Free Stepping to a New Day by Beverly Jenkins Page A

way he had he’d earned having his feelings bruised like the loser in an MMA bout. Like most boys, he’d grown up believing girls were emotional and fragile little things. Since moving to Kansas it was obvious the women he’d interacted with didn’t know that.

CHAPTER
5
    T he following morning, as Paula prepared to leave for her office, she received a text from her uncle Calvin in Oklahoma. Tyree gone. Della making funeral arrangements. Sadness flooded her and she whispered a prayer for her grandfather’s soul. That he was no longer in pain from the cancer was a blessing. She was then beset by a different set of emotions. His death meant she’d have to go back to Oklahoma and she sent up a prayer for herself.
    Once in town, Paula stopped by Bernadine’s office. As always she was at her desk.
    â€œGood morning, Reverend. Come on in and have a seat. What can I do for you?”
    Paula sat and said, “My grandfather’s passed, so I’ll be going to Oklahoma as soon as the funeral arrangements are finalized.”
    â€œMy condolences on your loss.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œIs this the same grandfather you went to see over the Christmas holidays?”
    â€œYes, he had cancer, but he hung on longer than the doctors said he would.”
    â€œSo sorry,” Bernadine said again. “Do you want Katie to fly you there?” Katie piloted Bernadine’s personal jet.
    â€œNo. I’ll fly commercial. Less drama that way.”
    Seeing Bernadine’s puzzlement, Paula explained, “My aunt Della already thinks I’m a stuck-up so-and-so. If she finds out I flew in on a private plane she’ll really go to town on me.”
    â€œYou’re kidding.”
    â€œWish I were. I am persona non grata in her eyes. So was my mom.”
    â€œMay I ask why?”
    â€œMy mother left there as soon as she finished high school. After her death when I was fourteen my grandfather took me in. I left too, as soon as I was able. Most folks born there die there.”
    â€œYou are one of the kindest and most loving people I know. How dare she hate on you.”
    â€œThanks for that, but it is what it is. I pray for her and for me.”
    â€œIs this more of your being kind as opposed to being right scenarios?”
    That made her smile. “I suppose so.” Bernadine was referencing a sermon Paula had given a few months back. The theme had been: Choosing to be kind over being right.
    Bernadine cracked, “That’s why you’re the pastor here and I’m not. So when are you leaving?”
    â€œNot sure, or how long I’ll have to stay after the funeral, either.” She had no idea if he’d made a will.
    â€œOkay. Let me know if I can help in any way.”
    â€œI will.” Paula stood. “Thanks, Bernadine.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. God bless you.”
    She gave the Boss Lady a nod and slipped out.
    On the short drive to the church, Paula thanked God again for bringing Bernadine and Henry Adams into her life. Three years ago when the diocese in Miami informed her it would be closing her aging inner-city parish, she’d also been encouraged to retire. Knowing her call was still strong and viable she’d eschewed the advice and prayed for direction instead. A short while later the remarkable Ms. Bernadine Brown entered her life. Like everyone else in town, it took Paula some time to wrap her head around the depths of Bernadine’s generous spirit, but through it Paula gained a community, a brand-new church, and the opportunity to combine the two things she loved most: serving God and helping kids.
    Inside her office, she hung her parka in the office closet and checked her planner. She had a session with Zoey Garland after school. As far as Paula knew, Zoey, aka Miss Miami, as she was affectionately called, hadn’t gone Muhammad Ali on anyone in quite some time. She assumed the anger management talks