- Home
- Davis Boyles, Kym
His First Lady Page 9
His First Lady Read online
Page 9
The dogs were still barking. Emily frowned and sat up. “Sammy!” She yelled out for him. “Those dogs are still barking!”
She shook her head in frustration. How was she going to get any sleep with those dogs barking like that? Sam knew she had to get her hair done in the morning. Why wasn’t he answering her? Emily pulled the covers off of her and got out of bed to see what was taking Sam so long. Emily turned on the hall light and walked toward the kitchen. She stopped and gasped seeing Sam on the floor. She screamed, ran to Sam and fell in front of him.
“Sammy!” Emily screamed Sam’s name and slapped him on his face. She kept screaming his name and began crying as her heart pounded. She got up and ran to the phone on the wall and dialed 911.
Emily yelled into the phone at the operator as she continued screaming in between her tears. Emily dropped the phone and ran back over to Sam. She screamed Sam’s name again then began CPR. She pushed on his chest but there was nothing. She cried out to God and began her counts again as she pumped on his chest. She checked to see if he was breathing but there was nothing. She counted again loudly between her tears and pressed on his chest but there was no movement.
“Please Sammy,” she cried collapsing on his chest. “Please don’t leave me! Please God; don’t take him away from me!”
Restless, Leon had tossed and turned in bed all night. He didn’t want to wake Evan so he had gotten up. She’d only make matters worse with her questions. He had walked the floor earlier and watched a little TV but nothing passed the time quite like he wished. Now that he’d gotten back in bed, he lay on his back staring at the ceiling before turning over on his side facing Evan who was on her side facing away from him.
He stared at the back of her head remembering a time when he loved to spoon her and lay behind her all night holding her. Oh well, that was then. He shifted and turned the opposite way and lay on his other side. He glared at the clock on the nightstand. It was 1:30 in the morning. Then his cell phone rang, he quickly answered it.
“Yeah,”
“It’s finished,” The heavy voice said before the line went silent.
Leon closed his eyes and smiled. He placed the cellphone back on the nightstand with a sigh of relief. It was over. He lay back on his back maintaining his smile.
Chapter 18
It had been a sad day all around for everyone that loved Sam. Evan had been in a daze ever since she and Leon had received the call. The news was unbelievable until they had arrived at Sam and Emily’s home which was crawling with police and realized that it was all true. Sam and Emily’s home had been transformed to what Evan could only describe as something out of a movie scene. When Evan realized that Sam was still lying on the floor in the home, she thought she’d vomit. She had never seen the tragedy of such a death before.
She and Leon walked into the living room where a distraught Emily sat with Greg and an investigator who attempted to question her without success. Emily sat motionless in a state of shock on the living room sofa with a blanket around her shoulders. The investigator gave Evan permission to get a few of Emily’s personal things to take with her. When Leon explained to Emily that it was time for her to leave with them, a distraught Emily kicked and screamed refusing to leave Sam alone. As Emily clung to the chair, Leon held her legs and Greg carried her to their car.
Now at their home, Emily had been resting for hours in the guest room. Evan was protective of her but soon found out that she did so unnecessarily. As soon as Emily found out that people began arriving and calling for her, she insisted on seeing and speaking to them. In all of her church life, Evan had never seen so much outpouring of love for anyone. There were so many church folk, friends, and coworkers who adored Sam and came to support Emily that it was unreal but after spending time with Emily, it was easy to see why.
The funeral hadn’t even occurred yet and food was everywhere but Emily would have none. As Evan sat with Emily, Mimi called out to get her attention. Evan excused herself and walked into the kitchen.
Mimi threw her arms up in the air. “There’s so much food that I’m not sure where to put everything.” Mimi said as she began arranging coffee cups on a platter to take out into the living room and the dining room areas.
Evan was trying to keep herself together while keeping everything organized. She was so thankful for Mimi who seemed always prepared for such times as this. Evan looked at the food that was scattered about the kitchen and felt overwhelmed realizing how blessed Sam and Emily were to have been so loved.
“Okay, let’s get some trays, separate some of it, and get some of the ladies together to make some plates and take it to our seniors,” Evan said starting to separate the bowls and platters of food around the kitchen.
“Go back in there. I’ve got this,” Mimi said placing some food in the refrigerator.
Evan nodded then headed back out. She looked over at Leon who flitted around the room shaking the hands of some and hugging others. Evan shifted her focus to Emily who was still sitting as a crowd sat around her. Emily looked over at Evan who rushed over to her getting the sense from Emily that it was all becoming overwhelming.
Evan reached out and touched Emily’s arm. “Emily, would you like to lay down?”
Emily nodded. “Yes, please.”
Evan ushered Emily out of the group of people that surrounded her and helped her walk upstairs to the guest room.
Emily cried walking up the staircase. “I’m so sorry, I thought I was ready. Everyone has been so thoughtful.”
“Don’t apologize Emily, You need some rest.”
“I wonder where my Sammy is. I don’t know where they’re going to take him. I should be with him.”
Evan didn’t know how to respond as they reached the top of the stairs. She opened the guest bedroom door. “Um, Emily I think they’re still investigating and then they’ll release him to you so that he can be taken to the funeral home.”
She walked in and sat on the bed. Emily stared in Evan’s face for a second then forced a smile. Evan opened the closet door and took out some towels.
“Emily, if you need anything please don’t hesitate to let me know. I mean anything. I have everything you need in the bathroom.”
Emily nodded sitting on the bed and staring off not looking at Evan. “I should’ve waited to call 911 and just performed CPR on Sammy. Did you know that I was a nurse for thirty years? I panicked Evan. I just panicked.”
Evan sat down next to Emily. “He was already gone. There was nothing you could do. You did the right thing.”
Emily put her hands to her face and began crying. “I was in there. I was in the bedroom and I didn’t even know that somebody was in our house. Why would they hurt Sammy? He never hurt anybody!”
Evan didn’t know what to say. There just weren’t any answers. She just prayed that Emily’s children would arrive soon because Emily really needed them.
“What am I going to do without him?” Emily cried out. “I can’t live without Sammy.” Evan wrapped her arms around Emily. The ladies held each other tightly as they both allowed the tears to run down their faces. Evan sat and listened to Emily until Emily fell asleep shortly after. Evan knew that no matter what anyone said, it wouldn’t be enough.
Chapter 19
Closing Emily’s door, Evan walked down the hall toward her bedroom hearing the chatter of the crowd below. She walked into her bedroom and closed the door. She stood staring out of her bedroom window at the cars parked in front of and on the side of their house and those still pulling in. She wondered if any one of those visiting her home could be Sam’s killer. Yes, it was possible that a killer was in her house. She was shaken out of her thoughts when Leon walked in the bedroom.
“What are you doing? There are a lot of people downstairs,” He said walking over to their mirror and admiring himself.
“I was just thinking,” She said turning around to face him.
“About what?” Leon asked rubbing his palms over his wavy, neatly taped hair.
Evan walked over to their bed and sat down. “I wonder who could have possibly done this? I mean, Sam didn’t seem to have an enemy in the world, they didn’t take anything from the house and they didn’t hurt Emily.”
“That’s what the police get paid to do; not you,” Leon replied. “Besides, we only know what Emily has told us,” Leon said adjusting his tie still looking in the mirror.
Evan’s eyebrows rose in curiosity. “Are you serious?”
Leon turned around and looked at her. “Yes, I’m serious.”
“You aren’t suggesting that Emily had something to do with this?” Evan asked with a disgusted look on her face.
“I’m saying that we only know what Emily told us.” Leon shrugged his shoulders. “It’s strange that Emily didn’t hear anything; didn’t notice anything strange and they just left her alone in the room and took nothing. That’s all I’m saying.”
Evan shook her head. “That’s absurd.”
“Look, you can think whatever you want but leave this up to the police who get paid to answer these questions.”
Evan stood up in frustration and walked back over to the window. “I can’t accept that. Someone broke into their home and killed a good man.”
Leon stared at her with his piercing brown eyes. “Don’t make this about you. Your job is to help Emily get over this.”
Evan looked at Leon in complete disbelief. “Get over this? She’s not getting over this. Her husband was murdered.”
Leon shot her a look. “You know what I mean,” He said looking in the mirror again.
“I don’t understand how you can be so calm,” Evan said watching as he continued to groom himself.
He turned to face her. “I’m calm because death is a part of life Evan and there’s nothing you or I can do about it.”
Evan gasped. “This isn’t just about death Leon; it’s about murder. There’s a murderer still out there who took away our friend, our church member…a family member.”
“This isn’t the time for this,” Leon shot back at her as he walked toward the bedroom door.
“Well, when is the right time?”
Leon turned around and looked at her.
“Where are you?” Evan cried out to him. “I don’t understand.”
Leon walked toward her. “Where am I?” He snickered and pointed his index finger in his chest. “I’m being pastor of The Jehovah Missionary Church; I’m being Shepard of this church. Don’t ask me where I am when I’m on the front lines every day, every hour, every minute of the day!”
“You don’t have to raise your voice.”
Leon turned away from her and walked back toward the bedroom door. “Emily’s children will be here to get her tomorrow and they’ll be making all of the necessary funeral arrangements.”
“Emily can stay as long as she needs to.”
Leon seemed to fight to remain calm and shook his head. “What part is so hard for you? This is a part of life. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Isn’t that what the scripture says? Get it together, First lady.”
Evan knew that Leon’s reference to her church title was his intent to taunt her but she was choosing to ignore it. What amazed her more was how at such a time as this that he seemed so unaffected when everyone else was so devastated. She turned back to the window.
Leon began turning the door knob. “Ev…do not do this now,” Leon rebuked her. “There are a lot of people downstairs and I need you down there.”
Before Evan could respond, Leon had walked out of the bedroom closing the door hard enough where only she would get the message. She walked over to the bed and sat down. Picking up the phone, she dialed her parent’s number. She had missed them so much. Her mom answered on the second ring.
“Hi mommy.” A tear ran down Evan’s face at the sound of Evelyn’s voice. She knew speaking to her would only make her more emotional.
Evelyn seemed surprised to hear from her. “Baby, how are you?”
“Okay, but I can’t talk long. I just wanted to hear your voice. Where’s daddy?”
“He’s sleeping. What’s wrong?”
Evan wiped her eyes and shook her head. “Nothing, I miss you and daddy so much.”
“I think it’s time for a visit.”
Evan agreed like she always did when her mom suggested she visit. She also knew that her mother wouldn’t completely buy her explanation that nothing was wrong. But her mother did do what Evan expected her to do; offer reassuring words regardless and prayer. Her mom’s demure nature and calm voice was like a shelter in a hurricane. It was all she needed as a reminder that God was still in control no matter what it may have looked like. Momma quoted a scripture and sent a kiss through the phone. Evan sent one back for them then motioned to hang up the phone when she heard her mom call her name.
“Yes ma’am?”
“Remember baby that First lady is just a title. Anybody can give you a title but only God can give you a position.”
A small smile crept on Evan’s tender face. “Yes ma’am,” She replied before standing up, adjusting her peasant top over her jeans, and heading downstairs.
Chapter 20
There wasn’t a time when Evan remembered feeling such loss. Sam’s funeral was one where although knowing she should have rejoiced because she believed like the bible said that he was with the Lord, she still felt such extreme sadness. Nevertheless, she smiled encouraging everyone that attended with God’s promise that Sam was with the Lord; just as Leon had instructed her to do.
Leon stood close to Emily and her family. In the opening of Leon’s funeral sermon, he asked the congregation to join him in prayer for the family’s strength during this difficult time. She had to admit that Leon gave a superb going home service for Sam that had everyone jumping on their feet. So many people had attended Sam’s funeral that it seemed as if it were both of their church services combined and it was a celebration just the way Emily wanted.
Evan had stood by Leon and the family as they greeted the attendees. Sam’s funeral had so many attendees that the reception had to be held at the church. She had overheard Leon telling Greg that this was one of the reasons why they needed more land and more facilities for the church. She pretended to be oblivious to the conversation. Although Greg was on the receiving end of Leon’s conversation; it was obvious that he thought the timing was inappropriate.
Now that everything was winding down, Evan attempted to keep herself busy helping other church members clean up and organize in the church reception hall. There were still a lot of people but certainly a lot less than a couple of hours ago.
“Hey you,” Mimi said walking up beside Evan.
“Hi.” Evan looked around Mimi. “Where’s your date?” She asked having noticed that Mimi came with a handsome gentleman that Mimi hadn’t mentioned to her. She’d been so consumed with Sam’s death that she had no idea what was going on with her best friend.
Mimi blushed and playfully bumped hips with Evan. “He went to the restroom.”
“You know I wanted you to go out with Pastor Greg.”
“Don’t start,” Mimi said with a wink.
“He’s cute though; who is he?” Evan asked.
“He visited the church recently. We talked a little after he filled out the visitor’s card then he asked me out to dinner.” Mimi beamed speaking of the man.
“Wow, you really are a part of the welcoming committee.” They both laughed. As heavy as Evan’s heart was, it felt good to smile.
“His name is Aaron,” Mimi said helping Evan tidy up the table a little. “He says that he met Leon somewhere and that’s how he heard about the church. I told him that he didn’t have to come but he said that he wanted to get to know me and my friends so he came.”
“Nice; but are you supposed to bring a date to a funeral?”
“I’ve always been different,” Mimi said picking up a few plates lingering on the table. “How are you holding up?”
“I d
on’t know,” Evan said. She put the empty macaroni and cheese pan down that she was holding. “It just seems so unfair that this happened to Emily and Sam.”
“Yeah, I can think of a lot worse people this should have happened to.”
Evan turned and looked at her. “Mimi, really?”
Mimi shrugged. “I’m just saying.”
Evan laughed to keep from crying. “Leave it to you girl. Seriously though, I don’t understand any of this and it feels like I’m going crazy. Leon is acting like I should just let it go.”
Mimi nodded. “Greg’s certainly not letting it go. He says that the police are working hard on Sam’s case. We can definitely pray.”
Evan stared off. “That’s all I know to do.” Evan noticed Mimi’s date walking around as if not knowing where he should be. “Your date looks lost; you better rescue him.”
Mimi blushed. “I want you to meet him.”
Evan nodded. “I will another time. How about I have you two over at the house for dinner when I can get Leon to come home at a decent hour?” Evan asked. “We can get to know him a little better.”
Mimi leaned in and hugged her friend. “That’ll be fun. Let me get back, okay?”
Chapter 21
There was an air of melancholy in the conference room but it was obvious to Greg that Leon was anxious for what was about to happen; for what he had worked tirelessly for. The last time they were all gathered together on this matter was when their brother was with them poignantly against this same issue that was now being finalized. No more discussion would occur about this issue as Leon’s plans for the church were all about to come to fruition and whoever objected no longer had a voice.