Power of the Pum Pum (From Guns to God)

Chapter 10

The day of church

As we walked inside my childhood church I could tell that Tafari wanted to turn back. He dragged his feet and tapped his hands on his sides. He had his locs braided in one and it revealed his big forehead. He was a fine-looking young man and I know that if we were blessed with children they would look just like him. Mr. Tall dark and bad.

"You have nothing to worry about babe" I assured him and took his hand.
"Nothing good ever happens easily"
"So one day at a time baby"

Tafari placed a hand on my hip, pulled me closer to him and he whispered in my ear. "Power of the pum pum"

I giggled and playfully slapped his arm
"Boy you are in church"
"Have some respect"

I looked over to the members' side of the church and saw uncle Sam shooting daggers at me with his eyes. My heart throbbed in my chest. I knew he was disappointed but hey I obey God and not man. Too many people are not walking in their purpose because they are afraid of what people may say or think. I was never one that strives to please an audience and I have never been one to follow a crowd.

"Let's sit here" I sat down with Tafari in the none members section. All eyes were on us now and weirdly I felt good about it. I was winning, God was winning. I got the notorious Damian Mcleod to enter a church.

My phone chimed and I glanced down at it.

Ashley: Really Staci? You had to go this far to win a battle with your uncle? People like him don't look good in a church.

I was furious and all I wanted to do was snap at her in front of the entire congregation but I knew that would drive a bigger wedge between my uncle and me so I willed myself to calm down.

Me: Good morning to you too Ashley. Now wait a minute, I thought church folks were not allowed to judge. Girl have a happy Sunday and be blessed.

She didn't text back, instead, she glanced at us every chance she got and when I look back she quickly turned her head.

Ashley was a petite girl with jet-black coolie hair from down the lane. We went to high school together. She was always the one that pretended as though she could do nothing wrong. I never liked her much but was forced by my uncle to have small talk with her during church activities.

Pastor Taylor took the Mic and was ready to preach, I took Tafari's hand and gave it a soft comforting squeeze. He glanced at me, half smiled, and winked.

"Good morning church" pastor Taylor shouted and the uproar of responses began.

He turned on the monitor and the theme for the week was displayed. Surprisingly Tafari took out his phone and took a picture of it.

Hold on to me when present trouble is about to mess with my future 1 Kings 19 1-8; 2 Kings 2. 1-11

Hold on to me when I'm thrust into the confusion of trying to figure you out. Job 23 1-6; 8-15 Isaiah 55 8, 9

Hold on to me when I'm trying to mess with your plan and purpose for my life. Ex 3 1, 2 13-15.

"God is in the room today" I whispered and ran my hand over his thigh.

Tafari didn't respond, instead, he looked down at me and smiled broadly.

At the end of the service, Tafari insisted that we left before anyone could approach us. We walked briskly outside of the church and went inside his cousin's car. As we drove in the direction of his house he kept glancing at me.

"What is it, babe?"  I asked and interlock a hand with his.

He parked the car in front of his house, shut off the engine, and pulled back his seat. Tafari placed a hand over his forehead and sighed.