She's No Angel, page 29
“Small reception, my foot,” Arykah said to her hostess with a raised eyebrow.
“Oh my God,” Angel said as she stood next to Arykah, looking over the delicacies on the table. “This is a feast for a king.”
“In this case, a queen,” Lady McKenzie said and looked at Lady Arykah.
Arykah’s eyes couldn’t behold all the food before her. “This is amazing. I love everything you have here.” Arykah could have kicked herself for going through the poolside buffet earlier like she was Mrs. Pac-Man. She wanted to return to the ladies’ room and take off the remaining Spanx she still wore. Keeping it on would restrict her from eating the way she wanted. But then again, Arykah didn’t want to embarrass herself and show everyone her sin of gluttony. She decided that she would be a lady and behave herself properly. She would eat only one serving of everything Lady McKenzie had prepared for her, but she would make sure to leave with a doggie bag.
Lady McKenzie smiled broadly. “I know. I did my homework.” Just then she looked up. “Haley, honey, you made it.”
Arykah and Angel watched Lady McKenzie embrace the blond-haired, freckle-faced, green-eyed white woman who had approached the three of them at the buffet table.
“I told you that I understood your conflict and that you were excused from attending tonight’s service.” Lady McKenzie rubbed up and down the woman’s back, as if she was comforting her. She pulled away from the woman she had called Haley. “How is he, sweetheart?”
Haley’s eyes watered as her voice got caught in her throat.
“Oh, sweetie, it’s okay.” Lady McKenzie pulled her back into a hug.
“No, no. I’m okay, First Lady,” Haley said, pulling away from Lady McKenzie, putting her index finger up under her nose, and sniffing.
Meanwhile, Arykah and Angel stood observing the interaction.
“Oh, I don’t mean to be rude,” Lady McKenzie said, remembering that Arykah and Angel were standing right there. “Ladies,” she said to them, “this is my armor bearer, Haley.” Next, Lady McKenzie told Haley the first ladies’ names and where they were from.
“Pleased to meet you both,” Haley said, wiping tears from her eyes. “I would shake your hands, but . . .” She looked down at her wet hands.
“It’s okay. We do hugs,” Angel said, then hugged the woman. Arykah followed suit.
“I’m going to go get a napkin to wipe my face,” Haley said. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said to all three women, then walked to the other end of the table, where the paper products were.
“I told her not to come.” Lady McKenzie was looking at Haley while talking to the ladies. “Poor thing’s husband is in hospice. Found out he had prostate cancer, stage four, just a few months ago. It’s all happening so quick.” She shook her head. “Let me go tell her she doesn’t have to stay.” She patted Arykah on the shoulder. “If you’ll excuse me, ladies.”
Arykah and Angel watched as Lady McKenzie went after Haley. They then turned and looked at each other.
“Miss Haley has no inkling as to who I am and why I’m here,” Arykah said.
“Means Lady McKenzie didn’t mention your being here or why you’re here.”
“Means she don’t trust her knowing,” Arykah said. “That’s smart of her. But at the same time, if she don’t trust her, why should we?”
Angel nodded, deep in thought.
“You thinking what I’m thinking?” Arykah asked.
“Yeah. That you were right all along,” Angel said. “The hussy trying to steal Pastor away from Lady McKenzie wasn’t in that sanctuary.”
“Uh-huh.” Arykah nodded. “But she’s darn sure here now.”
Chapter 27
Lady McKenzie did her best at insisting Haley go and be with her husband, but Haley declined, stating that helping out at the reception would get her mind off of the inevitable.
Arykah hated to say it, to even think it, but Haley probably cared more about keeping her eye on the prize than being there for her dying husband. After all, and sadly enough, her husband was about to pass. She was already working on her rebound, who just happened to be the married pastor.
Realizing that she was not going to win the battle with her assistant, Lady McKenzie turned over the duties of the reception to Haley. Haley thanked everyone for coming, had one of the church members pray over the food, and then instructed the guests, all of whom were now seated at tables, that once Lady McKenzie, Arykah, and Angel were served, they would be permitted, one table at a time, to get their food.
As she always did, Arykah indulged in the banana pudding first. Whoever made the rule that dessert had to come last needed to repent. “Oh my God,” she moaned. She looked at Lady McKenzie, then pointed to her dessert. “See, this right here is blessing my soul right now.”
Lady McKenzie chuckled. “I’m so glad you like it. And guess what?”
Lady Arykah looked at her. “Tell me.”
“There’s another whole pan of banana pudding hidden in the fridge just for you.”
Lady Arykah’s eyes bulged, and her mouth began to drool. Just the thought of being back in her hotel room, sitting in the middle of her king-size bed with the pillows propped up behind her, intrigued Arykah. She was looking forward to being alone with just her television, her banana pudding, and the peace and quiet. “You’re spoiling me,” she said to Lady McKenzie. “Really, you are. I mean the wonderful flight, the five-star, all-inclusive resort. It’s too much, Lady McKenzie.”
Angel agreed with a nod, as her mouth was full of a juicy meatball she’d just popped in it.
“I’m very appreciative that you’re here,” Lady McKenzie said to Arykah. She then turned and looked at Angel. “Both of you.” She smiled, and Angel smiled back.
A young woman who looked to be in her twenties approached the head table and set a red porcelain mug down in front of Lady McKenzie. “Here is some hot lemon tea for you, First Lady.” The young woman looked like she could be biracial.
Lady McKenzie looked up at her and smiled. “Thanks, Bryeisha. You always know what I need.”
“You’re very welcome. Can I get you or your guests anything else?” Bryeisha asked, looking at all three ladies seated at the table.
Arykah quickly sized the young lady up. She seemed eager to please Lady McKenzie. It could be sincere, or she could be trying to play the sweet, innocent, and helpful role so that Lady McKenzie wouldn’t suspect anything. Arykah would soon determine which it was.
Arykah had seen Bryeisha helping at the reception, but she hadn’t noticed her in the sanctuary during service at all. She must have been helping prepare for the reception the entire time.
“Anything you ladies need,” Bryeisha announced, “please don’t hesitate to ask.” She looked at Lady McKenzie and handed her a couple of extra napkins. “Especially you, First Lady.” She then kissed Lady McKenzie on the cheek. That could have been the kiss of Judas, for all Arykah knew.
“Thank you, sweetness,” Lady McKenzie replied.
On any other occasion, Arykah might not have thought there was anything out of the ordinary with their little interaction. But this young woman was trying too hard. Even if she were older, Arykah might not have thought much of it. Older saints knew proper etiquette toward a first lady, but young folks had to be taught. And usually it took years of training. This one looked way too young for all that. This new suspect didn’t put Haley in the clear, but the PYT was at the top of Arykah’s list. Young women these days thought that just because they had a few more miles left on them, a man would rather ride them than his old faithful. Just cocky like that. Well, needless to say, Bryeisha was now on the radar, and if she went too fast, Arykah would have to turn on her lights and sirens and pull her over.
Lady McKenzie leaned forward and looked over at her guests. “I don’t think I properly introduced you all. This is Bryeisha, ladies. She’s my husband’s niece and the church secretary. She’ll get you anything you need if you want more of anything.”
Just then Arykah exhaled. Unless Pastor McKenzie was on some R. Kelly or Buddy Holly freaky-deaky ish, there was no way Bryeisha had a chance at being the secret admirer. And as young and fine as Bryeisha was, it was safe to say that she wouldn’t be pursuing any man, and an old one at that, who happened to be her uncle. Men were probably pursuing her by the dozens. Arykah didn’t do it immediately, but she told herself that before the night was over, she would probably have to cross the church secretary off her mental list of suspects. With Bryeisha looking mixed, it appeared as if Pastor McKenzie’s siblings enjoyed a little dip in the chocolate pool every now and then as well.
This task might be more difficult than Arykah had originally thought. She’d hate to have to give Lady McKenzie her money back if she ended up being of no help to the woman at all. Heck, she was going to have to start drawing up a contract or something. No refunds, exchanges, or returns if she couldn’t crack the case.
After a few minutes, Lady McKenzie asked Bryeisha to bring her more fruit punch and Angel requested another helping of macaroni and cheese. Arykah denied herself something at the moment. She watched Bryeisha serve her first lady with a kind and genuine heart. Bryeisha smiled with every effort she made. She just looked like good people. But Arykah wasn’t a fool. She didn’t go completely by looks. Looks sometimes didn’t mean a thing. Prime example was putting Snoop Doggy Dogg next to Martha Stuart. Who was the felon?
But her spirit didn’t detect anything foul with Pastor McKenzie’s niece, so Arykah eventually decided that Bryeisha wasn’t a low-down hussy and exonerated her. Then she had Bryeisha bring her another helping of wing dings. And Bryeisha even served Arykah with a smile as well.
As a matter of fact, all the women present in that room were gracious, kind, and couldn’t do enough for their first lady or each other. None of the women had given another a smile in the face and a once-over behind the back, at least not that Arykah had noticed. And she had done her best to study each and every lady who was attending the conference. Not one of them gave Arykah bad vibes. Truth be told, even Haley’s spirit seemed clean. Well, not at first, of course. It wasn’t until after Arykah deliberately and accidentally bumped into her in the kitchen that she changed her opinion about Lady McKenzie’s assistant.
At first it was like a red flag that Lady McKenzie had kept trying to get Haley to leave, yet Haley had insisted on staying. Now that was the spirit of a troll who wasn’t going to miss sucking up to the first lady if life depended on it, even if it was her husband’s. But then Haley had finally given in and had admitted that maybe she did need to remain by her husband’s side, that she had been operating in fear. Haley agreed that she’d head out right after she finished tidying up a couple of things.
Arykah spotted Haley going to the kitchen area, which she had done a couple of times that evening, both she and Bryeisha. They would refill the food or take empty pans back to the kitchen.
“Ladies, please excuse me for a moment,” Arykah said as she stood.
Lady McKenzie probably assumed that Arykah was going to the restroom again, but Angel knew better. Lady McKenzie’s back was to the kitchen, but Angel was facing it, and she saw Arykah slip through the kitchen door.
In the kitchen Arykah found Haley standing over the sink. She walked over to her and saw that her shoulders were shaking, as if she was laughing. As Arykah got closer, she realized that Haley wasn’t laughing at all.
“Haley?” Arykah said with concern.
Haley looked over her shoulder and saw Arykah standing very close to her. She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes with her hands and gathered her composure. “Yes, Lady Arykah? May I get something for you?”
“No. I don’t need anything,” Arykah said. “But I wanted to check on you. Are you okay?”
Haley forced a smile. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not,” Arykah countered. “Lady McKenzie shared with me the news about your husband.”
Haley’s eyes bucked wide; then they retracted. Arykah knew she was upset that her first lady would share her personal information with a stranger.
“Please don’t be angry with Lady McKenzie. She loves you, and she’s concerned. I have an armor bearer who is actually my best friend. She and I have been through many trials together.”
How quickly Arykah’s feelings toward Haley had turned. Right now, she was truly concerned about the woman, rather than entertaining the thought that Haley could be responsible for making Lady McKenzie’s life miserable. Arykah felt a pull toward Haley. She needed to comfort her. Bless her. Lift her up before God. At that moment, Arykah knew that she was in California not only for Lady McKenzie, but for Haley as well.
“Tell me more about your husband’s condition,” Arykah said. “I understand that he’s suffering from cancer.”
More tears spilled onto Haley’s cheeks. Arykah stepped closer to her and wiped them away with her hand. Her heart broke for Haley. She was so young, yet she had been dealt a heavy blow. Arykah didn’t know what she would do if she were in Haley’s shoes. She couldn’t even imagine the pain and agony she would go through if Lance were stricken with a terminal illness. She didn’t think she could survive without him.
Haley did, in fact, want to open up to Arykah, but she was hesitant. At first she wondered why Arykah was so interested. Then she looked into Arykah’s eyes and saw a woman with a sincere spirit. She could almost feel warmth coming from Arykah’s body. “He has stage four prostate cancer.”
Even though Arykah already knew this, she was still somewhat shocked. Haley didn’t look to be more than thirty years old. Arykah assumed she’d married a man closer to Arykah’s own age. Prostate cancer was normally a problem for middle-aged men.
“How old is your husband, and what is his name?”
“Joshua is thirty-seven.”
“Oh my goodness,” Arykah said. “Prostate cancer at his age? Are you sure? Have you gotten a second opinion?” The diagnosis couldn’t be right.
Haley nodded her head. “We’ve gotten a second, a third, and even a fourth opinion. Each doctor was just as shocked at their findings.”
Arykah’s heart sank. Everyone who had been born had to die at some point. Arykah imagined the perfect death was when someone was one hundred years old and slipped away in his or her sleep. But to be given a death sentence at just thirty-seven seemed so unfair. “I am so sorry, Haley. I can’t begin to imagine the pain that you and Joshua are going through. Is he a saved man?”
More tears dripped onto Haley’s cheeks. She sniffed a couple of times before saying, “Yes, he is.”
Arykah grabbed Haley’s hands with her own and began to pray. She petitioned the throne of grace like never before. Some of Arykah’s words Haley understood, and some she did not. Arykah spoke in an unknown tongue as she called out Joshua’s name. She prayed for a divine healing in Jesus’ name. The more Arykah prayed, the tighter her grip became on Haley’s hands. At some point Haley’s knees wobbled. It was like Arykah’s prayer was draining the very strength from her body.
Bryeisha entered the kitchen, carrying two empty water pitchers. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the two women holding hands, with their heads bowed. Bryeisha saw tears pouring from Haley’s eyes. She stood silently and listened to Arykah’s prayer. Bryeisha thought Lady McKenzie’s guest was a powerhouse as she spoke to God on Haley’s behalf.
“We claim heeaaling, ha. In the name of Jeeesus, ha,” Arykah sang. “Father, in the naaamme of Jesus, we need yoouu to do a miraculous thing for Brother Joshua, ha. No, we won’t believe the doctor’s report, ha. But we’re gonna belieeeve the report of the Lorrrd, ha.”
Bryeisha was moved at Arykah’s words. She saw that Haley was having a hard time standing on her own two feet. It seemed that Haley was intoxicated. She was swaying from side to side as she held on to Arykah’s hands. Bryeisha set the pitchers on a nearby table and came and stood directly behind Haley. She placed her hands on the left and right sides of Haley’s waist.
“Open up the heavens, Lorrrd, ha, and pour out a blessing for Brother Joshua right now. I know you can, ha. And I know you will, ha. Now, Lorrrd, ha.” Arykah stomped her left foot on the floor. “Now, Lorrrd, ha.” She stomped her foot again. “The doctors have said no, but you can still say yehesss, ha.”
“Glory to God,” Bryeisha blurted out. She couldn’t keep her silence any longer.
Suddenly, there were more hands on Haley. She felt someone place a hand on her forehead, while another person pressed a palm against her abdomen. Haley didn’t open her eyes. She knew women were around her, probably others who had been helping with the reception, and they made her feel as though she was wrapped in a warm quilted blanket. They gave her a sense of security. Haley kept her hands tightly in Arykah’s grip.
Arykah kept singing and praying. Sweat began to stream down both sides of her face. “Now unto Heeyimah, who is able to dohoo exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ever ask or even think, ha. According to the power that worketh in us, ha.”
There were voices all around Haley. Encouraging words flowed throughout the kitchen. Arykah released Haley’s hands and put pressure on her chest, which caused Haley to stumble backward.
“Cancer!” Arykah hollered out. “You gotsta leave Brother Joshua’s body, ha. You done took up residence loonng enough, ha. You have worn out your stay, ha. Get out!” she screamed.
The voices surrounding Haley became louder, as the others began to pray for their sister.
“Keep the faith, Sister Haley,” Arykah said to her. “God always has the last say-so.” She stepped closer to Haley and blew in her face. In less than a second, Haley fell into Bryeisha’s arms.
Arykah had gone boldly to the throne of grace. She had gotten somewhat boisterous, and she’d even broken out in a sweat. But unlike the evening’s earlier speaker, Arykah had done it all in the mighty and most powerful name of Jesus. Amen.
