Church Folk - Michele Andrea Bowen [119]
PRECIOUS EXAMINED SAPHRONIA'S FACE, SHAKING HER head in disgust, and held her hand out for the ice pack Mother Harold had just made. She had been furious when she caught Marcel with Jackie Giles. But this? This made her so mad that Tee had to stop her from going to the funeral home and jumping all over Marcel. She couldn't believe he would beat up a woman like this.
Saphronia winced when she put the ice pack on her face, making Mother Harold jump. Despite Mother Harold's dicty ways, Saphronia was everything to her, and it hurt her down to the bone to see her baby hurt. She stroked her granddaughter's hand gently, like she did when she was little, and said, "Dear, is there anything I can do for you?"
Saphronia was about to say no, but something occurred to her. "Yes, Grandmother. There is something you can do for me."
Saphronia sat up slowly, every muscle aching. She leaned over, her head killing her, and reached under the bed to pull out the red leather book. Precious helped her back in the bed, taking the address book out of her hands. She counted the money in it real fast—over $6,500—and split it between her and Saphronia. Then she scanned the contents of the book, eyes big and round as she read the names of preachers she knew were members of that ho' club. Between Precious's blue record book and Marcel's red leather address book, there was enough evidence to get rid of Marcel, Sonny, and Bishop Caruthers for good.
"Girl, you know this is some low-down funky stuff."
Mother Harold gasped and was about to reprimand Precious for her language when she heard her own granddaughter say, "Girl, I heard that," before they slapped each other's palms.
"So, girl, what you proposing?"
Saphronia put the ice pack on her throbbing head. She said, "Grandmother is taking these books to the session later this morning, and she's going to give them to Rev. James. He will know exactly what to do with them."
Mother Harold opened her mouth to protest but closed it when Saphronia gave her a look she had never seen on her face before. As far as Saphronia was concerned, if she could take a good butt-whipping like a woman, her grandmother was going to be woman enough to put these books in Rev. James's very capable hands.
"Saphronia, dear, do you think this is the right thing to do? I mean, if I understand what is going on, two pastors and a bishop could very well lose their jobs. That is a very serious thing, dear. It takes years for a man to reach those points in a ministerial career. And what you are proposing could take it all away in a matter of minutes."
"That is exactly the point, Grandmother. I want it all taken away in a matter of minutes."
"But, dear, what would have happened if every time someone became upset with your grandfather, they brought him before a Triennial Conference?"
Saphronia sighed and forced herself to sit up straight. Using her own house money, her grandmother had protected her grandfather for years, to pay off a woman who showed up at the house with a big child who looked just like him. He acted like butter would not melt in his mouth, when he was one of the biggest devils around.
"Grandmother, maybe somebody should have called Grandfather on the carpet about all of that mess. Maybe he would have been a better preacher and a better man. He certainly had a lot to offer, but he could stir a lot of trouble, too.
"And as far as Bishop Caruthers, Rev. Washington, and Marcel are concerned, they don't deserve the privilege of being pastors and a bishop in the Gospel United Church. So, Grandmother, whether you like it or not, you are taking those books to Rev. James. You are the only one, of the three of us, who can get in and get into the conference past Marcel, Rev. Washington, the Claytons, and Bishop Caruthers. So I am begging you, Grandmother. Please, help me and do right by your church."
Mother Harold didn't say anything. She reached out her hands to take the books and went to get her purse and hat. As soon as she was out the door, Saphronia and Precious both looked up at the same time and said, "Thank