Free The Bishop's Daughter by Tiffany L. Warren Page B

“I’ve got it covered.”
    “Good.”
    A little embarrassed over my outburst, I take my seat at the table and pretend to read the program. They look great sitting there at the table, like one of those candid photos that magazines take for marketing campaigns. Dorcas is wearing a stunning sleeveless off-white gown, and her hair is styled in a French roll, accentuating her long yet graceful neck. Darrin can’t seem to take his eyes off her. My stomach drops when I can’t see myself anywhere in that picture. What was I thinking?
    They continue their conversation where they left off. “So, you think you can handle hiking on Stone Mountain?” Dorcas asks.
    “Puh-leeze. Girl, I used to sled down a bigger hill than Stone Mountain.”
    She laughs. “You did not.”
    “I did so. We called it Grandpappy Hill.”
    I feel like a desperate intruder. The worst part is that they sound really good together, like their meeting was destiny or something. Oscar spots me and hurries across the room, and for a change, I’m actually happy to see him coming.
    Oscar takes a seat next to me and whispers in my ear, “What is he doing here?” The hairs on the back of my neck stand up from Oscar’s hot breath. It takes every bit of Holy Ghost in me not to cringe. I ignore the question in favor of making brief eye contact with Darrin. He smiles at me and winks.
    “Sister Emoni, you look beautiful tonight. That dress really looks good on you,” Darrin comments while Dorcas nods in agreement. I don’t need her to cosign Darrin’s compliment, though. She can go on with that.
    “Thank you, Brother Darrin,” I say.
    Oscar clears his throat as if nobody saw him sit down. Darrin says, “Brother Oscar.” He extends his hand for Oscar to shake.
    Oscar ignores this and replies, “It’s Trustee Williams.”
    “Oh … my bad, Trustee.” Darrin lowers his hand slowly, seeming to notice the negative vibe that Oscar is putting out there.
    Oblivious to all of the bad blood, Daddy and Mother sit down at the table. Daddy says, “Brother Darrin! Good to see you. Emoni has been raving about you all week.”
    “Daddy!” I feel like hiding under a rock. Could I be any more embarrassed? No. I think not.
    “Good evening, Bishop and First Lady,” says Darrin with a smile. “First Lady, you look lovely.”
    Mother looks from Darrin to Dorcas and raises an eyebrow. “Thank you, Brother Darrin.”
    Darrin grins and winks at me again. He turns his attention to Dorcas and teases, “Have you been raving about me, too, Sister Dorcas?”
    This is not going well. He is not supposed to be using my embarrassment to flirt with that heifer.
    Dorcas does not respond. Maybe it’s because I’m looking half past evil, or maybe she’s embarrassed, too. Mother gives me a consoling look that is not helping matters at all. What a nightmare.
    Oscar asks, “Dorcas says that you’re a writer. Have you published anything?”
    Darrin says to Dorcas, “So you
have
been raving about me.” He then answers Oscar’s question. “I frequently write editorials for our local newspaper. I’ve also had several of my essays published in small magazines.”
    “Doesn’t sound too lucrative,” notes Oscar. “How can you afford to relocate? And you drive a Hummer, too, right?”
    Darrin replies, “You’ve done your research. My parents are quite wealthy. They’re footing the bill.”
    “What does your father do?” I ask, trying to muscle my way into the conversation. Plus, I really am curious.
    “He’s in the transportation business. He has a fleet of vans that pick up people for their doctors’ appointments, shopping, whatever,” Darrin explains. “He’s got three major contracts with the city.”
    “Maybe I’ll get to meet your father and talk to him. I’d like the church to have a transportation service,” Bishop responds with much interest.
    Darrin turns to Oscar. “Does that answer all of your questions?”
    “For now.”
    The waitstaff brings the