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  Wearing a huge smile and a black sequin dress, Linda waved to the ladies seated around the table before focusing on Evan and hurrying her body, heavier than the last time Evan had seen her, around the table. Linda’s face was just as jubilant and refreshing as Evan remembered. Linda’s excitement caused her to hug Evan before Evan could stand up out of her chair completely.

  “Oh look at you, I’m so happy you’re here,” Linda said with watery eyes. “You look absolutely amazing.”

  “Thank you,” Evan replied, “and so do you.”

  Standing across the table from Evan and Linda, Taylor extended her right hand to Evan. “It’s nice to meet you First Lady Evan Ladson,” Taylor said.

  Before taking Taylor’s hand, Evan paused being caught off guard by the greeting. Her expression frozen, Evan glared at the pretty chocolate woman with the perfect powder pressed face and fabulous figure in the body hugging red dress.

  As if suddenly catching her mistake, Taylor placed her left hand over her mouth in embarrassment. “My apologies. Pharell,” Taylor said. “First Lady Pharell.”

  Evan maintained her smile toward the woman standing across from her who sported flawless gel nail tips and precisely applied coloring over her eyes and cheek bones. The woman’s smile revealed a wide mouth full of extremely white teeth. Taking a breath, Evan leaned forward across the table, shaking her hand. “Hello. Call me Evan.”

  “Evan,” Taylor nodded, “I’m Prophetess Taylor Coleman-Light. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard so many things about you.”

  “And Heavenly Father, we thank you for this fellowship and time with one another as we remember our sister Candy and celebrate her life and friendship, in Jesus’ name,” Nina prayed.

  “Amen,” the ladies all said around the table as they began digging in.

  The Chicken Cacciatore was delicious but with Nina’s display of beautiful mixed blooms, fine china and sparkling crystal glasses on the table, it was far from the main attraction. Nina conveniently sat Taylor directly across from Evan who made certain not to make eye contact with the woman to avoid igniting any conversation. No matter how badly Nina wanted them to hit it off, Evan wasn’t interested. The fact that their first meeting was awkward as the woman called Evan by her former last name hadn’t left a favorable impression.

  “Everything is so delicious, Nina,” Evan said, picking up a piece of chicken and a stalk of asparagus on her fork.

  “Good thing I wore red,” Taylor joked about the red wine sauce as she cut into the food on her plate.

  Seducca cut her eyes up at Taylor. “Good thing.”

  Taylor turned up a slick grin in response to Seducca’s remark before placing the fork in her mouth. Taylor looked up from her plate at Evan before taking another bite. “Evan, your daughter is absolutely adorable.”

  “Thank you,” Evan said glancing at Taylor, purposely short with the woman who had flipped her fake hair over her shoulder about ten times already. Evan had noticed Taylor staring at her all night as if awaiting a chance to make conversation, and finding an excuse in Gracie’s photographs.

  “Evan, how does your husband like being senior pastor of JMC now? I’m sure that was a big change,” Taylor asked before placing a forkful of chicken and peppers between her shiny red rouged lips.

  “He was JMC’s assistant pastor,” Evan answered not wanting to get into this line of questioning with a woman she didn’t know, “so his title changed more so than his role.”

  “Uh huh,” Taylor responded. “It’s just a blessing that he didn’t get taken down with Leon’s sunken ship.”

  Evan's eyes darted to Taylor. “Excuse me?”

  “I just mean that so many times in situations like that, it’s the people you don’t suspect, you know?” Taylor said.

  Evan dropped her fork and glared at the woman. Seducca interrupted. “So how exactly does one become a prophetess? I was always curious.”

  Taylor reluctantly turned her attention to Seducca. “You wouldn’t understand unless you were called to be a prophetess.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever met a prophetess who was younger than 60,” Daniela said, causing a few chuckles. “No, I’m so serious,” she explained.

  “I guess God chooses whomever he chooses,” Nina said, “but I bet it’s hard managing being a prophetess and a First Lady,” Nina said playing nice.

  Seducca rolled her heavy mascaraed eyes at Nina. “Not if you don’t have an active ministry and moving it from place to place.”

  Taylor swirled the wine around in her glass while maintaining her taut plastic smile. “Do you have a problem with me, Seducca? Because it seems like whenever you’re around me, you resort to being twelve again.”

  Seducca laughed and wiped her mouth with her napkin. “I don’t have a problem with you; I’m just trying to get to know you better,” she said.

  Kristy cleared her throat. “Taylor, we’re very happy to have you join our little group. We’re hard on each other sometimes but we love hard all the time.” Taylor smiled at Kristy.

  “Where is Light Ministries located?” Seducca asked, not letting up. “I asked my husband, Kenny, if he’s ever heard of you or your husband’s ministry and he hasn’t.”

  “Oh really?” Taylor furrowed her nicely arched brows. “That’s odd. Tell him to google Minister David Light and he’ll find him,” Taylor said, looking away from Seducca and picking up her fork.

  “I’ll be sure to do that,” Seducca said.

  “How long have you and David been in ministry?” Kree asked.

  “Twelve years. We originally started in Las Vegas but we chose to close that church and now we’ve brought Light ministries to Virginia.”

  Seducca’s eyebrows rose.

  “I love Vegas,” Linda said. “But picking up a ministry has got to be hard.”

  “Well, when the Lord says move then you just move,” Taylor said before taking a sip. “I’m sure that some of us have experienced that in our husbands' ministries at some point.”

  “We have,” Kristy said innocently, causing Seducca and Daniela to look in her direction. “And as a First Lady, you go where your husband goes.”

  “Exactly,” Taylor added, “and I’m also a freelance journalist so I’m free to follow my husband wherever God calls him.”

  “You’re a writer? That’s interesting,” Daniela asked. “What do you write?”

  “Editorials, research articles, short stories, whatever…” Taylor answered

  “Oh, I love to read,” Daniela said. “Do you ever write anything else like novels or non-fiction books?”

  Taylor laughed. “No, no. I don’t have the attention span most of the time to write anything more than 1500 words.”

  Seducca, nodded, keeping an eye on Taylor. “Uh huh, I’m just curious about something.” She pushed her plate back and crossed her arms on the table. “Why did you and your husband leave a thriving church in Vegas of all places to come here. Didn’t have enough souls to save in sin city?”

  “Oh, are there fewer sinners here?” Taylor asked.

  Seducca laughed, “I’m not saying that but they don’t call it sin city for no reason.”

  Staring at Seducca, Taylor’s cheeks turned up as if enjoying their little tit for tat. She placed her glass down and dabbed her mouth with the peach cloth napkin in her hand. “You don’t always know why God moves you. Sometimes, it’s a waiting process but we trust Him. In the meantime, our ministry is ongoing and blossoming.”

  “I’m sure it is,” Nina interjected, attempting to diffuse the tension between Seducca and Taylor, “I can’t wait to meet your husband and attend one of his services once you’re up and running.”

  “Count me in,” Kristy said, looking down the table from her seat at Taylor.

  Taylor nodded. “Of course.” Seducca stared at Taylor before rolling her eyes and picking up her wine glass.

  “Ladies, I’m going to change the subject and talk about the seminar. I’m so excited to hear
each one of you who will be sharing,” Nina said. “It’s really going to bless Sundi’s Courage.”

  “It’s going to be wonderful,” Kree said, tearing off a piece of a roll, “but I am a little nervous. I hate speaking in front of crowds.”

  Seducca looked around the table then at Nina. “I haven’t been asked to speak but you asked everyone else to. What’s that about?”

  Nina interlocked her fingers. “I haven’t asked everyone to speak, thank you,” Nina said to Seducca. “But I asked the Holy Spirit for direction in who I should ask to speak or who could contribute to the seminar in some other way. You have strengths in organization and that’s where I need you. Daniela is excellent at making programs, so she’ll be doing that.”

  Seducca’s eyebrows rose. “I’m still offended.”

  “I’m not,” Daniela interjected, leaning her head in Seducca’s direction. “I just want to help where I’m needed.”

  “I wouldn’t be offended either,” Taylor said, looking over at Seducca.

  Seducca stopped and glared at Taylor. “You’re not me and none of us have known you long enough for you to have an opinion that matters to us.”

  “Sed, come on,” Kristy said, with the other women looking embarrassed at the situation.

  “I’m just being real,” Seducca retorted.

  “Being real doesn’t have to be mean-spirited,” Taylor said. “I was just saying that sometimes you have to learn to be content with not always having the spotlight. This event is not about anyone’s ego.”

  Taylor’s words caused Seducca’s eyes to widen. “Are you serious?” she asked, putting her manicured hand up toward Taylor. “Please go somewhere with that nonsense.”

  Nina cleared her throat. “Ladies, ladies, please. I really want the seminar to be what God wants it to be. It’s not about who’s headlining but us all coming together so that women are set free and drawn closer to God.” Seducca rolled her eyes and picked up her fork again.

  “How is Sundi’s Courage coming along, Evan?” Linda asked changing the subject. “Do you ever need volunteers?”

  Evan lit up. “Always; let me know when you’re available. I’d love to have you help out.”

  “I will,” Linda said with a wink.

  Nina smiled at Evan. “Ladies, I visited the center and it’s wonderful. If you haven’t stopped by, you absolutely have to. I’m so excited that the seminar can bless it with a donation.”

  “I don’t know how to thank you,” Evan said, feeling emotional as she picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth. “I can’t thank you all enough.” Linda smiled as she rubbed Evan’s shoulder, causing her to blush.

  “No thanks needed,” Nina said, “but that means that we need to sell tickets, tickets and more tickets. We want to fill up that auditorium.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Kristy said with a giant smile. “I’m in.”

  “So am I,” Daniela added.

  “I’ll have the tickets for everyone to sell to the women in your congregations, to your friends and even your enemies,” Nina laughed.

  “Nina, I can’t tell you what this means to Sundi’s Courage,” Evan said.

  “Do you still keep in contact with Sundi?” Taylor asked Evan, drenching out the fire of emotion at the table.

  Evan overcame her inclination not to smile. “Yes, Sundi’s very close to our family. She takes such good care of Gracie, like a big sister.”

  Taylor shook her head. “Wow, she’s such a brave little girl. I’m amazed that her mother allows her to continue to come around you after what happened to her.”

  Evan’s emotional feelings of gratitude disappeared in shock as the clanking of eating utensils against porcelain plates resounded and faces were fixed with surprise in Taylor’s direction. Nina placed her napkin to her mouth and coughed. “I didn’t hurt her, Taylor,” Evan said.

  “Oh, and I didn’t mean to imply you did,” Taylor said with her heavily mascaraed brown eyes glaring back at Evan. “After all you were a victim of your ex-husband’s as well.”

  “You don’t know me well enough to speak on things that you know nothing about,” Evan shot back at Taylor with piercing eyes.

  “I agree, Taylor,” Kristy said in a soft voice from the far end of the table.

  Nina looked panicked, standing up from the table. “Would you ladies like anything else?”

  “Relax Nina,” Seducca smiled, watching the tension play out between Taylor and Evan.

  “Please don’t take it the wrong way Evan; I guess it just feels like I know you. I certainly admire you as the strong woman you are, surviving as you did.”

  “You admire me for the story that you assume you know?” Evan asked.

  Taylor smiled. “Evan, aside from every local paper and news station covering Leon’s trial, you and I also belong to the same church community. Your life is not exactly a secret.” Taylor folded her hands.

  “You’re so right,” Evan said breathing in heavily, “my life hasn’t been a secret but since the most you know about me is either what you’ve read in somebody’s column or seen on the news, let me assure you that you don’t know much and I’d appreciate you keeping your thoughts regarding me and my husband to yourself.”

  “Amen,” Seducca said sucking her teeth with a satisfying grin. Nina stared down at the plate in front of her in disappointment.

  Taylor rested her elbows on the table. “Sweetie, I certainly didn’t mean to offend you.”

  Evan pushed back from the table and stood up. “Sweetie, you didn’t. I just wanted to make sure we cleared the air.” Evan smiled. “Excuse me ladies, I’m going to the restroom.”

  “Certainly,” Nina said, looking at Taylor while Evan walked out of the dining area.

  Chapter 17

  The doorbell rang. Delilah frowned, sitting the cup of juice in front of DJ who was perched at the kitchen table eating saltine crackers. She had just sat down across from DJ and the way her legs were hurting, there was no way she was going to get to that door anytime soon. Whoever it was would just have to wait. She hoped that Cai would get it. The doorbell rang a second time.

  “Cai!” Delilah yelled out of the kitchen, causing DJ to jump at the thunderous sound of her voice. She patted his hand, “I’m sorry, grandma’s baby. I didn’t mean to make you jump.”

  It rang again. “Just a minute!” Delilah bellowed. “I ain’t gone break my neck trying to get to that door.”

  Delilah groaned and leaned over to see if she could see Cai in the hallway. “Cai!” she yelled out. “Can you get that cause I can’t get to it!” She looked over at DJ who was placing his tiny hands around his cup to take a sip.

  Cai heard the doorbell from her bedroom. There was no shortage of visitors since Devon died. They had lived in this neighborhood for so many years and Devon’s friends, acquaintances and even strangers who read his story had stopped by to give their condolences. She just wanted it all to be over. She wished that the killer would be found and that people would just leave them alone. She heard the doorbell again. Walking into her room from the shower with a towel wrapped around her thin body, she began drying herself off, hoping that Delilah would get her butt up and just answer the door. Tightening the towel around her, she sat on the edge of her bed that took up most of the tiny old bedroom. She didn’t know how she had stayed in it all of those years. With her bed and dresser and now bags of unpacked luggage, it might as well have been a closet.

  She missed New York and although her apartment was small, it was hers and she was free from this ghetto trap. Cai fell back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. She heard the doorbell again and then she heard Delilah scream her name. Cai stood up and tightened her towel. She snatched open the door and walked down the hall to the front door. She looked over at Delilah who was sitting with DJ at the small round kitchen table.

  “I can’t make it to the door,” Delilah said, looking over at her.

  With the towel still wrapped around her body, she hoped Delilah got the message that walk
ing from the shower to answer the door was a real inconvenience. Without bothering to find out who it was standing there, Cai snatched open the door. “Yes?” Cai asked the young boy standing in front of her with a large box tied with a big red bow.

  “Delivery for Cai Rice,” the young redheaded man said.

  “What is it?” It was the first thing that came to Cai's mind although she knew full well that the lanky pimple faced young man wouldn’t have a clue. She anxiously took the pen and signed on the line of the electronic pad. “Thank you,” she said taking the package from his hand and noticing the card attached.

  Closing the door, she rushed into the kitchen with the big box. Delilah’s eyes widened.

  “What in the world is that?” Delilah asked.

  “What in the world is that?” DJ repeated Delilah’s words, still looking down at his plate.

  Cai smiled as she began opening the card. “We’re about to see snuggle bug.” She read the card. I searched and couldn’t find anything more beautiful than you but these are close. Please have dinner with me. -Chief. Cai undid the bow and removed the lid from the box to reveal beautiful fresh long stemmed roses.

  “Wow,” Delilah said with a large smile, “Are those from the boy you left in New York?”

  “No, Chief Mason,” Cai answered.

  Bug eyed, Delilah’s face fell flat. “What? Chief Mason? He then gone and lost his mind!”

  Cai smiled, absorbing the sweet aroma the roses gave off. “They’re beautiful.”

  Delilah huffed. “That man’s the devil,” she said struggling to stand up with a bowl in her hand, “and he’s got a lot of nerve sending those. He needs to focus on Devon’s case.”

  “How’s he the devil?”

  “Anybody that loves the Lord ain’t gonna tell nobody that they can’t talk about the Lord cause of they job,” Delilah said.

  Cai ignored Delilah as she looked around their cramped and outdated kitchen that hadn’t changed at all since she was little. No matter how many coats of paint covered the wall, it never looked any better. She indeed was tired of living like they were living, if one could even call it living.