“Oh, Gerald! This is my friend, Rayna, that I’ve told you about. We went to school together in North Carolina,” she tried to say with mustered excitement.
“Gerald Green. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I rarely get to meet any of April’s long-term friends,” he smiled warmly and extended his hand. I immediately take notice of his beautiful green eyes. They’re befitting of his name.
“Pleased to meet you, David,” I reply.
As we exchange pleasantries, Pastors Edmondson and Green walk up on us.
“Hey, son. We’re headed out now to make our reservation,” the senior Green says. He’s short and gave several of his features to his son.
David smiles. “Yes. I was coming to grab my fiancée. She’s here catching up with an old college buddy,” he says, regarding me politely.
“Dad, Pastor Edmondson, this is Rayna. I’m not sure if she’s a member here—” he says before being interrupted.
“Brimm. How does it goes there, Rayna?” Pastor Edmondson greets me warmly. “Rayna here is my daughter in Christ. I know her very well. I am pleased she’s attached to this fold,” Pastor Edmondson informs the small crowd that has now gathered around me. He has his hands on my shoulders like a father would his daughter. Though I didn’t realized he viewed me so dearly, it felt good to be connected. I patted his right hand on my shoulder. He made an attempt at making me feel welcomed.
“If you don't mind, I’d like to walk Rayna out. I’ll be right out as soon as see her to her car. Please?” she asked politely. Whoa? When did April develop etiquette?
After taking two glances, one at me and the other at her, Pastor Edmondson insists, “The birthday boy here consents. We’ll meet you ‘round back.” He speaks with a smile that said his words were final. “Rayna dear, I’ll see you on Wednesday?” he confirms by way of a goodbye.
“Until Wednesday,” I bade. And we turn toward the entrance of the sanctuary.
“Rayna, I’m sorry. I had no idea!” was April’s response to my news of the released video. I was appalled by it. We were beside my car discussing recent events.
“April, I was hoping for more than a weak apology. Not only is Azmir’s reputation on the line, but so is my word and professional image as well as Michelle’s memory.” She grimaces before she turns and gazes off into the distance with a forlorn expression. “April, you know I wasn’t there!” I plead.
“Rayna, what do you expect for me to do—go hold a press conference, admitting that it was me on my knees giving a total stranger head?” she snorts in aggravation.
“So, it’s okay for Azmir and me to suffer when we had nothing to do with it. And what would Michelle think? Are you...kidding me?”
She pauses to consider my words. Within seconds, I see the tears she’s trying to fight back. A car approaches us from a short distance and beeps the horn. We turn to see it’s her fiancé and his family.
My sharp, life-threatening gaze doesn’t leave April’s face as she processes my words.
All of a sudden, she grabs my hand and clasps them in hers, gently and kisses them in humility. It was then that I notice the tattoo on her right hand in that area between her thumb and her index finger. That’s the same one from the video. I guess I’d never paid April much mind. She was Michelle’s cousin, not my friend. At best, she and Britni were occasional associates.