Playing Hard To Get

IT’S ABOUT TO GO DOWN. THE FIRST LADY IS ABOUT TO LOOK LIKE AN ASS was texted from a sister at one end of the table to another.

“I don’t know everything…. Well, I’ve been studying and I’m getting better,” Troy said.

“Better?” Myrtle laughed. “You don’t even know when the church was founded.”

Everyone looked from Myrtle to Troy.

A KNIFE TO THE BACK! THAT HAD TO HURT the text messenger responded.

Over two hundred years ago…subtract that from 2010…carry the one…she was so bad at math. Troy had no answer. She wanted to disappear and wished she’d kept her mouth shut.

“Well,” Sister Oliver started, “haven’t you been in charge of the First Lady’s instruction over the last two years? Haven’t you been her mentor? If she doesn’t know anything, maybe it’s because you haven’t taught her anything.”

TAG TEAM OPERATION! another text read.

“Yeah,” Kiona agreed. “And who’s going to know everything? I don’t know when the church was founded and I’ve been here longer than you. And since you’re so into history then, Myrtle, you should know that the original constitution of the Virtuous Women states that the president of the organization should be the First Lady and if she is new to the church, leadership of the organization should be given to her upon approval of the organization’s members, or suggestion of the pastor. Basically, you have no say.” Kiona walked over and was now standing in front of Myrtle.

“Hum” and “That’s true” and “I don’t know that either” were heard around the table, and heads that were just nodding for Myrtle were now nodding toward Troy.

“Really?” Troy asked.

“This is just stupid,” Myrtle said. “So, you support this? You all want her to be your president? Troy?”

“Why not?” someone said. “Let’s try it. I like her. She’s a good person. I move that we vote on the First Lady being the new president.”

“I second!” someone said quickly.

“What?” Myrtle looked to all of the faces in the group that she thought supported her, but they looked away—even Elizabeth.

“Great! So all those in favor of the First Lady being our new president, raise your hands,” Kiona said and without counting, it was clear the vote was in Troy’s favor.

“I can’t have this,” Myrtle said. “I can’t let you all make this crazy decision. She’s not fit. And as president I can’t allow you to make this mistake. I won’t and I am sure the pastor will back me on this.”

“You’re out of the group,” Troy’s heart said and her lips vocalized it before her brain could stop her. Then she was on her feet and walking toward Myrtle. “You’re out of the Virtuous Women, so there’s no need for you to worry about me being president.”

“You can’t kick me out,” Myrtle said, laughing nervously.

“I just did,” Troy said. “What you’re doing, the way you’re behaving, simply isn’t a part of the image we support in this organization—the image you taught me about.” Troy stood before Myrtle. “So, as the new president, I have to ask you, in a Christian way, of course, to leave.”

“You can’t do this,” Myrtle said. “Pastor Hall won’t have it.”

“My husband will support me,” Troy said confidently. “I know that.”

Myrtle stammered across the floor and out the door like a weary two-year-old trudging out of the sandbox without her shovel. No one followed. The attention of excited eyes and lips curled up at the edges was focused on Troy.

NOW THAT WAS A COMEBACK a text read.

YEAH, SHE DID THAT!

4

She must have been unprepared/

to accept freedom as a process/

a precious thing/

that needs to be nurtured.