A Good Man (46 page)

After a somewhat sweaty but spirit-filled service, Sonya saw Justin sneaking off to the choir room while Tony, Gary, and John formed a mini-wall in front of her.

“I already know where he’s going,” Sonya said.

“Um, he’s going to the bathroom,” Tony said.

“No, he isn’t,” Sonya said. “What’s her name?”

“Whose name?” Gary asked.

Sonya frowned. “I know that Justin is in love. Now what’s her name?”

“I got this,” John said.

Tony, Kim, and Gary walked quickly away.

“Brandy,” John said. “Her name is Brandy. And they are in love.”

Lord, help me here. “Are you in love, too?”

“Nope.”

Nope?

“Great service, huh?”

Nope?

John took her hand. “I’m in the mood for tacos. How about you?”

Nope? He isn’t in love with me, but he wants to hold my hand? Maybe he didn’t hear me correctly. “John, um, are you—” Not now, little biddy! I’m trying to interrogate my man!

“Hello, Jazz,” the little biddy said. “Anything exciting planned for tomorrow night?” She looked at their hands. “Are you two an item now?”

“We had a date last night,” John said.

The little biddy hugged John. “Well, praise the Lord! I have been praying that you’d finally win a date.”

“Um,” John said, “thank you, but you can’t tell anyone. You’re the only one who knows.”

“I am?” She smiled at Sonya. “Is this true?”

Sonya nodded. “Yes.” Now go away.

“Can I tell my sister?” the little biddy asked.

John looked at Sonya. “Um, is she a gossip?”

The little biddy frowned. “Shoot. I can’t tell her. The whole world will know in five minutes. But I have to tell someone.”

“Pray about it,” John said.

“Oh, I will,” the little biddy said, and she sped to the back of the church.

“She’s going to tell her sister,” Sonya said.

“Yep,” John said.

Sonya grabbed John by the elbows. “I asked you if you were in—” Not now, Reverend Cox! This is a conspiracy!

John shook Reverend Cox’s hand. “Outstanding service, Reverend. The spirit of the Lord is in this place. Thank you for letting us share your church with the world.”

“I don’t know why you didn’t get those cameras in here sooner,” Reverend Cox said. “Lord knows, the world needs more of the spirit of God.” He clasped Sonya’s free hand. “We’re having a potluck downstairs. Are you free to attend?”

“But we didn’t bring anything,” John said.

“We have plenty,” Reverend Cox said.

Sonya smiled. “We’ll be down directly, Reverend Cox.” Now, shoo!

After Reverend Cox left, Sonya moved close to John. “I asked earlier—”

“Jazz, come on,” Kim interrupted. “It’s such a beautiful day. We want to go to the beach.”

Sonya blinked at Tony and Kim. “We’re staying for the potluck downstairs first.”

Kim wrinkled up her nose. “A potluck? I don’t know these people.”

“Go on,” Sonya said. Shoo!

John touched Tony’s elbow. “Where’s Gary?”

“He’s already downstairs chowing down,” Tony said. “I smell roast beef.” He turned to Kim. “Let’s go.”

After Tony and Kim left, John rubbed his stomach. “I’m kind of hungry, too. The popcorn this morning wasn’t enough to hold me.”

But I haven’t finished asking my question! “John, I need to know something first.”

“I’m not in love with you, Sonya,” John said. He held out his hand. “Come on. Let’s go get our grub on.”

What? How can that be? Do I take his hand? Of course I don’t.

Sonya walked around John and went to the back of the church. She entered the ladies’ room, walked into a stall, closed the door, and wept.

What’s happening, Lord? What’s going on? I’m losing control of my men and my man! Nope? I ask, “Are you in love, too?” and he says “Nope.” What’s that supposed to mean? Nope? And then he puts his hand out to me and says, “Let’s go get our grub on.” What kind of man says stuff like that?

The door to the bathroom opened. “Sonya?”

And now Kim is interrupting my pity party. “Yes?” She dried her eyes with some toilet paper.

“I’m not eating any of that mess,” Kim said. “You sick?”

“No.” A little heartsick maybe.

“You dropping off the kids?” Kim asked.

“No.”

“Then what are you doing in there?” Kim asked.

“Thinking.” He says “nope.” Maybe that’s the way they say a sarcastic “yep” in Alabama.

“About what?”

“Life.” And all of life’s little surprises, which make us run to restrooms in churches while potlucks are going on downstairs.

“You should hear what they’re talking about downstairs,” Kim said. “Most people think there will be plenty of surprises tomorrow.”

“There will be no surprises,” Sonya said. “From me anyway.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kim asked.

I am not going to get any peace, am I? Sonya left the stall and stood in front of the little mirror over the sink. “Nothing. I am kind of surprised at you, though.”

“Me? What’d I do?”

“You fell in love with Tony.”

Kim looked away. “No, I didn’t.”

She looked away. She’s such a little liar. Her little neck is flushed, too. Oh, that’s a dead giveaway. She’s now wringing her hands. “How in love with Tony are you, Kim?”

“What do you mean?” Kim said. “I’m not in love with Tony. I mean, he’s fine and fun to be with, but I’m definitely not in love with him. Did you know that those tattoos of his weren’t real? They were henna. They’ve all washed off.”

“I have eyes, Kim. You like him. A lot. A lot more than like. Maybe even the most intense like of your life.” Maybe John only likes me? I am not content with that.

“Tony is … he’s too normal and, well, ordinary for me,” Kim said.

Sonya washed her hands. “You desperately need normal and ordinary, Kim. How do you know his tattoos weren’t real?”

“They’ve all faded away,” Kim said. “We were at the pool all day while you and John were on your date. I noticed.”

Sonya dried her hands on a paper towel. “All day? Is that the longest time you’ve ever stayed with a man?”

“I’ve spent the night countless times with a man,” Kim said.

“So you’ve told me,” Sonya said. And thank You, most almighty Father, for keeping her safe all these years. “But this time was different.”

“How so?” Kim asked.

“This time you were awake the whole time. Imagine that. And you obviously can’t keep your eyes off him. You two were down that pew trading hands the whole service.”

“Like I said, he’s fine,” Kim said. “Looking, that’s all I’m doing. I’m just looking.”

“And maybe … touching and kissing and more, right?”

Kim nodded. “I, um, I like his shoulders. He has nice firm lips.”

Sonya checked her eyes. Bloodshot. Great. “I think that boy is in love with you, Kim.”

“Oh, I don’t think he’s in love with me,” Kim said. “He only said he liked me a lot.”

“I don’t think he likes you at all.”

“How can you say that, Sonya? You don’t know him well enough to say that! I do! I mean, how can you say a man doesn’t like me when you weren’t there to hear him say, ‘I like you’? He said it to me this morning. We were waiting on your late behind out by the pool, and he said, ‘I like you very much, Shani.’ You weren’t there. How would you know?”

Now I know she’s in love. “Calm down. I think it’s much more than like. Much more. He’s always looking at you when you’re not paying attention, which is most of the time. Haven’t you ever caught him looking hard at you?”

“No.”

“You’ll have to pay better attention,” Sonya said. And so will I. What did I miss? Why was I so convinced that John was in love with me?

“Um, Sonya, you don’t really want Tony, do you?” Kim asked.

“No, Shani. He’s all yours.” Sonya pushed a lock of hair off Kim’s nose. “You need him. It’s never wrong to go for what you need.”

“I don’t … need Tony.”

“Yes, you do,” Sonya said. “Like the air you breathe. Yes, you need Tony.”

Kim nodded. “I’ve never … needed anyone before.”

Normally, I’d be hurt, but now I only feel love for this child.

“You aren’t mad at me for stealing your man, are you?” Kim asked.

“You didn’t steal my man.” Sonya hugged Kim, and for the first time ever, Kim hugged Sonya back. I need to go back into that stall right now and weep. “I want John. Only John.”

Kim stepped back. “Cool.” She looked at the door. “I’ll, uh, I’ll try a salad or something down there. You coming?”

As soon as I cry some more. “I’ll be right there.”

After Kim left, Sonya stared at herself in the mirror. I still want John, only John. Even if he isn’t in love with me.

My crazy, heathen daughter just hugged me.

I am losing my mind.

Sonya sighed.

Okay, now I can go get my grub on.

Promos stole the men away from the potluck long into the night on Sunday.

A promo for the Gap kept Sonya and Shani from the mansion Monday morning.

The Team kept their distance Monday afternoon, staying in their rooms.

Packing? Sonya thought. It doesn’t take five hours for anyone to pack. And John doesn’t have to pack at all! He should be wandering around the house, watching TV, making me a ham ’n’ cheese sandwich in the kitchen, taking a dip in the pool. Just like a man to leave a woman hanging after a night of bliss.

When Sonya finally saw the Team, they sat subdued in front of the wide-screen TV in the great room, watching the first forty-five minutes. The song segment was as amazing cut and spliced as it was live. The beginning of her date with John at Café Provencal ran in its entirety—all five minutes of it—until Graham’s voiceover said: “And then Arthur and Jazz disappeared for nine hours. We have no idea where they went or what they did, but both Jazz and Arthur did return with smiles on their faces.”

The memory stirred Sonya’s soul. Sweaty palms, sweaty knees, racing heart, racing loins … I returned with more than a smile on my face. I returned thinking I had a man in love with me. I returned a new person.

The scenes at Bethel were tastefully done, heavily focusing on Gary and Justin’s song and the potluck. At least we brought Jesus to America for a few minutes.

“Two minutes!” Darius yelled. “Get to your marks.”

The Team filed out ahead of Sonya, none of them looking back. Why is everyone looking as pitiful as I feel?

Sonya took her place, the lights brightened, Darius pointed at Graham …

Time for more of the same, Sonya thought. Put on your plastic smile, girl.

“Arthur finally won a date this week,” Graham said.

The Team applauded.

John blushed.

Sonya pouted.

“Um, as I was saying,” Graham said, “Arthur won the date this week, so he has immunity. Who else is safe, Jazz?”

Sonya took a deep breath.

“May I say something first, Graham?” Justin asked.

Sonya exhaled. What’s going on?

“Um, sure,” Graham said. “There’s obviously no script necessary on this show anymore. I don’t even know why we have cue cards.”

“Hush, Graham,” Sonya said. “Go ahead, Justin.”

“Jazz, you are the most amazing woman I’ve ever known,” Justin said. “Next to my mama, that is. Love ya, Ma. I truly mean that, Jazz. You’re amazing. You’re good for my soul.”

“Thank you, Justin,” Sonya said. “You’re pretty amazing yourself.”

Justin smiled at the ground. “But I, um, I’ve fallen in love with somebody else.”

A diva would act shocked, but I am not a diva. I’m only going to smile. “Good for you, Justin.”

Justin looked up. “You’re not mad?”

“No,” Sonya said. “It was only a matter of time before someone else noticed how wonderful you are and stole you away from me. Of course I’m hurt and will cry myself to sleep tonight.”

Justin’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“No,” Sonya said. “Who is she?”

“She’s in the choir at Bethel,” Justin said.

“I’ve seen you two talking an awful lot at church.” She looked directly at a camera. “America, the Team and I have been attending church every Sunday since we’ve been on this show. Tonight, you got to see us in action at that church.” She turned back to Justin. “She’s very beautiful, Justin.”

“Yeah,” Justin said. “And she can really sing.”

“So that’s why you take so long to get to the car after church every week, right?” Sonya asked.

“Yeah,” Justin said. “We were in the choir room.”

“Singing, right?” Sonya asked.

“Yeah,” Justin said. “Singing without making a sound.”

And now I’m not pouting anymore. “I am so happy for you two.”

“She’s been texting me to death since the first Sunday we went to church,” Justin said.

“You gave her your number the first time we attended Bethel?” Sonya said.

“She asked,” Justin said. “I don’t get asked that often for my number, so I gave it to her.”

“Tell me about her,” Sonya said.

“Tell you about Brandy?” Justin said. “Can I say hi to her?”

“Sure.” Why not?

“Hi, Brandy. See you soon.” Justin sighed. “Um, Brandy can cook, she can sang, she loves me, she’s a good Christian woman like you, she laughs at all my jokes, and her kisses are real sweet. Oh, man. Now her mama knows.”

Sonya laughed. “The whole world knows, Justin. I think her mama will get over it.”

“You’re really not mad at me, Jazz?” Justin asked.

Sonya left her mark and gave Justin a huge hug. “I could never be anything but happy for you.” And now I’m crying. Wow. I’m a leaky faucet these days. “These are tears of joy, America. I am not sad or heartbroken or forlorn to see him go to the woman he loves. I don’t want to read or hear tomorrow that I’m bipolar or on medication or drunk or crazy. Sometimes real people cry for real reasons. And this is one of them.”

“And, um, y’all are invited to the wedding,” Justin said.

“What?” Sonya said. “You already popped the question?”

“Well, I texted her a few minutes ago while we were watching the taped parts, and she texted back with a yes.” He took out his cell phone and showed Sonya. “I’ll make it official tonight. She’s, um, she’s waiting for me at the church, so I kinda gotta go now.”

“You texted your proposal?” Kim said. “Oh my God!”