His First Lady Page 3

  Chapter 5

  Evan could have thrown her arms around Mimi when she saw her walk in with an armload of bags had her hands not been sticky with evidence of her poor attempt at making chocolate chip cookies. She hoped that Mimi remembered to bring the popcorn popper from the church’s kitchen.

  She and Mimi had been best friends since third grade at McCrae elementary school. Evan could still remember when Mimi showed up as the new girl in Mrs. Lindler’s class wearing crisp blue Jordache jeans and a bright fuzzy pink sweater. The rest of the 3rd graders instantly hated her but not Evan; she and Mimi became fast friends.

  Mimi was a stunner; certainly what most men would refer to as a brick house. With her creamy milk chocolate smooth skin, natural short curls and huge brown eyes, she was easily a head turner. She kept her body tight and balanced and her face was always made up flawlessly. If it had not been for their lifelong friendship and her love for Mimi as a sister, she might have felt a tad uncomfortable with how closely she and Leon worked.

  But Mimi’s distaste for Leon was no secret; even to Leon. Evan often wanted to remind her that Leon gave her a chance when she really needed one, exactly five years ago after working for one of the largest mortgage companies in the United States that went belly up. Mimi was on the verge of losing her home and her car when Leon told her to pick up and move near them then gave her the pastor’s assistant job at the church. Now, she was not only Leon’s assistant but was also in charge of overseeing the pastor and associate pastor’s offices, the preschool; employees and all. Mimi had grown and so had her paycheck from when she had started. But Evan kept her mouth shut.

  Evan grabbed a dish cloth and wiped her hands on it. “You’re late but I’ll forgive you because I really need you.”

  Mimi placed the bags on the marble stone counter and looked at the bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough. “You started the chocolate chip cookies?”

  Evan shrugged. “I did. Did you bring the popcorn popper?”

  “It’s in the car.” Mimi responded, raising an eyebrow at the chocolate chip mushy mess as she began removing items from her bags. “I am so excited for this weekend. We are going to get so fat this weekend because we’re baking homemade pizzas, turnovers, and more cookies baby,” Mimi said with a gigantic smile holding up sprinkles and cookie dough from the bag.

  Evan smiled at hearing the excitement in Mimi’s voice. Evan knew when she originally had this idea for a girl’s weekend that Mimi would be on board. Not only was Mimi on board but she was practically taking over which was fine with her because she needed Mimi. She was a girl’s girl: mani’s, pedi’s, make-up, dress-up and the like.

  “I’m so excited. I love sleep overs. We’re not only going to bake and eat but I have a full night planned for us. I must have bought every color of nail polish in the drug store,” Mimi said removing the nail colors out of the bag.

  Evan grinned. Yeah, she knew her friend really well.

  Evan placed her hand on her hip. “Did you add bible study on your list?”

  Mimi turned toward Evan. “Of course.” She grinned displaying the deep dimple in her left cheek. “Lighten up.”

  Evan laughed. “I am lightening up.” Evan took a deep breath. “It’s just that I’m concerned about the girls in our church ever since I talked with Sundi. I still have no idea what’s going on with her so I want to use this time to get them to open up a little bit.”

  “…And for them to have fun.” Mimi interjected. “This is not church.”

  “Of course,” Evan said with a wink.

  “Well, act like that’s important,” Mimi said stretching her already large eyes.

  “I’m just nervous.”

  “Speaking of nervous, where’s the good pastor?” Mimi asked gathering the recyclable shopping bags together.

  Evan looked away from Mimi not wanting to get into any conversation that would take away from the anticipated joy of the weekend. “Why? Does he make you nervous?”

  “Hardly, he doesn’t have that kind of power over me.”

  Evan sighed; cutting her eyes over at Mimi.

  “I just want this to be a nice atmosphere without him ruining the energy,” Mimi said retracting as if sensing that Evan was getting annoyed.

  “He’ll be here, Mimi.”

  “Oh joy,” Mimi said folding up the shopping bags and placing them all together. “Are you joining him at the Pastor’s conference?”

  Evan looked up at Mimi curiously. “No, why would I?”

  “Why wouldn’t you?”

  “He didn’t say anything about that. Besides, I was under the impression that First ladies weren’t invited.”

  Mimi rolled her eyes as she rolled up her sleeves preparing to wash her hands. “Who gave you that impression, Leon? Yes, First ladies attend. They even have a First ladies luncheon that the wives attend on the first day of the Pastor’s conference. I used to book everything for him; I know.”

  “I never knew that.”

  “I always figured that you didn’t want to go. It’s on the conference agenda,” Mimi responded walking over to the sink and washing her hands. “He could have mentioned it. He never ceases to amaze me.”

  “Maybe he just didn’t think about it.”

  Mimi laughed. “Evan, you know this isn’t Leon’s first rodeo. It’s on his itinerary.”

  Evan tried hard to hide her disappointment seeing that she had been trying to schedule time with Leon and he hadn’t even mentioned this possibility.

  “Who knows, I might accompany him but right now, I’m going to concentrate on this weekend and I know he’s just as excited about this weekend as I am. He’s even talked about making it bigger like renting out the skating rink or something.”

  “Yeah, okay,” Mimi said, as if unconvinced.

  “Don’t start.” Evan looked over at Mimi who began rolling cookie dough into balls. “Give him a break.”

  Mimi stopped rolling and looked at Evan. “You’re always taking up for him. How genuine is he if he’s never invited you to any of the Pastor’s conferences that he attends every year?”

  Evan felt herself getting annoyed at the conversation already. “Mimi, the pastor is my husband.”

  Mimi stopped placing the cookie balls on the pan and glared at Evan. “Really?”

  Evan regretted it as soon as she said it. “Come on; let’s just have a great time with the girls.”

  Mimi made a face then smiled. “We’ll discuss the good pastor later then.”

  Evan shook her head. “No, we won’t. He’s our pastor and your boss so I think you should remember that.”

  “You mean your boss?” Mimi grimaced. “…cause the church employs me.”

  Evan began wiping down the counter then stopped and looked at Mimi. “Come on, Mimi.”

  “Yes, come on Mimi. I’m not that bad,” Leon’s deep voice interrupted their conversation causing them both to look over at him as he leaned back in the kitchen doorway with his legs and arms crossed.

  His voice caused instant pause; even causing Evan to jump just a little upon hearing his voice. She awkwardly smiled. “Hey baby.”

  Leon walked in with a sly grin and kissed Evan on the cheek then turned his attention to Mimi.

  “It’s good to see you Mimi; blessing the First lady as usual I see,” Leon commented grabbing an apple out of the crystal bowl on the kitchen island.

  Evan and Mimi looked at each other; Mimi smiled. Leon’s appearance had caught them both off guard. Evan continued wiping the kitchen counter ignoring the tense atmosphere that had become the norm between her husband and her best friend.

  “Leon,” Mimi said seemingly embarrassed. “How are you today?”

  “Fine, thank you.” Leon answered.

  Mimi picked up the baking pan and placed the cookies in the oven. “I’m going to check on everything,” Mimi said walking out of the kitchen and toward the family room.

  Evan eyed Leon who seemed to have an attitude watching Mimi walk out of the kitchen
.

  “You’ve been busy,” Leon said looking around at the platters of food.

  Evan nodded. “Yes, there is so much to do today. I’m so excited about this whole weekend though.”

  “I bet,” Leon said staring at Evan. “With all that you have to do, I’m surprised that you have time to gossip with Mimi.”

  Evan frowned. “We weren’t gossiping.”

  “What were you doing?” Leon asked taking a bite out of his apple leaning on the counter.

  “Talking about how exciting this weekend is going to be.”

  Leon nodded. “Oh, ok. Anyway, I think it’s highly inappropriate for you to allow her to bad mouth me in my own home. Maybe you should find some new friends; like wives of other pastors.”

  Leon was smiling but he was also being sarcastic and Evan knew it. But she didn’t want to start the weekend off on a bad note.

  “If you heard us Leon, you know that I was taking up for you.”

  “Take up for me?” Leon asked angrily.

  “I apologize,” She said as she walked over to him and planted her lips on his cheek.

  The phone rang; Evan’s picked up the cordless receiver from the kitchen counter.

  “Hi Katie,” Evan said looking over at Leon who was sneaking chips out of the chip bowl on the table. “Are you and Sundi on your way?”

  Evan looked over at Leon who was eyeing her intensely as she listened to Katie. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” Evan said before covering the mouth piece of the phone with her hand and looking over at Leon whose eyes were on her. “Sundi’s sick, she won’t be coming.”

  Leon quickly walked over and grabbed the phone from Evan. “Hi Katie, its Pastor; what’s wrong with Sundi?”

  Evan stood watching Leon furious that he had snatched the phone from her like he did. He nodded silently while Katie spoke.

  “Do you need me to do anything?” Leon asked.

  There was a pause as Evan waited wishing she had the nerve to snatch the phone back from him, questioning Katie like that.

  “Oh, well tell her that the pastor is thinking about her and wishes she could have attended and that the First lady and I hope she feels better.”

  Leon hung up the phone then walked past Evan.

  “Why did you snatch the phone like that?” Evan asked.

  “Sundi’s sick, she’s not coming,” Leon said.

  “I could have told you that had you not been so rude,”

  Leon shrugged his shoulders. “You’re so sensitive.”

  Evan shook her head in agitation. “You do rude things to me and you don’t think twice about it.”

  “I’m too busy for this right now Evan and from the looks of it, you are too.” Leon threw the half eaten apple in the trash can and walked out of the kitchen.

  Chapter 6

  Evan brought up the folded clothes from the laundry room that Rosalie had left downstairs yesterday. It was hard for her to keep from smiling as she was bursting with excitement over the surprise she had for Leon. While he fussed about his black and gray argyle dress socks, rummaging through his drawers and the closet, she had found them in the clothes basket and packed them before sitting down on the bed beside his suitcase.

  “I found the socks. Rosalie left them in the laundry room,” Evan said as Leon walked out of the closet with an arm full of clothes.

  “She needs to make sure to have the clothes folded and in our drawers on the days that she’s here. What good is it going to do us if we have to go searching for clothes because she can’t remember to put them where they belong? What is she getting paid for?”

  Evan hadn’t wanted to get him started because she knew how he could get. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

  Leon nodded. “I agree; that’s why I don’t know why they were left downstairs. How hard can it be?” Leon frowned. “Do I have to speak Spanish in order for her to understand me?”

  Evan took a deep breath hating when Leon acted that way. She forced a smile on her face determined not to ruin this moment. “Anyway, I have a big surprise for you.”

  Leon looked at her suspiciously but kept packing his bags.

  “I looked online and surprisingly was able to book a seat on your flight. I won’t be able to sit with you but that’s fine as long as I get on.”

  Leon stopped arranging his clothes in the suitcase and stood up upright, glaring at her.

  “What?” he asked with a bewildered look on his face. “You booked a seat on my flight?”

  Evan jumped up and threw her arms around his neck nestling her face in it. “Yes, I thought I’d surprise you. I’m going with you.”

  Leon removed her arms from around his neck. “No, you’re not.” Leon walked back into the closet.

  Evan stood in place arms still up as he’d left them, totally feeling like she had just been punched in the guts. She was convinced that Leon must have been joking because she had gone through so much to get booked on his flight and attend the pastor’s conference with him.

  “Why not?” It was all she could muster up to ask.

  “It’s a Pastor’s conference not a First ladies conference,” Leon snapped back from the closet.

  Leon’s harsh tone sent waves down Evan’s spine. She was usually good about concealing her emotions but she wasn’t able to hide them this time.

  “There will be wives attending with their husbands, Leon.”

  “What makes you think that?” Leon asked coming out of the closet with an attitude.

  “I heard,” Evan said hesitantly.

  “You heard wrong.” Leon pressed down hard on his suitcase. “I think they would have told us if wives could attend. It’s going to be a busy conference and I wouldn’t have time for you anyways.”

  “I can wait in the hotel room and spend time with you at night,” Evan pleaded. “I won’t even bother you. I just want to be with you.”

  Leon stopped and looked at her. “It’s a conference that is really just for pastors to network and grow. We’re not going to have time for spouses who I don’t think can even attend.”

  Evan looked confused. “Leon, it’s a Christian conference. Why would they have a problem with pastor’s wives attending? That sounds crazy.” Evan sat on her vanity chair and begging with her eyes for him to change his mind. “I can’t get a refund now on the ticket because it was so last minute.”

  “Then this is a learning experience for you,” Leon said trying to make a little more room in his suitcase. “Can you make sure that my travel case is packed with my razor, my shaving cream, and everything?”

  Without answering, Evan stared at Leon then stood up and walked to their bathroom and began throwing Leon’s personal items in his travel case. She took a deep breath trying to calm herself down but tears ran down her pretty face and it was hard to control those. She wanted to scream, she wanted to shake him, she wanted to do so many things but she couldn’t do anything but what he asked her to do. She had seen the conference agenda and knew for a fact that other wives were attending.

  When she looked up to grab his razor from the cabinet, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She stared for a second. She certainly should have made sure that she had put a little bit of foundation or blush on or something. Leon hated when she looked a mess. She looked over at her makeup bag and removed a tube of gloss and put it on her lips. She pulled her hair out of her ponytail and put her hand through her curls. She walked back out to the bedroom and handed the travel case to Leon who placed it in his suitcase.

  “Leon, I really just thought that this could be like a mini vacation for us. We don’t spend enough time alone without interruptions.”

  “This is the life we signed up for; the life God called us to,” He said with a grunt placing his luggage on the floor. “Besides, I need you here at the church. The First lady should be here if I’m not,” Leon responded walking inside their closet. “Have you seen the new cuff links that First Nazareth gave me?”

  Evan started not to answer him b
ut she did. “Yes.” She walked in the closet behind him and opened his accessory drawer and pulled out a box from the back. She handed the silver box to him.

  “There they are,” Leon said grabbing the box from Evan’s hand and walking back into the bedroom.

  “Since when?” Evan asked crossing her arms and following him back into the bedroom.

  Leon looked over at her with a grimace. “Since when what?”

  “Since when do I need to be at the church if you’re not there? Greg is there, other ministers and the board. I don’t ever have to be there. It’s not like anyone ever calls on me to make major decisions.”

  “Stop.” The look Leon gave Evan was a stern rebuke that she was not going to challenge.

  Leon looked at his watch then grabbed his garment bag off of the closet hook.

  “Are you ready because I need to get to the airport?” He asked grabbing the handle of his rolling bag.

  Evan looked at him without an answer then walked off to the closet to get her purse. Grabbing her purse off of the closet shelf, she looked down at her packed suitcases in the corner. A wave of sadness overwhelmed her. She wiped her eyes, threw back her shoulders, and headed downstairs after Leon.

  Chapter 7

  Leon slid his card into his hotel room lock as the bellman stood behind him. He opened the door and walked into the spacious hotel room. The bellman followed his lead and laid the garment bag on the arm of the sofa and placed Leon’s other bags in the corner. Leon thanked him and slid his hand in his pocket for a few dollars to give the young man who closed the door behind himself.

  Leon looked around the spacious suite but before walking over to the large window that looked down 20 stories, he walked toward the sound of humming. He smiled. He began walking toward the back where the humming was coming from.