When Perfection Fails (7 page)

Lenora stepped back and smiled. “You are all beautiful. Candace, I do believe you picked a bridesmaid dress that works for everyone.”

Candace beamed. “I believe so myself. Angel, turn around again.”

The young woman was radiant as she twirled in the lavender cocktail-length dress. “Candace, this is nice. I like how it fits right above the knee.”

Beulah Samuels, a stylist in Candace's salon and her maid-of-honor, sashayed. “Girl, even an old woman like me with these hips don't look half bad.”

All the women laughed. Lenora noticed tears in Candace's eyes as she watched the last bridesmaid arrive from the dressing room. While her right arm was in a cast, Candace's daughter, Rachel, looked beautiful. The dress showed off Rachel's long legs. Candace walked over and hugged her not-so-little girl.

Lenora noticed there was still a bruise on Rachel's face from the accident last Thursday. She took a deep breath and tried to enjoy the special moment. It was with relief that both Keith and Rachel were on the mend, but Lenora was still angry. This beautiful girl should not have to have her arm in a cast on her mother's wedding day.

She turned away to compose her face. Lenora felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Ms. Fredricka, how are you doing?”

“I'm good. I'm so happy to see these women getting ready for Candace's big day.” Fredricka Roberts winked. “We have to make sure my granddaughter, Angel, will have her day soon.”

Lenora looked over at Angel. “She and I have talked. I think after participating in Candace and Darnell's wedding, she will be ready to set a date. How are you getting along?”

Fredricka had a stroke last year, but seemed to be getting around more with her walker. “Good days and bad days, but I'm glad to be here. How are you? I know you must still be upset about the children's accident. Have they found anyone yet?”

Lenora must have not done a very good job of hiding her emotions. Of course, Ms. Fredricka was a pretty sharp woman. Lenora shook her head. “No, ma'am. It does make me angry that this coward walked away from an accident he or she caused.”

“How's your son?”

“Keith is getting better, still in a lot of pain, though.” Lenora swallowed, surprised by the tears that flooded her eyes. This was not like her to feel so out of control with her emotions. “It could have been worse, and that's the scary part.”

Fredricka touched Lenora's arm. “I know. Sometimes it's those scary moments that remind us we need to draw closer to God, although we shouldn't wait for the bad things to happen.”

Lenora leaned over and wrapped her arms around Fredricka's petite, frail shoulders. She pulled back and smiled. “You are a very wise woman.”

“Honey, I'm old enough to have earned some wisdom.” Fredricka winked.

Lenora laughed.

“Lenora!”

Lenora turned to look at who had shouted her name. She widened her eyes, and then glared at her visitor.
What in the world is she doing here?

She walked over and strained to keep her voice quiet and civil. “Charmayne, I'm with clients. What are you doing here?”

Charmayne's short hair was sticking up on her head like the woman had decided she wanted to rip her hair out. “We need to talk.
Now
.”

Lenora turned around and caught Candace's attention. “I'm sorry for the interruption. Candace, I will have Sarah take notes of any adjustments needed for the bridesmaid dresses. Everyone looked pretty good to me though.”

Candace was watching Charmayne. She glanced at Lenora and said, “Sure, we will touch base when you're finished.”

Lenora mouthed a “thank you” to her.

She turned toward Charmayne, who appeared to be swaying. Lenora grabbed her arm. “Let's go to my office before you embarrass yourself and me.”

Getting Charmayne to the office was no easy feat as her troubled friend leaned into her and proceeded to cry softly. Lenora guided her to the chair in front of her desk. Charmayne collapsed in the chair. Lenora closed the door and sat in the chair next to her. She swung the chair around to face her friend. “What is going on with you?”

“Someone is trying to destroy me,” Charmayne whined.

Lenora sat back. “Really? Who's out to get Charmayne now?” She got up from her seat. “I can't believe you came in here like this. I'm like your last friend, but I don't need you to come with your pity party.”

“Listen to me, Lenora.”

Lenora shook her head. “I told you the other day I'm through with you. You get mean and ugly when you are like this. I don't know why I bother with you.”

Charmayne brushed her short hair off her face. “Will you listen to me? I'm sorry, but I need your help.”

Lenora paced the floor. She didn't want to be close to Charmayne because she had visions of smacking some sense into her. For the life of her, she didn't know how Charmayne kept this destructive side of herself from the public. Maybe this was what Eliza was referring to the other day. Now Lenora was starting to see the bigger picture here. The people in Charmayne's district did deserve better.

She took a deep breath and spoke slowly. “Charmayne, I spoke to Jonathan. He has not decided anything yet. You said yourself that the people support you. Really, you are acting like it's the end of the world.”

“No, no. You don't understand.” Charmayne picked up her bag. She pulled an envelope out of her bag, and with trembling fingers, she unclasped the envelope. “Somebody is threatening me.” She pulled paper-clipped papers out of the envelope and slapped them on Lenora's desk. “Look at this.”

Lenora looked down at what appeared to be a newspaper article. There was a note held by a paper clip on top of the article. She reached for the document. Then she grabbed her stomach as a wave of nausea washed over her body. She read the note again . . . and again.

She lifted her eyes to look at Charmayne.

Charmayne was visibly crying. “It's not fair. I'm sorry for that night. I've made up for it.”

Fear shook Lenora's body as she thought about the words she had just spoken to Fredricka a few minutes before.
It does make me angry that this coward walked away from an accident he or she caused.
The hypocrisy of those words rocked Lenora as she stared at the note.

Somebody knew. Lenora couldn't even claim innocence. She was just as much a coward as Charmayne was that night.

Jonathan shook hands with Wes Cade. “It's good to see you, Wes. What can I do for my favorite WYNN reporter?”

Wes chuckled. “Thanks, Pastor Freeman. I appreciate the support.”

“Well, come in. Let's catch up.” Jonathan opened his office, and Wes followed. It was still hard to get used to, but he was slowly making it his own. The big desk in the middle was a favorite and had been around for a long time. Jonathan walked around it and sat down.

Wes sat. “Well, I came to talk to you about a personal matter, but I wondered if you wouldn't have a word to share about your son's accident.”

Jonathan sighed. “I just want to continue to say what I have been saying. I hope the person who left the scene of the accident will come forward and turn themselves into the police. This could have been more serious.”

Wes questioned, “What if no one comes forward to admit responsibility, Pastor? How will that affect your family?”

Jonathan thought for a moment. “I won't sit here and pretend that it won't be difficult, but our family will forgive and move on so we can all heal.”

Wes nodded. “I do hope we can draw out the person responsible for the accident.”

“Thank you, Wes. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. You know I was hoping you would come see me soon. If I'm not mistaken from talking to your buddy, Darnell Jackson, didn't you two get engaged around the same time last year?”

Wes sank down in the seat. “You're right. One of the reasons why I wanted to come talk to you was to discuss some issues.”

“Issues, son?”

Wes rubbed the arms of the chair. “Yes, sir. You know Angel and I are members of Darnell and Candace's wedding party next month.”

“That's right. I think I did see you on the list that my wife shared with me. It will be good for both of you to watch a Christian couple walk down the aisle. Those two have been through a lot, and I'm sure you and Angel can relate.”

“Yes, Darnell and Candace have both been great mentors to us. In fact, Angel and I admire you and the First Lady Freeman too.”

Jonathan's smile faltered a bit. If only this young man knew the troubles on the home front. “Thank you, Wes. All marriages have good times and bad times. It's how the husband and wife both respond to those difficulties. You have to include God in the mix.”

Wes said, “I know marriage won't be a honeymoon for long. I just . . .”

Jonathan leaned back in his seat. “Speak, son. Are you having doubts?”

“No, I'm not. I wonder if Angel is having doubts. She said yes, but it seems that trying to get a wedding date is impossible.”

Wes got up from the seat and twisted his hands. He turned to Jonathan. “I have tried to be patient. She had to work out finally being able to mourn her mother. Her family had to get through the trial of the man responsible for her mother's death. Ms. Fredricka has had a long road, but she has bounced back from the stroke.”

Jonathan interrupted, “But Angel is the one who still doesn't want to set a date yet?”

Wes sat down. “She's excited about Candace's wedding, and I asked her the other day out of frustration, ‘When will it be our time?' She just looked at me and walked away. I think I pushed too far. Pastor, I have to know. I'm a man. I have needs.”

It was Jonathan's turn to chuckle. Then he started to reflect on his own marriage. The intimate part of his relationship with Lenora had been lacking for some time. It was easy to overlook with all that has happened, but last night he did want to be close to her. And his wife was the most emotionally distant she had ever been from him at that time.

“Wes, all I can say is if you really want to marry Angel, don't push her. You don't want to pressure her into the marriage. She obviously loves you. I know that from just seeing her interacting and talking with my wife. She needs to know she can trust you and you will be there for her through the ups and downs.”

Wes sighed. “I love her so much. I know I have been guilty of pushing her forward before she was ready. I even think maybe I should have waited longer to propose.”

“I tell you what, why don't you two come in together for counseling.”

“Counseling? Is that necessary?”

“It is if you want to know if this is the right decision for both of you. Yes, I think we need to ask the hard questions. Maybe get to the root of some issues. It is either going to drive you closer together or reveal some problems that may need to be addressed before you walk down the aisle.”

Wes hung his head. “Wow, I don't know if I want to know, but I guess you are right. I'll talk to Angel. I believe she is at your wife's boutique getting fitted for a bridesmaid's dress.”

Jonathan nodded. “Good, let's make plans to talk next week. Knowing my wife the way I know her, I imagine Angel is hearing similar advice right now.”

Wes grinned. “I would love to be a fly on the wall.” He grimaced. “Or not.”

Both men laughed.

“Hey, I need to go, but I was wondering if I could ask you something else. It's more about you and your plans.”

Jonathan frowned. “My plans?”

Wes inquired, “Are you thinking about running for office?”

Jonathan stared at him, and then sighed. “You know, it's hard to keep conversations confidential in this day and age.”

Wes widened his eyes. “So, it's true?”

“I'm just considering. I don't have to make a decision to file for candidacy until July. I'm not quite sure how this is getting around or why my consideration seems to be stirring up controversy.”

Wes responded. “Probably because of your competition, Pastor. Charmayne Hudson is expected to run for a fourth term. I hear she has intentions of running for mayor in the future.”

Jonathan leaned forward. “Wes, I hope you won't quote me on this as we were here talking about other matters.”

“No, sir. I wouldn't do that.”

“Good, because I want you to know that I don't consider this some competitive sport. After much prayer, I will pursue this race if I feel it's the best action to take. I really don't need the media or anyone blowing this out of proportion.”

“Oh, I know that, Pastor. It's just that you got to be prepared. How will the campaign affect you, your family, or Victory Gospel?”

“I'm giving all of the above some thought.”

“Good!” Wes leaned over and held out his hand. “I appreciate your time.”

Jonathan stood and shook hands. “Not a problem. You and your future wife come see me and let's talk. See if we can get a date for my wife to start planning your wedding.”

“Will do.” Wes turned to go, but hesitated before walking through the door. He turned around. “Just to let you know, I had a chance to really cover the last campaign with Charmayne Hudson. I don't know if you remember those attack ads. She created some real enemies.”

“Thanks for the warning, Wes.”

Wes nodded and left.

Jonathan leaned back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head. Deep in his heart he knew where his decision was turning toward. He didn't want to shake up the community or his own family, but he was well aware of Charmayne's ways. She learned them from the best.

Her father.

Jonathan heard on many occasions some choice words from his own father about the bishop. Pastor Jeremiah felt Bishop Hudson chose tactics at the expense of other people, in particular the very people who attended the church Bishop Hudson founded, Greater Heights Church.

Knowing Charmayne was cut from the same cloth, Jonathan had no doubt she would scheme to get her way. The fact that she purposely upset Lenora this week, telling his wife information before he had a chance, didn't sit well with him. Jonathan was aware on past occasions how Charmayne manipulated Lenora.

He'd seen many people come and go out of their lives. Jonathan couldn't figure out why Lenora insisted keeping Charmayne in her inner circle. Why did his wife feel obligated to
that
woman?