by Pat Simmons
If only I could make it until I got home and could lie down. I didn’t like the dazed-looking reflection in the mirror, so I opened my purse and dug through the side pockets for my beauty aids. I reapplied my bronzer and lip gloss.
With a critical eye, I scrutinized my attire from different angles. I twisted the dress until I had manipulated it properly on my body. Despite my longer hair, I still had to detangle the curls.
The primping didn’t keep my mind from reliving Noel’s hug. “Maybe that was his apology,” I concluded and left the ladies room.
In the hall, I rounded the corner. I my heart skipped and my feet stumbled. My eyes had not deceived me, but verified what I had already assumed. There she was, relaxing in a chair outside Pastor Coleman’s office—the competition.
“Hi,” she signed.
Oh, she wanted to talk? With as much dignity my parents taught me, I managed a smile as I glanced at her hand. The diamond sparkling from her ring finger was bigger than the one Noel gave me. I need more dignity, I begged God. She tried to engage me in a conversation, but I continued on to the pastor’s office.
How could Pastor Coleman ask me to sign their marital counseling? Noel cheated me out from experiencing our marital sessions, yet I was about to interpret his to another woman. God, I can’t do this, I cried out silently.
Yes, you can, He answered.
No, I can’t.
So Noel was on the other side of the door, waiting for an interpreter. I had been nothing more than a game to toss back into the toy box. I made eye contact again with Sitting Beauty. Not only did she smile, she winked. My fingers tighten their hold around my Bible.
Oh, thank God, thank God, thank God, I was in church. Hold your head up, girl; don’t let them—no her—see you sweat. Too, late, I’m already sweating. Taking a deep breath, I almost gagged, inhaling my own my perfume.
I stared at the door until I blinked. Mackenzie Norton, Noel called you baby, he hugged you, he wanted to talk to you. That man is not in that room. Your mind is playing tricks on you. Go on, girl, God said you can do it. My alter ego gave me a pep talk.
Nodding, I swallowed and knocked at the same time Noel’s unmistakable laugh escaped.
“Come in,” Pastor Coleman’s voiced boomed from the other side.
It was too late to back out. Inching the door open, I prayed that the devil was playing with my mind and hearing. Pastor Coleman stood from behind his desk. As I stepped farther into the office, Noel came into view as he stood too.
Refusing to allow Noel to see the hurt in my eyes, I glanced up, looking for help for God. I didn’t see a bright light; instead everything went black.
Light faded in and out until it pierced the darkness. A bearded Noel came into focus. The voice wasn’t his. It wasn’t strong, but strained. I relaxed, I was dreaming again. Then I heard Pastor Coleman’s voice.
Alarmed, I shook my head to deny the truth, I wasn’t dreaming. I was awake in a nightmare. As a cold sweat covered my skin, I became fully alert. My lids fluttered opened as Pastor Coleman stood over me with a bottle of Holy Oil about to pray.
Noel was squatting next to me on the sofa where they must have laid me. He looked concerned as he rubbed my hand, but I ignored him.
My pastor moved his lips, but I couldn’t register a word. Finally, I understood him. “Sister Norton, are you all right? You fainted. Should I get one of the church nurses?”
Noel aided me as I struggled to sit up. I managed to utter, “Pastor Coleman, is this …this a pre-marital session, right?” I straightened my dress and smoothed away hair from my face.
“Yes, it is.” Frowning, Pastor Coleman made sure I was steady before walking back to his desk and lifting his desk calendar. He jabbed a place on it before turning back to me. “Brother Noel assured me despite the rumors, your November 27th wedding was still on. It’s because of those rumors that you’ll be head interpreter for the next few months.”
Rumors? “Pastor Coleman, I thought I was signing for a session. That woman…” I pointed to the door.
He picked up a pen and tapped it on his calendar. “Sister Lana had to reschedule until her fiancé flew in this afternoon, but I do need to settle these rumors first. Since you never contacted me for prayer or counseling, I didn’t know what to think until you returned. However, I’m pleased that you and Brother Noel have worked through things.”
I shook my head. There had to be something loose in my brain because the conversation wasn’t making sense. I squinted. “Excuse me?”
“I know this is your first pre-marital counseling session, Brother Noel said you two could wait while Sister Lana and her fiancé, Brother David, went ahead of you. He’s flying in from Texas and should be here any minute. Your fiancé was keeping me company.”
I closed my eyes and pinched my nose. I did need a Slurpee.
“Baby, are you okay? Pastor Coleman, can Mackenzie and I have a few minutes, alone?”
“Considering Sister Norton isn’t feeling well, of course. Maybe we should reschedule Sister Lana’s counseling session, too, since she won’t have an interpreter.” He stood and left his office.
Less than fifteen seconds after the door closed, I turned slowly to Noel, who had innocence painted on his handsome, bearded face. I squinted then opened my eyes to make sure I had a clear perception.
My nostrils flared to suck in every drop of oxygen I needed to breathe. I twisted my mouth to exercise my lip muscles, and then counted to three before using them.
“You’ve a lot of nerve,” I snapped then gritted my teeth. The man had never seen crazy until I jumped at him. My left hook missed his stomach. Grabbing my other hand, he foiled the special delivery slap that was making its way to his face, but my heel didn’t miss his foot. He wrapped his arms around me, restraining my arms behind my back.
“Hush, woman. This is Pastor Coleman’s office.” Noel’s attempt at whispering missed the mark.
“Let go of me, now!”
“I can’t, Mackenzie.”
Noel’s voice, his touch, his cologne held me captive as I stared into his hazel eyes that I’d missed. When I relaxed, he released me. That’s when I elbowed him. “What have you told Pastor Coleman?” I jammed my hands on my hips.
He folded his arms. “If you would’ve read my text messages, my emails, or taken any of my video conference calls—which you know I hate—then all of this would’ve made sense. Yesterday, you told me to make an appointment. I had already scheduled this meeting a month ago. ”
“Don’t put this on me, Noel Allen Richardson. You are the one who left me. I have a long memory. Shall I give you the date, hour, and second? I can’t believe I just acted a fool in my pastor’s office because of you.”
Picking up my Bible and purse, I lifted my chin. “How presumptuous of you to act like we’ve reconciled when you have no idea what emotional Batman roller coaster ride you strapped me into. I’m not feeling marriage right now.” Without a further word, I opened the office door to make a dramatic exit when I bumped into Pastor Coleman who was talking to Lana and another man.”
“Excuse us, Pastor. I think Mackenzie needs some fresh air,” Noel said behind me, nudging me forward.
Nodding, Pastor Coleman gave me another critical look. “All right, but…” he held up the peace sign, “you both need two sessions.” Then he invited Lana and her guy, who had arrived, into his office. “Sister Lana, I know you can lip read so I’ll try and go slow and we can use a pad if necessary.”
Interlocking his fingers with mine, Noel tugged my hand. “We need to talk, sign, or write notes, but Miss Mackenzie Norton-soon-to-be Richardson, you will communicate with me.”
Humph! He just didn’t know. I was Fred Norton’s daughter and I didn’t have to do anything.
CHAPTER 47
As soon as we walked out the church, I broke free and released the fury I had dreamt about. “Do you have any idea how much pain and suffering you’ve caused me?” I yelled and signed. Noel was causing a vol
canic eruption of my emotions.
“As a matter of fact, I do,” his even-tone response just irritated me. Although Noel couldn’t hear, he could react to my facial expressions.
I was anything but calm. This day was long in coming and was overwhelming. I squinted at his blank expression before turning and speed walking away.
“Wait.” He reached out and grabbed me. “Mackenzie.” He sighed in frustration. “I went to talk to Pastor Coleman about Valerie’s gossiping.”
Now, he had my attention, so I turned around and frowned. You what? Why? How could you?”
Stuffing his Bible under his arm pit, he readied his reply. “How could I not? Let’s just say I got tired of saints becoming hostile when they greeted me, thinking I’d broken your heart—”
“You did,” I said as my eyes watered.
Noel stared and exhaled before he continued, “In prayer, God revealed to me that Valerie was feeding you mistruths. I didn’t know what she was telling you, but I had to stop the lies. I explained to every mother, minister, and saint in church who would listen to me that I loved you, and you were away to fulfill a dream. Pastor informed me I wasn’t the first one to complain and he would take care of it. So why did I do it? Valerie was getting in the way of the love affair I had with you.”
I tilted my head, digesting what I thought he signed. “So,” I said, twisting my lips. “You’re blaming Valerie for your behavior?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Good. See ya.” I whirled around and resumed the walk to my car. My dream was less complicated than this. Since Noel didn’t call my name and I didn’t hear any footsteps, I concentrated on getting to my car and away from him. I dug into my purse for my keys.
Just as I retrieved them, Noel snatched them out my hand. His arms encircled my waist with my keys in one hand and his Bible in the other, trapping me.
“Mackenzie, you don’t owe me a thing except to allow me to explain. I owe you so many things, but I need your permission to give them.”
I didn’t blink, or even breathe until I began to feel faint, then I exhaled. The rhythmic pattern of heels was approaching.
“Ah, look honey, Brother Noel and Sister Mackenzie have made up.”
I didn’t recognize the voice as the footsteps faded away. Looks are so deceiving. Just because Noel had his arms around me, didn’t mean we had made up.
“I’m going to let you go,” Noel paused, waiting for my confirmation. When I didn’t give him the satisfaction, he continued. “All I ask is that we go somewhere and talk, please.”
He had too much determination in his voice to be asking. Earlier, his eyes betrayed him. I didn’t see one ounce of pleading, instead pure confidence winked at me.
His arms tightening around me weren’t helping either, because I missed him so much. Still, I refused to go down without a fight. Looking over my shoulder, I mouthed, “You only get one shot.”
Bowing his head in relief, he released me and stepped back. Taking my hand, he massaged my finger as he led me to his Cadillac. Slipping my keys into his pants pocket, he pulled out his keys and pointed the remote to his vehicle while watching me. Instead of unlocking it, he did the reverse.
I returned the favor and snatched his key ring. I rolled my eyes, and with one push of the button, I unlocked the car. He wasn’t fazed at his blunder as he opened my door and waited for me to get in. After I buckled up, he leaned in before closing the door. “Once I explain, you’ll kiss me, woman, and I don’t mean a tap on the lips either.”
“I wouldn’t pucker up just yet.”
After sprinting around the car, he got in, buckled up, and drove off. We waved at Pastor Coleman and the first lady as they walked out the church, holding hands. Afterward, I folded my arms and looked out the window as we exited onto the highway.
Tired of the silence, I pushed his radio button. The station blasted the song the choir had sung this morning, “Make Me Over.” I swallowed. What a coincidence.
Twisting the knob, I lowered the volume and wondered if I was in living in a twilight zone. Everything seemed staged, but the choir couldn’t be bribed. Plus, I didn’t know how I felt about him taking his concerns about Valerie to the pastor. As a member of the body of Christ, he had every right and an obligation to do so, but it was something that I probably would never have done because I tolerated Valerie and counted her as a friend.
I reflected on my past year. Without an inkling, Noel had strolled into my life, stormed out, and then came smashing back. Nothing made sense anymore. It seemed that I was the only one out of the loop. When he turned onto Midland, I knew he was taking me to Heman Park, where memories resurfaced again. Parking his car, he turned off the ignition, and faced me. “Let’s walk.”
I wanted to sit in the car and remain stubborn, but I was tired of this mental drama. I met his eyes and almost surrendered—almost. He didn’t wait for me to answer as he got out, walked around to my door, and opened it.
“Noel, we’ll talk later. I can’t walk through the park in these heels. I need time to digest just today’s events. I tell you what, let’s talk later this evening. So take me back to get my car.”
“No, baby, we’re talking now. I’m pressing toward the mark, and Mackenzie, you are my prize.”
This man was making me crazy. “I don’t think that’s what Pastor Coleman meant.”
“That’s what I mean now and from the first moment I spoke to you.”
He was easily dismantling my Noel-resistance that I had constructed over the summer in less than twenty-four hours. It started with the Prince Charming slipping on Cinderella’s shoe act. I was still trying to figure out that scene, and then the hug in the sanctuary.
While I asked God to clue me in on what was happening, Noel unbuckled my seatbelt, lifted me out the car, and carried me.
Exhausted from the mental crossword puzzle, I rested my head on his chest and enjoyed the comfort of his arms, signing. “All I’ve got to say is ‘your undying love and I’ll make you kiss me’ apology had better be good.”
“Oh, it will be, but if you continue signing to me while I’m walking with you, the scene could be ugly if I trip and we both go crashing to the ground.”
I smiled and perked up when he didn’t let me down. Where was the man carrying me? In the distance, I saw my answer—the park table and bench where we had our picnic. He slowed as we neared the destination.
“In the movies, this is the part where some guy dumps his woman, but you mean so much to me that I would never mistreat your heart. I love you, Mackenzie.”
I faced him, acknowledging his tender expression. “I love you, too.”
“Good,” he said as he rested me on my feet so gently that I almost forgot I was mad at him—almost. “Plus, if I drop you, I’d have to find another woman to marry me, and that’s not going to happen,” he taunted and took off, running for cover, laughing before I could smack him.
We were being silly again. My heels were definitely a deterrent, so I freed myself from the contraptions, unconcerned about my expensive pantyhose, recent foot massage, or my self-applied pedicure. I gave chase.
Noel turned around, and started jogging backward. There were no visible signs of exertion. Shaking off his suit coat, he didn’t look as it fell to the ground. He loosened his tie and whipped it from around his neck, discarding it like trash.
I couldn’t believe it. The man was doing a striptease in the middle of the park, and after we’d just left church. So far, I couldn’t see a kiss coming out of this.
Since I wasn’t an athletic, I couldn’t regulate my speed as I barreled toward his chest. To make matters worse, he stood with his legs spread and his fingers wiggling with a smug expression, conveying the message: come and get me. That’s exactly where I was heading in less than ten, nine, eight, seven … I closed my eyes before the collision.
One minute I was running, the next, firm hands gripped me around my waist and lifted me off the ground. The impact would’ve caused any oth
er man to at least stumble backward. Not, Noel. He didn’t sway as he kissed me before planting me on the ground. It was a movie scene where I was the heroine.
Cupping my chin, he focused on my lips. “You okay?”
I nodded, winded. “Now what was all that about?”
“I needed you to run off some steam before we talked.” Noel laughed and bent to scoop up his jacket, and then his tie.
“Did you have to striptease, Mr. Richardson?”
“I was doing no such thing, I was hot. I usually don’t jog in a suit.” Noel winked. “I didn’t know you could run so fast.”
“Me either,” I said, leaning into him. Now that recess was over, Noel owed me answers. Wrapping our arms around each other’s waists, we strolled back as Noel snatched up my shoes along the way.
Once we reached the bench, he laid his jacket down where he wanted me to sit. He made himself comfortable on the table.
My eyes feasted on him. He had rolled up his sleeves and without his tie; his shirt was unbuttoned at the neck. Although Noel’s shoes were polished, there was evidence of our frolicking in the form of dust.
Noel couldn’t just be confined to model in GQ. Noel was GQ. Suddenly, I felt self-conscious. My near-ankle length dress was airy and carefree, but I’m sure my pantyhose didn’t survive. When Noel saw my fingers brushing my hair back, he halted the process.
“Don’t. Do you have any idea how exquisite you are? I like the curls you’re wearing today. They’re a reminder of your wild and sassy personality. It fits your energetic zeal for God. Believe me, I’ve missed this vision.”
I bowed my head to hide the emotions that were stirring within me. That was short-lived when Noel reached out and cupped my chin, easing my face closer until my brown eyes stared into his hazel ones.
“Now you’re sure you won’t interrupt?”
I jutted my chin in challenge. “No, I’m not sure, but I need you to talk to me, Noel. Help me to understand what happened the day you stormed out of my house, and didn’t return my emails until—”
