The Secrets You Keep

Fresh Start

The sun beams through the windows of my bedroom and the smell of gardenia fills the room. I turn over and admire Cameron who's still asleep, then gently place a kiss on her forehead before slowing getting up and heading to the bathroom to start the day. I'm meeting with my good friend of almost 15 years Charlotte. We became close friends when David and I after we got married and inherited his parents church. As the congregation grew we began having guest preachers who would come on Sunday mornings to give sermons, Charlotte and her husband were the first we ever invited and we became fast friends afterwards.

Although haven't seen each other in over two years once she got word about my divorce, she emailed me and we set a time for brunch. I put the finishing touches on my hair and makeup but noticing Cameron behind me. I smile and blush when I feel her arms slowly wrap around my waist. She always knows what makes me happy in the morning, I love this girl.

"Where you headed?" Cameron asks.

"I'm meeting with my old friend Charlotte for brunch, did you want to come?"

"Nah, you go ahead and have fun, I'm sure we can hang out when you get back."

"So wait, you're not upset or going grill me about where I'm going?"

"Why would I be upset? I'm not like that Geneva, I trust you and I know that you're coming back anyway."

Cameron bends down to give me a kiss and says, "I love you, have a good time with your friend, I'm sure I'll meet her someday, I'll see you later babe."

Sometimes I have to remind myself that this relationship is nothing like I had before with David. No issues with trust, jealously, and who I'm hanging out with come with being in a relationship with Cameron. I knew from the first time we met that she was different, and I'm so blessed to have her treat me like I'm her woman and not her child or little sibling.

I get to the restaurant after a 30 minute drive and when Charlotte sees me, her arms stretch out for a hug.

"It's so good to see you Gigi." She calls me by the nickname she gave me when we first got close and I become choked up as the memories start to flood back in.

"It's good to see you too, Charlotte." I say while wiping away a tear.

"So, word around town is that you've been seeing some younger girl from your congregation." Charlotte takes a sip of champagne and looks at me with intrigue.

"Her parents tried bringing her to me in hopes that I would do conversion therapy on her, her mother even paid me to do it." I reply.

"And now you're sleeping with her?!?!?" Charlotte laughs and takes another sip of her champagne.

I giggle slightly and Charlotte asks me more about Cameron.
"So, what's this I hear about her being some young twenty something?"

"She's 23." I reply.

Charlotte laughs and again and playfully shakes her head. "Gigi your a cougar now, enjoy it while you can." We both laugh.

"But in all seriousness Charlotte, it wasn't as easy and simple as it sounds, Cameron actually hated me for the first few weeks of us knowing each other especially after the mess her parents put her through by sending her to my office."

"My only question for you Gigi is..are you happy?"

"I'm the happiest that I've been in years Charlotte."

"Well all gossip and jokes aside, that's all that matters, I'm happy for you and I'm glad you finally got rid of David's ass." "I remember the first time I met him, hated him then, and still hate his ass now but that's beside the point."
"Cheers to having fun with a new flame and freedom Gigi!"

"Cheers!" Our champagne glasses clink together and we spend the next hour catching up, drinking, and eating good food.

"Gigi, you're not gonna believe this but I think I know a church that wants you on as their new pastor."

I shift in my seat a little and chuckle in disbelieve.

"I'm serious Gigi, listen I know a lot of churches have cut ties with you since finding out about your relationship, but you gotta trust me on this one." Charlotte says with a smile.

"Okay, I'll think about it, but no promises." "Ever since they ousted me at Greater Life, I've been thinking about leaving the ministry all together." "If I'm going to ever go back, I need a church that is going to accept me AND Cameron."

Charlotte nods in agreement as she passes me a card with her and husband's picture on it along with her new contact info. My jaw is nearly falling to the floor at this point because I never realized that Charlotte was trying to offer me lead pastoral role at their church.

"Now you have all our info if you ever want to reach out and get started so that you and Cameron can be introduced to the congregation." Charlotte says with a smile. "Jesse and I are thinking of retirement so you were the first person I thought when it came down to picking someone to be lead pastor."

"Thank you so much Charlotte, I'm going to do some thinking about this and call you in a few days."

"Take as much time as you need and make sure you call me so I can come over and met this new young girl you've been bragging about." We share another laugh before paying and leaving the restaurant.

I'm racing home to tell Cameron the news when I get a call from Satan on earth, David.

I click the accept button on my phone and answer.

"David stop calling me, our divorce is going to be finalized by the end of the month so we have nothing to talk about, we're finished."

"Geneva I.." Before I let David speak another word I hang up. It's the one thing that can end the last chapter of this divorce for me. My only focus for these last few months has been Cameron and it will continue to be that way until my dying day.

"Baby I'm home." I call for Cameron in the living room.

"Hey babe, how was your brunch with Charlotte?" Cameron says while planting a kiss on my cheek and giving me a firm hug.

"Babe, you won't believe what happened today, Charlotte offered me the head pastoral position at the church she and her husband started."

"That's great, are you gonna take it?" Cameron asks while smiling.

"Well, I rushed home to not only to tell you but to get your opinion on it."

"Geneva if this truly makes you happy and if it's something you think you'll love I think you should go for it." "You know I got your back."

"Yes I know." "Thank you for supporting me Cameron, I love you so much."

After relaxing for a few hours and having dinner with Cameron, my attorney comes over with the last of the paperwork for me to sign off on my divorce. I sign the documents with a quickness, give him my thanks, and send him on his way. I'm finally free after 15 years of unhappiness, trust issues, and identity issues. I'm with the woman of my dreams and I couldn't be more happy. This is what rebirth feels like.