Don't Tell A Soul Read Online Free PDF

texting someone, looks up at me and smiles.
    â€œWell, Ms. Keepin’ It Real is back,” Shaquan says. “Let me get up out of here before you read me, too. I ain’t all the way saved, so I can’t say things would turn out the same way if you start telling me where I can go.”
    â€œSister Shaquan, what you saw tonight was totally out of character for me. I assure you this never happens. I’m . . . having a bad day.”
    Shaquan gives me a skeptical head nod. “Sure it doesn’t. I just know Taylor didn’t tell me y’all get down like this. I mean, if she had, maybe I would’ve come sooner. This is pretty entertaining.”
    I shake my head and ignore Shaquan’s response. I already feel bad enough; I don’t need her rubbing it in. “Carmisha, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say those things to you in that way. It wasn’t Christlike at all. Will you please forgive me?”
    After a long pause, Carmisha sighs and nods. “I do forgive you, Sister Pam, but did you mean what you said?”
    â€œWell . . .” I clear my throat, trying to bide my time and think of the best response. “I would like to see you become self-sufficient. If you had a job, you would have such a better quality of life.”
    â€œI know you don’t believe my son is special, but he is. He is not successful in day-care facilities. If I just had someone to take care of him, I would get a job.”
    Carmisha stares at the floor, but not before I see the look of shame on her face. She can’t be feeling lower than me, though. I’m supposed to be the leader of this group, and here I am, letting my emotions get the better of me.
    Shaquan finishes her text and stands. “Will you please tell Taylor that I was here, Pam? I sent her a text, but she doesn’t believe me.”
    â€œWhy wouldn’t she believe you’d come to church?” Carmisha asks, looking genuinely curious.
    â€œWell, I had an issue with one of the deacons here. He started tripping when I broke it off, and I didn’t want any drama,” Shaquan explains.
    â€œBut now that Deacon Wallington is in the nursing home, it’s safe for you to return, right?” I ask.
    Shaquan laughs. “Yeah, girl. I didn’t want ole deacon salting up my game, in case there’s anybody else up in here I might want to meet. A sista is always looking for a husband.”
    â€œI know that’s right!” Carmisha says. “You should really come back to this group! It would be nice having someone on my level.”
    Shaquan gives Carmisha a tiny smile and a squint, which, in my opinion, says, “We are not on the same level,” but I don’t think Carmisha gets this message, because she’s grinning from ear to ear. Something got lost in the interpretation.
    Yvonne and Eva emerge from the food pantry with several heavy bags of groceries. Eva’s face is tear streaked, but she’s wearing a smile. Leave it to Yvonne to make Eva feel okay about her situation.
    It wasn’t always that way with Yvonne, though. She wasn’t really the warmest sister in the Sister to Sister group. Well . . . she was actually the most judgmental of us all. But life taught her a lesson I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
    â€œEva’s going to come to service on Sunday!” Yvonne says.
    Eva glances quickly at each of us. “I haven’t been to church in a really long time.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” I say. “God isn’t keeping track of attendance.”
    â€œThank you all for being so friendly. I didn’t know what to expect,” Eva says.
    â€œNow, why wouldn’t we be friendly?” I ask Eva while giving her the most welcoming smile I can muster with Troy and his chicanery still lingering in the back of my mind.
    Eva gives me an intense stare that sends a chill right through me. She seems to shrink before my eyes, her eyes