The Morning After (7 page)

“Before you take your seats,” he said, “I want you to simply tell your neighbor that
all these other things will be added unto you
.”

Those seven words echoed through the sanctuary, followed by the scuffling noises of thousands of people being seated.

In mostly attentive silence, Jennifer listened as Reverend Tides expounded on Matthew 6:33, admonishing his listeners to put God first in every thing they did.

“So many times we find ourselves doing things at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons,” he said. “But how many of you know that God is a jealous God? He wants to be first in everything we do. And while He will allow us to go on with our own agenda for a while, God will eventually make His presence known. He will shake us up with disappointment so that we will realize that it's not about us!” Reverend Tides scoped out the room for dramatic effect, then said, “Sometimes He has to do that so that we will allow Him to take His rightful place in our lives. Do y'all hear what I'm saying?”

“Amen,” Jennifer's voice echoed amongst many others.

Reverend Tides was such a charismatic speaker, far more so than Reverend Owens. As Jennifer clapped her hands in support of the preacher's words, she surmised that she wouldn't mind a bit, having to transfer her membership from Temple of God's Word to New Hope Church once she and T.K. got married. As a matter of fact, at that precise moment, in the place where she sat, Jennifer made up her mind that she would do the honors next Sunday—one week after her engagement was official—to give T.K. a preview of just how spiritually in sync with him she would be as his wife.

A steady rainfall was being delivered from the skies as service dismissed two and a half hours after it began. Jennifer figured it would be the adjustment that would most likely be the hardest to make once she became a member of New Hope Church. Service at Temple of God's Word rarely ever exceeded ninety minutes. Each Sunday, Reverend Owens faithfully kept his message at thirty minutes, like his job was in jeopardy if he dared to go over.

“Stay here,” T.K. instructed Jennifer and Jerrod as they stood in the foyer of the church. “I'll bring the vehicle around. It doesn't make sense for us go to the restaurant in separate cars. I'll bring you back to get yours once we're done celebrating.”

Celebrating
. Jennifer's heart delivered a massive thump that nearly made her lose her balance.
C'mon, Jen; keep it together
, she encouraged herself, leaning against the wall and lifting her foot to readjust her shoe in an attempt to mask her near blunder.

“Wait up, Coach.” Jerrod shot out the door behind T.K. as though waiting for someone to bring a car around to avoid a little humidity wasn't a manly thing to do.

From the glass doors, Jennifer watched both of them take strides that were long and quick into the congested parking lot. She imagined that once she and T.K. were married, people who hadn't known them before would just assume that Jerrod was T.K.'s biological child. From behind, they shared like features. Both were tall and long-limbed with similar low-fade haircuts. They shared the same smooth brown complexion too.

Jennifer was pleasantly surprised when the burgundy Ford Escape rolled into view. T.K. favored his Corvette and drove it most often. Jennifer liked the sporty car too. It was sharp and sexy, just like its owner. But she preferred the newer and roomier Escape. T.K. must have planned for them to ride in the same vehicle all along, and that was probably his reason for driving the SUV today. The Corvette wouldn't have been able to comfortably accommodate all three of them.

The smile on Jennifer's face widened when she saw the driver's side door of the truck open and T.K. climb out with an umbrella in his hand. Other waiting women were making mad dashes to the cars that their men had only gone as far as bringing to the front door area. But Jennifer stepped out into dryness as T.K. walked all the way inside and then covered both their heads with the oversized portable shelter. He stayed with her until she was inside the car, then he closed the door behind her and returned to his place in the driver's seat.

“Thank you,” Jennifer said, smiling as prettily as she could. “I'm sorry you had to get all wet.”

T.K. returned her smile. “No harm done. The clothes are washable and the seats are leather.”

“Coach D,” Jerrod called, breaking the mood as he slid forward in the backseat and placed his head between those of the adults.

“Yeah, kid?” T.K. pulled out of the line of cars and headed for the highway as he answered.

“What's the big surprise? Why you being all mysterious and junk?”

Jennifer wanted to backhand him and tell him to sit back and shut up. The last thing she needed was for Jerrod to place any added pressure on T.K. and spook him into changing his mind. Jennifer knew men. It was hard enough for them to make a commitment without the interrogation.

“You'll see, Jerrod.” The full beam on T.K.'s face didn't indicate any second thoughts. “Just sit back and buckle up, we'll be at Benihana in no time.” He stole a glance at Jennifer and added, “I hope you guys are ready for this.”

A lump rose in Jennifer's throat, and she swallowed back a joyful sob that fought to be released. Keeping her eyes straight on the road ahead, she rubbed the ring finger of her left hand.
I know I am
.

“Angel didn't go running with you this morning?” he asked into the telephone that he balanced between his shoulder and ear. With his free hand, Colin tapped his fingers against his thigh.

“No,” Elaine replied. “She said she was taking Austin-Boston shopping. I think she heard about a sale going on at one of the outlet malls or something.”

Austin-Boston was the nickname that Colin had given his son even before the child was born. Their friends were so accustomed to hearing him refer to the boy by the term of endearment that sometimes they did the same—especially when they were speaking to Colin.

“I know about the sale,” Colin said. His scowl matched his irritation. “We went yesterday after church and purchased more stuff than he needed. What did she go back today to get?”

“Beats me, Colin. I didn't ask.” Elaine let out a chuckle, and then added, “You know how Angel is with that child of hers. She'll probably come back with a trunk load of stuff that he'll outgrow before he can even use. You can catch her on her cell, I'm sure. She'll hate she missed you for lunch.”

Not sharing the same humor, Colin's tone was dry when he said, “Yeah, okay. Thanks.”

Hanging up the telephone, Colin sat on the side of his bed and released a burdened sigh. Today was the first day in weeks that he'd been able to break away from the shackles of his office to come home to spend lunch with his family. Friday, he'd toiled late into the evening to get additional work done just so that he could surprise his wife and son with a lunchtime appearance on Monday. But instead of being welcomed by the warm greetings of his family, Colin walked into the house to the animated sounds of a
Dora The Explorer
DVD, playing on the television set that had been left on in the living room. Austin's playpen was still set up in the middle of the floor, and a load of laundered clothes were jumbled in a basket on the sofa. The house was always in order when Colin got home from work in the evenings, so he could only deduce that Angel was in the middle of completing chores when she decided on the impromptu shopping spree.

“Surprise!” Colin yelled in a facetious manner, flinging his arms up in the air for theatrical effect. Then in mounting aggravation, he fell back onto the mattress and stared up at the ceiling.

This whole
I don't have time for my husband
attitude of Angel's was getting old as far as Colin was concerned. She was spending every weekday splitting her attention between counseling Elaine and coddling Austin; every Saturday cleaning out Essie's house; and every Sunday after church, too tired to do anything other than rest so that she could start the whole cycle over again on Monday morning.

“There's no sense in avoiding the inevitable any longer,” Colin huffed. He sat up and picked up a spiral bound notepad from the nightstand table, then took a pen from the pocket inside his suit jacket. “Enough is enough. We're going to have to talk about all this and get some things clear.” He didn't care that no one was in the room with him to hear his frustration.

Using quick, short strokes that mirrored his current temperament, Colin scribbled a note, telling Angel that he needed her not to be asleep or otherwise occupied when he got in from work this evening. There were some things that were weighing heavily on his mind, and he needed her to be available to have a heart-to-heart discussion. He didn't want the note to sound harsh, but at the same time, he needed it to have an overtone of urgency so that Angel would realize how important to him this request was.

Satisfied that his mission would be accomplished, Colin tore the single-page note out of the pad and placed it on the side of the bed where Angel slept. He secured the note's position by weighing it down with the pen that he'd used to write it with.

If he thought for a moment that Angel and Austin would return home soon, Colin would have waited for their arrival. But he knew that if shopping for the baby was on her agenda, it would be hours before Angel's task would end. Austin had more clothes and toys than any child his age needed. And while Colin wanted nothing but the best for his son, it was time for him to tell Angel that she was going overboard, causing a serious imbalance in their relationship.

Preparing to leave, Colin stood in front of the mirror and adjusted his tie. He'd loosened it on the ride home in anticipation of a relaxing afternoon of whatever tantalizing surprises that his unexpected visit led to. Thinking about it now, Colin almost laughed.

“Not today, boy,” he told his reflection. “Apparently, it's still not your turn.” With that, he snatched his keys from the dresser, set the house alarm, and headed for the front door.

When Colin pulled into his reserved parking space at Wachovia Bank twenty minutes later, he sat in his car for a moment to gather himself. What went on in his home, whether bad or good, was no concern of anyone at work. Colin made it a point to never mix his personal matters with those of his business. And the last thing he needed was to take out any temporary frustrations he had with Angel on colleagues or clients.

Help me make it through the rest of the day.
Colin prayed the quick, silent prayer as his hand made contact with the button that would release the locks of his car. Within seconds, he'd put on his best all-is-well-with-the-world face, and after a few brisk strides, he was swinging open the doors of Wachovia and waving at nearby frequent customers on his way back to his office. Behind his closed door and his oak desk, Colin plopped in his leather swivel chair and took a deep breath before reaching for the file he'd been working on prior to leaving.

Three knocks brought his mind's attention to the door, but his eyes remained locked on his paperwork. “Come on in.”

“Hey, Mr. Stephens. I was thrown off by the closed door for a minute. You're back already?”

Colin looked up at Nona entering his office with two files in her hand. “Yes, I'm back. What can I do for you?”

“Well, darn.” She fixed her face into a pout. “Now I owe myself ten dollars.”

With raised eyebrows, Colin responded with a clueless, “Huh?”

Nona laughed at his expression. “You were so eager to spend lunch at home this afternoon that I had placed a bet with myself that you probably wouldn't make it back to work at all. Not only are you back, but you're back early, so I lost the bet. I owe myself ten dollars.”

Chuckling and shaking his head simultaneously, Colin replied, “I see.” Then he added, “This may come as a bit of a surprise to you, Nona, but believe it or not, there are millions of better ways to entertain yourself that you probably should get exposed to. Talking to and making wagers with yourself... not to mention losing bets to yourself and actually paying yourself, can lead to long-term problems.”

Nona broke into a jovial laugh. “You're probably right. I guess I need to get out more.”

“That's all I'm saying,” Colin said, raising both his hands in a manner of surrender.

“So are you back from lunch in every way?” Nona asked. “I mean, do you want me to send phone calls to you now or would you rather I keep the calls forwarded to me until you've at least taken a full hour?”

“That would help me make a little more leeway on everything—if you continued to take the calls, I mean.”

“Will do,” she said as she placed the files on his desk. “Plus it'll give your food time to settle. You ate way too fast today.”

“I didn't eat.” The words spilled from Colin's mouth without permission.

Nona had been heading for the door to leave, but his words caused her to turn back around. “You didn't eat?”

He'd already started, so Colin figured that he might as well finish. “No, I didn't. Angel had taken Austin shopping at one of the outlet malls somewhere, so they weren't home when I got there.”

“I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Stephens. I know how much you were looking forward to spending that time with the two of them.”

“It's no big deal,” he lied. “That's what I get for trying to surprise them, I guess. I'm the one who ended up being caught off-guard.”

“So because they weren't home, you didn't even bother to eat lunch?”

Colin shook his head while chuckling at his own inanity. Until Nona mentioned it, he had actually forgotten about his physical hunger. Other, more prevalent, starvations overshadowed it. Today, he'd hoped for some possible intimate time with his wife to gratify his salacious appetite more than he was anticipating food to curb his bodily hunger. The former far outweighed the latter.

“Well, you want to run and get something now?” Nona asked. “I still have a little more than fifteen minutes before I leave to take my break. I can just keep answering any incoming phone calls until you return. Or if you like, I can bring you something back when I come back from lunch.”

She had given him some good options and Colin sat back in his seat to mull over which was the better choice. He wasn't particularly fond of fast foods; they had a tendency to make him sluggish, and he needed to be fully alert so that he could get as much work done as possible before close of business. But he also didn't want to wait another hour before eating.

“I'll tell you what,” Colin said, snapping his finger as an idea presented itself. “I owe you lunch anyway from when you bought mine last week.”

Nona quickly broke in. “Oh no, Mr. Stephens. You don't owe me anything. I did that because I wanted to. I owed you for being such a great boss.”

“Well, I'm a great boss because I want to be, so technically, you never owed me anything to begin with either. So here's how we'll settle the score. Let me buy you lunch today, and we'll call it even. How about that?”

“Well, I . . .” Nona looked around the office, then back at Colin. “What about here?”

“Here?” Colin echoed.

“Yes. Who's gonna run things here if both of us leave?”

Colin laughed out loud. “Believe me, Nona; as important as we all think we are to the everyday function of this place, Wachovia Bank will not have to close its doors simply because the two of us leave for an hour or so. Now do you want to go or not, because I'm starved and if I don't get some nourishment in my stomach in a minute, I'm gonna get cranky and when that happens, I'll no longer be the great boss that you've labeled me to be.”

Nona laughed too. “Give me a minute to grab my purse, and I'll be right back.”