Harmony approaches in a whirlwind of pink, nearly knocking me over with the exuberance of her embrace. I can’t tell how much of this is put on for the cameras and how much is really her—but hey, I guess I’m not one to talk about being your true self. Pulling back, she squeals at the flowers I’ve brought along—one bouquet for her and one for her mother—and I get a better look at her outfit. She’s wearing her trademark pink in the form of a pretty sundress, her long hair tied half up with a matching bright pink bow. A gold crucifix hangs prominently around her neck. She looks like Christian Barbie, if such a thing exists.
Good thing Nate R. is such a good Christian boy. I give what I hope is my easiest smile, aware of the cameras recording our interaction. “You’re a vision,” I tell her.
Harmony preens, faux shy. “Oh, you.” She shoves me playfully, before glancing over her shoulder to where her family must be stationed. “Are you ready for this?”
“I’ve been looking forward to it,” I say honestly. Because maybe after tonight, this will all soon be over. And then I can be with Nina.
She’s not here tonight, thank goodness. It’s going to be enough of a challenge putting on a show for Harmony’s family, the cameras, the crowd, and Harmony herself, all while trying to make a good first impression on Aaron Miller. I don’t know how I could possibly concentrate if I knew that Nina was observing the entire thing.
Harmony takes my hand, squeezing it as she guides me deeper into the gymnasium/auditorium. “My family can’t wait to meet you ...”
She takes me to her father first. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for, and I have to breathe through my nerves. Stay focused.
He sizes me up as I approach. His smile is camera-ready, wide but not especially warm. In his fifties, he’s still a trim, handsome man, and with his all-American good looks and almost blindingly white smile, I can see why so many people have been so charmed by him.
But I don’t think I’m imagining the hardness to him, too. Aaron Miller is very good at going through the motions of pretending to be approachable, but there’s a wall up between us. “Nathaniel,” he says, shaking my hand with a firm, too-tight grip. “Nice to meet you,young man.”
It’s a subtle move, but I clock it right away. The words sound nice enough, but that misuse of my name—Nathaniel instead of Nate—and the “young man” tagged on at the end are both designed to take me down a peg, put me in my place. Establish him as the top dog, the person I have to try and impress.
I do my best to mold myself into the person he so clearly wants me to be. Nate R. is eager to please, submissive. The kind of yes guy you might take under your wing if you were a shady criminal. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
Aaron clearly likes thesirif his smirk is any indication. He gestures to the woman standing just behind him. “This is my beautiful wife, Hope.”
Only after this introduction does Hope Miller step forward to greet me. I get the immediate sense that she doesn’t do anything without Aaron’s permission. Her smile is just as guarded as Aaron’s as she reaches out to shake my hand.
“Very nice to meet you, ma’am,” I say, handing her the bouquet I brought along for her.
I don’t miss the quick glance she gives to Aaron, or the subtle nod he gives back, before she reaches forward to take the flowers. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, Nathaniel.”
After that, Aaron introduces me to each of Harmony’s present siblings in turn: Isaiah, Merit, then Felicity. I’m surprised to note that Harmony’s usually ebullient, vibrant personality seems muted in the presence of her father. It’s not dimmed altogether, she’s still her bright pink self, but like her mother, she seems to follow Aaron’s cues carefully, not wanting to step out of line and draw his censure—or anger.
Once everyone has made their introductions, I look back to Aaron. It’s a tactical move; I want to take every chance I can get to acknowledge him as the head of the household, since I know that will ingratiate me to him. “Your family is a credit to you, sir,” I tell him.
Aaron reaches forward to squeeze my shoulder, too hard for it to be entirely friendly. Another assertion of dominance. “I look forward to hearing more about you and discussing your spiritual journey. But first”—he motions subtly toward the stage—“I have a few words to say.”
Ah, yes, the price of Nina’s internship on the show. Aaron somehow finagled his way into getting a few minutes of airtime for a short sermon. I do everything inmy power to keep my distaste off my face. To look downright enraptured at the thought of getting to listen to Aaron Miller’s bullshit.
I ought to win an Emmy for this performance. Best Undercover Agent on a Bonkers Reality Show.
As Aaron moves toward the stage, a man stops him by reaching out to shake his hand. Even from a few feet away, I can tell this isn’t a Green Valley resident. He’s all Hollywood, with his too-tan skin and too-white teeth and vaguely oily exterior. They converse deeply for a moment, gripping each other’s hands in that way dudes who like to pretend they’re macho alpha guys do.
Morrie must have noticed my interest from across the room. “Perry Seacrest. He works for the studio.”
Ah, now I understand why those two are looking so chummy together. Two snake oil salesmen admiring each other’s work. Nina told me about how this guy is trying to get her fired—yet another reason I’m glad she’s not on set today.
After another moment of schmoozing, Aaron claps Perry on the shoulder, then breaks away, moving again toward the stage. One of the cameras focuses on him, but I can tell by the look on the cameraman’s face that he’s just as excited as I am to listen to what’s about to follow.
Harmony squeezes my arm, leaning in closer to me. “Daddy really has a way with words,” she murmurs, loud enough so only I can hear it. “And it will mean a lot to him if you can talk to him about what he has to say afterward.”
She doesn’t have to spell it out for me any clearer. The way to dear old daddy’s heart is through flattery. That tracks with everything I’ve learned about Aaron Miller in my research. I smile back at her to show I understand, even if her tip is ultimately unneeded. I was already planning to pay very close attention to whatever he has to say.
Once Aaron reaches the microphone on stage, he waits for his cue from the producers to show they’re ready to film. Then he breaks into a broad smile that’salmostconvincing. “My brothers and sisters in Christ. Welcome. My family and I feel so blessed to be here with you tonight.”
I can feel the ripple of uncertainty in the crowd. If I had to guess, based on pure demographics, I’d assume most of the people here tonight are Christian. But it’s also a public community center, and they probably aren’t accustomed to such heavy-handed Christian sermonizing at their nondenominational gatherings.
One camera is still focused on Harmony and me, capturing our reactions, so I make sure to keep smiling, like I’m super enthusiastic to hear whatever it is Aaron has to say.
“One John, chapter one urges us to walk in the light and have fellowship with one another,” Aaron continues in that polished, easy preacher voice of his. “And that’s what I feel here tonight. Light. Warmth. Community. What a blessing it is to walk among others who are on the path of righteousness and to use our talents and our gifts to uplift each other. Can I get an amen?”
