Can I Get an Amen

by Janice Sims

  Finally, Valerie became the aggressor and asked Norman out. At work, her department was responsible for designing a television commercial which had won their company a prestigious Clio Award, and Delta Airlines honored them with a dinner dance at the Red Oaks Country Club. Without hesitation, Norman accepted and teased her about all the time they had begun to spend together and about how much he enjoyed it. Her mouth throbbed as she told him that the feeling was mutual.

  Five

  My baby deserves my help and that’s what he’s going to get, Mother Maybelle thought, staring at Valerie talking with Norman outside the church before morning worship began.

  Mother Maybelle had gotten the scoop that Norman and Valerie had been going out after choir rehearsals. That was a step in the right direction, but she didn’t think he’d actually told Valerie how he really felt about her. The world would end before he did, Mother Maybelle thought. She put her hand on her hip and thought some more. It was plain to anyone who was around them that there were enough sparks between Norman and Valerie to set the towering inferno ablaze again. She had no idea who they were trying to fool. Surely not her, because she’d seen plenty of couples in love in her day. An idea sprang to mind, and Mother Maybelle knew what she was going to do.

  She approached Valerie and Norman, each stride fluid. Valerie looked at Mother Maybelle and smiled in earnest. Norman kissed Mother Maybelle on the cheek and she brightened, her face radiant with good cheer.

  “Good morning, Mother Maybelle,” Valerie stated. “It feels like spring is in the air today, doesn’t it?” She noted that a few birds flew overhead, although none of the flowers were yet in bloom.

  “Yes, it is, sugar. Everyone’s talking about how pretty the day turned out,” she said, gently touching Valerie’s shoulder. “As a matter of fact, I was hoping to see you today.”

  “Really, Mother Maybelle, about what?”

  “I want you to come and have Sunday lunch with me after church today.”

  Valerie looked at Norman, searching his face for an answer to the invitation, since they’d already planned to do something. Just then, Valerie remembered that she had tentatively accepted a lunch invitation from Mother Maybelle several weeks prior. Norman nodded.

  Valerie still had reservations—especially about doing it that day. She’d already promised to go out with Norman. “Are you sure that you want to have lunch with me?” she asked Mother Maybelle.

  “Yes, very sure. And obviously, you don’t know who I am,” Mother Maybelle boasted with great pride, squaring her shoulders. “No one refuses Mother Maybelle!”

  “In that case, I’d be happy to have lunch with you,” Valerie informed her, not knowing how much she’d made the older woman’s day.

  “Now you’re talking,” Mother Maybelle quipped. “Norman baby, you’ll come, too.”

  The prospect of having lunch with Mother Maybelle was nerve-racking for Valerie. Throughout the service, her heart thudded in her chest every time she thought about how she would have to play off how she really felt about Norman so that Mother Maybelle wouldn’t find out. Part of her didn’t mind any excuse to spend time with Norman. Another part of her didn’t want to be that close to him because she knew that something in her actions would betray the fact that she was becoming more attracted to him by the day.

  After church, Valerie and Norman waited for Mother Maybelle outside of the building. It took her a while to meet them because she had to talk with various people about their problems along the way. Others stopped her to say “Hey,” and to compliment her on her ensemble with the matching hat and accessories.

  Valerie received equal compliments on how well she wore her peach linen coatdress, accented by a brown silk scarf. Together, she and Mother Maybelle represented some of the finest fashions worn by the ladies of Red Oaks Christian Fellowship.

  When Mother Maybelle finally made her way to Valerie and Norman, she insisted that they ride to her house in her gleaming gold Cadillac.

  A short ride later, Valerie oohed and aahed at the sight of the sprawling traditional-style ranch house that Mother Maybelle called home. Stepping inside, she saw that it looked like one which could have been featured in Better Homes & Gardens or Architectural Digest. Mother Maybelle gave her the grand tour, showing off her spacious dressing area, master bedroom suite, and the beautiful artwork that hung on the walls. The place was a mini-mansion, accentuated by beautiful objets d’art which she’d collected during her travels around the world. Silently, Valerie hoped she’d grow up and live that well.

  “I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour, y’all, because it’s time to eat,” Mother Maybelle announced, leading Valerie and Norman toward the front of the house. “Y’all go on in the living room and make yourselves comfy.”

  “May I help you with something?” Valerie asked, headed into the fully-equipped modern kitchen.

  “No, sugar. I got this. You’re my guest, so you sit down and relax. I’ll call y’all when lunch is ready.” Mother Maybelle washed her hands and tied a frilly apron around her waist. What she didn’t say was that all she wanted Valerie to do was take care of her darling foster son and make him happy. In the meantime, she was going to put smiles on their faces with some of the best down home country cooking they’d ever eaten.

  It was difficult for Valerie and Norman to choose a video to watch because Mother Maybelle’s selection was vast. Norman took the initiative and made the decision for them. He grabbed the remote and began flipping through the channels. Finally, he stopped when he got to the movie, Mission Impossible. During a commercial break, he flipped channels again and found an Atlanta Braves game. They alternated between watching the movie and the game.

  Valerie and Norman sat close together on the large, plush sofa, their bodies rubbing each other’s. The game was at a high point, with the Braves stealing bases and winning, when Mother Maybelle called them to lunch. Norman switched off the set before they went into the dining room.

  Valerie gawked at the spread on the table and wondered where she’d put it all. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble, Mother Maybelle,” Valerie said, her stomach growling from the aroma and sight of the food. The table looked like it had been prepared by a world-class chef. “A sandwich would have been fine.”

  Mother Maybelle harrumphed. “Sugar, please. That’s why y’all young folks are so sickly today—always hurting and under the doctor—because you don’t know how to eat. You have to feed your body well in order for it to stay healthy. Please, don’t get me started. Now, sit down and let’s bless this food before it gets cold!”

  They all sat down, grace was said, and Mother Maybelle began to pass the steaming platters of food around the table. There was golden brown fried chicken, chopped barbeque sandwiches, macaroni salad, potato salad, pre-buttered sweet corn on the cob, string beans with new potatoes and ham, and a pitcher of sweet tea with fresh spearmint.

  “Don’t nary one of y’all get up from this table until you’re full, you hear me?” Mother Maybelle laughed. “If this ain’t enough, there’s more on the stove. And please, save a corner for dessert!”

  “Yes, ma’am,” they replied, filling their plates with a little of everything.

  Valerie bit into a plump chicken leg and ate a forkful of potato salad. “Mother Maybelle, this food is so good it’ll make you want to slap somebody, as my daddy always says.”

  “Thank you, Valerie.” A powerful sense of relief filled her because she loved to cook and wanted her guests to enjoy themselves and eat as if they were at home.

  Norman was so busy enjoying the chopped barbecue sandwich topped with the family’s spicy sauce, that it took him a little while to add his comments. “Mother Maybelle, you outdid yourself. You put your foot in this food,” he finally said.

  “Thank you baby. You know I had to make your favorite, but enough about the food.” She gaped at the pair pop-eyed, not blinking once. “Let’s talk about what’s up with the two of y’all.”

  Valerie and Norman
looked at each other, both covering their mouths so their food wouldn’t show. “What’s up with us? What do you mean?” Valerie asked. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise and she felt a sudden spurt of adrenaline coursing through her veins.

  Mother Maybelle looked over the glasses perched on the tip of her nose, and rolled her eyes. “Norman, you better tell this gal about my cooking spoon. Don’t play all shy and innocent with me,” she advised them. She dished up some macaroni salad and put a chicken wing on her plate, sprinkling some hot sauce on it. “A blind man could see how much y’all are feeling each other.”

  They laughed, and Valerie blinked with surprise. “She knows the young folks’ slang, Valerie, and uses it pretty well, I might add,” Norman told her. “I never said anything—”

  “No, you didn’t, in words, but it’s obvious from the way you look at Valerie. I mean, she’s a lovely young lady, and talented, too. She’s a strong Christian, so what’s your malfunction? Why aren’t you two together?”

  “Mother Maybelle—” Valerie attempted to say in her defense.

  “Don’t Mother Maybelle me,” she warned, wagging her finger at her.

  Norman felt a lecture coming on.

  “Y’all listen to me and don’t say one word until I’m through. It’s clear that y’all are in love with each other, and you’re both single. I know that because I already checked you out, Valerie.”

  Valerie’s mouth hung agape.

  “Close your mouth, sugar, before something gets in it,” Mother Maybelle scolded. “That’s right, nothing goes on at Red Oaks Christian Fellowship that I don’t know about. What I don’t know, I’ll find out. Pardon me for being biased, but in terms of good men, Norman’s as fine as they come, she told Valerie.

  “Thank you for your vote of confidence in me, Mother Maybelle,” he responded. “I’d prefer to speak up for myself—in my own time—if you don’t mind.”

  Mother Maybelle continued her brand of kitchen wisdom after taking a few bites of corn and a swig of tea. “Men and women were put on this earth to be together, to marry, not to be alone. I know the way y’all are feeling that it’s probably hard to keep your hands off each other. I was young once, too, and I can tell you all about having an itch that needed scratching—but I won’t. I’m going to let you read all about that subject for yourselves in the word and make your own decisions.”

  Heat stole into Valerie’s face and she grew hot with embarrassment. Her face flushed with shame. “We’re just friends.”

  Mother Maybelle gawked at Valerie in disbelief. “You’re trying to convince yourself? I’m not buying one bit of that mess you’re telling me! I know what I see. You two are as in love as any couple can be. Besides, how many weddings have I gone to where the couples were ‘just friends’?” she mocked, putting her hands on her hips. Seeing that everyone was finished eating, she cleared the table, loaded the dishwasher, and brought out the dessert: lemon butter pound cake and homemade vanilla ice cream.

  “You’re playing dirty, Mother Maybelle!” Norman exclaimed. “You know how much I love your pound cake and ice cream. When did you have time to do all this?”

  She shot him a furtive glance, knowing what he was trying to do. “Don’t think I’m through with y’all yet, because I’m not!”

  Mother Maybelle sat down with a piece of cake and scoop of ice cream. “If God sends true love your way, you better grab it. It doesn’t usually happen twice in a lifetime. Y’all don’t want to grow old alone. I’m old and alone now, and I wouldn’t wish this loneliness on anyone.” Her features fell, her face darkening with pain. A look of melancholy came over her countenance.

  In all the years Norman had known Mother Maybelle, she’d never shown any vulnerability until that moment. “You have a lot of friends, and everyone loves you. Don’t you know that?” he asked, taking her hand in his and kissing it.

  “Yes, baby, but it’s not the same as having someone warm laying next to you on a cold night, or having someone who can warm your feet up or just cut the fool with whenever you want to. You want someone who’s going to love you and think you’re nine feet tall—whether you are dressed up in a tuxedo or looking busted with sleep in your eyes and morning breath. Those are the things that are important in life. Don’t blow your chance of having that, okay? Valerie is the woman who can make you happy. Look at her—she’s built right nice and is a sturdy enough woman to bear you some babies. You need to stop being so slow and handle your business. If you study long, you study wrong. Remember that.”

  Valerie sat speechless, watching them talk about her as if she weren’t there and as Norman promised that he’d do the right thing—whatever that meant. Mother Maybelle continued lecturing them about love, marriage, and the importance of having a mate, while she plied them with scrumptious food to ensure they wouldn’t go anywhere.

  Norman’s heart filled with love as he looked at Mother Maybelle. No one but she could invite him and a beautiful woman for lunch, feed them royally, then get all in their business. Thoughts of her putting up with his shenanigans and pranks throughout his childhood until her endless nights of prayer straightened him out, flashed before him. He couldn’t be mad at her. She’d proven time and again that she loved him. After all he’d put her through, she was still there for him—unconditionally—and he knew that everything she did now was out of love.

  Mother Maybelle was best known for dipping in everybody’s business, but she was also known for her big heart filled with nothing but love. When she loved, she loved hard, and Norman could attest to that. No matter how unconventional her methods were, she had the wisdom of the elders, and she was right about one thing: he was head over heels about Valerie. Nothing would stop him from winning her love and making her his.

  Valerie’s eyes widened innocently. Inappropriately serene, she sniffed with haughty denial at what Mother Maybelle had said. She knew the wise old sage was right, and she felt as if the guilt she harbored inside would eat her alive. She also knew that she couldn’t open up her heart to any man or she’d get hurt again. Lucas had made her believe he’d marry her, then left without one word. As far as she knew, Norman could do the same—or worse—and she wasn’t taking that kind of risk.

  Six

  “Church, before we dismiss and have the benediction, I want to say something.” Reverend Avery adjusted the mike he wore on his collar, making his way to the podium. He rubbed his bald head, deep in thought. The Hammond organ, piano, and band stopped playing, in deference to him. “I want to remind each and every one of you to buy your tickets for the church picnic coming up in two weeks.” He chuckled before infusing a little levity into the morning’s service. “Fellas, this is the right kind of date to ask that lady you’ve had your eye on for some time to attend with you. Ladies, if you like him, make his day and accept. I’m not performing nearly enough weddings. The weatherman promises a beautiful, unseasonably warm March day. Tickets are only $50 for adults, $15 for children, and are available in the Faith Circle office area in the lobby. Amen?”

  Cries of amen filled the air.

  “Put it on your calendar or in your Palm Pilot, and come on out and fellowship with each other. Meet someone you don’t know and start a new friendship. I promise there will be something fun for everyone—from Junior to Big Mama. There’ll be lots of mouth-watering food, games, prizes, fishing, music, entertainment, and more. I want each one to bring one, and let’s all have a good time in the Lord. Amen! Stand on your feet, church, and let’s go home.” He bowed his head and began his closing prayer.

  Witness sang a soulful seven-bar chorus of “Amen,” and the organist sent the members dancing up the aisles with his hip medley of standard recessionals.

  As soon as church let out, Mother Maybelle sauntered down the aisle to the choir loft to watch Norman as he asked Valerie to be his date for the church picnic. She knew her foster son and figured that he’d ask her before anyone else did. She also knew that he could handle himself when it came to women. Mother Maybelle wa
s very aware that Norman would’ve had a fit if she helped him out anymore, but she was prepared—if he wanted it. She didn’t care that she was being nosy, because that’s just what she did.

  Mother Maybelle’s ebony eyes sparkled when she witnessed Norman and Valerie engrossed in conversation. She liked Valerie and thought she was a perfect match for Norman. Her thoughts raced far beyond the couple dating. Her mind was already on their wedding. She placed herself in the best position to see and hear everything clearly. Mother Maybelle knew that what she was about to overhear would be good. She didn’t intend to miss a word and fixed her face so that anyone coming near her would know not to disturb her right then.

  Valerie unzipped her robe and folded it over her arm as Norman stared at her with adoration. She smiled under his scrutiny, when his eyes stopped long enough to enjoy the curve of her ample hips and the swell of her soft, shapely bosom, accentuated by the tailored rose-colored pantsuit she wore so well. “You know, Reverend Avery made a good point about what he said about asking the woman you like to the picnic, Valerie,” Norman said.

  Her heart skipped at least two beats upon hearing Norman’s revelation, of sorts. “Yes, he did. He has a really nice sense of humor,” she added, not playing along with Norman.

  He moved a little closer to Valerie and stroked a stray curl from her face. She inhaled a sharp breath at the familiar awareness between them. She tried to forget a pulsing knot that had formed in her stomach.

  “Valerie, would you be my date at the church picnic?” Norman breathed.

  Her head told her to resist, but her heart wouldn’t let her. “Yes, Norman, I’ll be your date. Thanks for asking.”