Don't Play With God

By Katrina Williams

Who are you pretending to be? How long do you think you can get away with living wrong and no consequences? Someone is always watching, if so, who? Is this part of the guilt to think someone is watching? Travis is raised by a single mother, a churchgoing mother who instilled in her kids that they should always put God first. Travis did not have the best of everything, but what he did have his mother thought she provided the best for him and for his siblings. His mother kept Travis in church and away from the streets. But as Travis grew older, he stayed in church but swayed from what he was taught. Does he live by the streets and forget God or try to incorporate both?

Could the hunger for what was never had destroy the life as he knew it, or will he reach to God and turn back to the church? Tina, Randy, and Travis have known each other since childhood. Tina and Travis are childhood sweethearts, and they will ride or die to the end for each other. Randy is always the bad guy, no parents. The streets raised him. He had everything Travis did not. Travis envied Randy, and when they got the opportunity to work together, they came up with a plan that works for them or does it. Can they keep incorporating God and the streets and face no consequence? All these questions will be answered.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662474453

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Don't Play With God

Katrina Williams

Copyright © 2022 Katrina Williams

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2022

ISBN 978-1-6624-7443-9 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-7445-3 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

About the Author

To my mother, Nancy Lee Williams, for the many lessons you taught me, through your words and actions, about how to love and care for everyone.

And even after you departed from this earth, your words still guide me. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you—sometimes bringing me to tears and making me smile or laugh. I miss you so much. I love you. You will always be in my heart, my guardian angel.

Chapter 1

Travis was raised in the church. His father was distant in his life while his mother was always there. He was one of four kids raised by Katherine. Travis's absentee father, Donald, never forced himself into his life, but the kids knew where he was if they wanted to see him. Travis met Tina in the church choir. The two were inseparable. They could go out almost every Saturday. Tina was raised in a two-parent household. Her father gave her anything she wanted. Because her parents knew Travis's mom, Katherine, from the church, they didn't find anything wrong with the two going out. Tina's father hoped Travis would be the man to take his daughter's hand in marriage. But unknown to them, the two were headed on a path of self-destruction, and the only one to save them was God or would he let them self-destruct.

Travis, please help get your brother ready for church, Katherine asked Travis as she finished making breakfast. The two girls and Travis were always ready on time, but Germaine was always late getting ready because he would always stay up late playing games on his computer. There was Travis, seventeen; Tanya, fifteen; Germaine, twelve; and Sharon, nine.

Travis knew from age nine he wanted to be a pastor. He wanted to have God bless him to speak to a congregation, and they believed it is from God. So whenever it was time to go to church, Travis was ready. He served on the usher board, the choir, children's church coordinator Sunday school, and whatever he could help. He met Tina in Sunday school when he was sixteen and she was fifteen. She had just moved to Brooklyn from North Carolina. Unlike Tina, Travis lived in Brooklyn all his life. The two became friends immediately, and because Travis was a good churchgoer and did well in school, Tina's father approved of the young couple relationship.

Walking to church, Travis ran into some old friends whom Katherine always told Travis to stay away from. Travis found no harm in speaking to his friends. One friend saw Travis be very focused, and he wanted someone like him on his team. Randy was the neighborhood drug dealer. He had kids selling anything for him.

Hey, what's going on, Travis? Randy asked.

Nothing much. Going to church. You should come with me, Travis replied. Randy thought about it because all he could see was how much money was brought into churches every Sunday. Not this Sunday, Randy replied. But let me ask you a question. What do you do at church? Randy asked.

Well, I am into a lot of things. I mostly work in the office. Anyway, I must go, don't want to be late for church. See you later.

Travis noticed the nice watch and new Jordan's Randy had on, but little did he know Randy noticed him looking at his belongings as well.

Two years later, Randy went to church with Travis. He gave his heart to God and started his plan to take over the church and disrupt Travis's life.

Did you count the offerings we received today? Randy asked Travis.

Yes, we received over ten thousand this week in total, Travis replied.

Call Roman and tell him we need to re-up, Randy told Travis.

Travis pulled out his cell and sent the message. Just as he was putting his phone away, Tina walked in. Every time seeing her was like the first time. She was so stunning to him.

Hey, what's going on? Tina asked as she entered the room.

Just making the count and getting ready to do the rounds to pick up. Are you riding along? Travis asked.

Of course, anything to be with you, baby, Tina replied.

Travis's life changed around when Randy started to attend church. Travis always wanted the best things in life, but he never wanted to do anything to disappoint his family. His mother and siblings meant everything to him. He always wanted to be the man of his household and didn't want his mother to work two shifts at the hospital to keep their mortgage paid and clothes and food in their house. When Randy presented the opportunity to him to use the pulpit to get ahead, at first Travis was against it because he knew it was wrong, but if he could help his family, he thought God was providing a way for him to do that.

Dinner was real nice, baby, Tina told Travis as she was riding him at the back of the limousine.

Anything for my first lady.

Tina gave Travis her virginity in the church bathroom right after he made his first grand.

This is only half of the shipment. Where is the other half? Randy asked Travis.

This is the half of the supply, but it is pure. And we will triple the profit. This is the life I can live with. My family is taken care of. I have the lady of my dreams. Business is booming. What else could a man want?

A knock on the door brought Travis out of his thoughts. Travis yelled, It's open!

Who walked in the door shocked him, to say the least. How can I help you? What are you doing here?

Donald asked his son, Is that the way you greet me? If you don't state your business with me, I can get back to doing nothing. Well, I came to see how you and the family were doing.

I am doing great, and I don't need to answer the rest. Again, what do you want?

Son, I need some help. There are some men after me, and they need a payment on a loan. If they don't get the payment, well, you know the rest.

You're dead to me anyway, so the outcome will become a reality. Goodbye.

Travis thought, How does this motherfucker find me? How does he know I have money?

Going back to doing nothing, he had to meet up with Tina to start the interview process of strippers for club Paradise. The liquor store is doing well. The barbershop opens in five days. Thursday is opening day. He chose Thursday because the hood starts their weekends on Thursdays. Locking down the money was all he can think about. The church was where all the money is cleaned through. Tina had the help center in the church, helping battered women and families in need and after-school babysitting for single working mothers. There were also shelters for the needy. They also gave out food on weekends and holidays for families and/or individuals who need help.

Later that afternoon, Travis asked Tina about the auditions. Tina told Travis there are forty girls, and she would be doing ten today, twenty tomorrow, and ten the following day. Damn, I didn't know it was that many unemployed hoes, said Travis.

Well, they heard the club is new and the package we have for them. So they are coming from out of town. They are not loyal to their current employers. I don't care if they're good. Then they'll get the job, Tina stated.

Interviewing the stripper was a long process. They took two breaks. They needed to air out the room. The odor was insane. Travis thought he had loved the smell of pussy, but this odor was insane. That's why Tina added that they would need current medical checkups and GYN recent records. Whatever the hoes did outside Club Paradise was their business, but inside the club, they wouldn't be putting the club at risk. The auditions for today were over, three might get a callback.

Just as they were locking up to leave, Travis's cell rang. He saw it's his old bird. He answered, What's up, Ma? She was hysterical, but Travis made out that his sperm donor came through to see her and asked to use the bathroom which is next to her bedroom. After he left, she noticed the door was slightly open. Her jewelry was missing. What the fuck, Ma! Why did you let him in? I'm on my way. I'm going to kill that motherfucker on sight. Travis hung up, but his cell rang again. And it was his pastor, his partner, Randy, telling him the church safe was hit. They were missing five thousand dollars. What the fuck is happening? When it rains, it pours. Travis and Tina locked up and never realized someone is watching them.

Travis made his way to the church, and Randy was talking to the police officer making a report. The officer was a member of Heavenly Praise. So, Pastor, why would you have that type of cash in the church? Don't you think it should be in the bank?

Well, when God sends people in need, I want to be ready.

But that amount of cash is ridiculous to have on hand. I am going to have a car pass through here every so often. There isn't much that can be done since it was cash.

Thanks, Brian. I'm sure God has a blessing for Heavenly Praise. Have a blessed night. After, they made sure the church was locked up. Travis and Randy met in the office. Who do you think did this Travis? asked Randy.

Well, out of all the haters, we got shit it could be anyone. I'm going to put a reward on the streets. We will find out soon. Niggas is hungry out there.

How did the auditions go?

Okay. We only did ten, going to finish up in the next two days. You know we must meet with Rico on Sunday about the shipment of Bibles. The Bibles were cut out in the middle, and the drugs were inside. Then the Bible was put back together as if it was a real Bible.

Tina said, These auditions are going well. She told one of her girlfriends, Tanya. The two of them have been friends since grade school. Tanya reminded you of Taraji Henson. Girl, these auditions are going quick. You're going to finish them all today. Glad Travis didn't come through. He slows shit down. It was good you gave them ten minutes, and that is way more than enough time to do some splits and slide down a pole, pop the pussy, and clap their asses.

You're a damn fool, Tina, said Tanya.

Anyway, what's up this weekend? You know it's my birthday, Tina stated.

"Girl, you know you need to check with Travis before you plan anything.