Kissmas Time
by Dee Stewart
Part II
"Let me get this straight..." I watched Proctor's eyes for any signs of sanity. "You want me to join First United Atlanta Christian Center?"
He nodded. "This should be a piece of cake for you."
"Why? Because James is a member there?"
"You're one smart cookie. I knew it all along."
The jerk.
"But I can't do that. And you know very well why."
"Look.. How many times do you attend your father's church? The last time I checked you hadn't been there but twice this year: (1) Easter service and (2) to announce your engagement."
"So...I'm getting married at Hozannah Baptist. Dad's giving me away there. Grandma's growing roses for the bouquet. I can't jump ship all Will Nilly let alone for you."
"You're not doing this for me, Cookie. You're doing this for your career."
"Deal breaker. I will not put my career before my family."
"You already did when you took this job."
"No. I did this, because Mom begged me to."
"Your mother had nothing to do with this decision. And you know it. I offered you the job; you pounced on it."
"What Christian journalist do you know wouldn't want to cover church news and events for the largest newspaper in Atlanta?"
"Exactly my point." He smirked. "You didn't take this job kicking and screaming. You wanted it."
"And...so what"
"So what?" He leaned forward. "Now you give me what I hired you for--to report on the Greater Atlanta's Christian counterculture. It's news." He threw his hands up. " Heck. Every time you my reporters turn around, everytime we receive a newsfees Jesus Freak are making headlines. Serial killer, pedophiles, embezzlers, Swingers... closets freaks. Circulation Gods."
My hands trembled at his blasphemy. "But-"
"First United Atlanta is a cult and everyone outside of their marble walls knows it. The members can't take a squat without getting permission from the Bishop. 20,000 people living like Jesus Juice Junkies in side those walls 24/7. I want you inside. I want to know what makes this pinwheel spins."
By now my mouth was dry and it felt like all the blood had drained from my face. I stood up. "You're crazier than I thought. I won't tell Mom about this conversation out of respect for your marriage. But this whole deal is off. Ain't no way in the world I'd investigate or write something negative about a church, particularly that one."
"I didn't say right anything negative. I just want you to go inside and with objectivity report what you discover."
"Even if what I see is good?"
"I doubt that's all you'll find. 20,000 humans packed together like Sardines for two hours a week can't be all sunshine and Krispy Kreme. You've been there. And you already know the rumors."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Please tell me that four years of undergrad and graduate school in journalism loan payments bought me a dimwit. You know full well about the rumors." He bammed his pen against the desk., then pointed it at me. "You know full well..."
"Forget you." I walked...ran toward the door. "I quit. I'll work somewhere else and I'll pay you back with interest. Believe that."
"Believe this.." He shouted. "If you don't take this assignment, you can forget me funding this wedding of yours."
I turned around. "Freak that, too. James and I don't need your money."
He stood up and walked around his desk. "Are you sure about that?"
"Positive."
"Then why did I overhear your father telling your mother that he loaned James money for your precious bauble nesting on your finger."
I looked down at my 2 carat princess cut diamond engagment ring, something I had dreamed about since I was sixteen. "That's not true. Besides my father doesn't have the kind of money to afford this."
"You're right..." He sat on the edge of his desk. "But taking a loan against his family home might."
I watched Proctor's eyes again for any sign of a lie. He never lied, the crazy goat. But I had to be sure.
I turned back around. "I need to go talk to my dad and James about this."
He chuckled. "You do that. And while you're out why don't you bop by First United and get familiar with your assignment."
"And while I'm away why don't you buy your soul back from Satan, you jerk." I slammed his door behind me. If I hadn't just taken a bible study series in anger management I would have ran that Watermen through his jugular.
To be continued...Check back in this Thursday for Part III of Kissmas Time or subscribe to our newsfeed.
