The Veil

by K. T. Richey

  This time a different person greeted her so friendly, like she knew her. She walked over to the information desk and noticed a Clark Atlanta brochure sitting on the counter. After getting information about the church and picking up a brochure, she found herself a seat as prayer was beginning.

  She enjoyed service as much as she did when Shante Patrick preached. The Word that came forth was in agreement to everything God was telling her in her spirit. She felt the connection to the entire service. She left the church feeling so refreshed she decided she would attend that church until God led her somewhere else.

  She stopped at a local restaurant and ordered some food. As she waited for her food, she began to look at the Clark Atlanta brochure. It was more than a brochure. It was a folder with a lot of information, including an application. She hoped it didn’t belong to someone and she picked it up without asking first. It was the only one sitting on the counter. She leafed through the information in the folder. They had a master of education program. She needed something to occupy her time, and returning to college was a good way to do it. The pay increase after she got her master’s degree would help. She smiled. God does have a plan. She continued looking at the information until she finished her food. Folding it, she decided applying for grad school was the right thing to do.

  Later that evening, she called Pastor Simpson and told him she felt the Lord moving her to another church. He apologized for what he said, stating he didn’t know she was never told about the insult. He asked her not to leave. The longer she talked with him, the more she realized he didn’t understand her leaving had nothing to do with him or the church. But it had everything to do with God and what He wanted to do in her life.

  The next day, as Misha walked toward the library for the staff meeting, she was confronted by another teacher, Gloria.

  “Mimi, I didn’t know you liked Roger.”

  “That joke’s old. Please don’t call me that.” Misha turned away toward the library. She wanted to get a good seat in the back before the other teachers got there.

  “Well, I wanted you to know Roger and I are together now. He’s not interested in you,” Gloria said to Misha.

  “Gloria, where did you get the idea I was interested in Roger?” Misha turned to look at her.

  “He told me you used to chase him around. He said he had a restraining order against you. I want to warn you to back away from him or I’m going to Mr. Davis.”

  Misha nearly fell over laughing. That was the funniest thing she had heard in a while. Shaking her head, she responded, “He does not have a restraining order against me. You need to wake up. No, I’m not going to entertain this. I’m going to the meeting.” Misha left her standing in the hallway and walked to the library, where she sat with Judy at one of the round tables.

  Gloria and Roger walked into the room. Gloria reached for Roger’s arm and directed him to a table near Misha. This time when she saw Roger with another woman, it did not bother her. She felt sorry for Gloria. She knew exactly what it was going to be like dating him. Good riddance. At least she did not have to listen to his negative comments or lies anymore. Let someone else do it. If Gloria wants to be that one, more power to her. Hopefully, she would not have to put up with this childish behavior every day.

  “That woman’s desperate,” Judy said to Misha. “Does she think she has a catch?”

  Misha tried hard not to look their way as the meeting progressed. It seemed as if Gloria was trying everything to get her attention. She laughed louder at Mr. Davis’s jokes than anybody and then glanced at Misha to see if she was looking. She moved her chair so close to Roger they almost touched. Roger sat back, acting as if he was the life of the party. They both had the stares of the other staff members. Misha was glad when the meeting ended so she would not have to endure the spectacle that was distracting her from the meeting.

  “Hey, Misha. Wait up.” Misha heard Roger calling her as she walked down the hallway. She tried to speed up her steps and acted as if she didn’t hear him calling her.

  “Misha. Mimi, come on. Don’t act like that.” She had no choice but to stop. There was already a lot of talk going on about them around the school and she didn’t want to give anyone else any more ammunition.

  “Mr. Williams, what can I do for you?”

  “I need your help.”

  “You mean Gloria can’t help you.”

  “Gloria?” Roger smiled, then twisted his lip like he was disgusted. “Come on, girl. You know ain’t nothing going on between me and Gloria.”

  “That’s not what she said. What do you want? The first bell is about to ring.” They stood in the hallway as teachers and students passed them by.

  “We are having women’s day at my church. The speaker canceled last night. I really need your help. Do you think you can speak Sunday? I know it’s short notice but I couldn’t find anybody else.”

  “So I’m your last choice?”

  “You were my first. I was afraid to ask you. I’m desperate. Can you help me out?”

  “Roger, I don’t know.”

  “Please, pretty please,” he said in a baby-like voice. “Do me this one favor and I’ll forever be grateful to you.”

  “I’ll tell you what. If you don’t find anybody by the end of the week, I’ll do it. Only if you don’t find anyone.”

  “Thank you, Mimi. I owe you one,” he whispered in her ear before he turned and walked down the hallway toward his office.

  Don’t go.

  Misha’s spirit was troubled as she walked to her classroom. Her body trembled as she heard that voice again.

  Don’t go. He can’t be trusted.

  She shook off the feeling as the bell rang and students began to file into her class.

  That night Misha sat at her table, completing the application for admission to Clark Atlanta. She wanted to be admitted in January, but the deadline had already passed. She checked the proposed admission date as January anyway, just in case someone dropped out or failed to enroll and she could take their place. She completed the application, financial aid info, and the request for her transcript. Deciding to mail the information that night, she headed for the post office.

  She hopped in the car wearing jeans and a Westdale Eagles sweatshirt. It was October and the air was beginning to chill in the evening. She rolled down the window so she could feel the cool breeze throughout her car. On her drive back home, the smell of barbecue filled her car. She looked up and saw the big red neon sign: SMOKIN’ JOE’S RIB HOUSE. She could really use some ribs. She pulled into the parking lot. Before getting out of the car she reached into the back seat and picked up the Victoria Christopher Murray novel she had been trying to get to for weeks. She got out of the car with book in hand and walked into the restaurant.

  The restaurant was filled with people laughing and enjoying the casual atmosphere. The rustic look of the restaurant gave it an earthy feel. She gave the waitress her order and opened her book and began reading. Her focus waned as the noise from a large group of people sitting together in the restaurant distracted her. Her eyes met the eyes of one of the men in the group. He was laughing with his mouth wide open. He saw her looking at him and he stopped laughing. She quickly reverted to reading her book. She could feel him staring at her as she tried to concentrate on her book. Each time she looked up, she could see him peering at her. She squirmed in her seat, uncomfortable at the man’s attention. Looking at her watch she became impatient, wondering how long it would be before her food arrived.

  “Excuse me.” She looked up at the tall caramel-skinned man who stood before her. It was the man from the table. “Do you have the time?”

  She saw the large watch on his wrist. Time for you to get away from my table. No one in the group had a watch that was working? Or could it be the bootleg Rolex he was wearing was not working?

  “I apologize for interrupting you. Looks like a good book.”

  “It is. Your watch broken?”

  He looked at his wrist as if
it was the first time he noticed the watch on his arm. His lips curved in a crooked smile. “I just got in from Singapore. My watch is set for that time.”

  He was trying too hard. She gave him the time to get him away from her table. “It’s eight-twelve.”

  “Thank you. You alone?” he said, standing with his hands slightly pushed into the front pockets of his jeans.

  “No, I’m waiting for my husband.” Misha slipped her left hand under the table, hoping he did not notice she was not wearing a ring.

  “Oh. Well, thank you for the time.”

  “No problem.”

  It wasn’t exactly a lie. She was waiting for her husband. She would have to use that line again. It could get rid of a man fast. She went back to reading her book in peace until the waitress arrived.

  The waitress placed the plate piled high with ribs, potato salad, and baked beans on the table in front of Misha. “He looks better in person,” she said.

  “He? Who?” Misha asked curiously.

  “That guy you were talking to. You don’t know who that is?” The waitress poured water into the glass on the table.

  “No. He was trying to pick me up. I told him I was married.”

  “I wish he would try to pick me up. I would go anywhere with him. That man is fine.”

  Misha looked over at the table. He was still looking at her. “Are we talking about the same person? You mean that light-skinned guy sitting at the table with all those people?”

  “Yeah. You don’t know who that is? Girl, that’s Bernard Taylor, the gospel singer.”

  “Who is that? I never heard of him.”

  “You’re kidding right? Bernard Taylor?” She began softly singing a song. Misha shook her head no. She didn’t recognize the song. “You never heard of that? He’s won Grammys. Didn’t you see him on the Stellar Awards?”

  “I don’t like awards shows. Besides, I don’t have time to listen to a lot of gospel music. He couldn’t be all that famous. I never heard of him.”

  “If I were you, I would let him take me wherever he wanted to go. I better get back to work. You need anything else?”

  “No. I’m fine.” Misha looked over at the table just as two of the guys sitting with him turned to look at her. She felt more uncomfortable. She decided to ask the waitress for a carry-out box. She couldn’t enjoy her ribs with all those people staring at her. Besides, the unwanted attention made her nervous. She hoped she could make it to her car without incident. Should she ask the restaurant manager to walk her to her car? She shook her head at the thought. She would be fine. She was parked just outside the restaurant on the curb. She asked the waitress for a box, pushed her food into it. She paid for her meal and left the restaurant.

  When she reached her car, she heard someone trying to get her attention. She turned around, prepared to kick and run, when she saw it was Bernard Taylor with two guys following him. Misha’s heart raced. She pressed the unlock button on her car and picked up her step to get to it.

  She had pulled the car door open when he reached her. The two guys waited on the sidewalk. All her defenses were up and she was about to press the alarm on her car keys when he started talking to her, apologizing for startling her and promising to do her no harm. Misha cautiously listened to him, standing with one foot in her car. Just because he was famous did not mean he wasn’t crazy. Besides he had two other guys with him and they were big and looked mean.

  “Miss, I’m sorry to bother you again. We’re new in town and we need directions to the High Museum.”

  “It’s closed now. What is it you really want?” This guy did not know how to approach anyone. Why was he bothering her? She looked at him. A famous gospel singer? He did not look like one. His skin was so light one would think he was white, which is unusual for a gospel artist. His striped shirt was not tucked in his jeans and he was wearing a pair of bobos. His clothing looked so cheap he almost looked like a bum.

  “I guess I look stupid. What’s your name?” He smiled. His white teeth with a slight overbite glistened in the lights from the restaurant.

  “Look, mister. I’m very uncomfortable right now. Who are those guys?” She nodded in the direction of the men standing idly on the sidewalk.

  He looked back at the two men pretending not to watch them. “Those guys? They’re harmless unless something funny’s going on.”

  “Funny? I’ve got to go.” Misha dipped into the driver’s seat of her car and locked her door. Bernard tapped on the window. She slightly rolled down the window.

  “No, wait. What’s your name?”

  Misha placed her food and purse on the front passenger seat. “The waitress told me you were famous or something. I’m sorry but I’ve never heard of you. But I’m going to let you in on a life-changing secret. Once you hear this, you will never be the same. It will make you look at the world in a different light. What I’m about to tell you will revolutionize your life.”

  “Oh yeah. What is it?” He stood looking at her with a big, wide smile.

  “Not every woman who sees you wants you. Not every woman who hears you sing wants you. Once you get that in your head, your life will be a whole lot better. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.”

  Misha started her car and pulled out of the space, leaving him standing in the road where her car had been parked. She looked in her rearview mirror and could see the two men on the sidewalk laughing as Bernard slowly walked toward them. She took a deep breath, letting out all the tension she felt. She handled that situation pretty good. She felt empowered. A famous gospel artist. Be for real. Her lips curved, smiling. She pressed the gas, trying to get home to eat her food before her ribs got cold.

  Bernard Taylor stood alone on the sidewalk, staring in the direction Misha sped away from him. There was something special about that girl. He wished he had approached her differently. She was beautiful. He could still see her big, deep brown, doe eyes that smiled even when she wasn’t smiling. Her voice was filled with sassafras and sweet tea, challenging him. No one outside his family had ever dared to do that before.

  She never heard of me? He liked it. His lips curved upward, forming deep dimples along the sides of his mouth. He wished he’d had one of his guys get her tag number. He would really like to know who she was. Maybe they would run into each other the next time he was in Atlanta. He would send up a special prayer just for that. Shaking his head, he walked back into the restaurant.

  Chapter 13

  Friday evening Misha was surprised to get a phone call from Roger, saying he couldn’t find anyone to preach and asking her to do it. She reluctantly agreed although everything in her spirit was telling her not to do it. She was already tired from taking up tickets at the football game and watching another brutal defeat of the Westdale Eagles, so she decided to wait until Saturday to begin studying for her sermon.

  After all, it was just Roger. She did not have to impress him with her preaching style to get a return invitation. Besides, she needed the money. If she only got a couple hundred dollars, it would help. Her sermon would not be long. She could get in and get out without having to deal with Roger too much. She could show up right after service began, but in time to walk into the pulpit with the other guests. Hopefully, they would give her a check during a special presentation during the service. Then, she could leave immediately after benediction. Sounded like a plan to her.

  Saturday went by and she did not have a sermon. No scripture popped out at her as she studied. She decided to preach one she already had. She had nervous tension as she drove to Roger’s church wearing her white suit. She prayed along the way that God gave her strength to preach. She needed God’s help to strengthen her since she was traveling alone. She did not dare tell her grandmother she was preaching at Roger’s church, knowing how she felt about him.

  She pulled into a space on the side of the church and watched the people going into the church. After praying quietly in her car, she walked into the church and asked an usher for the pastor’s office
. The usher escorted her to Roger’s office. When she walked in, she noticed she was the only woman there. Roger was sitting in a large chair behind a desk and he jumped up as if he was surprised to see her there. She walked around the room, introducing herself to the men in the room. Roger asked her to have a seat and one of the men stood up to give her a seat.

  There was another knock on the door. As the door opened, Bishop Moore entered the room. Roger jumped up and hugged him. The other men stood and Bishop greeted each one of them. When he got to Misha, he hugged her and asked her why she was there.

  “Roger invited me to preach.”

  Bishop looked at Roger. Roger sat back in his chair without saying a word.

  “When? It’s men’s day. I have on my schedule I’m supposed to preach this morning,” Bishop explained.

  Misha knew Roger had set her up. She knew he was a little too anxious to get her to come. He even called her Saturday night to be sure she was coming. Now, she was looking like an idiot in front of all those men. She knew why God did not give her a sermon. How could she have been so gullible? She wanted to believe he was sincere. He knew she would help him with his ministry. This was the final straw. She had enough of him. However, she had to get out of that office—that church.

  Misha opened her purse and pretended she was looking for her calendar. “Bishop, I probably got my days mixed up. I was pretty sure it was today. I can’t find my calendar. Well this is awkward. I guess I’ll go out in the sanctuary and enjoy the service.”

  “No, you don’t have to go. Sit here with us, daughter. I haven’t seen you in a while. How are you doing? Roger said you were sick.”

  “It wasn’t anything serious. I think I’ll go out and sit in the sanctuary. It was good seeing you again, Bishop.” Misha walked out into the hallway. She could hear the men in the office laughing loudly. She headed straight for the exit door. How could I have been so stupid? Roger was not going to ruin her day or any days to come. Something welled up in her stomach—a silent strength. She knew she had to experience this to see how far Roger was willing to go to make her look stupid. He was an idiot she did not have time for. The decision was made not to speak to him again and maybe, just maybe, he would leave her alone.