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made the sudden movement, that Mother Gussie noticed his shiny Rolex watch peeking from beneath the long sleeve of his sweater. She’d never seen Lance wear jewelry that flashy before. It too had been a Christmas gift from his wife.
    â€œAccording to Brother Cartwright, Justin had been strung out on dope for years. Before Justin’s death, the Cartwrights always had their son’s name on the special prayer request list.”
    â€œWas Justin a member of this church?” Lance asked.
    â€œNo. But he had been here a few times. I’m sure it was just to please his parents. Justin could never get into the service. He would just sit there and space out. Brother Cartwright said Justin wasn’t saved.”
    That bit of information saddened Lance. “Oh, wow. That’s a shame. Does Brother Cartwright know exactly how his son died?”
    â€œThe only thing he knows is that when Justin was found, he had been lying in an alley next to a dumpster only a few blocks away from home. There was a needle stuck in his arm. The police are calling it an accidental drug overdose.”
    Lance shook his head from side to side. “Poor Cartwright. First his wife, and now his only son,” he said regretfully.
    â€œYou have a decision to make, Bishop,” Mother Gussie informed him. “The church policy always had been that if someone died who wasn’t a member, they can’t be eulogized here. I didn’t want to say that to Brother Cartwright. I wanted to get your take on it. Brother Cartwright isn’t active in the church, but like I said, he’s one of our biggest tithers. I can’t see Freedom Temple turning its back on Brother Cartwright in his time of need. And I don’t think he’s completely healed from his wife’s death. It’s only been a year.” Mother Gussie shrugged her shoulders. “I mean, do we tell Brother Cartwright that he has to take his son’s body to a funeral home?”
    Lance intertwined his fingers and placed his elbows on top of his desk and thought about Brother Cartwright and all that he must be going through.
    â€œNo, Mother, that won’t be necessary. We’ll accommodate Brother Cartwright and his family with whatever their needs are. He’s more than welcome to have his son’s funeral here at the church.”
    Mother Gussie smiled. “You’re such a softie, Bishop. But you know you’re gonna hear flack from the deacons about this. They are extremely strict when it comes to following the church’s guidelines.”
    Lance picked up his mug, sipped his coffee, and swallowed. “I’m the pastor of this church, am I not? If I say that Brother Cartwright can have his son’s funeral here, then that’s what will happen. If the deacons give you any grief about it, direct them to my office.”
    â€œYes, sir,” Mother Gussie said as she stood up to leave Lance’s office.
    â€œAlso, Mother,” Lance stopped her from leaving his office, “please contact my wife at the realtor’s office and tell her about Brother Cartwright’s son. Let her know that I want her to accompany me to visit the family this morning.”
    The last thing Mother Gussie wanted to do was contact Arykah about anything. She faked a smile. “Of course, Bishop. I’ll get on it right away, but don’t you have a meeting with a major land developer at the construction company at ten o’clock this morning?”
    Lance looked confused. “No. That meeting is tomorrow morning.”
    â€œI don’t think so. I’ll check your date planner, but I’m pretty sure the meeting is this morning, Bishop.”
    Mother Gussie retrieved Lance’s date planner from her desk. She walked back into his office and set the date planner on his desk. She opened it to the month of February.
    Lance read in big bold letters, Monday, February 4th, 2012, meeting with Mr. Ysi Shyuang from Hiroshima