… I hastily read the story. It said that several community activists called a news conference late the previous evening to complain about Chase Byrd’s Friday show. They said Byrd was stirring up controversy about my non-appearance on his Thursday show, stating that he was giving listeners the impression that I did not want to engage White people in my campaign. Some of the participants at the news conference were quoted, saying that Byrd’s comment, “There would be dark days at City Hall if I won the election,” was code language that I would make race the determining factor for selecting persons for the most sensitive and highest paying jobs in city government.

… He was quoted in the story, essentially saying that I was trying to get the turnout up in the Black community by creating racial animosity.

…There is a group of Black businessmen and Black elected officials who never cared for me who are supporting my opponent and they are really attacking me, saying that I don’t subscribe to the Democratic Party philosophy, chapter and verse.

…Some of the Republicans in this town feel I am not accommodating enough, whatever that means. My gut tells me that those persons who are opposing me are still angry that I exhibited my self-reliance by running as an Independent against one of their boys and nearly beat him in that Congressional race 15 years ago, even though he had a million dollars in his war chest to my $250,000.

…The campaign Lane speaks of is my election campaign for Mayor of Forrestville, Florida, a city that has billed itself as one of America’s “great second-tier cities,” better suited to raise a family than Atlanta, Charlotte and other well-known big Southern cities. Forrestville is named after former Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, who was the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. There are some historical accounts that report he ordered the massacre of a regiment of Blacks who were fighting for the North during the Civil War. The city is well known for its conservative politics, which in the eyes of many people, not suited to elect an African American as its mayor. Nonetheless, I decided to go against the tide.

…I said a thoughtful, but very quick, silent prayer and responded to Lane. “That has been apparent for a long time and I have adjusted to my role. I have found other things to occupy my time and they’ve been quite fulfilling, like the choir and my other roles at church. I would think that is a good thing, but maybe it is no big deal to you.”
Lane cut me off. “Don’t try to make me the bad person here, Curt. You have been playing this God stuff trying to fool people. My family and friends see right through you. I don’t know why the people at the church can’t see you for the hypocrite you are. That’s one of the reasons I am leaving that place. They have you on this pedestal as if you’re Jesus Christ.”
“Well, I don’t think they’ll miss you. It’s not like you’ve been involved around there,” I said as I walked toward the den. “I hope you don’t expect me to follow you like a little lost puppy dog. The days of me putting anybody or anything in front of the Lord is over. Not you, my children, nobody. No one gets in front of God anymore,” I said sternly.

… Curt, you are a good man who has been blessed with some superb qualities. Yes, you have had some challenges, but all of it is a test from the Lord and he would not put these stumbling blocks in front of you if he thought you did not have the strength to walk around them. You are going to win this election and you will do it with the understanding that you are God’s soldier, not the tool of the Devil.”

…It was late in the evening when I pulled into the driveway. I didn’t see Lane’s car, so I was immediately concerned. She seldom ever puts the car in the garage, but maybe it was different this time. I opened the garage, but found no car. I closed the garage and walked around the house to let myself in through the back door. As I entered, I heard no noise and it was eerily quiet. However, there was a slight hint of a man’s scent, a distinct mixture of sweat and expensive cologne that permeated the hallway toward our bedroom. I walked over to Elease’s room and saw her dresser drawers pulled out and they were empty. My mind began spinning and I thought to myself, “They’ve left me.” I walked into the kitchen and I found a note.
“Curt. By now, you have probably figured out that we are not here. I will make this short and sweet. I am meeting with a lawyer tomorrow and I plan to file for divorce. Do not try to call me. If Elease wants to talk to you, she will do that on her own. Goodbye.”

…I often wonder how I made it, but I do remember that episode in my life began my ascent to turning my life over to Jesus Christ. As I thought about that time, I began walking toward the den. I picked up one of my Bibles, turned to Psalm 40, got on my knees and read aloud.
“I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings.”

…I needed to lift my chin off the ground and stare down my adversaries. God was talking to me and I was looking the other way, figuratively. It brought me back to the note Theresa gave me that said, “Don’t Blink When God Calls.”