“What a lovely office,” Nikki complimented.
“Thank you. Please have a seat,” Erica said as she retrieved an employment application from the files.
Nikki noticed how professional, stylish, and beautiful Erica was. Her makeup was flawless. She felt a connection to the double-breasted olive suit and two-tone matching pumps that Erica was wearing. They had chosen the same color scheme, and Nikki thought that was a good sign.
Erica handed her a clipboard with a paper attached, and Nikki noticed her perfect French manicure.
“Take a few minutes to complete this application, and I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you,” Nikki said, feeling really welcome.
When Erica returned, Nikki handed her the completed form. Erica scanned it as she sat down. As everything appeared to be in order, she looked directly into Nikki’s eyes.
“So tell me about yourself,” she said.
Wow,
Nikki thought
, am I being interviewed? This is sudden. I had better be totally professional, but what do church people want?
She knew what corporate America wanted and could handle herself in a secular interview, but this was different. Before she panicked, she decided to let the Holy Spirit lead. She relaxed, sat back, let the peace of God overtake her, and began.
“After my divorce, God led me to move my children here from Richmond. My last job in Virginia was with the federal government in accounting. I also did a lot of volunteer work at my church.”
Nikki hesitated before going on, debating whether she should get more personal. Erica was very patient. She quietly gave Nikki all the time she needed and really made her feel comfortable. Nikki proceeded.
“I have been a partner with Way Maker Ministries for years. I’ve always considered it my second church home. I asked God to bring me here, and He did. I am so thankful to be here, and I am looking forward to getting involved.”
“Have you joined the church yet?” Erica asked.
“Yes.”
“Have you started new-members classes?”
“Not yet. I just heard the announcement about it at church on Sunday. That was my next stop.”
“Good. The classes will give you the vision of the ministry and introduce you to all the different areas in which you can serve.”
“That sounds great. Thank you.”
“How many children do you have?” Erica asked, changing the subject.
“I have three, one son and two daughters. My son, Taj, is ten. Shay is nine, and Mia is six. Do you have any children?” Nikki asked, feeling more and more comfortable with this woman.
Erica paused, then sighed.
“I lost my then six-year-old son, Emmanuel, to a drunk driver five years ago. He was my only child, and I couldn’t have any more,” Erica revealed.
Nikki couldn’t imagine anything like that happening to any of her children. Her heart went out to Erica.
“You must have been devastated,” Nikki said, full of compassion.
“Hell. I went through pure hell. The teenage driver was killed also. My now ex-husband was driving, and he walked away without a scratch. My marriage suffered, ending in divorce, and I was driven straight to Jesus. I’ve been serving Him ever since,” Erica said.
“How are you doing now?” Nikki asked, genuinely concerned for this woman to whom she was being drawn.
Erica suddenly smiled. “I have a meeting in a few minutes. Would you like to get together later?”
“I’d love to,” was Nikki’s eager response.
“I’d love to meet your children.”
“That would be great.”
“Where exactly do you live?”
“I live in the Regency apartment complex. Do you know where that is?”
“Right around the corner from my house. I’m talking walking distance.”
“No way!” Nikki said.
“Yes way.” Erica laughed.
“Please have dinner with us,” Nikki said.
“Oooh, you’re talking my language now. What’s a good time?” Erica asked.
“Anytime,” Nikki said.
“Well, I get off at five o’clock. I’ll go home and change and come around six-thirty, seven o’clock,” Erica calculated.
“Perfect. What do you like to eat?” Nikki asked.
“Anything.”
They both laughed.
Erica got up, professionalism back on, and Nikki rose with her, following her lead.
“I will read your paperwork, and you will be contacted should there be a match between your qualifications and the needs of the ministry. If there is not a match, then your résumé and application will be kept on file for six months. Should a position become available, you will be contacted to see if you are still interested, and if so, you will not have to resubmit an application, just update it.”
“I understand,” Nikki said.
“It has been a pleasure talking with you. And I’ll see you this evening. Is this your correct address and phone number here on your résumé?”
“That’s it, and thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me. I’ll see you later.”
Nikki shook Erica’s hand, feeling that this was the beginning of a new and beautiful friendship.
W
e have to clean this place up! We’re having company,” Nikki exclaimed when she walked in the door.
She looked around the apartment. There were a few toys and papers out of place, but with a little dusting, vacuuming, and straightening, the place would be presentable to entertain her new friend.
“Who? Kevin?” Taj asked.
“No, Sister Erica.”
“Who is Sister Erica?” Shay asked.
“She’s the person who does the hiring at Way Maker Ministries. Thank You, Father, that I walk in Your favor and Your power and Your comfort. And she’s coming here, hallelujah!” Nikki shouted.
“Why?” Taj asked.
“Well, because as we were talking, I seriously believe that God was hooking us up. I felt really connected to her, like we’ve known each other for years,” she explained.
“Mom, that’s not unusual for you. You talk to anybody about anything all the time. We should know. We’re the ones who have to stand around and wait for you, especially when you run into people you know in the mall and start talking about Jesus. We start looking for a place to sit down,” Taj said.
“Yeah, Mommy, you can go,” Shay said.
“Watch your mouths now,” Nikki said—jokingly because she knew it was true. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to run to the grocery store. Chain and dead-bolt the door, Taj.”
“Okay, Mommy.”
Nikki decided to cook chicken, since every time she turned around, someone was claiming they didn’t eat red meat.
Taj, too, had cooking skills. His specialty was baked chicken. His granddaddy had taught him well. Nikki bought two chickens, wild rice, and green beans she decided to season with smoked turkey. She bought a cake to go with the ice cream and some lemons because lemonade was a universal drink . . . everybody seemed to like it.
She managed all the grocery bags herself in one trip.
“Taj, hook the chicken up, man.”
“Cool, Mommy! You’re going to let me cook for your friend? You really do like my cooking.”
“Was there ever any doubt? Truth be told, you do a better job than me with the chicken. Your granddaddy rubbed off on you. We have to call Mom and Dad tonight too. Better yet, I’ll call them tomorrow and let them know how nice these people are and about dinner tonight.”
“Oh, Granddaddy called while you were at the store,” Taj said.
“Oh Lord. Did he have a fit because I left you here alone?” she asked.
“Of course he did. I told him we were all locked in and you would be back in a few minutes. I tried to cover for you,” Taj explained while gathering the ingredients for his chicken.
“Did it work?” she asked.
“Of course not. But don’t worry, Mommy. I’ll tell the judge you’re not an unfit mother.”
Nikki laughed at her son, wondering which one of her parents had threatened to turn her in, then decided it must have been her dad.
“He’ll get over it,” she said.
“He said a month is long enough to get settled and they might be down next weekend.”
“I’m surprised they haven’t shown up yet.”
“He said he wanted to make sure we were all settled in before they came to visit.”
“I do miss them, and I’m ready to see them.” Nikki smiled, thinking about her parents. She believed their relationship would be even stronger with the distance between them.
After the chicken was done soaking in salt water, Taj began his masterpiece. Nikki chopped up an onion and then got out of his way. He massaged butter all over the chicken parts, then seasoned them with his granddaddy’s secret recipe. He carefully placed the pieces in a roaster, sprinkled the chopped onion all around, and covered the pan for moistness and flavor. Nikki had turned the oven to 375 degrees. It was hot when Taj put the roaster in.
“I’m done,” he yelled, closing the oven door.
Nikki cooked the rest of the meal, deciding to pop the rolls in the oven when Erica arrived so they would be good and hot.
They straightened up the apartment, dusting, vacuuming, and making sure everything was in its proper place.
The phone rang.
“Hello,” Taj answered. “Mommy, telephone.”
She picked up another extension.
“Hello,” Nikki said as she heard Taj hang up.
“Hi, this is Erica.”
“Hey.”
“Hey, girl. Are you ready for me?” Erica asked. Nikki was happy that Erica was feeling comfortable around her.
“Ready and waiting. Come on over.”
“I’m on my way.”
“See you in a few,” Nikki said, excited about her guest.
Erica seemed to be just about the nicest, down-to-earth person Nikki had ever met.
H
ello, sis, come on in. Mi casa is your casa,” Nikki said as she opened the door.
“Hey, thanks,” Erica said, walking in and giving Nikki a hug. “Oh, it smells good in here.”
Nikki led her to the kitchen, where Taj was putting the finishing touches on his chicken by basting it.
“Sister Erica, this is Taj, my oldest child and only son. Taj, this is Sister Erica from Way Maker Ministries.”
Taj put down his spoon, wiped his hands, and went to shake Erica’s hand. “Nice to meet you,” he said.
“Very nice to meet you too, Taj,” Erica said, smiling.
“Shay, Mia, come here,” Nikki called.
The girls came out of their room and stood facing Erica, waiting to be introduced. Nikki stood behind Shay with both hands on her shoulders and said, “This is my big girl, Shay.” Moving over to Mia and putting her hands on her shoulders, she said, “And this is my little girl, Mia.”
The girls flashed electric smiles.
“Girls, this is Sister Erica.”
“Hello, Sister Erica,” they sang together.
“Well, aren’t you adorable little princesses? How are you?” Erica asked, bending over and smiling at them.
“Fine,” they sang.
“Well, it is a pleasure to meet all of you,” Erica said.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Sister Erica,” they said in unison.
“Aw, how sweet,” Erica said, genuinely moved.
“I’ll call you when dinner is ready,” Nikki said, dismissing the children.
Turning to Erica, she said, “I’m going to put the rolls in the oven. We should be ready to eat in about fifteen minutes. Just make yourself at home.”
Looking around, Erica said, “Girl, your apartment is hooked! I love your mirrors over the fireplace.”
“Thanks. They just seem to open things up for me,” Nikki said as she put the rolls in the oven.
They sat at the dining room table so Nikki could jump up and check on them every few minutes. The rolls had to be perfect.
“Did you work in personnel before you came to the church?” Nikki asked.
“I’ve always been in personnel. I’m a people person, I guess,” Erica said.
“I’ve always been in accounting. I’m a numbers person, I guess,” Nikki said, laughing.
“Where have you been since you moved here to Atlanta?” Erica asked.
“Besides church, to the grocery store and health department.”
“Oh, I have to take you out.”
“Please do,” Nikki said, sounding desperate.
“Do you know anybody here?” Erica asked.
“Not really. I’ve met some neighbors. Everybody seems so nice and friendly,” Nikki said, getting up to check the rolls. Looking in the oven, she said, “A few more minutes.” She got out the plates, glasses, and silverware.
“Need any help?” Erica asked.
“You want to butter the rolls?”
“Okay. Where’s the bathroom so I can wash my hands?”
I really like her,
Nikki thought. “Right around that corner.”
She took the rolls out of the oven, got the butter out of the refrigerator, grabbed a butter knife, and set them all on the table. Erica buttered the rolls while Nikki put the food out. Once everything was ready, she called the children.
“Wash up and come eat!”
They all took their places at the dinner table.
“Would you please bless the food, Taj?”
“Sure, Mommy. Dear Lord, thank You for this food. We bless it and receive it with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the Word of God and this prayer. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”
“Amen,” Erica agreed, visibly impressed.
As they ate, Erica told them about the church and the children’s ministry. She told Nikki that she would be happy to watch the children for her if she had something she wanted to do.
“So what grade are you going to be in when school starts?” Erica asked.
“I’m in the fifth grade,” Taj said.
“I’m going to the fourth,” Shay offered.
“Second grade,” Mia said.
“That’s wonderful. I bet you guys get good grades too.”
“We don’t have a choice,” Shay said.
Erica looked at Nikki. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Got to keep the standards high,” Nikki said.
“That’s our mom,” Shay said, “but we love her.”
They all laughed.
After they finished eating, the children went to watch TV Land. Erica helped Nikki clear the table, load the dishwasher, and clean up the kitchen. Afterward, they joined the children, who were falling out laughing at something on TV.
“TV used to be great. Nowadays, there’s no telling what you might see come across that tube,” Erica said.