First Mates (9 page)

They laughed, breaking the tense moment. “I guess that's a yes. Did you want to order a pizza?”

She nodded. They decided on an extra-large pizza with extra cheese, pepperoni and mushrooms. She touched his arm as he replaced the phone into the cradle after ordering the pizza. “I really wanted to talk to you.”

Winston's stomach growled. “I want to talk to you, too. How about we do that after we've eaten?”

She chewed her lower lip and gazed at the TV. An old
Good Times
rerun played, and J.J. strutted onto the screen wearing bright red pajamas. She smiled, showing her perfect white teeth.

She nodded. “Okay.”

Minutes later, they entered the kitchen. “You know, I usually eat my dinner in the living room, in front of the TV. But since you're my dinner guest, I'll set the table.”

As he placed the dishes on the table, she chopped vegetables for a salad. He fixed a pitcher of iced tea with lemons. His hunger for food consumed him, however, his need to be with Rainy, talking, laughing, was stronger than his craving for nourishment. Her back was turned toward him, and he was about to enfold her trim body in his arms when the doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of the pizza deliveryman.

He returned to the kitchen moments later and placed
the pie in the middle of the table. They sat and he pulled her slim brown hands into his. After he'd prayed over the simple meal, visions of their shared elaborate cruise dinners flashed through his mind. He pushed the memories aside as they enjoyed the pizza.

“I'm so stuffed that I don't think I could eat another bite,” she announced, placing her hand over her flat stomach. He poured more glasses of iced tea and carried them into the living room. An old rerun of
The Jeffersons
was playing on TV.

She settled on the couch. “I feel so much better since I've eaten. I know you're probably wondering why I'm here. I wanted to ask you a favor.”

He raised his eyebrows, surprised. “A favor?”

“Yes. You met a lot of people when you went to church with me.”

He nodded. “It's a nice congregation. Everybody is so friendly and it's small. Large churches are nice, but I like the family feeling you get from a small church.”

“Well, do you remember our conversation on the cruise?”

“We had several conversations on the cruise.”

“I'm talking about the conversation we had in the photo shop. Remember I told you about the youth financial seminars at Friendship Community Church? You offered to help me and I'd like to take you up on your offer.” She removed papers from her briefcase.

“But?”

She sighed. “I just wasn't sure…”

“You mean you weren't sure if I still wanted to help
you? When I make a promise, I try my best to keep it. I'm a man of my word, and I know the Lord doesn't condone lying.”

She dropped the papers, stood, and paced his carpeted floor. He muted the television. “You're not being honest with me. What happened?” She gave him a frank, unwavering gaze as she returned to the couch. Before he could answer, she continued. “You don't know how much I agonized and prayed about coming over here today.”

“I can imagine you would pray about coming over here. You're a spiritual woman, and you have a deep faith in the Lord. That's one of the things I admire most about you.” He raised his hand, almost touching her hair, but he quickly lowered it and turned away.

“Why can't you look at me? What's wrong with you? What's wrong with me? When I didn't hear from you over the past few weeks, I figured you were busy at your job or something. When you had that special picnic for me at the park and suggested we try to have a relationship, I thought you had a good idea.” She folded her arms. “We had a good time on the cruise, and for the two months afterward.” She gazed around his cluttered living room. “I was going to call tonight to see how you were. I don't know if you've realized this about me, but I'm a direct person. If I have a problem, I go straight to the source, if that's possible.” A car parked on the street, the grating motor and honking horn disturbing the silent room. “I know it's forward of me to show up here, unannounced, but I wanted to
know the truth, and I figured it was best if I came in person.”

He nodded. “I can understand that.”

“You remember I got scared on the cruise? I avoided you all day? Well, I was being childish, and I should've told you what was on my mind from the start. I'm telling you what's on my mind now.”

He nodded. “I appreciate your honesty.” He scooted closer to her and pried her hands apart. He took her hand and traced the faint lines in her palm. “I like you. While we were on the cruise, I thought we might begin seeing each other once we docked in Miami. We've had a wonderful two months together, but now I'm not so sure we should continue this relationship.”

“Why?” He could barely hear her. He was so close to her that her light floral scent filled his nostrils. His heart was pounding for dear life, and he fought not to enfold this beautiful woman in his arms.

He looked at the television. George Jefferson was yelling at Tom Willis. He recalled Uncle Greg's drunken rage. He abandoned
The Jeffersons
and gazed at her again.

She stood. “I guess I'd better leave.”

“No, don't leave. It's so complicated.”

“Did I imagine the chemistry we shared over the past few months?” She toyed with the strap of her leather purse.

“No, you didn't imagine that.” He took a deep breath.

She sat down again as she continued to look at him.
Her dark eyes were full of curiosity and he squirmed under her intense gaze. “You're hiding something from me.”

“Rainy—”

She lifted her arm and pressed her palm toward his face in a stopping motion. “Don't deny it! I know we've only known each other for a couple of months, but I can tell when you've got something on your mind. The last time you acted like this, you told me later about how you were sad since Pam died. Has that still been bothering you?” He shook his head. “Well, what is it?” She threw her hands up in the air, exasperated. “You don't want to tell me?”

“No. It's something personal. I'm still struggling with it and I'm still praying about it. I'm sure if the time is right, I'll tell you.”

She bit her lower lip while looking perplexed. Her shoulders slumped as she gathered her financial seminar papers. “Does this have to do with your alcoholism? Did you turn to drink again?” She clutched the papers so hard that they wrinkled.

He gazed at her, startled. He swallowed hard as words seemed to fail him. “Do you have so little faith in me? You're accusing me of drinking?” She shrank from his intense gaze as she dropped the papers in her briefcase.

“Maybe working together on this project is a bad idea. If I've upset you, then I'm sorry.”

“Rainy, I don't know if this will work or not.”

“You're talking about the youth seminars?”

He shook his head. “I'm not sure if our dating would work. But I did give you my word to work on the youth financial seminars at the church, so I will do that. You're my sister in Christ, and I think we should be friends for now, and see what happens after that.”

She nodded. Her voice rang clear and strong as she outlined what the program entailed. They would work together for the next several Saturday mornings, educating the youth of Friendship Community Church about proper budgeting and financial skills.

She stood and gathered her purse and her briefcase. “I guess I'll be seeing you next Saturday morning for the seminar?”

He nodded. “I'll see you on Saturday.” He watched her as she walked out of his house and to her car. He parted his curtains and watched her taillights disappear as she drove away.

R
ainy threw her briefcase and purse on her couch. Hot tears spilled from her eyes as she recalled her conversation with Winston. She got on her knees and leaned her elbows on the couch cushions. She issued a prayer, asking for guidance in her situation with Winston.

When she stood on her shaky legs, her phone rang. She was tempted not to answer, but forced herself to lift the receiver. “Hello.”

Sarah's strong voice carried over the wire. “Lorraine Jackson, where have you been? Don't you know it's after midnight?”

She gazed at her clock adorned with Roman numerals. It was 12:00 a.m. She plopped onto the couch and flipped the sandals off her feet. She wiggled her toes as she tried to relax. “You sound like you're chastising me.”

“Have you lost your mind? You were supposed to be here at nine-thirty tonight! We were supposed to watch videos and eat popcorn, remember?”

Suddenly, she did remember. She was on her way to Sarah's when she stopped at Winston's. Once she saw him, all thought and logic had escaped her, and she abandoned her evening with Sarah. “I'm so sorry. I'll make it up to you, though. Come by for lunch tomorrow.”

Sarah didn't respond for several seconds. Rainy closed her eyes and relished the silence. “You sound awful. What happened? I was about to call the police and hospitals. I was convinced you'd been in a car accident.”

She sniffed and removed a tissue from the box on the coffee table. “I just need to sleep now. I don't have energy to talk. Can you come by tomorrow around noon? We'll talk then. We can fill Rachel in when she returns from visiting her sick grandmother on Sunday night.”

“Okay, I'll say a quick prayer for you tonight.”

“Thanks. I think I'll need one.”

The next day she slept until eleven o'clock. By the time she showered and changed, she heard Sarah's hard knock on the door. When she opened it, Sarah greeted her with two large oily paper sacks. “You sounded terrible on the phone last night. So I figured you could use one of your favorite cheese steak sandwiches for lunch. I also brought fries and something special.” She scurried into the house, dropped the bags in the kitchen and returned to her car. Seconds later, she entered carrying a white bakery box.

“I got your favorite white chocolate cheesecake from Marcel's Bakery. I was fortunate to get it. It was the last one they had! I figured God wanted me to buy this cheesecake to cheer up my best friend.” Sarah's brown eyes twinkled as she grinned. After she delivered the box to the kitchen table, she embraced Rainy. “Now, when we eat our lunch, you'll need to tell me all about it.”

Rainy opened a bag, and the strong smell of onions and fried meat filled the air. Her mouth watered and her stomach growled. After they sat at the table, Sarah said grace. As she tasted her sandwich, she noticed Sarah's immaculate attire. She sported a casual cranberry dress and leather sandals. “You were just coming over to see me for lunch. There was no need for you to get gussied up.” She grinned before she bit into her sandwich.

Sarah popped a fry into her mouth and gulped her soda before responding. “I have some other things to do this afternoon.”

She continued to gaze at her friend. “What things? I get the feeling there's a reason why you're dressed like that.” She sniffed the air. “Plus you're wearing that expensive perfume! Who are you trying to impress?”

“Can't you take a hint? I don't want to talk about my plans for later.”

“What plans? Did another guy answer your ad? Are you going to meet him this afternoon?”

Sarah sighed as she pushed her sandwich aside. “Well…yes, I'm going to meet a guy this afternoon.”

Rainy dipped her fry in a puddle of ketchup. “Well,
what's the big secret? I want details!” She popped the fry in her mouth and eagerly awaited Sarah's response.

“How many times do I have to tell you, I don't want to talk about him?”

“Are you falling in love?”

“My goodness, no. This is the first time I'm meeting this guy.” She sipped her soda.

“I'll let you off the hook this time, but you'll need to fill me and Rachel in eventually. I can't stand secrets!”

After they finished their lunch, Rainy opened the bakery box. She enjoyed the buttery rich scent of the cheesecake as she cut two slices and placed them on small china plates. She brewed coffee, and as they enjoyed the luscious dessert she told Sarah about her visit to Winston's house. “I honestly didn't think I'd take that long to see him. If I was thinking clearly, I would've called you.”

After they were finished eating, Sarah voiced her concerns. “So do you think you're falling in love with Winston?”

“I can't help the way I feel. I've only been in love a few times in my life, and each time it happens quickly.”

Sarah shrugged as she poured another cup of fragrant coffee. Curls of steam floated in the air as she grasped her mug. “Well, maybe you're not over Jordan yet. When we left you on that cruise, you looked like a little girl who was leaving her mother for the first time.”

“So?” Rainy walked to the sink and rinsed her coffee cup. She placed it in the dishwasher before returning to the table.

“So? When it comes to relationships, you're clueless.”

Her mouth dropped open. “You're one to speak, looking through Christian dating ads. They should call you ‘desperately seeking Sarah.' I'm offended!”

Sarah squeezed Rainy's hand. “Look, I don't mean to offend you, but it's true. You jumped into that engagement with Jordan so quickly and you were still hurting over the breakup when we left you on the cruise ship.” She paused, gazing at her red, manicured nails. “And now you're telling me that you met Winston, and that made the pain vanish?” She released her hand and leaned back into the chair.

Rainy turned away, ashamed she had fallen for Winston so easily and in such a short time. She was also ashamed for the way she had been treated by Jordan.

“Hey, did I hurt your feelings?” Sarah's tone softened as she gazed at her friend.

Rainy leaned her elbows on the table and placed her chin beneath her palms. “No, I'm just upset because I think you're right. That being the case, it still doesn't change the way I feel for Winston. I felt connected with him and I felt he was the right man for me.”

“He could be the mate God intended for you, but I can sense it's going to be a while before you find out.” Sarah paused and sipped her coffee. “So, you two are just going to be friends for now?”

Rainy sighed as she crumpled the oily bags. “I guess so, but I haven't told you the worst part yet.” She mentioned her accusing him of drinking.

“You didn't! Do you think that's why he doesn't think it will work between you two?”

She shrugged. “I don't know, maybe. Winston is hiding something from me, and while Winston and I work together on the church ministry, I plan on finding out what it is,” she vowed.

 

Rainy folded the papers for the bank field trip and placed them in her purse. Children's voices echoed in the corridor, full of excitement. Winston pounded on the closed door of the empty classroom of Friendship Community Church. “Rainy, are you in there?”

She sighed, zipping her purse shut.
This is the second week of the youth financial seminars and I'm still in the dark about why Winston wanted to stop dating me. Why did I agree to do these seminars with him?
She patted her hair and opened the door.

He glanced at her, his hazel eyes full of curiosity. “What are you doing in there by yourself? The school bus just arrived to take us to the bank.”

“I'm coming.” She grabbed her hat and followed him out of the building into the parking lot. Being around Winston was wearing her down, and she had to take a few moments to compose herself.

Several children's voices mingled in raucous laughter as she led them to the school bus. The blistering heat scorched her skin. She pulled a large sunhat over her head and licked her dry lips as she stepped onto the vehicle.

Clara, a ten-year-old girl with dusty-brown plaits
and tiny freckles on her cinnamon-brown skin grinned at Rainy, showing the dimples in her cheeks. “Mr. Winston sure is sweet on you! Is he your boyfriend or something? You two gonna get married?”

Rainy practically pushed the child onto the bus. “That's enough, Clara. You're the nosiest kid in this group. Stop asking so many questions.” Rainy settled into the vinyl seat as Winston followed close behind, guiding the other kids onto the bus.

He cleared his throat. “Now listen, everybody, you know what I told you about this field trip to the bank. You're going to listen to what the bank manager has to say, and I don't want any talking or horsing around. Did you get the permission slips from your parents?”

Several brown heads bopped. One young boy named Morris removed his paper. “Yeah, my mom signed this paper, and she said I could open a savings account.” He reached his tawny hand into his backpack. “She also gave me this dollar!”

Several children waved their dollars in the air. The wilted paper created a cool breeze on the stifling bus. She sighed and leaned back into her seat, closing her eyes. Minutes later, Clara sat beside her, wiggling and kicking the floor. The doors slammed shut and the driver revved the engine. Cheers filled the bus as they pulled out of the lot.

“When are we going to get there?” whined Clara.

“Don't worry, it'll only be a little while.” Wads of paper and gum littered the floor. The driver chewed on a toothpick as he maneuvered the vehicle down the
North-South Expressway. Clara vacated her seat. Rainy assumed she was looking for more promising company.

Minutes later, Clara's seat was occupied by another youth. “Hi, Miss Rainy.” Terry, a fifteen-year-old participant in the program, pulled a mint from her purse. “Want one?” She popped the candy into her mouth.

Rainy shook her head and gazed at the passing scenery. The windows were open and drafts of wind plunged into the bus. Winston yelled from the rear, admonishing two fighting children. She rubbed her temple and reached into her purse. She popped two aspirins and swallowed them dry.

“You know, Miss Rainy,” she said, chewing her candy, “I think you look mighty tired. Didn't you sleep last night?”

“I slept a little bit.”

“Well, I think it's real nice that you and Mr. Winston let the younger people get involved in this program, too.”

“Yeah, thanks to you, it is a good idea.”

“After I signed up and my baby sister wanted to do the same thing, it caused a big stink in the church since this program was supposed to be for teenagers. But you and Mr. Winston said good financial skills can't start too early.”

The children ranged in age from five to seventeen. She smiled as she recalled Winston's crusade to include the younger members of the parish in the youth program. At times, she forgot he was not a member of her church.

Terry nodded as she opened the package for another mint. “Mr. Winston is real smart, too. I've really learned a lot. This is only the second week we're meeting, and I'm already opening my own savings account!”

“Your boyfriend Michael didn't want to join the youth financial seminars?”

Terry shook her head as she crunched her mint. “My man doesn't need guidance when it comes to money. He's got his act together and when it's time for him to go to college, I'm sure he'll get a scholarship. Plus he works at McDonald's on Saturdays, so he can't come. He's supposed to be meeting me at the church later on today.”

Excited voices mingled with the loud engine of the battered school bus. A spitball fight ensued and Winston stomped down the aisle, confiscating straws and strips of paper.

“He sure does know how to handle a bunch of kids. You probably would have had a hard time handling this project by yourself.”

Winston threw the items into the trash. As he returned to his seat, he glanced at Rainy. His stormy expression softened. As he parted his full lips, a sobbing child pulled his leg. “Mr. Winston, he hit me!” She pointed her brown finger to the culprit. Winston turned to settle the dispute.

The bus jolted to a stop in front of the bank. Rainy stood and yawned while Winston herded the kids out the bus. She clutched the straps of her black leather purse as she followed the group into the bank. As the
air-conditioning washed the heat from her body, she relished the cool temperature. Sweat trickled down her spine as the bank manager introduced himself.

“Now, I need to shake each of your hands since you're going to be my customers from now on. That's how we establish good business relationships.” Chuckles rolled through the room as he shook hands with each small customer. “Now, let's begin our tour, shall we?”

The manager waved his hand toward the walls. “Look at the pictures lining these walls. This one is the president of the bank. You'll also see pictures of past presidents and the bank's founder.”

Morris raised his copper-brown hand. “Mister, how come you don't have any black pictures on these walls? You mean you've never hired any black presidents?” His short dreadlocks danced in the air as he tilted his head toward the offending wall. Rainy sighed and rolled her eyes. She didn't know Morris's parents very well, but several members in the congregation commented that they were militant. Before Winston could respond, she pulled Morris aside, allowing the bank manager to resume his speech. His pale skin developed a rose hue as he spoke of how the prominent bank got started.

“Morris, we'll talk about this later. Right now we need to teach you kids about finances. It's the work that God has called me and Winston to do. Your attitude is not helping matters much.”

“Miss Rainy, I don't mean no disrespect, but why couldn't we have put our money into a black bank?” His large brown eyes softened as he gazed at her.