A House Divided (13 page)

C
urtis scanned the upcoming itinerary that Lana had just given him. “I knew I had a lot of travel coming in the fall, but it looks like I said yes to a lot more speaking engagements than I realized.”

Lana chuckled. “That you did, but what else is new?”

“It never feels like I’m taking on too much when things are booked months ahead, but this is going to be a grueling schedule. I’ll have to take a vacation after this.”

“That’s a good idea, anyway, because you and Charlotte haven’t been anywhere for a while.”

“Not since our trip to the Caribbean last Thanksgiving. And it’s not like I don’t have someone dying to fill in for me while I’m gone.”

“Who?”

“Minister Simmons. I’ve been meaning to tell you about the conversation we had. He wants more responsibilities, and he asked if he could take over our first service on Sundays.”

“Really?”

“I explained to him that the members expect me to deliver both messages, but that he’ll get lots of opportunity while I’m traveling. Then, he mentioned that Minister Morgan earns more money.”

“Well, of course, he does. He’s been in the ministry for years, long before he came to us.”

“That’s what I told him, but I’m not sure he thought it was fair.”

Lana shook her head. “Minister Simmons is a nice young man who has a lot of potential, so I hope he doesn’t jump ship. It wasn’t long ago that he asked about starting a teen Bible study. But he needs to take things slowly and get more experience.”

“I told him that, too, so we’ll see. Charlotte has always thought he was a bit too motivated.”

Lana crossed her legs. “I think he means well, and I’m a pretty good judge of character.”

Curtis wasn’t sure why the thought had just hit him, but suddenly he wished he could tell Lana about those letters he’d received. It was hard walking around with this kind of information and not being able to share it with anyone, but maybe it was best to keep it to himself. He’d done so thus far, and actually, over the last two weeks he hadn’t heard a thing. He wasn’t sure what to think, but he hoped this was a good sign and that maybe God had answered his prayers.

“Oh and by the way,” Lana said, “we now have a date for the meeting with the architects.”

“When?”

“Next Thursday.”

Lana leaned forward and passed him his mini calendar, the one she updated for him every few days.

Curtis read through the document. “That gives our staff a week to pull together any questions. We need to have a brainstorming session.”

“I was thinking we could do it at our normal meeting on Tuesday, but we may have to reschedule it for Wednesday. Elder Jamison, Elder Dixon, and some of the others will just be returning from a leadership conference.”

“That’s right, so, yes, go ahead and make the change. But let everyone know that the meeting is mandatory and that our entire focus will be on the expansion project.”

Curtis and Lana discussed a few other items until his phone rang.

Lana moved to the edge of her seat. “I’ll bet that’s Shelia. I asked her to call you when Dillon arrived. At least I hope so, because he’s called and changed his appointment three times.”

“Pastor Black,” Curtis said.

“Hi, Pastor. Dillon is here to see you.”

“Thanks. I’ll be with him shortly.”

Lana got up. “I have a few more updates for your schedule, but that’s pretty much it. Is there anything else you need this afternoon?”

“No, and if I can, I’m gonna head out of here early so Charlotte, Curtina, and I can go out for pizza. Normally, we try to do it on Friday, but Curtina begged us to go tonight.”

“It sounds like she loves pizza as much as Matt always did.”

“Matt still loves it now. Probably eating it every chance he can get out in Boston.”

“Make sure you tell him I said hello.”

“I will. I’m sure he’ll be home again in a couple of weeks.”

“He must be thrilled about Charlotte and Racquel becoming closer.”

“We’re all glad about that. There’s been so much peace in the house lately.”

“Okay, I’m outta here,” she said. “I’ll send Dillon in.”

Curtis sipped some of his bottled water and moved his travel itinerary to the side of his desk.

“Hey, Pastor,” Dillon said, walking in.

Curtis stood and shook his hand. “Well, it’s about time.”

“I know, and I apologize,” he said, sitting down. “I wanted to meet with you, but I just couldn’t seem to pull it together.”

“How have things been going?”

“Worse than ever.”

“Have you been going to meetings?”

“I tried it again the day after Melissa and I met with you, but I just don’t see myself doing that on a regular basis. Felt too outta place.”

“What about the scriptures I gave you?”

“Sometimes I read them, and sometimes I don’t. Even when I pray, that doesn’t seem to help, either.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“I’m totally at a loss, and now Melissa wants to call off the wedding”

“That’s what I was afraid of. She wasn’t too happy the last time she was here, but you have to understand her point.”

“I do, but I also can’t get a handle on this thing. My urges and desires are getting worse.”

“How so?”

“The other night I almost took a stripper home with me.”

“That’s the worst thing you can do.”

“I know, but I could barely control myself.”

Curtis hated hearing this. Dillon’s addiction was in full force, and unless he truly wanted to quit, he was doomed. He also needed to attend those Sex Addicts Anonymous meetings.

“If you don’t mind,” Curtis said, realizing there was only one thing he could do for him, “I’d like to pray for you.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

Curtis got up, walked around his desk, and rested his hand on the top of Dillon’s head. Then he closed his eyes. “Father God, we come right now, asking You to remove all lustful desires from Dillon’s spirit. We ask that you give him the kind of peace he needs and to fill whatever void he is struggling with. Lord, we ask that You would give him the will and determination to do whatever necessary to beat the enemy and to eliminate all association with porn videos, strip clubs, and the women who are connected to them. Father God, we ask that You bless and protect Dillon from all harm and danger and that You would guide his every thought and footstep, and all decisions. Be with him, Father, at all times, during every waking moment and even when he is sleeping. Lord, we lay every ounce of this problem before You and ask that You would remove it from Dillon’s life completely. Then, Lord, we ask that You would give Melissa the strength and understanding she needs at this time. Please comfort her and guide her decisions as well. Father God, we ask these and all other blessings in your precious son Jesus’ name. Amen…amen…praise God…amen.”

Curtis placed his hand on Dillon’s shoulder. “You’re going to be fine. You just have to trust and believe in God. Keep your faith strong and completely give your life over to Him. You’re dealing with a serious demon, and it’s going to take a lot of work and attention.”

“Thank you, Pastor, for taking so much time with me.”

“I’m glad to do it. There is maybe something else you can try, though, if things don’t get better.”

“Like?”

“Going to a residential rehab facility. There are many in-treatment locations for drug and alcohol use, but there are definitely places designed for the problem you’re having, too.”

Dillon sat there emotionless. Curtis could tell he wasn’t all that open to his suggestion.

“I’m gonna try this on my own for a little while longer,” he finally said. “Then, I’ll go from there.”

“Just let me know.”

“I do have one request, though, Pastor. If it won’t be too much of a burden.”

“Of course, what is it?”

“If I find myself caught up again and planning to take some woman home with me, can I call you?”

“Definitely. I’ll give you my cell number.”

“I really appreciate that. If I’d had your number the other night, I would have called you then. I fought the urge to sleep with that woman on my own, but I’m not sure what’ll happen if I go to that strip club again.”

“Maybe you should call me
before
you go there. I’m hoping you won’t, but if you can’t stop yourself, I’d rather talk to you then.”

“That’s a good idea.”

Curtis felt bad for Dillon, because he remembered what life had been like for him a long time ago and even in recent years. He’d loved sex and women more than anything else, and he’d struggled daily, trying to overcome it. If he was honest, he’d have to admit that it was because of carnal desires that he’d done that awful thing so many years ago. Sex wasn’t the only part of it, but it had played a major role.

But Curtis didn’t want to think about that now, not when he needed to keep his focus on Dillon and helping him. So that was what he did: focus on Dillon. That way he could pretend his own skeletons didn’t exist.

“I really appreciate everything you’re trying to do, Pastor,” Dillon said.

“You’re welcome. We’ll keep working on this.”

“I’m really gonna try harder, but I hope it’s not too late. I hope Melissa doesn’t leave me for good.”

Curtis hoped the same thing, but if Dillon didn’t get it together soon his relationship with Melissa would be history. It was practically inevitable.

O
h my God, Mom!” Matthew said. “You have to get over to Racquel’s!”

“Why, honey, what’s wrong?”

“Children and Family Services is trying to take MJ!”

“What? Take him where?”

“They’re trying to take him away from Racquel!”

“What are you talking about, Matt? Are you sure?”

“Yes, so Mom, please go get him. Go get him now before they give him to some foster home.”

“Oh God, no. Okay, honey, let me grab my purse and I’ll call you when I get there.”

Charlotte hung up the phone and tried to calm her nerves. This was the call she’d been waiting for, but she hadn’t thought it was going to be today. She also hadn’t considered that Racquel or Vanessa would call Matthew first. She hated this for her son, because she could hear how distraught he was, but thankfully, all would be back to normal very soon.

Charlotte rushed down the staircase, quickly explained to Agnes what was going on, and told her she was headed over to the Andersons’.

“Oh dear Lord,” Agnes said. “This is crazy. There must be some sort of mistake.”

“Has to be,” Charlotte said, “but I’ll keep you posted.”

Charlotte went into the garage, got in her car, backed out, and sped down the driveway. As soon as the iron gate opened, she checked both ways for traffic and stepped on the accelerator. She hurried, because that was what everyone would expect her to do after hearing such upsetting news, but she knew little MJ was going to be fine. No one would be taking him anywhere, because she’d paid a lot of money to make sure they didn’t. She did wonder, though, why Meredith hadn’t called to warn her ahead of time, but maybe her contact hadn’t gotten in touch with her.

She slammed on her brakes, almost running a red light, and realized she’d better call Curtis. He would certainly want to know and would jump in his SUV and be on his way to the Andersons’ ASAP. But when she dialed his number, the call went straight to voice mail without ringing. At first, she wondered why, but then she realized Matthew had probably contacted him. Again, she hated this for her son, because no matter how much she knew she was doing the right thing for all of them, she didn’t want to hurt him. She didn’t want Matthew to worry about his son any more than he needed to, but once he knew MJ was safe he would feel a lot better. He would be a lot calmer as the evening and the next few days went on.

When the light changed, Charlotte took off and then her phone rang. It was Curtis, so she prepared to be just as upset and flustered as Matthew was.

“Oh my God, baby, I just tried to call you,” she said, sounding as though she were crying, though no tears fell.

“I just hung up with Matt. But what happened?”

“I don’t know. He didn’t tell me any details. All he said was that he wanted me to go over there.”

“This doesn’t make any sense,” Curtis said. “Why would DCFS be making any accusations at all about little MJ?”

“It’s crazy, Curtis. They must have the wrong baby.”

“They have to, because there’s no way Racquel would ever hurt MJ,” he said. “And neither would her parents.”

“Are you meeting me over there?” she asked, almost hoping he wasn’t so she could deal with this on her own.

“I’m only a few miles away. I was in my truck before I hung up with Matthew.”

“Racquel must be scared to death,” Charlotte said. “Poor, poor thing.”

“I’m sure she is. Anyone would be if DCFS showed up out of nowhere to take their baby.”

Charlotte stopped at another red light, pulled down her visor, flipped open the lighted mirror, and checked her makeup. “We’ll get this straightened out in no time. This has to be a mix-up.”

“Of course it is, but I still hate it’s happening. Racquel and Matthew don’t deserve this, and neither do Neil and Vanessa.”

Charlotte retouched her lipstick. “I’m so disturbed by this, I can barely drive. I’m a nervous wreck.”

“You be careful,” he said. “We definitely don’t need you having an accident.”

“I’m almost at their subdivision.”

“Then I’ll be right behind you.”

“I’ll just wait outside in the car for you.”

“See you soon.”

Charlotte drove into the subdivision, then curved around the first street and down the one the Andersons lived on. There was a police car parked out front, and some white midsize vehicle parked in the driveway. She guessed that this one belonged to the caseworker.

She drove closer, slowed down when she passed the driveway, and parked on the opposite side of the street. She had a mind to call her mother, but if someone looked outside and saw her on her phone they might wonder what she was doing. Thankfully, Curtis drove past and parked in front of her, so she got out. Curtis grabbed her hand and they walked onto the sidewalk, up the drive, and onto the front stoop. As soon as Curtis rang the doorbell, Vanessa opened the door in tears. She even reached out and hugged Charlotte.

“Vanessa, what happened?” Charlotte said, caressing her back. “What’s going on?”

“Someone called and said that MJ wasn’t being handled properly. They said he was being hurt, and now there’s a chance we’ll be charged with child endangerment.”

“What does that mean?”

“DCFS got a call from someone who said they heard MJ crying and that when they looked outside, they saw me yelling at him to stop. They said I dropped his carrier onto the pavement so hard, they thought he was going to tip over onto his face.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Charlotte said, knowing she was the one who’d suggested that the “eyewitnesses” use crying as part of their made-up accusations. Crying babies could prove to be very irritating for new mothers and for anyone else who lived in the house with them, so Charlotte had thought this particular allegation would be perfect—especially since MJ did in fact cry a lot.

“I would never do that,” Vanessa continued. “My car was already out in the driveway, and all I did was put his carrier inside and secure the seat belt. And on top of that, he was asleep.”

“Did they say who reported this?” Curtis asked.

“Just that it was one of our neighbors, but they won’t tell us who.”

“Where’s Racquel?” Curtis asked.

“She’s upstairs with the caseworker, packing MJ’s clothing.”

“But if the accusation is against you,” Charlotte asked, “why did Matt say they were trying to take MJ away?” Charlotte already knew the answer, but she had to play along. She had to make Vanessa, Curtis, and the officer believe she was desperately concerned about the situation.

“Because the call about me wasn’t the only one,” Vanessa said sadly. “Another witness called a couple of hours later, saying that yesterday they saw a young girl walking down the aisle at the pharmacy yelling at her baby and telling him that she wished he’d never been born. They said she told him if he didn’t stop crying, she was going to throw him in a garbage dumpster. Then, supposedly, the person waited until Racquel went outside, and when they saw her toss MJ’s carrier into the car, they wrote down her license plate number.”

Curtis frowned, and Charlotte could tell he wanted to punch something. “That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard, and how can words be considered child endangerment?” he asked.

Vanessa’s eye makeup streaked down her cheeks. “They’re taking the baby because there were two complaints in two days about two different adults in the same home. When this happens, they can’t take any chances—they have to do an investigation.”

“Did Racquel take the baby to the pharmacy?”

“Yes, but all she did was purchase some baby oil, and then she was out of there. She said MJ was a little whiny just like he always is, but she never yelled or said those awful things to him.”

“Does Neil know?” Curtis asked.

“He’s in surgery.”

Charlotte almost felt sorry for Vanessa—almost—and although it was sad to say, given the fact that Racquel definitely must have needed her father right now, Charlotte was glad Neil wasn’t there, and she hoped that she and Curtis were out of there before he got home. With the exception of the night she and Curtis had brought Matthew by there on the way to the airport, she hadn’t seen Neil since the time he’d held her in that hospital conference room. She had purposely and successfully avoided him, and she wanted to keep it that way. “So what’s going to happen now? I mean, it’s not like they can take MJ away just because of hearsay.”

Vanessa wiped her face with her hands. “They can, and they are.”

“Can we go and talk to this
caseworker
?” Curtis asked the male officer.

The man stepped forward, and he acted as though he would physically stop Curtis if he tried to go upstairs. “Unfortunately, no,” the officer said. “They’ll be down very soon, and you can speak to her then.”

“We’ve already tried to reason with her,” Vanessa added, “but the decision has already been made.”

“Oh my God,” Charlotte exclaimed. “What’s going to happen to MJ?”

“Well…we were hoping the two of you would take him. The caseworker has already spoken to Matthew, and she says it won’t be a problem.”

Charlotte wanted to burst with excitement. Her plan was working perfectly, and not even Curtis or Vanessa suspected she had anything to do with this. “Of course we will.”

Curtis sighed. “We wouldn’t have it any other way, but I just hate that you and Racquel have been accused of something you didn’t do. These accusations are outrageous.”

“This is such a nightmare,” Vanessa said, clasping her hands together and pressing them under her chin. She looked as though she hadn’t slept in weeks. Poor, pitiful thing.

“This will all be straightened out in no time,” Curtis said.

“This is true, Vanessa, so try not to worry,” Charlotte said, but she also thought about how she was going to do everything she could to keep MJ permanently. She would convince Matthew to break off that silly engagement to Racquel, file for full custody of his son, and then encourage him to finish all four years at Harvard the way he’d planned.

Charlotte, Curtis, and Vanessa looked toward the top of the stairs when they saw the slender, fifty-something caseworker carrying little MJ. Thankfully, he was sleeping. Next came a short and stocky female officer, followed by Racquel, who slowly toted MJ’s suitcase and baby bag. Tears flooded her face, and soon she stopped for a few seconds, trying to keep her balance.

“Are you Pastor and Mrs. Black?” the caseworker asked.

“Yes,” Curtis answered.

“I’m Linda Jacobs. I spoke to your son, and he and Racquel have decided they want the two of you to care for their son. Are you agreeable with that?”

“Yes,” Curtis said.

“Mrs. Black?” she said.

Charlotte nodded. “Yes.”

“We’ll have to run a quick background check, which will only take a few minutes, but after that you can take him with you.”

The woman passed him over to Charlotte, and though MJ nestled into his blanket and stretched his little arms, he never woke up.

But Racquel dropped the bags and fell onto the stairs, weeping loudly. “Why are you taking my baby from me? MJ is my whole world, and my mom and I would never hurt him! We would never do what those people said!”

“I’m very sorry,” Linda said, “but we have no choice.”

“Oh God, I’m just begging you,” Racquel pleaded with massive tears soaking her face, screaming. “Please…don’t…take…my…baby. What am I gonna do without MJ…” Her voice trailed off, and her chest heaved up and down. She was becoming hysterical, and Vanessa rushed up the stairs, sat next to her, and held her.

Linda looked on with sadness but stepped into the living room to make a call. Charlotte assumed she was doing the mini background check she’d mentioned, the one Meredith had already briefed her about days ago. It was standard procedure, but of course she and Curtis would be approved instantly.

Charlotte wished there had been another way. She found no joy in taking any child from a parent, but as she gazed down at little MJ, one thing hadn’t changed: she knew she was doing the right thing. She wasn’t MJ’s mother but she was the next best thing, and he was going to be so much better off living with her and Curtis. Life would be good for their little grandson from now on.