Sister Betty Says I Do by Pat G'Orge-Walker Read Free Book Online Page A

but then he hadn’t thought she cared about him beyond being good friends.
    â€œAnd this is why I gotta stay in my own lane and out of the oncoming traffic of these females,” he murmured as he exited his car and went inside his house.

Chapter 5
    â€œT oday may be Sunday, but this is the third straight day you’ve stopped by at this early hour and missed Sharvon,” Sister Betty told Leotis. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying to avoid her.”
    Leotis gave Sister Betty a weak smile but said nothing.
    Sister Betty reached out her hand and tapped his as she chuckled. “I think the winds in Pelzer are changing, and perhaps you might be trying to avoid the love trap.”
    â€œYou have an active imagination,” Leotis replied. “But then again, it’s one of the things I admire about you.”
    Sister Betty then pushed a wrapped plate of steamed vegetables picked fresh from her garden toward him. “Here. Take this plate and eat what’s on it later, because you’re talking nonsense.” She placed her finger on her cheek and smiled. “Now that I think about it, you look like I done stole the truth out your mouth.”
    â€œNo, you have not,” Leotis replied. He began laughing and tapping the side of his thigh, which had begun to jerk slightly, indicating he wanted to change the subject. “I just wanted to get your thoughts about the service the other night. I didn’t have a chance to discuss it when it was over. You and the trustee seemed in a hurry.”
    â€œOh, really?” Sister Betty said. “Is that so?”
    â€œYes, that’s so. It’s pretty much the same with me right now. I’m in a hurry to meet with a few church elders from the Mount Kneel Down Church in about twenty minutes. They’re stopping by on their way to their church. I believe they might want me to preach for Reverend Stepson’s upcoming anniversary, among some other business.”
    â€œIt’s no problem,” Sister Betty told him. “I’ve got some thoughts about your message, but they can wait until there’s a better time. You just make sure you eat those vegetables while they’re fresh. You can come back for more if you want to.”
    Taking the plate in his hands, Leotis rose, then gave Sister Betty a peck on her cheek. “I always do. I’ll be back before long to pick you up for morning service.”
    As soon as she’d closed the door behind Leotis, Sister Betty went and sat on her living room sofa. She laid her head back to rest it against the cushion and smiled as she thought about her pastor. This past Thursday night, during the second week of the revival meeting, he’d preached a great sermon. His topic had been “God’s Set-Aside Man.” The sanctuary had exploded, the churchgoers confirming that they, too, believed their God had some folks anointed and others appointed for His purpose only. Yet no sooner had the church let out than she and Freddie met Leotis outside to make the trip home and saw that his persona had changed.
    Instead of asking, “How did you like the sermon?” which was something he’d always ask—as if the rousing shouts of “Preach! You better say that Word, Reverend” hadn’t already confirmed it—Leotis had said only, “I didn’t see Mother Pray Onn at the revival meeting tonight. Have any of you seen her? Is she sick?”
    As much of a hurry as they’d been in, it wasn’t lost upon either her or Freddie that Leotis had never asked about Sasha’s whereabouts before. Fact was that he had always seemed relieved when she wasn’t there to create some ridiculous disturbance. The only conclusion was that he might’ve been asking about Ima.
    Sister Betty heard the phone ringing and pushed aside thoughts of the past Thursday. She rose quickly from the sofa to reach the phone before her