Church Folk - Michele Andrea Bowen [24]
"That's very nice, Saphronia, but we have to get Rev. Simmons downstairs," Lee Allie said. "It's getting late and he has to be hungry after all of that preachin'." She tugged at the sleeve of his robe. "Now come on, let's get you fed. Wouldn't want you going back up to Memphis complaining about being hungry down here in Charleston."
Theophilus smiled at Lee Allie. "Let me get out of this hot robe and I'll meet you all downstairs." He looked at Essie, who was standing next to her mother. "Where are you sitting?"
"In the back. I'm helping Mama's missionary group serve the food."
"Rev. Simmons, I do believe you will be sitting up front at our table since Grandmother is a prominent church mother," Saphronia said, with a smug look in Essie's direction. She wanted Essie to know that a jook joint cook didn't have any business trying to compete with her for a man like Theophilus Simmons.
Theophilus looked disappointed, nodded at everyone politely, and went to change.
Meanwhile, Rev. James had found Mother Harold to ask whether she could put up Theophilus for the night, explaining that he did not want him to stay at Neese's Boarding House or any place else that might link him to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference organizers.
Mother Harold secretly thought Rev. James (and Rev. Simmons, for that matter) had no business being involved with those civil rights people, who wanted to mess with what small amount of peace the colored had down here in Mississippi. But Rev. Simmons was a preacher with the right credentials, even if he were too dark, and if he stayed with her, Saphronia would have more time in his company. She had yet to meet a dark-skinned man of the Reverend's stature who would not give anything for an opportunity to court someone like her granddaughter. Even more than Saphronia herself, Laticia Harold was determined that her only grandchild marry a minister.
After making Rev. James stand there waiting on her answer, she finally said, "I would be honored to have Rev. Simmons as my house guest. Bring him to the house after you have finished all of your men's business here at church."
"Thank you, Mother Harold. Sure hope this not too much trouble for you."
"It is not any trouble at all," she replied, setting off to catch up with Saphronia, who had gone downstairs to make sure she got a seat right next to Theophilus.
Theophilus was supposed to go to the Harolds' house right after the church dinner. He changed those plans, however, and went by the Lanes' house first. When he stepped up on the porch, he noticed all the flowers for the first time, especially the soft, pink rose bushes framing the creamy yellow wood house, with its green shutters, porch, and door. He had been so intent on seeing Essie on his last visit that he hadn't paid any attention to the front of the house. He took a deep breath to catch the fragrance of the flowers, and was about to knock when Uncle Booker opened the screen door.
"Evenin', Reverend."
"Good evening, Uncle Booker. I decided to come by and thank Mrs. Lane for inviting me to speak at Mount Nebo before I turned in at the Harolds'."
Uncle Booker was pretty sure that Theophilus really wanted to see Essie Lee and not Lee Allie, but decided not to push the issue. He said, "Well, I'm sure Lee Allie will appreciate your thoughtfulness. You go on in. They back in the kitchen talking 'bout church. Seems like from all they been saying, you preached one hell of a sermon this morning. Kind of sorry I missed it."
Uncle Booker pulled his car keys out of his pants pocket and started walking off the porch. He extended his hand toward Theophilus and said, "Be seein' you—and mind your manners in there, if you know what I mean."
Theophilus shook his hand, hoping Uncle Booker did not pick up on the look that crossed his face. He was discovering that Uncle Booker had a special