Church Doors Book 4: Won’t Quit!

By Sylvia Brown-Roberts

Church Doors Book 4: Won’t Quit! is the fourth novel in Author Sylvia Brown-Roberts’s Church Doors series. It continues the story of Nikolis McQuaige- called NikkiMac- a teacher in Trenton, NJ. She’s a faithful member of a local congregation when she marries Adam Greene, the assistant minister. The couple’s wedding is warm and glorious, and everyone in attendance celebrates their union. All is well, until the day a woman from Adam’s past appears at the church building with a young teen and claims Adam is the girl’s father. At first, NikkiMac and Adam don’t agree about how to handle this, and their blissful new marriage is attacked by the strain. But when they turn to God through faith in Christ, they find the truth and a sound resolution.

NikkiMac and friends Jacee and Anna Maria continue to be active in the congregation. Along with other church members, they witness and experience joy, church drama, faithfulness, hypocrisy, patience, immorality, kindness, and love.

In Church Doors Book 4: Won’t Quit! NikkiMac’s gritty urban community and the local congregation press on. In spite of obstacles and her occasional missteps, NikkiMac trusts God’s grace and grows in faith. NikkiMac won’t quit. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781663207067

Sylvia Brown-Roberts

Sylvia Brown-Roberts is a retired public school teacher. She is a graduate of Rutgers University and Rider University. Her three earlier novels are Behind Church Doors, Beyond Church Doors, and Behind and Beyond Church Doors: Promises. Church Doors Book 4: Won’t Quit! is the fourth novel in her Church Doors series.

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Copyright © 2020 Sylvia Brown-Roberts.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-6632-0707-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-0706-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020915198

iUniverse rev. date: 09/14/2020

Acknowledgements

I thank God for His mercy and His grace.

Thank you to my family, friends, and readers who travel

with me through this Church Doors series.

Pamela Washington, thank you for your professional assistance and encouragement.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 JoJo and Sunday Morning Service

Chapter 2 At the Movies

Chapter 3 The Wedding Planner

Chapter 4 The Wedding of Nikkimac and Adam

Chapter 5 Marriage in the Beginning

Chapter 6 Tasha Pace and Nikkimac

Chapter 7 Something in this Milk Ain’t Clean

Chapter 8 Some Help from my Friends

Chapter 9 Blessed are the Peacemakers

Chapter 10 Scenes of Miya in my Life

Chapter 11 Disclosure

Chapter 12 The Next Day

Chapter 13 Ziggy and the School Bullies

Chapter 14 Chilling with My Church Ladies

Chapter 15 Cacophony

Chapter 16 Church Fellowship Meal

Chapter 17 What’s Wrong, Brother Vincent?

Chapter 18 Church Kitchen Drama

Chapter 19 Make a Difference, Church!

Chapter 20 Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

Chapter 21 Lucy Bergamot and Princeton

Chapter 22 Tasha and the Dog

Chapter 23 Won’t Quit

Introduction

My friends call me NikkiMac, but my government name is Nikolis McQuaige. I’m a Christian woman in my early forties, and I’m newly engaged to the assistant minister of our local congregation. My fiancé’s name is Adam Greene, and I’m convinced he’s the man that was made for me. He has a Christ-like character, a loving heart, and he’s more than easy on the eyes. This is an exciting time in my life, but my primary focus is to serve the Lord.

I teach in a public school in Trenton, New Jersey. My first best friend, Jacee Fontinetta Jackson, is also a Christian, and she’s a teacher mentor in the school system. We’ve been friends since fourth grade. Anna Maria DelGrosso is my other best friend. She works in the elementary school where I teach. I make this first and other best friend distinction because Jacee insists on it. I think Jacee wants Anna Maria to remember who was first in the friend zone. Anna Maria was baptized into the body of Christ sometime after we became friends.

My parents died when I was in my twenties. Brother Foster Pace, I call him Poppa Pace, told me about the church and has been my father figure for many years. His wife, Sister Lovey Grace, offers me the wisdom of a senior Christian woman. My friend Cletus is my brother in Christ and an example of how God can change a person from a neighborhood drunk to a faithful Christian husband and father. Darius Muse, the man who attempted an assault on me years ago and was stopped by Poppa Pace, is still a member of the church. I greet him, but I’m uncomfortable with the way he looks at me sometimes. Tasha Pace, my Poppa Pace’s wayward daughter, shows up every now and then to try and get under my skin. Sometimes I let her and sometimes I don’t. I’ve grown to care more about my fellow church members and about people in general.

As for my outspokenness, I still have a way to go. I want to handle difficult people and challenging circumstances the way God tells me to, and not in the way I want. My desire is to be a Christian influence as I move through this life. I realize I’m still a work in progress, and I won’t quit.

Chapter 1

JoJo and Sunday Morning Service

Child, why are you on my front porch?

I know why JoJo’s on my front porch, but this is the dance we do. My nine-year-old kinky-haired neighbor widens his big coffee-colored eyes and flashes his crooked smile. Then, he thrusts my Sunday newspaper out to me.

Happy Sunday morning to you, Miss NikkiMac. You know how we do. You can always trust me to watch your Sunday paper after the newspaper guy throws it on your porch. I won’t let nobody steal it before you open your front door. Some people around here are too cheap to buy their own newspapers. When I get the newspaper in my hands, I notice that the Sunday comics section is missing.

Where’s the comics section, JoJo Jones? Are you trying to hustle me? He reaches into his back pants pocket, snatches out the multicolored comics section, and laughs.

Oh, yeah. Here you go. I’m finished reading the funny pages. I like to read them while I wait for you to come downstairs. Since I have mad respect for you, I don’t knock on your door until I hear footsteps on your house stairs. Your stairsteps are creaky, by the way.

I can’t hold back my smile. You’re a nosey little boy. You’d better be glad I like you. Here, take this quarter and go on about your business. Don’t think you’re slick because I give you a quarter when you watch my Sunday newspaper. I never asked you to guard my newspaper in the first place, but I made the mistake of giving you some change the first time you did it. Go on now. I have to get ready for church service.

JoJo doesn’t move except to put the quarter in his front pocket. He looks like he wants to say something, but is unsure how I’m going to take it. He’s rarely timid with me. I hope my words didn’t hurt his feelings. Are you okay, JoJo?

He blinks a couple of times before he responds, I heard some kids say that people learn about Jesus in church. Can you take me to church with you sometimes?

His words catch me by surprise. What do you know about Jesus?

Not much, but I heard a grownup say that Jesus loves children. Jesus watches over everyone. Jesus wants people to be good. Jesus is more powerful than any superhero.

That’s pretty good, JoJo. Who taught you that?

My grandmother told me that before she died. She was really sick and somebody had to sit next to her bed and watch for the angel to come and take her away to heaven. I sat with my mother next to my grandmother’s bed. When my mother felt like it was time for the angel to come for my grandmother, she said she had somewhere to go. Before she left the room, Mom told me to stay there and help my grandmother meet the angel. I didn’t see no angel, but my grandmother looked like she saw something before she took a deep breath in, and breath came back out. Her eyes closed. That was it, no more breaths.

My heart hurts for him. JoJo, you were a brave and loving boy for your grandmother. How long ago did this happen?

It was a couple of years ago. I think my grandmother told me about Jesus because she wanted me to be a good boy after she died. I usually try to be, but sometimes I mess up.

My mind searches for a way to process this child’s unexpected disclosure. Why would his mother make him sit alone with his dying grandmother? What kind of mother would do this to a seven-year-old child? What can I say that won’t sound like a criticism of his mother? What impact did this experience have on JoJo?

JoJo, I’d love to take you to church with me, but I need your mother’s permission because you’re so young. Why not ask her to come to church and bring you with her?

He looks at me like I don’t have a clue. "My mother don’t like church. She like beer. That’s why I asked you to take me. I don’t know if you like beer, but I can see you like to go to church. Anyway, thanks for the quarter. I plan to put it in my secret shoebox with my other coins." He turns to leave and I notice the plastic Afro Pick stuck in the back of his kinky hair. JoJo hops down my front steps. I feel like I let him down. It’s hard for me to swallow the lump in my throat, the one that shows up right before my tears come. I bow my head and pray.

Dear God, that child wants to come to worship. He wants to learn about Jesus. Forgive me for dragging my feet. Before this day is over, please help me ask JoJo’s mother for permission to take him to worship service. Help me not judge his mother. Please show me the best way to help him. Amen.

I close the door, place the newspaper on the coffee table, and go upstairs to get dressed for service. In less than an hour, I’m in my car and on my way to the church building. I arrive in time to meet Anna Maria in the parking lot. As she walks over to me, I note the twinkle in her bright blues eyes. The wind tosses her shoulder length brunette hair. Brother Foster Pace sees us and walks over.

Good Sunday morning to you, Daughter NikkiMac and Sister Anna Maria. It’s wonderful to see you ladies. I reach for my Poppa Pace and move in to get a hug from my favorite senior citizen and brother in Christ.

Good morning, Poppa Pace. You give the best hugs! I say this to Brother Foster Pace almost every time I see him, but he doesn’t seem to get tired of hearing it. He grins at me like I’m his precious little girl who just brought home an Honor Roll certificate from school.

Anna Maria waits for us to greet each other before she responds. Good morning, Brother Pace. It’s always wonderful to see you. They shake hands.

Good to see you today, Sister Anna Maria. He looks around. Wait a minute, where’s the other member of this trio. Where’s Jacee?

Here I am, Brother Pace. I’m running a few minutes behind this morning, but I made it. Jacee gives Poppa Pace a quick hug. Her petite frame is fit to perfection in a black pencil skirt and white blouse. She gives me a high five and winks one of her incredible hazel eyes.

I chant, Hello, my chocolate sister.

Now this picture looks right. I’m used to seeing you three together at church service on Sunday mornings. A mischievous expression appears on his face before he teases me with, I wonder how much that’ll change when my Daughter NikkiMac and Brother Adam get married. He might expect his new wife to arrive with him and sit next to him.

I believe Adam is secure enough to know I’m always next to him even when I’m not physically next to him. That’s one of the things I love about him.

Poppa Pace winks, and we all laugh. Enough chatter for me, young ladies. Duty calls. I’m on my way to check the men’s room. A brother just told me that the toilet wasn’t working properly when he was here for Bible class last Wednesday night. Why he didn’t tell me before this morning’s service, only God knows. He smiles and we wave as he goes to his task. The three of us enter the church auditorium, go to our regular pew, and wait for worship service to begin.

In a few minutes, Brother Vincent addresses the group. Good morning everyone. Let’s bow our heads for opening prayer. After he prays, Brother Vincent leads us in the hymns Give Me The Bible, I Want To Be A Worker, and Yield Not To Temptation. Brothers come forward to lead us in communion. When the last member of the congregation receives the bread and the fruit of the vine and the communion servers walk out, Minister Obadiah Johnson enters the pulpit.

"Thank you, Brother Vincent, for leading songs, and especially Yield Not To Temptation. We’re in harmony this morning, my brother. Listen and you’ll see what I mean. The title of the message this morning is If We Faint Not. Please grab your Bibles. Our main lesson text is from Galatians chapter 6, verses 6 through 10. My point of emphasis from this passage is in verse 9. If you’re a person who works in the kingdom of God, you will get weary. But in your weariness, don’t ever stop doing what is good according to God. The Bible says the faithful will face tribulation or pressure, but must keep walking in the faith. Christ overcame tribulation. Because Christ overcame tribulation, we can overcome!"

Thank you, Jesus!

Praise be!

A woman visitor stands up and waves her hands in the air. Jacee elbows me, Here we go. It’s show time. I try to ignore her.

Brother Johnson preaches on, "Talk about pressure! Think about Elijah’s tribulation recorded in First Kings chapter 19, verses 1 through 8. Please study it when you get home. God comforted Elijah and sent him an angel to help him!"

Amen!

Hallelujah!

The woman visitor stands up again, waves her hands, and chants something. I guess little Sasha Coles spots an opportunity for freedom, because she escapes from her parents. The four-year-old runs up to the woman visitor and imitates her movements gesture for gesture until Sister Coles grabs her. There’s giggling in the pews, but the minister preaches on. Little Sasha hollers while Sister Coles takes her back to their pew. Her father, Brother Coles, acts like he doesn’t notice what’s going on.

Look at him trying to act like they don’t belong to him. He cracks me up.

Be quiet, Jacee. If I don’t shush her, she’ll fuss about this for the rest of the sermon, and Jacee can’t whisper. I turn my attention to Minister Johnson.

"God knows we get tired, but He encourages us to press on. This is what God says to His children: You are not alone in this. I see you. I visit you. I will help you. Keep doing what I tell you. I’ve got it all worked out.

Amen!

I know that’s right!

Thank you, God!

A small man with black, shiny, straight hair walks by us and sits on a pew across the aisle. His eyes are wet with tears that won’t drop. His skin is a weird shade, like he drank alcohol all last night. He wears a plaid jacket and jeans with holes in the knees. He doesn’t speak when Usher Dexter greets him and hands him a pen and a visitor’s card, but he accepts them. He watches Usher Dexter walk away.

Anna Maria nudges me and whispers, He looks so sad. I wonder what’s his story.

Who knows? People who wander the neighborhood sometimes come in to sit and get off the streets for a while. Maybe he thought we were serving a meal today.

In about five minutes, the visitor’s chin drops to his upper chest and we hear a soft snore. It gets louder as the man’s chest rises and falls. A little boy gets his mother’s attention. He widens his eyes and jerks his head in the direction of the sound. Mom shushes him. The visitor continues to snore until Usher Dexter walks over and touches him on the shoulder. The small man wipes his eyes and stretches his arms. Nap time is over, but he doesn’t leave.

Minister Johnson preaches for a few more minutes before he issues the invitation for baptism. No one comes forward. The ushers collect tithes and offerings. There’s another prayer before Brother Martin comes forward to read the church announcements. I brace myself because I know at least one announcement is sure to make me shake my head. I let out a soft moan when I notice the fat announcement folder in Brother Martin’s hand.

Jacee has even less patience for this ritual. Most of the announcements he reads are posted in the glass display case in the foyer. I don’t know why he reads them to us. Anna Maria smiles and takes it all in stride.

Brother Martin walks to the podium and adjusts the microphone. Good afternoon, please take note of today’s announcements. Parents and guardians, when your small children need to use the church bathrooms, please go with them or send a responsible person with them. Today, one of the ushers heard loud banging and bumping sounds from the men’s room. I want him to tell you in his own words what he saw when he went inside the men’s room to investigate the noise. Usher Dexter, will you please come forward and tell the church? Usher Dexter looks surprised when he hears his name, but he walks to the front of the auditorium and takes the microphone from the stand on the floor.

Err-ah, like Brother Martin said, I went inside the men’s room because of the loud noise. I couldn’t figure out what in tarnation was going on in there. A few giggles can be heard, likely ignited by the word, tarnation. Usher Dexter looks like he wonders if he said something funny. Then, he continues with his report.

I tiptoed into the bathroom and watched little Terry and his brother Troy throw themselves up against the walls, fall down, laugh, and get back up. Like this. Usher Dexter places the microphone back onto the stand and demonstrates. He jumps backwards into an imaginary wall and acts like he’s about to fall. Then he lets out a crazy laugh. Most of the people in the auditorium burst into laughter, except for certain church members who act like nothing is ever funny inside a church building. Their facial expressions are sour. I manage to control my laughter, but Jacee doesn’t try to hold hers in. She throws back her head and hollers.

Church, these young boys repeated this about three times before they noticed me. I don’t know how they didn’t bust their heads open. Each boy bounced off a wall, fell on the floor, laughed, and got back up. They didn’t say any words. They just laughed. They didn’t notice me until I cleared my throat. When I called them by name, they looked at me and froze. One gave me a little smile. Not a word from either of them. They got up from the floor and walked out of the men’s room. His testimony done, Usher Dexter bows his head and returns to his post in the back of the auditorium.

Jacee elbows me. I keep telling folks those boys are a little special, but their mother doesn’t want anybody to say anything to them.

I can’t resist. Maybe that’s because she’s a little special, too. How old are they, anyway?

I think Terry is six and Troy is seven years old. They should be able to go to the bathroom and use it without bouncing their little bodies off the walls.

Where’s their mother?

Sometimes she drops them off at Sunday School and picks them up after morning worship service.

So, she thinks the church sponsors a free Sunday babysitting service?

It looks that way. Brother Johnson may have to go back to having an usher monitor the restrooms during worship services.

Brother Martin continues the announcements. The rug that belongs in the church nursery is missing. The maintenance staff couldn’t find it when they cleaned the building yesterday. The rug is round, blue, and has decorations of angels on it. Maybe someone took it home to clean it. I can’t think of any other reason to pick up a throw rug from here and leave the building with it. If you took the rug to clean it, you should let someone who does maintenance here know. Come on, now. Please return the rug and put it back where you found it. Remember, God saw you take it. This brings more giggles, especially from the teen section, which is usually anywhere in the auditorium where parents don’t sit.

Adults, please refrain from bringing your takeout coffee containers, mugs of tea, and sodas into the auditorium. This is a room dedicated for worship, and not the kitchen or the fellowship hall. When you make spills, we have to clean up coffee stains from this carpet and soda stains from the fabric on the pews. Nobody wants to sit in somebody else’s mess. Please respect the building, especially the worship area.

Sister Terrie Towns jumps up. I don’t see what’s wrong with bringing a cold or hot drink to church. The church is the people, not the building. Some of us worship the building more than we worship God! She puts her hands on her hips and glares in defiance at Brother Martin and anyone else who dares to challenge her. A buzz travels around the auditorium.

Brother Martin looks over the top of his reading glasses at Sister Terrie. When he begins to speak, the room gets