“Okay, baby. It is Delores, and she has a basket of, well I don’t know what it is, in her hands. Let me help her. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Robert sighed into the phone. “I love you, sweetheart.”
“By, baby. See you at the church tomorrow,” Rena told him and ended the call.
She opened the door and reached out to help Delores with not one basket but two.”
“These are absolutely gorgeous,” Rena said taking one of the baskets out of Delores’s arms.
“Thanks. I thought I was about to drop one of them. Mama’s Silver Sneakers exercise group made these. One is for you and the other one is for your step kids. Wasn’t that thoughtful of them?” Delores added.
“Ohhh, yes.” Rena closed the door behind Delores and the two of them walked into the dining room and placed the baskets on the table. Rena looked closely at the basket for her. It had lavender and citrus bath balls, foaming bath powder, a body net, a cotton waffle loofah mitt, lavender soy candles, lotion and several other items Rena couldn’t make out.”
“Girl, it smells so good doesn’t it?” said Delores. “They really did a good job on these.”
“Yeah, they did. I’m going to really enjoy using this stuff.” Rena then looked at the one they had made for Robert’s kids. “Oooh, look Delores. This one has crackers, cheese, cookies, chocolate, brownie bites, nuts and looks like a gift card of some kind. These are so sweet.”
“They sure are. Girl, you are so blessed. You have so many gifts already. And wait until the wedding tomorrow. I know you and Robert are going to get tons more.”
“I’m about to cry.”
“Don’t you start, Rena. Save those happy tears for the wedding. Oh, I almost forgot,” Delores said.
“Forgot what?” asked Rena.
“Wait, let me run back out to the car and get it. Mama said FedEx delivered it earlier today,” Delores explained as she headed back toward the front door.
She returned moments later with a small brown box in her hand and passed it over to Rena.
Rena studied the box like she was expecting something to magically appear.
“Well, are you going to open it?” Delores asked.
“Yes, I guess.” Rena eyed the package again. “It’s…it’s from Memphis.” Rena’s face turned crimson red.
“Do you think it’s from Stiles?”
“I don’t know. But I’m about to find out.” Rena reached for an ink pen off the table and used it as a knife to slit the tape and open the box. Inside the box was another box. This one was white and had a beautiful red ribbon wrapped around it.
“Who is it from?” Delores asked impatiently.
“Hold up.” Rena looked around the inside of the brown box to see if there was a note card or tag. But deep inside she believed that it was from Stiles. She didn’t recognize the address, She stopped searching for a name tag and proceeded to open the box while she tried to keep her hands from shaking. She pulled the ribbon and clumsily pulled off the top of the box. Paper covered whatever the gift was inside. She removed the paper and almost fainted when she picked up the package inside.
“Oh my gosh,” Delores cried and placed her hand over her opened mouth. “Who would do something like this? Rena give it here,” she ordered and removed the box of condoms from out of Rena’s frozen hand. There was another one lying in the box that was out of the packet; it looked like it had been used.
Rena’s mouth was still open. One hand held the package of condoms and the other hand held the lip of the box. She didn’t focus on Delores removing the package from her hand. Rena stumbled over to the couch and fell back on it. Tears started flowing.
“Rena, this has to be some kind of gag gift. There’s no need to get upset. We just overreacted. But whoever sent it,” Delores said then paused and peaked inside the brown box. This time she pulled out a small white envelope. “Here, here it is. See who it’s from.”
Rena looked slowly over at her sister. She wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. “Give it to me,” she said softly and reached for the envelope. Delores passed it to her and then stood positioned across from Rena with each arm folded inside the other one.
Rena opened the envelope and pulled out the card inside. Don’t spoil your wedding night AGAIN. Play it safe and keep him strapped up. Safe sex is the best sex. Oops, don’t think you know anything about that, the card read, but wasn’t signed by anyone.
“What does it say?” Delores asked, her eyes as huge as rocks as she eyed the condoms.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Rena began to tear up.
“Is it from Stiles?” asked Delores.
Rena shook her head.
“That low down dog. And he calls himself a preacher? How could he be so mean?”
“Did you hear me say it was from Stiles?” barked Rena as anger formed in the base of her tummy. “Look, I don’t mean to be short with you, but I need to be alone right now.” Rena stood up, wobbled a little and then steadied herself. “I’m going to my room. Please, make yourself at home,” she said to Delores.
“Sure. Sure I understand. And I’ll clean up this stuff. You just try to get some rest. You have a huge day tomorrow, and please, Rena. Don’t let this spoil your wedding day. It’s nothing more than a trick of the enemy to get you to thinking all crazy in the head. Don’t fall for it.”
Rena nodded. She left the package of condoms on the table along with the gift box that had the used condom in it, and disappeared down the hall.
She sat on the bedroom bench at the foot of her bed and cried. How could he? All the time pretending he still cared about me. I should have known. Rena toyed with the card she still held in her hand. She didn’t know why she wanted to torture herself, but she flipped it over and read the message again. Then she saw it. How could she have missed it the first time? Maybe because she was too shocked at what was in the box and what the message said: “Wedding Wishes to the Bride and Groom from Pastor and First Lady Graham,” Rena read then she lifted her head as thoughts rushed through her mind. “Lord, oh, Lord,” Rena cried.
“Sis. Hey, Sis. Are you okay in there?” Rena heard Delores ask from the other side of the bedroom door.
“Yes. I’m fine. I’ll be all right.” Rena tried to reassure her.
“Rena, please don’t be upset. Try to let it roll off of you. You’re going to be Mrs. Robert Becton this time tomorrow. Don’t let this ruin your day.”
“I hear you. And I said I’m all right. Don’t worry,” Rena told her without moving from the bench. “Towels, toiletries, whatever is all in the on-suite in the guest room. Help yourself to whatever you need,” she told Delores.
“Yea, okay. But let me know if you need me. I’m going to the guest room.”
“Thanks. Goodnight,” she told Delores.
Rena looked at the card and read its message over and over again. She said continuously, “Pastor and First Lady Graham,” and then she seemed to hear something or someone say, ‘be sure your sin will find you out.’”
9
“He who angers you conquers you.” Elizabeth Kenny
Stiles left the house before Detria or Baby Audrey woke up. He had to get out of that place to clear his head after last night’s events. He called Skip and asked him to meet him at the Blue Plate Cafe on Poplar for breakfast. Skip agreed.
The hostess greeted Stiles with a wide smile when he entered the Blue Plate.
“Good morning, sir. How many in your party?” she asked.
“Two. If you have a booth, I’d prefer that.”
“Sure, follow me.” She picked up two menus from behind the back of the booth and proceeded into the dining area of the restaurant, which was known for its delicious breakfast menu. She seated Stiles in a booth toward the front of the restaurant and next to the window facing the parking lot. “How is this?” she asked.
“This is fine.”
“Your server will be right with you,” the hostess said and then turned and left.
Stiles ordered a carafe of orange juice and a carafe of coffee and waited on Skip to arrive. Skip lived in the area, so it wouldn’t be long before he arrived.
Ten minutes later, and nursing his second cup of coffee, Stiles glanced to the side, and saw Skip making his way to the table.
“Good morning, Pastor. What’s got you up and out this early? Especially on a Saturday morning. I thought you’d be home enjoying that sweet little girl of yours.”
“Normally, I would. But things got a little heated on the home front. I had to get out of there for a minute, man,” he said to Skip.
“What’s up? You and Detria had a little spat? Man, you see why I choose to remain single? Too much drama with being married.”
“Man, I don’t know what’s up with that woman. Last night I come in and hear her on the phone. She was telling somebody she had to hurry up and get off because I had just walked in. What kind of mess is that? You know she wouldn’t be telling another female that.”
Skip poured himself a glass of orange juice, his favorite, and proceeded to take two large gulps. He refilled his glass and this time he took a regular swallow. “You know she’s not messing off on you. Don’t even think that.”
“I don’t know what to think. I know it didn’t sound right. And to make it worse, when I confronted her about it, she had the nerve to brush me off like I’m some Joe Blow on the street or something.” Stiles pounded his chest. “Man, I’m her husband. I’m not going to let her treat me like I’m some fly by night dude or something.” Stiles’s temples beat like heartbeats against his smooth brown skin.
“You mean to tell me she did it like that? Wow, man that’s messed up for real.”
“Tell me about it. But that’s not all. Skip, for the first time in my life, I lost it. I really lost it.” Stiles sipped on his coffee and rubbed his forehead nervously.
“What do you mean, you lost it?” asked Skip.
“Man, I raised my hand to slap the…”
“You what?” Skip raised his voice and then just as quickly lowered it.
Stiles showed his palms. “No, I didn’t hit her. I said I almost hit her but God stilled my hand. It was awful. You can imagine how things went from there.”
Skip nodded. “She put you out?”
“Just about. She told me to leave. I tried to apologize and everything, but she wasn’t hearing it. She even threatened to call the police. And I ended up sleeping in one of the guest rooms.”
The server walked up, and momentarily interrupted their conversation to take their food orders.
“Well, you know I’m not one for hitting women,” Skip said after the server left. “And I know you aren’t either, so she must have really gotten next to you, bro.”
“I’m telling you, all I could think about was what I went through with Rena. I don’t want to go down that road again.” Stiles shook his head and then took another sip of his coffee. “I’m telling you, Skip if this marriage crumbles, that’s it for me. I’m going to be a certified bachelor. I don’t care if I am a pastor, I’ll just have to fight off the women as they come.” Stiles laughed at his own remark.
Skip chuckled. “You won’t be bored, that’s for sure. I know I’m not. I enjoy the females at the church and out of the church. And Pastor, I’m just telling you from a friend aspect, you’ll have your choice of any woman you want when you’re free and single.”
Stiles tilted his head. “Are you serious, Skip? Are you suggesting that I should mess around on my wife?”
“Naw, Man. I said if your marriage failed. But let’s not even think like that. You and Detria are bound to have disagreements, but you know that. So, this was a pretty huge spat, so what. Things will get right. You got yourself a good lady. Give her some time to cool off. Send her some flowers or send her to the spa for a day. Whatever you do. Just do something to get things back on track.”
“Yeah, you’re right. But still I want to know who she was talking to that she had to hurry up and get off the phone.”
“Forget that. If you go looking for trouble, you know what they say; you’re going to find it.”
Stiles nodded again. “That’s true.”
The server returned with their food. Both gentleman ate, and no further mention was made about Stiles’ marital woes.
“What you got up after this?” asked Skip. He scooped up a spoonful of grits and picked up a slice of bacon and put it in his mouth.
“I have to go to Emerald Estates. I promised Pastor that I would go up in the attic and take down some boxes he wants from up there.”
“Well, my schedule is free until around five. I’m going to the Grizzlies game this evening, but I don’t mind helping you out up until then.”
“Yeah, that’ll be cool. I don’t remember how much is up there, so any help I can get will be appreciated.”
Stiles and Skip finished breakfast and left the restaurant headed in the direction of Emerald Estates.
Stiles drove down Elvis Presley Boulevard and decided to call Detria. The house phone rang until the voicemail came on. He ended the call and called her cell phone. Still, no answer. “See this is the kind of mess I’m talking about. Lord, why does this woman keep trying me?” He hit his hand on the steering wheel and increased his speed. When he arrived at Emerald Estates, he parked in front of the house and waited until he saw Skip drive up and park behind him. Stiles got out of the car and stood in front of it.
Skip got out of his truck, his phone glued to his ear. “Hey, I’m at my destination. I’ll hit you up when I leave from here. All right?” Stiles heard him tell whoever it was he was talking to on the phone.
“You ready to do this, man?” Skip asked as he walked up next to Stiles.
“As ready as I’m ever going to be.” His nostrils flared with fury.
“What’s up?” Skip asked as the two of them walked up the driveway toward the house.
“On the way over here, I tried to call Detria. I called on the house phone and the cell phone. She didn’t answer.”
Skip stopped walking. “Hold up, I think you’re reading way too much into this. You know she’s probably still heated, or she may just be busy seeing to the baby. Don’t start letting your imagination run away with you.”
Stiles rubbed his head back and forth. “I’m just saying. She could have easily picked up the phone and said she was busy with the baby. Something. But not to answer, and then she hasn’t bothered to call back. I’m telling you, Skip, I gotta feeling that something’s up with her.”
“Man, she’s always at the church, so I don’t see how she has time to be messing off if that’s what you’re thinking. You got yourself a good woman, I’m telling you, man. Don’t mess this up because you happen to be insecure because of your past. Where’s your faith?”
Stiles rang the doorbell without bothering to respond to Skip’s comments. They were welcomed inside by one of the tenants who told Stiles to take as much time as he needed.
For the next two plus hours, Stiles and Skip sorted through the neat maze of boxes, a couple of trunks, bedding, photo albums, an antique radio, all things from the Graham family. Their past was all more than likely nestled inside these boxes, most which he thought had probably been in the attic since he was a little boy. The more he looked through the things; some of his mother’s personal items, costume jewelry, clothing that Stiles didn’t know Pastor still had, the more engrossed Stiles became. He got carried into a world of his past, forgetting that he was not alone, but had brought Skip with him.
There was no telling how much history was in this attic. Stiles didn’t recall seeing all of this when he put things up in the attic after Pastor moved out. Probably because he was still grieving over Audrey’s death.
“Hey, man, are you about done?” asked Skip. “It’s about that time for me. Need to get back on the other end, get ready for this game. “
“Naw, I’m finished. The boxes over near the stairs, that’s what I’m taking. If you can help me get them
down, I’m out of here too.”
“Okay, let’s do it,” Skip said and headed in the direction of the four storage boxes.
They got the boxes inside Stiles’ car. Skip left while Stiles drove off contemplating whether to go home or stop by Holy Rock. He ultimately decided to do neither, choosing rather to ride downtown and walk the trails on Mud Island.
Stiles looked up toward the sky. It was a perfect summer day; mid-sixties. Blue skies. The sweet smell of bloomed flowers darted across the air above and around Stiles. Dogs running, barking. People walking, talking. Serenity filled Stiles from within. He exhaled.
“Lord, I praise you in the midst of my trial. Forgive me, father for my actions last night toward the woman you into my life. Help me to be a better husband and father.” Stiles walked three miles around the trail before he returned to his vehicle and headed home.
On the way home, he stopped by one of Detria’s favorite Chinese restaurants. She loved their vegetable fried rice and their freshly squeezed lemonade. Stiles wasn’t sure if he would need Mother Brown, but he decided to call her just in case things turned out positively like he hoped they would when he talked to Detria. The two of them could have a little making up time and Audrey would be in a safe place so neither of them would have to worry.
He called Mother Brown. She told him she was available if he needed her. So far, so good.
Stiles smiled, turned up the radio, and song along with Bishop Paul Morton. I’ll pray for youuuu, you pray for me, watch God change things.”
10
“Everyone is like a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.” Mark Twain
Stiles pushed the remote and the garage door opened. It was empty of Detria’s car. Stiles exhaled as he drove up in the garage, and flipped the remote at the same time he turned off the ignition.
“Dang, Detria. Where are you?” he said aloud. He got out of his car and entered into the kitchen from the garage. The aroma of fresh cooked food wafted pass his nose as he walked over to the countertop and opened the microwave to place Detria’s food inside, but saw a plate of food already in the microwave. He removed the plate of green vegetables, corn, blackened tilapia and a corn muffin and put Detria’s food inside.
My Sister My Momma My Wife Page 6