Love Me for Who I Am by Sonya Visor

Author:Sonya Visor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: forgiveness, sex, trust, single action shooters, single africanamerican women
Publisher: Sonya Visor

Chapter 6

“Come on, girls. Clean yourselves up and be beautiful.” Tory parroted Aunt Cynthia’s favorite line. If she saw us today, she wouldn’t claim us. Aunt Cynthia was easier than Mama, but shared her same sentiments. You needed to always look your best, even in the worst situations. You at least had to look like you were winning. You never had to look like what you’ve been through.

Tory grabbed the box of tissues from the nightstand and handed several to Zora and me. “We look a hot mess.”

My sisters and I shared a laugh as we dried our eyes.

A tap sounded at the hotel door.

“Déjà vu,” we whispered amongst ourselves.

“Who could that be?” asked Zora.

“Pastor?” Tory asked, her voice hopeful.

“Malik?” I added, figuring anything was possible.

“You had me call them,” Zora remembered.

“I didn’t say call Pastor. I said call Malik,” I clarified.

“And I added…‘call Pastor.’” Zora tried to look innocent, but there was something else in her eyes.

“Great.” I had to look both Pastor and Malik in their faces. I hadn’t even talked to Malik yet about any of the drama I’d just shared.

“Y’all don’t even know which one it is at the door,” Tory scolded. “Let me go see.”

“Wait…” Zora said as she picked up her purse from the desk.

“Nope,” Tory quipped, “the Bible says ‘Be ye also ready,’ so hurry up and get ready.”

I was going to have to talk to her later about being a ‘Scripture thrower.’

We rushed into the bathroom to fix our red noses, apply lip-gloss, and brush our tousled hair. Not much could be done about our noses and swollen eyelids, but I quickly changed from my pajamas into jeans and a top.

Another knock, this time firmer and more persistent.

“Just a minute.” Tory sounded tickled. She enjoyed seeing us scramble around like we were in high school. Then, it sounded like she was humming, Here Comes the Bride. “Y’all ready? I can’t keep the man waiting forever.”

Him who?

Tory proceeded to open the door. Voilà. There stood Zora’s dream man, Pastor Christopher Dockery.

“Everything all right?” Pastor appeared disturbed, perhaps by the long wait outside in the hallway. I’m sure he didn’t want his good deeds to be evil spoken of if a church gossip saw him hanging outside hotel rooms and what not. I couldn’t blame him for that. You never knew who was a part of the spy committee these days.

Tory smiled and said, “Come on in, Pastor.”

“Hey, Pastor,” I chimed in, although Pastor was preoccupied with staring at Zora. This was good for me because I hadn’t finished the community project yet, nor was I ready to reveal the source of my anguish. Coming home to help out with the Christmas project at Jefferson Lighthouse Church, often referred to as JLC, was the worst move I could have made right now, but I had made a commitment and intended to see it through.

Zora extended her hand toward Pastor Chris and said, “Thank you for coming.”

Pastor Chris held Zora’s hand a little longer than he should have and responded, “It's my pleasure.

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