When It All Falls Down by Dijorn Moss Page B

row gives me the most objective view of the church.
    Pastor Robinson sits in her chair with a Bible on her lap. She looks prepared to preach, and only time will tell if Robinson will play ball. At the musician station I notice the drummer, Jeremy, stare at Pastor Robinson like a work of art. Jeremy is about as subtle as a marching band.
    â€œYou notice that this is like the third week since First Gentleman has been here?” an elderly sister of the church says to another woman.
    â€œI hear that he left the pastor for another woman. Most men can’t handle an anointed woman.”
    I start to chuckle, loud enough to get the two women’s attention and to get the women to shut up. The women have the nerve to look offended and I have the nerve to look at them like they are crazy.
    â€œPraise the Lord. To God be the glory!” Minister Blackwell says. “Give an honor to God and our praise team is anointed.”
    I let out a smirk. So many Christians speak in Christianese and their halfhearted replies do not move me.
    â€œWell, it’s time to eat. Let’s give an honor to our associate pastor, Pastor McMurray.” Minister Blackwell starts clapping and the sanctuary turns hollow. Whenever a church has a pulpit hog, the members become skeptical of hearing anyone else.
    Pastor McMurray approaches the pulpit. He looks nervous, which is somewhat understandable. Based on Pastor Robinson’s assessment of McMurray’s communication skills, he is not used to being in front of a group of people, no matter how small of a group.
    â€œLord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight.”
    Amen.
    The associate pastor concludes the prayer and I can see pages of the Bible turn. I even hear devices being powered on and Bibles pulled up. The scripture will be taken from Proverbs 4. Proverbs 4 is a smart choice for a passage of scripture that focuses on wisdom.
    It is not long before the pastor starts sweating profusely. I am at the back of the sanctuary and I can see it. It kind of reminds me of the time my parents took me to SeaWorld and how the front row was reserved for people who really wanted to get wet by Shamu.
    â€œAnd, see . . . see . . . see the Bible . . .” Nothing in Pastor McMurray’s speech indicates that he has a speech impediment, but, boy, when he starts to stutter, the members of the congregation start to hold up one finger and make an abrupt exit.
    Jeremy gets up and heads out of the sanctuary. I think that this will be a good time to fact check Pastor Robinson’s story. Pastor Robinson claims that there is nothing going on between her and Jeremy. I need to see for myself. I get up and follow Jeremy out of the sanctuary and outside of the church.
    I keep a safe distance as I follow Jeremy around the corner. The church is located in a former industrial building and thus is surrounded by industrial buildings.
    I follow Jeremy around a carpentry building and discover that Jeremy is about to light something that isn’t a cigarette. Jeremy is startled when he sees me out of his periphery.
    â€œOh shoot! My bad, man.”
    â€œOh, no need to apologize. I snuck up on you,” I say as I take another step.
    â€œI’ve been struggling with this for a while.” Jeremy holds up the joint. “I keep praying for God to take the taste out of my mouth.”
    Like I said, most Christians have perfected Christianese and not the Christian way of living. Jeremy could quit smoking weed anytime he gets ready. Jeremy struggles because he wants to, just like I give in to a lot of my vices.
    â€œYou’re a minster who’s visiting aren’t you? Pastor Robinson told me.”
    â€œAre you and Pastor Robinson close?” I asked.
    â€œShe’s real supportive of me,” Jeremy says and I can see the admiration on his face.
    What I also see is a small smile creep from his mouth. Jeremy zones out as if he is reliving