Lady preacher, p.11
Lady Preacher, page 11
“I don’t have much room on that table anymore. I need a larger one so I can put it right over there near the corner.”
“I’ll get you one soon, Mother. Where’s Bishop?”
“He said he was going to the barber shop. I don’t know why. He hasn’t had hair in twenty years, yet he keeps going every other week. I think he likes talking with the men there. It’s a social hall for him, a place where men can catch up on the gossip in the community and talk about women. So why don’t you tell me what’s going on.”
“There’s nothing going on. I’m at peace.”
“Look at all that food you brought in here. When you start cooking and cleaning, it’s a sign something is going on. I learned that when you lived with us. My house was never so clean, and Oscar gained fifty pounds.” Mother knew her too well. She was one of the few people who did. She had spent lots of time talking with Mother when she lived with them. When she wasn’t cooking and cleaning to relieve stress, she talked to Mother and, occasionally, Bishop. She wasn’t saved when she met them twenty years ago. She got saved in this house. It held a lot of fond memories for her and Camille.
“I’ve got things on my mind. I’m working them out. I don’t need to trouble you, Mother.”
“I’m glad you came to see me. Oscar told me what happened at the meeting the other day. I tried to call you, but you weren’t answering your phone. Child, you need to stop doing that. You may miss an important phone call.”
“I’m sorry, Mother, I had to take some time to pray. I needed to be alone.”
“You needed to hide.”
“I wasn’t hiding. I called people and let them know—”
“Let them know you were hiding. Child, you can’t keep running away from your problems. You’ve got to learn to stand.”
“Mother, I wasn’t running. I really needed direction, so I decided to pray. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing is wrong with praying, unless you’re trying to avoid the issues.”
“What issues are you talking about, Mother?”
“You tell me. You know Max did what he did because he loves you. Do you think he was going to sit back and let some lowlife like Marion bad-mouth you?”
“I know, Mother. I’ve got my board breathing down my back. I’ve got Kevin threatening me. I never have time for myself. Church growth is out of control, and it’s taking more of my time. I’m not complaining. I enjoy what I do. I just can’t get involved right now. I don’t want to hurt Max.”
“Or get hurt,” Mother said. Shante walked to the fireplace and looked into the large mirror above the mantel. She was trying hard not to cry, so she stared into the mirror. “What are you afraid of, Shante?”
“Oh, you and Gwen. I’m not afraid of anything. I was afraid of Kevin. I’m not anymore. The last time I had him arrested, but he got out of jail the next day. We’ll be going to court for that soon. Hopefully they’ll lock him up for a while, and he can get sober and come out a better person.”
“What are you afraid of, Shante?”
Shante turned around and looked at Mother Thompson on the sofa sipping her tea like an elegant Southern belle. “Mother, I’ve got to go. I hope you and Bishop enjoy the food,” Shante said, looking around for her purse and keys.
“Running again. Child, come over here and sit down,” Mother said, patting the sofa cushion next to her.
Shante walked around the large coffee table and sat down. She had the highest respect for her. Shante knew she was a woman of God and had great reserves of wisdom. Mother’s prayers had helped her get through her separation and divorce. She looked to Mother for advice on raising Camille and about issues in her church. She knew Mother was an intercessor, and lived a good Christian life. She had come over hoping Mother could give her the answers she wanted and needed.
“I know you want me to give you the answers, but the answers are inside you. You’re a praying woman. I know that. It’s okay to pray, but you’ve got to stop running. What are you afraid of?”
“Gwen thinks I am afraid of love.”
“Is she right?”
“No, I’m not afraid of love. I love people. People love me.”
“Do you love Max?”
“Max is my friend.”
“Do you love him?”
“Mother, nothing could ever happen between me and Max. He’s a preacher, a coworker. I could never—”
“Never love him? What’s wrong with being a preacher? Aren’t you one?”
“Mother, do you know what I go through with male preachers? I can’t go anywhere without some preacher hitting on me. Last year, I went to a church to preach. The pastor there told me they believed women couldn’t have authority over men and that I had to preach from the floor, not the pulpit. I started to leave. I had to remember I had a mission that day. You know what he did after everyone left the office? Before we walked into the pulpit, he said he wanted to pray with me. We held hands and he prayed. And then he hugged me and grabbed my butt. I pushed him away and slapped him. It was difficult for me to preach that day while looking at his wife sitting in the front row. I felt sorry for her. Max is a nice guy, not like the others. His friendship means a lot to me. I don’t want him to get hurt. I’m trying to wean him off me now.”
“What about the boys? Aren’t you their godmother?” “Yes. I’ll deal with that. I can support the boys without Max. I’ll have to figure out a way.”
“Are the two of you still having First Friday?” Mother asked.
Shante stood again and paced the floor. She didn’t want to admit she looked forward to First Friday. It was her only opportunity to relax. She would hate to give up that day. She knew she would if she had to, but she didn’t want to.
“Mother, you know First Friday is about helping Max,” Shante said, trying to cover up her true feelings.
“I know it started out that way. What is it now?”
“Mother, you know when Meko died Max was having a real hard time. He wouldn’t go into counseling. The only way I could get him to talk about his feelings was to create a day that he could be himself and express his emotions. It was a counseling session—nothing more.”
“That was how many years ago—four, five?”
“It has been a long time, about five.”
“What is it now, Shante? Is it still a counseling session?”
Shante didn’t answer. She knew she needed First Friday just as much as Max did. She enjoyed his company. She liked the adventures they went on. She looked forward to planning a special day for the two of them and to seeing what Max had planned. Of all the days of the month, First Friday was the only one in which she could really be herself. She didn’t have to get dressed up. She didn’t have to wear makeup if she didn’t want to. Sometimes she wouldn’t even shave her legs. She enjoyed the compliments Max always gave her no matter how she looked. She remembered the First Friday last winter when she had the flu. Max came over with some chicken soup, her favorite movie, tissues, and cold medicine and nursed her back to health. He stayed even when she insisted he leave, saying he’d had a flu shot. He complimented her even with her eyes watering, nose running, and hair uncombed. She didn’t want to give up First Friday. She walked to the corner knickknack stand and began to play with one of Mother’s figurines.
“Shante, I’m going to ask you again. What are you afraid of?”
“Mother, I don’t want to hurt him.”
“Are you hurting him now?”
“Mother, I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” “Shante, come here.”
She walked to the sofa and sat down. Mother Thompson motioned for her to come closer. She slid over and put her head on Mother’s chest and then jumped up. She had forgotten about Mother’s mastectomy. She had felt the flatness of her chest. “Mother, I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”
“Child, no. I’m fine. Come back here.” She pulled Shante close to her.
“Mother, have you considered having implants?” Shante asked, sliding next to her on the sofa.
“Implants? You mean breast implants? Child, what do I need breasts for? I’m seventy-six years old. My children and grandchildren are grown. Oscar hasn’t missed them, and I’m not going to have any children anytime soon or make any nudie movies.”
“Mother, too much information,” Shante said, smiling. “Come here, child.”
Shante put her head on Mother’s chest. She could hear her strong, steady heartbeat. Mother caressed her head and she became more relaxed than she had been in several days.
“Shante, don’t be afraid to love. You’re going to have to learn to stop running and hiding. It’s not going to help you or your ministry if you don’t know how to stand. We all go through times in our lives like this when it seems like everything is falling apart. It’s just a transitional period. Your blessing is on the way. It’ll be over soon. Trust God. He’ll bring you through fine.”
Mother began to sing to her. There was a peace in the room. Shante felt like sleeping. She hadn’t slept well since the incident at the meeting. She was glad she had talked to Mother, but she still needed answers.
* * *
“Hey, Max, here’s the Richardson brief,” Gary said, coming into Max’s office. “Angela and Treniece worked really hard on it. I’ve already reviewed it; it looks good. It’s due tomorrow. Take a look at it for me, and we’ll send it out by courier today. I know we got this one. They’ve already called to make a settlement offer.”
Max sat looking out his office window, thinking about Shante. He had spoken with her briefly that morning. She was cooking for Bishop and Mother and couldn’t talk long. If Shante was cooking, she probably was stressed about something.
“Max, the Richardson brief?” Gary said.
“I’m sorry, Gary, I was in another world,” Max said, turning around to face his partner.
“I can see that. What’s on your mind?” Gary asked, closing the door.
“Nothing. What were you saying about the Richardson brief?”
“It’s complete. I looked over it. Angela and Treniece did an outstanding job. Here it is; take a look at it. It’s due tomorrow, so we have to send it out today. What’s up with you, man?”
“I’ve got things on my mind. Personal things.” “You want to talk?”
“No. I’ll take a look at this and give it to Angela for the courier.”
“Don’t avoid the subject. You’re still worried about Shante? Is she still upset about the fight?” Gary asked, sitting in the big leather chair facing Max’s desk.
“Fight? There wasn’t a fight.”
“That’s not what I heard. I heard you really messed Reverend Marion up. You know the church news. It was all over town by the next day.”
“God, I really didn’t mean to do that. He infuriated me. I only reacted. I wish I hadn’t done that. What was I thinking?”
“You weren’t thinking. Max, sometimes, you can have a little temper.”
“What? I don’t have a temper.”
“Yes, man, you do. Maybe that’s why Shante doesn’t want to get into a relationship with you. She has already been in an abusive relationship. She may be afraid to get into another one because of it. You should check yourself. Think about it. The Spirit will let her know when to stay away and when to get into a serious relationship. Right now, she’s staying away. If I were you, I would do an inventory on myself.”
“Gary, that’s so far from who I am. I don’t beat or yell at my children. I didn’t abuse Meko. I’ve never hit a woman. How can you say that, man?”
“You have never hit a woman, no, but look how quickly you hit Reverend Marion at the meeting. You reacted violently without thinking. That could have scared her. She loves you, but maybe she’s fearful she would be hurt again, physically and emotionally. Take a look at that brief. It has to go out today,” Gary said, taking his leave.
“I’ll get it out,” Max promised. He thought about what Gary had said and wondered if he was right. He would never hurt Shante or anyone. He never thought he had a problem with his temper. Was he now finding out something about his personality that he hadn’t seen? He prayed that God would teach him how to help Shante. He did not want her to be afraid of him. He wanted her to love him. He didn’t know what to do.
Chapter 14
Max’s day at his law office was ending, and he was preparing to go by the church for meetings. Later, he was having dinner with Shante, Camille, and the boys. It had been a long summer. But Shante was feeling better now. It was August and Camille, after finishing her internship in New York, was at home for a couple of weeks before school began. His relationship with Shante had gotten better even though she still insisted on secrecy. He felt in time they would not have to hide and she could be open about their relationship. Things were beginning to look up for him. Max began singing to himself.
“Somebody’s in a good mood today,” Gary said, coming into his office.
“Ah, man, God is good.”
“All the time. What are you so happy about? Where are you going? It’s not five o’clock.”
“I’ve got to meet with the contractor and decorator for the final walk-through of the family life center at two. I’m meeting with members of the program committee at five, then I’m having dinner with Shante and the kids.”
“You guys are back in good standing now?”
“Yeah, man. The last few weeks have been great. Shante and I are talking to each other almost daily. We have been getting along great.”
“If you’re having dinner with Shante, why are you taking all this work home?”
“Shante is taking the boys shopping for new school clothes today. She volunteered, but at least she will have Camille to help her. At the end of the day—after all the shopping and dinner—I hope they will be so tired they will go to their rooms without my having to tell them to. I will then be able to work on the Richardson case. The hearing is next week, and we’ve got to be prepared. This is a big one for us, and I don’t want to lose. I am going to memorize the evidence backwards and forward.”
“I’m taking some files home, too. I agree, this is a big case for us. I’ll call you about nine, and we can compare notes. Is that okay?”
“I should be at home, and Josh and Jacob should be in bed by then. We can go over our strategy. I think that secretary is going to crack on the stand. Her deposition seemed too rehearsed. We’re meeting with the Stenopolis Law Firm tomorrow at ten to see what their investigators have found.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to you tonight, Max. I’m glad everything is working out with you and Shante.”
After Gary left, Max began carrying boxes of files out to his car. He had just finished and was closing the trunk when Kevin suddenly appeared. Max smelled alcohol on his breath. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to ask you about a legal matter.”
“You need to find yourself another lawyer.”
“I want you. I know you’re a Christian, and that’s what I want in an attorney. I got this little charge.”
“You can’t play me, man. You know we’re representing Shante. What do you want?” Max was trying to be cool. He felt himself getting angry.
“Did Shante tell you I wanted you to preach a revival at my church? I told her months ago. I didn’t get a response, so I thought I would ask you myself.”
“I’m not going to preach at your church. I have a lot of things going on right now.”
“I heard. You’re having a grand opening for your family life center. That looks like a nice place.”
“Kevin, I’m a very busy man. I have something to do. If you want me to preach at your church, send me an invitation. That is what I ask everyone to do. I’ll send you a response in writing. That’s our procedure.” Max began walking away from Kevin.
“You know I can get her back. I know all the buttons to push, and I’ve pushed them many times. I know what she likes,” Kevin said. Max stopped walking. He wanted to turn around and punch Kevin. He prayed for strength as Kevin came closer to him. Max stared at him for a moment and walked away. “Walk away, you little punk. Buffed but sweet.” Kevin was stepping in the parking lot and barking like a dog in a high-pitched voice, making fun of the steps Max’s fraternity was known for.
Keep walking, Max. Keep walking. Max was relieved when he finally made it to the door of his office. If he had to listen to Kevin a minute longer, he probably would have hit him. He thanked God as he entered the office.
“Max, I thought you were gone,” Gary said, coming down the hall.
Max pointed out the window at Kevin in the parking lot, stepping. “I’m calling the police,” Gary said.
“No, don’t do that. He’s drunk. He’ll get tired. Let’s wait and see how long he’s out there. Do you think God will allow me to knock him out one time and repent?” “You know you can’t do that. Are you okay?” “Yeah. Just one time?”
“Max, if you think it, you’ll do it, so don’t think about it.”
“Hey, do y’all see that guy in the parking lot?” Angela, Gary’s paralegal, asked coming out of her office.
“Yeah, we see him. He’s drunk. He’ll leave soon. Look, he’s leaving now,” Gary said. “Come on, Max, I’ll help you get your stuff and walk with you to your car. You passed the test. The heavens are smiling. Now what song were you singing?”
“ ‘Lovely Day’.”
“Keep singing. Remember, you’re having dinner with Shante tonight. Come on.”
* * *
“Camille, get Josh’s hand. He’s running through the mall again,” Shante said. They had been shopping all day, and she was tired. It was tiring enough shopping with Camille. Now she had added three boys to the mix. She had worked hard to stay within Max’s budget and still make everyone happy, but the only person happy was Josh. Jonathan was mad because he didn’t get a $175 pair of sneakers.
“Come on, Jon. You’ll have to talk with your father about getting those shoes. He gave me a budget, and the shoes weren’t in it. Stop sulking and come on. We’re supposed to meet your dad in fifteen minutes. Let’s get to the car. Jacob, where are your bags?”
