Read Erotic City for Free Online Page B

said to the couple. “God bless you.” She handed them each a daily program and an envelope.
    They accepted the handoff and both replied in unison, “Hello.”
    “Nice to see you both. Praise the Lord,” she said with vigor. Her name was Beverly Sepulveda, a woman in her late forties who had known Milan from church years earlier.
    “You, too,” Milan said, beaming her way.
    Beverly was always warm, always smiling, and always praising the Lord.
    Once inside and down the main aisle, Milan and Lavender found their regular seats. They stood in place as Milan placed her purse and Bible under her seat. A forty-something couple in front of them turned back, giving careful examination just as the choir winded down their final praise and worship song, “The Spirit of the Lord.”
    Upon taking in their glances, Lavender smiled and bowed his head, closing his eyes in silent prayer, as did Milan.
    The couple turned back around and bowed their heads, too.
    Moments later, Pastor Bellaire stepped up to the podium, clean and dapper in his light-brown-and-white-pinstripe suit, a white silk tie, and winter white leather ostrich-skin shoes. He stood tall with his clean-shaven head. He was a graham cracker–colored Mr. Clean. He had Afro European skin and wore a tightly trimmed goatee. Everyone in his place of worship arose to his or her feet as a symbol of respect, and they all applauded, loudly. His short and perky wife, Tatiana, smiled proudly as she stood, clapping the loudest.
    “Hallelujah. Praise the Lord. I’m so happy to be here today to talk to you about your life. You may be seated.
    “I want to ask you this morning if you’ve ever noticed that sometimes, for some people, everything they touch turns to gold? We think they’ve got the Midas touch, right? In Greek mythology, King Midas had the ability to turn everything to gold. He was known for his garden of roses.
    “The difference between those people and people who seem to struggle is they never rest. They tend to their gardens with time and focus. They never become complacent. They never give up. They eliminate excuses because an excuse gives you permission to stay where you are. They seize the moment. They stay ready so they don’t have to get ready, if you know what I’m saying. They are passionate about what they do. Passion is like fuel. It gives you energy to get where you need to go. They have found what they love and they surround themselves with people who are passionate, too. Passion is contagious, you know. And, they have visualized themselves being where they want to go.
    “Now, I know some of you are thinking that some of the successful people you know seem to be some of the biggest sinners you’ve ever seen in your life. It’s like they’re shouting in church on Sunday and shacking up on Monday.”
    “Hallelujah. I know that’s right,” one man could be heard shouting behind Milan and Lavender.
    “But don’t worry about Joe and Jeffrey and Jenny. Life is abundant and it’s yours for the taking. See it as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Be a victor. Hold your hope. Don’t worry about why your friend’s marriage is working and yours is broken. Bless them and focus on your own marriage. After all, a marriage is two sinners saved by grace who live together. Tend to your own crop, your own house. And know that if along the way you find a path without obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere. Be thankful for your challenges because there is a hidden opportunity in every crisis. Don’t let the devil throw a pity party and invite you as the guest of honor. Life is not about what happened to you, it’s about what happens through you. Look to your neighbor and ask, ‘Can I get an amen?’”
    “Amen,” Lavender and Milan said to each other.
    Milan heard one word from the woman sitting to her right. And it wasn’t amen.
    “Jezebel.”
    Milan immediately turned toward the young woman, who stared straight ahead. Milan looked around and then at