|
|
Sunday Brunch By Norma L. Jarrett
Sunday Go to Meetin'
Lord, good morning. It's me again--Lexi. I come to You this morning with humble heart and mind. I'm truly grateful for the many things You've done in my life. I'm thankful for passing the bar examination on the first try. I know it could have only been You. I'm thankful for my law practice, even though I'm not making all the money I want to make right now. I know it's coming. I'm thankful for wonderful friends, even Jewel. You've truly brought me a long way.
I know I haven't been reading my Bible like I should lately, but honestly, Lord, I've been tired. I know You've delivered me from some "stuff," but sometimes I feel like I have to fight for everything. Is this the way it's always going to be? Forgive me for questioning You. And speaking of forgiveness, please excuse my weakness (again) when I gave in to Reggie. I'll try to be stronger the next time. I know sex is a sin; I'd been doing pretty well by holding out, but some of these men are really not with the celibacy program. (Oh, why does this phone always ring when I'm in the middle of prayer!) And Lord, please bless this day! Thanks. Amen!
My eyes sprang open. Still kneeling, I reached over to grab the receiver from the nightstand. "Hello?"
"Hey, bud. What's up? It's Capri."
I got up and sat on the side of my bed. "Hey, girl."
"Just calling to see what time we were meeting for brunch."
"Angelica said we should aim for one, which is when I made reservations, so we should head to brunch right after church."
"Who?"
"I mean Angel."
"Since when do we call her Angelica?"
"I don't know. She's been going through this pseudo-bourgeoise phase."
"What's that all about?" Capri asked.
"She's on a 'I'm a mature business woman of the world' trip. You know Angel. She can be intense."
"I would expect that type of drama from Jewel, but not Angel."
"Anyway, girl, what are you wearing?" I asked.
"I don't know. Whatever I get up and decide to put on."
"I think I'm going to wear a dress today. I feel like being very feminine," I said.
"Whatever. This Sunday brunch thing is really starting to be a bore . . . all we do is gossip."
"Ummm . . . I know. But with all our schedules, it's the only way we can stay connected," I said.
"I guess you're right."
"I really look forward to our little brunch dates."
"That's because you don't have a life," Capri said.
Ouch!
I tried not to get an attitude about Capri's comment since, for the moment, it was true. Dating Reginald wasn't exactly my idea of "a life." I tried to remember the last time we'd gone out for a date instead of staying in, watching rented DVDs and eating takeout food. It had actually been several months.
"I have to go. I have to do my usual Sunday morning makeover," I said with all seriousness in my voice.
"Alright, girl, but make sure you exfoliate those feet, because the last time I saw them, they were lookin' kinda rough. Oh yeah, and please be on time to church."
"See, why'd you have to go all there with the feet?" I said as I inspected my heels. "Some of us can't afford the weekly pedicures, OK? Some of us have to get out the old pumice stone from time to time and do it ourselves. Some of us have to slather on the petroleum jelly and use a few plastic sandwich bags. Is that OK with you?"
"Lexi! I'm just kidding, girl. I know how sensitive you are about your feet."
"And I'll be on time."
"Bye, girl," Capri said.
After I hung up, I walked to the bathroom and ran my bathwater. I added some crystals and a little baby oil to the water. Steam and the scent of vanilla tickled my nose. I removed a large natural-colored towel from the linen closet and draped it across the vanity stool. I pulled out a mulberry-scented candle and lit it with a match from a San Antonio souvenir matchbook. I slid in the tub and let the clear, smooth water cover me like a blanket. Then I tilted my head back against the inflatable terry cloth pillow.
I grabbed my favorite magazine, Essence, and perched it on the silver bath tray in front of me. I flipped each page, trying to find something interesting.
Oooh, beauty secrets of Hollywood's A-list. Hmmm, let's see . . . Oh, that's what Janet Jackson uses on her skin? Bet. I'm going to check that out. She's still my girl! . . . Get out! Tyra Banks uses this lip gloss? It only costs $4.99?
I continued flipping the pages, soaking up the latest celebrity beauty trends and outfits, enjoying a guilty pleasure before getting ready for church. I soon dropped the magazine on the floor and slid farther into the warm water. My muscles welcomed the soothing liquid.
My serenity was interrupted by hunger pangs.
I still have some fruit in the fridge. I can grab some grapes on the way out to tide me over till brunch.
Brunch with Jermane, Jewel, Angel, and Capri had become our ritual ever since we graduated from Westwood's School of Law. Regardless of what's going on in our lives (and it could be anything), we rarely failed to meet after church every Sunday.
Although I wasn't raised in the church, I had developed a deeper connection to God since moving to Houston. In the South, church is such a normal part of life. But the longer I live, the more I realize that going to church is just the beginning. You don't experience true growth until you develop a personal relationship with God.
Sunday Brunch: Part 1 |
Sunday Brunch: Part 2 |
Order Sunday Brunch
|
|
|
|
|
