Pink & Patent Leather by Candy Jackson Read Free Book Online Page B

Malik preached and strutted on the altar, I once again, let my mind wander, this time to what it would be like being the First Lady? I was young and this church was u sed to having women who were almost ancient. That was one blessing I was going to bring to the church—my youth, my vitality, my young and fresh sensibilities.
    Then, I wondered about where would we live? Because I certainly wasn ’t going to be in any house where his wife had lived. I wondered if we would live in DC or maybe in Montgomery County in Maryland or Fairfax County in Virginia. Yes, maybe Fairfax—there were many upscale communities with great school systems. And the school systems would be important for our children. I’d want to wait a couple of years, but then, we would have two—one of each. A boy who would look just like Malik and a little girl, a mini me who I would dress in pink and patent leather the way my mom had dressed me. The only difference—my daughter and I would wear matching outfits. Yes, we would be quite a family.
    Suddenly, I felt Sister Stroman move and all around me the congregants stood. Was it time for the benediction already? Had I daydreamed through the rest of the sermon and the invitation?
    I bowed my head as Malik gave the benediction, then, looked up with everyone else. When I did, Malik ’s eyes were already on me.
    “ Sister Pink?” he called and waved me over at the same time.
    This was the point where Malik usually greeted the members and visitors, but I guess his mind was just on me today.
    With my clutch in my hand this time, I sauntered toward the pastor and watched his eyes take a slow Sunday stroll over every inch of my body.
    “ Yes, Pastor?”
    “ I...I...I....”
    Boyaah! He could hardly talk because of me.
    He cleared his throat and then continued, “I would like for you and Minister Xavier to make your way to my office and perhaps do a little brainstorming so that we can be ready for the first Single’s gathering since I didn’t give you that much time to plan.” He had to pause and clear his throat once again.
    The last thing I wanted was to be anywhere with Xavier. But once again, I was going to show Malik that I was ready to be an obe dient wife.
    “ Like I told the church,” Malik continued, “the two of you are the Saints who will get this done and done well.”
    As I stood there and watched Malik ’s plump lips move, a plan began to form in my head. I knew exactly how I was going to get Malik to my home and in my bed. As he talked, I calculated all of my next steps.
    “ Thank you, Pastor,” Xavier said.
    “ Yes, thank you,” I added. “And, I won’t let you down.”
    The way I batted my eyelashes at him, and then the way he took a deep breath, I knew he un derstood that my words meant so much more. He knew I wasn’t just talking about this Singles’ Ministry.
    Xavier must ’ve seen and felt what was going on between me and Malik because he stepped between us as if he really had a chance at blocking and stopping the inevitable. Xavier extended his hand to me, and at first, I hesitated. But then, with all eyes on me I took his hand. I had to play my role, be the good girl, and so, X and I walked together from the sanctuary and into the hall that led to the administrative offices.
    But once we were out of sight, Xavier dropped my hand like it was a snake, and he grabbed my arm instead. In the lobby, he ’d grabbed me, too, as he pulled me into an embrace, and I needed him to break this habit that he seemed to be forming. He needed to take his hands off of me.
    But even though I wiggled and squirmed, X wouldn ’t allow me to shake free.
    “ Let me...” Before I could complete my sentence, Xavier opened the door to the pastor’s office and practically threw me inside. “Hey, watch it!” I exclaimed, stumbling just a little bit. 
    It was as if Xavier didn ’t even hear me. He went straight into his own rant. “Do you know how many times I called you last night?” he