Averie and I arrived at The Encounter Worship Center just as the first service was dismissing. I held her hand and navigated through the crowd wanting to avoid the people, but I was stopped so many times by members welcoming me back and checking on my health. I tried my best to be cordial and rush through each encounter. I just wanted to find my seat and get this day over. We finally made it into the sanctuary and found two seats on the front row where I normally sit.
“We didn’t have to come today if you were not feeling up to it,” Averie leaned over and said once we were settled in our seats.
“I told JD I was coming. I’m fine.”
She made that same noise she made when she left out of my closet earlier. I wanted to lean in to tell her that her little noise was irritating, and she shouldn’t do it again, but the praise team came out indicating that service was beginning. Usually, JD’s messages were compelling, thought-provoking and attention-grabbing. Today, I found myself thinking about everything else except what he was saying. I listened to bits and pieces then would zone out for huge chunks.
I was so preoccupied with my life. Things seem to come out of nowhere with no rhyme or reason. Like, who shot me? Why would someone target me? I was not a criminal. I kept my nose above water. I followed the rules; although most rules had loopholes large enough for me to find. Why did I go into a coma? I didn’t get shot in the head. There was no reason for me to be sleep that long. Why didn’t my dick work? I didn’t get shot in my dick or anywhere having to do with my dick so why couldn’t I get hard? What if this never gets better? Would I still marry Averie? Would she still want to marry me?
Averie’s nudge brought me out of my head and back to the present. She was passing me the communion cups. I took the tray, took mine out and passed it to the next person. After service was over, I led Averie through the side door, away from the crowd and out to the car.
“You’re not going to say hello to JD?” Averie asked while I held the car door open for her.
“No, I will talk to him later.”
“Pst,” she made the noise as I closed her door.
I got in the back seat opposite Averie.
“We are going back home, Brick.”
He maneuvered the car from the parking lot and in the direction of our house.
“You know that sound you’ve been making is really irritating,” I said a few minutes into the ride.
“Samuel, everything irritates you. Don’t start an argument with me because you won’t win. As a matter of fact, I’m sure I will say something that will cause some real damage so let’s just stop here.”
“Averie…”
“EL! I’m so freaking serious right now. I’m trying my very best to be supportive, but if you pull up to the manure farm, you better be prepared to step in some shit, I promise.”
I noticed Brick looking at me through the rear view mirror then he quickly averted his eyes. Neither one of us said anything else the entire ride back to the house. Brick pulled the car into my parking space. I got out to open Averie’s door, but she’d already opened it and gotten out of the car.
“You’re trying my patience, Vee,” I said after making it around to her side of the car.
She knew I hated for her to open her own door.
“Pst,” she made the noise while looking me directly in my eyes.
Then she cocked her head to the side like she was challenging me. Forcing myself to remain quiet, I clenched my jaws and stepped back from her. She turned around and headed for the elevator.
“I’m out,” I yelled behind her.
She threw up the peace sign without looking back.
“Where are we headed, Mr. Valentine?” Brick asked.
“I’m going to go alone,” I responded while holding my hand out for the keys.
“That’s not going to happen, Sir,” Brick responded.
“I pay you, remember. If I say stay behind then stay behind!”
He didn’t respond. He simply stepped forward and opened the rear car door for me. I knew I wasn’t going to win this argument, so I got in.
Brick got into the driver’s seat and said, “Where to?”
“I don’t know. Just drive.”