Free Everybody Say Amen by Reshonda Tate Billingsley Page B

this another time.”
    Rachel put her book back on the shelf. “Can I buy you a cup of coffee?”
    “Sure.”
    They walked across the street to Starbucks, where both of them ordered a venti café mocha, then took a seat on the coffee shop’s patio.
    “How do you stay strong? I mean, with people at the church and their expectations,” Rachel asked after they had made small talk for a few minutes.
    “Prayer, honey, lots and lots of prayer.”
    “But I bet the women at St. Luke’s don’t try you like they try me. I mean, if they’re not trying to come on to my husband, they’re disrespecting me or gossiping about me.” Rachel couldn’t believe she was being so candid, but she’d finally found someone she felt could relate to her plight.
    Linda smiled. “You forget, I’ve been first lady for thirteen years. Believe me when I tell you, they tried me. I just had to let them know they couldn’t get away with it.”
    “That’s what I’m trying to do, but everyone’s giving me a hard time about it.” Rachel sighed heavily.
    Linda slowly sipped her coffee. “Maybe it’s the way you’re going about it,” she finally said.
    “What do you mean?”
    “How do you put these women in their places?”
    “I go off on them,” Rachel replied, like that was the only possible answer.
    “That’s what they expect you to do. And that only gives them ammunition,” Linda said. “You have to take the high road.”
    Rachel sucked her teeth and shook her head. “Unh-unh. My mom took the high road. I can’t do that.” As much as she loved her mother, Rachel had vowed to never be like her—submissive and soft-spoken. Granted, her mother had put people in their place when push came to shove, but Rachel didn’t have that kind of patience. She had to let these people know she wasn’t playing from the get-go.
    “Oh, I knew Loretta, bless her heart. She was the epitome of a strong, black woman. But she was a rare breed. That’s not me.” Linda flashed a smile.
    “Me either.” Rachel was glad someone could understand where she was coming from.
    “You know what,” Linda said. “Why don’t you come to the First Ladies Council—it’s an organization of first ladies here in Houston. We meet monthly to exchange ideas and offer support.”
    Rachel had heard about the group, but she’d figured they were a bunch of stuffy old women who would stand in judgment of her.
    “I don’t know.”
    As if she were reading Rachel’s mind, Linda said, “Don’t worry about putting on airs. We all try to be ourselves when we get together. Most of our days are spent trying to fit into a particular mold, so when we’re together we’re footloose and fancy-free.” She grinned. “Please, come as my guest. We meet at St. Luke’s this Saturday. Just one meeting. If you like it, come back. If you don’t, no harm done.”
    Rachel considered the idea. “Sure, why not?”
    Linda stood. “Then it’s a date. We’ll see you Saturday.”
    Rachel stood as well and leaned in and hugged Linda. “Thank you very much.”
    “You’re welcome. Until then, stay prayerful,” Linda said.
    “I’ll do that,” Rachel replied.
    A whole group of women who understood what she was going through? Come to think of it, Rachel thought, that’s exactly what she needed.

Chapter 14
    J onathan ducked down in his seat as the football came tumbling toward his car. The lanky boy with two missing front teeth didn’t look his way as he retrieved the ball and tossed it back to his friends. Jonathan eased up and smiled as he watched Chase throw the ball. He’d been sitting outside Angela’s house, watching his son for the last hour. It had taken days of detective work, but he’d finally found out where she lived by renting a car and following her mother over here two days ago.
    It had torn at his heart not to be able to go and talk to his son. What was especially sad was that Chase probably wouldn’t know who he was even if he did go and talk to him.