Read Online Everybody Say Amen by Reshonda Tate Billingsley - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Reshonda Tate Billingsley
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word.”
“Whatever, Lester.” She rolled her eyes.
Lester stared at Rachel. “You are being ridiculous. I need you to grow up and start acting like a proper first lady.”
“And how does a proper first lady act, Lester? Like my mother? News flash: It ain’t happening. You knew that when you married me. You knew that when you decided to take over my daddy’s church, and you know that now. And you just seem to forget all that I have been doing. I’ve turned the youth department around. I go to all the little church functions, the boring meetings, the sick and shut-in visits, the stupid bingo games. I even taught some Sunday school classes, and you want to talk to me about being proper?” Rachel was fuming now, too. Granted, maybe she shouldn’t have been at the club, but if he’d been doing the right thing—keeping the floozies out of his face—she would’ve never gone in the first place. “Since when did you get so self-righteous anyway?”
Lester let out an exasperated sigh as he picked up his glass from the table and took it to the sink. “Rachel, I’m just trying to live a godly life and I want my family to do the same.” He poured his juice out, then put the glass in the dishwasher before turning back to face her. “You’re always talking about your mother, but you could learn a thing or two from her ability to handle things properly. I was talking to your father about this very thing—”
“Why are you talking to my father?” Rachel interrupted.
“Because I don’t know how to get you to see that we’ve got to do better.”
“I don’t have to do anything! You married the wrong person if you want someone like my mother. And if my daddy couldn’t change me all those years he tried, I don’t know what makes you think you can.” Rachel leaned back and crossed her arms. “And for your information, I’m trying to be a proper first lady, as you call it, but I’m not gon’ be no fool either. And if you can’t do what I ask, then I can’t do what you ask.”
Lester sighed again. “Fine, Rachel, what do you ask?”
“Keep the skanks out of your face.”
Lester nodded. “I will keep the skanks out of my face.”
“I’m serious, Lester. ’Cause I can’t promise you I won’t act a fool.”
Lester forced a smile. “You? Act a fool? Never.”
“I’m serious, Lester. You know what I’m capable of. Don’t make me go there.”
“Whatever you say, Rachel. I don’t want to argue with you.” Lester popped the last piece of toast in his mouth. “I have to get over to the church. The electrician is coming.” Lester leaned down and kissed her on the top of the head, which meant he was still salty with her.
Rachel watched him leave. He reminded her so much of her father, from his walk to the way he handled situations. Even his demeanor was like Simon Jackson.
She’d always heard that most women marry a man just like their fathers. She’d just never believed that saying would apply to her.
Chapter 12
A ngela slid the check to the tall, burly mover and shook his hand. He glanced at the check, which included a hefty tip, and smiled.
“Thank you so much, ma’am. And if you ever need Three Brothers’ Movers again, please don’t hesitate to call.” He smiled again before taking off to the truck.
Angela closed the door, then turned and surveyed her new home. At twenty-five hundred square feet, it was just right for her and Chase. She loved the hardwood floors, spacious kitchen, and oversize living room. She sighed as she looked at all the boxes. What she wouldn’t give to go back to Atlanta. She had been looking forward to coming home. Her parents were still here and it would do Chase good to be around his grandparents and cousins. But that quickly diminished after she’d found out how far Jonathan would go to be a part of her son’s life.
“Mama! Did you see my room? It’s so big!” Chase came barreling down the stairs. He could barely contain his excitement.
“Of
“Whatever, Lester.” She rolled her eyes.
Lester stared at Rachel. “You are being ridiculous. I need you to grow up and start acting like a proper first lady.”
“And how does a proper first lady act, Lester? Like my mother? News flash: It ain’t happening. You knew that when you married me. You knew that when you decided to take over my daddy’s church, and you know that now. And you just seem to forget all that I have been doing. I’ve turned the youth department around. I go to all the little church functions, the boring meetings, the sick and shut-in visits, the stupid bingo games. I even taught some Sunday school classes, and you want to talk to me about being proper?” Rachel was fuming now, too. Granted, maybe she shouldn’t have been at the club, but if he’d been doing the right thing—keeping the floozies out of his face—she would’ve never gone in the first place. “Since when did you get so self-righteous anyway?”
Lester let out an exasperated sigh as he picked up his glass from the table and took it to the sink. “Rachel, I’m just trying to live a godly life and I want my family to do the same.” He poured his juice out, then put the glass in the dishwasher before turning back to face her. “You’re always talking about your mother, but you could learn a thing or two from her ability to handle things properly. I was talking to your father about this very thing—”
“Why are you talking to my father?” Rachel interrupted.
“Because I don’t know how to get you to see that we’ve got to do better.”
“I don’t have to do anything! You married the wrong person if you want someone like my mother. And if my daddy couldn’t change me all those years he tried, I don’t know what makes you think you can.” Rachel leaned back and crossed her arms. “And for your information, I’m trying to be a proper first lady, as you call it, but I’m not gon’ be no fool either. And if you can’t do what I ask, then I can’t do what you ask.”
Lester sighed again. “Fine, Rachel, what do you ask?”
“Keep the skanks out of your face.”
Lester nodded. “I will keep the skanks out of my face.”
“I’m serious, Lester. ’Cause I can’t promise you I won’t act a fool.”
Lester forced a smile. “You? Act a fool? Never.”
“I’m serious, Lester. You know what I’m capable of. Don’t make me go there.”
“Whatever you say, Rachel. I don’t want to argue with you.” Lester popped the last piece of toast in his mouth. “I have to get over to the church. The electrician is coming.” Lester leaned down and kissed her on the top of the head, which meant he was still salty with her.
Rachel watched him leave. He reminded her so much of her father, from his walk to the way he handled situations. Even his demeanor was like Simon Jackson.
She’d always heard that most women marry a man just like their fathers. She’d just never believed that saying would apply to her.
Chapter 12
A ngela slid the check to the tall, burly mover and shook his hand. He glanced at the check, which included a hefty tip, and smiled.
“Thank you so much, ma’am. And if you ever need Three Brothers’ Movers again, please don’t hesitate to call.” He smiled again before taking off to the truck.
Angela closed the door, then turned and surveyed her new home. At twenty-five hundred square feet, it was just right for her and Chase. She loved the hardwood floors, spacious kitchen, and oversize living room. She sighed as she looked at all the boxes. What she wouldn’t give to go back to Atlanta. She had been looking forward to coming home. Her parents were still here and it would do Chase good to be around his grandparents and cousins. But that quickly diminished after she’d found out how far Jonathan would go to be a part of her son’s life.
“Mama! Did you see my room? It’s so big!” Chase came barreling down the stairs. He could barely contain his excitement.
“Of
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