Page 49 of Rewind

Hurrying out of the room without a backward glance, Amina made her way through the restaurant to the hostess stand where Jasmine was waiting.

The young girl was in a modest floral maternity dress.

“Jasmine! I’m so glad you could make it.”

“I’m sorry I’m so late. I fell a bit behind my schedule because as you can see, I can’t really move fast with this baby moving inside of me like he’s auditioning for the National soccer team. And then that accident held things up. The Uber fee was crazy. Ugh, you said you’d reimburse me right?”

“Absolutely. You should have gotten another deposit in your account yesterday. And you’ll also be compensated for tonight.”

“Thanks Amina. I could really use the money, especially with the baby coming. But actually before we go to the party, I justwant you to know that while the money is nice, I’m not doing it because of that. I thought a lot about what you said. And what the Pastor did to me wasn’t right.”

“I know for a fact that I’m not the only girl he’s slept with in church because I was confronted by the church secretary who told me I wasn’t special. I didn’t understand what she meant at first but now I do. If he was having an affair with her as well, I bet there are others.”

Amina wouldn’t put it past that old pervert. “Whatever the reason you’re doing this, I really appreciate it. Maybe he won’t face any real consequences, but at least he’ll be exposed for the hypocrite he is.”

“You’re right. People deserve to know the truth and I have proof right here.” Jasmine patted the purse she was carrying.

“What’s in there?”

The young girl grinned. “Oh, you’ll find out soon enough.”

Amina wasn’t sure if this would be a good or bad thing, but she had to trust that things would work out. She took Jasmine’s hand. “Okay, let’s go to the party.”

Amina walked with her head held high but on the inside she was shaking. This was it.

The second they stepped back into the private room, all the chatter that was happening in the room ended in stunned silence.

Mark who was standing by his parents table talking furiously back and forth with them. When he spotted them, he wobbled on his feet.

The church members in attendance looked at each other with uncomfortable expressions on their faces.

Mrs. Caldwell lost all color and slumped in her seat as if she was about to pass out. Pastor Caldwell clutched his chest. Sweat beaded his forehead.

Jasmine trembled at her side and Amina gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Mark was the first to recover. He stalked toward her with a stormy expression. Amina tensed but then relaxed. Mark might have a temper but there was no way he was going to assault her in front of all these people and tarnish his good boy image.

“What is the meaning of this Amina? Why is she here? Don’t you know she was kicked out of Christ’s Home because of her immoral behavior?” he demanded loud enough for everyone to hear.

He was clearly trying to embarrass Jasmine, but if he wanted to get loud, Amina could be louder.

“This is supposed to be a celebration for friends and family. And I wanted all of your family to be here considering you invited my so called family who I rarely hear from unless they want something from me.” She shot a pointed glare in Candace and Sharon’s direction.

“I know that bitch isn’t talking about me,” Sharon spoke with mouthful of bread.

Amina ignored them and continued with her speech. She placed her hand on Jasmine’s belly. “I think all family members deserve to be here for such a special occasion. And who more deserving than Mark’s future sibling.”

A collective gasp washed over the audience in the room. Eyes widened and there were hushed whispers. A few people even took out their phones.

Amina noticed some of the church elders, refusing to make eye contact which made it abundantly clear to her that most of them already knew about Jasmine.

“Amina, what the entire fuck?” Mark roared.

Pastor Caldwell leapt out of his seat and pointed directly at Jasmine. “I rebuke thee in the name of Jesus! Satan be gone!”

Taking the cue from her husband, Mrs. Caldwell also stood up and started speaking in tongue as if she was trying to exorcise a demon out of the room. A few of the church elder started chanting along with her.

Some of the wait staff that had been hanging in the corner to check on the guests, slowly slid out of the room as if to escape a crime scene.

---