my hand and eyed my ring one last time. “Ooh, girl, this rock, this rock.”

“I’ve got to get to my station before neither of us have jobs. Then I’ll have to hock the rock for rent.”

“Oh, you’ve got jokes today.”

I snatched my hand away from her and started toward my area. “We’ll talk later.”

“And, you know we will. Wow.” Marisol shook her head and giggled. “Congrats again.”

I walked slowly, allowing myself to daydream along the way, and finally stopped at my cubicle. I glanced at the Post-It Notes that covered my bulletin board before I took the files out of my inbox and turned on my computer. I looked at the black screen, logged in, and began to type furiously. Brooklyn Missionary Bible College, with its red brick and ivory columns, was a haven for those who desired ecumenical degrees and seminology certificates. It was also a good place for general Bible study and personal spiritual development, staffed with some of the city’s most prestigious PhDs. Dr. Harding was one of them, although he usually remained more humble than most. Two of the things I liked most about working at the college were first, that I got to work with ministers from all over the country, and secondly, Joshua, whose business had now become my pleasure, attended the school also. I always relished the opportunity to see him every day before his classes.

He was, undoubtedly, the best thing that had ever happened to me, besides Jesus, of course. The problem was some people didn’t think so, and they did their best to find something wrong with our relationship anytime they could; his family, my family and the myriad of folk we called our church family. Most of them didn’t bother me though. The only thing that truly stood in the way of my happiness was the secret I was carrying, the one that had been tearing me apart from the moment I succumbed to it, something that would disappoint everyone I knew and taint my spotless reputation in the church; something a man like Joshua could probably never understand.

Now if I could have gone back to fix it, I would have, but there was no changing that lone moment in time when Joshua looked solemnly into my eyes and expressed the painful way in which his wife had died, how what she had done was inexcusable. There was no changing that moment when I could’ve been honest. But I wasn’t. Instead, I held his hands, kept my mouth closed, and nodded in agreement at the horror of what she’d done. Yes, I missed my opportunity, and that was in the past. It was what it was. I could only go forward and forget, at least until Joshua’s phone call stopped me in my tracks.

“Hello, sweetheart,” Joshua said.

“Hi. How are you?”

“Great.”

“What’s up?”

“I’m just working some numbers out right now, but that’s not important. Listen, I know you’re busy too, but I just wanted you to know I’ve got special plans for the five of us tonight.”

“Special plans for five?”

“Honey, don’t you remember that Lilah will be here soon?” Suddenly, Joshua sounded annoyed. “Her and my mom’s flight is scheduled to arrive any minute now.”

“Of course. I just didn’t realize they’d be up to getting together so soon after their trip.” I held my breath for a moment.

“I’m sure they’ll be a little tired, but I managed to talk Mom into it.”

I’ll bet you did. “Wonderful then.”

“I can hardly wait till tonight,” Joshua said.

“Neither can I.” That was the first lie for the day. I was in no way ready to sit down with Pastor and First Lady Bennings while they go on and on about their fine congregation and their fine family as if everyone else outside of their circle were mere dirt. Nor was I in the mood to humiliate myself by trying to entertain the princess, Lilah. Now that was pressure.

“Look, I’ve got to get back to work. I’ll see you later, babe.”

“Bye.” His words sent shivers through me. So I closed my eyes and pretended that everything was all right in my world. I smiled and decided that I needed to buy a gift for Lilah. Maybe that would help break the ice between us. Placing my phone back into my purse, I went back to work, although my heart really wasn’t in it. I sat at my desk l. . .