THE OFFERING
She stood trembling, her body weakened, and her spirit broken
by deceit. Confusion and un-acceptance inundated her mind as tears and
sweat streamed the wrinkles of her eighty-year-old brown face. She was determined to remain standing, despite the discomfort while the occupants
on the other side of the door were whispering in what should have been
privacy. Alma didn’t make a practice of eavesdropping, but this was a
moment when curiosity had gotten the better end of should I or should I not.
It was 2:00 am Sunday morning. She had been in bed a short
whileago, unable to get comfortable from an ailing back,-a restless reminder
of old age. Walking in the upper level of her home was habitual on nights
when sleep was unattainable despite the squeaks and creeks from the
house settling or a late-night critter scampering about, it was usually quiet.
But, tonight something was different.
A snippet of information too coincidental to ignore diverted Alma’s attention
as she passed by her daughter’s bedroom door.
“It’s ninety-eight thousand, five-hundred and twenty-six dollars,”
said Evelyn.
What? Alma froze, clutching the threads of her nightgown,
focusing on the sound of her daughter’s voice. She crept towards the
door and pressed her head against the cold wood.
“How much is it?” asked Curtis, a hint of eagerness slipped in the
voice of Evelyn’s husband.
“You heard me. It’s ninety-eight thousand, five-hundred and
twenty-six dollars. I saw her bank statement and keep your voice down,”
she snapped.
“Mama’s hearing is good for her to be an old woman!”
“When can we get our hands on that money?”
“It’ll be soon. I told her that we were gonna look after things since
she’s gettin’ older and can’t do for herself like she’s used to. If I can
convince her into lettin’ us move in the house then I can talk her into
puttin’ my name on that account. I’m gonna bring it up again tomorrow
on the way home from church.”
“Praise the Lord,” Curtis said in vain. “I don’t see how you can
stand that ole Bible-toting cow. We’ve only been here two weeks and
I’m going crazy listening to her quote scriptures.”
“It’s all for the money babe. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.
Far as I’m concerned, she owes me for all those years I spent doing
everything just right to please God. That money should be mine.”
Alma lowered her head in disbelief, grasping her chest with one
hand and wiping away tears with the other. Maybe they’ll leave if I offer
them half of the money. Licking her lips with a dry tongue, she
swallowed hard and forced herself to continue listening.
“How much money does she spend?” he asked.
“Her food and bills come to about eight hundred a month.
Between her social security and pension, she is doing fine…not to
mention the money from Daddy’s insurance policy.”
“I don’t believe this-almost a hundred-thousand dollars just waiting
to be spent. I wish I could see the look on her face when she sees that
her nest egg is gone,” said Curtis.
“You mean scrambled up.”
The sound of them giggling sent a surge of anger through Alma,
stinging like a shard of glass in a bare foot. I’ll pay you both to leave
my house and my life. She clinched her fists and waited to hear more.
“As soon as I have that money, we can get the hell up out
of here. She won’t know nothin’ until her next statement
comes,” said Evelyn.
“Good. I’m tired of being here pretending to be so damn religious.”
“Tell me about it. She can have God and everything else.
Just let us get that cash.”
“While we’re on the subject, you can count me out on going
to church in the morning. Tell your Mama that I’m sick or something.”
“No problem.” She yawned, “I better get some sleep. I gotta look righteous in the morning. ‘Nite Babe.”
“Goodnight.”
In the silence that followed, Alma took a moment for composure,
'My own daughter, how could she?'
She went back to her room and kneeled by the edge of
the bed, careful not to agitate her back. She clasped her hands and
bowed her head, “Father God,” she spoke softly. “Please forgive
my daughter and her husband for their treachery. And forgive me
for the thoughts that I have towards them.”
After nine or so minutes of mumbling in tongues and
searching for divine healing, the pain began to subside, giving her a
tingling relief of peace. She climbed into bed marveling at the
goodness of God. They can have the money, was her final thought
before closing her eyes and drifting to sleep.
***
The air was refreshing when the daylight hours of the
morning rolled in, bringing with it a feeling of newness. Alma felt
loftier than a cocoon-free butterfly, wearing a royal blue dress with
pearl jewelry and a white hat placed with precision. With the night hours
all but forgotten, she sat in church with fellow believers, enjoying an
ambience of spirituality and faith.
Bellows of organ music surrounded the congregation with
handclapping and hallelujahs abound. The choir sang inspirational
songs that brought many to their feet in thunderous praise
while the ushers performed their duties, wearing white gloves
and gesturing in unison. Alma dropped a twenty-dollar bill in
the collection tray while Evelyn sat with a smile as genuine as
rhinestones are to diamonds. With white robes reminiscent of Zeus
a Jakes or Evans, the pastor took position in the center of the pulpit
and preached a sermon about forgiveness. Alma was amazed at the
timeliness of his message so much so that she waited to fellowship with him at the end of the service while Evelyn went to pull the car around.
On the way home, she sat with her hands folded on top of her purse,
awaiting her daughter’s persuasion speech over the bank account.
“Mama, I have been doing some thinkin’."
“About what, sweetie,” said Alma as if she didn’t know.
“Now that me and Curtis are settled in, you should let me take on
more of your personal affairs. I could oversee all of your money matters,
if you would add my name to your account.”
“Getting older doesn’t mean that you are incapable. I can still take
care of things for myself.” She thought it best to put up some resistance.
Evelyn stopped the car at a red light and turned to meet her
mother’s eyes. “I mean…I understand that you can still handle your funds
but at this point in your life you shouldn’t have to be bothered with money-management. I could write your checks out every month and that would be
one less worry on your mind.”
“I suppose you have a point,” Alma gave in as her daughter
she intended.
“It only makes good sense, Mama.” A sign of relief was in Evelyn’s voice, “We can go to the bank tomorrow morning.”
“I’d like to catch up on some sleep in the morning.”
“Well, we can go in the afternoon instead.”
“Fine with me…, I certainly hope Curtis feels better before too long,”
Alma said. She opened her purse and fumbled for something inside.
“I’m sure he’ll be feelin’ fine really soon,” Evelyn accelerated at
thelight change. She tilted her head back and slowly licked her lips,
appearing tobe satisfied with her influence.
Alma pulled out a peppermint and put it in her mouth to help inhibit laughing. I can’t wait to see the look on her face once she discovers that
I gave all of that money to the church. The pastor will be at the bank in the morning with the check. She enjoyed the rest of the ride home. With a slight giggle, she thought, praise the Lord.
She stood trembling, her body weakened, and her spirit broken
by deceit. Confusion and un-acceptance inundated her mind as tears and
sweat streamed the wrinkles of her eighty-year-old brown face. She was determined to remain standing, despite the discomfort while the occupants
on the other side of the door were whispering in what should have been
privacy. Alma didn’t make a practice of eavesdropping, but this was a
moment when curiosity had gotten the better end of should I or should I not.
It was 2:00 am Sunday morning. She had been in bed a short
whileago, unable to get comfortable from an ailing back,-a restless reminder
of old age. Walking in the upper level of her home was habitual on nights
when sleep was unattainable despite the squeaks and creeks from the
house settling or a late-night critter scampering about, it was usually quiet.
But, tonight something was different.
A snippet of information too coincidental to ignore diverted Alma’s attention
as she passed by her daughter’s bedroom door.
“It’s ninety-eight thousand, five-hundred and twenty-six dollars,”
said Evelyn.
What? Alma froze, clutching the threads of her nightgown,
focusing on the sound of her daughter’s voice. She crept towards the
door and pressed her head against the cold wood.
“How much is it?” asked Curtis, a hint of eagerness slipped in the
voice of Evelyn’s husband.
“You heard me. It’s ninety-eight thousand, five-hundred and
twenty-six dollars. I saw her bank statement and keep your voice down,”
she snapped.
“Mama’s hearing is good for her to be an old woman!”
“When can we get our hands on that money?”
“It’ll be soon. I told her that we were gonna look after things since
she’s gettin’ older and can’t do for herself like she’s used to. If I can
convince her into lettin’ us move in the house then I can talk her into
puttin’ my name on that account. I’m gonna bring it up again tomorrow
on the way home from church.”
“Praise the Lord,” Curtis said in vain. “I don’t see how you can
stand that ole Bible-toting cow. We’ve only been here two weeks and
I’m going crazy listening to her quote scriptures.”
“It’s all for the money babe. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.
Far as I’m concerned, she owes me for all those years I spent doing
everything just right to please God. That money should be mine.”
Alma lowered her head in disbelief, grasping her chest with one
hand and wiping away tears with the other. Maybe they’ll leave if I offer
them half of the money. Licking her lips with a dry tongue, she
swallowed hard and forced herself to continue listening.
“How much money does she spend?” he asked.
“Her food and bills come to about eight hundred a month.
Between her social security and pension, she is doing fine…not to
mention the money from Daddy’s insurance policy.”
“I don’t believe this-almost a hundred-thousand dollars just waiting
to be spent. I wish I could see the look on her face when she sees that
her nest egg is gone,” said Curtis.
“You mean scrambled up.”
The sound of them giggling sent a surge of anger through Alma,
stinging like a shard of glass in a bare foot. I’ll pay you both to leave
my house and my life. She clinched her fists and waited to hear more.
“As soon as I have that money, we can get the hell up out
of here. She won’t know nothin’ until her next statement
comes,” said Evelyn.
“Good. I’m tired of being here pretending to be so damn religious.”
“Tell me about it. She can have God and everything else.
Just let us get that cash.”
“While we’re on the subject, you can count me out on going
to church in the morning. Tell your Mama that I’m sick or something.”
“No problem.” She yawned, “I better get some sleep. I gotta look righteous in the morning. ‘Nite Babe.”
“Goodnight.”
In the silence that followed, Alma took a moment for composure,
'My own daughter, how could she?'
She went back to her room and kneeled by the edge of
the bed, careful not to agitate her back. She clasped her hands and
bowed her head, “Father God,” she spoke softly. “Please forgive
my daughter and her husband for their treachery. And forgive me
for the thoughts that I have towards them.”
After nine or so minutes of mumbling in tongues and
searching for divine healing, the pain began to subside, giving her a
tingling relief of peace. She climbed into bed marveling at the
goodness of God. They can have the money, was her final thought
before closing her eyes and drifting to sleep.
***
The air was refreshing when the daylight hours of the
morning rolled in, bringing with it a feeling of newness. Alma felt
loftier than a cocoon-free butterfly, wearing a royal blue dress with
pearl jewelry and a white hat placed with precision. With the night hours
all but forgotten, she sat in church with fellow believers, enjoying an
ambience of spirituality and faith.
Bellows of organ music surrounded the congregation with
handclapping and hallelujahs abound. The choir sang inspirational
songs that brought many to their feet in thunderous praise
while the ushers performed their duties, wearing white gloves
and gesturing in unison. Alma dropped a twenty-dollar bill in
the collection tray while Evelyn sat with a smile as genuine as
rhinestones are to diamonds. With white robes reminiscent of Zeus
a Jakes or Evans, the pastor took position in the center of the pulpit
and preached a sermon about forgiveness. Alma was amazed at the
timeliness of his message so much so that she waited to fellowship with him at the end of the service while Evelyn went to pull the car around.
On the way home, she sat with her hands folded on top of her purse,
awaiting her daughter’s persuasion speech over the bank account.
“Mama, I have been doing some thinkin’."
“About what, sweetie,” said Alma as if she didn’t know.
“Now that me and Curtis are settled in, you should let me take on
more of your personal affairs. I could oversee all of your money matters,
if you would add my name to your account.”
“Getting older doesn’t mean that you are incapable. I can still take
care of things for myself.” She thought it best to put up some resistance.
Evelyn stopped the car at a red light and turned to meet her
mother’s eyes. “I mean…I understand that you can still handle your funds
but at this point in your life you shouldn’t have to be bothered with money-management. I could write your checks out every month and that would be
one less worry on your mind.”
“I suppose you have a point,” Alma gave in as her daughter
she intended.
“It only makes good sense, Mama.” A sign of relief was in Evelyn’s voice, “We can go to the bank tomorrow morning.”
“I’d like to catch up on some sleep in the morning.”
“Well, we can go in the afternoon instead.”
“Fine with me…, I certainly hope Curtis feels better before too long,”
Alma said. She opened her purse and fumbled for something inside.
“I’m sure he’ll be feelin’ fine really soon,” Evelyn accelerated at
thelight change. She tilted her head back and slowly licked her lips,
appearing tobe satisfied with her influence.
Alma pulled out a peppermint and put it in her mouth to help inhibit laughing. I can’t wait to see the look on her face once she discovers that
I gave all of that money to the church. The pastor will be at the bank in the morning with the check. She enjoyed the rest of the ride home. With a slight giggle, she thought, praise the Lord.