Everybody Say Amen Read Online Free PDF Page A

staked out her parents’ home until he saw them.
    He’d sent money and short letters over the years to her, when he had her address, to her cousin, Melanie, when he didn’t. Angela had never cashed the checks he’d sent, but she had sent him a photo of Chase when he turned three, along with a note that said, “Please leave us alone.”
    “I have gone too long without Chase in my life.”
    “But, son, you just have to take it slow.” Simon coughed violently. Although it had been nearly eight years since his mother died, Jonathan couldn’t bear the thought of losing his father as well.
    Jonathan was just about to reply when the doorbell rang. He turned to his father. “I’ll get it.”
    Jonathan walked over to the door and stared out the peephole. He quickly turned back to his father. “Dad, it’s Sister Maylene. It looks like she’s carrying a dish.”
    Simon sighed heavily. “Lord, you’d think the fact that I’m no longer head pastor would stop all these women from sniffing around here.”
    A smile crossed Jonathan’s face. Ever since his mother died, his father had had little time for women. But it definitely wasn’t from the women’s lack of trying. Every time he turned around somebody was bringing by a sweet potato pie, or checking to see if Simon needed anything from the store, or just dropping by because they were “in the neighborhood.”
    “Dad, I think at some point, one of these women is going to break you down.”
    “Hmmph.” Simon snorted.
    “You want me to let her in?”
    “Well, I guess since you got your eyeball all up in the peephole she knows we’re in here. Let her in.” Simon got up and walked into the kitchen. “I’ll be in the back, trying to look busy.”
    Jonathan slowly opened the door. It was obvious Sister Maylene was surprised to see him because the seductive look she had on her face quickly disappeared.
    “Afternoon, Brother Jackson.” She cleared her throat and tried to shift her purse in front of her, no doubt trying to hide the fact that she was exposing too much cleavage.
    “How are you, Sister Maylene?” Jonathan asked, trying not to laugh. Her face was made up like she was twenty and she had taken down her signature bun; her white hair flowed freely down to her shoulders.
    “Blessed and highly favored. Ummm, is ummm, is Pastor Jackson around?”
    Jonathan stepped back and waved her in. “He’s right in the kitchen,” he said as he shut the door behind her.
    She held out the covered dish. “Well, I was just bringing by supper for him since I know he’s been a little under the weather.”
    “I can take it to him.” Jonathan stuck his hands out, still trying not to laugh. He was so glad he’d come over here!
    Sister Maylene quickly pulled the dish close to her chest. “Umm, I would much rather give it to him myself.”
    I bet you would , Jonathan thought. He stepped aside and motioned for her to pass.
    “I’ll only be a minute,” she said as she sashayed past him.
    “Sure.” Jonathan could sense her disappointment as he followed her into the kitchen. It was obvious she didn’t want him around.
    Simon was at the kitchen table reading over some papers. He forced a smile when he looked up. “Sister Maylene, how are you today?”
    “Just fine.” She looked over at Jonathan like she was pleading with him to leave the room. Simon shot his son a look that Jonathan knew meant he should stay right where he was.
    Jonathan sat down at the kitchen bar and he could’ve sworn Sister Maylene looked like she wanted to curse him out.
    “Well, I know you don’t get around much and I know it’s not often you get a home-cooked meal, so I just wanted to bring you some of my special meat loaf,” she said.
    “Well, I sho’ do appreciate it,” Simon responded. He motioned for Jonathan to take the dish.
    Miss Maylene stood like she was waiting on Simon to invite her to stay. “Well, I best get going,” she said after he didn’t.
    Simon stood. “Let me see