Religion and Men

“You’re suppose to be working a miracle! Which I haven’t seen yet.” Natalie said aloud looking at the ceiling of her apartment. Her tone was full of frustration.

“God, I want a man! I want a guy who can take care of your child; I’ve been praying day and night, what’s up?” She went on asking.

Natalie Wilson young, beautiful, religious and very impatient, she had brown skin and only stood at 5’4 in height. She had night black hair which was short cut that fitted her well defined face. Her body was small and petite allowing her to wear the neatest and cutest cloths out. She was born and raised in a Christian Adventist home to mildly conservative parents.

Romantically speaking, because of Natalie’s beliefs as an Adventist it gives her the eye for another Adventist Christian man. And that’s all she has been on the radar for, but can’t find. She been looking and still looking!

She’s tried church hopping, going from church to church every once in while scouting out the single’s but that’s not a safe idea ’cause every one will start gossiping. Bring someone who she finds will bring up the up roaring questions ‘Is he an Adventist?’—‘Who is he?’—‘What church does he go to?’ And not dating will have literally ALL the church women asking embarrassing questions and trying to set her up with someone.

So her best and number one option is God. But to Natalie nothing is going the way she wanted. It isn’t happening instantly. Plopping herself onto the leather couch in her living room she moaned in frustration.

“Good-morning Ms. Wilson.” Natalie’s boss Christian Thomas greeted as she sat down in front of his desk. He smiled broadly leaning back in his chair.

Natalie nodded. “Good Morning Mr. Thomas, and how may I assist you today?” She inquired to her boss. She was his assistant working in his office only a year now. It was a normal work day for Natalie getting assignments from her boss, getting his paper work in order, handling his important business calls and even personal at a time.

“Well,” He began looking down at his hands and then up. “It seems that there isn’t much for you to do today Ms. Wilson. Everything it seems for me is in order.” A bit shocked Natalie paid closer attention to what he was saying.

“I’m sorry Sir?” She watched as her boss shrugged in his hundred dollar gray suit. Her boss was very young to be such the business man, he was around his mid-twenties. He was very good looking with dark chocolate skin and light brown eyes. His hair was cut short and kept short that suited his business like attire. He was very well mannered and pleasant from what she saw in the office of him, and that’s a good personality for a boss in his position.

He breathed in deeply. “Ms. Wilson you are one of my most trusted employees here. You most likely have the most work given out of everyone else. Bust you cease to amaze me at how you get your work done on time and just right.” He complimented. Natalie was happy to hear his praise but still didn’t understand the point.

“So..” She murmured.

“Well today is Friday and at the most the busiest day. But the most peculiar thing is you aren’t scheduled to have anything done Ms. Wilson.” Christian leaned forward place his hands on the desk.

Natalie realized where this was going. Ever since Natalie began working for her boss’s company she knew that she had to put in more work so she can get Saturday off. Usually Natalie worked harder and longer so that Friday she could reach home on time and begin her Sabbath day the right way.

Friday’s and on to the weekend is the busiest days for the company as her boss said. He made a hand gesture meaning for her to input anything she wanted to say. “Mr. Thomas I work long hard hours through out the week. Monday through Friday and all I ask for is the evening and the weekend off.”

He smiled. “I understand. But really I just simply wanted to go over some things I would like you to be aware of. There is something I would like to ask you.” He grabbed the papers that patiently sat on his desk and slid them over to Natalie. She stretched forward to get them.

Natalie looked at the paper as she began reading:

You are cordially invited to the dinner party of all chosen Business Representatives in the Laden County of Maryland. This invites means that you’re company is listed successful and our company is giving you the opportunity show what you have accomplished and for advertisement purposes.

ADDRESS LISTED ON BACK

DATE of EVENT: 7/1/2008

She flipped to the other page glancing it. Her thoughts went crazy confused wondering what it meant. She looked up into her bosses eyes.

“I see you’ve read the letter.” He said with slight hesitance.

Natalie nodded. “And as you can see this business was chosen to be at the party. My invitation to you.” Natalie’s eyes narrowed she was speechless

“Mr. Thomas—I don’t understand.”

“I’ll get to the point. I need an escort to this party, and—” He was cut off by Natalie.

“You chose me.” She replied flabbergasted.

Natalie noticed the awkward look on her boss’s face. “Exactly.” Was his simple reply.

“Umm..” She murmured.

“Okay.” Natalie shrugged with an unsure look on her face. “I’ll do it.” She agreed.

Christian smiled trying his hardest to hide his sense of relief.

“So you’re taking me just to be an escort?” She asked and she could tell he wasn’t expecting that question because he flinched slightly.

“Well you will be more like my girlfriend.” Natalie shifted knowing how uncomfortable he was.

“Your girlfriend?” She repeated.

“Well I need to impress some friends there and show them that I have more than a life of working.” Natalie raised her eyebrow.

“So you intend to lie and say that we are a couple and we smile to pretend like we are having a good time?” He nodded.

“I didn’t see that coming.”

A couple?! Natalie was so lost she couldn’t imagine herself doing this, but the weird part about it is she is! Her boss wanted her to pretend as if they were a couple going out for a couple of months. He would take her to the dinner and show her off as his, and after that night everything will be back to the way it was.

“Or will it?” Natalie mumbled to herself that Friday night as she sat on her bed.

Once again she looked up at the ceiling and began talking. “Am I right for doing this?” She questioned aloud.

“I mean do I seem desperate, that I agreed to do this with him God?” She went on.

Her worry of finding a guy was on a temporary hold because of her feelings about the situation with her boss. She felt like it would be a disaster because she didn’t know him outside of work; it would be like an awkward first date.

He explained to her that she maybe asked questions by prying people and they had to agree on an answer that sounded right between the both of them. Natalie agreed and he told her that he would call her maybe tonight or tomorrow. But she wasn’t expecting it for tonight until her phone sounded.

“Hello, good night?” She said answering her cordless phone.

“Goodnight, may I speak with Natalie Wilson?” The raspy profound voice asked.

She realized it was her boss. “Speaking.”

She heard him chuckle slightly. “Oh Ms. Wilson you sound so much different over the phone.” Natalie smiled.

“Please call me Natalie and thank you.”

“Alright Natalie and you may call me Christian.” Natalie bit her bottom lip nervously.

“Honestly I wasn’t expecting your call tonight Christian.” She said truthfully over the phone.

“Me either, I didn’t expect to call until tomorrow but I really wanted to get it over and done with.” He admitted.

“Alright so where shall we begin?”

“Well I was thinking about we were asked ‘how long have we been dating?’”

“Hmm, maybe like six months.” Natalie suggested.

“That doesn’t seem too short to you?”

“Not really I mean is it suppose to seem like longer?”

“You have a point there, and six months does sound more believable. So we agree on that?” Natalie laughed.

“Yea.” This was beyond crazy to her. They were writing a script about what to lie about if asked a question! This is ridiculous!

“What about where we met?”

“Well I was thinking stick with the story and you tell them the truth you work for me. And we just became interested in one another.”

“Okay, okay umm what else?”

“Nothing else I don’t think we couldn’t answer.” He replied.

“So it’s settled! Until the big night of course.” Natalie supposed playfully. Christian laughed.

“I was wondering if maybe tomorrow we could have lunch somewhere just to get to know each other more.” He suggested slyly. Natalie already knew the answer to this one.

“Um I’m sorry tomorrow isn’t a good day for me. What about Sunday?”

“Okay, but why not Saturday everyone is usually free then?”

“Because I go to church then, unless you want to go in later on tomorrow.”

“On Saturday’s!” He exploded shocked.

“I’ve never heard of going to church on Saturday everyone talks about Sunday.”

“So you can’t go out to lunch with me on Saturday?”

“Well I go to church, so going to lunch isn’t an option.”

“Or are you just trying to avoid it?” He asked bluntly.

“If I was trying to avoid it I wouldn’t have suggested Saturday night or Sunday.” Natalie fired back.

“What? Do you think I’m lying?”

“It sounds a little crazy to me.” Natalie couldn’t believe this; this was like a whole new experience for her. She was seeing another side to her boss.

“Well as crazy as it sounds it’s true and it’s real.”

“Alright then Natalie I’ll come to your church then.” Natalie’s eyes widened confused. She burst out laughing.

“Oh yea right, what are you trying to prove?”

“Well you can’t go to lunch with me because you go to church. I want to see this church of yours.”

“Alright 7603 Mitchell Lane Chaver, Maryland 20567.” (NOTE: Made up address so please do not try searching!)

“That’s off of Chaney Road right?” Christian asked.

Natalie nodded. “Yes it is.”

“Then that’s not far and you’ll see me at your church. What time should I be there?”

“Well nine-fifteen is Sabbath school and church service starts at eleven. You tell me what time you’ll be there.” Christian was impressed he could tell that Natalie had quite a quick mouth when it came to arguing. She could put up a fight.

“You know what, just to show you you’ll see me nine-fifteen sharp Ms. Wilson.” Natalie laughed.

“I don’t even come that early! But if you say so.” Christian smiled to himself.

“Oh trust me you will. Goodnight.” He said ready to hang up.

“Goodnight Christian.” Natalie spoke and then she hung up. She really didn’t think that she would be on the phone with her boss for too long but looking at the clock made her realize they talked for an hour. She expected more like twenty minutes to half an hour.

She smiled to herself because she honestly didn’t expect to see her boss come to her church. She wondered why he did want to come it was kind of strange yet funny.

Hanging up her phone Natalie headed back to her room getting ready for bed. She had an interesting day ahead of herself for Sabbath.

“Good morning Happy Sabbath!” The usual welcome line upon entering any Adventist church. Natalie greeted her friend Tracy who was the Usher on duty greeting the visitors.

“Oh girl I’m so glade to see you! What’s up?” Natalie smiled.

“Oh nothing, nothing this week has been crazy though!” Natalie said as her friend pulled her to the side.

“Girl we have a new guy alert!” Natalie narrowed her eyes.

“Really?” Her friend nodded. Tracy had a boyfriend, but she was only telling Natalie because she knew she was single and looking.

“Yea! Girl go peak in, he’s sitting in our class!” Natalie walked to the sanctuary doors peaking in and looking to her left. She gasped seeing Christian, so he was telling the truth.

“Isn’t he cute?” Natalie smiled.

“Girl that’s my boss!” Tracy did a double take.

“Your boss?” Natalie sighed.

“Yea but I can’t tell you the whole story right now. I’ll tell you after church.”

“You know there’s lunch right?” Tracy asked folding her arms. Tracy was very petite and small. She had on a black and white top with heel shoes. She was dark skinned and had shoulder length wavy hair.

“Lunch! Today? What’s happening?”

“It’s suppose to be singles ministry day or something. Guest speaker from umm Trinity Temple Adventist.” That didn’t make her day any better. Natalie knew there was a chance Christian would stay.

“So you’ll tell me after church.” Her friend smiled.

“Yea, yea but you’re coming with me into Sabbath school.” Natalie said firmly but playfully.

“Why?”

“Cause I don’t want to walk in all by myself. Come on!” Natalie urged pulling her friends arm.

“I have to usher.” Natalie rolled her eyes.

“You know good and well you don’t need to usher people in right now. It’s still early.”

“Alright!” Tracy gave in following behind her friend as they headed to class.

Walking in wasn’t so bad but seeing her boss was the awkward part. “Good morning Natalie and Tracy.” The teacher said.

“Morning Brother Banks.” They sang heading to their seats.

“Before I close,” He began “I just want you to remember that just like God provided for the Israelites He will for us.”

“God gave them specific instructions for Sabbath, He told them to take more for Friday and Saturday. But through out the week He told them take only for that day.”

“God knew what He was doing, and for that reason we should obey him.”

“Thank you teachers!” The Sabbath School superintendent said into the microphone as she went on with the service.

Christian noticed Natalie and her friend walk in and he smiled. She did smile and acknowledge him but he knew she was holding back. He saw them both get up and leave again and that gave him the chance to talk to her.

“Happy Sabbath Sister Leona!” Natalie said hugging the older lady.

“You two need to stop hang up out here and go into church.” She said with a warning tone. She was older and always whipping the youth into shape.

“Of course Sister Leona!” Natalie spoke sweetly.

The older woman headed back into church as Christian snuck up behind Natalie.

“Happy Sabbath.” He said whispering in her ear which caused her to jump slightly.

“Well, well Happy Sabbath.” Tracy said smiling in amusement.

“Happy Sabbath to you too!” Natalie hugged him slightly and Tracy did the same.

“Tracy this is my boss Christian Thomas. Mr. Thomas this is my friend Tracy.”

Tracy stuck out her hand. “I did greet you early but nice meeting you. What brings you here? Are you Adventist?”

Christian smiled. “Well actually no I’m not, and your friend is what brought me here. She was telling me that she goes to church on Saturday’s.” Tracy nodded.

“Oh.” Was all she could say she gave Natalie a look.

“So what do you think?”

“Well people here seem to be very friendly. I don’t know some of these people but they greet me with a hug and a kiss.”

“It was nice meeting you but I have to go.” Tracy said and with that she slipped away leaving the two.

“Surprise, surprise.” Natalie spoke.

“So really what do you think?”

“I think this is a nice church, but I hardly know a thing about Sabbath and Sabbath keeping. This is all new to me.”

“So what’s it like?” He asked.

“Natalie! Happy Sabbath.” Another older woman greeted interrupting the two. Oh no, the moment of truth!

“Well and who is this young man?” She asked.

Natalie’s smile was instantly wiped of her face. “Oh this is a friend of mine, well actually my boss.” The lady was Sister Riggs. One of the main people in the church you would want to stay far away from if you’re single.

“Well welcome to the church! What church do you attend?” One of the questions, Natalie went stiff.

“Actually I don’t attend a church. Natalie brought up that she attends church on Saturday’s and I chose to check it out.” Sister Riggs nodded and smiled.

“Well that’s good! It’s nice having you. I’m Sister Riggs, and you are?”

“I’m Christian Thomas.” Sister Riggs placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Come again now?” Christian nodded.

“Of course!”

Natalie swallowed hard. “Um how about we go into church and I explain everything later?” She asked. Christian nodded in agreement as they headed in.

After church people talked and others headed to the back to gather for lunch that was being served. Natalie and her friends were trying to find a place to sit.

“Where to?” Natalie asked as a couple of her friends stood at the bottom of the stairs.

“Well David and Leon said we’re going to eat upstairs.” Natalie nodded as Tracy walked over.

“Anyone up there yet?” Tracy asked joining in.

“I don’t know.” Natalie replied.

“But I’ll go help serve and get you all your food.” She said heading to the fellowship hall which was down the hall way.

Entering the large fellowship hall Natalie noticed the lightly blue decorated tables with matching cups and plates. People stood around, or stood in a line waiting to get food. Christian didn’t seem to waist anytime he already stood in line.

“Natalie,” David greeted squeezing her shoulder slightly. Natalie smiled looking up.

“Hey David.”

“I see you’ve brought a friend.” He replied looking at Christian

“More like heard, but alright. What’s your point?”

“Why don’t you bring him up so Pascal’s Youth can meet him?” She chuckled lightly.

“Ah but with what cost?” She replied suspiciously.

“No costs at all, bring him up so we can talk. You know the usual.” David said plainly. He grabbed two plates of food and headed about his business.

“Christian.” Natalie called as her turned around.

“Hmm?”

“Well I’m eating up stairs and wanted to know if you want to come?” He smiled and nodded.

“Yea I’ll be right up as soon as I get my plate.”

“You guys this is Christian Thomas, Christian this is Nick, Angela, David, Leon, Phil,” She pointed to each of them as he shook their hand.

“Ann, Nia, Amber and as you know Tracy.” He nodded.

“Well you’re the guy I’ve been hearing about.” Phil spoke comically.

Christian looked at Natalie. “Shut up no you haven’t.” She retorted as they laughed lightly.

“Okay Ms. Diva.” Natalie rolled her eyes smiling.

David spoke. “Anyways where are you from?”

“You mean what church right?” David nodded.

“Well actually um I don’t go to church. Natalie here brought up that she goes to church on Saturdays so I asked if I could come.”

“Really?” Nia spoke a bit shocked.

“Hmm hum.”

“Why did you want to come?” Amber asked.

“Well I never heard about any religion going to church on Saturday, so I just wanted to see what it was like and what it was.”

“You see it’s interesting that Natalie cannot bring a guy from church in, but she brings you.” Everyone burst out laughing.

“Ha ha ha. And what girls have you bought in that are in the church?” Natalie retorted

“That’s for me to know and for you to never find out.”

“And that’s because there has not been any.” Natalie retorted teasingly.

“Anyways.” Ann cut in.

“What about you and um Christian?” She continued.

Natalie shrugged smiling. “He’s just visiting.”

"Just visiting." She repeated sarcastically looking at Christian. Everyone saw through their story.

AN: So what did you guys think of it so far? How is it?? Review please!