The Reverend's Wife

by Kimberla Lawson Roby

  “What’s wrong with you, Charlotte? You sound so downtrodden. So defeated.”

  “I’m just tired, Mom, okay?”

  “I’m really worried about you.”

  “I’ll be fine. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “I love you, honey.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Charlotte set her phone on the nightstand, curled her body into the fetal position, and pulled the Egyptian cotton sheet over her head. It wasn’t long before she dropped off to sleep again.

  Chapter 13

  I tell you, Lana, I’m this close to filing right now,” Curtis ranted, “because I’m not sure I can deal with Charlotte.” He and his assistant were in his office, going over a few church details, but Curtis hadn’t been able to focus on that.

  “I hear what you’re saying, Pastor, and I know this is a very tough time, but for Matthew’s sake I hope you’ll hang in there.”

  “I’ve been trying my best to be patient, but I’m not sure I can deal with all this new drinking drama.”

  “Maybe this was a one-time thing. Maybe she simply got a little carried away because of how upset she’s been.”

  “I hope that’s the case, but she was completely lit by the time she got home. And she was rude to Matt.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. He questioned her about how many drinks she’d had, and she went off.”

  Lana shook her head, her face full of empathy. “That poor child. He’s been through so much, and now this.”

  “I know, and I’ll be doggoned if I let Charlotte ruin the rest of his senior year. I’m just not having it.”

  “Do you want me to talk to her?”

  “You can if you want, but I’m not sure it’ll do any good. She’s so thoughtless and rash these days and not like herself.”

  “If she comes in today or tomorrow, I’ll chat with her then.”

  “Well, I can tell you right now she won’t be in today because she’s too hungover.”

  “So, it’s that bad.”

  “Unfortunately.”

  “Maybe tomorrow.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “Well, worst-case scenario, I’ll catch her early next week.”

  “I appreciate you doing that.”

  “Also, I know you don’t want to hear this, especially since I’ve brought it up way too many times to count, but is there any possible way you’d be willing to reconsider?”

  “The divorce you mean?”

  “Yes. Because, Pastor, I have to say, I’m really worried about little Curtina, and I think Matthew is going to be hurt by this as well. I know you said he understands, but I’ve yet to meet one child who’s excited about their parents separating. Maybe in some instances, such as when a child has watched his mother being mentally or physically abused for too long, but for the most part, children want their parents together.”

  “I realize that, and believe me, I wish there was another way, but…”

  “There is another way. You could call your father in the ministry, Pastor Abernathy, and have him sit down with you and Charlotte. You could talk everything out and then go away on one of those marriage retreats we get brochures on. We receive them all the time.”

  Curtis didn’t want to disrespect the woman he looked up to like a mother, so it was best to keep quiet. He didn’t have harsh words for her, but he also didn’t want to tell her that counseling with anyone, even Pastor Abernathy, was out of the question. He didn’t want her to know that his heart had taken a monstrous beating last year and that he’d built a concrete wall between him and Charlotte. Yes, he’d given in to her the other night, but regardless of how wonderful she’d made him feel, that rock-solid wall he’d erected was still in place and wasn’t going anywhere.

  “I think we should move on to my travel agenda,” he said, slightly smiling.

  Lana smiled, too. “So, in other words, you want me to mind my own business.”

  Curtis laughed. “No, of course not. You know I value your opinion.”

  “Yeah, okay, but I hope things turn around, and soon.”

  “So,” he said, changing the subject and wanting to confirm a few items for the trip he’d be taking a little over a week from now, “am I all set for Detroit?”

  “Pretty much. You don’t have to arrive at the COBO Center until around three, and you’ll walk onstage at four. So, we scheduled you a very early morning flight out of O’Hare, because I know you like to rest a few hours before speaking. Lisa,” she said, referring to his personal publicist, “will meet you in the lobby of the hotel before you head over to the conference, though.”

  “Perfect. And then I’m flying back early Sunday morning? I’m also taking the day off from Deliverance so I can spend the rest of Memorial Day weekend with the kids.”

  “Yes, you arrive back at ten.”

  “Sounds good. I’m really looking forward to speaking again this year. The Women of God conference is one of the most awesome events I’ve done.”

  “I remember how much you enjoyed it last time.”

  “It’s amazing, and I’m honored to be their keynote speaker. You really ought to go sometime.”

  “Maybe I will. My niece, Tracey, loves those kinds of conventions, so maybe I’ll talk her into going with me next year.”

  “Why wait?”

  “Well, it’s a little too late for this one.”

  “Not really. Am I staying at my usual hotel in Dearborn?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, why don’t you see if you can get a room there for you and your niece? As a matter of fact, I think you should go late Thursday so you can enjoy the conference all day Friday as well.”

  “You know,” she said, standing up, “maybe I will.”

  “Great. And by the way, you can also go ahead and book first-class tickets for both of you. Not on the church, but on my personal card.”

  “Are you sure, Pastor?”

  “Of course. Consider it a thank-you for everything you do for me.”

  “You never cease to amaze me,” she said as Curtis’s cell rang.

  “This is Alicia calling. But anyway, you deserve a weekend away, and I’m glad you’re going.”

  Lana waved good-bye and left his office.

  “Hey, baby girl, how are you?”

  “I’m fine, Daddy. How are you?”

  “Okay, I guess,” he said, wanting to tell her about the latest Charlotte episode but deciding not to.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No, just busy.”

  “I know the feeling. I’ve been working feverishly trying to finish up the ghostwriting project I’ve been working on for my actress friend so I can get back to my own novel. Then, of course, it’s almost tour time for my second book.”

  “You have a lot on your plate.”

  “I know, but it’s all good. I will say, though, that I’m glad this book was moved from June to October, because now I’ll be able to enjoy the summer at home. Last year, I traveled June through August and before I knew it, fall was here.”

  “You really were out for a long time, but I think it was worth it so you could get your name out there.”

  “True. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining at all. I’m very, very grateful to my publisher.”

  “We’ve both been very blessed in that respect, and I’m thankful, too,” he said, standing and walking over to his window. “But on a different note, how’s my son-in-law?”

  “You mean ex-son-in-law.”

  “No, I mean my son-in-law. He’s my ex because you guys got divorced, but he’ll always be just like a son to me.”

  “You crack me up, Daddy, but I’m glad you feel that way.”

  “Phillip is as good as it gets, young lady.”

  “That he is, and I hope he’ll eventually ask me to marry him again.”

  “He will, but please be patient, because I know how he feels. I know what it’s like to lose trust in someone you love.”

  “I
know, and, Daddy, I’m still sorry about Charlotte and what she did to you.”

  “I appreciate it, but that’s all in the past.” He paused for a couple of seconds and then said, “Hey… how’s your mom doing?” He purposely didn’t let on that he’d already spoken to her this week.

  “She’s good, but James hasn’t been doing too well.”

  “No? Is he sick?”

  “Kind of. He has some sort of an infection, and his doctors can’t seem to find the right antibiotic for it. He cut his finger with a weed wacker a couple of weeks ago and didn’t get it checked out for a few days.”

  Curtis wondered why Tanya hadn’t mentioned anything to him but said, “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “I wish he’d gone to the emergency room when Mom told him to, but for some reason he didn’t think it was that serious.”

  “Well, I’ll be praying for him,” he said, feeling a bit guilty about his last conversation with Tanya.

  “Thanks, Daddy. I’ll make sure to tell him that when I go by there today. Oh, and I’ll see you this Saturday. Phillip and I told Matt we’d drive over to see him and Racquel before they go to dinner. They must be so excited about the prom.”

  “They are,” Curtis said, but his mind wandered to Tanya and whether he should call her. But then he decided against it when he realized he would mostly be calling to hear her voice versus checking to see how her husband was doing. He knew his thinking was inappropriate, so he quickly resumed his conversation with his daughter. He did whatever he could not to think about his first wife.

  Chapter 14

  The big day had finally arrived, and Curtis couldn’t have been prouder. Matthew was all decked out in the most elegant black tux they could find, and yes, against his will, he was sporting the mango-colored tie that perfectly matched Racquel’s exquisite, free-flowing evening gown. She was a beautiful girl, resembling a royal princess, and Curtis wasn’t sure he’d seen Matthew happier. His son couldn’t stop smiling, and now that Curtis thought about it, he acted as though he were getting married instead of heading to prom. But Curtis knew this was an extremely special day for him, and he understood.

  “Let’s take one more in front of the gazebo,” Curtis said, focusing the digital camera and preparing to take another photo. It was a gorgeous, sunny, seventy-degree day outside, and the setting in their backyard was flawless.

  Matthew held Racquel around her waist, and Curtis pressed the button. “That was a good one.”

  “Now let me take a picture,” Curtina said, even though Curtis had already shot no less than ten photos of her and her brother before he’d left to go pick up his girlfriend. “I wanna take a picture with Matt and Racquel.”

  “Well, you’d better hurry up,” Matthew said, “because we’re gonna have to get goin’ pretty soon.”

  “I’m coming,” she said, running in their direction and standing between them. “Okay, we’re ready, Daddy.”

  Curtis shook his head, laughing. “Well, we should probably make sure Matthew and Racquel are ready, too.”

  “Oh,” she said, looking at both of them. “They look ready to me, Daddy.”

  Now Racquel laughed. “Yep, we’re all ready.”

  Curtis snapped the button again, and Curtina rushed back toward her father. “Let me see, let me see.”

  Curtis turned the back of the camera toward her, and Curtina nodded with approval.

  “Wow,” Alicia said, walking out through the patio doors and down the steps leading to the pool. “Take a look at my handsome baby brother.”

  “Handsome indeed,” Phillip said, walking alongside her, and then they each hugged Matthew.

  “Thanks, sis. Thanks, brother-in-law, and thanks for driving over.”

  “We wouldn’t have missed seeing you two for the world,” Alicia said, hugging Racquel. “And you, my dear, look absolutely gorgeous. Where’d you get that dress?”

  “My mom and I bought it from a bridal shop in downtown Chicago.”

  “Well, it was a great choice. It’s fabulous.”

  “Thanks! I’m so glad you like it.”

  “You two will be the best-looking and the best-dressed couple there tonight,” Alicia said, and then leaned down and hugged her little sister. “Hey, Miss Curtina.”

  “Hey, Licia,” she said.

  Curtis remembered how when Curtina had been younger, the most she could say was Lee Lee, and it made him realize how quickly time was passing and how much Curtina had grown up over the last two years.

  “So, where are you guys going for dinner?” Phillip asked Matthew.

  “The Tuxon.”

  “Great choice. That’s still my favorite restaurant here in Mitchell. Alicia and I went there all the time when we lived here.”

  “I know,” she said, “and we’ll have to make reservations for the next time we’re in town.”

  “Or maybe you’ll both eventually move back here for good,” Curtis hinted. “That way I can have my favorite son-in-law added back to our pastor roster.”

  “We’ll see,” Phillip said, and Alicia smiled.

  “Where’s Charlotte?” she asked.

  “She’s not feeling well,” was all Curtis said, trying not to think about his wife at all. He tried not to let his anger get the best of him.

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Just then, though, they heard conversation up toward the house and turned around. It was Agnes, trying to discourage Charlotte from coming outside. She was trying to talk some sense into Charlotte’s hungover behind, but she clearly wasn’t listening. Curtis could only imagine how embarrassed Matthew must have been, and when he finally found the nerve to look at his son, his suspicion was confirmed.

  Sadly, Charlotte hadn’t stumbled in until sometime after two a.m., waking the entire household with all her laughter and chitter chatter, and she and Curtis had gotten into a huge argument. Eventually, however, he’d seen her as a lost cause and had left the master bedroom, and Charlotte hadn’t caused any more commotion. He’d known that she’d likely passed out across the bed, though, and when he’d gotten up a few hours later and checked on her, he’d seen exactly that. She hadn’t even bothered removing her shoes or clothing, and while he certainly hadn’t planned on doing it for her, when Agnes had arrived, she’d gone into the room, woken her up, and helped her into a nightgown.

  Now, here she was looking like a crazy woman with her hair scattered all over her head and black eye makeup smudged under her eyes. Curtis was furious. This was supposed to be a joyful day for Matthew, and he couldn’t imagine why Charlotte would want to humiliate her own child like this.

  “I just want to see my baby is all,” they heard her tell Agnes.

  “But, Miss Charlotte, maybe you should lie down for a little while longer.”

  “I will, but I have to see my baby before he leaves.”

  Agnes held her arm, doing all she could to keep her inside, but Charlotte wrestled away and staggered onto the grass.

  “Awww,” she said, walking directly in front of Matthew and grabbing both sides of his face. “You look like a million bucks… and I’m so, so proud of you, sweetie. You hear me? I’m proud of you, Matt.”

  Matthew seemed uneasy but didn’t say anything. Racquel didn’t flinch.

  “I love you so much,” Charlotte continued. “And I don’t know what I’m going to do without you when you’re gone,” she said with tears rolling down her face. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

  Curtis looked on in silence, and it was all he could do to not snatch her away from Matthew and drag her back up to the house.

  Alicia must have been thinking the same thing and said, “Charlotte, why don’t we go back inside so Matt and Racquel can get going. They have dinner reservations, and I know you don’t want them to be late.”

  Charlotte jerked her arm away, staring straight into Alicia’s eyes and slurring her words. “I’ll go… inside when I get good and… ready. You got that? And anyway… shouldn’t you be loc
ked away somewhere counting all your father’s money? Miss Power of Attorney.”

  Alicia folded her arms. “You know what, Charlotte—”

  “Alicia,” Curtis said, defusing what was sure to be a huge blowup between his daughter and wife. “It’s not even worth it.”

  Thankfully, Alicia backed down, but something dawned on Curtis. When Charlotte had first come outside, he had assumed she was still suffering from a hangover, but now it appeared she was loaded again. Although, as far as he knew, she hadn’t left the house yet today, so that could mean only one thing. She’d brought liquor into their household.

  “Matt, why don’t you guys get going,” he told his son.

  “Okay, Dad. You ready, Racquel?”

  “Whenever you are.”

  The kids took a couple of steps, but Charlotte pulled Matthew backward. “Aren’t you going to give me a hug?”

  Matthew gazed at her. “No, Mom, I’m not. You’ve been drinking, and I really don’t want that smell on me.”

  Charlotte bugged her eyes. “Why, you ungrateful little… I’m your mother and you’ve got the nerve to speak to me that way?”

  Curtis grabbed her arm. “Just stop it, Charlotte! Matt, you and Racquel go on.”

  Charlotte struggled to get loose, unsuccessfully. “You make me sick, Curtis. You all make me sick,” she said, looking around at everyone, and it was then that Curtis smelled liquor on her breath. Fresh liquor. Which meant his theory about her drinking in the house had been right.

  “It’s okay, Matt, go ahead,” Curtis said. “Don’t you worry about anything. Just have a great time.”

  “Not too good of a time,” Charlotte yelled. “You hear me, Racquel? You make sure you keep those long legs of yours closed up tonight, because I’m not ready for any grandbabies. You hear me? I don’t want you or any other little skank tryin’ to trap my son.”

  Tears flowed down each side of Matthew’s face, and tears filled Curtis’s eyes, too. His heart ached for his child, and he knew Matthew would never forget what should have been one of the best days of his life. He wouldn’t forget how ignorant his mother had acted.

  “Mommy, you’re hurting Matt’s feelings,” Curtina screamed, crying. “Mommy, please don’t do that.”