“If I recall,” he stated matter-of-factly, “you said you would review it by the end of the month, and today is already the twenty-sixth.”

“Well, unfortunately, this isn’t a good time,” JT replied, his voice curt.

Minister Weaver made no attempt toward hiding the disgruntled look on his face and soon turned and left the office.

JT pursed his lips tightly. “Sometimes that man really gets under my skin.”

Minister Payne cracked up. “He’s a trip all right. And what is he worried about now?”

“Money. He wants more of it, and he wants me to take a look at all of your salaries. He says you’re not getting paid nearly what you deserve.”

“I disagree. We get paid fine.”

“Well, clearly Weaver begs to differ. But on the other hand, I think you actually do deserve a bonus, and especially if you agree to do a small favor for me.”

“Sure. Whatever you need.”

“Well, I’ve sort of gotten myself into a jam, and you’re the only person I can trust to help me out of it.”

Minister Payne sat up straighter in his chair. “Go ahead. I’m listening.”

“It’s really bad, Steve. To be honest, it’s the worst.”

“This sounds serious.”

“It is, and there’s no sense beating around the bush. I’ve been sleeping with this woman named Carmen for the last four years, and now she’s saying that if I don’t leave Alicia and marry her, she’s going to go public about the affair we’ve been having. She’s threatening me more and more, and she has to be stopped. This woman is crazy, and I have to get her out of my life.”

“Man, Pastor, that’s pretty deep.”

“I know. And if I could do things over, I definitely would, but it’s too late for that.”

“I guess you’re right. So, what do you want me to do?”

JT gave him more details, mainly about how she’d slithered her way back into Alicia’s life and how she’d never bothered telling him that she and Alicia were childhood friends. Then he said, “I’ve thought about this long and hard and since I can’t kill her, although it would be nice”-he chuckled-“the only way I can see getting rid of her is by sending her to prison. So, what I was thinking was that maybe you could contact one of your boys from your old neighborhood, purchase a batch of weed, cocaine, and crack, and then plant it inside her apartment. That is, if you’re willing.”

Minister Payne nodded in agreement. “Of course I am. Whatever it takes.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” JT said, happy he’d chosen to mentor and groom such a loyal and dedicated subject.

“All I need is about five grand, an address, and a key if you can get me one.”

“Done,” JT said, remembering how quickly Carmen had given him a key the same day she’d moved in and how he would gladly take the money from one of his personal accounts. He would withdraw it from the one Alicia didn’t know about.

“So, when do you want this taken care of?”

“Soon. And, Steve, if you do this, I’ll owe you for life.”

“I appreciate that, but you know I’m glad to serve in any way I can. I’m glad to do it free of charge.”

Rita’s bed was surrounded by monitors and all sorts of other equipment, and a breathing tube was secured down her throat. From her left arm ran an IV tube, and from the looks of the minimal amount of fluid left in the hanging bag, it was time for it to be replaced.

Alicia stood next to Carmen and wished there was something she could do to make things better. Rita looked as pale as ever, and still, there were no signs of improvement. Her heart still beat, but with the exception of that, her body wasn’t doing much else on its own.

“So, how are you young ladies today?” Dr. Mehta asked, walking in.

“Okay,” Carmen said, forcing a smile.

“How are you, Doctor?” Alicia added.

“I’m fine. A little tired, but I’m good.”

Carmen rubbed her mom’s forehead and then looked at Dr. Mehta. “So, how long do you think she’s going to be like this? How long will it be before she wakes up?”

“I wish I could say, but unfortunately, I just don’t know. Sometimes it can take a lot longer than we would like.”

Carmen’s eyes turned teary, and Alicia placed her arm around her.

Dr. Mehta flipped through Rita’s chart and glanced at her vitals on the digital screen. “For the most part, all we can do is give her more time.”

Carmen sniffled. “I just don’t understand why this is happening. My mom is only forty-five years old. I mean, who would ever expect something like this to happen to their parents when they’re my age?”

“I know,” he said. “And I’m very sorry.”

Alicia wanted to ask him if Rita really did have a chance of recovering, but she didn’t have the nerve to question him in front of Carmen.

“Well, I’m going to head out to see a couple of my other patients, but I’ll be in bright and early in the morning before I begin my surgery schedule for the day.”

“Thank you so much for everything,” Carmen told him.

“You’re quite welcome.”

After Dr. Mehta left, Alicia and Carmen stayed for a few more minutes and then went back out to the long-term family waiting area, which, interestingly enough, was empty right now. This particular room was a lot more relaxed; it offered more of an at-home kind of atmosphere and was utilized by families who had very sick loved ones. It was even furnished with a microwave, a refrigerator, and a huge flat-screen television, and there were board games and puzzles stacked inside a large wooden entertainment center.

Alicia sat down in one of the plush recliners, and Carmen settled into the other one.

“You know,” Carmen began, “I can’t help but wonder if this is all my fault.”

Alicia looked at her. “How do you mean?”

“Well, I certainly haven’t been perfect, and I’ve done a lot of things I’m sure God isn’t happy about. So, I have to wonder if my horrible sins are the reason my mom is ill.”

“I really doubt that, and you shouldn’t blame yourself for any of what’s going on. I can’t explain why your mom had that aneurysm, but what I do know is that God doesn’t purposely cause any of us a lot of pain and suffering. He does allow some bad things to happen, but He would never intentionally try to hurt anyone.”

“But not only have I committed sins, I’m still committing a lot of the same ones right now.”

“I’ve committed sins as well, but last year, I completely turned my life around, and I truly believe God has forgiven me. Which means he’ll do the same thing for you, too.”

“You really think so?”

“I honestly do. It’s never too late to confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, and then live our lives the way God wants us to.”

Carmen reached for Alicia’s hand. “You are such a good friend to me, and I’ll never be able to repay you enough for being here with me.”

“I’m here because I love you, and I’ll stay by your side for as long as you need me.”

Carmen breathed deeply and then paused for a few seconds. “Alicia, there’s something I really need to tell you,” she said, but they both looked behind them when they heard someone calling Alicia’s name.

“Oh my God,” Alicia said, smiling at her ex-husband and then standing and hugging him. “Phillip, what are you doing here?”

“I was going to ask you the same thing. You’re not here for your mom or stepfather, are you?”

“No,” she said, touching Carmen’s shoulder. “This is a very good friend of mine, and her mother had an aneurysm yesterday.”

“Oh my. I’m really sorry to hear that.”

“Thank you,” Carmen said, and Alicia could tell she was wondering who he was.

“Carmen, this is my ex-husband, Phillip.”

“Oh, it’s very nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice meeting you as well.”

“So, who are you here for?” Alicia asked him.

“One of our church members. When I moved back to the area, I resumed my old position as assistant pastor, so I try to go see as many members as I can on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.”