chapter 6b 

(The Preacher) 

Moïse Berri 

and the Reconstruction of the Haitian 

Space Agency 

by Jude Jarda 

6b 
The Preacher 

Achilles Hector Donduciel Legitime is singing a psalm and tapping his feet while preparing breakfast. He is glorifying the Almighty with soul and spirit, chanting from his heart with every single breath he takes. When his wife enters the kitchen, he lifts her from the ground and spins her around. During the meal, the couple talks about the steps they need to take to make this Friday an unforgettable one, just like they've planned. First of all, they must make time to sit down with their real estate broker. Achilles Hector and Mildred have to find a way to accelerate the sale of their cottage, located on Clinton Street, in Washington Square West, and they also have to close the deal for the acquisition of that wonderful ranch they discovered outside of town, with a private lake and a stable, for half the price. That will be the gift for themselves this year. As for their daughters, a check has already been sent to Brown University to pay for Fredeline medical school fees; another big fat one will be delivered to Delcine at Harvard Law School by the end of the day. Finally, the modifications needed to transform Mr. Howard's Dodge Caravan and his apartment so has to facilitate is life in a wheel chair will be terminated by noon. Achilles Hector definitely wants to be there when the results of the renovations will be revealed to the crippled man. An unexpected phone call from Dudley changes the couple's plans in a split second. Reverend Lamisère is nowhere to be found, Dudley says. That's all that can be said for now, he adds, the phone lines might be tapped. 

Achilles Hector arrives at the temple, concerned, upset and lost in his thoughts. Traffic on the Benjamin-Franklin Bridge was slow. He had to take many detours due to construction and the recent passage of Hurricane Sandy. The consternation is palpable amongst the elders of the congregation. Dudley and Brother Odelin meet with Achilles Hector in the private office of the reverend. The news is devastating. Pastor Lamisère has been battling with this gambling problem for about a month, according to the withdrawal slips they obtained from Bank of America. The reverend has practically been living in Atlantic City for the past few days. To explain his long hours and recent overnight shifts, he told his wife that he was working on a new reality show for NBC. The situation is critical, Dudley warns. They must find a way to stop the pastor before he bankrupts the association. Sylvestre Lamisère is the only executive of the Church who is allowed to pull out cash from the mutual fund without a second signature. Achilles Hector understands that there's no time to lose. He leaves alone for Absecon Island, the pedal to the metal on the Atlantic City Expressway. 

The desolation caused by the cyclonic storm is noticeable from afar. New Jersey looks like a war-torn country that just experienced a tsunami, a volcanic eruption and a large earthquake. Achilles Hector starts his investigation in one of Donald Trump's casinos. He feels that he won't have to search long before finding his buddy in the same place of perdition he generally warned his flock to stay away from in order to avoid the gates of hell. Achilles Hector really thought that the reverend was infallible. This is a man who buried seventeen of his relatives after the Big Quake of January 2010, but still gathered the strength to comfort others in need. And when he came back from Haiti, it was to face a very suspicious insurance representative who kept bombarding him with question because the reverend's house burned to the ground after being struck by lightning during his absence. Sylvestre Lamisère's faith was never shaken. He truly believed that every single brick that fell on his head had a purpose that only God knew about. 

Ninety minutes later, Achilles Hector reunites with his partner and long time friend at a black jack table for small bidders. The two men know each other so well that they can read each others thoughts through the window of their eyes. The pastor's olive eyes are asking for forgiveness. Achilles Hector's dark brown ones tell him in return that he went through the same ordeal once and that he understands his pain. 

On the way back to Pennsylvania, the heavy silence induced by the consuming guilt of the reverend and the discomfort of his assistant is broken at last. 

“There's less than a million dollars left in the safe of the church”, the reverend finally whispers. 

“We'll just have to pull up our sleeves, work double shifts and rebuild,” Achilles Hector answers with a smile. 

“I don't know what got into me. It seems just like yesterday, I was betting for fun, just to kill time and get away from my personal problems the wrong way, then suddenly, bang! I become a thief, an addict and a liar. I should have cried for help way before.” 

“Shame brought you down to this. That and the crazy idea you could get your money back. I know a good therapist, an expert in compulsive gambling and substance abuse.” 

“It's all over, Achilles. I already know betting was not the real problem.” 

“Is that denial?” 

“Doctor Shuvalovski told me a month ago that I had a malignant tumor, prostate cancer.” 

“So what are your intentions, killing yourself before trying the treatment? People don't die from that anymore with today's advanced medicine. We'll all be there to support you.” 

“I thought that working directly for the Lord made me invincible.” 

“Better than that, my brother, it makes you immortal.” 

“I don't know where to start to fix all the damages I have caused.” 

“First of all, let us use the word we instead of I. Remember that you are not alone in this. Don't you think for one split second that we're going to let you down. You'd do the same if I was the one lost. One thing, though, you need to call for a meeting, so you can tell the truth to our brothers and sisters. I have no doubt you will be forgiven. If anyone holds a grudge on you, that person is unworthy to be with us.” 

“What an egocentric imbecile I have been, Achilles. I could not even look at myself in the mirror anymore.” 

“Don't you worry, Sly. I'm getting a cut on my inheritance next week, following the inauguration of Mizerikod's new power station on Tuesday. According to article 12 of clause 7 in my father's will, that should give me access to seven per cent of my assets. My house is worth millions, I own more cars than a small dealer, buildings all over the city, a yacht I never use and a safe that cannot close because it's too packed. Everything will get back to normal, now that we know the problem. We're now in repairing and healing mode, okay? Let's look forward, that's why God put these windows we call eyes right in front. Now, give me a smile and a loud amen.” 

“Amen.” 

“That's a murmur in my book. Come on, try it out, it's liberating. Just take a deep breath and yell like a nut case.” 

“Amen!” 

“You can do better.” 

“Aaaaaamen!” 

“Amazing Grace?” 

“Amazing Grace, that is.” 

And the two preachers of the New Golgotha Baptist Church of Camden start singing in unison. 

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see...”