“Or what about that mink coat you were looking at last winter?” one of the First Ladies shouted out.

“Or maybe,” Sonya said, “you’ll get that new Jag SUV.”

Everyone and every word was surprising to me. But nothing was more shocking than the words that First Lady Sonya had spoken.

Had they really just tried to convince Rena to stay with her cheating husband? Her cheating with boys husband. There was no way she would.

But then, Rena said, “Thank you. Thank you all.”

“You’re welcome.”

“That’s what we’re here for.”

“We’re all family.”

Rena said, “You were right. There is too much at stake for me to do anything except for what you suggested.”

“Exactly,” Sonya said. “Just remember — that Jag.” When everyone laughed, Rena stood, hugged Sonya and then moved to the chair where she’d sat at every meeting.

“All right now,” Sonya said. “If you’ll take your seat, Ginger, we can get back to why we’re here. Let’s get back to the Dress for Success program and what you were telling us about the schools.”

I glanced at Rena and for the first time since she’d walked into the room, she had a smile, albeit a meek one. And the other women were looking at Sonya as if the last twenty minutes hadn’t transpired.

“Ginger?” First Lady Sonya said, as if I were holding up the meeting.

First, I glanced at where I’d been sitting and then, I turned my eyes to the door, the exit from this room and these women. But then, I returned to the seat where I’d been sitting and I gave my report.

Chapter 9

For the past three days, all I’d been thinking about was the First Ladies Council meeting and Rena Bradley. I couldn’t imagine what that night had been like for her after she’d left the Four Seasons. Had she waited until Reverend Bradley had come home? Had she sat down at dinner with him and then served him the pictures alongside the pork chops and mashed potatoes? And at what point did she ask for keys to her new car, designer purse and international vacay?

I eased my Benz around the curve of the street, then stopped in front of the valet stand. Smiling as the attendant opened my door, I greeted him, took the ticket, and then as I strolled toward the restaurant, I shook my head, hoping that would release my thoughts. Sometimes I felt like I was consumed with thoughts of what those women had counseled Rena to do and really, it was none of my business. If she agreed with them, who was I to tell her anything different?

That was my last thought as I stepped inside the District Winery. The moment I did, I spotted my sister, standing at one of the tables waving both hands. It looked like the top of her head was glowing, but it was just the way the sun, that burned through the wall of glass, shined on her wild blonde afro.