A Long Time Comin' by Robin W. Pearson

Author:Robin W. Pearson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Christian / Contemporary, FICTION / Women
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Published: 2020-01-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

RUTHENA, AGE 15

“Come on, Ruthie, just one more.”

“Shh!” Ruthena placed a finger over Luther’s lips.

“No, I won’t be quiet until you give me one, right here.”

“Shh, Luther Atkins! I ain’t gon’ give you nuthin’ if you don’t hush up. You gon’ get us caught,” Ruthena whispered furiously.

“Ain’t nobody here but—”

Ruthena clamped a hand over Luther’s mouth and peeked out from behind the pew of Calvary AME Zion Church. She cast a careful eye over the pulpit, the choir loft, and up and down the right and left sides of the church. Then she looked behind them at the vestibule. Satisfied that they were safe for the moment, Ruthena decided to give Luther a little heaven on earth. But I don’t think this is what the pastor meant by fellowship, she thought as she planted a soft—and quick—smooch on his waiting lips, both eyes open wide.

“Come on, Ruthena.”

She lowered her lashes and threw a long, thick plait over her right shoulder. “Oh, hush up, Luther. You know I’m a good Christian girl, and I ain’t got no business meetin’ you here like this every week.” Thursdays were Ruthena’s days to polish the pews, the candleholders, and the molding in the balcony. “Now you just better be satisfied with this. I ain’t lettin’ you put yo’ mouth or yo’ hands nowhere else.” She knew that Luther hoped to move things right along to the back of his daddy’s Super Sport.

He took Ruthena’s hand and interlaced his fingers with hers. “Oh, girl, you know I love you. I just want to kiss you a little bit. I miss you.”

“You miss me? You just saw me.”

“I know, I know,” Luther said hastily. “But you so pretty and you smell so good, I just cain’t thank of nuthin’ else but you.” He took his free hand and stroked her cheek.

Warmed, Ruthena ignored the roughness of his calloused palm. “Well . . .”

“Come on, Ruthie baby. Just one more . . .” He leaned in. His pink tongue peeked out just a bit.

“Well . . . okay. But just one.” Ruthena closed her eyes and her mouth and leaned in.

“Ru-the-na Ag-new!”

Ruthena leaped to her feet.

Sister Robertson stood in the doorway leading into Calvary’s narthex, her left hand cradling tiny glass Communion cups.

“S-S-Sister Robertson, I—”

The church mother stalked over to the two and yanked Luther to his feet. “Boy. I. Bet. You. Betta. Git. Yo’self. Outta. Here. Right. Nigh.”

“Miss—”

But Sister Robertson brooked no dillydallying. “I. Said. Git!” She used her free hand to drag Luther to the double doors. She pushed him so hard his forward motion propelled him through the doors, where he stumbled, barely catching himself before he landed on his face on the concrete steps. “I’ll see yo’ mama later,” Ethel Robertson warned before bringing the doors to and turning to the cowering Ruthena, who had followed them.

“Sister Robertson, I—”

“I ’spected mo’ of you, Miss Agnew,” Sister Robertson said stiffly. “Comin’ to this church every day. I thought you loved the Lord.”

“I do—”

“But you love Luther Atkins, too.

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