by Debby Mayne
“How about you and your friend find a church closer to your apartment, and Bootsie and I go to our church, just the two of us.”
“Are you saying you don’t want us here next Sunday?”
He hesitated then nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. You and Charlene are grown women, and you live a long way from here. There are plenty of excellent churches that will be much easier for you to get involved with. I just happen to know about one that’s walking distance from your place.”
“You do?”
He nodded. “It’s called Inner City Outreach Church. In fact, I was curious about it, so I visited there a few weeks ago.”
Cissy’s heart stopped for a couple of seconds. “Um . . . I’ll talk to Charlene about that. I’m sure we’ll find a good church . . . somewhere close.”
She practically fell over her own feet as she made her way to the kitchen. Uncle Forest probably had no idea what he’d just suggested, and she wasn’t about to tell him right now. There was no way she’d go back to Inner City Outreach Church knowing Tom would be there, at least not until she did some serious thinking and praying about what to do.
Charlene grinned at her as she entered the kitchen. “Your aunt is teaching me how to make flaky biscuits.”
“Are you kidding?” Cissy made a face. “I would have thought you knew how.”
Charlene shrugged and made a goofy face. “I never really cared how to make ’em as long as there were plenty on the table. Now that’s one of the things I miss most from back home.”
“Just remember,” Aunt Bootsie said, “work the shortening into the flour real good before you add the buttermilk.”
Charlene turned back around and beamed. “Mama will be so proud when I tell her I can do this now. She used to try to teach me, but I never listened.”
Aunt Bootsie winked at Cissy. “Sometimes young’uns listen to everyone but their parents. I know my own did . . . that is, until they got old enough to think I had brains.”
All four of them, including Uncle Forest, finished preparing lunch. Cissy expected Aunt Bootsie to offer the blessing, but her uncle surprised her as he cleared his throat and instructed them to bow their heads. As he prayed, she heard the conviction in his voice. Something had happened to him, and she knew it was a big deal for him.
When she opened her eyes, she looked around, first at Charlene, who seemed happy as a lark. Then she glanced at Uncle Forest, who did everything he could to avoid her gaze. Aunt Bootsie’s eyes were misty, and her chin quivered. Time to lighten things up. This was when she needed to let loose with her motor mouth.
“So Charlene has been showing me around the neighborhood. Now I know where to buy canned food for the best price, and there’s a produce stand less than a block away.”
Charlene nodded. “The thing I had to get used to was only buying enough food for a day or two and not try to do a week’s worth of grocery shopping. There’s not enough room in the itty-bitty kitchen to store more than that.”
“What all do you need for your apartment?” Aunt Bootsie asked Cissy. “I have more towels and dishes if you have room for them.”
“I’m fine for now. Maybe later I’ll look for a small table and chairs, but the TV trays you gave me will work for the time being.”
“We can keep our eyes open for some curbside deals,” Charlene said.
“Curbside deals?” Aunt Bootsie asked.
Charlene nodded. “Sometimes people put stuff they don’t want by the curb. You’ll be surprised at the things I’ve gotten.”
Uncle Forest practically choked on his food. “Are you serious? Do you think my niece would actually pick up someone’s castoffs from the curb and take them home with her?”
Cissy frowned. Before moving to New York, she never would have dreamed of doing that, but she’d changed. “I might.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about how to make the tiny apartment more like home. Aunt Bootsie had some suggestions for the bathroom.
Midafternoon Cissy and Charlene decided to head on back to the city. Uncle Forest offered to drive them, but they wanted to do it on their own.
“It’s not like we have to be anywhere on time,” Charlene said. “I thought it might be fun to do a little sightseeing on our way home.”
Chapter 24
ONCE THEY WERE seated on the bus, Charlene turned to Cissy and grinned. There was no doubt in Cissy’s mind that Charlene was about to give her the third degree, and it was coming very soon.
“You looked like you’d just seen a ghost when you and your uncle came into the kitchen,” Charlene said. “What did y’all talk about that had you in such a dither?”
“I knew you’d ask me that.” Cissy sighed and gave Charlene a sideways glance. “He made a church recommendation.”
“Don’t tell me; let me guess. Inner City Outreach Church?”
Cissy nodded. “He said he went there a few weeks ago. I have to admit I’m puzzled by that.”
“Does he have any idea that’s where Tom goes?”
“I have no idea about anything anymore. As soon as I have something figured out, either it changes or I discover a new wrinkle.” She didn’t want to go into detail about her conversation with her uncle until she had time to absorb it for herself.
“Oh, don’t I know it.” Charlene grinned. “Life is full of wrinkles, isn’t it?”
“Way more than I ever imagined. So let’s talk about what church to try next. It’ll be fun to research and visit a few places together.”
“That’s what I’m thinkin’. I hate church shopping all by myself.”
Cissy crinkled her nose. “I’ve always hated that expression. ‘Church shopping’ makes it seem so trite.”
“True. And we don’t want the Lord to think we’re anything but serious about finding a place to worship.”
“I think He knows what’s in our hearts.” Cissy giggled. “If we’re supposed to meet men in church, I have no doubt He’ll make it happen.”
“Do yourself a favor before you start looking for a new guy,” Charlene said, her voice dropping to a more serious tone.
“What’s that?”
“Give Tom another chance. Did you talk about him with your uncle?”
“Yes. He gave me a lot to think about.” She hoped her clipped answer would let Charlene know she wasn’t ready to discuss it yet, and she didn’t want to hurt her friend’s feelings by coming right out and saying it.
To her relief, Charlene caught on. “Well, I’m sure you have a lot to sort through. Anyway, how about trying New Life Church? They’re not too far from the apartment. Only trouble is, they have extremely early services because they use a real estate office that’s open on Sundays.”
“Okay, we can try that one next,” Cissy agreed. “I used to be able to sleep in, but that seems impossible these days anyway.”
“Maybe it’s the sirens blaring outside your window.”
“Could be.”
Charlene shrugged. “It may take a while, but you’ll eventually get used to it. When I first moved here, I jumped every time I heard a siren. And then I prayed for the person who needed the service. Now I don’t even hear it anymore.” She frowned. “And now that I think about it, that’s pretty sad. I should still pray for the people.”
“Maybe we can start a siren ministry,” Cissy said.
“Great idea! Every time we hear one, we’ll stop what we’re doing and pray.”
The sound of a siren echoed through the streets as the bus pulled to a stop. Another one several streets over shrieked through the air.
Cissy sighed and shook her head. “With all the sirens around here we’ll be praying constantly. Maybe we can have periodic prayers for anyone who needs a paramedic, fireman, or police officer.”
“Yeah, like twice a day.”
Another siren sounded, making Cissy shiver. “Maybe three times a day would be better.”
They got off the bus and started walking toward the subway station. Mo
st of the stores were open, but Cissy had no money to shop, and she wasn’t in the mood to just browse. Back before coming to New York, she had plenty of money to buy whatever she wanted. But now that she lived in the midst of some of the best shopping in the world, she couldn’t afford it. To make matters worse, homesickness washed over her at the least convenient times throughout the day.
“Why are you suddenly so quiet?” Charlene asked.
“I miss home.”
“Yeah, me too. New York is cool and all, but it’s different living here. All the stuff I used to do when I visited is out of my price range now.”
“You used to visit here?”
Charlene nodded. “Every chance I got. The first time I was in high school. Mama brought me and my sisters for a little back-to-school shopping. We’d been complaining that we were tired of wearing the same thing everyone else wore, so she and Daddy saved up their money for that very special trip.” She sighed. “That was my first taste of the Big Apple, and it sure was delicious. And then there was the time when Daddy sprang for what he called a family Broadway vacation, and we stayed at the Marriott Marquis on Times Square. It got me thinkin’ about moving here. How about you?”
“This was my first time.”
“You didn’t even come to visit your aunt and uncle?”
“No, they came down to Alabama to visit us a couple times a year. But I’d seen enough TV shows and movies to have a pretty good idea what it looked like.”
“Too bad that what it looks like and how it is to actually live here are two different things.”
“Have you ever thought about going back home?” Cissy cast a quick glance at her friend.
Charlene let out a deep sigh. “Unfortunately I don’t think I can return to my old life. Now when I go back home, I feel like a stranger.” She shrugged. “But maybe. Stranger things have happened.”
A pang struck Cissy hard. “If it weren’t for what happened with Spencer, I might actually consider moving home. According to Mama, folks are still talking about it, so moving back isn’t an option for me yet. And by the time they move on to something else, I’m afraid I’ll wind up just like you.” The instant those words escaped Cissy’s lips, she gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. “I am so sorry. That didn’t come out at all like I’d intended.”
Charlene laughed so hard she snorted. “I know what you meant.”
“Will I ever learn to keep my trap shut?”
“I think so.” Charlene put her arm around Cissy and squeezed. “But don’t stop completely. That’s part of your charm. A few extra filters will be good, but I still enjoy some of your spontaneous comments.”
“I’m getting hungry,” Cissy said.
“Are you kidding me? After all that food your aunt fed us?”
Cissy glanced at the time on her phone. “It’s been a few hours, and I’ve worked up an appetite.”
“Okay, let’s stop at that deli.”
As they stood in the long line, Cissy listened to the noise, wishing she could be back home, either with Mama and Daddy or in one of the apartments she’d shared with friends over the past couple of years. She actually missed the sound of birds and the occasional, “Hey, how are you?” from people she didn’t know.
Almost as though she’d dreamed it, she heard a soft Southern accent at the head of the line. “I’d like a pastrami on rye please. Hold the mayo.” There was a slight pause. “And a bottle of spring water please.”
Cissy leaned over to see who was talking, but Charlene yanked her back. “Did you hear that? There’s another one of us.”
“We gotta see who it is and find out where she’s from.” Cissy stepped to the side and spotted the woman handing her money to the guy behind the counter. “I bet she leaves as soon as she gets her sandwich.”
“Tell me what you want, and I’ll get it while you go talk to her.”
Two minutes later Cissy chased the woman out the door. “Hey, wait up.”
The woman glanced over her shoulder as she quickened her step.
“I couldn’t help but overhear your accent,” Cissy hollered. “I’m from Alabama.”
The woman stopped in her tracks, spun around, and a slow grin spread across her face. “I’m from Mississippi.”
Cissy caught her breath as she approached the woman. “My name is Cissy, and I’ve only been here a few weeks. My friend Charlene is from Atlanta.”
“I’m Bethann.” The woman shifted from one foot to the other. “Do y’all live here?”
Cissy nodded. “Yes, how about you?”
Bethann’s smile faded. “No, I’m just here stayin’ with my aunt. She took sick, and my parents are worried about her, so they sent me to check on how she’s doing.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
Charlene scurried toward them, holding out a bag. “I didn’t know if you wanted pickles, so I told them to put them on the side.”
Cissy took the bag and gestured toward Bethann. “This is Bethann from Mississippi.” She relayed the information about the woman’s sick aunt.
“I am so sorry about your aunt. If there is anything you need—”
Bethann shook her head. “I’m just here for a few days. She’s actually my mother’s aunt, and she’s gettin’ up there in years. She refuses to go to a nursin’ home, so I think I’ll have to find someone to come by to help with some of the . . . you know, normal things like bathin’ and eatin’ and all that. Mama wants me to think about movin’ in with her, but I’m not sure I’ll fit in.” She gestured around. “This is so different from back home.”
“You can say that again.” Charlene shook her head. “I’m so sorry to hear about your aunt.”
Bethann sighed. “I just wish I knew someone who could check on her every once in a while.”
Cissy took a step back. She wanted to help, but she wasn’t into caring for the sick. Charlene, on the other hand, seized the opportunity to show her hospitality.
“I’m not too far away. I can—”
“Oh, no, that’s awfully sweet of you, but I’m talkin’ about a home health care agency . . . at least for the time bein’ until I can give notice on my job and find someone to move in with my roommates . . . that is, if I decide to do what Mama wants me to do.”
Cissy let out a sigh of relief. “So you’re actually thinking about moving up here?”
Bethann nodded. “Yes, but I reckon I don’t have to tell y’all how scared I am. I’ve never lived in a big city like this, and it’s overwhelming.” She shrugged. “I was hoping that I could go back to Mississippi with the news that everything was just hunky dory here.” She lowered her head as a look of consternation came over her. “But it’s not. I hadn’t seen her in about three years, and during that time she’s really gone downhill. It’s just so worrisome.”
“We’ll pray for her,” Charlene said.
Bethann’s eyes lit up. “That is so sweet! Do y’all have a church here?”
“Not exactly.” Charlene cast a glance at Cissy. “I used to, but my church hasn’t fared very well, so we’re going to start looking next week.”
“Maybe if I move here, I can go with y’all.” She took a step back. “I really need to run now. I don’t want my aunt worryin’ about me. Thank y’all so much for stoppin’ me and introducin’ yourselves. Y’all were a gift from God!”
Charlene hugged Bethann. “Our pleasure. Before you leave, why don’t I give you my phone number in case you have questions or need something?”
“Y’all are the sweetest two people I’ve met since I’ve been here!”
The three of them exchanged phone numbers before Bethann disappeared down the street. “We definitely need to pray for her and her aunt,” Charlene declared.
“Yes, of course.”
Cissy’s feet ached but not as much as her heart. The homesickness that had been tugging on her lately was compounded by meeting Bethann. They finally got back to their apartment building right as it was getting dark.
“I
can’t believe I’m so tired, and it’s not even eight o’clock yet,” Cissy said as she took her shoes off in the elevator.
“You’re getting old,” Charlene teased. “I think I’ll go in and watch something on TV. Wanna join me?”
Cissy shook her head. “I think I’ll read for a little while.”
“I can’t believe you still don’t have a TV.”
“I know. I used to watch it a lot, but now I prefer to read when I get home.”
“Must be a good book.”
“It is.” Cissy smiled. “I’ll let you borrow it when I’m finished.”
She trudged toward her apartment and hesitated at the door. The apartment seemed to shrink each time she entered it, and it still didn’t feel like home. A deeper wave of homesickness washed over her. Maybe she could go back home soon. She didn’t think Uncle Forest would put up much of an argument after all the things she’d done to mess up his business. It seemed as though everywhere she went, she left a trail of destruction. And now she wasn’t sure if it was even possible to recover from her biggest disaster—her relationship with Tom Jenkins.
Chapter 25
MONDAY MORNING TOM sat at his desk and tried hard to concentrate on the numbers on the spreadsheet in front of him, but Cissy’s image kept popping into his head. He had tried to call her several times yesterday, but she never answered. He left one message, asking her to call. Other than that he had no idea what to do next.
He picked up his cell phone again, pulled Cissy’s number up on the screen, and stared at it. As much as he wanted to call her, he knew she’d probably spit fire at him, or worse, continue to ignore his calls. And he didn’t think it was appropriate to try to straighten out this mess during the workday. He thought about calling Charlene, but that didn’t seem like a good idea either. Then he thought about Dave. Even though Dave worked for Zippers Plus, he still seemed open to talking with him when they passed on the street. Tom didn’t know Dave very well, but he wondered if perhaps the guy was keeping his options open in case things didn’t work out at his current employer.
