Read Online The Realest Ever by Keith Thomas Walker - Free Book Online

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    That morning Pastor Ricky Williams spoke to the congregation about volunteering more for the many church activities they had going on – and doing it with a grateful heart.  He stressed that good deeds alone would not guarantee anyone a spot in the kingdom of heaven, but not offering any good deeds at all was just as bad.
    After service Donovan waited while his mother spoke to the pastor and a few women at the church she’d grown close to over the years.  When Miss Beverly was done with her goodbyes, Donovan led her into the bright sunlight outside and helped her into his new F-150.  Beverly was a small woman, totally dwarfed by her tall and stout son.  She was thin enough for Donovan to hoist into the truck like a child, but she only needed to hold his hand while she climbed into the cabin.
    “Was Brianna busy this morning?” Beverly asked when Donovan got settled behind the steering wheel.  He started the truck and rolled slowly out of the parking spot.
    “I didn’t talk to her,” he told his mother.
    “Was she out partying last night?”
    Donovan grinned.
    Brianna came to church with him and his mother only twice this year.  Last year she tagged along once.  Donovan thought that was a clear indication that Brianna wasn’t the church-going type, but Beverly felt the need to bring it up again each week. 
    Donovan’s mother was fifty-eight years old.  She wore her hair short; it was more salt than peppery.  She was spry and quick-witted.  She wore wire-rimmed glasses and preferred slacks over skirts or dresses.  Her skin was smooth and dark.  Donovan had never seen her put on any makeup – not even a thin coat of lipstick.  Beverly was retired from the DMV, but she maintained a lot of the impatience and sarcasm she perfected after more than three decades on the job. 
    Donovan loved his mother dearly.  His only complaint was that she wouldn’t take another man or even make room in her heart for a lonely puppy after her husband died.  Donovan knew she had a lot more love to give.  But Beverly was stubborn when she made up her mind about something.  She knew no man could ever measure up to Darrell, and she cherished her home too much to let some mangy dog chew it up .  Donovan offered to find her a cat, declawed.  Beverly was not interested.
    “Why don’t you give me a grandbaby?” she ’d asked instead.  “If I got more love to give, I’ll save it for my grandbaby.”
    Donovan made a left on Seminary.
    “Brianna didn’t go out partying last night,” he said.  “She just doesn’t like to wake up early on Sunday.”
    “That’s part of the sacrifice,” Beverly preached.  “Sometimes you have to do things your body doesn’t want, if you want to follow Jesus.”
    “Why you telling me?” Donovan asked.  “I got up this morning.”
    “I was thinking maybe you could pass the word along to your girlfriend,” Beverly suggested.
    “But I don’t care if she goes to church,” Donovan said honestly.  “I thought you liked Brianna.”
    “I do,” Beverly said.  “She’s beautiful, and she’s smart.  But if she was a heavy-praying woman, too…”  She held a finger in the air.  “That would seal the deal for me.  I’d be proud to give you away at your wedding.”
    Donovan chuckled.  He told her countless times that a mom does not give her son away at a wedding, but Beverly wouldn’t give up the dream. 
    “You’re my only child,” she had replied.  “I got to have some role in your wedding – besides just sitting there.  Why does the bride’s family get to do everything?”
    Donovan drove pas t the Golden Corral they usually stopped at after church.
    “Where you going?” Beverly asked.
    “I forgot to tell you, I can’t have lunch with you today, Mama.  I’m meeting someone.”
    Beverly frowned.  “Someone like who?”
    Donovan smiled.  “Kyra.”
    Beverly frowned some more.  “Kyra who ?”
    Donovan fought hard