Let the Church Say Amen by Reshonda Tate Billingsley Page B

her shoulder. “And, oh yeah, good luck with your song today.”
    Jonathan nodded his head to say thank you and watched Angela walk into the sanctuary. He hated hurting her; she had been really good to him. But he had changed when he went to college. He thought that he was in love with Angela while they were together, but Tracy had shown him what true love really was. Tracy had introduced him to feelings he never knew existed. Feelings that had changed him completely.
    “Oh, Tracy,” Jonathan said softly to himself. “I really miss you.”
    “Boy, are you in here talking to yourself?” Jonathan hadn’t noticed his father come in the other door to the choir room.
    Jonathan laughed nervously. “No, Dad, I was just practicing.”
    “You don’t need no practice.” Simon slapped him on the back. “You got natural-born, God-given talent. I just saw Angela leave. She’s looking beautiful as usual. It sure would make me proud to see you two get together.” Simon winked. “Well, let’s get going; service is about to start.”
    Simon led his son out to the pulpit just as the processional music began playing. Jonathan took his seat next to his father. Only associate pastors were supposed to sit in the pulpit, but Simon had been adamant about Jonathan sitting with him.
    The service flowed along smoothly. As one of the members finished giving the church announcements, Jonathan moved to the mic at the west end of the choir stand. The pianist started playing and Jonathan, removing the mic from the stand, began rocking back and forth to the music. The words to “Precious Lord” were emblazoned in his heart, it was his mother’s favorite song. He had learned it by the time he was five years old, so he could’ve sung it without the music.
    Surprisingly, he felt totally at home. Singing had always been his passion. He had been singing in the choir since he was a little boy. He even sang with an R&B band in Atlanta. His father would have had a heart attack if he knew that. It would have also hurt him to know that Jonathan very seldom attended church at school and wasn’t active in a choir there.
    Jonathan didn’t realize how much he missed gospel music until he started getting into his song. He bellowed out his solo, his voice getting louder and stronger as he went along. When he was finished with his part, he turned to the choir and had them join in. It was absolutely amazing. When the choir was finished, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
    Simon was the first one on his feet, applauding like crazy. Jonathan stretched his arms skyward. The spirit had really moved through him today. That was surprising because he didn’t think it was possible anymore.
    He looked out at the crowd adorning him with love, and joy filled his heart. The only thing that would make this moment more complete would be having Tracy by his side. But that was a pipe dream. As much as he felt at home at Zion Hill, the church would never welcome Tracy. The members were old school and they’d never understand how he could possibly be in love with another man.

9
    R ACHEL GLARED AT the clock over the choir stand. 1:45. It sounded like her father was nowhere near winding down. He had signaled for the organist to cut the music, usually a sign that he had no intentions of wrapping up his sermon anytime soon.
    “And the Lord giveth and He taketh away!” Simon bellowed.
    Rachel had no idea what her father was talking about. She usually didn’t pay much attention to his sermons. Hadn’t in years. It seemed like he was always preaching directly to her and she had had enough of that growing up. Heck, the only reason she even bothered coming to church was because her father had vowed they’d stop watching her kids if she didn’t. And their babysitting was the only thing keeping her sane. She loved her children, but she was still young and wanted to party. But now, sitting there watching the hands on the clock inch closer to two, she was starting to