The Secrets You Keep

Let The Church Say Amen

*Two Weeks Later*

Today is the biggest day of Geneva's career and I couldn't be any happier for her. We both woke up early and got ready hoping to grab an early brunch before heading off to her new pastoral job at First Emmanuel for a special ceremony.

"Baby, can you proofread my sermon one more time before we head in?" She asks.

"No problem bae." I reply while reaching for her printed out sermon.

After reading through the pages, I place it back in her briefcase and plant a kiss on her forehead.

"Everything looks good baby, I'm really proud of you." We lock eyes and her smile shines in the morning sunlight.

As we pull into the parking lot, I notice so many members heading in hoping to hear Geneva preach and although I don't have to preach a word, I'm starting to get nervous.

I grab Geneva's briefcase and clergy outfit and start to walk into the building and out the corner of my eye, I noticed Travis walking over.

"Wassup Cam!" He's says moving through a crowd of members and smiling.

"Wassup Travis, what are you doing here?" I ask.

"Aw man, I'm just visiting ya know showing my support to Geneva." "How was the trip to Dubai?"

"Thanks man, I really appreciate that, I know she will too." "The trip was amazing we did some eating and shopping we had fun." "Listen, I gotta run this stuff up to Geneva so she can get ready for the service and to preach, I'll catch up with you afterwards bro." We dap up before I run over to Geneva's office to drop off her clergy outfit and sermon.

I take my seat on the front pew and unloosen my tie a little bit. The deacons are already sitting in the pulpit and I notice on looking over at me with a sour look. I flash a petty grin and wave at him, I think I'm gonna like ruffling these people feathers a little.

The choir starts taking their place on the stage and to my surprise Karen Clark Sheard walks out and starts to sing Balm In Gilead. I've heard the song since childhood and her voice still sounds the same as it did when I first heard it. After the song wraps up, Geneva makes up way up to the podium and delivers one of the most powerful sermons I've ever witnessed. She has members old and young on their feet, swaying, speaking in tongues; and breaking about in praise breaks.

After the closing prayer and tithing call, I make my way over to Geneva's office.

"Hey superstar." I sneak up behind her and wrap my arms around her.

She squeals and laughs, "Hey honey, did you enjoy the service?"

"Of course I did, you were amazing and the choir was pretty dope too."

We embrace and kiss before quickly stopping. I turn to notice a woman standing at the entrance of the door knocking on the frame hoping to get our attention.

"I'm sorry am I interrupting something?" She asks.

"Oh no, I apologize about that." Geneva says.

"Well I was just coming over to formally introduce myself and welcome you to First Emmanuel Pastor Mitchell." "My name is Phyllis McCleary, I'm on the board and I've been a member of this congregation for over 20 years." She says holding her hand out for us to shake.

"Well it's nice to meet you Sister McCleary, this is Cameron my partner." Geneva smiles at the older woman still holding my hand.

"Partner?" "Oh, you two are together? How lovely, we've never had a lesbian be a pastor here before." Sister McCleary says with a fake grin.

"Well, I better be on my way it was nice to meet the both of you, and Pastor Mitchell I you can join us for our board meeting next week Thursday."

"Of course, it was nice to meet you too Sister McCleary." Geneva says while waving and closing her door.

"Okay let's head home so I can start dinner." I grab her hand and plant another kiss on her forehead.

We head back to the house and I make Geneva's favorite meal, Ribeye Steak with Mushroom sauce, Asparagus, and Garlic Mashed Potatoes. After dinner, we cuddle up on the couch with wine and watch a movie. But I notice that Geneva looks nervous and upset.

"Cameron, I need to tell you something." Geneva says.

"What it is, what's going on?" I turn to look at her.

She puts her wine glass down, takes a deep breath and looks into my eyes before answering.

"David has been calling for the last few weeks trying to get into contact with me so we could meet, we met for lunch right before we took our trip to Dubai."

"So when we were in Dubai, you lied to me?!?"  "Geneva I'm only going to ask you this one more time, are you sleeping with him!?!?"

The silence is deafening and I feel a chill running down my spine confirming what I already knew. How could she lie to me like this?

Hanging her head down in guilt, she answers with a simple, "Yes."

My stomach instantly starts to turn. I can't blow up into anger because I realize the situation would only get worse.

"I'm going to bed, I can't deal with this right now, we'll pick this up a different time." I walk away from the couch and Geneva calls for me to come back before I start to hear her crying and saying sorry profusely. I'm empty and my heart is broken into a million pieces right now. Fuck what did I get myself into?