Sister Betty Says I Do (22 page)

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s soon as Bea and Sasha stepped off their apartment building's elevator, they found Ima standing outside Sasha's apartment. Her eyes were red, and one look at her tear-streaked face told them she'd been crying.

Sasha picked up her stride, getting to Ima before Bea.

“What's wrong with you?” Sasha asked Ima. “How long you been in this hallway?”

“I'm going to go on inside and make some adjustments to these flyers I'm revising,” Bea told Sasha. “You go ahead and take care of your niece.” She slowly adjusted her pocketbook and the notebook in her hands while reaching for her door key, as if she was waiting for them to continue talking in her presence. When they kept quiet, she jammed her key inside the lock. “Sasha,” Bea said softly, “we'll chat later.” Bea wasn't too upset, because she knew Sasha would tell everything, anyway.

They went inside Sasha's apartment, and within minutes Sasha had given Ima something to drink. Without any coaxing, Ima began telling her what was wrong.

“He hasn't said a word,” Ima told Sasha. “I can't figure out the man. I invite him to lunch at an expensive restaurant. He stands me up, and I pretend it wasn't anything. I felt certain that dancing would do it. And now he hasn't called me after I danced my heart out, and he didn't even wait around after the prayer meeting to say a kind word or anything.”

“Maybe he's just been busy,” Sasha replied. “He is the pastor of a big church.”

“Oh, never mind,” Ima said. “I should've never listened to you.”

“And you said you'd do exactly what I told you to do. And I sure didn't tell you to get up there in front of the entire congregation and channel your inner stripper.”

 

Shortly after Ima's mini-meltdown, where she left crying again, Sasha and Bea strolled to a nearby pharmacy. They walked two blocks out of their way because Bea was still embarrassed from her neighbors seeing her wigless. On the way, Sasha told her what had happened earlier, when Ima stormed out after Sasha accused her of stripping in the Lord's house.

“You were wrong to call what she'd done stripping, Sasha,” Bea told her. “You remember when they used to call me Bea ‘Baby Doll' Blister?”

“They called you a lot of dumb names, pretty much the same way they do now.”

“Hater,” Bea snapped. “Anyway, I know stripping, and what Ima did at that prayer and testifying service was hardly stripping.”

“Gimme a break, Bea. You couldn't have stripped paint off a wall,” Sasha replied. “Ima is fighting a losing battle.”

Bea stopped walking and pointed her finger at Sasha. “Then why did you tell her you'd help her snag our pastor?”

“Do you want the truth?”

Bea pulled at Sasha's arm to urge her on. “It would be unusual for you, but I'd like to hear what truth sounds like coming out of your mouth.”

“I did it because I didn't want Sister Betty getting the better part of life's deal.”

Bea stopped walking and pulled Sasha closer. “What are you yapping about, Sasha? What better deal does Sister Betty have? She's old and lonely, like you, except now she does have a half a man who done gave her an expensive ring.” Bea kept listing the differences between Sasha and Sister Betty, finally telling her, “They both rich, and you ain't hardly got a dime between paying rent and buying toilet paper.”

Sasha stepped away from Bea and stabbed the concrete pavement with her cane before she lifted it, as if she wanted to hit Bea. Quickly dismissing Bea's rundown, she began walking away, leaving Bea huffing as she tried to catch up. When Sasha felt Bea had chased her enough, which was only a few feet, she told her, “I just didn't want her niece Sharvon to get a chance with Reverend Tom. There you have it. That's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”

“That makes no sense,” Bea blurted. “What do you care who the pastor becomes involved with? I'd just be happy to see him shut them closet-door rumors for good.”

“Why must I have to spell everything out for you, Bea? You're the one that's been as far as the eleventh grade.”

“So what am I missing?”

Sasha pointed to a bench and, with her cane, indicated to Bea that they should sit. “Listen,” Sasha began. “Sister Betty and Pastor already acting like they're mother and son. He's got her all up in his business.”

“So what?” Bea replied. “Neither of them have any family in South Carolina, that is, until Sharvon came to stay with Sister Betty.”

“Exactly,” Sasha went on. “It was bad enough having Sister Betty have the last word of telling the pastor what thus saith the Lord and him all emotionally tight. The last thing the church needs is for him to get involved with another boring woman. Can you imagine how much more boring our church would be? Folks are already leaving because of the economy or moving away. Sharvon and her dull way of thinking would send them running for the exit door in droves.” Sasha looked up toward the sky before announcing, “With Ima in his life, there'd be some sparks, some drama.”

For the second time in two days, Bea's jaw dropped. She leaned back on the park bench, looking at Sasha as she straightened her wig. “You know what, Smurf?” Bea snapped. “If I'd have told you everything you just told me, you'd be hauling my butt off to the loony bin. But somehow knowing the way you think, it makes sense that you'd feel that way. But I think you need to come clean and call it what it is.”

“What do you mean, Bea?”

“I mean, you're just jealous of Sister Betty,” Bea replied, shaking her head.

“Ain't that what I just explained?” Sasha answered. “Weren't you paying attention?”

Still shaking her head, Bea helped Sasha off the park bench. They began their stroll once more toward the pharmacy. With dueling opinions about what was real and just downright crazy about Sasha's reasoning, they almost walked past the pharmacy. Just as they entered, they came face-to-face with Elder Batty.

“Sasha, Bea,” the elder greeted. “How are you ladies this beautiful afternoon?”

“Batty,” Bea said, “I didn't know you were coming out my way.”

“Well, I was actually headed toward the Promised Land board meeting. I'm representing Reverend Tom.”

“Why isn't he heading it, like he's supposed to?” Sasha asked. It didn't matter that Elder Batty wasn't talking to her. “It seems to me like he's been doing an awful lot of shirking lately.”

“He's not shirking anything, Sasha,” said the elder.

“She's just in a bad mood today,” Bea offered. “But where is Pastor?”

“I haven't a clue,” the elder replied. “He said he would be gone for a couple of days and that I was to stand in for him at this meeting.”

“Are you telling everything?” Bea asked. “I got a feeling you ain't telling everything.”

“C'mon, Bea,” Elder Batty told her. “You know me.”

“I sure do,” Bea replied. “So what is it that you ain't telling me?”

“That's right,” Sasha added. “What are you up to?”

No sooner had the elder raised his hand to protest than the bag he held fell and a legal-size envelope fell out.

Bea looked at the envelope and grinned. She immediately knew what was on the elder's mind and gently pushed Sasha aside so Sasha couldn't read the writing on the envelope. “Never mind us.” Bea suddenly smiled. “I see you've got something else on your mind. You go ahead and take care of that meeting.”

“Thank you, Bea,” the elder replied, smiling as wide as she had. “I'll just take my envelope here, and I'll see you later.” He picked up the envelope, shoving the contents back inside of it as Sasha tried to lean over to see what it was.

“Bea,” the elder said, winking as he ignored Sasha's efforts, “you wouldn't happen to be baking your famous red velvet cake tonight, would you?”

“I'm not,” Bea said, nodding toward the bag now in his hands. “But I see I should prepare something tasty and sweet.”

“Well, when I'm through processing what needs to get done, I'll come by.” Elder Batty then turned to Sasha and asked, “Where's that niece of yours? I've got something for her.”

Sasha lifted her cane and began thrusting it at the elder. “You nasty buzzard,” she hissed. “My niece ain't participating in nothing you and this she-rilla got going, you oversexed silverback monkey!”

As though Bea and Sasha always carried with them a cheering squad for their madness, some of the patrons began gathering. It was enough of a crowd to cause the elder to rush off without looking back.

“Y'all just plain ole nasty.” Sasha shook her head. “I betcha he got something in there to help his imagination.” Sasha stared at Bea, looking at her from head to toe. “I can see why he would.”

“Hater!” Bea hissed. “You always hopping on those munchkin legs to the wrong conclusion. If you must be all up in my business . . . ” Bea raised her hands, as if to ask God, “Why me?” “He always wants a piece of my red velvet cake when he's done gone and had to serve somebody one of them legal subpoena papers. It's more stressful on him than the ones he's got to give it to.”

“Whatever, Bea!” Sasha exclaimed, shaking her head, as if she did not believe one word Bea told her. “Let me get what I came for, and I'll meet you at the register. Don't take all day.”

“Don't worry about me,” Bea called out. “You just make sure you don't pick up any more Preparation H instead of toothpaste.”

Several aisles over in the same pharmacy, Sister Betty scanned the various brands of toothpaste on the pharmacy shelves. Her handheld shopping basket was completely full. She'd come to the Promised Land to visit her dear friend, the former congresswoman Cheyenne Bigelow. Cheyenne was now home from the hospital. She'd promised to pick up a few items that Cheyenne needed and bring them to her.

“I certainly never expected to run into you,” Sasha said. “I haven't seen you too much in church lately, either, except for the other night at prayer and testimony service.”

“Good day to you, too, Sasha,” Sister Betty replied as she dropped the box of toothpaste into her basket and began to walk away. “Have a good day.”

The clicking sounds from Sasha's cane thumping on the floor caused Sister Betty to walk as fast as her arthritic knees could carry her. She knew Sasha was up to no good, and was certain that whatever Ima had done the other night had Sasha's blessing. She was just about to reach the register when she almost knocked Bea over.

“Well, isn't this something!” Bea exclaimed, acting as though she and Sister Betty were the best of friends. “I'm surprised but happy to see you over here in the Promised Land.”

“Why?” Sister Betty sat her basket on the counter and began taking out the items. She wanted to say something more but wouldn't chance undoing all her fasting and praying.

“Well, with the trustee only out of the hospital again, and just a short time before you two trip down the aisle, I figured you'd be doctoring him so he could make it. Ain't neither one of y'all getting any younger, so ya might as well stop the delay.”

Sister Betty slammed the basket down on the counter. “Bea Blister, what in the world is you talking about now?”

“I'll answer that.” Sasha began to grin; it was slow at first, and then her entire face broke out into a sneer. “You must be falling away from grace,” Sasha told her. “It looks like neither the good Lord nor the trustee letting you in on much these days. That'll happen when you being disobedient to God's will.”

“That's right,” Bea agreed. “It's a good thing you have me and Sasha around to keep you informed about things.” She put her hands on her hips and added, “Although I don't know why our dear pastor didn't say nothing, since he was the one who picked up the trustee from the hospital.”

Sister Betty said nothing. There was nothing she could say. Either she believed Bea and Sasha or she didn't. “Are you two running your mouths about something you've heard or something you've seen with your own eyes?”

“Oh, we definitely saw your fiance in the hospital,” Sasha replied. “He was in there the same time as yours and ours dear friend Cheyenne.”

“I know I ain't making up nothing, and I'm still a bit upset with him, but I'm willing to let bygones go because y'all getting married.” Bea straightened her wig and added, “But you need to know it's only because I'm saved. That man of yourn thoroughly got me pissed off that day.”

S
ister Betty had called the same car service that had brought her to the Promised Land to take her back home. She'd been relieved earlier, when Cheyenne had begun to doze off during the visit. The unsettling news from Bea and Sasha about Freddie's recent hospitalization had made her too angry and confused to hold a decent conversation. She couldn't wrap her mind around why Leotis hadn't said anything, although with the way things stood with her and Freddie, she could see why he hadn't.

As soon as the car service neared her home, Sister Betty saw Thurgood's rental car in her driveway. She remembered today was the last day of Sharvon's short vacation and figured they were probably inside having a visit. She didn't feel up to company at that moment, but they were her family, and the way things were going, they would be her only family.

Sister Betty had planned on quietly entering her home and heading straight for her bedroom and putting away the things in her bags later. She still didn't feel up to chatting. When she neared her living room, she heard Thurgood praying.

“Father God, you said whatever is bound on earth shall be bound in heaven. I bind chaos, ill will, and bad health in this here home. Cancel the Devil's assignment, Father.”

Drawn by the prayer, Sister Betty peered inside the living room. She saw Thurgood, Delilah, and Sharvon. They were holding hands while Thurgood prayed.

“And, Father God,” Thurgood continued, “you said further in your Word that whatever is loose on earth is loose in heaven. I loose peace, wisdom, and understanding. Amen.”

It appeared she'd come in at the end of the prayer, so Sister Betty wasn't certain what had been said before. Any prayer asking God's peace in her home was welcomed, so she couldn't help but add an “Amen.”

Sister Betty had surprised them, but it was Sharvon who reacted first. She dropped Delilah's hand. “I never heard you come in.” She took the bags from Sister Betty's hands. “As you can see, we were just praying.”

“Have a seat, cousin,” Thurgood told Sister Betty. “Me and Delilah don't have a lot of time, but there's some things that need saying.”

Delilah walked over and stood between Sharvon and Thurgood. In her no-nonsense way, she came to the point. “Sharvon's got a confession, and you just need to hear her out.”

“Cousin Delilah!” Sharvon's eyes narrowed. “We just prayed for God to lead us, and you go ahead and do it your way?”

“How do you know God didn't tell me to do it this way?” Delilah refused to back down. “I'm really getting tired of folks asking God to make a way and then expecting Him to do the shoving.”

“My Dee Dee is right,” Thurgood chimed in. “God needs you to know and believe that He's there for support and guidance. God already did the only heavy lifting when he sent His son to the cross.”

“What is y'all talking about now?” Sister Betty moved away from the others and sat down. Her body and her mind seemed to have aged that day. Between Bea and Sasha and now her family, she wanted to scream, wondering when God would give her the peace they'd just prayed for.

Sharvon took a deep breath. “In a nutshell,” she began, “I was so angry with Mother Pray Onn when she was here that day that when I tried to hit her with that magazine, I might've given her the idea that you and Freddie wouldn't be getting married.”

“You ain't in a court of law, Sharvon,” Thurgood blurted. Pointing at Sister Betty, he ordered, “Tell her straight out what you said, and stop trying to skirt around the facts.”

Sharvon looked at Delilah with a sad expression. She sought help, but Delilah turned away.

“I told Mother Pray Onn that there'd be no wedding, just to get rid of her that day.” Sharvon sighed. “I'm sorry.”

Sister Betty's response was a surprise to them all. “What's there to be sorry about? Sasha only wanted to plan a stupid reception. She wasn't engaged to Freddie. I was. He'd hardly know what you'd told Sasha when he decided he didn't want to get married. He's just full of secrets and lies, and I'm glad the Lord is showing me who's for me and who ain't!” Sister Betty's hands twitched in her lap. She fought to hold back tears.

“Betty, please pull yourself together,” Thurgood said. His tone was sharp, angry, because half-truths had stolen the peace he'd just prayed for. He then turned to Sharvon. “You still determined not to tell it all?” Thurgood asked Sharvon. “God has an eternity. The rest of us ain't got all day.”

“I'm about tired of this,” Delilah told Sharvon. “You got all that book learning and not an ounce of common sense.”

Sharvon folded her arms in defiance. She felt cornered, but it was her own doing. “Freddie overheard Mother Pray Onn telling Bea and Leotis that your wedding was off.”

Sister Betty leapt off the sofa. “What do you mean, she told Freddie and Leotis? Are you saying that Leotis and Freddie both knew and neither of them said a word to me? The three of you let me sulk around this house for the past several weeks, and none of you had the decency or the courage to tell me that it was something Sasha said and that you started?”

Thurgood decided he'd try to explain things a bit better than Sharvon, who, he felt, had just made a mess. “Betty,” he said calmly, “look at it this way. Freddie believed what he heard, and he's been heartbroken and praying to God that you'd change your mind and want to get married.”

“What do you mean, Thurgood?” Sister Betty's eyes grew wild, and she seemed to turn into someone none of them recognized. “You knew that Freddie wanted to marry me, and you didn't say a word?”

In case Sister Betty had thoroughly lost her mind, Delilah quickly stepped in front of her husband, ready to protect Thurgood if she had to. “In all fairness, you never said a word about believing your wedding was called off. You let me and Thurgood go on and on about how we were so happy to be a part of your wedding—”

“All of you, get out of my home!” Sister Betty ordered. She sounded as though a demon had possessed her. “I don't need this!” She began walking in a circle, slapping her hands together, before waving them about. “I want my peace of mind back! I want my peace back.” She kept repeating the phrase before rushing out of her living room and into her bedroom.

The wailing sounds from Sister Betty shocked the others into silence.