His First Lady (20 page)

A thousand thoughts ran through Evan’s body.
How could Leon embarrass and humiliate her so?

Ariel bit her bottom lip. “I’m sorry. That was out of line. Men are so insensitive sometimes. That’s probably something that you and Leon weren’t prepared to share publically just yet.”

Shaking her humiliation off, Evan smiled. “It was not out of line. Isn’t God good?”

It was all Evan knew to say. Embarrassed wasn’t the word she would use, mortified might have been better. How could everyone else know something that she barely knew about? What process of adoption? How were they in the process when she hadn’t even met with the agency and didn’t know what baby he was even referring to that was due in February?

Just as Evan looked to gracefully make her exit, Ariel’s face brightened as she looked and stepped past Evan.

“Candace Rivers, is that you?” Ariel asked with one hand on her hip.

Evan looked shocked when she turned to see that Ariel was referring to Candy who came running toward Ariel with Nina and Linda trailing behind. The two ladies let out a shriek of exuberance before embracing. Evan couldn’t help but be amazed at the visual display as she stood alongside the other two First ladies.

With an arm around Candy, Ariel turned to Evan. “This is my soror. I can’t believe she’s here. I haven’t seen her in ages.”

“Wow.” It was all Evan could say. She didn’t know if this changed how she felt about Candy or not. But being friendly with Ariel made a friendship certainly debatable.

Evan thanked the ladies for coming before feeling a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see a gaunt looking Katie standing behind her.

Evan immediately threw her arms around Katie and hugged her tightly. Her body felt thin and fragile. Forgetting that she was thanking the First ladies for coming, Evan pulled Katie to the side. Her unkempt appearance took Evan by surprise. Always maintained, Katie’s appearance didn’t seem like the Katie that Evan knew; she looked older, sadder, appearing to be a hanger for a larger woman’s clothing.

“I’m so happy to see you,” Evan said hugging her again. “How are you?”

Katie smiled. “I’m fine.”

“Wait,” Evan said causing Katie to pause. “Is Sundi okay? Where is she?” Evan rambled looking behind and around Katie for Sundi.

Katie’s eyes looked sad. “She’s not with me today. We’re living with my brother Kevin now outside the city. I heard about the ceremony and knew that it was time to come see you. The church is really growing, huh?”

Evan looked around then smiled at a disheveled looking Katie whose hair was in a frizzy bun; her eyes, tired and baggy. “It is. I’m so happy to see you; I’ve been so concerned.”

Katie looked down at the floor then over toward the choir. “I see that the choir is preparing for DC. They sound great and the pastor is getting everything he ever wanted.” Katie said looking around at all the hoopla.

Evan grabbed both of Katie’s hands and held them firmly. “Everybody really misses you two. I miss you. Do you need any help? Anything at all?” Evan asked unsure of how to suggest that even if Katie needed money, she wanted to help.

Katie shook her head. “I didn’t come to stay, First lady. I just wanted to tell you how much you’ve meant to me and Sundi. You’re resilient and I wish I were more like you.”

Evan looked down;
if Katie only knew
.

“I didn’t think I was strong enough to come back. It’s funny how God does what we can’t do.” Katie smiled. “By the way, you look very beautiful today, First lady.” With a quick hug, Katie walked off.

Evan stood mesmerized as she watched a thin and unusually frazzled appearing Katie walk off into the crowd. Evan looked around realizing that she had walked off from the First ladies that she had invited. Seeing Katie rattled her; everything about how Katie looked left her feeling sad.

She looked around but didn’t see the First ladies in the crowd. She decided to go quickly to her office and catch them on the way back. The last thing she wanted them to think about her right now was that she had been rude to them especially after she had invited them. She hurried through the crowd and out into the church’s office areas.

Approaching her office, Evan noticed a wrapped box on the floor in front of her door. She looked around to see if there was anyone that looked like they may have left it. She stepped up her pace and picked up the gift. She opened the card taped to it and it was addressed to her but there was no name identifying who it was from. She unlocked her door and walked inside her office. She stared at the package and examined it suspiciously. As she began to undo the tape, her phone rang.

Leon had shifted several times in his chair as he sat in his office looking at his watch. Clenching his teeth, he leaned back in the chair. He hated tardiness and anyone who knew him knew that. All eyes would be on him today and he made sure that the mayor and city council members were invited along with plenty of cameras and press. He had managed to make it to his office under the radar, expecting Aaron. Specific goal; get him in and get him out.

There was a knock at the door. He knew it was Aaron with that stupid knock like they were in some mafia movie. He reached inside his desk drawer, pulled out an envelope before looking in the small mirror that sat on his desk. He straightened his tie then cleared his throat.

“Come in.”

A sophisticatedly attired Aaron wearing a gray tailored suit and a huge grin walked in. Leon tilted his head curiously at him unable to figure out what could have amused him so. Leon sat stone faced nodding to Aaron to close the door behind him. With the door closed, Leon pushed the envelope forward on the desk.

“Pastor,” Aaron said picking up the envelope from the desk. “You’re looking sharp and ready for your close ups.”

“You as well,” Leon sighed taking a deep breath. “But my momma always said that you could dress up trash but it still stunk.”

Aaron laughed. “I like that one.”

Leon remained calm resisting the strong urge to jump up and grab Aaron by his collar and choke the very life out of him. He watched as Aaron opened the envelope and counted the money.

Leon saw on Aaron’s face that he was satisfied when he closed the envelope and slipped it inside his suit jacket pocket. “Now that you’ve got your money, we don’t have any more business with each other. No, I’ll do one better; I don’t even want to know you exist.”

“It’s extra for that,” Aaron joked.

Leon didn’t laugh. Nothing Aaron did or said would ever be funny to him. Leon stood up and grabbed his suit jacket. “Have a good day. I’ve got a ceremony to attend,” Leon said as he slipped on his jacket and adjusted his sleeves.

Aaron sat down causing Leon to pause, frozen in place.

“Actually Pastor, if you got a minute, I’d like to talk to you about a job.” Aaron sneered.

Leon looked astonished. “What!”

Aaron sat forward in the chair. “I need to make a living and we discussed me taking some pictures of the church at your house…remember?”

A bewildered Leon shook his head wondering if he was in the middle of a bad dream. “Are you serious?” Leon asked quickly getting angry. “Are you stupid or do you just think I am?”

Aaron shrugged his shoulders then grinned. “You act like it’s the worst thing you could do. This is a church; job search is a part of your ministry isn’t it?”

Leon folded his arms then looked up in the air. “You think you’re going to shake me down?”

“No, I don’t Pastor.” Aaron shook his head. “I just need a job and I’m trying to get my life together.”

Leon took a step toward him. “Just because you’re wearing a suit now doesn’t change the fact that you’re still the same thug walking down the street with your pants sagging sipping on a big gulp. You’re a joke.” Leon hissed with his entire face wearing his rage.

Aaron seemed unaffected by Leon’s ire. “Why are you so angry?”

The vein on the side of Leon’s head bulged as he fought the fiery adrenaline that tempted him to put his hands on Aaron. He bit his lip, thought about all the people that were waiting for him and calmed himself.

“Look boy,” Leon took a step closer to him, “we had a deal. You take care of my little problem, I pay you and no one would know any different. But instead you show up at my house, date my wife’s best friend, and now you want a job,” Leon said with his face trembling as he spoke. “This is a problem as I see it and I eliminate my problems.”

“Like you eliminated Sam?” Aaron asked with a sly smile on his face.

Leon felt fierce heat run from the top of his head through his entire body. He could restrain himself no longer. The more he looked at Aaron, the more he realized that his entire life was being threatened. Unable to control himself, Leon viciously grabbed Aaron around the neck pushing him with such force causing the front legs of the chair that Aaron sat in to raise off the floor and nearly flip backwards. Leon no longer considered that the commotion would alarm anyone or that someone would walk in. In this moment, he cared about nothing more than destroying Aaron.

The blow to Aaron seemed to take him by surprise but he responded by attempting to pry Leon’s hands from his neck. The two struggled and Aaron fell out of the chair onto the floor causing it and the one beside it to topple over. The two wrestled until Aaron was able to get on his knees then his feet. With Leon’s shirt collar gripped tightly in his hands, Aaron pushed Leon back causing Leon to fall back on his desk and the contents on the desk to end up on the floor.

A knock at the door startled them both. With their chests heaving, faces filled with fury, Leon and Aaron both froze still holding on tightly to the other. Aaron, who attempted to catch his breath let go of Leon and backed away from him. Leon sat up and coughed as he held onto his neck. There was another knock. Aaron scurried to pick up the chairs and place them back where they were. Leon got off the desk, straightened his shirt before picking up the fallen items on the floor.

“Who is it?” Leon asked clearing his throat as he bent over.

“It’s me,” Evan said.

Leon cursed under his breath. He looked around as Aaron hurriedly picked up everything from the floor.

“Are you okay?” Evan asked from outside of the door.

Leon paused realizing that he was sounding suspicious. “In a meeting, give me a minute,” Leon raised his voice so she could hear through the door.

Leon locked his eyes on Aaron who was tucking his shirt neatly back inside his slacks. Still catching his breath, he walked up close to Aaron. “You picked the wrong man to play games with, boy.”

The two glared at each other and neither flinched. Aaron gave a slight grin before walking to the door and opening it.

Evan had a look of surprise on her face as she eyed both men. “Hello,” Evan said. “Is everything okay?”

Aaron adjusted his suit jacket. “First lady,” Aaron nodded. “You look beautiful as usual.”

“Thank you,” Evan answered looking past Aaron at Leon as if wondering what was going on. “This is a nice yet unexpected surprise.”

Aaron looked back at Leon. “Your good husband has just offered me a job as the church photographer. The ceremony is my first assignment.”

Evan smiled and looked over at Leon. “Wow, that’s great. Congratulations!” Evan hugged him. “That’s one way to keep you at the church,” She said.

Leon continued straightening up the items on his desk. “Next week,” Leon managed to mutter; his fury making him unable to even look over in their direction.

Aaron looked at the ceiling then at Leon. “No, I thought today was what we discussed. It’s an important day for you and I want to make sure that every little detail is captured,” Aaron said as he crossed his arms.

Leon glared over at Aaron then looked away, remaining silent.

A perplexed looking Evan looked at Leon then back at Aaron. “Well, I suppose today is as good as any. I hope you’re ready for an exciting day.”

Aaron nodded. “I am,” He said then looked over at Leon, “Pastor, thank you again for everything.”

Leon walked around to the front of his desk and rummaged through the scattered papers. “I’ll get back with you on the specifics,” Leon said plopping down on his chair without looking at Aaron. Leon heard the door shut then looked up at Evan who was standing alone.

“You gave him a job?” Evan asked curiously. “I thought you didn’t like him although I’m glad to see that you’ve changed your mind.”

“I see you do,” Leon said sarcastically. “Throwing your arms around him like that.”

“What?” Evan asked.

“I still don’t like him,” Leon said as he sifted through the papers on his desk. “Are you ready?”

“I am.” Evan said.

Leon’s phone rang; it was Leanne. It was time. This is what he’d worked so hard for yet the elation seemed to evade him as his thoughts came back to the latest threat in his life, Aaron. He was becoming a problem; one that he had never anticipated sticking around.

Leon glanced at his watch. “I hadn’t realized what time it was,” He said to Leanne before hanging up.

“Whew!” Leon hollered out a bit as he hung up the line. He opened his desk drawer for a brush. He looked up at Evan. “It’s time. Do me a favor and go powder your face so you won’t look so splotchy. I know how you get about your pictures,” He said opening his office closet door and giving himself a once over in the full length mirror.

There hadn’t been any rest for Evan and Leon since the ceremony earlier that day. It had been one interview after another and they had shaken so many hands that she thought her fingers would never recover. Their cellphones were now set directly to voicemail and their house phone was still ringing nonstop. It wasn’t just friends and family congratulating Leon either but also the smaller media outlets that Leon neglected, wanting in on what this project would mean for the state.

The entire day had been exhausting and Evan had spent all of it making sure that Leon had everything he needed whenever he needed it; from handing handkerchiefs to dab off the sweat as he put his foot to the shovel to ensuring that his tie never strayed from position. She was glad to finally be home and now having had a hot shower, she could put her feet up as she and Leon both sat in the den glued to their flat screen for the 10:00 p.m. news broadcast of the church’s ground breaking.