Lead Me Home (20 page)

Shiloh had viewed many a pageant via television, but seeing all of these beautiful women strut their stuff on stage live was an entirely different experience.

All of the hearsay was correct—TV did add ten pounds, because these ladies were rail thin, including Jade, who had been eating nothing but salads and lean meat for the past month, and she looked as tiny as the other contestants. The other amazing thing was how every strand of gorgeous hair was in place, every smile was perfect, and so was every set of teeth. Colgate, Crest, and others who produced whitening products would have been proud.

Shiloh had great seats, near Vic and Naima, not far from the stage. Over the course of the evening, whenever Jade Devereaux Smith’s name was called or she was asked to comment or present, a section of the audience in the rear left balcony erupted into cheers and applause.

“You need to teach your congregation how to behave in public, Rev,” Shiloh whispered to Vic and laughed.

He gave her a wry smile. “How do you know those are my—our—people? That could be a whole ‘nother fan base.”

Shiloh was delighted to hear him use the word
our
, but didn’t have time to reply because the names of the top five finalists were about to be called.

Mrs. Green Bay. Mrs. Kenosha. Mrs. Milwaukee.

Shiloh heard “Milwaukee” and tuned out the rest of the finalists. She stood to her feet and cheered, along with Vic and Naima.
Naima looked as if she wanted to cry and scream with excitement all at once. Vic picked her up and hugged her. He pumped a fist in the air and high-fived Shiloh. She returned the gesture, then turned her attention back to the main attraction of the night—the ladies on the stage.

After the tumult had died down, the MC asked each woman to come forward and answer a question about how she would serve the state as Mrs. Wisconsin. This time, they went in reverse order, with the fourth and fifth finalists—the ones Shiloh had completely missed—going first.

Mrs. Appleton would focus on child abuse prevention by creating a statewide public awareness campaign that promoted positive parenting education as the best antidote to abuse. Mrs. Brookfield would encourage Wisconsin residents to do a better job of going green, and caring about the environment, from the youngest citizens to the eldest. And then, it was Jade’s turn.

Shiloh thought she looked nervous, yet confident when she stepped out of the soundproof box all of the contestants stood in as they waited their turn to answer the question. She walked the two or three steps forward, where the MC was waiting, and clasped her hands together in front of her. Her shimmery, beaded sea blue and green dress fit her perfectly, and the drop diamond earrings looked gorgeous with her swept-up hairdo.

“Mrs. Milwaukee,” the MC began, “you indicated early on in the pageant that you would consider spending your tenure as Mrs. Wisconsin championing education. However, fairly recently, you updated that to something else. Please tell us what your platform would now be, and why you made the change.”

“Thank you for this opportunity to share about a cause that’s personally meaningful to me,” Jade began, and then faced the audience. “Education is still a very important topic, because without
it, our dreams and often our efforts to succeed, can be limited. I was fortunate enough to graduate from college, but these days, that’s almost equivalent to a high school degree. I was planning to advocate for higher education counseling and funding, but also for Wisconsin citizens of every age to continue learning however they can—through local community college courses, by reading more books, or by other creative means—just doing something to stay aware of the world around us and to remain abreast of life’s most pressing issues.

“However, as the pageant neared, I experienced several meaningful exchanges with a group of women friends about the power of perception, and about the importance of being true to one’s inner beauty. That will be my platform.”

Shiloh was taken aback. She had expected a speech about insurance companies needing to cover hearing aid devices; this was going in a whole new direction.

“These women saw me as this beauty queen diva, and you know,” Jade chuckled, “I guess I have to own that. That’s how I portrayed myself and how I wanted to be seen. But over a period of time, I realized that my need to always be perfect kept them from seeing the real me, and from relating to the fact that just like them, I had fears, doubts, and unfulfilled dreams. When I took the time to share with them that I entered this pageant for vain reasons, a wall tumbled down. They saw the real Jade, and I found out what it means to be authentic, and to open one’s heart without worrying about being judged or gossiped about or ostracized. Actually, what happens is that you find out who your real friends are, and you come to understand that you are meant to be loved no matter what you look like or whether you wear designer clothes and shoes, or what you drive or where you live. I told these women the truth—that I entered this pageant because I was losing my hearing.”

The audience gasped. Jade’s voice quivered and trailed off for a split second, before she regained her confidence. The MC seemed stunned into silence, so Jade continued.

“I learned that my hearing was diminishing in a manner that cannot be cured through surgery, and I’d need two hearing aids to compensate,” Jade continued. “Problem was, my insurance company didn’t cover them, and the cost would be at least five thousand dollars. Out of pocket.”

Another gasp from the audience led Shiloh to turn and survey the people around her. Some were sitting on the edge of their seats as Jade continued. Naima’s wide eyes were glued to her mother and she sat forward, as if she were afraid she might miss something.

“I’m blessed and fortunate enough that my husband and I could have paid for the aids from our savings, but my pride wouldn’t let me go that route. In trying to explore my options, I discovered this pageant and thought I’d enter to see if I could take care of the hearing aids through success here. But I also discovered how few insurance companies actually cover these devices, and I realized not everyone has the option of entering a pageant or finding a potentially quick source of income to help cover the cost of devices that are often a necessity—not a cosmetic option.

“I’m not sure how insurance companies have gotten around paying for these important devices for most patients. In some instances, they’ll cover surgery when the hearing aids are more economical and more prudent. I don’t know why. They serve a vital function that keeps people safe. If I can’t hear my crying baby, he’s at risk. If a hearing impaired person is driving and can’t hear an emergency vehicle’s siren signaling that she should pull over, that is dangerous. So all that said, it took my diagnosis with this mild disability to wake me up out of my ‘vanity fog,’ I call it, to help me realize that unless there is something of substance on the inside, and unless I’m willing to be
real about who I really am, the pretty package doesn’t really matter. Therefore, my platform as Mrs. Wisconsin would be to help girls and women own their true beauty—physical flaws, disabilities, weight issues, or whatever—and embrace who they are so they can grow and mature in ways that lead them to purposeful lives.”

The MC held the microphone as the convention center exploded in applause. Shiloh glanced at Vic, who stood gazing at his wife with a level of love and respect that made Shiloh want to cry.

“Wow,” the MC finally said. “What a powerful story to explain a wonderful platform. Thank you, Mrs. Milwaukee. You have inspired us all tonight.”

After another thunderous round of applause, the next finalist emerged to share her platform. Shiloh listened intently to the rest of them, but her mind and heart kept returning to Jade’s message and testimony. God had used the Bible study group to help Jade find her voice and her inner confidence. Would that have happened if she had stopped coming? Randy had been right all along: God had a reason for bringing Jade to Bible study, and because of the influence of the women there, Jade now felt free to educate and touch thousands.

In the end, Jade was the biggest winner, at least in Shiloh’s mind.

An hour after sharing her intended platform, Jade was one of two women left on stage, with one prepared to don the crown and sash of Mrs. Wisconsin. When Mrs. Kenosha was declared the winner, Shiloh’s heart sank. She was so certain that Jade had wowed the crowd and won. Instead, Mrs. Kenosha, who seemed like a perfectly nice and lovely lady, would represent the state and spread a message of healthy eating and the importance of organic food during her reign.

The minute contestants were ushered to a backstage room where they could meet the press, Jade was swarmed by reporters who wanted to hear more of her story. One informed her that #insurehearingaids had become a trending topic on Twitter, and news stories were surfacing in media statewide about the challenges faced by the hearing impaired who can’t afford hearing aids. Half an hour after the new Mrs. Wisconsin had been scooted away, Jade was still answering media questions. Finally, one of the pageant organizers escorted her out of the press arena, so she could go to her dressing room and change. Shiloh decided to wait with Vic and Naima to see her and congratulate her, and many of the St. Stephens Baptist members came backstage as well.

When Jade returned to the room, wearing jeans and a Mrs. Wisconsin contestant T-shirt, church members burst into applause.
Shiloh, Vic, and Naima joined in on the standing ovation, and Jade beamed.

“You didn’t take home the crown tonight, Jade, but you are clearly a winner. No doubt about that.”

Shiloh’s words made Jade tear up. “Thank you for being here, everyone,” she said. “This means so much. I don’t know what to say.”

“That’s okay,” Sister Dora said. “You honored all of us, and God, on that stage tonight. No need to say anything else—except where you want to have dessert, our treat.”

Everyone laughed, including Jade.

“How about I take a rain check on that?” she asked. “My mom is here from California, and she’s been holed up in our hotel room with Nicholas all evening. I’d like some time to celebrate with her, too.”

Once they finished congratulating her, the St. Stephens members departed, leaving just Shiloh, Vic, and little Naima.

“Well, I don’t know what to make of all of this,” Jade said. “I’m overwhelmed.”

“You did great, Mommy,” Naima said and hugged her waist. “You made me proud.”

“Me too, honey,” Vic said and winked. “And between your two pageants, you got help paying for the hearing aids!”

Jade punched his arm, then hugged him. She looked at Shiloh and explained. “As first runner up tonight, I’ll receive a two-thousand-dollar cash prize and a few other goodies,” Jade said. “You see where his mind is, don’t you?”

Vic kissed her cheek. “My mind is on you, and how proud you made me tonight. You can do whatever you want with your winnings. I’m paying for the hearing aids in another way, and don’t argue.”

Jade stepped out of his embrace and looked into his eyes. She didn’t say anything, but all that she was feeling was evident. She hugged him again before releasing him and approaching Shiloh.

“Thank you for becoming my friend, and for being here. I can’t tell you how much it meant to not only have church members come, but to have you here, Shiloh. You’ve been a great blessing to me.”

Shiloh hugged her tight. “Likewise, Second Lady, likewise.”

The ride home on Friday night was lighthearted, as cars filled with St. Stephens Baptist members caravanned down Interstate 94 toward Milwaukee. Shiloh traveled alone, as she had on the way to the pageant, but it was heartwarming to see all of the members socializing with each other and laughing and chatting in their individual cars. Jade, Vic, their kids, and her mother would stay overnight for a final pageant breakfast, and return later on Saturday.

Shiloh arrived home well after midnight and went directly to bed. She didn’t wake Randy, since he was still recovering from the long drive to Atchity earlier in the week.

Hours later, Shiloh awoke in good spirits, although the looming conversation with her boys filled her mind. Thankfully, they had nowhere to be this early on Saturday, and would sleep in. Randy, who joined her for breakfast, was in a surprisingly good mood, too.

“That was an awesome way for the church to support Jade,” he said, after she described the evening. “She deserved to win. But God knows what he’s doing. No worries about how it all turned out.”

Shiloh nodded. “Yeah, the kids are still kind of young for her to be obligated to traveling the state and all of that now, anyway. Maybe this will encourage her to try again in a few more years, when they are older.”

Randy shook his head. “I don’t know. I think the media attention she’s getting from her platform—at least her intended platform—will
resonate in ways that are going to open other doors for Ms. Jade. She’s on her way.”

“Good for her,” Shiloh said.

Just as she was about to take another sip of coffee, her cell phone pinged. She picked it up, wondering who would be calling so early on a Saturday, and was delighted to see a text from Monica.

Rather than chance missing her by responding later, Shiloh dialed Monica’s number immediately. Heart pounding, she prayed Monica would answer. When Monica picked up on the third ring, she wasn’t sure what to say.

“Mrs. Griffin, is that you?”

“Yes, Monica. How are you, sweetie?” Shiloh wanted her to know she had been worried about her, but she didn’t want to start off the conversation with words that might be taken the wrong way.

“Hanging in,” Monica said. “Sorry you haven’t heard from me until now. My dad … I … I’m sorry it couldn’t be avoided.”

“You okay?” Shiloh wondered whether she was aware of the rumors that had been circulating. Randy turned down the radio, and Shiloh was grateful that the distraction was reduced.

“Not really, but I guess I will be,” Monica said. “Can I see you again?”

“Will your father allow it?”

“I think so,” Monica said. “He’s calmed down a lot.”

“I have a commitment today,” Shiloh said, thinking of her errands and her plan to talk with her sons. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to get away … Are you coming to church tomorrow? Will your dad and grandmother be there?”

“I think so,” Monica said. “If they don’t come, I think one of them will drop me off.”

“Okay,” Shiloh said. “Either way, let’s plan on spending some time together after church. You can come over for dinner, and then maybe we can go somewhere to talk.”

“Sure,” Monica said. “Thank you, Mrs. Griffin. You don’t know how much I appreciate you.”

Shiloh smiled. “Oh, I think I have some idea. I hope you know just how mutual the feeling is. I’ve missed you, little girl.”