Trapped in His Own skin

Chapter 2

The ringing of Alex-Andre's cell phone jolted him from his recollection. It was Marcus his childhood friend who was also a PK. Marcus Willis was also a senior and was majoring in Public Relations and Marketing at Morehouse College so they didn't see each other much but checked in on each other often.

"Dre what's popping? What time should I pick you up later?"

"Hey I'm well. What's happening later?"

"Please don't tell me you have forgotten that we made plans to attend 'Choirs in Praise' at Victory Tabernacle?" Marcus questioned.

"I totally forgot dude. Let's see, pick me up around 3 p.m. I should be all ready by then," announced Alex-Andre.

"Alrighty then, see you at 3 p.m. sharp," replied Marcus.

"See you then."

Alex-Andre was home for a few weeks and he decided that he would make the best of it. The Choirs in Praise was an annual event at Victory Tabernacle Church; choirs from all over the country came to perform to raise money for charity. Victory Tabernacle was Calvary's sister church and both churches enjoyed good fellowship dating as far back as in the 80's.

After hanging up Alex-Andre went in search of his mother. Out of respect he wanted to inform her of his plans for the rest of the day. He knew where she would be – in her garden tending to her flowers. Even though they had a gardener she insisted on doing some of the gardening herself.

"Mom, why do you insist on doing this when Miller is here to do the gardening and landscaping of the grounds?"

"I like getting my hands dirty plus attending to my plants helps me to relax," she offered.

"Ok just don't overdo it. Where is dad by the way?" He asked.

"He went down by the church to host a meeting with the board of deacons." "Did you need him for something?" She probed.

"I just wanted to inform you both that I will be attending the 'Choirs in Praise' singspiration in Athens with Marcus this afternoon."

"This must be the same event I overheard some young people at church talking about. Well ok but please be careful and remember not to do anything that will bring reproach on us or the church." She admonished him.

Alex-Andre just shook his head and said, "I know mom I wouldn't want to be a disappointment to you or the Bishop!"

"Dre I'm being serious. Please remember who you are and what you are about."

"Aye, Aye captain"Alex-Andre mused, walking over to give his mother a hug and a kiss to the forehead. "I will be on my best behaviour, I promise."  

~*~

Marcus was on time as usual – 3 p.m. on the dot, he was always a punctual person. Marcus and Alex-Andre met a camp meeting about fifteen years ago. At the time both boys were the youngest attendees (being only nine years of age), however, the required age group for the other attendees was 13 to 16; they stood out like a sore thumb. Looking back Alex-Andre thought that he was probably at every church event, even those not meant for him. Marcus was family. My parents treated him as if he was their child, Bishop Moore often said to Alex-Andre 'Why can't you be more like Marcus, he is such an upstanding young man.' To this Alex-Andre always thought 'if you only knew the real Marcus then you would prohibit him from coming to this house!'

Both boys would confine in each other over the years, the many 'ungodly' activities they partook in were not worth mentioning. If word got out both the Moore's and Willis' families would be mortified, not to mention the impact on the 'church'.