Lady Elect Read Free Page B

the church asking to speak to Bishop Howell. As the church’s secretary, she had interrogated Arykah about why she was calling. Once Arykah revealed that she wasn’t a member but just a friend of Bishop Howell, Mother Gussie felt she was just another single lady all too eager for the pastor to place a ring on her finger.
    Mother Gussie had had her own plans for Lance’s future. As soon as her granddaughter would have gotten paroled and delivered her third child, Mother Gussie had planned to bring her to the church and introduce her to the pastor. But only weeks after she had answered Arykah’s phone call, Bishop Howell introduced her as his wife.
    Mother Pansie and Mother Gussie both turned their noses up at the form-fitting, crimson-red, knee-length crochet dress Arykah had decided to wear to church that morning. They couldn’t help but notice the three-carat diamond platinum studs shining in Arykah’s ears. Her lobes were completely hidden. Arykah’s hair was pulled back into an elegant ponytail that revealed the matching six-carat diamond teardrop necklace around her neck. As Arykah giggled and whispered in Monique’s ear, the mothers saw her bright red lip gloss. Her perfectly decorated eyelids were adorned with false eyelashes.
    Arykah felt their stares. She purposely placed her left hand on Monique’s right shoulder to give the mothers something to really be hot about. When Mother Pansie and Mother Gussie caught a glimpse of the massive diamond ring, coupled with the diamond tennis bracelet on the first lady’s wedding finger and wrist, their breaths caught in their throats.
    Arykah heard the gasping sounds and turned around with a smile. “Hello, Mothers. It is so good to see you both on this fine Sunday morning.”
    The looks on the mothers’ faces confirmed to Arykah what she already knew. They didn’t like her and preferred she didn’t speak to them. But Arykah didn’t wait for a response. She knew it wasn’t forthcoming anyhow.
    When her mission had been accomplished, Arykah turned back around and found Lance’s eyes staring into her own. He gave her a half smile and slowly shook his head from side to side, indicating to Arykah that she should be ashamed of herself for meddling with the mothers. She winked her eye at Lance. He smiled broadly, then turned his head to focus on the choir rendering in song.
    The mothers hadn’t seen Arykah’s feet yet. She felt Mother Pansie and Mother Gussie would probably have a heart attack if they saw her red stilettos that were adorned with Swarovski crystals.
    Many congregants approached the altar for prayer after Bishop Howell had preached a lengthy sermon on prosperity. The associate ministers came from the pulpit to assist their pastor with laying holy hands on the people. Lance called for Arykah to stand by him when he ministered to women. That was new for Arykah. She hadn’t understood what Lance wanted her to do at that time. When he ministered to a woman, he’d ask Arykah to give her an encouraging hug. Arykah felt honored to be in ministry with her husband. It was exhilarating.
    The last woman Lance instructed Arykah to hug was Darlita, the woman she was to counsel after morning service. She stood before Arykah with a tear-stained face.
    Because Arykah knew Darlita’s story, she immediately pulled her into her arms and began praying for Darlita’s strength and sanity. Arykah was the first to pull away when she had finished praying, but Darlita didn’t let go. She held on to Arykah as if she was in a safety zone. It was as if Darlita felt that if she let go, her world would collapse.
    â€œCome on, sweetie, let’s go to my office,” Arykah said.
    Monique saw Arykah guide Darlita from the sanctuary and knew that was her cue to grab Arykah’s things and follow them. Mother Pansie also saw Arykah leaving the sanctuary with Darlita. As soon as Monique stood to leave,