Church Whore 2 Page 5

  Edem stretched, and said a silent prayer for guidance. “Well, I’m glad you didn’t. You have a wife and baby on the way.”

  “I know that’s why I didn’t kill him. But, he probably wishes he was dead right about now.” Mud laughed.

  “You gave it to him?”

  “You know it!” Edem and Mud gave each other dap.

  “Why didn’t you call me before you went? I would have gone with you.”

  “Edem, what would you have done? Beat him with the crutch?” They both laughed.

  “Man I could of stomped him with the good foot.” Edem laughed and stomped his foot down. “So, what about Elisea, you’re just going to play it off?” Edem’s eyebrow went up because he knew his brother.

  “That’s the plan.” Mud shrugged. “I just had to come over here and clean up before I went home. Tricia has been blowing me up.”

  “Yeah, busting all up in my room like a mad man. What if I was…”

  “What if you were what?” Mud interrupted. “Jacking off?” Mud busted out laughing.

  “I was about to say sleeping, you heathen.”

  Mud patted Edem on the shoulder. “I’m just teasing, man. I know you don’t jack off.” He cut his eyes at him. “You don’t jack off, do you?”

  “No, Mud! Now, go home because you are about to make me stomp you with my good foot.”

  “Aight, man.” Mud got up and hugged his brother. “Thanks for patching up my hand.”

  “I got you.”

  “I know you do.” Mud headed for the door and turned around. “For real though, Edem, I know you got my back. You have all of our backs. Aight, I’m about to go. Love.”

  “Love,” Edem said before hopping back to his desk. Before he could get back to writing, he thought about how Elisea was used and misled. He said another prayer for his sister and that she found peace and had closure in the situation.

  ________

  Junior walked up behind Sheila, closed his eyes, and inhaled her scent. Dag, she smelled good. Sheila turned around and they were face to face.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey.”

  Sheila looked at Junior strangely. “Ummm, what were you doing?”

  “Nothing.”

  Sheila turned her juicy, lip-glossed lips up and Junior stared at them. “Stop lying, what were you doing, Edwin?”

  “Aight, I was admiring your scent.” He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Pregnancy looked good on Sheila. Not only was she glowing, but her already large breasts seemed to look bigger. He sighed, thinking about how he used to suck on them.

  “My face is up here.” Sheila saw where Junior’s eyes had landed.

  “I’m sorry, it’s just that…”

  “It’s just what?” Sheila moved away from him and sat down in her chair.

  “I miss you, for one. We don’t talk like we used to. We always said that we wouldn’t let anything come between us.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Sheila turned her head, and Junior turned her face back toward him.

  “I miss us. I know things are crazy, but I had a long talk with Edem and he was saying that I carry you in my soul. That’s why I can’t leave you alone. I’m trying, Goldie, I am. But, baby, I miss your velvet throat.”

  “It’s killing me, too.” Sheila stood up, and Junior pulled her close to him and kissed her. Sheila couldn’t resist and kissed him back. They became lost in each other’s mouths. They were so wrapped up in their passionate kiss that they didn’t see Lacey standing there watching them.

  ________

  Lacey was in tears as she drove over to Felicia’s house. She knew Junior was a whore, but Sheila? She was not even his type. Lacey rubbed her belly and cried even harder. When she got to Felicia’s, everybody was there. She dried her eyes and fixed her makeup before getting out of her car.

  Lizzie opened the door. “Hey!” They embraced and Lacey entered the house. She really wanted to get some good energy from the baby and talk to Felicia, but Lizzie, Mama Eloise, and Madear was there, and she wasn’t expecting that.

  “Lacey!” Felicia said when saw her walk in.

  “Hey, Lacey!” Mama Eloise said, rocking baby Faith.

  “Hey, baby,” Madear sang.

  “Hello, everybody.” Lacey made herself comfortable on the couch.

  “What’s going on withcha?” Felicia asked.

  “Lacey, you want something to eat? I have a low country boil going and it’s almost done,” Lizzie told her as she set the table for some good eating.

  “I’m just in time, I’ve been wanting some crab legs ever since I saw Tamar and Vince eating at Benzino’s crab place.”

  “Girl, didn’t it look good?”

  “What is a Benzino?”

  “He’s a reality star, keep up,” Madear told her. Felicia and Lacey looked at each other, and laughed. Madear laughed along with them. She sensed something was off about Lacey. There was sadness in her eyes. Madear pulled out her phone and sent a text.

  The ladies watched The Young and the Restless, fussing back and forth about what was going on. It was one of their past times that had passed down from generation to generation. As the show ended, Lizzie got up to check the food. Mama Eloise laid the baby in her crib and went in the kitchen to help get the table together.

  “Alright, y’all, let’s eat!” Mama Eloise announced. The doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.” Mama Eloise opened the door. “Hey, Memory! You’re just in time for some low country boil.”

  “Hey, Miss Eloise.” Memory and Mama Eloise hugged.

  “Come on, we were just about to sit down.” Memory followed Mama Eloise into the kitchen. The table was covered with plastic and the aroma was intoxicating.

  “Baby, you made it!” Madear smiled when she saw her granddaughter in law.

  “Hey, y’all!” Memory waved as she walked in. She kissed Madear on the cheek.

  “Hey!” the girls said in unison.

  “Memory, thank you for gift you sent over the other week.” Felicia was about to crack a crab leg with her hand when Lacey elbowed her.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Let’s say grace. Father God, we come to You to bless the hands that prepared this food. Bless this food as the nourishment of our bodies. We thank You for this bountiful blessing. In Jesus name we pray, Amen”

  “Amen,” the ladies said in unison.

  They feasted on crab legs, shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn. The room was filled with sounds of good eating. After everyone had a good taste of everything, Eloise sat back in her chair. “Whew, that was good.”

  “It sho was!” Madear co-signed. She used her fingernail to get the corn out of her teeth. She looked over at Memory, who was breaking a crab leg in half. “So, baby, how’s business?” Madear knew the ladies knew what Memory did for a living. She had gone to prison for being the top madam in the city, but Madear didn’t judge her. Memory was married to her grandson, Tyreke, and she loved her to death.

  “Madear!” Memory said, looking around the table at the ladies.

  “What? We’re all women here. Shoot, maybe you can teach them a few things.” Madear glanced at Lacey.

  “Yeah, Memory, school us because these women will do anything to get my husband, crazy heifers!” Felicia said.

  “Well, for one, at the end of the day, men just like to have their egos stroked. They want to be made to feel like a King. So, it’s starts mentally. The sex is just the extra. That needs to be on point, though. Can you believe its 2015 an there are women who do not know to give good head?”

  “Lord, help us,” Eloise said, putting a shrimp in her mouth.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Too much?”

  “No, baby, keep talking,” Madear said before Eloise could respond.

  “Yeah, I want to hear this,” Lacey finally admitted.

  “I’ve had to start giving a monthly head 101 class. I mean, don’t even swallow. Like really? They still make women like that?”

  “Father God,” Eloise mumbled as she
shot Madear a look.

  “You have to please your man because if you don’t, someone else will.”

  “How?” Lacey asked.

  “Ask him, say, ‘Baby, what do you like?’ It’s pretty simple. I don’t know why women complicate the situation. Give that man what he wants sexually. Now, what he needs is to be catered to and made to feel like a King.”

  “I think I do treat my husband like a King,” Lacey told her.

  “Really? Well, has he ever said, ‘Baby, you treat me like a King?’ If not, ask him. Let me ask you this, do you listen to him? I mean, really listen to him?”

  “Ummmm.” Lacey couldn’t really answer.

  “I don’t know why a lot of women are too afraid to communicate with their man. Most of the men that paid me good money and still pay me for my girls, nine times out of ten they just want to be heard.”

  “Get out of here!” Eloise was shocked.

  “Yes, I’m dead serious.”

  Memory continued to school the women on the art of pleasing your man and Madear was pleased, her plan worked.

  Chapter 8

  The Blanks clan led the church in praise and worship.

  I’ve got, got the victory

  I’ve got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus.

  Ye,s I do

  He’s our mighty conqueror.

  In Him I will trust all my battles he’ll fight.

  I’ve got, got the victory

  I’ve got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus.

  For me He died but He rose on the third day.

  That’s why I have true victory every day.

  As they ushered in the spirit of the Lord, the congregation was up on their feet. When the Blanks clan sang together, something supernatural happened. The perfect blend of their voices always took church service to another level. Eloise sat in the front pew with a big smile on her face.

  Edem got up to preach, limping with his crutches. “Praise the Lord, saints.”

  “Praise the Lord,” the congregation responded.

  “I said Praise the Lord, saints. Say it like you mean it. Say it like you thank the Lord for waking up this morning! Praise the Lord, saints.”

  “Praise the Lord!” The volume of the congregation increased.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m glad to be here today, Amen? I thank you saints for the prayers of the righteous. I was told my heart stopped on the table, so I’m excited to tell you this morning how good God is.” The congregation applauded. “Jeremiah 29: 11 tells us, For I know the plans I have for you. Declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

  “See, church, God revealed to me that we are in a season of transition. Sometimes, God has to shake things up in your life to take you to the next level. Friends become enemies, your patience is thin, you have been asking God for a change and when He gives it to you, you resist. Well, I’m here to tell you to trust God. He has it already figured out. Everybody in your life right now is not supposed to go to the next level with you. When God says move, move! Marriages are being shook up it, doesn’t mean run to a divorce lawyer, it means sit down with your spouse and work it out if it can be worked out. Just because things seem out of whack, this is usually when God moves. Sometimes, He has to make you uncomfortable for you to be willing to do something different. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready, I’m ready to go to the next level. Trust God, saints, trust God! Church, will you trust Him?” The church erupted in praise. Edem hopped from behind the podium.

  Not another second or another minute

  Not an hour of another day

  But at this moment with my arms outstretched

  I need you to make a way as you have done before so

  Many times before

  Through a window or an open door,

  I stretch my hands to thee

  Come rescue me

  I need you right away

  Edem’s smooth voice flowed over the lyrics like water. Everyone sat mesmerized as the spirit moved in the church.

  ________

  At the Blanks Sunday dinner at Eloise’s, everyone sat around the table talking and eating when Junior’s phone rang. It was Sheila calling, and he looked at his phone and put it back on the table without answering. His phone rang again and he knew Sheila wouldn’t be calling back to back if it weren’t important.

  “Hello? What? Deacon Denard? I’m on my way!” Junior hung up the phone, getting up.

  “What’s wrong, Junior?” Lacey asked, wondering if he was running off to meet Sheila.

  “That was Sheila, she was the hospital visiting Miss Bernice and found out Denard has been in the hospital for days. His neighbor found him stabbed up.”

  “What?” the family said in unison.

  Eloise jumped up. “Oh, my God! I’m going with you!”

  “Who would do such a thing to Deacon Denard?” Mud asked.

  “I don’t know, but I have to go check on him.” Junior gathered his things.

  “Let me go get my purse, I got to call Madear.”

  “Poor thing, for three days? How did we not know?” Lacey asked, shaking her head.

  “We need to keep a better eye on our church family. I’ve told you that before, Junior.” Edem shook his head.

  ‘Yea, I know, I know. I’ll call y’all when we get there.”

  “Thank God for Sheila because he has to feel alone,” Tricia said.

  “Yeah, thank God for Sheila,” Lacey mumbled, eyeing Junior. Edem noticed the look exchange, but Junior wasn’t paying attention.

  “I’m going with you, too, Junior,” Eddie said, getting up.

  “We all need to go.” Edem got up, grabbing his crutches.

  “You stay here, I’ll go,” Mud told him.

  “No, I’m going. I’m not dead, Mud.” Mud backed down, he knew not to argue with Edem. “I’ll be back, baby.” Edem bent down and kissed Ruthie on her forehead, causing her to blush.

  As soon as they were out the door, Lizzie said, “Baby? Aww, black love! Welcome to the family, Ruthie,” Lizzie teased.

  “I’m not family yet, Lizzie.”

  “Girl, my brother loves you.”

  “He sho does,” Elisea said, stuffing her mouth with food.

  “They’re right, Ruthie, and I’m glad. Edem needs a good woman. You would make a great first lady,” Lacey told her.

  “Y’all stop!” Ruthie covered her face.

  “No, sister, really, Edem is your Boaz. And, you know what happened to Ruth and Boaz. Jesus came out of their lineage.” Lacey winked at her.

  “You know since my husband died years ago, I’ve prayed for man like Edem, and for so many years working side by side with him, I never thought he noticed me,” Ruthie confessed.

  “Let me tell you something about my brother, he’s different from the rest of my brothers. He doesn’t just act, he prays about every move he makes and he has chosen you. You will be blessed, I believe that,” Lizzie told her.

  “I agree, Ruthie, my brother thinks things through and prays about everything, so you’re family now,” Elisea said, reaching for the potato salad.

  “Have y’all discussed marriage, Ruthie?” Felicia asked.

  “I mean, we’ve talked about it and what are expectations are, but he hasn’t asked or anything.”

  “Oh, it’s coming,” Felicia said. “Even Mama Eloise seems pleased with you and, trust me, that doesn’t happen often.” All the ladies nodded in agreement. Ruthie laughed.

  “Ladies, I have been thinking, I want to start a start a class in the women’s ministry on how to keep your man satisfied; for the married women of course. After talking to Memory, I think we, as wives, need to step our game up. These church whores don’t value marriage, and it’s sad we have to compete with them, but we do,” Lacey confessed.

  “Yeah, you know what Memory said, we are in competition with any woman that he has ever been with or will be with,” Felicia chimed in.

  “I’m mad I missed
that conversation. Memory is a beast!” Elisea said.

  “How do you think Mama Eloise will feel about that?” Felicia asked.

  “I’m fighting to save my marriage and I can’t be the only one, so that is my only concern,” Lacey stated blatantly.

  “I hear ya because these Blanks men are something else! Except Edem, Ruthie, you will never have to deal with what we deal with,” Tricia told her. Lizzie and Elisea exchanged a look.

  “Well, hopefully, I can join soon. James has been bringing up marriage lately,” Lizzie said with a big grin.

  “Aww, Lizzie, that is great!” Tricia danced in her seat.

  “You are so silly.” Lizzie laughed.

  “We need some good news in this in family. I swear, the enemy is after us, but that is why we stay prayed up,” Lacey told them. “Now, Lizzie, I know you are still a virgin, so if you have any questions, we are here for you.”

  “I’m glad you said that, I am scared to death. I don’t know what to do.” Lizzie felt comfortable sharing her thoughts with her sisters.

  “First, it’s normal to be scared, this is uncharted territory. The first time may not be the best, but it will get better. Let him teach you. Every man is different, just tell him to be patient with you,” Felicia schooled her.

  “My advice is to be completely open about your needs. That was my mistake with Junior.” Lacey shook her head.

  “My advice is to make sure the lines of communication are open. You have to trust him, so tell him what’s on your heart,” Tricia added.

  “Yeah, when I was married before I was a virgin, and my husband taught me how to please him and we were good,” Ruthie shared.

  “Thanks, y’all, this helps a lot.” Lizzie took mental notes of their advice.

  “Girl, James loves you, you will be fine, sis,” Elisea said. Lizzie noticed the sadness in her sister’s eyes. She said a silent prayer that Elisea would find love like she had.