“Oh, I know that you’re not interested in playing with me any longer since you’re playing with Pocahontas.” James looked as if he’d seen a ghost. “That’s right, I know all about her.” Victoria smiled. “But rest assured that it no longer matters to me. You’ve hurt me for the very last time. Michael is preparing papers to have you put out of my house during the divorce proceedings so you might want to pack your stuff and prepare to share her teepee with her.”
James got up from the desk and grabbed Victoria’s arm, squeezing it. “You think that you’re going to embarrass me in my town?”
Victoria struggle to free her arm from his grip. “You’re hurting me, James.”
“Don’t make me…”
“What? Do what, James?” Victoria asked, staring at him with her arm still in his tight grasp.
He let her go, pushing her back slightly. She looked at her arm which had a bright red mark on it from his tight grip. She looked up at him then walked out of the library slamming the door behind her.
James stared at the door and the longer he did so, the angrier he became. He looked around and the nearest thing to him was one of her African Safari statues. He picked it up and slammed it against the wall, causing it to crumble to pieces.
Breathing heavily, he sat back down on the desk. He had to think quickly because Victoria was about to take everything he had and there was no way in hell that he’d let that happen.
Chapter 97
“Okay, close your eyes and be perfectly still,” the chubby makeup artist instructed Taylor as she applied the final feathery long lash to her left eye. “There you go,” the girl said.
Demetria, the stylist, walked out with two more cocktail dresses from the rack that she’d brought with her that was now in Taylor’s hallway. “I like this one for you,” the girl with the big afro said, holding up a long navy rhinestone gown.
Taylor frowned as her makeup artist brushed color across her lips. “This isn’t the prom.”
The girl looked embarrassed as she walked back to the rack of clothes she’d brought. Taylor hopped off of the stool that she was sitting on, following the girl to the clothes rack. Taylor rummaged through the hangers, pulling out each dress individually and looking for that perfect one. “Tonight is what I consider my coming out party so I need something spectacular.”
Still looking at the dresses, the stylist looked at Taylor strangely. “I thought you said that you were throwing a surprise party for one of your friends.”
Taylor smiled. “That’s what is so great about this party; it’s two-fold and tonight is going to be epic.”
Seducca looked at her watch. Yes, she knew how strange it looked for her to be at the county clerk’s office all dolled up in a red cocktail dress and slinky silver sandals but time was of the essence. She knew that Taylor Ladson was no sister, cousin or distant relative of Leon’s; she was his wife. All she needed was proof of that fact.
She had been sitting for about a half an hour at the county clerk’s office holding an orange ticket in her hand and facing the customer service window. How long could it possibly take to answer questions or type on a keyboard? It wasn’t that the requests were difficult but the reps were laughing and eating slices of a birthday cake which was the last thing that any of them looked like they needed.
“Number 57.”
Seducca jumped up. “Hello, I need to see if a record of marriage is on file.” She had no time to waste so she wouldn’t mention her frustration or the white icing around the lady's mouth.
“Ma’am, you’ll need to go on the third floor Probate, room 307, for that information.”
“What?” Seducca asked in shock. “This is the county clerk’s office, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” the plain poodle-haired lady answered, looking around Seducca’s head to see who else was waiting.
Seducca purposely moved her head to obstruct the woman’s view to focus on her. “I called earlier and was told to come to the county clerk’s office since marriages are public information. Now, I’ve wasted 30 minute sitting here and you’re telling me that I have to go somewhere else?”
The lady cocked her head to the side and stared at Seducca, “Yes.”
Seducca stared at the woman then realized that she was wasting time. “Thank you and you have a great day,” Seducca said storming out of the office and almost slipping on the slick floor in her sandals. Embarrassing.
Seducca looked at her watch. She had a little over an hour until the dinner party. Standing at the elevator, she nervously tapped her foot until deciding that she needed to take the stairs because it was taking too long. She bent down, undid the straps on her sandals and ran up the stairs to the probate court with her sandals in her hand.
Chapter 98
“Move it over a little to the left, Marcus,” Nina said to her teenage son who came in to help decorate the banquet hall. He was tall enough that he only needed to step on the first step of the ladder to reach the ceiling. Wearing a fur wrap over her sequined black dress, Taylor walked through the door carrying a food tray.
Nina threw her hands up in the air with a big smile when she saw her “Yes! She is here!” Nina ran up to her giving her a big hug. “Don’t you look beautiful?”
Taylor smiled and struck a pose. “Thank you so much,” she said, shaking her big loose curls that bounced with little movement. “And so do you but you already know that of course.”
“Thank you sweetie, what did you bring?” Nina asked, taking the covered tray from her hands and placing it on the table with the other food items.
“Crostinis,” Taylor said, “Wow, the food looks great.”
“I told you that there was no need to hire a caterer, I love doing stuff like this,” Nina smiled.
“You were right,” Taylor said.
“Momma, is that all?” Marcus asked from across the room.
Nina looked over at him, “Yeah baby, pick up all the plastic and put that stuff in the trash. Thank you, sweetheart.”
“Marcus,” Taylor said, holding her car keys in the air, “can you do me a favor and go out to my car and bring in those white gift bags in my back seat?”
Nina looked over at her. “You brought gifts?”
“Yes, for everybody,” Taylor said.
Nina smiled. “Wow.” Nina looked around the banquet hall. Everything looked spectacular. Hanging from the ceiling were mini light bulbs and glittery silver balls. White table cloths and white Dahlias in little glass bowls adorned the tables. Nina grabbed Taylor’s hands as they walked around stirring up white metallic balloons which were covering the floor. “You are responsible for inspiring a dream and giving these ladies courage to step out and share what God has done for them. Thank you for inspiring this seminar. I wouldn’t be doing it if it were not for you.”
Taylor squeezed Nina’s hands. “You’re welcome and thank you for helping me pull this surprise off for Evan. Everything is simply beautiful.”
Nina smiled. “She’s going to be so surprised but you do realize that Evan hates having attention drawn to her so she just might kill us.”
Taylor patted Nina on the back. “It’s okay, tonight is going to be different.”
Chapter 99
Mimi sat on Evan’s king size bed holding Gracie in her arms and watching Evelyn stick pin after pin into Evan’s curls, placing them neatly in the back of her head.
“Okay, take a look and tell me what you think.” Evelyn fluffed out the loose curls that she left hanging.
Evan smiled, turning her head to the right then to the left as Evelyn smoothed down her edges. “It’s beautiful.”
Mimi stood up, holding Gracie in her arms. “I agree: very, very pretty.”
Evan touched the back of her head. “You always did my hair better than anybody else.”
“Because I always wanted curls like yours so I loved to play in them and style them, even when you were a little girl,” her mother admitted.
“I remember,” Evan said, standing up
. She smoothed out the bottom of her black sleeveless dress. “How do I look?”
“Very pretty,” Mimi repeated.
“Beautiful,” Evelyn said. “Do you think that neckline is a little low?”
“It’s called a plunging neckline and no it’s not too low, Momma,” Evan said, applying her dark rose lipstick. “I wouldn’t wear it if I thought it was too low.”
Mimi grinned as she bent down to put on her rhinestone black pumps.
“Are you sure that you don’t want to go?” Evan asked Evelyn as she looked on her vanity for earrings.
“No baby,” Evelyn said. “I think I’ve had enough of the First Ladies for this visit.”
Mimi and Evan laughed together. “I agree with you Ms. Evelyn, some of them are a force to be reckoned with. Please come and be my strength,” Mimi pleaded.
“No baby,” Evelyn said, taking Gracie from Mimi. “I’ll stay here and relax with my husband and my grandbaby. You look beautiful sweetheart,” she said to Mimi, reaching out and pulling at the bottom of Mimi’s off the shoulder champagne colored cocktail dress.
Mimi and Evan eyed each other and smiled. Evan put her diamond teardrop earrings in her ears. “Those ladies are a wonderful bunch; you just have to warm up to a couple of them.”
Mimi stood in front of Evan’s full length mirror, looking at herself. “Some of them are wonderful and I’ll leave it at that.”
“You have time to change your mind, Momma, we can get a sitter and you and Daddy can join us. You’ll meet everyone, have hors d'oeuvres and have a nice time.”
“I’m almost considering it because I don’t know what that prophetess woman is up to,” Evelyn said, sitting down with Gracie on the bed.
Evan picked up her little black clutch. “Momma, her name is Taylor and she’s harmless.”
Greg knocked on the bedroom door that was already partially opened. He stuck his head in. “Baby, are you ready?
“We are,” Evan said looking over at Mimi.
Evan’s eyes widened at the number of people at the celebration. “Wow, it’s a nice turn out.”
“How many were you all expecting?” Greg asked backing the car into the parking space.
“I don’t know; maybe 30 or so.”
“I hope they have good food because I haven’t eaten all day trying to fit into this dress,” Mimi said, causing Greg and Evan to laugh.
Greg opened his car door and helped the women out of the car. He kissed Evan on the lips. “You look beautiful.”
“Can y’all not do that in front of me?” Mimi asked.
Evan saw Rick’s Expedition pulling into the parking lot and nudged Greg. “Mimi, I have a little secret to tell you and I’m hoping that you won’t be mad at me,” Greg admitted.
Mimi, who was looking down at her dress, glared up at Greg. “Whenever you say things like that, I get nervous.”
Greg closed Evan’s door. “I invited Rick. I thought it’d be nice to have him join us tonight.”
Stunned, Mimi’s lips parted as if to object before seeing Rick step out.
Mimi pouted and looked at Evan. “You didn't!”
“I did,” Greg said, waving his arm in the air so that Rick would see them.
Mimi walked up to whisper in Evan’s ear. “I can’t believe he did this to me.”
Evan leaned toward her as they walked toward Rick. “You look beautiful girl so smile.”
Rick walked up and gave Greg and Evan a hug. “Hello everyone, you all look like you stepped off of the cover of a magazine,” he said, then looked over at Mimi, “Hello Mimi.”
“How are you, Rick?” Mimi asked, looking slightly nervous.
“You look very nice,” Rick said.
“Thank you,” Mimi replied, cutting her eyes over at Evan.
“Let’s head in,” Greg suggested, placing his hand on Evan’s back as he walked beside her.
“Exciting night,” Rick said, walking along side Mimi toward the banquet hall.
Chapter 100
Seducca could hear the music from the parking lot. Kenny put the Range Rover in park and turned off the ignition. She looked over at him and took a deep breath. “Are you sure that you need to do this tonight?” Kenny asked.
Seducca nodded her head. “Yes, I do. I don’t know what this lady is capable of.”
Kenny unbuckled his seat belt, “Baby, please don’t embarrass yourself or me. There are other pastors and our friends here.”
“The only one that’s going to be embarrassed is Taylor.”
Kenny sighed. “Let’s go,” he said, climbing out of the vehicle. Kenny walked around the vehicle and opened Seducca’s door then helped her out. With the document from the probate and her little silver clutch in one hand, she grabbed Kenny’s hand with the other. “You look beautiful,” he said, “so remember that. You don’t want someone taking pictures of you on their cell phone with your dress up over your head.”
She wanted to respond but he was right. She wanted to tell him how nice he looked in his black tuxedo but she felt too anxious for words as they neared the door. Her heart raced, seeing all of the people who had turned out. Kenny squeezed Seducca’s hand as they both put smiles on their faces. The atmosphere was serene with soft lighting and low jazz playing in the background. Although she still couldn’t quite figure out what Taylor was plotting with this little fête for Evan, Seducca had to admit that the banquet hall looked gorgeous.
Kenny leaned close to Seducca’s ear. “I see the pastors across the room; I’m going to speak to them.” He walked towards the men.
Seducca looked over and saw the husbands of Kree and Daniela talking with Greg as Kenny walked toward them. She could sense that Kenny wanted to avoid any fireworks tonight and she wanted to as well but Taylor’s charade had gone on long enough. Seeing Nina and a few other ladies huddled together with champagne glasses in their hands, Seducca headed in their direction.
Seducca heard Taylor’s loud distinct laugh above the music and chattering. She looked in her direction; the woman made her nauseous although she had to admit that Taylor was working that little black dress.
“There you are,” Nina said when Seducca approached.
“Hi,” Seducca said, hugging Nina and Evan. “You all look so beautiful.”
“So do you sweetie,” Evan said with a big smile.
“Everything looks so nice,” Seducca said looking around the room.
“Doesn’t it?” Kristy said. “Taylor and Nina did an amazing job.”
Seducca smiled, observing Kristy. The usual plain Jane was wearing a little blush and mascara, making her almost unrecognizable, and although her black polyester dress hung on her like a muumuu, she looked nice.
“Seducca,” Taylor said, clapping her hands and sashaying over toward her, “Yah! We were waiting on you.”
“Were you?” Seducca asked, looking around oddly. “Where’s David?” she asked, looking around the room.
“He couldn’t make it, ministry calls, you know,” Taylor said with a giant smile.
“This was an important occasion for you and he couldn’t make an exception just this once?” Seducca asked with her and Taylor’s eyes locking for a moment.
“He’s a dedicated guy like that,” Taylor said.
Seducca turned to the other ladies, “Where are the restrooms?”
Daniela pointed to the corner of the room where the word Restrooms hung.
“Thanks hun,” Seducca said before addressing Nina. “Can you help me with my dress?” she asked walking off toward the restroom, not waiting for Nina to answer. Sed turned down the hall of the bathroom and pulled Nina by the hand until they were clearly out of the view of everyone.
Nina’s eyes grew wide at Seducca pulling on her. “Sed, what are you doing?”
“Sorry, I need you to see something,” Sed said holding up the paper in her hand.
Nina looked confused, furrowing her professionally groomed brows. “What’s this?”
“I’ve got proof that T
aylor isn’t who she says that she is; she’s lying about everything.”
Nina refused to look at the paper but instead stared at Seducca. “Sed, seriously? You hate her that much that you’re trying to ruin this night for Evan and the other ladies? Don’t let the devil use you like this.”
Seducca folded her arms. “The devil isn’t using me Nina. She’s got you so blinded that you can’t see the truth.”
Nina pointed her finger. “Stop that. If you don’t like her, that’s one thing but I’m not going to let you do this right now. She did a great job putting this event together for Evan and we’re going to act like we appreciate it and we’re going to celebrate our sister without any drama or negativity.” Nina turned and walked away.
Seducca reached out and grabbed Nina’s arm. Nina stopped and turned to Seducca, snatching her arm from her grip. “Seducca!” she said, clinching her teeth together.
Seducca placed the paper in Nina’s face. “Taylor is married to Leon… as in Evan’s ex-husband Leon Ladson.”
Nina looked confused. She took the paper that was shoved in her face and began reading it.
“There is no David Light or Light Ministries. I told you so,” Seducca said.
Nina dropped her head and closed her eyes. “Can this be true?”
“It’s true, Nina.”
Nina read over the paper again with her mouth wide open. “I can’t believe this. How could I have let her deceive me like this?”
“None of us could have known, Nina,” Seducca sighed. “I’ve been following her and there’s no big house or church being built. But she did write some type of book and I’m going to confront her tonight about everything.”
Nina stared at the paper again. “No.”
Seducca frowned. “What do you mean, no?”
“I mean that this is not the time or place to confront her with this. It could turn out badly and ruin a wonderful evening.” Nina handed the paper back to Seducca.
The Believer Page 30