Page 27 of Impacted by Love

Jesus! Asaiah can kiss his ass off.

The tap dancing on my bladder has me stirring awake before my eyes connect with the Roku background, filling the TV in front of me. Heat on my back has my gaze shifting behind me, and my eyes bulge upon seeing Asaiah in the throes of slumber… shirtless.

Oh shit! I wasn't dreaming.

My mind shouts before the reminder of how I got into this current predicament flashes.

"You want to follow me back to my house?" The words tumble out of my mouth before I can catch them, causing my eyes to balloon. "Um… I-uh-I didn't mean it that way," I stumble over my words, trying to quell the instantaneous discomfort at the back of my neck. "I'm enjoying your company and would like to extend the evening but just for a movie," I say weakly.

Dang, you really put the cart before the horse this time, girl. Ugh.

"I'd love to," Asaiah says, smiling.

Upon seeing my fully clothed body, I breathe a sigh of relief. After confirming my attire, my gaze returns to Asaiah, and I watch him sleep for countless minutes.

Alright, God, I know that Asaiah's presence in my home isn't ideal, but I want to make a request, anyway. Can You provide Asaiah with more peaceful moments like this? I don't know his story or situation, yet I still ask for Your peace that surpasses all understanding to saturate his life. Allow the joy he showed last night to be present for weeks to come. I know, I know. How am I praying over this man while in this sticky situation? If it means anything or makes answering easier, at least we didn't have sex. Amen.

* * *

An undetermined time later…

"Well, praise the Lord, Sister Jeffries. I see you have a visitor this morning," Ms. Irene says when Asaiah and I enter the church's foyer.

Irene Norful is one of the church mothers who has no issue with minding everybody but the business of why her son Tommie's hairline is receding. While I can appreciate God keeping her at this tender age of eighty-five, there are Sundays when I praise Him for leading Ms. Irene in another parishioner's direction.

"Good morning, Ms. Irene. This is my friend, Asaiah," I introduce, nodding toward Asaiah, standing to my left.

Instead of inviting Asaiah to accompany me to breakfast after our unplanned sleepover, I asked him to attend church with me. Surprisingly, Asaiah accepted and returned to my house after he went home to shower so we could ride together.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am," Asaiah says in a deep timbre while extending his hand toward Ms. Irene.

"Humph. I've never seen you here before, but I've been around the block a time or two in my day. So, did you bathe in more than Ms. Jeffries' perfume before entering this sacred house, young man?" Ms. Irene asks, and my eyes stretch like a character on an animated episode.

"Ms.—" I start before she cuts me off.

"Chile, I'm talking to him. Hush now. I'm waiting, young man." Ms. Irene's wrinkly right hand rests on her robust waist, and she stares intently at Asaiah.

Praying inside the sanctuary forces me to swallow the retort I'm seconds from letting fly from my mouth. Nosy Irene is about to hear more than this is the day the Lord has made if she continues being messy.

"No, ma'am. Enjoy the service," Asaiah says, just as the sanctuary doors open and the usher grants us permission to enter.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper to Asaiah.

"You're good, but I wonder how many poopy toilets Granny Irene found herself fighting to erase the memory of," Asaiah replies, causing a shout of laughter to escape my mouth that I quickly regret when several members look in our direction.

"Good morning, people of the Most High. At this time, we want to acknowledge all visitors. If this is your first time here, please stand to your feet and tell us your name," Deacon Dillard directs through the microphone when Asaiah and I take our seats.

"Two for two. I'm not sure if I'll be joining you again, Ms. Onesti," Asaiah says, standing, and I hang my head while giggling.

"Well, bless God. Tell us your name, sir," Deacon Dillard instructs, acknowledging that Asaiah is the only person on his feet.

"Good morning. My name is Asaiah Harrison. I was invited by Ms. Onesti and am a Pursuing His Glory Ministries member. Thanks for having me," Asaiah says before resuming his seat.

"Alright, I'm gonna have to tell Pastor Reese we had one of his fine members worshiping with us today," Deacon Dillard replies before continuing the service.

"Next time we church together, it'll be in my house of worship. Granny Irene ain't the only meddling member in this tabernacle," Asaiah says lowly, causing my heart to skip a beat at the insinuation of this not being a one-and-done experience for us.

When the organist starts singing, I shift my thoughts to engage in the service, anticipating when Pastor Lincoln will deliver the Word.

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