The short drive to Lakeview Baptist seemed longer than usual.
“I’ve got to go check on my chair,” Pearl announced as she parked the car. “I’ll see you in the church.”
The first person Pearl ran into was Wade when she entered the doors leading to the administration building. Choir members gathered in one of the classrooms to wait for their processional. She pasted on a smile and prayed that Paige had decided to stay inside the sanctuary.
“Good morning, Pearl,” Wade greeted warmly.
“’Morning,” she responded.
He glanced around before saying, “I had fun yesterday. Thank you for the tour.”
“You don’t have to keep thanking me. I didn’t mind at all.”
Pearl changed the subject when a couple of church members walked by. “I’m going to need to pick up some new music for the choir.”
“Just leave the information on my desk, if you will. I’ll take a look at everything and get back to you.”
“The proposal’s ready. I’ll drop it off in your office right now.” Pearl cleared her throat softly. “See you around, Pastor.”
She moved around him, walking with purpose. Pearl nodded at a few people on her way to the classroom where the choir members had gathered.
Pearl heard someone call out her name and stopped walking. She turned around to find Justine Raymond coming toward her, swinging her wide hips from left to right.
“I need to talk to you for a minute,” the woman called.
Clenching her mouth tight, Pearl waited for Justine to reach her. No matter how hard she tried to get along with Justine, there was always drama in one form or another.
“I saw you talking to Pastor Kendrick.” Lowering her voice to a whisper, she asked, “He is so fine, don’t you think?”
“Justine—”
“Girl, you know he is, just admit it.” Her smile disappeared. “You trying to get with him?”
“No. Not at all.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. Because I’m definitely trying to make him mine.” Justine tried unsuccessfully to pull down the tight-fitting sweater dress she was wearing. “Give me about six months and, girl, you gonna be singing at our wedding.”
Pearl laughed to cover her annoyance. “Good luck with that, Justine.”
“You think I’m playing, but I’m dead serious. That man is mine.”
“Justine, I don’t want to be rude but I have to check on my choir. I need to get them lined up and ready to march in.”
“I just wanted to let you know what’s up, so you wouldn’t be wasting your time.” Justine sashayed down the hall, her long burnished red mane bobbing as she walked.
Pearl stared after her, shaking her head in disbelief. How dare she confront me like this? She knew Justine was just being her usual self, running her mouth and thinking every man in Lakeview Baptist was interested in her.
The real question was why she was so bothered by it?
Wade had just walked into his office when Barbara suddenly appeared in the doorway with her niece; a tall, curvaceous young woman with shiny black curls hanging down her back.
“This is Marnie. She’s my sister’s youngest child. Dr. Marnie Anderson.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Anderson.”
“Just call me Marnie, Pastor.” Her eyes traveled down the length of his body. “Auntie has told me so many wonderful things about you. I enjoyed your sermon this morning.”
“Thank you.” He felt her eyes rake over him, and looked for an escape.
Relief washed over him when he spotted Pearl walking by his office. Rushing to the doorway, he impulsively called out to her, “Sister Pearl.”
To Barbara and Marnie, he uttered, “Excuse me, please,” as he left the office.
Pearl waited for him to catch up.
“What’s up?”
“I…” Wade cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I just needed to—”
“Escape?” Pearl interjected with a chuckle. “Pastor, are you using me to get away from the doctor and her matchmaking aunt?”
“Guilty. I hope I haven’t offended you.”
She laughed. “Actually, I think it’s funny. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you out to your car but, you know, you owe me.”
“What do you have in mind?”
She shrugged in response. “Let me give it some thought.”
Wade stole a peek over his shoulder. Barbara and her niece were standing outside his office, watching his verbal exchange with Pearl.
“Doesn’t look like they’re going anywhere, Pastor. My guess is that you should just go back there and turn her down gently.”
Pearl didn’t bother to hide the amusement in her voice. She was having fun at his expense. “You should see the look on your face.”
“You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“Seeing you look uncomfortable? Yeah, I am. Enjoy the rest of your day, Pastor.”
“Pastor,” Barbara said loudly, interrupting their conversation.
Pearl peeked around him. “Oh, don’t worry about owing me that favor now. I don’t think they’re going to let you get away so easily.”
He could hear her chuckling as she walked away.
Sighing in resignation, Wade walked back over to where Barbara and Marnie stood.
“Pastor, I was just telling Auntie that you should join us this afternoon for Sunday dinner. I hate to brag but I can throw down in the kitchen.”
Wade searched for an excuse to turn down the invitation. “I don’t want to inconvenience you and Barbara. Thank you for the invite. Another time perhaps.”
Marnie looked like she wanted to try to change his mind but she clamped her mouth shut.
Barbara spoke up. “My niece is telling the truth, Pastor. She can cook up a storm.”
“We’ll give Pastor advance notice the next time, Auntie. This will give me time to really impress him with my skills.” She winked at Wade. “Why don’t we plan on one night during the week?”
He couldn’t believe Marnie flirted so brazenly in front of her aunt. To him, it showed a lack of respect. He cleared his throat noisily before saying, “I’ll check my calendar and get back to you.”
The next morning, Wade was at the church earlier than usual.
He eyed the date on the calendar with a heavy heart.
November twelfth.
Today was his father’s birthday. Wade opened his wallet, revealing a family photograph. He recalled how happy they were the day that picture was taken.
His father died a month later. His death left a void in Wade’s life, in all of their lives, really. His mother suddenly found herself a widow and the head of their household. Jeff looked to him as a father figure and Wade…he sought to reclaim all that he’d lost—a sense of family. A sense of belonging.
The Chicago Kings provided that for him. Before his death, Wade’s father worked diligently to keep the city safe from gang violence. If he knew that his son had joined a gang—something he was so against—he would be so disappointed in him.
“Maybe if you were still here, Jeff would still be alive,” he said to his father.
Wade didn’t doubt that he would have ended up preaching, he’d had that calling on his life since he was a child. His paternal grandfather was a minister and Wade used to spend a lot of time with him at his church. He’d always felt at home in the pulpit.
A second photo in the wallet was one of his grandparents. They died in a car accident the year before his father was killed. He had just begun to get over their deaths when he lost his dad.
Wade picked up the cupcake he purchased earlier. “Happy birthday, Dad,” he whispered before taking a bite.
He could hear the telephone ringing and his secretary’s voice when she answered. A few seconds later, she put the call through.
“Hello.”
“Wade, this is Uncle Harold. How are you?”
“I’m doing okay,” he responded. “I guess you know what day it is.”
“Yeah. It’s your father’s birthday today.”
“He was a great man. I…” Wade’s voice died. There were no words to describe his feelings at the moment. He idolized his father and knowing that he’d let him down by getting Jeff killed only made Wade feel worse.
“I had a feeling I’d find you here.”
Startled, Pearl glanced over her shoulder. “Luther, I didn’t hear you walk up. You nearly scared me to death.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She tried to shake off the momentary feeling of fear she’d experienced. “How on earth did you know I’d be here? I didn’t tell anyone I was coming to the cemetery.”
Luther Biggens walked slowly up the hill to where Pearl sat cross-legged on the grass. He walked with a slight limp, the result of his stepping on a land mine during his Navy SEAL days. The leg he lost had been replaced by a prosthetic limb. His father and hers had been close friends since childhood. Luther was the big brother she’d never had and she adored him.
“I was actually driving by and I saw your car.”
Pearl reached forward, tracing the letters on her father’s headstone. “I know this may sound strange to you but when I come out here, I feel close to my parents. I miss them so much.”
Luther nodded in understanding. “I miss them, too.”
“I was just telling them about the demo.”
“Have you heard back from any of the record companies?”
Shaking her head, Pearl answered, “Not yet. Hopefully, I’ll hear something soon.”
He smiled. “You will. Pearl, you’re an incredible singer and songwriter.”
“Let’s hope that the record companies feel the same way. I’m getting tired of working all those doubles at Milton’s. Luther, all I want to do is sing. It’s all I’ve ever wanted and dreamed about. Some days I just know I’m going to make it but then on other days…I’m not that confident.”
“I have all the confidence in the world because you want it so badly. It’s all you’ve ever talked about.”
“Maybe I’m asking too much. Maybe this isn’t going to happen for me. I—”
Luther interrupted her by saying, “Don’t do that. You can’t start thinking negatively.”
“You’re right.” Pearl glanced up at Luther. “Would you like to have lunch with me? I’m starving and if I don’t eat something soon, I’m going to pass out.”
“We can’t have that,” he responded with a smile. “There’s nothing I’d like better than to have lunch with you.”
“Unless it’s with Ruby,” Pearl murmured.
“What are you talking about?”
Laughing, Pearl murmured, “Nothing, Luther. Nothing at all.” She allowed Luther to assist her to her feet.
“Instead of matchmaking, why don’t you find a man for yourself?”
“Ouch.”
He chuckled.
They walked side by side down the grassy hillside toward their cars. “I can’t believe you just said that to me, Luther.”
He cast a look in her direction. “Why? Don’t you ever think about settling down? I heard you caught the bouquet at Roger’s wedding.”
“It was practically handed to me. Cassie threw it straight at me because I was with Wade. I think she was aiming for him. But, yeah. I’d like to settle down one day. I just need to find Mr. Right.”
“What about your pastor?”
“Wade?” Unlocking her car, Pearl asked, “What about him?”
“I hear he’s a single man. He seems nice enough.”
Pearl glanced back at Luther. “And?”
“You don’t have any interest in him?”
“Why would you ask me something like that?” Pearl questioned. Frowning, she asked. “Have you been talking to my sisters?”
Luther headed to his car but not before querying, “Where are we eating?”
“Just follow me.”
They drove to a nearby restaurant. After being seated and placing their orders, Pearl and Luther settled down to catch up. The subject of education came up.
“I really wish Ruby would let this go,” Pearl said.
“Your mother made her promise to make sure that you and your sisters went to college and finished your education. Ruby’s just trying to keep her word.”
“I understand all that, Luther. But I need Ruby to understand that I’m a singer. I want to sing.”
“She knows,” Luther stated. “Ruby wants you to achieve your dreams. She’s very proud of you.”
“I know that. My sister wants me to do both—sing and get my degree. It’s just that I’m not interested in going back to school. Opal’s in college and she’s graduating soon. That should be enough for now.”
“What’s Amber been up to?”
“Being Amber,” responded Pearl. “You know my sister. She’s the one Ruby should be worried about.” She sliced off a piece of grilled chicken and stuck it into her mouth. “What have you been up to, Luther? I don’t think I’ve seen you since the family reunion.”
“We just opened a new dealership in Auburn Hills.”
“Congratulations,” Pearl murmured. “So what is it this time? Mercedes, Honda or BMW?”
“Honda,” Luther responded.
“I have some friends over in Auburn Hills. I’ll let them know so they can check out the dealership.”
“Please do. I want to sell as many cars as I can.” Luther wiped his mouth with the corner of his napkin. “Did you save room for dessert?”
Pearl laughed. “Now, you know I always have room for dessert.” She reached for her glass and took a sip of water. “You’re going to have Thanksgiving dinner with us, right?”
Luther nodded. “Looking forward to it.”
When their waiter arrived, Pearl and Luther placed orders for the pumpkin cheesecake.
“Are you going to the game tomorrow night?” Pearl asked.
“I’ll be out of town for a meeting. I leave tonight for San Francisco. I’ll be watching it on television though.”
“I had to switch shifts with a coworker so that I could go. I didn’t want to miss it.”
“My dad once told me when Aunt Crystal was pregnant with you, your father was convinced that you were a boy, so he went out and bought you a basketball before you were born.”
“I loved that basketball,” Pearl murmured. “I remember when Daddy taught me how to dribble. I think I was about five or six. We had such a good time with him. And not enough with Mama. I wish they were both still here with us.”
Luther nodded in understanding.
Their desserts arrived.
Pearl dived into her cheesecake. “Mmmm…this is delicious.”
There was little conversation while they ate.
Pearl pulled her wallet out of her purse. “Thanks for having lunch with me.”
“Keep your money,” Luther said. “I’m paying.”
“No, Luther, I invited you to lunch. This is my treat.”
“Next time.”
She smiled. “You say that all the time.”
Luther paid the check and they left the restaurant.
Pearl gave him a hug. “It’s so good seeing you. Safe travel to San Francisco.”
He embraced her and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll call you when I get back.”
They went in opposite directions upon leaving the parking lot. Pearl headed home to take a short nap before having to work the dinner shift.
Her thoughts turned to Wade as she passed the exit she took to the church. A brief shiver rippled through her when she recalled how much fun she had showing him around Mackinac Island.
He wasn’t as bad as she first imagined, Pearl decided with a smile.
But was he the Mr. Right she spoke of?
Pearl was crushed. She shuddered inwardly just at the thought.
The Chargers lost to San Antonio by a mere two points.
Pearl shook her head sadly, swallowing the despair in her throat. “I guess we should
head out,” she said to Paige. “Let’s round up the family.” Opal was at the game with D’marcus, and so was Amber, sitting in another section.
Her cell phone rang.
It was Amber. “Meet us at Sterling’s Café.”
“Okay. We’re on our way.” Pearl clicked off. After a home game, it was their routine to meet at the café or one of the other restaurants located inside The Palace of Auburn Hills.
“Isn’t that Pastor up ahead of us?” Paige asked, standing on tiptoe.
Pearl followed her gaze. “Yeah, that’s him.” They actually had something in common.
Unbelievable.
After walking into the lobby area, she speeded up, hoping to catch Wade before he had a chance to leave. “C’mon, Paige. Hurry up.”
“What’s the rush?”
“I want to say hello to Pastor.”
“Why do I need to rush? You want to talk to him, not me.”
Pearl took her cousin by the hand. “I don’t want him to think anything other than we just bumped into him.”
He was a few yards away, spurring her to walk a little faster. She wanted to catch Wade before he made it to the exit.
“Hello, Pastor,” Pearl said as she tapped him on the shoulder.
Wade turned around, facing them. “Hello, ladies. Did you enjoy the game?”
Ignoring his formal tone, Pearl confessed, “I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more if we’d won.”
She glanced over at Paige, silently urging her to say something.
Anything.
Her cousin caught the hint. “We didn’t know you liked basketball, Pastor.”
“It’s one of my favorite sports,” he replied.
Pearl was relieved when she glimpsed Opal, D’marcus and Amber walking toward them.
“Did you meet D’marcus Armstrong at the reunion?” she asked when the trio joined them.
He nodded. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Armstrong. The Chargers played well tonight.”
“That’s all anyone can ask. We were about to grab some coffee at Sterling’s Café. Care to join us, Pastor?” D’marcus asked.
Checking his watch, Wade answered, “I can stay for one cup of coffee.”
Pearl glanced over at Opal and Paige. They were grinning from ear to ear. “Don’t start,” she mouthed.
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