His First Lady

by Davis Boyles, Kym

  “Look boy,” Leon took a step closer to him, “we had a deal. You take care of my little problem, I pay you and no one would know any different. But instead you show up at my house, date my wife’s best friend, and now you want a job,” Leon said with his face trembling as he spoke. “This is a problem as I see it and I eliminate my problems.”

  “Like you eliminated Sam?” Aaron asked with a sly smile on his face.

  Leon felt fierce heat run from the top of his head through his entire body. He could restrain himself no longer. The more he looked at Aaron, the more he realized that his entire life was being threatened. Unable to control himself, Leon viciously grabbed Aaron around the neck pushing him with such force causing the front legs of the chair that Aaron sat in to raise off the floor and nearly flip backwards. Leon no longer considered that the commotion would alarm anyone or that someone would walk in. In this moment, he cared about nothing more than destroying Aaron.

  The blow to Aaron seemed to take him by surprise but he responded by attempting to pry Leon’s hands from his neck. The two struggled and Aaron fell out of the chair onto the floor causing it and the one beside it to topple over. The two wrestled until Aaron was able to get on his knees then his feet. With Leon’s shirt collar gripped tightly in his hands, Aaron pushed Leon back causing Leon to fall back on his desk and the contents on the desk to end up on the floor.

  A knock at the door startled them both. With their chests heaving, faces filled with fury, Leon and Aaron both froze still holding on tightly to the other. Aaron, who attempted to catch his breath let go of Leon and backed away from him. Leon sat up and coughed as he held onto his neck. There was another knock. Aaron scurried to pick up the chairs and place them back where they were. Leon got off the desk, straightened his shirt before picking up the fallen items on the floor.

  “Who is it?” Leon asked clearing his throat as he bent over.

  “It’s me,” Evan said.

  Leon cursed under his breath. He looked around as Aaron hurriedly picked up everything from the floor.

  “Are you okay?” Evan asked from outside of the door.

  Leon paused realizing that he was sounding suspicious. “In a meeting, give me a minute,” Leon raised his voice so she could hear through the door.

  Leon locked his eyes on Aaron who was tucking his shirt neatly back inside his slacks. Still catching his breath, he walked up close to Aaron. “You picked the wrong man to play games with, boy.”

  The two glared at each other and neither flinched. Aaron gave a slight grin before walking to the door and opening it.

  Evan had a look of surprise on her face as she eyed both men. “Hello,” Evan said. “Is everything okay?”

  Aaron adjusted his suit jacket. “First lady,” Aaron nodded. “You look beautiful as usual.”

  “Thank you,” Evan answered looking past Aaron at Leon as if wondering what was going on. “This is a nice yet unexpected surprise.”

  Aaron looked back at Leon. “Your good husband has just offered me a job as the church photographer. The ceremony is my first assignment.”

  Evan smiled and looked over at Leon. “Wow, that’s great. Congratulations!” Evan hugged him. “That’s one way to keep you at the church,” She said.

  Leon continued straightening up the items on his desk. “Next week,” Leon managed to mutter; his fury making him unable to even look over in their direction.

  Aaron looked at the ceiling then at Leon. “No, I thought today was what we discussed. It’s an important day for you and I want to make sure that every little detail is captured,” Aaron said as he crossed his arms.

  Leon glared over at Aaron then looked away, remaining silent.

  A perplexed looking Evan looked at Leon then back at Aaron. “Well, I suppose today is as good as any. I hope you’re ready for an exciting day.”

  Aaron nodded. “I am,” He said then looked over at Leon, “Pastor, thank you again for everything.”

  Leon walked around to the front of his desk and rummaged through the scattered papers. “I’ll get back with you on the specifics,” Leon said plopping down on his chair without looking at Aaron. Leon heard the door shut then looked up at Evan who was standing alone.

  “You gave him a job?” Evan asked curiously. “I thought you didn’t like him although I’m glad to see that you’ve changed your mind.”

  “I see you do,” Leon said sarcastically. “Throwing your arms around him like that.”

  “What?” Evan asked.

  “I still don’t like him,” Leon said as he sifted through the papers on his desk. “Are you ready?”

  “I am.” Evan said.

  Leon’s phone rang; it was Leanne. It was time. This is what he’d worked so hard for yet the elation seemed to evade him as his thoughts came back to the latest threat in his life, Aaron. He was becoming a problem; one that he had never anticipated sticking around.

  Leon glanced at his watch. “I hadn’t realized what time it was,” He said to Leanne before hanging up.

  “Whew!” Leon hollered out a bit as he hung up the line. He opened his desk drawer for a brush. He looked up at Evan. “It’s time. Do me a favor and go powder your face so you won’t look so splotchy. I know how you get about your pictures,” He said opening his office closet door and giving himself a once over in the full length mirror.

  Chapter 36

  There hadn’t been any rest for Evan and Leon since the ceremony earlier that day. It had been one interview after another and they had shaken so many hands that she thought her fingers would never recover. Their cellphones were now set directly to voicemail and their house phone was still ringing nonstop. It wasn’t just friends and family congratulating Leon either but also the smaller media outlets that Leon neglected, wanting in on what this project would mean for the state.

  The entire day had been exhausting and Evan had spent all of it making sure that Leon had everything he needed whenever he needed it; from handing handkerchiefs to dab off the sweat as he put his foot to the shovel to ensuring that his tie never strayed from position. She was glad to finally be home and now having had a hot shower, she could put her feet up as she and Leon both sat in the den glued to their flat screen for the 10:00 p.m. news broadcast of the church’s ground breaking.

  It was channel 12, the most well-known local channel in the city and the most liked local celebrity broadcasting. It was exactly why Leon had chosen them to interview him first. And as the news broadcaster had promised; the coverage was flattering to Leon, highlighting just a bit of the mayor’s speech but giving Leon plenty of what he wanted; camera time. She watched as the camera scanned through the crowd of church members, visitors, council members then herself smiling and clapping as she stood beside Leon and Greg who wasn’t noticeably smiling.

  When the coverage ended, Evan glanced over across from her at Leon who sat on the sofa reveling in the constant ringing of his phone as he juggled one call to the next. He was all smiles with each call, receiving his congratulatory pats on the back from his admirers yet he hadn’t said a good five words to her since they’d been home. Unable to take it any longer, she walked to the kitchen to check on the water that she was boiling for their chamomile tea. She doubted that he had even noticed how annoyed she seemed to be getting.

  Standing in the kitchen pouring the hot water from the tea kettle into their cups listening to Leon laugh, Evan thought about Sam. She recalled how Sam seemed so concerned about the effects of the expansion and how there was no longer a voice to keep Leon accountable. That person certainly wasn’t her as he could have cared less what she thought about anything.

  She winced hearing Leon laugh again. His constant and annoying laughter was just another indication of how narcissistic he was. Evan walked back into the den and handed him a cup. He took it then removed the ear piece from his ear.

  “I’m going to have to turn off the phones or I won’t be able to get any sleep tonight,” Leon laughed adjusting the ringer volume before scanning throug
h his text messages.

  Evan sat beside Leon on the sofa and kept dipping the tea bag in her cup struggling to hold her tongue. She did though by taking a sip.

  “So many people congratulating me; it’s amazing. Did you see how Mayor Wilson acted around me, like he’s known me forever? He’s convinced me to run for city council.”

  Hearing Leon’s last sentence caused the tea Evan was drinking to go down the wrong way. Coughing, that sip flew out of her mouth and onto her camisole. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She grabbed a napkin and wiped her mouth and shirt. Leon looked over at her.

  Evan sat her cup down on the table. “He convinced you to run for city council?” She repeated.

  “Yes, I’ve decided to do it. He’s seen what I’ve done at JMC. He’s impressed with the additions and the growth. I’ve got to take these opportunities when they’re presented.”

  Evan sat mesmerized by the news. “What are you talking about?” Evan asked feeling completely blindsided.

  “I’m running for city council. I’ve toyed with the notion for a while and now I’ve got the support that I need so I’m going to prepare for my campaign in the next few weeks.”

  Evan sat stunned. “And you’re just now telling me?” Evan looked over at him with a bewildered look on her face.

  Leon seemed unaffected by her tone. “Yes, I’m just now telling you. There’s not a time limit to tell you something,” Leon said snidely. “Is there?”

  Evan closed her eyes trying to remain calm. “Leon, I think I should have been told that you were even considering it.”

  “I’m telling you now,” Leon said nonchalantly.

  Evan grabbed the remote and turned the television off because the noise was distracting. “Does anyone in the congregation know?”

  “A few of them.” Leon began typing a text on his phone.

  “Leon, why wouldn’t you think this was important enough to include me and present this matter to the church?”

  He looked over at her and frowned. “Ev, because I don’t answer to them or to you.”

  Evan rubbed her temples. “Obviously.”

  Leon looked over at her then looked away and continued texting.

  “Leon, I’m offended that you made a decision that we both should have made. As your wife, I want to be clear of the direction our lives are going in.”

  Leon placed his phone down on the table; then held his palm up in front of her face to count on his fingers. “We had the ground breaking, we’re in the middle of an adoption, and I’m running for city council,” He said counting the items down one by one. “Are you clear now?”

  “Do you ever consider me?”

  Leon stood up. “I have work to do and either you’re by my side or behind me. It’s your choice.”

  Evan fought hard not to break down. “I’m fighting to be beside you but you keep putting me behind you,” she said in a low voice hoping to calm things between them.

  “When God leads me to do something, he doesn’t require that I get your permission.”

  Evan’s heart sank. “Ariel asked me about us adopting a child. How does she know that? I haven’t even told my mother. I was humiliated.”

  Leon glared at Evan. “Not that this has anything to do with that busybody Ariel but why would you be humiliated by the church members knowing that we’re adopting a child?”

  Evan crossed her arms. “I’m embarrassed because I’m so in the dark that I don’t even know how to respond to someone asking me about adopting a baby. I’m in the dark about everything.”

  “Stop this!” Leon yelled.

  His jovial demeanor turned to anger and all she caught was a glimpse of his arm rising up. With wretched familiarity, she cowered quickly beneath her arms covering her face. But the blow that she thought she was preparing for didn’t come instead she heard the impact of his fist hitting the wall. He screamed and grabbed his fist. Breathing hard and shaken, she slowly lowered her arm and looked at him then over at the wall which now had a hole in it.

  He swore. With her body still trembling, she watched him walk out of the study toward the kitchen carefully holding his fist.

  Chapter 37

  Greg was sitting on the floor with nothing but quiet surrounding him as he studied scripture preparing for Sunday’s sermon. Occasionally, his mind wandered thinking about the ground breaking and he had to get back on track. Leon declared that it was all for the kingdom but it was hard for Greg to tell seeing that Leon barely mentioned God during his speech.

  Barefoot, in gray sweats, with his reading glasses on and full zoned, he didn’t even really know what the Holy Spirit was leading him to preach about but he knew that by studying that he would know eventually. He read the scripture over again, highlighted it, and then proceeded to jot down some notes when the doorbell rang. He removed his glasses and laid his head back on the sofa with a deep sigh wondering who it could have been.

  Walking up to the front door of his condo, he was in usual policeman mode, standing to the side of the door and peeking through the peephole before even asking who it was. Looking back at him through the peephole was a green eye; Ben’s. Greg grinned eagerly removing the locks and opening the door.

  “Man, open this door acting like you SWAT in here, peeking, and ducking and what not,” Ben said as the two longtime friends gave each other a quick brotherly hug.

  “Get in here,” Greg said closing the door behind him. He was always glad to see his former partner. They had been through so much together and after all these years and even after Greg’s retirement, they were still close. Although Ben wasn’t a believer, Greg believed that God had placed Ben in his life for a reason; he’d certainly been a great friend.

  “What are you doing here unannounced?” Greg asked.

  “I know you aren’t entertaining any ladies so what’s the big deal?” Ben asked walking into Greg’s condo toward the living room. “You still got that bad hip?” Ben asked throwing his leather jacket on the arm of Greg’s sofa and plopping down. Greg’s bullet wound was now humorous to the two partners who could laugh about it since so much time had passed.

  Greg laughed. “You know that the ladies love heroes. Don’t fret; Batman could always use a Robin.”

  “In your dreams, Batman,” Ben said as he placed his hand on his belly. “I’m starved.”

  Greg eyed Ben’s stomach. “From the looks of it, you don’t let yourself stay starved for long.”

  “It’s Maria’s cooking. By the way, she said to tell you hi and she misses you,” Ben said.

  Greg walked over to the refrigerator and opened it. “Tell her that I miss her too but I’m feeling neglected over here because I haven’t been invited to dinner in a while. I miss those Italian meatballs.”

  “Actually, she sent you some last week but I had to work over so I shared them with some of the fellas.”

  “Ahh man, you wrong for that.” Greg laughed taking some deli chicken cuts out of the fridge.

  Ben looked at Greg then down at his own stomach. “I need you to help me get back into shape, man.”

  Greg looked over at Ben. “I can’t help you when you don’t show up at the gym. What’s up with that?”

  “Man, I’m working crazy hours. Maybe if I was retired and all I did was read the bible and work out, I’d look like you.”

  “You still wouldn’t look like me, Bernardo.” Greg laughed knowing Ben hated being called by his full name. “But I’ll take you running with me sometime,” Greg said placing the deli chicken cuts on hoagie bread. “What’s on your sandwich, man?”

  “Add lots of bacon and mayo, lite on the veggies; I’m allergic,” Ben answered with a chuckle.

  “Got it; no bacon or mayo, lots of veggies and mustard,” Greg replied.

  Ben leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. Greg was familiar with that look on Ben’s face and knew it meant that Ben had something on his mind.

  “I’ve been working hard on Sam’s case because I can tell you reall
y loved your church friend.”

  Greg put the spreading knife down looking at Ben curiously. “What do you know?”

  “I have some information for you that I didn’t want to tell you over the phone.”

  Greg took a deep breath. It was the way Ben said it that caused him unease. They hadn’t spoken about the case since he’d told Ben that he had planted the device, hoping that maybe nothing from the device would ever be cause for alarm. “Okay,”

  Ben reached inside his shirt pocket and pulled out a little recorder. “I think this is going to rock your religious world, my brother.”

  Chapter 38

  Chills and anger ran through Greg’s veins as he listened to one of several recordings of Leon’s office conversations. He held back his tears as he realized that he lost a friend to the powerful lusts of a man who held himself higher than God.

  “I’m sorry, my brother,” Ben said somberly as he sat across from Greg.

  Greg turned off the recorder and sat silent. He placed his hands over his face as a tear ran down his cheek.

  “Why haven’t you arrested him yet?” Greg asked with his face still in his hands.

  “You know why, detective; you planted an illegal device in his office,” Ben said reminding Greg of how the recording was derived.

  “I’ve known this man for years and I trusted him,” Greg said.

  “If you trusted him, then why did you plant the bug?”

  Greg looked at Ben. “I don’t know.” Furious, Greg quickly stood up from the chair he was sitting in, pushed it forcibly causing it to topple over with a loud bang onto his shiny hardwood floors. Ben jumped at the sound. Greg’s face was red and his eyes watery as he balled his fists tightly and paced the floor. He wanted somebody to hurt; he wanted to put his fist through the wall because at least something or someone would hurt even if it would be him.