GOOD RIGHT REVEREND

CHAPTER ONE

IIn the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:1

"I don't understand," Donovan repeated for the third time in less than 3 minutes.

He didn't want to understand. The more his father and these people talked the less he heard. It was as if the communication between his brain and hearing was not working. He could see their mouths moving and producing words he had no doubt, but he could not comprehend any of their meanings.

The breakdown occurred the moment his father entered his office with three men following him. He got that they were with a public relations firm and the name was Barney Douglas and Smith. When his father announced they would now be representing him that is when all comprehension left him. He didn't need representation, at all. The idea was absurd. He was nobody, a pastor of a church that's all.

Yes, he was a pastor of a church and he had written a book. Simple right? Apparently not to his father. In his father's opinion he needed PR, attorneys, and a personal assistant. All of which he'd reject in the beginning but then he went and agreed to have an attorney and that was a huge mistake because now his father believes it was green light to turn on the fireworks. What he needed was for his father to stop these attempts to make him into a Mega-pastor with an entourage.

Donovan it is quite simple, his father explained in a huff. They are going to represent you by handling all your book promotions and scheduling from now on. In other words, no one gets to you except through them.

Donovan frowned, "What do you mean?"

His father exhaled and shook his head slowly to keep his patience. "This is quite simple Donovan. You go and do what they tell you and when they tell you. They will always have your best interest in mind."

Donovan almost laughed. His best interest no doubt would mean prying into his every decision and knowing where he was always. All information his father would love to have access to knowing.

Donovan looked at the three strangers and sighed loudly. There was no way this would be a good thing he didn't need a spot light on him. His every movement being tracked and scrutinized was the last thing he wanted. He was twenty-seven years old and his father wanted him to check in like he was still a teenager with a curfew. Having a family of his own and being senior pastor had not changed his father's view of him. He was still just a child in his eyes.

"No. I don't want that. So, thank you but no," He stated flatly. "Gentlemen we won't be needing your services he stated looking his father in the eye. I have my life under control. If that changes, we will give you a call."

"Yes, you do need this Donovan," his father argued. "You can't be at your best and do all the things that will now go along with what is required. The book tour, sermons, speaking engagement, TV interviews..."

"TV interviews?" Donovan growled and stood. "I don't want to do TV interviews. I wrote a book Dad and I agreed to this impossible book tour to pacify you and the publisher, but I will not become a one-man circus. I agreed that the attorney was necessary to negotiate my contracts with the publisher. I even agreed to considering an assistant even though I feel it is completely pointless. But Dad I just want to live a quiet life, raise my children, and pastor my church. Why can't you honor my wishes? I don't care about any of this extra stuff that you keep throwing at me. Why can't you understand that Dad?" He shouted.

"Pastor Hightower if I could just explain," the older of the gentlemen stated. Donovan judged him to be the older because of his head of stark white hair and he had an air of authority.

"What is your name again?" Donovan asked as he lowered back in to his chair.

"Gregory or Greg if you prefer," he smiled.

Donovan squinted at the man and took a deep breath he wanted to roll his eyes for emphasis but withheld the childish gesture. Donovan looked the man over, expensive haircut, designer frames set on a perfect nose, tailored suit. Armani if he had to guess. All the signs of someone that was very good at doing their job. Donovan wondered just how many other clients he currently represented. Tilting his head, Donovan looked into the man's cold gray eyes and wondered if he was about to give him the same spill that had been given to all his other clients. Slowly he relaxed in his chair and exhaled. "I'm listening," Donovan stated almost in a whisper.

He watched as Gregory pulled a leather binder from his opened briefcase and flipped it open. Donovan remained quiet as the man took a stack of papers from it and began to pass them out, one to him the other to his father.

"Over the next 3 months your itinerary will consist of the following." Gregory began to explain.

Donovan's mouth dropped open at the sight of all the items listed on the three-pages. The first thing he notice was that for next three weeks alone he would only be home twice and for one night each. He pulled a pen from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and pushed the button on the end with his thumb. He'd completely shut out the man talking and began to draw lines through items on the list. He drew a line through the first item on the list taking place in the next two days, which was a guest spot on a local Sunday morning TV talk show and a book signing at a local book store immediately after. At the end of the squiggly line he wrote Communion Sunday and softball game. Three items down he drew a line through a trip to San Diego for a televised appearance on another local Sunday morning show and the next two items which would have him away from home 3 days in a row.

Donovan began to chew on his bottom lip as he continued to draw through items and write notes in the margin of the page. He was determined to not miss a Sunday sermon, a Wednesday night bible study, and most definitely no family plans were going to be missed or rearranged for this none sense. Donovan was so absorbed in changing the list he didn't realize that Gregory had stopped talking and that all 4 men were now staring at him. Donovan glanced over the pages one more time to see if he had missed anything. He then turned the packet toward Gregory and shoved it to him. "This is none negotiable," he stated flatly.

"Son..."

"No Dad!" he interrupted. "These changes are none negotiable either we agree on that or I walk away altogether. I don't want this for me or my family and don't even get me started on the distress this type of schedule will have on my congregation."

"Mr. Hightower, I understand really I do," Gregory stated calmly. But this schedule is designed to get you more recognition while the book is on the best sellers list. We must be aggressive in getting your face recognizable with your name and in the public eye. That will get more book sales. All of this leads to more church memberships which means more money in the collection plate. Yes, the schedule is strenuous, you will be very busy for the next 6 months and then..."

"There it is," Donovan interrupted. "More money in the collection plate. Greg," he stated sarcastically. "I know that money is what drives most of your clients but not me." he leaned forward. "My priority for this church is yes to bring more souls to Christ, do more in the surrounding community but in my opinion making me the focus is not the way to accomplish that goal."

Donovan's frown deepened as he tried to contain his anger. He'd said all that he felt needed to be said. His father and these men would never see this from his view so why continue this discussion. Slowly Donovan pushed his chair back from his desk and stood. He walked toward the door and didn't bother to look back but said as calmly as possible. "None negotiable."