Church Folk - Michele Andrea Bowen [112]
Saphronia felt a quick stab of anger at the truth of those words.
"Now, Saphronia," Precious said. "There's one more thing we have to talk about. And that is, what you gone do to embarrass Marcel?"
Saphronia shrugged. "What could possibly embarrass that man? You catch him with another other-woman and he is helping to run a brothel at a funeral home for preachers attending a Triennial Conference. Now, can you honestly think of something that would embarrass him?"
Precious shook her head and said, "Other than you showing up dressed like this, no. But maybe this ain't something we can plan. When you get there, you're gonna just have to watch and wait and see what to do." She rubbed her forehead and then snapped her fingers. "Know what, when you get there, don't ask for Marcel. Just give them my employee number, 10, and then go straight to the Sanctuary area."
"The what?"
"The Sanctuary. It's a joke—one of the preachers thought it was funny to call the room where most of them come to the Sanctuary."
Saphronia thought she had heard it all about this club. "Just what goes on in this, this . . . Sanctuary?"
"Depends. It's mostly a waiting area, and the only women who are allowed in there are a few hostesses who get them drinks and food."
Saphronia closed her eyes, hoping that she wasn't going to lose her nerve.
"Precious, you do realize that Marcel is going to be very angry at me when I show up at this place. And once he gets over his shock, he is going to find out who sent me there. Are you sure you are ready for that?"
"Saphronia, I'm not scared of Marcel. I'm kind of scared of that Laymond Johnson, but I'll be ready for him when he figures out that I sent you—because I know that big Negro will figure it out. He's a lay delegate from Bishop Caruthers's old district. He's also on the payroll for the ho' service. And let me tell you, that is one hateful man. Always trying to pat and paw on you like Bishop Caruthers and Sonny Washington. You watch yourself with him. He wears white shoes, and he might be at the door. Try talking a little crazy to confuse him."
"Well, I had better get going," Saphronia said. "Hand me those uncomfortable-looking shoes."
Saphronia slipped the silver pumps on her feet and wobbled from side to side when she stood up and tried to walk. Precious reached out and grabbed her elbow to help her find her balance.
"Saphronia, I didn't know your siddity self couldn't walk in high heels. You know you got to switch your big butt around on these shoes if you want them to let you into the Sanctuary."
"Maybe I can walk slowly," Saphronia said doubtfully.
Tee, who was standing in the doorway quietly admiring the way Saphronia looked, said, "Here's your pocketbook. You left it on the couch." She walked over to Saphronia and examined her carefully. "Miss It, Lord knows when you first walked yourself up in my house, I'd a never thought you could look like this. Chile, you gots to know you looking good."
"Thank you," Saphronia said.
Precious looked her over one last time to make sure that everything was just right and realized that something was missing.
"What's wrong?"
"You don't have on any earrings."
Tee went over to her dresser and rambled through a purple satin jewelry box until she found a pair of crystal beaded clip-ons.
Saphronia put them on her ears and looked at herself in the mirror again. Precious was right. These earrings added the perfect last touch.
Precious frowned again.
Saphronia raised her eyebrows. "Now what's wrong?"
Precious grabbed her purse off the bed and dug around in it until she found her pocketknife.
"You know how to use one of these? Could come in handy if one of them preachers try to get frisky with you."
Saphronia shook her head no. She had never been anywhere where she might need a knife.
"It's pretty simple. See, look at what I'm doing," Precious said, as she grabbed the handle firmly and flicked the knife open