| Nov 6, 2005 |
| 11/06/05, 12:00 PM, 3,358 Words |
Dianne tied her yellow scarf around her neck. The scarf matched the yellow in her orange skirt. She had on a pink blouse that accentuated the pink stripes in her skirt. Her orange heels matched her skirt perfectly. Dianne laughed at herself as she thought, “I wondered what those people at the church think about me.” She shook the thought from her head. She was not the only woman at the church who dressed nicely. She fixed her make-up. Dianne walked in the living room. She grabbed her Bible and headed out the door for church. She never thought that she would be attending church regularly and wanted to be there.
MeClendon was standing at the top of the stairway in the church. He saw a woman walking into the vestibule. From the way the woman walked, Mec could tell that it was MaClandon’s girlfriend. Mec had to talk to the woman for him so he hurried down the stairs to catch her.
Dianne saw one of the older Adkins’ twins walking towards her. She looked him up and down quickly to figure out which one it was. It was MeClendon. She wanted to try to avoid him, but it was obvious that he had already seen her.
MeClendon walked up to Dianne, “Hey Miss Lady. How you doing?” Dianne managed a smile, “Hello, MeClendon.” Mec looked at Dianne funny, “How did you know who I was?” Dianne said, “Because Mac doesn’t dress like you. He usually wears something preppy.” Mec made a face, “I guess. You didn’t tell me how you were doing.” Dianne blew a breath, “I am fine.” Mec smiled his playboy smile, “Yes, you are.” Dianne giggled, “Do you want something?” Mec smiled again, “To talk to you. Is there something wrong with that?” Dianne put her hand over her mouth before saying, “And you are flirting with me because?” Mec got upset, “I was just trying to be a good member. You ain’t gotta be mean about it.” Dianne shifted her weight to her left side, “I do not have time to play with you.” Mec frowned, “Oh, it’s like that. You ain’t all that, anyway.” Dianne walked up close to Mec and whispered, “I use little boys like you as toothpicks. You do not want to try to handle what I got. Remember that before you try your tired college rap on me.” Dianne smiled as she walked by Mec. Mec didn’t know what to do. He just stood there.
Dianne reached Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s office at the church. She was laughing as she walked up to Dr. Adkins-Garnett. Dianne walked over to Dr. Adkins-Garnett and hugged her. Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled at Dianne, “Girl, what are you laughing at?” Dianne sat down in a chair, “I just met your nephew downstairs.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked startled, “Which one?” Dianne gave Dr. Adkins-Garnett a wicked smiled, but didn’t answer her. Dr. Adkins-Garnett responded, “Which one did you meet?” Dianne said, “MeClendon. I may have hurt his feelings.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett twisted her lips, “What did you say to him?” Dianne scratched her head, “Uhh, I am not sure I should tell you.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett made a face, “What did you say to him?” Dianne responded, I said, ‘I use boys like you for toothpicks. You do not want to try to handle what I got. Remember that before you try your tired college rap on me.’ He looked kind of hurt when I left.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett laughed loudly, “You did not say that. Are you serious? Oh my goodness.” Dianne shook her head up and down. Dr. Adkins-Garnett kept on laughing. Dianne laughed with her with.
Mec walked into the classroom that Mac was in. Mec walked over to Mac and grabbed him by the arm. Mec pulled Mac away from the rest of the young adults that were there. Mac looked at his brother like he was crazy, “Man, what is wrong with you?” Mec said, “Your old lady is here.” Mac eyes danced, “Where is she at?” Mec smacked his lips, “Dang, you gotta it bad for that woman. I don’t know. After she dissed me, I couldn’t care less.” Mac scowled at his twin, “Man, what did you do? You ain’t got no sense. Do you ever act right?” Mec scowled back at his brother, “Please, you ain’t going to be able to handle a woman like that. She will break you in half. You need to forget about her.” Mac rolled his eyes, “Just cause she didn’t fall for your tired rap, doesn’t mean that she won’t fall for mine.” Mec laughed brashly, “Ninja, you ain’t got no rap!” Mac walked off from his brother. Mac refused to let his brother’s words put an end to his plan.
Eld. Kevon Garnett sat down in his usual sit on the second row. A few minutes later, his nephew, MaClandon sat down beside him and said, “Hey Unc. How you doing?” Eld. Garnett smiled, “I am fine. Your aunt is over there in her usual seat, if you are looking for her.” Mac gave his uncle some dap and said, “Naw, Unc, I’m here to hang with you.” Eld. Garnett whispered, “Yea I bet.” Mac looked at his uncle, “What did you say, Unc?” Eld. Garnett smiled, “Nothing, nephew, nothing at all.” Eld. Garnett looked over in his wife’s direction to see if she had spotted their nephew sitting next to him.
Dr. Adkins-Garnett saw Mac walk into the sanctuary. She watched her nephew walk over to her husband and sit down. She laughed. Both Sis. Taylor and Dianne looked at the laughing woman. Dr. Adkins-Garnett thought to herself, “My nephew is going to quit. He is smart, I given that.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett leaned over to Dianne and whispered, “Do you think you could hang around a few minutes after church so that Mac can meet you?” Dianne looked at Dr. Adkins-Garnett with a negative look on her face, “Are you serious?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled a sweet smile at Dianne, “Yes. He has been trying to meet you ever since you came to church. He is starting to get on my husband nerves.” Dianne looked over to where Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s husband usually sat. Mac was sitting next to Eld. Garnett. Dianne titled her head and made a face at Mac, who was staring at her again. Dianne sighed, looked at Dr. Adkins-Garnett, and said, “Ok, I will meet him. Dr. Adkins-Garnett, I do not have time to be fooling around with him.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett could tell that Dianne was irritated, “I know sweetie, but it would mean a lot to me. Mac won’t be as bad as Mec. If you tell him to leave you alone, he will.” Dianne made a face, “Okay, fine.” Dianne looked back over in Mac’s direction. He was staring at her again. Dianne made up in her mind, “I am telling that boy off as soon as I get a chance.”
After service was over and the benediction had been given, Mac huddled close to his uncle. Everywhere that Eld. Garnett went, Mac was right there by him. Eld. Garnett kept looking his nephew upside his head. Mac kept smiling at his uncle. Eld. Garnett finally said, “Boy, why are following me around like a little puppy?” Mac smiled, “No reason. I just wanna hang out with you.” Eld. Garnett made a face, “You need to quit lying in the house of God like that.” Mac made an innocent face, “What? I didn’t do anything. What am I lying about?” Eld. Garnett grabbed his nephew by the neck playfully, “Come on. Let’s go get this over with.”
Dianne sat down on the bench after the benediction. She was tempted to leave instead of waiting to meet Mac, but she had promised Dr. Adkins-Garnett. Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked at Dianne, “Please be nice. Mac is more sensitive than Mec.” Dianne made an “I don’t care” face at Dr. Adkins-Garnett. Dr. Adkins-Garnett walked left the pew to go speak to some of the other people. Dianne just sat on the pew.
Dr. Adkins-Garnett was talking to Mother Andrew when Eld. Garnett and Mac walked up to her. Eld. Garnett hugged his wife and whispered in her ear, “Your nephew thinks his slick. You see what he did.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled, “Yea, I did.” Mac tapped his uncle on the shoulder, “Come on Unc, and let me get some love. You live with her.” Eld. Garnett hugged his wife tighter, “And that means.” Mac folded his arms and sulked. Eld. Garnett let his wife go. Dr. Adkins-Garnett walked over to Mac and hugged him. She whispered, “You aren’t slick. I know what you are doing.” Mac didn’t say anything. Dr. Adkins-Garnett put her arms in between the arms of the two men, “Come on with me so I can get my stuff.” They three of them walked over to where Dianne was.
Dr. Adkins-Garnett walked up to Dianne. Dianne handed Dr. Adkins-Garnett her stuff. Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked at Mac who was standing behind her smiling big. Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked at Dianne. Dianne had a frustrated look on her face. Dr. Adkins-Garnett finally said, “Dianne, this is my nephew MaClandon Adkins. MaClandon, this is Dianne Roberts.” Mac extended his hand to Dianne. Dianne took Mac’s hand and shook it. Dianne’s hand felt warm and soft to Mac. He didn’t want to let her hand go, but he did. Dianne looked into Mac’s eyes. There was something sweet about his eyes. Dianne refused to stare in his eyes too long. She didn’t want his eyes to convince her not to tell him off.
An inspiration hit Dr. Adkins-Garnett. She turned to Mac and said, “Mac, why do not you give Dianne a tour of the church?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett turned to Dianne, “Is that okay with you?” Dianne responded, “Yes, that’s okay.” Mac smiled so big that his jaws starting hurting. Eld. Garnett smiled at his wife. Mac looked at Dianne, “This way Mame.” Dianne grabbed her purse and followed Mac. Eld. Garnett looked at his wife, “You are a trip.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled, “Yea, I know. I just hope she doesn’t tell him off too badly.”
Mac walked Dianne through the sanctuary, detailing its history as they walked. He led Dianne out into the vestibule and showed her the prayer room and the bookstore. There were people in the prayer room praying. Mac introduced Dianne to the clerk in the bookstore. The clerk, Bro. Terrell Boone winked at Dianne before she and Mac walked out of the bookstore. Mac showed Dianne the rest of the vestibule area before walking upstairs.
Mac had showed Dianne some of the classrooms before they walked into the children’s church room. Dianne hadn’t said much. As Mac was talking about the room, Dianne said, “Did your parents teach you not to stare at people?” Mac looked startled, “Huh?” Dianne made a harsh face at the scared young man, “Did your parents teach you not to stare at people? Which is what you have done to me since I walked into this church?” Mac looked off from Dianne. Dianne walked over into the direction that Mac was looking. She felt bad when she saw how embarrassed he looked. She rolled her eyes, “What else are you going to show me?” Mac walked out of the room and showed her some other rooms.
Mac showed Dianne the minister’s library. He hadn’t said much since she had called him on his staring. Dianne sat down in one of the chairs in the room, “Are you going to talk to me?” Mac sat down. In an innocent voice, Mac said, “Sorry for staring at you.” Dianne’s facial expression didn’t change. Mac was not sure what to do. He hadn’t expected her to fuss at him. He had a whole speech planned and everything, but he could not think of a thing to say. Mac just looked down at the floor. Dianne looked at Mac. He looked scared, embarrassed, and hurt. He looked so cute. Dianne started laughing. Mac looked up at her, “What are you laughing at?” Dianne put her hand over her mouth to try to stop laughing. After she stopped she said, “At you.” Mac made a face, “Why are you laughing at me?”
“Because you are too cute.”
“Why I gotta be cute?”
Dianne giggled, “Your aunt said that you liked me.”
Mac made a face, “She said what?”
“She said that you liked me.”
“Why would she say that?”
“You should know. She is YOUR aunt.”
“I cannot believe she told you that.”
“Yep, she told me that you have a thing for older women too.”
Mac turned red, “Oh my God. I am so embarrassed.”
Dianne laughed. Mac made a face, “It is not that funny.” Dianne stopped laughing, “Okay, let me have it.” Mac scowled, “Have what?”
“Whatever lines you were going to try to use on me.”
“I was not going to use any lines on you.”
“You had to have something planned to say to me.”
“Yea, but I’m not going to say it now.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want to get my feelings hurt anymore.”
“You shouldn’t have been staring at me in church.”
“I could not help it. You shouldn’t be so pretty.”
Dianne smiled, “Ok, there goes a line.” Mac smiled, “Did it work?” Dianne stood up, “A little.” Mac stood up, “Where are you going?” Dianne started walking towards the door, “Home. Do you want to walk me to my car?” Mac grinned just a little too big, “Yea!” Dianne made a face, “You get excited too easily.” Mac smiled, “I can’t help it. Beautiful women make me act like that.” Dianne laughed, “Line number 2.” Mac smiled, “Did it work?” Dianne said, “Maybe.”
The two of them went downstairs and walked out of the church. When they reached Dianne’s car, Mac said, “I guess I will see you Sunday.” Dianne made a face, “That’s it. I don’t get to hear anymore of your lines?” Mac smiled, “Oh, I thought you were ready to go. You said you were going home.” Dianne said, “I am allowed to change my mind, aren’t I?” Mac smiled, “Uhh yea. I am kind of out of lines. My brother is the one with all the lines.” Dianne titled her head, “Yea, I know.”
“I know. He told me that he saw you earlier. He said you dissed him. What did you say to him?”
“Can’t tell you. That’s between us.”
“It must have been pretty bad. He didn’t even say that you were into him.”
“That’s because I’m not into young jokers.”
Mac looked hurt, “Oh. Ok.”
“What’s wrong?”
“You said that you don’t like young jokers.”
“So, you think I am including you in that category.”
“Yes, I guess so.”
“You are young, but are you a joker?”
“Uhh no, I am not.”
“Then, I wasn’t including you in that category.”
Mac smiled a big smile, “Cool. You smell nice. Are you wearing Creed 2000 Fleurs?” Dianne looked startled, “Yes, I see that you know your perfumes.” Mac looked like he had accomplished something great, “Yes, I do.” Dianne shook her head, “Line number 3.” Mac smiled, “Did it work?” Dianne shrugged her shoulders, “Maybe. I am too old for you.” Mac said, “I know, but I like flirting with danger.” Dianne giggled, “But remember, flirting with danger can get you hurt.” Mac looked serious, “I know. I just wanted to meet you, so I’m cool for a few minutes.” He smiled. Dianne looked at him, “Ok. It was nice meeting you. At least you aren’t as bad as your brother.” Mac laughed, “Yea, but he usually gets the girl.” Dianne unlocked her car door, “But I am not a girl!” Mac made a face, “No, you’re not.” Dianne walked over to Mac, “I’m going to go. I’ll talk to you later.” Mac smiled, “Yes, Mame.” Dianne leaned closed to Mac and kissed him on the jaw, “Bye. Bye.” She got in her car. Mac just stood still holding his jaw. Dianne laughed after she got in her car. She thought, “I was wrong for that.” Dianne turned and looked in her rearview mirror. Mac was still standing next to her car. She rolled the window down and motioned for Mac. After Mac walked over to her window, she said, “I can’t leave with you leaning on my car.” Mac backed up, “Oh yea. Sorry.” Mac walked away from Dianne’s car. Dianne backed up and pulled out of the parking space. She waved at Mac as she drove off.
Mac walked back to the church slowly. He couldn’t believe that Dianne had kissed him on the jaw. He was floating. People were speaking to him, but he didn’t hear what they were saying. As he was walking back into the church, he ran into Mec. Mac walked by Mec. Mec stopped and then walked to catch up to his brother. Mec punched Mac in the arm and said, “How you going to walk by my like I wasn’t there?” Mac turned around, “Why you hitting on me?” Mec said, “You walked right by me. What’s wrong with you? Why you smiling like that?” Mac ignored his brother and walked off. Nothing was going to ruin the feeling that Mac had right then.
On Thursday afternoon, Dianne drove up to her best friend, Ariel’s job. Dianne sat at Ariel’s desk. Ariel worked for an insurance salesman. Dianne had been up at Ariel’s office so much, that Mr. Allan Morris had offered Dianne a sales job. Ariel was laughing at the story Dianne was telling her about MaClandon Adkins. Ariel shriek, “How old is he?” Dianne responded, “Twenty-four or twenty-five. I’m not even sure.” Ariel laughed, “You and your men.” Dianne shook her head, “Whatever. You aren’t going to believe what I did when I said goodbye to him.” Ariel looked excited, “Girl, what did you do?” Dianne shook her head, “I kissed him on the jaw.” Ariel hit Dianne on the arm, “Girl, no you didn’t. Why you do that?” Dianne dropped her head, “To mess with him.” Ariel hit Dianne’s arm again, “That was wrong. You oughta be shame of yourself.” Dianne smiled, “I know, but you know I ain’t.” Both of them laughed.
MaClandon was smiling at work on Thursday. He usually walked around smiling, but one of his Co-workers, Tracy noticed that Mac was smiling more than usual. Tracy said, “What you smiling for?” Mac said, “What are you talking about? I am always smiling.” Tracy said, “You are smiling like you got some or something.” Mac made a face, “Man, I already told you that I am practicing celibacy. Why you gotta bring sex into every conversation?” Tracy frowned, “You either got something or are on something, as much as you are smiling.” Mac balled up a piece of paper and threw it at Tracy, “I am high on Jesus. It is because of Him that I can smile like this.” Tracy started to walk off, “I don’t want to hear that preaching stuff.” Mac smiled. He was high on Jesus, but he was also still floating from the kiss that Dianne had given him.
Dianne continued attending Greater Buelahland Interdenominational House of Rest. Mac continued to speak to Dianne whenever she was at church. Mac made sure to only speak to Dianne whenever she was around his aunt. Mac didn’t want the church busybodies to get a whiff of anything to spread around the church. Dianne began to grow fond of Mac, although she could not figure out why. Mac acted older than his age dictated. He was always mannerable. Dr. Adkins-Garnett would always give Dianne this silly smile whenever Mac was around. From what Dianne could tell Dr. Adkins-Garnett never interfered though. Dianne could not imagine herself dating someone as young as Mac. But she was doing a lot of things lately that she hadn’t imagine that she would be doing. Dianne was not sure what was going on, but she was enjoying her new life in Christ. |
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