Evan became furious. “No, that’s not what I care about. I care about Sam, Sundi, Katie, and everybody that loves that church.”
“Loves the church or worships its pastor?” Greg asked angrily.
Evan folded her arms. “I don’t deserve that!”
“Oh yes you do,” Greg responded heatedly. “You deserve the truth whether you like it or not. You claim to be so concerned about Sundi yet you’re all made up like a Barbie doll for campaign photos.” He pointed his finger at her. “The least of your worries is the church.”
Evan grew angry at him. “Don’t judge me. You don’t know why I participated in that.”
“No judgment here First lady, I’m just enlightening you a bit. This right here is the tip of the iceberg with your husband,” Greg said as he walked away from her and toward his truck.
“Why are you being so mean to me?” Evan yelled out to him.
Greg stopped then turned around and looked at her. “Why are you still there?”
Evan looked embarrassed. “I’m the First lady, where do I go?”
“You leave! You just leave!” Greg snapped at her. “You keep running until God tells you to stop.”
Evan’s eyes began to water.
Greg took a deep breath regretting his tone. He looked around trying not to put his anger for Leon on to her. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be mean or disrespectful to you.” A look of bewilderment covered Greg’s face. “I just don’t get how you don’t hold him accountable for at least what he’s done to you. But more than anything, I don’t understand how someone so remarkable as you can be with someone who abuses you, lies to you, and hurts you. I don’t understand why you don’t know your worth,” Greg said.
Greg and Evan locked eyes for a moment before he opened his truck door and got in. He started his truck, backed out of the driveway and drove off leaving Evan standing beside her car watching him.
Chapter 54
Wednesday night bible service at JMC was sometimes as loud and churchy as regular worship service. Leon’s bible study had the congregation on their feet, waving their hands, praising, and dancing like it was Sunday. Dressed in crisp dark jeans and a black button down, Leon raised his hands settling the congregation down after he looked at the clock overhead in front of him.
He knew there were always a few identifiable’s in the crowd who always wanted to ‘catch the Holy Ghost’, when he was close to wrapping up the service but he wasn’t having it, not even on Wednesday. The church had contracts with media providers and those contracts meant that the service ended on time every time and he didn’t care who didn’t like it.
After prayer, he looked over for Greg to disperse the congregation as usual but he wasn’t in the pulpit. Minister Bishop noticed and stood immediately with no disruption to the flow of the service and no one in the audience would have noticed. There were some duties Leon just didn’t do and dismissal was one of them. But he didn’t like ever being made a fool of and Greg seemed to be trying him.
Leon left the pulpit through the side door from which he always entered that led to the hallway to their offices. He watched Ariel sitting with Rick and her children during the service. She was looking puffier in the face and belly but to someone as naïve as Rick, she was just bloated.
Making his way to his office, he saw Greg walking toward him. He and Greg made eye contact. Leon was determined to be courteous to Greg so he smiled and held out his hand to Greg to shake. “My brother, what’s going on? You weren’t on the pulpit behind me tonight. Is everything all right with you?”
Greg looked down at Leon’s hands then back up at him. Leon put his hands down. Was Greg drawing a line in the sand between them?
“I didn’t make it in time, working on some things back here. You got out okay though?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Leon said looking Greg in the eye. “Were you listening back here?”
“I was,” Greg said.
Leon didn’t like the smug look on Greg’s face. He was seriously starting to dislike this dude. Leon patted him on the shoulder. “Let me get going brother, I have a meeting. We’ll talk later.”
Greg nodded as Leon started walking past him. Leon stopped and turned around. He decided that he couldn’t let it go.
“Greg,” Leon said placing his finger on his chin, “just one more thing, what happened on Sunday? I didn’t find out that you weren’t going to preach until you didn’t. Your name was printed on the program. You not showing up wasn’t decent and in order, brother.”
“I agree. I wasn’t as prepared as I thought.”
Leon nodded. “Uh huh, okay,” Leon said not believing him. “It was your time to shine. People are always wondering when you’ll preach then you get your chance and you don’t take it? They were disappointed.”
“I hope not too disappointed,” Greg said with little emotion.
Greg made Leon smile. This dude was funny. He didn’t care what anybody thought. Leon had to admire a man like that.
Leon pointed to his office. “I have a meeting right now but we’ll get together,” Leon said, “and talk.” Leon dropped his smile walking off from Greg. There was something that didn’t feel right with him.
He hurried to his office, walking in immediately noticing a large envelope on his desk. Placing his bible down, he opened the envelope that contained the recent campaign print ad pictures that he and Ev had taken. Looking over them, he was pleased. Leon believed that he could run on any platform he wanted. He was attractive and it was no secret that people voted for good looking people so he didn’t worry.
Aaron knocked on the already opened door. Leon looked back at Aaron. “Come in and close the door.”
Aaron walked in, closed the door but didn’t sit. Leon walked into his closet and got out a small nylon drawstring bag. He opened it for Aaron to see the money then pulled the strings back closed and handed it to Aaron.
“Twenty-seven five,” Leon mumbled.
“Is it all there?” Aaron asked.
“It sure is,” Leon answered.
Aaron looked satisfied. “Okay.”
“There’s a piece of paper inside with the address of the house that they live in now with her brother.” Leon sat down in his chair. “I don’t need to know anything specific, just that it’s done.”
“How many people are in the house?”
Leon grimaced. “I don’t know. That’s your job.”
“When do you need it done?”
“Yesterday,” Leon glared at him. “Did you see Pastor Greg out there?”
Aaron nodded. “I passed him out there. He’s working on one of the centers.”
“I can’t figure him out.” Leon stared off. “Anyway, I don’t want him to see you leave my office. Something’s up with him and I can’t put my finger on it.”
“Is he next on your list?” Aaron asked sarcastically.
Leon stared at Aaron for a moment then broke out in a laugh. “A photographer and a comedian?” Leon got up from his chair and walked over to his office door to open it. “I don’t want to hear from you unless the job is completed.”
Aaron threw the bag over his shoulders. “Most definitely.”
No matter how Leon felt about Aaron, he could deal with an idiot like Aaron. It was Katie and Sundi that were the problems. They were thorns in his side and the sooner they were eliminated, the better. If that was all that Aaron was good for then so be it.
Chapter 55
Mimi brought out the casserole with a giant smile and sat it down in the middle of the dining room table in front of Aaron. He absorbed the aroma of meat and potatoes, just like his mother used to make. Black yoga pants and a cute pink tank, she was relaxed and flirty yet was still very much a lady, which made Aaron smile. He was glad that she was comfortable around him now to be so laid back. Mimi was everything that he could ever want: beautiful, smart, and she cooked. All his planning that included finding a beautiful woman didn’t come close to what he found in Mimi. How had he gotten so
lucky?
“I made this especially for you, baby cakes,” Mimi said with a quick ticklish poke in Aaron’s side.
He grinned; he was badly ticklish and Mimi knew it. They had gotten to that point now where they playfully teased each other and he loved it.
“It looks delicious baby,” He said reaching for his plate.
“Do you want to eat in the living room, I rented a movie?” Mimi asked walking back into the kitchen.
“That’s cool,” Aaron said standing up from the dining room chair.
Mimi opened the oven then stopped and looked at him. “Are you okay?”
“I’m great.” Aaron picked up the silverware and napkins. “Why?”
“You just seem like there’s something on your mind,” she said walking back toward him with a pan full of buttered rolls.
Aaron watched her place a warm roll on each of their plates then as she scooped out squares of casserole. He did have something on his mind but it wasn’t anything that he could share with her.
“I’m just tired but I couldn’t wait to see you today,” Aaron said carrying the plates to the living room.
Aaron placed the plates down then went back for the glasses as she followed him in. They plopped down next to each other on the couch and began situating their plates. As if feeling Aaron’s eyes on her, she looked up at him.
“Why are you staring at me?” Mimi asked.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe because I’ve never met someone as beautiful as you.”
She looked away. “Stop that.” Mimi squeezed his cheek.
Aaron looked down at his plate. He just wanted to love up on this girl. She was everything that he’d ever wanted.
“Mimi, why do you like me?” Aaron asked picking up his roll just to do something with his hands.
Mimi’s eyes widened as if she was taken off guard by the question. “Well,” she looked down, “you’re different from the guys that I’ve dated before.”
Aaron scrunched his forehead. “What does that mean?”
“I mean that you intrigue me. I’ve never met anyone like you before; you’re an amazing person.”
Aaron didn’t respond. Instead he picked up his fork and began to use it to slice off a piece of casserole.
“Grace?” Mimi asked stopping him from digging in.
“You do it,” Aaron said closing his eyes never having felt good enough to pray so he just never did.
As Mimi prayed Aaron watched her. He wanted to reach out and touch her face but didn’t. He closed his eyes just as she finished praying.
“Oh, the movie,” she said putting her plate on the table and walking over to the television to start the movie.
Aaron watched Mimi start the movie wishing he didn’t have to tell her that he wouldn’t be staying although he wished with everything that he could. “I need to leave a little earlier tonight because I have to take care of some business,” Aaron said unsure of how she would react.
She looked back as she pushed play on the blue ray machine. “Will you be able to stay the entire movie?”
He nodded. “I think so. I hope this is action,” he said trying to diffuse the situation.
“It is,” Mimi replied. She kept looking at him, puzzled. “I didn’t know you made other plans tonight.”
“I didn’t,” Aaron said, “I mean it’s last minute; just something that the pastor wants me to take care of.”
“Oh,” Mimi said after starting the movie and sitting back on the couch beside him. “He’s taken a liking to you.”
Aaron made a face. “Why do you think that?”
“It’s church Aaron, plenty of nosey people,” She said as if he should already know. “Some people have seen you meeting with the pastor a few times.”
Aaron shifted on the couch. That piece of information didn’t sit well with him. “People spying on me like that and running back to tell you?” He asked with a frown on his face.
Mimi looked at him curiously. “Don’t get defensive. It’s not like that. Nobody runs to tell me anything but you know how word always gets around in a church.” She placed a fork full of casserole in her mouth.
“No, I don’t know,” he said. And he didn’t know because he wasn’t used to going to church and he definitely didn’t like it if that was what was going on in there. He bit off a piece of a roll and looked at the television as the movie started. He was being defensive but it had nothing to do with Mimi. He was nervous and jittery. He wished he had never crossed paths with Leon Ladson. He also wished he had never met Mimi; it would have been so much easier than having loved her and then having to walk away from her.
Aaron put down his fork. “Why do you work at that church…for that pastor? You’re smart, got degrees and stuff. Why don’t you go work somewhere else?”
Aaron knew that his question was out of the blue and probably took her off guard but he just had to know. Mimi stopped chewing and reached for the remote to pause the movie.
She turned to face him. “What’s going on?”
Aaron looked at her then took a deep breath. “You’re not bored at the church?”
“No, I’m not bored at that church. I love working at the church. Of course, it doesn’t pay like my old job but I love being there.”
“What do you know about the pastor?”
Mimi placed her plate on the table and turned her body toward him. “Okay, where’s this coming from?”
“What do you know about him, Mimi?”
Mimi looked annoyed with Aaron’s line of questioning. “I know that he’s my best friend’s husband and although I never cared much for him, he gave me a chance when I needed one. I guess when I get down to it; he’s not all that bad.”
“He’s not all that good either.”
“Why do you say that?” Mimi asked with a baffled look on her face.
Aaron felt himself becoming anxious. “I don’t really like him.”
Mimi looked at him oddly. “That surprises me because you seem to be around him an awful lot and he’s given you quite a few jobs.”
Aaron looked down at his plate. “I’m a man. I find work where it’s at.”
There was an awkward silence between the two of them. Aaron regretted that he was spoiling the meal with her.
“I didn’t mean any harm,” Mimi said picking her plate back up.
Aaron knew that he’d responded harshly. “It’s not anything you said. I apologize for questioning you like that but he just ain’t right and I just wish that you wouldn’t be around him like that.”
Mimi smiled a little bit. “Are you jealous? I can assure you that there’s absolutely nothing going on between me and the pastor.”
“No,” Aaron said, “not like that.”
Mimi seemed surprised. “Okay Aaron, like what then? Because I’ve never seen you like this before?”
Aaron placed his plate down and turned completely to face her on the couch. He grabbed her hands. “Mimi, we’ve seen each other a lot but what do you even know about me?”
“About as much as you know about me.”
“I know that you’re transparent and there’s no pretending with you and I love that about you.”
Mimi sighed. “Is this about Leon or about me and you? Are you trying to find a way to end it with me nicely because I’m not that sensitive?”
Aaron squeezed her hands gently. “Please believe that I’m not trying to end it with you at all. I just want to protect you.”
Mimi raised an eyebrow. “From Leon?”
Aaron knew that he couldn’t be honest with her so he shouldn’t have said anything at all. “I don’t know. I’m just talking, I guess. Just don’t trust everybody,” Aaron said.
“I don’t trust everybody.”
“Make people earn trust before you give it to them so freely.”
Mimi gazed at him. “I’m always straight forward with you but you’re not being straight forward right now.”
Before Aaron could respond to Mimi, a text came
to his cell phone. He knew he had to go. He was delaying the inevitable.
“Who’s that?” Mimi asked.
“Pastor Leon,” Aaron said hating that he had to leave especially like this. “I told you that I had to leave early. I promised him that I’d work something out for him.” He stood up. “I thought I had some time for dinner. I’m sorry.”
The atmosphere in the room changed. He felt that Mimi wanted more of an explanation from him but he couldn’t offer her any other explanation than the one he had given. He felt like a man cheating only he wasn’t.
Mimi took a deep breath then seemed to force a smile.
“I hate to cut out like this.” Aaron couldn’t think of anything else to say. “I really do.”
Mimi stood up, picked up Aaron’s plate from the table and walked over to the trash can where she dumped it. Aaron closed his eyes and threw his head back knowing that she had finally reached a breaking point with him. The night had turned out as awful as he knew it would. He deserved it but Mimi didn’t.
Aaron felt awkward. “I’m sorry.”
Mimi kept her head high and a stiff smile on her face but said nothing as she walked over to the door and opened it.
Aaron fumbled with his hands. “I just have to take care of this and maybe I can come back over or call you later?”
Mimi stood at the door without making eye contact with him. He leaned in to kiss her but she turned her head. He walked out and turned around to look at her but she closed the door. He wanted to tell her how much he wanted to marry her, how he wanted to have kids with her, and wanted to take care of her. He knew that it wasn’t even a possibility with the life he led.
“I’ll call you,” He shouted through the closed door.
Chapter 56
Ariel stood up slowly from the floor where she had been leaning over the toilet bowl for about ten minutes. She hadn’t been able to keep much down. This pregnancy was unlike the other ones. She had expected morning sickness as with her previous pregnancies but she hadn’t expected to still be this sick this often. She was tired of this pregnancy and tired of the situation that she found herself. She was ready to get this baby out of her body and get on with her life.
His First Lady Page 22