Out of the blue.

This is Chapter 2a in the "Backsliding" story, an excerpt from the book of the same name, Backsliding.

There could have been a whole lot more than just that going on in the brother's life at the time, and behind the front door, of mine. In your face too, and the washbasin, no denying. Much more than what meets the eye, Hingh, yes, your eyes even. Fun and jokes aside though. There could have been something else going on there with that fellow, like, something that neither the brother nor the Lord would have bothered to tell us, them, or you, about. For whatever reason, hence the closing of the mouth. They too, with all of their in-depth hearing, seeing, and sawing, never saw that one coming, nor saw it when it came, in. 

"Oh, such a shame, Hingh." 

"Sure thing." So, you thought that it was because the Elk was stingy that's why he wasn't paying you any more tithes and offerings, right, Binghy? What then, does that say about you and the offspring tonight, and what about the all-knowing gods and the bright? What in particular does it say about the all-knowing part of it, the whole thing, and like, about how she's always talking to you and telling you things? How come she never bothered to tell you that part of the story, which was the real stored-up sin?

Every once in a while, the unexpected happens, an anomaly or such. So, out of the blue, she came in, with her husband and family, and moved up. With them, too, came also, her children. Very talented, ultra-driven, able, as well as capable. Yes, a very capable individual she was, with a knock and drive for business, quite unlike me and the others in the church communities and sitting comfy on the boards. She joined up with them and quickly settled into each role she was given. (They quickly gave them to her, one after the other.) An administrator role was a good call after all, no better person could be found among them for such a role, Call, no, none at all. She did that well.

"Too well," some had said, which was to lead to yet other tasks being placed on her, and upon her head atop the bred. Yes, my brother. They must not let her escape, no matter what, they can't afford to lose such a person as this one. So, they're going to teach her those things that she must learn. After she's done with all that learning, they will have to teach her some more and train her, Kern. Then they will have to make it appear as if it was all worth something, a no-brainer.

"Other than what was to be there on top of the cornmeal dumplings?"

"Yes, like, those beside the strainer, well, perhaps." So, they had to teach her some more, although none of them were teachers, I'm sure.

"Really?"

"Yes, really," and then, they gave her a title and a bible, and made her a pastor, too. Another pastor now added to the very many that are already there grazing in that pasture. "Phew!" Which was already too many for one tiny churchlette of a church, and too few pennies for the pauper, from the purse, and that was without regard to first verifying whether she was able, capable, or in any way cut out for that part of the pasture. But pastors are what these people are after. Because pastors are what they need most of all, sir, yes, go ask her, she should know. So, pastors are what they get, of course. 

Meanwhile, whether or not it was because of those things, the effect was the same for the wearing and taring on the poor thing. The sister-turned-pastor had probably gotten to the point where she'd found too many things on her plate eyeing her, and in her name to handle anymore. So much so that, she couldn't bear them all at once to remain in their good grace and continue going on, to the dance floor. Some things, therefore, would have to go. Yes, others have a way of coming to that self-same realization, I guess. Not just the brother who had to cut some things off on the financial side of the ledger, at his address. The sister-turned-pastor found herself having to be shedding loads too. Then, the thriving business she'd started at first, which was the very reason why she caught their eye and their attention, to her curse, anew.

"True, true."

That said business was soon to be no more and twist it and call it something else as much as one may want to, as before, the effects of that were the same. The business was gone, and so too was the prospect of inspiring another one. Like, a young person from among them, let's say, to go out and start another business of their own too, one day. In this business where... sorry, I meant to say, place, in this place where business is "the way to go." But we didn't know. What we wanted was churches, more than any and everything else in the world, kids. So, church it is, go figure. In the meantime, the brother was looking on, and...

Elkhan did contribute greatly to the plan and made himself out to become an outcast. Happened when he was to have gotten the misguided, devil-inspired idea of writing a book and offering it for sale on the open market in Arcadia on the nook, so fast. It wasn't so much the writing of the book, though, as it would have seemed to Ayvia, below. Because he'd written other books before, and sold many amongst them, and more. There never was an issue with any of those then. If there was, it would have been covert. But now, he has gone way too far out. How dare he, yes, him, to go and write a book about love and sex, not the king? Relationships in the car too, and such, even more of it than the verses in the book, and the chorus?

Much more than that too, were these, on the way out. How dare he be so overt, brazen, and realistic, true to his plot and his characters' misfits? Too craven, and lickerish, to go all the way and say things as they really are? How dare he, him? Trying to be good at what he does, and was still there, doing? To strive for excellence is what I mean. How dare he, yes, him, again? Can't have that sort of thing, my friend. Not around here, not on these lot-tory pots; those beloved games of theirs. There have got to be some sanctions against him here. We've got to make an example out of him to go around and share, so that others may see, or hear of it, and beware. Meanwhile, the brother was looking on and seeing some other things going on around him, such as these. 

Timothy and others have been moving on too, getting out and up towards the prosperous rung. They've now joined up with Chetalee's foundation and are going all out and going about; not just making inroads into black communities and black countries worldwide. But they're going out recruiting other rich black folks; from the elite athletes, and down to you, and yeah! I know, that includes me too. Actors, entertainers, on down to the business, and "other" professional types of gainers. They have been getting on board the initiative in droves.

The result of these efforts has given rise to a brand-new era, a new way of thinking in the modern black population where you are. Young blacks are rising and raising hell. Rising to the challenges too, as you can tell. Focusing on education, skills training, career-building, and you. Business management training too, and more, things to do. Wherever in the world black folks are today, the current runs through the highway, and things are starting to happen for them and you. Well, not all of them, some are still going to Sunday school. The activities are now heated up, to a fever pitch. Come, take a look at this.

To be continued.

That's it for today, see you again tomorrow, or sometime thereafter. Don't forget to like, share, and comment. We sure would appreciate it if you would subscribe and follow us somewhere too, thank you. 

@WritingElk