“He drilled into my head that no other man would want me, so I stayed. That way I could at least say I had a man. And I know this sounds crazy, but I thought he loved me.”
“That wasn’t love, Arykah. A real man doesn’t try to change his woman’s appearance. He loves her for who she is.”
“It took me two years to figure that out. I got into church and realized Eric had issues with himself, but took his frustrations out on me. God gave me the courage to pack my bags and leave that fool alone. I heard through the grapevine that he’s on his third wife.”
“Third? How old is he?”
“Eric is thirty-four.”
Lance shook his head. “That’s a shame. He’s changing wives like he changes drawers. He’s searching for completeness in women, but he won’t find it. Eric has to be complete and whole within himself before he takes a wife. Until he realizes he’s the problem and gets himself some help, many more Mrs. Eric’s will come to pass.”
Arykah stood and stretched. “Well, that’s my story.”
He looked at her full figured torso standing before him. “I want you to walk away, then come back to me,” Lance said.
“Why?”
“Because I’m asking you to.”
Arykah took the empty saucer to the kitchen sink. On her way, she glanced over her shoulder to look at Lance, and sure enough, he was watching her. She came back and stood in front of him. Lance got on his knees and placed his hands at Arykah’s underarms. She held her breath as he ran his hands down the sides of her body, all the way to her ankles.
He looked up at her. “Eric was a fool. You are beautiful in every way imaginable. Don’t ever let a man convince you otherwise.”
Arykah exhaled.
There was a knock on Monique’s hotel room door at nine p.m. She thought it was Arykah and wondered what she was doing back at the hotel. She looked through the peephole, then yanked the door open and ran into Adonis’s arms. She caused him to lose his balance.
He stumbled backward. “Whoa, can I get a hello?” He smiled.
Monique kissed all over his face. “Hello, when did you get home?”
“A few hours ago.”
It dawned on Monique she was standing in the hallway wearing a very short teddy. She brought Adonis inside and closed the door. “I missed you.”
“I missed you more.” He looked at her nightgown. “Looks like I’m just in time.”
“In time for what?”
“To tuck you in.”
“Don’t start anything you can’t finish,” she teased.
He grabbed Monique by the waist and pulled her to him. “Oh I can definitely finish, but God is watching. I suggest you cover those big, sexy, chocolate legs.”
Monique obediently slipped into her long robe and tied the belt into a knot. “Tell me about Detroit.”
Adonis exercised wisdom and stayed away from Monique’s bed. He sat in a chair next to the dresser. “Detroit was difficult.”
She sat on the end of the bed. “I saw you on the news.”
“I wish they would’ve interviewed somebody else; I wasn’t in the mood. Right before that, I found a baby girl under a wall.”
“I got your message about that. It must’ve been difficult to have dealt with something like that.”
Adonis ran his hand over his bald head. “Hard? Try almost impossible. But the worst part came when her parents saw how limp she was lying in my arms.”
“I’m sorry, Adonis. I can’t imagine the trauma, but I’m glad you’re home.”
“I’m glad to be home. So what’s been going on around here?”
Monique shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing.”
“Nothing, huh? Are you lying to me?”
“Nope.”
“I think you are.”
“Why?”
“Because I talked to Boris tonight.”
“Oh really? What did he tell you?”
“Well, first of all, are you aware that he has the card I gave you?”
Monique had frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“When I got home, he gave me the card, and he looked upset. At first I thought he knew that I had given it to you, but then he asked why I didn’t tell him you had another man. It’s a good thing I didn’t sign it.”
“He must’ve taken it from my glove compartment when I went to the house on Monday to get my date planner.”
“Boris told me what he did to you.”
Monique’s eyebrows rose. “He did?”
“Yeah, and it took all that was within me to keep from lighting into him. My blood was boiling while I was sitting there listening to him.”
Monique smiled. “Adonis, my protector. I love when you talk like that.”
A sparkle on her wrist caught his eye. “I see you’re wearing the bracelet.”
“And I’m gonna keep on wearing it. Ooh, guess what? Arykah is on a date as we speak.”
Adonis leaned back in the chair. “Whaaat? Whose funeral will we be going to next week? Arykah reminds me of black widow spiders that kill after mating.”
Monique laughed. “I’m telling.”
“And I’ll deny it. I’m afraid of Arykah.”
“The man is the pastor of a C.O.G.I.C.”
Adonis’s mouth fell open. “Get out of here. Are you serious? How did they hook up?”
“She sold him a house today; a huge house in Oakbrook Terrace. He asked her out, and she accepted. Tonight he’s cooking dinner for her.”
Adonis couldn’t get over it. “I can’t see it working.” He shook his head from side to side.
“Why do you say that?”
“We’re talking about bossy, bold, neck rotating, loud, finger pointing, can’t stay out of nobody’s business, ain’t never wrong, and might I add, cussing Arykah, with a pastor. I just don’t see it.”
“Well, maybe he’s just the right man to tame her.”
“Humph, I’ll be praying for the brotha. He’s gonna need chains, handcuffs, and a whip to tame Arykah.”
“Then it should be easy, because Arykah likes chains, handcuffs, and whips.”
Adonis laughed as he stood and walked to the door. “I gotta go see Aunt Myrtle. I didn’t tell her I was going to Detroit; she left six messages on my voicemail. I would let you listen to them, but you don’t need to hear that kind of talk.”
“I’m used to Gravy’s mouth. Earlier, she called and told me that she was gonna snatch a knot in my behind.
Be prepared for her to drop kick you in the chest when she sees you.”
“I did a few pushups earlier. Maybe it won’t hurt much.”
Lance walked Arykah to her car. “I really enjoyed your company tonight, Miss Miles. I hope we can do this again.”
“I’ve never had a man cook for me before. We can definitely do this again.”
He opened the driver’s door, and Arykah got in. He gave her a plate wrapped in aluminum foil. “Don’t forget tomorrow’s lunch.”
She smiled at him. “Thank you, Lance, for everything. I needed to hear what you said about Eric.”
“I’ll be teaching Bible class tomorrow night. Why don’t you stop by?”
“I wish I could, but I’m showing a house in Naperville tomorrow evening.”
Lance couldn’t let Arykah leave without setting up a definite date with her. “How about Sunday morning at eleven o’clock for morning worship?”
“I’ll be there.”
He shut the door and watched her back out of the driveway. Arykah gave him one last smile and a wave before driving down the street. Lance stood in the driveway until Arykah’s car was out of sight.
On her cellular phone, Monique saw Arykah’s name and number flashing. “Hey, First Lady.”
Arykah chuckled. “I could get use to that.”
“After only one date? It must’ve been a good one.”
“It was better than good, Monique.”
“The way you say that, I’m afraid to ask how much better.”
/> “Let’s just say that Lance is a keeper, and there will definitely be a second date. He invited me to Bible class tomorrow, but I can’t make it. I am gonna be at Freedom Temple on Sunday morning though. You wanna go with me?”
“Maybe next time. Your first visit should be solo. And make sure you’re drop dead gorgeous; hat and all.”
“Hat?” Arykah shrieked.
“Yes, honey. All first ladies wear big hats and bad suits.”
“I am not a first lady, Monique.”
“Watch your mouth, the devil is listening.”
“Maybe I can find something at Lord & Taylor,” Arykah said.
“Let’s do breakfast Saturday morning. That way we’ll be at the mall when it opens.”
“That works for me. So what did you do this evening?”
“Oh, I didn’t tell you, Adonis is home. He stopped by to see me.”
“Did y’all do the freaky deaky?”
“Didn’t you just leave the presence of a pastor, Arykah? He should’ve sprinkled holy oil on you.”
“Hot oil maybe,” Arykah joked.
“Arykah, if you’re gonna be spending time with this man, you gotta watch your mouth. And you have to practice celibacy.”
“I know you’re right, Monique. I’m going down in sackcloth and ashes and rededicating my life and body to God.”
“Where in the heck have you been?” Myrtle scolded Adonis as soon as he walked in her front door.
“Thanks for asking how I’m doing, Auntie. How are you?”
“Never mind that, you told me you were gonna help me wash the outside of my windows.”
“Auntie, I’ve been out of town working. I had to go help out in Detroit. A tornado went through and trashed everything.”
“You couldn’t call?”
“The telephone lines were down. I don’t know why Boris didn’t tell you that I was out of town on business. Why didn’t you get him over here to help you?”
“Don’t get me started on his no good, trifling behind. He’s too busy getting caught almost becoming a daddy.”
Adonis sat on the sofa. “You know about that?”
“Yeah, I talked to Baby Girl this evening. She told me what’s been going on. Does she know you’re back?”
“Yeah, I just left the hotel.”
Myrtle glared at him. “Y’all better not be doing it, Adonis.”
He couldn’t believe what Myrtle just said to him. He placed his hand over his heart. “Auntie, you shock me. Monique is my cousin’s fiancé.” Adonis wasn’t aware that Monique had officially called off the wedding. Myrtle didn’t think it was her place to tell him.
“Look, boy, the only people you and Baby Girl are fooling are yourselves and maybe Boris, but I know better.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Adonis wasn’t about to confess anything.
“I’m talking about how the two of you try so hard not to say no more than hello or goodbye when you’re around each other. Folks do that when they don’t wanna be found out.”
“Auntie, whatever you think you’re seeing ain’t there. And as far as Monique and I doing it, that ain’t happening. We’re virgins.” Of course, Adonis knew Monique may be celibate now, but she was certainly no virgin. He had made the statement to throw his aunt off. Myrtle laughed so hard at Adonis, tears came to her eyes. “I know for a fact that Baby Girl ain’t pure, and you ain’t no more a virgin than I am.”
Chapter 14
On Friday morning, Arykah walked into her office and smelled the roses before she arrived at her desk. The beautiful bouquet consisted of four red roses, four yellow roses, and four orange roses. The vase sat in the middle of her desk. A small white envelope, with her name written on it was propped up against it. She knew the roses were from Lance, and her smile couldn’t have been wider as she tore open the envelope.
Thank you for a lovely evening. I had a wonderful time. I’m looking forward to Sunday morning. Lance
Arykah placed the card into the envelope and sniffed the roses before sitting down. She reached inside her purse for the church’s business card Lance had given her. She dialed the number to the church with a huge smile on her face. Thanks to Lance, Arykah was no longer ashamed of her gap.
“Freedom Temple, may I help you?” the secretary greeted.
“Yes, is Lan . . . uh, Pastor Howell available?”
There was a pause before the secretary spoke. “Who is this?”
Whatever happened to ‘May I ask who’s calling? ’ Arykah thought. There was a definite attitude in the woman’s voice. Arykah could’ve sworn she was talking to a jealous wife. “My name is Arykah Miles.”
“Is the pastor expecting your call?”
“No, but I—”
“Well, he’s in a marital counseling session and can’t be disturbed.”
“Oh, I don’t want to disturb him. May I leave a message for him?”
“What’s the message?”
Clearly the woman was hot and bothered by her telephone call. But Arykah was from the old school. Of course she could have easily ‘gone there’ with the woman and told her to thank Lance for the roses he sent and to tell him that she had a wonderful time last night. However, as much as Arykah wanted to be messy, she opted to behave like an adult and do the right thing. “Will you please ask him to call me when he becomes avail—”
“Is this for a counseling session?”
“No, I just—”
“Well, what’s the reason for your call?”
Arykah was itching to read this woman, but she remembered what Monique had said to her just last night. “Arykah, if you’re gonna be spending time with this man, you gotta watch your mouth.”
“The reason I’m calling is to speak—”
“Are you a member of this church?”
“No, I’m a friend.” Finally, Arykah was able to give a complete answer.
“What kind of friend?” the secretary asked nastily.
Arykah lost the battle. She allowed the enemy to take over her emotions. I’m sorry, Monique. “A very close and personal friend. Please tell Lance that I’ve received my roses, and they’re beautiful. On second thought, I’d rather tell him that myself. Have Lance call me on my private line. He has the number, thank you.”
“You just had to go there, didn’t you?” Monique asked when Arykah called to inform her about the call with the church’s secretary.
“You should’ve heard her, Monique. She was all up in my business.”
“Well, you better get used to it. Lance is a pastor, and you know how women in the church are. They will speak to the man of God and won’t even acknowledge the woman on his arm. You need to learn how to deal with that in a decent, not ghetto, manner. There’s a way of putting folks in their places nicely, and when you walk away, they’ll be like, ‘Did she just check me?’And you know women don’t like it when their single pastor brings a woman from outside of the church in to become his wife. So my advice to you is to put on the whole armor of God, and get ready to deal with the women.”
“Humph, if anything, those broads better get ready to deal with me.”
“What did I tell you about your mouth, Arykah?”
“I forgot. Tell me again.”
“Look, sis, obviously Lance sees something in you that he likes and you have to respect his status. He represents righteousness, and the moment you step foot in his church as his guest, every area of your life will be under scrutiny. People will remember your face. You’ve got to be careful in everything you do from the places you hang out at, to the people you associate with and definitely your conversations. First ladies carry heavy burdens. Women in churches confide private and very personal information in their pastor’s wife. They’re going to be depending on you for counseling and support. It’s your job to convince them you’re trustworthy.”
“I understand all of that, Monique, but I’m not gonna let anyone walk over me or disrespect me.”
“Arykah, disrespect com
es with the territory you are about to tread on, but it’s how you handle the disrespect that makes all the difference. I haven’t met Lance, but from what you tell me about him, he sounds like a down to earth guy. Chances are if someone belittles you, especially in his presence, you won’t have to open your mouth. Lance will put them in their places.”
“You think I should tell him about the call with his secretary?” Arykah asked.
“What are you gonna tell him? That she tried to find out who you were and why you called? Actually, there’s nothing to tell. Single pastors must be careful of the women who call them. Do you know how many ministers get into trouble counseling women in a one on one session? Often it’s a trap that women set. Next thing you know, it’s their word against his that something inappropriate was said or done. It’s a secretary’s job to cross-examine every call that comes in for the pastor. Maybe a man’s call would have been sent through to Lance with no problem. Who’s to say? But you can’t fault his secretary for doing her job. She did exactly what she was suppose to do.”
“What about her nasty attitude, Monique? She wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise.”
“Her attitude could be based on a lot of things. Maybe she’s having a bad day or maybe she’s got a crush on Lance. Whatever her issue was, you shouldn’t have made it your issue. You were out of line telling her that Lance sent you roses because it was none of her business. He may not have wanted her or anyone else to know, and you can best believe the whole church will know before this day is over. First ladies or women who date ministers shouldn’t discuss their relationships with anyone. What you and Lance do is y’all’s business, always remember that. Lance needs to be assured that the time you and he spend together is private. He should know that he can let his hair down, kick back and act a fool with you, and his congregation won’t find out about it. Do you understand what I’m saying, Arykah?”
Arykah exhaled loudly. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Look, sweetie, dating a minister is serious business, and not everyone can deal with it. You have a choice. You can go into this knowing that in the beginning you may only be received by a handful of people and accept that, or you can tell Lance that a relationship with him isn’t something you want to pursue right now. If you choose the latter, understand that you may be giving up the man and life God intended for you to have. If you choose to be with Lance, there will be times you may feel like you’re walking through a lion’s den. But know that you’re not walking through it alone. I’ll walk with you, and I’m sure Lance will too. And remember one very important thing. Always, always address him as Pastor when you’re in the presence of others. Never disagree with him in public, and no one should ever know that the two of you are angry with one another, because people will use that to come between you.”
A Woman's Worth Page 20
