Church Whore 3 by Faith Page A

friend. He seemed really nice, but friend, I haven’t heard from him. I mean, I only almost died, and all got was one phone call. What is that about?”
    Bernice put her hand to her ear, and made the sign for a telephone.
    “Did I call him?”
    Bernice nodded yes.
    “Girl, no I didn’t call him. He’s the man; he’s supposed to call me ! Shoot!” Mama Eloise said.
    ________
     
    The next day, Mama Eloise was relaxing at home alone when the doorbell rang. She opened the door to George Bradley standing there.
    “Well, hello stranger!” she mean mugged him.
    “May I come in?” George asked with a pitiful look on his face.
    “Yeah, come on in.” She stepped aside so he could enter.
    He waited for her, and followed her into the living room and took a seat on the sofa.
    “So, what brings you over here, considering that I haven’t heard from you?” Mama Eloise asked, giving him the evil eye.
    “I owe you an apology. Eloise, I’m sorry. I really am. When I didn’t know if you were going to make it or not, I became so angry that I cursed God. I couldn’t believe He was doing this to me again when I had finally found someone so amazing. I was so angry that when I found out you would be okay, I couldn’t face you. You are a woman of great faith, and I allowed mine to be shaken.”
    “Is that all?” Her left eyebrow raised underneath her glasses.
    “That’s major, Eloise. What do you mean?” George asked, surprised by her response.
    “I thought you were no longer interested,” she confessed.
    He reached over and grabbed her hand. “I’m struggling with my faith; I’m not crazy!”
    They both laughed.
    “You crazy old man! Everybody struggles with their faith sometimes. Losing your faith is one thing; struggling with it in a time of crisis is called human nature.”
    “You mean to tell me that a woman of God like you struggles with your faith?”
    “I’m not God, George,” she laughed. Look a-here. I don’t expect you to fill my late husband’s shoes. He had a calling and an anointing on his life. That was his walk. You are a good man, you love God, and until here recently, you treated me great. So, I’ll give you a pass this time, but you need to work on your communication skills.”
    “So you’re not kicking me to the curb?”
    “Kicking you to the curb? Where did you get that from?” Mama Eloise laughed so hard she grabbed her chest.
    “Stop laughing at me. My daughter told me to get over here and make it right before you kicked me to the curb.”
    “Lord have mercy!” She shook her head and smiled.
    “I’m so happy you are okay. I know I’ve been getting on Madear’s nerves asking about you.”
    “Yeah you have, but I’m glad you stopped by.”
    “Would you like to go out to dinner with a silly old man?” George asked and winked.
    “As the kids say, that sounds cool!”
     
    ________
     
    Andrew and Elisea both plopped down on the couch at James’ house. Andrew had been taking care of his niece, Winnie while the newlyweds were on their honeymoon.
    “It’s been a long day,” Andrew said and yawned.
    “Yes it has. Who knew a six year old had so much energy? My feet are killing me!”
    “Well, let me help you out with that.” Andrew patted his thigh for Elisea to put her feet on his lap.
    “Say what?” she asked in a smart tone.
    “You heard me. Give me those feet.”
    “I don’t know about that.”
    “Why are you so difficult, woman? Somebody must have hurt you terribly.” Andrew stared at her as if he was trying to figure her out.
    Elisea sucked her teeth.
    “See! That’s what I’m talking about. We’ve been hanging together for a while now, and the wall you have built up around yourself is a tough one. You may think you’re protecting yourself, but all you’re doing is hurting yourself.”
    “And how is that?” she snapped.
    “Your feet are hurting, so you say, and all I did was offer to rub your funky feet, because you didn’t have to spend the entire day