Free The Bride Experiment by Mimi Jefferson Page B

opened office door and tapped on the door. Makita looked up from a stack of papers, then asked Joan to close the door behind her.
    As Joan closed the door, she tried to ignore the worry she saw on Makita’s face. She had expected Makita to greet her with a smile, like she usually did, but Makita looked troubled. Surely there wasn’t anything wrong with her application. She had spent hours on it, inserting relevant scripture and interesting stories about herself. Besides, Makita loved her, Joan reassured herself as she sat down in the chair across from Minister Makita.
    â€œHello, my dear,” Makita greeted Joan in her deep Southern accent.
    Joan nodded, wondering why Makita still hadn’t smiled.
    â€œDo you have any idea why I summoned you here today?”
    Joan’s mind started to race. If this wasn’t about the Wife Preparation class, what could it be about?
    â€œNo, I guess I don’t.” Joan shrugged her shoulders.
    Makita shuffled through the papers on her desk. “I received your application.”
    Joan looked alarmed. “Yes, I completed it on Saturday. Is there something wrong? I could do it over.”
    Makita looked over Joan’s paperwork again. “Joan, you are the best Bible teacher I have come across in years. I look across the room when you are teaching and everybody seems engaged and actively learning.” Makita shook her head. “And that three-part lesson you did on the Book of Ruth, it was wonderful.” Makita laughed. “Pastor Benjy kept the CD in our car for two weeks. He was delighted a teacher of your magnitude had been discipled through our ministry.”
    Joan sat up straighter in her seat and took a deep breath. “Makita, you really had me worried. I thought I had done something wrong. Your mood seemed so somber when I walked in.”
    â€œI’m not finished, Joan,” Makita said tersely. Joan sank back into her seat.
    â€œJoan, while you are a great Bible teacher, there are some problems. I should have spoken to you sooner, because, well, now things are worse. And when I printed out your application for the Wife Preparation class, it became apparent that it was time for you and your spiritual mother to have a talk.”
    Makita shoved all her papers to the sides of her desk and made a clear path between her and Joan. Joan avoided Makita’s intense eyes and stared at a photo above Makita’s head.
    â€œHave you heard about Kenneth and Lila?” Makita looked like she wanted a reaction.
    Joan started fiddling with her handbag. “Yes, Lila told us all about her and Kenneth.” Makita looked like she wanted something more. “We are all so happy for her,” Joan added.
    â€œJoan, I’m up here.”
    Joan put her gaze on Minister Makita. She had not realized she had started to look down while talking about Lila.
    Makita continued speaking. “Last week, Tisha taught her first small group meeting. I don’t remember seeing you.”
    Joan made a point to continue looking up. “James Jr. had a project I was helping him finish.”
    â€œI see,” Makita said suspiciously. “You remember when Sister Felicia criticized your interpretation of scripture in front of the entire class?”
    Joan perked up. “Yes, and I quickly corrected her. She had it all wrong. I studied that passage up and down. I don’t know who she thought—” Joan abruptly stopped talking.
    â€œGo on, Joan. Finish what you were saying about Sister Felicia.”
    â€œNever mind,” Joan responded as she crossed her arms over her chest.
    â€œLet me finish for you, Joan,” Makita said. “What you were about to say is ‘I don’t know who she thought she was talking to. Doesn’t she know who I am? I am Joan Dallas. When I teach, there’s no need to ask any questions. If you didn’t understand, it was because you were not paying attention.’”
    Joan said