Excerpts

All Things Noble

Margate City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey. It was originally incorporated as the borough of South Atlantic City. The New Jersey Legislature passed an Act on September 7, 1885 to complete this mission. Margate was taken from sections of Egg Harbor Township according to an August 1, 1885 referendum. Named for Margate, England, the city was first known as South Atlantic City as of April 23, 1897. It was finally reincorporated April 20, 1909 and given the official name Margate City.

Margate is situated on Absecon Island. It stretches for 8.1 miles. Atlantic City and Ventnor City are located to the northeast of Margate and Longport is on the southwest.

Margate stretches approximately eight blocks from the Atlantic Ocean to the bay at major points in town. Margate is one of the most popular Jersey Shore destinations on the east coast; especially during the summer. Margate hosts many bayside docks providing casual fisherman hours of enjoyment and relaxation. Local charter boats offer vacationers sport and deep-sea fishing. Margate's many marinas offer docks for lease, equipment rentals, fuel stations and fishing charters.

Keystone pulled his 2009 Lincoln MKZ into the Margate marina parking lot on South Ventnor Avenue. He made a few house calls before he left the city. He prayed with three sick and shut in elderly congregants, read scripture and talked with Mr. Bazemore, who is blind and prayed with the young widow Lipari Toner. He made note to allow her child to attend daycare for a year free of charge. He is going to have his workforce outreach committee find work for her starting Monday. Faizert Toner only had enough life insurance for burial. His duties completed for the day; the pastor prayed before getting on the highway toward the Atlantic City Expressway. It took him longer than the usual hour and thirty minutes to arrive; traffic was rerouted due to an early morning accident involving a tractor trailer and a motorcyclist.

Dreamer’s Time. Keystone could hardly control his excitement when he saw her. At last, he finally owned something that he wanted all his life. A sailboat. She was a beauty. The money he borrowed from his pension made his dream a reality. He signed the papers three months ago and was handed the keys. For the past two months his getaway hideout has been like heaven, paradise on earth. Today was a beautiful day to relax and take in the scenery. No worries, no stress, no hassle. At 72, he deserved some rewards for all he has done for others. The Back Cove Yacht! What a beauty!

Practical and elegant, Back Cove Yachts have ample space in their cockpits, simple and well thought out systems and comfortable amenities below. They are built to give its owners years of reliable service. Reasonably priced, the Back-Cove Yacht is a steal with full amenities for as low as $79,000 before taxes. It has a clean design, single diesel economy with speed, and easy maintenance.

Ritz Donaldford was dressed in a sky blue ultra-soft long sleeve pajama set. Her matching slippers completed the gift set. The air was always cooler on the water than the mainland. She dressed appropriately because she could not afford to get sick. She had arrived two hours ago, dressed for business but her overnight things in her duffle bag said play. She showered, ate a chicken Caesar salad, drank a diet Sprite and watched the television while she awaited his arrival. Her shoulder length, brunette hair pulled back into a ponytail.

Luck was really on her side when she landed the job as Pastor Wilroy's Executive Assistant. It has great benefits, a salary that leaves her with extra spending money for leisure items, three weeks’ vacation after 90 days and sick days that carry over annually. Her responsibility for her insurance coverage is sixty-five dollars bi-weekly for subscriber plus one. Her dental and vision plan are at no cost to her.

Ritz, born in 1963, is a product of the Kensington section of Philadelphia. She grew up in an Irish working-class family and community. The oldest of 5 children, her mother died when she was 19. Instead of going to college when she graduated from Kensington High School, she found a job in housekeeping at a hotel in Center City and helped her father raise her siblings. She made sure they all went to college and got good jobs. She stayed with her father and took care of him until she placed him in a nursing home. He died in 1991 shortly after her daughter Skinner was born. Her siblings all took a vote and decided to sell the house and split the money. It was too much for them to care for. No one wanted to pay the taxes either.

This left Ritz with no place to go. Her siblings all had families and no room for her. She sought help from welfare and public assistance; they sent her to a trade school. She studied phlebotomy but decided that she did not like blood. She got a job as a secretary with an independent lab and stayed there until they shut down fourteen months ago. Instead of going back on welfare, she signed on with three temporary agencies. The first job she was assigned was for an Executive Assistant for Pastor Keystone Wilroy of Cheltenham Presbyterian Church in West Oak Lane. A year on the job has come and gone.

Four months ago, she noticed that pastor had begun to flirt with her when no one was around. The idea of a 72-year-old black man flirting with her seemed gross at first. Then little by little he started showing up unannounced at her house to discuss the Bible. He knew she was not dating anyone nor was she married. News travels quickly in small environments. Skinner's father was out of the picture, had been out of the picture the day she told him she was pregnant.

Pastor visited Ritz at minimum three nights a week, with takeout dinner or he ordered food when he arrived. After a month, the gifts started. The next month, she received a notice from Newell State College in Scranton, Pennsylvania thanking her for two years tuition and housing in advance. She broke down in tears. Skinner was set for college for the next two years at least.

After that, Ritz's mind was made up. She would go along with this man. She knew that the time would come when he wanted something from her. She didn’t think it would be a problem. He was not unattractive; he was just old. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. From the looks of it, his body was in good shape. He was definitely an older version of his son.

The key turned in the lock. Her date had arrived. She would make the most of this day. After all, pastor has a sermon to preach tomorrow. He had to practice and review his notes. This meant that their day would most likely end by 9. Her hotel room was booked yesterday. She is going to spend the night and drive back in the morning.

She wasn't sure how to address him when he walked through the door. She smiled at him first, to break the ice. He approached her and stopped. She stood up and met him face to face; it was only right and the respectable thing to do. He hugged her the moment she was standing upright. She returned the hug. She felt so good in his arms and she smelled good too. Keystone held her at arm’s length, looked her in the eyes and kissed Ritz as if his life depended on it. He had waited for this moment for nearly a year. She was ready, he knew it. Her lips begged for him as well. He undressed her and took her right then with urgency. She gave him her all. Silently she prayed that he would not be disappointed. Considering their ages, he 72 and she 46, neither of them cared. They did things that each thought was lost. Keystone held his own and would not let Ritz go until he was sure she was satisfied. For the life of him, he could not understand what those pills were for that men his age were rushing to the doctor to get. He didn’t need any pills. When they were done, neither spoke. They just held each other. They both had the same exact thought. This will be repeated no doubt! If not today, very soon. Keystone felt no guilt! He had no shame for his actions. Ritz was his now; he would make damn sure of it! She was not the first white woman he had pleasured!

Cherish Noble

Ever since Friday night, I’ve been feeling extremely sick. The smell of certain foods made me feel worse, fast food, greasy food, and dairy, especially cheese and milk, orange juice. By early Sunday morning, I was at the point where I played it safe with just consuming Saltine crackers and water.

I remember a silly conversation Panova and I had in the bathroom before we left the Taphouse Grill Friday.

“I’m going to be an aunt again?” Panova asked inquisitively, as she dried her hands under the hot air hand dryer.

“What are you talking about?”

“You my dear need to stop at CVS, get one of those kits and do yourself a favor.”

I looked at her sideways! “You think I’m pregnant? Right! At my age? I turned 43 years-old in October. No babies are coming out of this body! I’ve been pregnant before, twenty years ago. I know a pregnant person when I see one. Me? That’s not happening!”

Panova pulled on the door handle with a tissue, ready to exit the bathroom. “Ok sister! When you find out for sure, I have an I told you so lined up.” She didn’t wait for me to follow behind her. She left me contemplating her words. I shook it off. No way!

I wondered now if she was right. What in the world am I going to do with a baby at my age? I can see all the young mothers looking at me strange when I take the baby to daycare! They’ll be thinking I’m the child’s grandmother! My parents are too old to babysit! Although, I know they would love it if I had a child of my own!

Beamer sleeping next to me, snoring loudly, I slid out of bed and ran into the bathroom. I hung over the toilet and vomited. This was rough. Crackers would not even stay on my stomach.

Beamer rolled over, “Noble? Are you ok in there? If you keep this up, I’m taking you to the doctor in the morning.”

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “I’ll be fine. I think I’m coming down with the flu or cold or something. Do you mind if I skip church today?”

Beamer was now standing in the doorway of the bathroom. “No problem. If dad or anyone asks, I’ll just let them know that you’re not feeling well. It’s not like I’m lying.”

I smiled at him. “True. Which service are you attending?”

He turned his head to peep at the clock on the night stand. 6:30. “I’m up. I may as well get dressed for the 8 am service. This way I can come back home and be with you.”

I turned the top down on the toilet and made a seat out of it, rested my face in my right hand, leaned forward, propped my left elbow on my left thigh, balancing myself. Beamer rubbed my head and massaged my neck and back.

“That feels good. Thank you.”

“Maybe I should stay home with you?”

“No honey. I’ll be fine.”

Beamer made breakfast for himself before dressing for church. I asked him to leave some crackers and a bottle of water on my nightstand. He left the house at 7:30 promising to check on me during service. I fell back to sleep. My little nap didn’t last for long because my phone rang in the middle of me giving birth! “Damn you Panova!”

“Hi dad.”

“How are you Baby Girl? Your sister called last night and gave me her big news. I’m so proud of her! I don’t know about this moving to Atlanta though! She doesn’t know a soul down there.”

“Yeah, I know. I was bothered about that too. I didn’t want to discourage her. She’s worked so hard! Winning a national cooking competition is not an easy feat!”

“You got that right. I think we should all encourage her to take the prizes! It’ll give Montgomery and me someplace to visit when we want to get out of Philly and see our grand children.”

“This will be an excellent opportunity for her! Yes, let’s encourage her as much as possible. We’re going to have a celebrity in the family! Speaking of Montgomery, how is she doing with the Dialysis treatment?”

“She’s doing great. Never complains. She’s up and ready to go on her scheduled days with no fuss, she’s there sometimes before the nurses.”

“Good for her. I’m sorry I haven’t spoken with you in a while. I think I’m coming down with the flu or something.”

“You better take care of that right away. That mess can take you out of here! Do you have something to tell me?”

I paused, knitted my eyebrows. I couldn’t think of anything. “What do you mean?”

“I heard that you threw up on Beamer Friday night when you were supposed to sing a duet?” Lucas tried to hold in his laughter and excitement at the same time.

“Kenzie makes me sick! She talks too much! Always has with her bucket head!”

Lucas laughed at this. Noble’s statement brought back childhood memories of his girls. “Don’t be too upset with her honey. It was no way she could tell us about your throwing up on Beamer without mentioning the proposal. Now, let me hear it from you, sweetheart!” Lucas smiled.

“Dad, Friday night Pennington proposed to me on a Karaoke stage at the Taphouse Grill. Although I was quite nauseous, I managed to get out a “yes”!”

“That’s my girl! I pray to God that my health holds out! There is nothing I want more than to walk you down the aisle. I love you so much sweetheart!”

“Thank you, dad. I love you too! My life is not complete without you, or Montgomery! I feel better already.”

“I better go. We’re attending the 11 am service today at the church up the street.”

“I’ll talk to you later. Tell Montgomery I said hello.”

“Will do. Hugs and kisses.”

I hung up the phone then sent Beamer a text message. “I’m well. Don’t worry. Just resting.”

In the middle of the offering, Beamer’s phone buzzed. He peeped at it; Noble sent him an affirmation letting him know that she was doing well. When he arrived at church this morning, his father insisted on meeting with him directly after service.

During benediction, Beamer spotted his mother and Loria walking out of the church doors. Their heads were locked together, engaged in serious, intense conversation. They looked up and caught his eyes. He ignored them and walked toward his father’s office. Keystone followed the path to the church doors to greet his congregants. It took him twenty minutes to shake hands, smile and thank the members and guests.

Harlow Nottingham, the new church Executive Assistant was at his desk when Keystone stormed into the office and stopped directly in front of his desk.

“I have an important meeting before the next service Mr. Nottingham. Please have anyone who wants to see me leave a message. I’ll get back to them as soon as I can.”

“I sure will Pastor Wilroy. Can I get you coffee or tea?”

Keystone softened, smiled at the gentleman, “No thank you. I’m good for right now.” He hurried into his office and shut the door a little bit more abruptly than he intended. Beamer was sitting on the sofa in his father’s office, playing with his phone to occupy his time.

“Son! Thank you for this. Your old man is wore out!”

“What’s up dad? Why are you so worn out? Did you find out what happened to Ritz?”

Keystone’s mood grew darker. “Hell no! And, I need to find her quick! Like yesterday!”

“What do you know about her? Has she shared anything in the past that could give you a clue to her whereabouts?”

“I hadn’t thought about that. I need to think on that; recall some of our conversations about her friends and family. Good thinking son! On another note, your brother-in-law and his children are due to land at the Philadelphia International tomorrow morning around 10. I can pick them up, that’s not a problem. I’m concerned about their lodging and activities?”

Beamer shook his head. He was deep in thought. He was sure that Lundy and his father would house them. “What’s wrong with them staying with you and mom?”

Keystone rolled his eyes at Beamer. “Are you crazy? I’m not having a strange white man stay in my house. I don’t want Dodge getting used to him or those children. We can’t keep him in the basement the entire time they’re here!”

“You have a point there dad. I’m not sure if I want them in my house either, especially while I’m at work. I guess they could sleep at my house with me there, but, go to Noble’s during the day, keep her company.”

“That’s a thought. Ask her as soon as you get home.”

“Why can’t mom entertain them for a few days as well? We all have to help out and work as a team while they’re here.”

“Great point again son! Come to think of it, Plymouth may have plans of his own. He has colleagues in the city.”

“Anything else dad? I need to go. Noble hasn’t been feeling well lately.”

“I heard what happened. Nasty!” He laughed at the thought of his son being covered in vomit. “She needs to stay off of her feet until she can get to the doctor. As I understand it, she lost a child in the past.”

“Child? Pregnant?” Beamer was taken aback! He rushed out of the church!