Dr. Skye Series: "Trapped"

Sessions 7

The early morning sun reflected off of my windshield as I was parking and walking to the doors of my favorite eating spot. Greeted by Pastor Johnson, he was sitting there scrolling through his phone. If the truth is told, I overslept, and traffic was active.

Breathless and tired, my favorite waitress came to the table. "Good Morning. I wouldn't have expected to see you two and Charles here this early". She knew me much too well, but the question was, how did she know Pastor Johnson? I had never seen her at church. Then, again he is well-known in this community.

"Baby girl, you never know who dad knows," he replied. My eyes grew as if they were about to pop out of my head. Jasmine is Pastor Johnson's daughter. I wanted to disappear in thin air. I may have been dreaming, so I asked the question out loud for confirmation. She agrees in her response, "Yes, the great Rev. Dr. Johnson is my daddy."

"I have been trying to get her to come to church for years and bless us with that pretty voice." I looked at her and smiled. Making that note in my brain to remember my favorite waitress can sing. One day I will have to get her to sing me a song. No, she may not do that. My wife would sing me a song every night. She had the voice of an angel. When you close your eyes, you would think it was Faith Evans.

Jasmine took out her notebook and pen. She was ready to take our order. I never came here for breakfast. She makes that known, "Unfortunately, we do not sell BLTs for breakfast, Charles." I picked up the menu to see what looked tasteful at the moment. I only looked at the menu for about 15 seconds. When Pastor Johnson spoke up, "I have a recommendation."

Never taking food recommendations from anyone, I asked, "What is that, Pastor?" I am a picky eater. There is a way I like to see in my food. It can be the best-tasting thing ever, but if it does not look pleasant. I will not eat it. Some people say I have OCD. I do not claim it. It is just how I am.

My favorite waitress knows what I like. She turned the menu over and pointed to a bacon and cheese croissant. Pastor also recommended getting a frappe with an extra shot of expresso.

Is this their way of pulling me into the family? When people know what I like without me saying a word hooks me everything. Charles, get out of your flesh! You are to get relief, not start a new family. Plus, Miss Amy said she has how many kids? With how many dads? Okay, let us pray.

Five minutes went by. Jasmine, came back holding two half-frozen cups. I am not going to lie. Those frappes did look good. I hope it satisfies my taste buds. She places the drinks in front of both of us. Then she walked away.

"So, you know my daughter, huh?" That question threw me for a loop. It was like a stumbling block in my walking path. I got on a sip of the drink. He was looking at me all seriously, expecting an answer. Having no other choice, I had to answer him truthfully. "Yes, she is one of my favorite waitresses."

"Is that all just your favorite waitress?" Now I felt like a criminal inside an investigation room. Why is he questioning me about his daughter? "What do you mean by that?" My facial expressions always gave away my emotions, so I asked and tried to hide behind a magazine.

"I saw you look at her, and she looked at you."

"Pastor!"

"Charles, I wasn't born yesterday."

Before I get all caught up in letting out my real true feelings, let me attempt to change the subject. "Let's talk about why we are here." Jasmine had just arrived with our food. In my culture, it gets quiet when eating is taking place. She asked if she could do anything else, but her dad rushed her off, "We had business to handle."

After taking a few bites out of his sandwich. Pastor Johnson asked, "How are you coping with everything?" I was ready because this was the real reason for our meeting. For the past two weeks, I have been running from pain and hurt.

"Honestly, these past few weeks have been a living hell. During my down season, God was showing me some things to fix in my life. Everyone thinks I have been depressed, but I have been spending time with God."

He went inside his pocket and handed me a white handkerchief. Then asked another, "How has that been for you?"

He must know the tears were about fall. In tears, "It has been a big challenge, I've been reading my word daily, and I feel I have been comprehending well, but it is my prayer life I have been struggling with."

"Tell me how." At this point, his small talk was like a knife cutting me deeper and deeper. I felt so vulnerable and had to let it go. "As you know, I am a planner. I like to plan everything step by step and check it off as I complete it. I go through my lift with no problem, but when I see prayer coming up. I get lazy. I start thinking about my babies. I often wonder why, did this have to happen? Why both of them at the same time? I will be feeling so low with no one to talk to."

Finally, he gave me advice. I had to take out my phone and make a note of mostly everything. His words hit me hard, like a bandage for an open wound. "Prayer is the most challenging part of being a Christian. The enemy tries his best to keep you from talking with our Father. Here is your first assignment. For seven days, I challenge you to find your prayer style. Take 90 seconds; converse with God verbally, write him a note, or sing him a song."

After all that crying, I had to build my humor back up. "Now, Pastor, you know I can't sing." We both laughed. "But, you can make a joyful noise." I had to agree with him. While in the shower. I have a concert, and my bae would tell me, "I'm glad it was not your voice that hooked me."

Pastor Johnson gave me more advice as I sat there and listened, "Second, get out of the house. Staying inside brings nothing but memories. Yes, they are good, but God has called you to live. Get one friend you can trust to take you somewhere if it is no more than just riding. I promise it will make you feel better."

I had to take a moment and think about who that person will be. Then I heard the voice, "If you ever want to chill. Call me." So I accepted that challenge as well.

He called Jasmine over. He had a big smirk on and face. I know this man is not about to hook me up with his daughter. My heart dropped. She approached the table he said, "Here is my card. Charles, breakfast is on me. Likewise, take out what you want for lunch." "Thanks, Daddy. I will be right back." She was spoiled, even in her adult years. I love the fact that she was still humble and grateful to her father as well.

Jasmine returned, and we were getting ready to go our separate ways when a thought hit my mind like lightning. "Before we go, Pastor, I have a question." He paused in his tracks and took his seat. I continued, "Jasmine told me that Principal Nathanial's grandson has been missing since the accident. Do you know anything about it?"

For the third time, I felt like he was rushing and running away from this question. His excuse this time was, "So, I got to go, son. I have another meeting in a few minutes. I'll see you Sunday. Also, I will call you to set up; a time, date, and location of our next session."

Jasmine came back over as he exited the double glass doors. "What you said to him? In my 31 years, I have never seen him move that fast."

I looked at her with a long face, "Only God knows."