just my girlfriend or even my wife, she was my new best friend, and we had no secretsâexcept 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 cobraâs 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.
âHey, Jackie, itâs good to see you.â Alison grinned, wrapping her arms around our church organist. Jackie did the same to Alison, winking at me over my wifeâs shoulder. I didnât say anything, just stared, hoping Jackie could somehow read my thoughts of contempt.
âItâs good to see you too, Alison. How was your trip?â
Alison gave Jackie a smile and an exaggerated sigh. âOhhh, Lawd, I donât think Iâve ever seen such a beautiful place. It was like heaven on earth, simply magnificent. Oh, and the company wasnât bad either, if you know what I mean.â Alison nudged Jackie with her elbow.
âWell, good, good.â Jackieâs attention turned to me. âHow about you, Brother Williams? Did you enjoy your honeymoon?â
I wrapped my arm around my wife. âI donât think I could have gone with anyone else and had such a good time.â 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.
âSo, where are the bishop and first lady? I thought they were picking us up.â
âThe bishop couldnât make it, so I volunteered to pick you up.â I closed my eyes, resisting the urge to shake my head at Jackieâs nonsense. I had a bad feeling about this because I couldnât remember Jackie volunteering for anything at church.
âEverything all right?â Alison asked.
âMs. Alison, Iâve got some bad news.â Jackie paused, and I wasnât sure if it was for dramatic effect or if things were really that bad. âFirst Lady Wilson is in the hospital. The bishop took her in the other day because sheâd been having some pain in her lower abdomen, and they had to keep her. It doesnât look good.â
Alison put her hand over her heart and gasped. âOh, my Lawd! What do you mean, it doesnât look good?â
Once again, with all the thespian flair of a Shakespearean performer, Jackieâs green eyes rolled back, head shaking in pity. âCancerâ¦The first lady has pancreatic cancer. Sheâs going to die, Ms. Alison. The doctors say she only has about six months to live.â
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 Iâm sure this news must have hurt like it was her own sister. I couldnât imagine how I would feel if Iâd just gotten the news that James or Sonny were stricken with cancer. Knowing me, Iâd probably fall to my knees and beg the Lord to take me instead of them.
âYou all right, baby?â I soothed her, easing my arm around her shoulder. I held my wife
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