Chapter Gills
Gills
Last night almost turned out to be the worst for me. Galleria was unexpected, along with her petty games and childish ways. Journei already gave me the rundown about her and Alexis, so I was sure it all clicked when the introduction was made between the two.
Journei handled herself well though. I could tell she wanted to put hands on her, but that one reminder shut down every thought she had. Galleria could flap that tongue all day, but we all knew why she was upset.
I classified her as family, but Galleria still had hope that I would look at her differently, but that wasn’t gon’ happen.
Hearing that Journei was pregnant hurt her.
I saw it in her eyes the second it was mentioned.
I didn’t like hurting any woman, but mine wouldn’t be hid nor disrespected, and neither would my child.
Once we made it back to Nashville, Journei opened up for me right in the parking deck.
Each time I entered her, I felt like she added a layer to the spell I was already under.
Her conversation was just as intimate. When we talked, she rarely spoke on good memories but shared many dark ones.
What she went through, I would’ve never guessed.
Being locked away just because she reminded Jourdell of her mom or not being able to eat because he blamed her for her mother’s death was wrong. And goin’ into a group home didn’t stop the beatings. All it did was change the abuser. It went from her dad to her roommates.
She lay in bed last night, crying about how she didn’t want our son to go through anything she did. I assured her ten times over that he wouldn’t. It didn’t ease her mind, but she accepted my response.
I walked out the bathroom, wrapped in a towel from the quick shower I took.
Journei didn’t make sleeping next to her easy.
Her body stayed tucked under mine, no matter what position I was in.
And when I thought about our child, I wanted to put another one in before the first one had a chance to come out.
“Baby, Diego just called and said they’re on their way up. I hope you didn’t mind me answering your phone,” she said with an unsure look.
“Nah, you good, mama. You were sleep when I went in. How long you been up?” I asked.
“Like ten minutes. I wanted to start on breakfast, but you don’t have anything to cook.”
“That’s because I’m not a breakfast fan. We can go grab somethin’ after you shower. You got about forty-five minutes before they get here.” Since I knew Diego, he was already an hour in when he called. He hated driving, so he sped to his destination, not caring about a speed limit.
Without responding, she ran to bathroom to handle her hygiene. I took the liberty in getting her clothes laid out. I went shopping not too long ago and bought us matching sets. I didn’t know her size exactly, so I took a guess.
I planned on us being simple today. Her thing was dresses, but Belle Air put me on a site she shopped from called SHEIN, so I ordered her a few pieces from there.
A white laced romper with gold trim to match my Hugo Boss white and gold shirt and shorts.
It was hot outside, and I needed to be cool in order to keep my aggravation level down.
It took Journei the full forty-five minutes to get herself together. She looked nothin’ less than angelic dressed in her white. My son had her skin glowing, and I swear when I looked at her, I could see a small pudge. She walked toward me with the prettiest smile on her face.
“Just so you know, you do this thing where you stare at me and don’t hear or see anything around you. Your family is here Christian,” Journei voiced, then placed a kiss on my lips.
She was right. Whenever I looked at her, I got lost and wasn’t aware of anything surrounding me except her.
Walking out the bedroom, hand in hand, I found my people in the living room having small talk.
They knew not to bring Galleria to my house.
She had a problem with my woman, and I refused to have mine uncomfortable.
Plus, that wouldn’t have been the last time Galleria would be here.
I knew her and the pop-ups would’ve been frequent.
“Before we go, mama, let me holla at them right quick.” I pointed to both Kégo and Diego. She gave a small nod and sat to talk with Granny. I took them to the balcony for some privacy.
“Wassup, mijo? What’s on your mind?” Papa asked.
“Journei’s wife works for you. What was the job y’all were comin’ to the States for?” I inquired because I had a feeling on what it was.
Kégo spoke up. “To off some nigga Alexis didn’t wanna touch. She was givin’ us the details today. Said somethin’ about her wife was in trouble and didn’t trust nobody else but us to handle it.”
“Papa, I am the job. Alexis found out Journei was pregnant for me and lost it. She disrespected Journei, Hunz, and his wife. Hunz was the one that told me how Alexis was comin’.
My son won’t be harmed, and neither will his mother.
I changed for abuela, but my gun still buss,” I replied.
They knew Hunz as well and accepted him.
“No, mijo. Alexis is a worker that makes me a lot of money, but you are la familia. Family tops any and everybody. Let me see what she has planned so you’ll be aware.
I can shut it down, but she’s still her own person.
Journei carries my grandson, and I wanna see him grow up.
He won’t leave before his time. He’s got an empire to run,” Diego said and smiled.
“Thank you, Papa. I ’preciate it.”
Both him and Kégo grabbed a shoulder and squeezed. I appreciated my family and the support they gave me. Journei was family by default, but they stepped up to protect her and our son. The money didn’t change them. That meant everything to me.
“Baby, can we go eat now? I am starving,” Journei whined and put on those puppy-dog eyes that had me giving her whatever she desired. I nodded and grabbed her hand to leave.
Tacos El Paladito served breakfast in the traditional Mexico form. Chilaquiles, atole, and tamales, coffee and pastries, and millets. I was fully black, but from being around Kégo, I indulged in the Mexican culture often, hence my Spanish being as fluent as it was.
My son didn’t give my baby hell when she ate those fajitas I fixed for her, so I figured we could stick to the spicy foods. Her pregnancy just started, and I wanted to make sure she could eat somethin’ without it comin’ back up.
The restaurant wasn’t too packed like it usually was for lunch and dinner. We were able to have a peaceful meal without being rushed or aggravated by the extra noise.
“Journei, what’s yo’ thoughts on Christian being a pastor?” Kégo questioned her as she finished her last bite.
“So, we really doin’ this… okay. I have a hard time believing in God due to my past, but Christian is a real sweet and patient man.
If he chooses to do whatever religious muthafuckas do, then that’s on him.
I know it’s somethin’ he’s passionate about, so I won’t knock anything he’s doin’ regarding it.
I can’t speak too much on somethin’ I have no clue about though, Kay,” she replied and gave Kégo a nickname in the process.
A smile had somehow made its way on my face. I knew her view on God, but I planned on changing her mindset by how I acted and presented things to her.
“Christian, I want you know she’s been through a lot.
I’m not saying convert her over, but give her time, and maybe that’ll change.
You can’t help who you love, baby, and you love that woman dearly.
Don’t give up on each other, and focus on becoming each other’s best friend, not just lovers.
It’ll all work itself out.” Annie Mae Gills was dropping gems, and I was catching every one of them.
The morning had gone well, and they wanted to play. I was the shiny new toy that they wanted to see in action. Seeing where I delivered the word was all I could offer. It was a pretty day outside, so we walked a few blocks over to the Gethsemane church house.
Of course, Granny put on like she was the holiest while everybody else just did a normal walkthrough. Since we were there, I went to the office to see if Rebecca was still in. I caught her right as she was locking the door.
“Rebecca, don’t get me.” I held up the files she needed.
Shaking her head, then letting a smile appear, she reached for the files. “Pastor Gills, I needed those yesterday. You are so last minute. I’ll have the summary sent by email tonight. See you tomorrow. Enjoy your day.” Her words faded as she walked off.
I yelled, “Thank you!” before I lost visual of her. She wanted to curse me out I was sure, but the sweet Christian woman she always displayed said let me be. I saw it on her face before she smiled. I was grateful for Rebecca though. She got things done when I couldn’t.
Heading back toward the sanctuary, I spotted Journei running to the bathroom with Granny behind her. My son was gon’ have her mad at me by the end of the day. I took strides in her direction when Kégo came from the sanctuary door saying someone was looking for me.
I followed behind him to see who wanted a moment. Nobody knew where I would be today, so I was curious. As I stepped into the sanctuary, there was a man with his back turned toward me near the entrance of the church.
Kégo had his hand behind his back, grippin’ his tool, just in case somethin’ popped off. It was wrong, but anything could happen, and he took no chances when it came to family. He motioned for Papa to come stand behind him.
“Someone looking for Pastor Gills?”
He didn’t reveal his face until I spoke. When he turned around, so did I. My focus went to the door Journei walked out of previously. Her emotions were all over the place, but the one emotion she showed numerous times related to him was fear.
Her running to the bathroom had me wondering if it was because of our son or him. I released a breath that was held without realization. At that moment, I was straddling the fence with putting him out or goin’ to Journei and avoiding the interaction.
Jourdell approached me with a casual smile as my phone began to ring. Pulling it out, I glanced at the name, and it was Hunz. From Jourdell being in the same location as me, I knew what the call was for.
“Hey there, Pastor. I didn’t think I would catch you here. I got released yesterday, and the only place I knew to come for a lil’ prayer and guidance was here. I’m really tryna stay on the right path,” he said with an extended hand.
He came there looking for help, and one thing I never wanted to do was turn someone away, especially after a troubled life. However, it was either him or Journei, and my woman was gon’ win every time.
I shook his hand just as Journei opened the door. When I looked back, she wore that glow my son gave her and a playful expression that would soon be snatched away from her. She pointed at Kégo and laughed.
“For the record, Kégo, you put too much salsa on that chilaquiles. Had me fu… I mean, messing them people bathroom up. You better be glad they had air freshener.” Slowing down her stride, she noticed my vibe was off. “Why you looking like that, baby? What’s wrong?”
Journei had yet to notice her father. I wanted to get her out of here before the light she had surrounding her was dimmed.
“Hold up, mama. Let me talk to you for a second.” She was walkin’ into a bad situation without knowing.
I turned around to hide Jourdell’s figure from her, but he got a view of her instead.
“Spot? Baby girl, is that you?” He called a nickname she never mentioned. “Pastor, that’s my baby. Thank you, God, for bringing my daughter back to me.” He was sending thanks while my woman was letting it register who was in front of her.
I could see the pain he inflicted on her through her eyes. She didn’t hear or see anything after he spoke. All she did was stand there, staring at Jourdell. That was what I wanted to protect her from.
She was so scared of him that those few steps he decided to take toward Journei caused her to release her fluids on herself. Papa and Kégo caught on to what was happenin’, and without a second thought, Kégo had his gun on his target. Jourdell stopped in place with his hands in the air immediately.
“Mama, you gotta go.” When she didn’t move, my hand went to her stomach as I spoke low in her ear.
“Mama, I know you’re scared, but he won’t touch you.
Focus and go with Kégo.” My baby was shaking, and whatever she was thinking had her panicking.
She finally made eye contact and gave a look saying she didn’t want me to leave her.
“I’ll be right behind you,” I assured her.
Kégo escorted both Journei and Granny out the door with Diego trailing behind. The door was barely closed when I heard glass breaking. Turning around, I saw flames near the double-door entrance of the sanctuary.
Not even a minute later, the rest of the windows got the same treatment. There were Molotovs being thrown into the building. The church was goin’ up, and my family was the only thing on my mind.
“Jourdell… Jourdell!” I was yelling for his attention.
He was so distracted by the fire that he didn’t hear me talkin’ to him.
I ran over to him so he could follow me out the back.
The most I could do was tap his shoulder before another Molotov came through right in front of us.
Grabbing on to his forearm, I began to pull him to the door my family just exited.
One window was left. It was the closest to the door, and there was only a matter of time before one came through it. As if my words called my fate, not one but multiple Molotovs came through back-to-back. Jourdell looked at me as I looked at him. We were boxed in with nowhere to run.
“Christian!” was all I heard before the flames got so big that they separated me from my family.
Journei managed to open the door and yell for me before Kégo stopped her.
I watched my baby fight him to try to get to me.
Her father didn’t touch her, and I didn’t let anyone or anything hurt her.
I kept my promise to Journei, and that was all that mattered.