Church Folk - Michele Andrea Bowen [42]
"Those of you who didn't stay with friends or family, did you find your accommodations pleasant and affordable?"
A lot of people smiled, nodded their heads yes, and said Amen.
"Well, you have Rev. Simmons to thank because he coordinated one of the best room-and-board programs that we've had in years. Aaa . . . men. Church, you know Memphis doesn't have enough Negro hotels to house all of you dressed-up, perfumed people sitting out there in the congregation this afternoon."
Rev. Gant called out, "That's right, Bishop. You know that's right."
"And, you know something, church?" Bishop Jennings went on. "The last time I took a poll, none of these white folks here in Memphis were about to welcome us into their establishments." He stopped to shake his head in disgust. "So, church, I can truly say that I'd rather pay my Negro brothers and sisters good money anyday, than even think about giving one of those mean-spirited hillbillies who don't have the decency to call me a man one red cent. Aaa . . . men. Do you hear me, church?"
Rev. Eldridge stood up again and said, "You tell these folks like it is, Bishop. Yes, Lawd! Yes, Lawd!"
"So, church, you owe a lot to Rev. Simmons." He looked over to where Theophilus was sitting and made a motion for him to get up out of his seat. "Stand up, Rev. Simmons, and let the congregation see you. They need to know who you are. And, church, let's give this fine young man a great big hand because he did a fabulous job for this year's conference. Aaa . . . men."
Theophilus stood up straight and smiled to acknowledge the Bishop's compliment and the clapping congregation. Glodean tilted back her head and stared at him from under her large hat, as a heavy ache of longing, hurt, and anger spread across her chest. Essie, on the other hand, applauded proudly, waving and cheering as she watched Theophilus standing there. She was surprised to find herself imagining what it would feel like to stand next to him, joyful, as he received recognition for his work in the church.
Bishop Jennings had recognized Glodean when she made her grand entrance and now watched as she sat silent and despondent while Theophilus was being praised. He knew that she was the reason Theophilus had nearly turned down his assignment to Greater Hope, and he considered her almost a modern-day version of a temple prostitute. Not that Theophilus was blameless—far from it. He decided at that moment to do a little meddling that would teach the two of them a lesson about the kind of conduct expected of both men and women in the church.
"Don't you go and sit down on me just yet, son," Bishop Jennings told Theophilus.
"Now, church," he said, ignoring Theophilus's obvious discomfort. "I made Rev. Simmons keep standing because there's just one more thing I want to tell you about him. You see, church, this fine young man is a single preacher, and it's high time he got himself his good thang. Aaa . . . men. You hear me, church? I said . . . I said this young man needs our help in getting himself a wife—the right kind of wife, the kind of woman his own mama would approve of for him. Aaa . . . men."
He looked over at Theophilus, who was thoroughly embarrassed, and smiled at him.
"Now, I'm going to overstep my bounds a bit and try to help our young pastor out. You upstanding single young ladies sitting out there in the congregation, I want some of you to start baking some peach cobblers and bring them on over to Greater Hope for Rev. Simmons. Aaa . . . men."
By announcing that young Simmons needed a wife, Bishop Jennings hoped that he was putting him on notice—as well as any young lady who set her mind on him—that he was watching and that there were to be no more slipups. Marriage wasn't a foolproof guarantee, but after fear of the wrath of God, it sure was the best deterrent to misbehaving he could think of.
"Didn't you tell me that you liked peach cobblers, Rev. Simmons?"
"No, Bishop," Theophilus said, playing along. "I've always said that I liked blackberry cobblers, especially the ones that are tart and sweet at the same time."