Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74123 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74123 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“What is the meaning of this Amina? Why is she here? Don’t you know she was kicked out of Christ’s Home because of her immoral behavior?” he demanded loud enough for everyone to hear.
He was clearly trying to embarrass Jasmine, but if he wanted to get loud, Amina could be louder.
“This is supposed to be a celebration for friends and family. And I wanted all of your family to be here considering you invited my so called family who I rarely hear from unless they want something from me.” She shot a pointed glare in Candace and Sharon’s direction.
“I know that bitch isn’t talking about me,” Sharon spoke with mouthful of bread.
Amina ignored them and continued with her speech. She placed her hand on Jasmine’s belly. “I think all family members deserve to be here for such a special occasion. And who more deserving than Mark’s future sibling.”
A collective gasp washed over the audience in the room. Eyes widened and there were hushed whispers. A few people even took out their phones.
Amina noticed some of the church elders, refusing to make eye contact which made it abundantly clear to her that most of them already knew about Jasmine.
“Amina, what the entire fuck?” Mark roared.
Pastor Caldwell leapt out of his seat and pointed directly at Jasmine. “I rebuke thee in the name of Jesus! Satan be gone!”
Taking the cue from her husband, Mrs. Caldwell also stood up and started speaking in tongue as if she was trying to exorcise a demon out of the room. A few of the church elder started chanting along with her.
Some of the wait staff that had been hanging in the corner to check on the guests, slowly slid out of the room as if to escape a crime scene.
Jasmine’s shoulders slumped, tears sparkled in her eyes and her lips quivered.
“If you don’t want to continue, I can take it from here,” Amina whispered to her.
Jasmine sniffed and shook her head. “No. I want to do this. Look at how he’s acting.”
Jasmine pulled away from Amina and walked toward the pastor.
Mark reached out to grab her but Amina stepped in his way. “No!” She shook her head. “Jasmine deserves her say.”
Mark stared at Amina like she had grown a second head. “What the hell is wrong with you? Are you on some kind of drugs?”
“No Mark. I’m not on any drugs. I’ve just experienced a moment of clarity. How about you listen to what Jasmine has to say?”
“Because that slut is trying to slander our family. My father would never touch her.”
Jasmine stopped in her tracks and looked over her shoulder at Mark. “I wasn’t a slut when Pastor Caldwell had me bent over his desk saying that the lord is using him. I wasn’t a slut when he wanted to heal my troubles by laying hands on me.” The young girl’s voice got progressively louder with each word spoken. The room was completely silent at this point.
“I wasn’t a slut when he was giving me the church’s money to buy something nice for myself. And I wasn’t a slut when he told me that he’d take care of me and my baby as long as I kept quiet.”
“You are a damn lie!” Pastor Caldwell yelled as sweat profusely ran down his dark face. Angry lines etched his skin, giving him the appearance of an actual demon. “Everyone in this church knows you sleep around. That could be any man’s baby. I could have a bunch them come forward to say that you’ve lain with them!”
Jasmine raised her chin defiantly. “You know what Pastor Caldwell, or should I just call you Otis because you don’t deserve to hold the title of Pastor. I was so lost and depressed when I joined Christ’s Home because I was away from my parents and family, and I was having some issues in school. I sought a church home to help me cope with the problems I was experiencing.” A tear slid down her cheek which she hastily wiped away.
“But you took advantage of me and refused to use protection because you said the lord would take care of it.”
“Eww, he’s nasty.” Candace snickered.
“But when you found out I was pregnant,” Jasmine continued. “You gave me money to get rid of my baby. I didn’t, but you came back. You said you’d take care of me and the baby if I continued to have sex with you. You gave me a bunch of money. When your wife suspected what was going on, you cut me off.”
“You dirty liar! My husband would never touch a cheap jezebel like you. Hallelujah!” Mrs. Caldwell shouted.
“Katherine, let me handle this!” Otis walked from behind the table and charged toward Jasmine.
Amina frightened that he’d actually harm the girl pulled Jasmine out of his way and stood in front of her. “You’re not going to assault a pregnant woman are you?”