So You Call Yourself a Man by Carl Weber Page B

just my girlfriend or even my wife, she was my new best friend, and we had no secrets—except for the one I kept. And as far as that was concerned, I made a promise to God that I would not break my marriage vows and fall into the temptation of lust with Jackie Moss or any other vixen who might try to come between me and my wife.
    But promises to God or not, the devil was always going to throw out his temptations, and I was going to have to be strong. I once read somewhere that the road to hell is paved in acid-laced roses, very appealing to the eyes and nose, but as dangerous to the touch as a cobra’s bite. Well, that was the first thing I thought of when Alison and I stepped into the baggage claim area of LaGuardia Airport, and instead of the bishop and the first lady being there to pick us up, it was Jackie Moss standing by the carousel in front of a baggage cart. The first word that flashed across my mind was Trouble , and that was Trouble with a capital T. Jackie was looking sexy as hell in a navy-blue pinstriped suit and a tight-fitting, pale-blue designer shirt. It took all the resolve I had not to think naughty thoughts.
    â€œHey, Jackie, it’s good to see you.” Alison grinned, wrapping her arms around our church organist. Jackie did the same to Alison, winking at me over my wife’s shoulder. I didn’t say anything, just stared, hoping Jackie could somehow read my thoughts of contempt.
    â€œIt’s good to see you too, Alison. How was your trip?”
    Alison gave Jackie a smile and an exaggerated sigh. “Ohhh, Lawd, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a beautiful place. It was like heaven on earth, simply magnificent. Oh, and the company wasn’t bad either, if you know what I mean.” Alison nudged Jackie with her elbow.
    â€œWell, good, good.” Jackie’s attention turned to me. “How about you, Brother Williams? Did you enjoy your honeymoon?”
    I wrapped my arm around my wife. “I don’t think I could have gone with anyone else and had such a good time.” I bent down and kissed my wife, making sure my lips locked with hers longer than our usual peck. When I broke the kiss, Jackie was looking in the opposite direction. Hopefully that would get my message across.
    â€œSo, where are the bishop and first lady? I thought they were picking us up.”
    â€œThe bishop couldn’t make it, so I volunteered to pick you up.” I closed my eyes, resisting the urge to shake my head at Jackie’s nonsense. I had a bad feeling about this because I couldn’t remember Jackie volunteering for anything at church.
    â€œEverything all right?” Alison asked.
    â€œMs. Alison, I’ve got some bad news.” Jackie paused, and I wasn’t sure if it was for dramatic effect or if things were really that bad. “First Lady Wilson is in the hospital. The bishop took her in the other day because she’d been having some pain in her lower abdomen, and they had to keep her. It doesn’t look good.”
    Alison put her hand over her heart and gasped. “Oh, my Lawd! What do you mean, it doesn’t look good?”
    Once again, with all the thespian flair of a Shakespearean performer, Jackie’s green eyes rolled back, head shaking in pity. “Cancer…The first lady has pancreatic cancer. She’s going to die, Ms. Alison. The doctors say she only has about six months to live.”
    Alison threw her hands up in the air, closing her fist, as if imploring God to turn back the angel of death. She and Charlene Wilson were thick as thieves, and I’m sure this news must have hurt like it was her own sister. I couldn’t imagine how I would feel if I’d just gotten the news that James or Sonny were stricken with cancer. Knowing me, I’d probably fall to my knees and beg the Lord to take me instead of them.
    â€œYou all right, baby?” I soothed her, easing my arm around her shoulder. I held my wife