know. Why would you put yourself through things when you don’t have to? I was even thinking maybe we could become something like preach-partners. We could take that building you were looking at, fix it up just like you envisioned, and it could become an extension of The Church of Revelation.
“One church; two locations: Westside and Eastside. You could be responsible for the East while I continue to lead the West.” He tried to gauge Pastor Landris’s face to see whether he should continue; his face gave up nothing. “So what are your thoughts?”
“I’m honored you think so much of me that you’d be willing to do that…but, it’s not what God has told me to do.”
“Okay, two weeks ago you told me you had received a better offer. I respected that, especially when it appears I was beat out by God. Arms are too short to box there. Maybe God is somehow in this, though—you and I meeting like we did in the first place had to be ordered by the Lord, don’t you think? Let me ask you—do you still want the building?”
“I liked it and thought it would work for what I need short-term. But if I don’t get it, I’m sure God will send something along as good or better.”
“Well, here’s my offer: the building—it’s yours.”
Pastor Landris sat back against the seat. “What’s the catch? It’s mine if what?”
“It’s yours…if you want it.”
“At the same price I offered originally that you—or should I say, your nonprofit organization—accepted before it was taken off the market?”
Reverend Knight shook his head. “No.”
“I thought not.” Pastor Landris leaned in. “So how much is it going to set me back?”
Reverend Knight tore off a piece of yeast bread. “I’m not interested in your money.”
Pastor Landris looked at him and began a fake chuckle. “Yeah, okay. So what are you looking for in exchange—my soul? To agree to come on board with you, regardless of what I want to do? Oh, I know…we can pretend I’m in charge; meanwhile, you’ll be the puppet master pulling my strings.”
Reverend Knight leaned back and shook his head slowly. He turned down the sides of his mouth in a smirk. “No…strings…attached.” He placed both hands on the table. “Nothing in my hands.” He then turned them over, both palms showing.
Pastor Landris sat back and cocked his head to the side. “You must really believe I’m the most gullible person you’ve ever run across. First, you show up at a building I just happen to be checking out. I’m curious—how did you know I was there?”
“The realtor called and told me someone was going to look at it. Naturally, she was excited. We had been aggressively encouraging them, if you will, to hurry and secure a buyer. I don’t own that building alone, just in case you’re wondering.”
“Okay, so she calls and lets you know someone is going to look at it. Did you know it was me when you happened to show up?”
He gave a short laugh. “Of course I knew. You don’t honestly think I would waste my time showing up for just any old body, do you? Please.” He placed a forkful of grilled salmon in his mouth, followed by a bite of heavily sprinkled, pepper-sauced collard greens. He closed his eyes, savoring the taste, and said, “Your food is getting cold, Pastor.” His eyes opened. “At least eat while you grill me.”
Pastor Landris dipped his jumbo shrimp into cocktail sauce and stuck it in his mouth. He chewed slowly. “So you specifically showed up to meet me?”
“If the mountain won’t come to the sea, then the sea must come to the mountain. I believed you’d visit my church when you first hit our city. You didn’t. Even though I had my secretary send you a personal invitation on my official stationery, there was no response. Not a peep.” His cell phone buzzed.
“I’ve acknowledged I received it.”
“So I figured it was divine intervention when the realtor called to inform me that this pastor was looking for a building to either buy or lease, and he was interested in ours. When I happened to ask who this fine minister might be, she, of course, blurted out your name—not even realizing who you were. She couldn’t know that a building that size would only contain you, for what? A year? Maybe. She’s so used to regular folks trying to figure out how they’re going to make their payments. She had no idea that if you chose to buy the place, you most likely would be handing her a cashier’s check for the entire amount without a mortgage.”
“Who said I have that kind of cash to be dropping on a building?”
“You were buying a ten million dollar radio station. Cash, from what I heard.”
Pastor Landris paused. “How do you know about the radio station?”
“I know about a lot of things—including the fact that the deal fell through, and that you’re having a little trouble getting your cash back.” He reached down and picked up his cell phone. “Pardon me. Someone appears desperate to speak with me.”
He answered the phone, talking in code as far as Pastor Landris was concerned.
“Sorry for the interruption,” Reverend Knight said when he finished. “Looks like I have to cut lunch short. I have a preacher friend who may be having a heart attack. He’s one of those faithful friends. You know, the ones that start out with you and stay until the very end. I need to see him.” Reverend Knight took a few rushed bites as he beckoned for Sherry.
“Yes,” Sherry said, seeing his plate practically empty. “You two ready for dessert?”
“Duty calls, my dear,” Reverend Knight said as he pulled out cash and handed it to her. “This should cover our meal as well as dessert, should the good pastor here decide he’d like to indulge himself.” He looked at Pastor Landris, then Sherry, and grinned. “The rest is for your tip, madam, and for the fine way which you have served us today.” Sherry was then summoned to another table.
“Pastor Landris, I highly recommend the peach cobbler,” he said. “I’m somewhat of a cobbler connoisseur. And I’ve yet to find any that can touch this establishment’s cobbler, including my own mother’s—God rest her sweet soul—who was a champion cobbler cook, hands down.”
He stepped into the aisle and slipped on his overcoat. “Doc, if you want the building, let me know. You have my number. It’ll be available for as long as you want it at no charge. Think about it. Pray about it. Talk it over, but get back to me one way or the other. The sooner, it would seem to me, the better—for you.” He placed his hat on his head.
“However, if you choose to pass on my offer,” Reverend Knight said, “there are others right now who have—out of nowhere, it seems—lined up to purchase it. Two other groups must have heard you were looking at it. Now they want it and are willing to pay our asking price. I enjoyed lunch, I truly did. Maybe you and I can do this again soon.”
“Thank you,” Pastor Landris said. “And thanks for lunch. I’ll be in touch.”
Reverend Knight patted Pastor Landris twice on his shoulder as he left. He acknowledged various people as he made his usual showboat exit.
Chapter
