Who You Say I Am (A Jai Courtney Fanfic)

Chapter 17-Meg

Meg

After the conclusion of Pastor Khenan's marvelous lesson, I set my things down and walk up quietly to play for the prayer.  I choose the piano instead since I don't want to distract with tuning the guitar.  I know I bumped it slightly putting it down.  I shuffle the music quickly and select Cornerstone.  I play the melody while he prays for the church.  He does a small altar call and a few people come up—one of them being Javier, the man beside Jai last night.  I continue to play while they all receive prayer.  I play another song that's visible and by the time I cycle through the entire song, I can hear the pastor concluding the service.  He invites us all to fellowship in their adjacent hall for lunch.  I smile since I hadn't realized we'd be joining them.  I rise and look for Jai.  He's standing, waiting for me.  Sister Amoy steps over and tells me I can leave the guitar until after lunch if I want.  I look to Jai and he says that's fine.  I lock up his case though, just to be sure nothing happens to it. 
I walk with Jai and Sister Amoy to lunch, introducing the two of them to each other. He smiles and shakes her hand. She walks beside me and Jai steps up closer on my other side. "Your singing is fantastic," he whispers to me.
I feel a blush cover me. "Thank you," I reply softly.
The crowd moves along and I realize we're at the back. Sister Amoy steps down the stairs into the separate dining room. I feel Jai grasp me and hold me back a moment. "I mean it," he tells me staring into my eyes.
"I know," I respond blushing more.
"I definitely see why they're asking you to lead. You should do that professionally," he tells me.
I laugh in surprise. "Thank you," I tell him. "Come on," I insist taking his hand and leading him down the staircase toward lunch.
I see everyone gathered around the room. There is bench style seating like homemade picnic tables lined up throughout the room. We hurry down and join everyone holding hands as Pastor Khenan and Pastor Ben pray over our food and fellowship. We get in the line and get what I'm guessing is homemade jerk chicken, rice, some sort of stewed vegetable, and bread. The beverage from what I'm told is called sorrel tea.
We step out of the line and I see a man waving us to join him. Jai stops short and looks back to me.
"We can sit with him if you want," I nod to him.
He smiles at me and we join the man who looks to be sitting with his family.
"Megan, this is Bembe. Bembe, this is Megan," Jai actually introduces us.
I'm surprised he already knows this man but I set my plate down then reach out and shake his hand. "It's nice to meet you," I say to him. He's a larger man with a build not quite as big as Jai's but almost there. He has short cropped hair and an extremely friendly smile. His eyes are kind and his mannerisms feel thoughtful and welcoming.
"It's nice to meet you," he replies. "This is my wife, Jaqweshia," he says introducing her. I think she was at the first dinner when we arrived. She has long, braided hair—in many tiny braids—that is pulled up into an impressive and lovely updo. She's absolutely gorgeous. She has gentle eyes with long lashes, a long thin nose, full lips, and a small frame, yet she's very far along in her current pregnancy. "And these are our two girls—Cedilla and Martisha." They both have matching outfits on and look just like their mother but I'd say one is probably three and the other closer to five.
I shake Jaqweshia's hand and wave to the girls. They smile at me. I look around and realize the kids church must've been let out and I missed it.
"Thanks for the tip," she says to Jai.
He laughs and looks bashful. "You're welcome. Your husband helped me out. I appreciate it," he says.
We sit down and I find out Bembe works at the resort Jai was staying at. I try the chicken and it's wonderful. They compliment my worship skill and I smile and thank them bashfully.
"I could make you another map if you'd like to tour the area," Bembe offers Jai.
"I'd appreciate that. Maybe we could go somewhere next weekend," he comments to me.
"Like, leave the area?" I ask.
He shrugs and nods.
"That sounds like fun," I smile. I look back to Bembe to thank him and see him winking at Jai. I laugh at the two. They seem to be very chummy.
"So, I hadn't realized you went here," Jai says to him. "The way you were talking, it sounded like you weren't a part of this group."
He shrugs in response, "Nah, mon. How'd you think I knew about the school and times?"
Jai just grins in reply. "Thanks, mate. It means a lot," he says.
"I know. I can tell. I can see it," Bembe tells him confidently.
I continue on my food and chat with his wife. She tells me they're having a son and he's due in two months. I congratulate them. Before we leave to fellowship with anyone else, I see Jai and Bembe exchange contact information. Jai shakes his hand and hugs him. I'm glad he's got a friend.
We walk around the room and talk to many of the people there. I introduce Jai to Sisters Ini and Abigay but he's already met them. Abigay says something to me and I can understand that she's asking about the prophecy she told me.
"Well... several things happened yesterday. I took your advice in every one. It seemed relevant for all of them," I tell her crouched down to speak with her. She pats my cheek affectionately. I smile at her and hug her. We step away and I realize many people are heading out. Jai accompanies me back up to the sanctuary. I grab my bag and then his guitar case but he takes it from my hand.
"Thanks," I say.
"You're welcome," he replies. He opens the door for me with the other hand that's grasping the Bible he must've found in his room. I smile and pass through the door. It looks like our group has gone out of sight. "Can I get a picture of us together?" he asks me.
"Sure," I grin. "Although, I'm not very photogenic," I admit.
"I doubt that," he says disbelievingly.
We step in front of the church and he takes a picture of both of us together with the building in the distance. He's behind me holding the phone with one hand. I try to smile a real smile that he's commemorating his first real church experience. I'm moved by the action and I feel like I might even cry.
"You're frowning," he complains.
"Sorry," I apologize.
He kisses the top of my head and I laugh as he clicks the camera.
"There's that beautiful smile," he tells me showing me the picture.
It is a good one but I notice... "Are we matching?"
"Yeah, who would've thought that we have the same good taste in clothes," he jokes pocketing his phone and grabbing his guitar once more. I walk beside him. "So... are you going to play for me sometime?"
"Um..." I laugh shyly. "You really want to hear me play again?"
"And sing," he insists.
"Only if you play and sing for me," I agree.
He sighs, "I'm never going to live that video down that my mate made, am I?"
"Those are my terms," I grin.
"Alright," he agrees grudgingly. "You could seriously go pro though."
I snort. "I doubt that."
"I'm serious," he tells me as we make our way back through the town.
"Well... the truth is I'm a little nervous to be in front of a crowd. The only reason I really went up there is because of what Abigay said yesterday. At my home church, I know them all but I always focus on the sheet music in front of me, never the crowd. At south... the same. Here, the same. I can't look up or I get nervous and tongue tied. I'm afraid I'll start shaking—which I've done before—or blank out or even trip over my own feet," I admit.
"I had a bit of stage fright in the beginning, too. It just takes time and practice," he encourages me.
I nod and take the Bible out of his hands. I open the cover to see it's a NKJV. "Oh, you got a newer one. Someone in your room must've taken one home at some point," I say.
He nods in acknowledgment.
"So... what did you think?" I ask about the service.
"It was a new experience for sure," he nods. "But a lot of what Pastor Khenan said, I agree with."
"Really?" I ask excitedly.
He meets my eyes. "Really," he says seriously.
I smile at him and face forward as we stride back to the hotel.  That thought makes me so incredibly happy.