In Love with Ezra (Love Unaccounted Book 2) (7 page)

Trent reclined in his seat. His eyes went out the window, into the distance.

“I began to slump forward—not that I knew where I was going, but I followed that commanding voice with depleted energy. It was my promise. My manna. I had to go or else I’d die. I couldn’t tell you how long I forged toward the voice, but could tell you along the way I saw wolves, bears, lions and even a serpent advising me to go the opposite way. As much as my flesh wanted to give up and cave to my fears and thoughts of betrayal from God allowing me to spend so much time in this wilderness, hungry and scared, I had to press toward the mark and seek the Source I knew had plans for my life.” I stopped once my tea was placed on the table. It gave me a moment to shake the vivid recollection of the horrifying setting.

“As I tossed and turned last night, I prayed silently, not wanting to alert my sleeping wife. I didn’t want to leave our bed for fear of losing what God was trying to show me, and of course that may have awakened her. So, I stayed the course, until my limping brought me to big bright overhead lights. I could recognize a stadium right away. I questioned if I had the energy to make it inside to safety, rest, and food.” I shook my head, recalling the order of the vision. “The next thing I knew, it was no longer me in the wilderness. I’d somehow stepped out of the shell and looked back on it to find you. You were present age and in the same top physique as you’re sitting here with me now. This was
your
journey I’d experienced. You’d just made it out of the wilderness and into the stadium packed with all of your fans, cheering you on from the bleachers. Your teammates were there, shouting your victory. Your coaches smiled with pride and happiness of your arrival.”

A single tear fell from Trent’s eye. I covered his hand. I needed him to stay with me.

“Trent, I saw a woman, standing directly in front of you, waiting impatiently to embrace you. She held a small baby, a newborn. Next to them was an older child, almost as tall as the woman. I understand this doesn’t make much sense, brother, but this was your wife and children.”

He covered his face with his hands as he sat back in his seat. The more I spoke the clearer the dream had become. God was about to deliver Trenton Bailey from his wilderness.

Everyone clued in on sports and/or pop culture recognized the name Trent Bailey. The twenty-six year old former pro quarterback for the NFL’s
Connecticut Kings
was recently released from prison, completing an eighteen-month term. His arrest, trial, and conviction had been publicized on television screens across the country. Once he was indicted by the grand jury, the
Kings
suspended him, putting his $56.8 million contract in jeopardy. Upon conviction, the league suspended him indefinitely. It was obviously the lowest point of his life.

I’d known Trent for a couple years. He began attending
RSfALC
with another pro player when I’d returned home from overseas. My father was relieved at the timing, understanding that I could engage and therefore keep this influx of young, wealthy, and celebrity parishioners. We hit it off right away. Trent was young and promising back then, a kid en route to the league. He won college football’s most prestigious award during his junior year, prompting the
Giants
attempt to trade up and make him the number one pick in the draft, but the
Kings
couldn’t fathom relinquishing the pick no matter the offer. The
Kings
drafted him number one overall, making him the highest paid rookie in league history. Trent’s contract was the last of its kind before the current collective bargaining agreement. The impecunious kid from Camden, NJ had come a long way indeed.

One night after Bible study, he approached me for sound advice about the career and clear lifestyle change he was preparing to embark on. I had no knowledge of the sports industry. I had no schooling in business. I did, however, have a fellow Pepperdine alum I’d loosely kept in touch with. Edward Chesney had one of the fastest growing law firms in the country. He practiced law in California as well as New York City. I made the call and the two men hit it off. It was a good thing. The first thing Chesney and his team had Trent do was set up a rigid budget, forcing him to live on a middle class salary for most of his career. The one cut short. That budget was meager considering he had the assets of a millionaire. This arrangement was the only reason Trent was still able to live in his Alpine mansion—ironically across the road from Stenton Rogers—after his dismissal from the league. 

Times had been rough, but Trent had been faithful in his walk with Christ. He attended service and volunteered where he could. His monthly stipends maintained him, but barely. But he paid his tithes and stayed out of trouble. He’d been pretty much a loner. His jokes about his light features were just that. No matter his unemployment status, the women fell at the feet of Trent Bailey. He just didn’t pay them much mind after falling into the bowels of depression. The silver lining in Trent’s story was that he’d already had a relationship with Christ before his life spun out of control. It was just a matter of him plugging back in. And he did. I’d begun counseling him during his trial. Even during his conviction, I remained, providing the service for free. His soul was far more important than money. I’d discharged him last winter.

I didn’t realize this abstract dream would hit him so hard. I checked the time to be sure I was still on track to meet Thaddeus at the church so we could travel to my next appointment together.

“Trent—”  

“My old agent called me,” he spoke through his hands as he cupped his face. “First thing this morning. He was blowing up my phone, trying to catch me before I headed out for my morning workout. I thought it was strange, E, because even though we’ve kept in touch, he doesn’t call that early.” His hand dropped from his face. “He got an email saying the league wants to consider re-instating me. They’re thinking about bringing me back and want me to come in and sign paperwork to use their facilities to train. Pete, my old agent, said it would be their way of looking at me on the low to see if I still got it, but...”

“My God…” I muttered, stunned by the news.

Trent is about to resume his life!

“Ez, man, you know—” His voice cracked and he took a breath, fortifying himself. “Last spring you preached about miracles and how in this age we’re not being taught to call on God for the impossible. You said He’s the same God that performed miracles for Moses in parting the Red Sea, permitting Peter to walk on water, and raising Lazarus from the dead. That’s the same God I’ve been petitioning for life after the
shi
—the storm,” he corrected himself, “I’ve been through. The same One I’ve been begging for forgiveness from. So, I’ve been fasting once a week since then for Him to show His hand in my life in
any
way. I would love to get back in the league, but even if He were to move in another area of need, I would’ve been content with that. But this…” he couldn’t speak, nostrils widening as he fought back tears.

I pulled an envelope from my breast pocket and placed it on the table before him.

“This is not a loan. Neither is it an investment or charity. It is me planting a seed in
you
that
shall
grow and prosper. It is me petitioning God to complete that thing which was started in you before your life was interrupted. It is an act of filling in the gap for you, Trent,” I pleaded evenly.

He snorted as he shook his head. “Ezra, no one would ever believe how real you are, man. No one, unless they’ve been as low and broken as I’ve been, could ever know the depth of your faith. My homies, still in the league, haven’t looked out for me like you have. I can’t keep taking your money, bruh.”

“And you can’t block my blessings either. Those property taxes in Alpine are astronomical. Trust me, I know. Stenton and I talk. Here’s ten. You know if you need anything within my means, I’ll have your back. And if it’s outside of my reach, I’ll call on a miracle, all for your faith in Him to remain.”

“Ezra…,” he tried.

I extended my arms across the table for his. “Let us pray on this development.” Within seconds, Trent met my hands and I began. “Father, we bless You for the insight You’ve so graciously bestowed. You didn’t have to share with us the miracle at Your hand concerning Trent, but You did. You said when two or three are gathered in Your name…”

When I pulled into the parking lot of
RSfALC
, I noticed Thaddeus leaning against the truck. His hands were tucked in his pockets and head burrowed into his chest. I could discern his mood immediately. I parked and got out to meet him.

“Minister Brown,” I greeted formally.

“Pastor.” He shook my hand. “You look well, sir.”

“Thank you. I believe I am.”
Now
.

He was unhurried. “Do you need to go inside for anything?”

“No. I’m running a few minutes later than I planned. I’d rather get this prayer brunch done so I can get back home.”

As I turned for the truck, I thought about Alexis and wondered how her interview went. How ironic would it have been if she actually got this one?
Lord, work it out
.

“Sir,” Thaddeus croaked behind me, voice wavering. “I…uhhh…need to talk to you about something.

I glanced down at my watch and saw we had a few minutes to spare.

“What can I do for you, Thaddeus?” I asked as I joined him again.

“Sir, Miranda and I are no longer engaged,” he began. I’d heard about it a few weeks back, so long ago that the news didn’t come as a surprise. I told Precious I’d wait for him to address it with me. “I’ve been waiting to tell you.”

“I see. Well, was it amicable?” That could be the reason for his lingering anxiety while speaking about this.

“Not at first, but I’ve been firm.”

My face stretched and I pivoted to face him. “Firm? So, it was your call?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What brought this about?”

This whole ordeal with Miranda had always concerned me. I never liked their union, but wouldn’t dare breathe a word of discouragement to him. Each man has his own reason for pursuing his woman. It was a personal decision. However, in his case, Miranda chose Thaddeus and for less than noble reasons.

“Well, Pastor,” he muttered while he regarded his fumbling fingers at his waist. “It’s something I’ve been struggling with for some time. I’d begun to think Miranda wasn’t the woman I believed God is calling for my life.”

I snorted. I see I have more training to do on the role of the wife to a man of clergy and what role God plays in her selection.

“Thaddeus, unless God specifically gave you instruction on carefully selecting a wife, I think it’s safe to say that you broke things off with her for the same reason you chose her: it was by your desires alone.” When he didn’t give a rebuttal I continued. “I’m not disappointed if that is your concern. Neither did I feel she was a great selection.”

“Your opinion would’ve been appreciated, sir,” he mumbled, but his forehead wrinkled and eyes were hard. “But there’s more. There’s a woman in
RSfALC
named Lillian. She’s friends with—”

“My wife. Yes, I am aware of who Sister Lillian is. She was a member of my wedding party, Thaddeus.”

“Oh, yes she was, sir.” He licked his lips further displaying his nervousness. “Well, I would like to marry her…and she wants the same.”

What?

I took a deep breath, winning a moment to gather my words before delivering them. I wasn’t angry, just baffled and shocked. “Minister Brown, you do know that here at
Redeeming Souls for Abundant Living in Christ
, we are not in the business of marrying off all of our adult population, don’t you?”

He pushed his frames up his face. “Yes, sir, I am.”

“And you are aware that includes our clergy staff, correct?”

“I am aware, sir.”

“So, what’s this emergent aspiration for marriage that you cannot quell? Is there something I’ve said, the Bishop…or one of the elders over the years…that would give you the impression that marriage is required to serve or to simply to be content in life?”

“No, sir.”

I shifted in my stance, with it another revelation. “Or is it that you’d like to relieve yourself as my armor bearer? If this is the case, sir, we can arrange for—”