His First Lady (3 page)

“It makes you not have babies,” Leon snapped back.

“What?” Evan frowned at the off colored remark. “How could you say that?”

Ignoring her, Leon looked through some papers on his desk. “Before I forget, check with Mimi and see if she’s booked my travel arrangements for Dallas. She’s not picking up her cell.”

“Um,” Evan shifted in her seat, “I’ve taken that over.”

Leon stopped looking at his papers and over at her. “You’ve taken what over?”

“Mimi has a lot to do for you and Greg not to mention everything else so I figured that as your wife that I could handle that. That way, I won’t have to check with staff members when I need to find you.”

Leon didn’t look pleased at all. “I have a cell phone if you need to find me. It sounds to me like you’re checking up on me.”

Evan frowned. “That’s not what I’m doing.”

“You don’t have enough First lady duties so now you’re making travel arrangements?”

“What’s the big deal?” Evan asked before hearing a knock on the door.

Leon paused looking angrily at Evan as if he had more to say but there just wasn’t enough time. “Come in,” Leon said.

Greg peeped his head in. “I’m sorry to interrupt, am I early?” Greg asked looking in at the two of them with a dimpled smile that could light up the dark if possible, Evan thought.

Leon slapped his hands together and with a huge smile walked over to greet Greg at the door. “No sir, the First lady was just leaving.”

Dismissed, Evan stood up from the chair. She attempted not to draw attention to her embarrassment by smoothing out her dark skirt. She smiled at Greg who returned the smile.

“How are you First lady?” Greg asked seeming as if he hadn’t noticed Leon’s insolent discharge of her.

“Just fine, Greg.” Evan responded. “How about you?”

“I’m well,” Greg answered.

Leon watched Evan as she walked to the door. “Oh, in case Mimi didn’t tell you, make sure that I have an executive suite; no little rooms. They make me claustrophobic.”

Evan nodded as she walked with her head high, back arched pass Greg and out of the office. Leon closed the door behind her without as much as a goodbye. She stopped; looked back at the closed door before walking back down the church hall toward her office.

The smell of Evan’s perfume as she walked past him caused Greg to do an unsuspecting double take. But as beautiful and graceful as she was, her smile always seemed forced. He was curious why that was but it wasn’t his place to ask and it certainly wasn’t his business. What he did know for sure was that Leon was a blessed man.

Closing the door, Leon patted Greg on the back as if so glad to see him. Greg never really knew how to take Leon. He believed that Leon was serious about the church’s business but what he wasn’t sure about was the direction Leon wanted to take the church; a direction that Leon was adamantly promoting.

“I could have come back. I don’t like to intrude,” Greg said taking a seat in the chair that the First lady was seated in a minute ago. “You know that if the First lady isn’t happy then nobody’s happy.”

Leon didn’t laugh. “You didn’t intrude,” Leon said. He rubbed his palms together and walked quickly around his desk to pick up some papers. “However, I wanted to share this with you,” He said handing the papers to Greg. “I’ve written a proposal for the board regarding the purchase of additional land that the church needs. I’ve also included all the info on the land. I think we need to make a move and do it ASAP.”

Greg looked through the papers and felt immediate apprehension. He had been aware of Leon’s eagerness to purchase additional land for some time but never expected this so soon. Greg was not the combative type but he relied on the Holy Spirit for direction so he was always careful about what he would sign off on. As Greg read over the papers, Leon paced the floor behind him waiting for his response.

Leon eagerly held his hands up in anticipation of Greg’s response. “So, what are your thoughts?”

Greg took a deep breath before responding. The church had certainly grown in recent years; bigger than anyone could have imagined initially and Leon was responsible for much of that vision and growth. But this was huge and it leaned more to the argument that the church was getting too impersonal and more like a business rather than the Lord’s house. Currently, it was certainly comparable in size to a few mega churches that were easily recognizable. But Leon’s vision was even bigger now and Greg just wasn’t certain if he could cosign.

“This is big.” Greg nodded slightly uncomfortable. “And I know you’ve wanted this for a while but I want to be sure about this.”

A wide smile spread over Leon’s face as he hit the desk quickly with excitement causing Greg to look at him peculiarly.

“That’s what I’m talking about; it is big. I know you’re a man that likes to be sure of what you sign onto; I respect that. But our God is big and he wants us to do big things. JMC is the church for it and this is the time for it.”

Greg continued looking at the papers and pictures of the land then back at Leon whose face was lit with enthusiasm. Leon was a salesman by nature it seemed and could probably sell an ice cube to a refrigerator, Greg thought.

“Adding on to this church is going to take this church to an awesome place. We’re going to be able to reach out to people that we haven’t been able to reach. I’m aiming to change our concept of church and make it truly the kingdom of God,” Leon said returning to his desk chair; leaning back relaxed.

“Pastor, the kingdom of God has already been defined.”

Leon waved his arms in the air. “We’ve got to think bigger and broader than what we believe our minds can fathom. This is the vision that God has given me.”

Greg wasn’t about to get into an argument about scripture or visions with Leon. “Look, I love the thought of reaching more people but I have to wonder if this is the way right now.”

“We can’t question how God decides to move, Associate Pastor Greg.”

It was something about the way that Leon said ‘Associate Pastor’ that caused Greg to maintain his gaze a little longer on Leon. The fact that Leon rarely used Greg’s title said one thing and how Leon maintained his smile, was another thing altogether.

Greg took a deep breath. “I need to pray on this one.”

Leon joyous affect changed as he looked at Greg. “Come on man, I’m the pastor. I’ve turned what used to be this small trailer church into this mega church that you are now associate pastor of.” Leon smiled but Greg could feel the daggers from his words. “I don’t make a move without praying first.”

“There’s no denying what you’ve been able to do,” Greg said.

“And we’re going bigger. I just really need you to see my vision and support me. You’ve got to have my back because those 15 board members don’t see what we see.”

Leon’s tone was direct and unyielding as if making it clear to Greg not to dissent.

“I just want to make sure that this is where God is leading us,” Greg said.

Leon sat on the edge of his desk. “This church is growing by leaps and bounds and we’re going to be bigger than what people expect our church to be. I’m talking flying into other countries in our own planes and building schools from the ground up. I can’t make you see the vision; you’ve got to see it for yourself.”

Greg watched Leon’s joviality. There was an awkward silence between the two as Leon seemed to wait on Greg to say something.

“I’ve already done the work; had the land surveyed, obtained the zoning ordinances, even met with the contractors. All we need to do now is sign on the dotted line.”

“The board won’t easily approve this,” Greg said.

“That’s why we’ve got to be a team on this,” Leon said. “That way, they won’t have a choice.”

Greg was certain that Leon had no idea how big of a team he would need for the board to approve such a large investment especially right now. “Well, if this is where God leads then it will be.”

Leon walked over and shook Greg’s hand. “Thank you, brother. You know it’s not just me. You’re my associate pastor. What God does for me, he’s doing for you. You are leading this congregation with me. Together we can change this church, this state, and this country.”

Greg didn’t know if he should laugh or not but looking into Leon’s eyes, he knew that Leon was serious as he had ever known him to be about anything. Whatever he may or may not have agreed with, he knew it was hard to come up against him. Leon had enemies on the board but Leon also was powerful in the eyes of the people in the church and very few ever went up against him.

Evan could have thrown her arms around Mimi when she saw her walk in with an armload of bags had her hands not been sticky with evidence of her poor attempt at making chocolate chip cookies. She hoped that Mimi remembered to bring the popcorn popper from the church’s kitchen.

She and Mimi had been best friends since third grade at McCrae elementary school. Evan could still remember when Mimi showed up as the new girl in Mrs. Lindler’s class wearing crisp blue Jordache jeans and a bright fuzzy pink sweater. The rest of the 3rd graders instantly hated her but not Evan; she and Mimi became fast friends.

Mimi was a stunner; certainly what most men would refer to as a brick house. With her creamy milk chocolate smooth skin, natural short curls and huge brown eyes, she was easily a head turner. She kept her body tight and balanced and her face was always made up flawlessly. If it had not been for their lifelong friendship and her love for Mimi as a sister, she might have felt a tad uncomfortable with how closely she and Leon worked.

But Mimi’s distaste for Leon was no secret; even to Leon. Evan often wanted to remind her that Leon gave her a chance when she really needed one,
exactly five years ago after working for one of the largest mortgage companies in the United States that went belly up
. Mimi was on the verge of losing her home and her car when Leon told her to pick up and move near them then gave her the pastor’s assistant job at the church. Now, she was not only Leon’s assistant but was also in charge of overseeing the pastor and associate pastor’s offices, the preschool; employees and all. Mimi had grown and so had her paycheck from when she had started. But Evan kept her mouth shut.

Evan grabbed a dish cloth and wiped her hands on it. “You’re late but I’ll forgive you because I really need you.”

Mimi placed the bags on the marble stone counter and looked at the bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough. “You started the chocolate chip cookies?”

Evan shrugged. “I did. Did you bring the popcorn popper?”

“It’s in the car.” Mimi responded, raising an eyebrow at the chocolate chip mushy mess as she began removing items from her bags. “I am so excited for this weekend. We are going to get so fat this weekend because we’re baking homemade pizzas, turnovers, and more cookies baby,” Mimi said with a gigantic smile holding up sprinkles and cookie dough from the bag.

Evan smiled at hearing the excitement in Mimi’s voice. Evan knew when she originally had this idea for a girl’s weekend that Mimi would be on board. Not only was Mimi on board but she was practically taking over which was fine with her because she needed Mimi. She was a girl’s girl: mani’s, pedi’s, make-up, dress-up and the like.

“I’m so excited. I love sleep overs. We’re not only going to bake and eat but I have a full night planned for us. I must have bought every color of nail polish in the drug store,” Mimi said removing the nail colors out of the bag.

Evan grinned.
Yeah, she knew her friend really well
.

Evan placed her hand on her hip. “Did you add bible study on your list?”

Mimi turned toward Evan. “Of course.” She grinned displaying the deep dimple in her left cheek. “Lighten up.”

Evan laughed. “I am lightening up.” Evan took a deep breath. “It’s just that I’m concerned about the girls in our church ever since I talked with Sundi. I still have no idea what’s going on with her so I want to use this time to get them to open up a little bit.”

“…And for them to have fun.” Mimi interjected. “This is not church.”

“Of course,” Evan said with a wink.

“Well, act like that’s important,” Mimi said stretching her already large eyes.

“I’m just nervous.”

“Speaking of nervous, where’s the good pastor?” Mimi asked gathering the recyclable shopping bags together.

Evan looked away from Mimi not wanting to get into any conversation that would take away from the anticipated joy of the weekend. “Why? Does he make you nervous?”

“Hardly, he doesn’t have that kind of power over me.”

Evan sighed; cutting her eyes over at Mimi.

“I just want this to be a nice atmosphere without him ruining the energy,” Mimi said retracting as if sensing that Evan was getting annoyed.

“He’ll be here, Mimi.”

“Oh joy,” Mimi said folding up the shopping bags and placing them all together. “Are you joining him at the Pastor’s conference?”

Evan looked up at Mimi curiously. “No, why would I?”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

“He didn’t say anything about that. Besides, I was under the impression that First ladies weren’t invited.”

Mimi rolled her eyes as she rolled up her sleeves preparing to wash her hands. “Who gave you that impression, Leon? Yes, First ladies attend. They even have a First ladies luncheon that the wives attend on the first day of the Pastor’s conference. I used to book everything for him; I know.”

“I never knew that.”

“I always figured that you didn’t want to go. It’s on the conference agenda,” Mimi responded walking over to the sink and washing her hands. “He could have mentioned it. He never ceases to amaze me.”

“Maybe he just didn’t think about it.”

Mimi laughed. “Evan, you know this isn’t Leon’s first rodeo. It’s on his itinerary.”

Evan tried hard to hide her disappointment seeing that she had been trying to schedule time with Leon and he hadn’t even mentioned this possibility.

“Who knows, I might accompany him but right now, I’m going to concentrate on this weekend and I know he’s just as excited about this weekend as I am. He’s even talked about making it bigger like renting out the skating rink or something.”