Free The Veil by K. T. Richey Page A

with him.”
    â€œI see First Lady Moore; let me go speak to her.” Misha got up from the table and walked over to the first lady and hugged her. Satisfaction filled her spirit with the news of the breakup. She had known it wouldn’t last.
    â€œLady Moore, I want to be like you when I grow up. You’re working that red suit and hat,” she said, hugging First Lady Moore.
    â€œMisha. Look at you. You look good. How have you been?”
    â€œI’ve been blessed. I’m glad school is out. I’m finally taking a vacation. I wanted to thank you for the recommendation for that women’s day program.”
    â€œWell, you’re welcome. I happened to be at the church when St. Paul called to ask Bishop for a speaker. If Bishop knew I recommended you, he would go crazy. But you deserve it. Don’t tell him. Sometimes I have to pray for my husband. I’m not saying what he did was wrong, I just didn’t agree with how he did it. I don’t want to know what happened between you two. I’m just praying. That’s all I do is pray.”
    â€œThat’s all we need to do. Thank you. I’ll never forget all the things you did and said to me. You are the first lady. If you ever need me, I’m a phone call away.” She looked toward the stage. Bishop and Roger were talking to a group of men. “I see Bishop on the stage. I think I will go and say hello before service gets started.” She hesitated, but she wanted Bishop to know there were no hard feelings between them. So she walked up the small stairs to the stage where the head table was located.
    â€œHello, Bishop.”
    Bishop Moore was deeply engaged in his conversation and had not noticed her walking onto the podium. He looked up and saw her standing beside him. “Daughter. Well, look at you. How have you been?” He stood and hugged her tightly.
    Misha was shocked he greeted her with such affection. She expected him to be rude. Maybe he had gotten over what he had done and had a change of heart.
    â€œI’ve been good, Bishop. You look good. I wanted to say hello before the service started.”
    â€œWell, I’m glad you did.”
    The man sitting beside Bishop cleared his throat as he stood to introduce himself to Misha. “Hello, I’m Pastor Willingham.”
    â€œHello, Pastor. It’s nice to meet you.” She reached out her hand to shake his. He hugged her instead.
    â€œYou know the Bible said to greet the brethren with a holy kiss. You smell good. What’s that perfume you’re wearing, Essence?” Pastor Willingham said as his lips touched Misha’s cheek.
    â€œNo, it’s Coco by Chanel.” Everybody turned to look at Roger. He said it before he realized it. “I mean, I know because someone I used to know wore it all the time.” He immediately turned and walked away.
    â€œWell, Bishop, I wanted to say hello. Take care.” Misha walked off the stage as Pastor Fuller walked into the hall. Realizing she would not be able to greet him with the entourage surrounding him, she took a seat near the door.
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    When Pastor Fuller finished his sermon, she got up and slipped out the door. When she reached her car, her cell phone rang. She looked at the ID. It was her mother. She didn’t feel like hearing the drama so she didn’t answer the call. Driving to IHOP for a meal of pancakes and an omelet was far better than trying to eat the dried eggs or half-cooked bacon at the prayer breakfast.
    She pulled into the parking lot of the IHOP and a flash went across her face. She sat in her car watching the fast-moving scene. She saw Amber and it looked like she was screaming. She was fighting the man. Her arms were flinging in the air, trying to break free from the man’s grip. Immediately, Misha began to pray. She knew God was showing her something about Amber. School was out and she didn’t know how to get in touch with her. She