The Veil (12 page)

“Class, that was a long time ago. We all make mistakes. Besides, I didn't go to clubs every night. If I did, I wouldn't have graduated and become your teacher and be able to give you a test tomorrow.”

“Aw, Ms. Holloway,” the class chimed.

“Just kidding.” Misha laughed. “You guys do have a test next week. So I want you to study hard. The Mimi joke you don't understand. So don't call me that again. You can call me Ms. Holloway. That will be enough.”

As the class was ending and the students were changing classes, one of the young ladies walked up to her and told her Roger told them she used to like him and stalked him when they were in college. He said they called her Mimi the Stalker in college. Misha tried to hold back her fury. Her body tensed listening to the student's explanation of their behavior. During her planning period she was going to pay Roger a visit. She wanted to do it then but her other class was about to start. Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out, she began her class.

“Mimi the Stalker, Roger?” Misha said as she slammed the door to Roger's office. “How could you say that to my students about me? You told them I went to clubs every night.”

“Mimi, it was a joke. They took it out of context.” Roger leaned back in his chair, smiling the entire time.

“You got my students calling me Mimi the Stalker. What does that say to you, if you heard it about someone else?”

“I'll straighten it out. It was only a joke.” There was a knock at the door. It was Mr. Davis. He walked into the office.

“Is everything all right here?” he said, looking at both of them.

“Sure, Mr. Davis. Everything's copasetic.” Roger smiled. Misha turned her back on Mr. Davis—her arms folded around her body. She did not want him to see the rage in her eyes.

“I was told there was yelling coming out of this office. Is everything fine, Ms. Holloway?”

Misha took a deep breath and slowly turned around to face him, forcing a smile on her face. “Sure, Mr. Davis. We were only talking loud about a joke.” She glanced at Roger, who was still smiling as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

“Well, keep it down. You know how everybody's all jittery about little things since the Columbine shooting. I'll see you two later.” He walked out of the office and Misha closed the door again.

“Roger, I would appreciate it if you keep our—no, my—private life out of the school,” she said, lowering her voice.

“It was a joke. Okay, okay. I won't say anything else,” he said, waving his arms in the air.

Misha walked out of the office and started down the hallway when Mr. Davis stopped her. “What was that all about?”

“It was nothing. He played a joke on me. That's all. It's all good.”

“Okay. But if you have any problems, let me know.”

“I will. I better eat lunch before my next class starts.” Misha watched as Mr. Davis walked away and into the counselors' office. She hoped he wasn't going to talk with Roger. Somehow she knew he was. She asked God to get Roger out of her school. He was nothing but trouble. She could finally see the real Roger and wondered how she could have gotten mixed up with him in the first place.

At the end of the day, Judy walked up to her as she was getting into her car. “Hey, Misha. What is this Mimi the Stalker thing I've been hearing about you all day?”

“Boy, news travels fast. Roger sat in my class until I got here this morning and told my students I used to stalk him when we were at Howard. He told my students to call me Mimi the Stalker.”

“That . . .” She stopped herself before saying how she really felt. She had not liked Roger since he came to the school. “Did you tell Mr. Davis?” Her mouth twisted into a frown.

“Our wonderful principal walked in on us when I went to Roger's office to confront him. Roger played it off like he was so innocent. He made me look like a fool today. I'm going to have to pray him out of here.”

“I'll be praying with you. He's got some nerve. Does he know how hard it is to win the students' respect? I don't know what you saw in him. He tells some of the wildest stories. It's hard to believe somebody let him pastor their church.”

“Hey, Mimi,” another teacher called to Misha as she walked past her car.

“Hey, girl, that's an old joke. You can call me Misha.” Misha laughed it off and continued her conversation with Judy. “See what I mean? Why did I ever fool with that man?”

“The sex was probably good.”

“I never had sex with Roger.”

“You two never did it? Never?” Judy's eyes stretched, surprised to hear her say that.

“I'm not saying I haven't but not with Roger. He was a Christian when we met and he said he was celibate.”

“Never?”

“Get over it, Judy. We never did and I'm glad. Just think what would have happened if I got pregnant by somebody like him. Look, I would love to stand around and bash Roger all day. But I have to go.”

“Not one time in all those years?”

“Love you but I really have to go.” She hugged Judy and slipped into her car. Her cell phone chimed. She looked at the caller ID. It was Roger. She hesitated, then answered it so she could really tell him off as she left school property.

“What do you want now, Roger?”

“Mimi, I'm really sorry. It was bad judgment. I shouldn't have told your students anything about you.”

“You're right. You shouldn't have. Now everybody, including teachers, is calling me Mimi the Stalker. It wasn't funny.”

“It'll die down in a few days. You have any plans for dinner?”

He had some nerve asking her out to dinner. She would not be seen anywhere with him. “Yeah, I have plans.”

“Oh. Maybe another time.”

“Maybe.”

Why would he think she could just forget what just happened and go out to eat with him? She wished she still used profanity. It was moments like this that cussing him out the old-fashioned way would have made her feel a lot better. But she couldn't do that. She wasn't going to allow him to bring out the worst in her.

She ruminated over it so much it became funny to her. She laughed until she got home. He could not have possibly believed she would even have a desire to be with him. She tried hard to think what she saw in him but could not think of a thing now. Everything she believed him to be, he wasn't. She never really knew him. Now, she did not want to know him. She did not want to be near him. She had to pray him away from her. She needed to be completely free from him.

Misha sat on the edge of her bed, contemplating what she was going to do. It was Sunday. She knew God wanted her to leave True Life but she didn't have anywhere else to go. She prayed for God to guide her footsteps. She didn't want to go to her grandmother's church. It was beginning to look like it was the place she ran to every time she left or got put out of a church. She got dressed and asked the Lord for direction. She got into her car, not really knowing where she was going. She figured she could drive through the city until God directed her to a church, finally ending at the Rock of Life.

This time a different person greeted her so friendly, like she knew her. She walked over to the information desk and noticed a Clark Atlanta brochure sitting on the counter. After getting information about the church and picking up a brochure, she found herself a seat as prayer was beginning.

She enjoyed service as much as she did when Shante Patrick preached. The Word that came forth was in agreement to everything God was telling her in her spirit. She felt the connection to the entire service. She left the church feeling so refreshed she decided she would attend that church until God led her somewhere else.

She stopped at a local restaurant and ordered some food. As she waited for her food, she began to look at the Clark Atlanta brochure. It was more than a brochure. It was a folder with a lot of information, including an application. She hoped it didn't belong to someone and she picked it up without asking first. It was the only one sitting on the counter. She leafed through the information in the folder. They had a master of education program. She needed something to occupy her time, and returning to college was a good way to do it. The pay increase after she got her master's degree would help. She smiled.
God does have a plan.
She continued looking at the information until she finished her food. Folding it, she decided applying for grad school was the right thing to do.

Later that evening, she called Pastor Simpson and told him she felt the Lord moving her to another church. He apologized for what he said, stating he didn't know she was never told about the insult. He asked her not to leave. The longer she talked with him, the more she realized he didn't understand her leaving had nothing to do with him or the church. But it had everything to do with God and what He wanted to do in her life.

 

 

The next day, as Misha walked toward the library for the staff meeting, she was confronted by another teacher, Gloria.

“Mimi, I didn't know you liked Roger.”

“That joke's old. Please don't call me that.” Misha turned away toward the library. She wanted to get a good seat in the back before the other teachers got there.

“Well, I wanted you to know Roger and I are together now. He's not interested in you,” Gloria said to Misha.

“Gloria, where did you get the idea I was interested in Roger?” Misha turned to look at her.

“He told me you used to chase him around. He said he had a restraining order against you. I want to warn you to back away from him or I'm going to Mr. Davis.”

Misha nearly fell over laughing. That was the funniest thing she had heard in a while. Shaking her head, she responded, “He does not have a restraining order against me. You need to wake up. No, I'm not going to entertain this. I'm going to the meeting.” Misha left her standing in the hallway and walked to the library, where she sat with Judy at one of the round tables.

Gloria and Roger walked into the room. Gloria reached for Roger's arm and directed him to a table near Misha. This time when she saw Roger with another woman, it did not bother her. She felt sorry for Gloria. She knew exactly what it was going to be like dating him.
Good riddance.
At least she did not have to listen to his negative comments or lies anymore.
Let someone else do it. If Gloria wants to be that one, more power to her.
Hopefully, she would not have to put up with this childish behavior every day.

“That woman's desperate,” Judy said to Misha. “Does she think she has a catch?”

Misha tried hard not to look their way as the meeting progressed. It seemed as if Gloria was trying everything to get her attention. She laughed louder at Mr. Davis's jokes than anybody and then glanced at Misha to see if she was looking. She moved her chair so close to Roger they almost touched. Roger sat back, acting as if he was the life of the party. They both had the stares of the other staff members. Misha was glad when the meeting ended so she would not have to endure the spectacle that was distracting her from the meeting.

“Hey, Misha. Wait up.” Misha heard Roger calling her as she walked down the hallway. She tried to speed up her steps and acted as if she didn't hear him calling her.

“Misha. Mimi, come on. Don't act like that.” She had no choice but to stop. There was already a lot of talk going on about them around the school and she didn't want to give anyone else any more ammunition.

“Mr. Williams, what can I do for you?”

“I need your help.”

“You mean Gloria can't help you.”

“Gloria?” Roger smiled, then twisted his lip like he was disgusted. “Come on, girl. You know ain't nothing going on between me and Gloria.”

“That's not what she said. What do you want? The first bell is about to ring.” They stood in the hallway as teachers and students passed them by.

“We are having women's day at my church. The speaker canceled last night. I really need your help. Do you think you can speak Sunday? I know it's short notice but I couldn't find anybody else.”

“So I'm your last choice?”

“You were my first. I was afraid to ask you. I'm desperate. Can you help me out?”

“Roger, I don't know.”

“Please, pretty please,” he said in a baby-like voice. “Do me this one favor and I'll forever be grateful to you.”

“I'll tell you what. If you don't find anybody by the end of the week, I'll do it. Only if you don't find anyone.”

“Thank you, Mimi. I owe you one,” he whispered in her ear before he turned and walked down the hallway toward his office.

Misha's spirit was troubled as she walked to her classroom. Her body trembled as she heard that voice again.

She shook off the feeling as the bell rang and students began to file into her class.

 

 

That night Misha sat at her table, completing the application for admission to Clark Atlanta. She wanted to be admitted in January, but the deadline had already passed. She checked the proposed admission date as January anyway, just in case someone dropped out or failed to enroll and she could take their place. She completed the application, financial aid info, and the request for her transcript. Deciding to mail the information that night, she headed for the post office.

She hopped in the car wearing jeans and a Westdale Eagles sweatshirt. It was October and the air was beginning to chill in the evening. She rolled down the window so she could feel the cool breeze throughout her car. On her drive back home, the smell of barbecue filled her car. She looked up and saw the big red neon sign: S
MOKIN'
J
OE'S
R
IB
H
OUSE.
She could really use some ribs. She pulled into the parking lot. Before getting out of the car she reached into the back seat and picked up the Victoria Christopher Murray novel she had been trying to get to for weeks. She got out of the car with book in hand and walked into the restaurant.

The restaurant was filled with people laughing and enjoying the casual atmosphere. The rustic look of the restaurant gave it an earthy feel. She gave the waitress her order and opened her book and began reading. Her focus waned as the noise from a large group of people sitting together in the restaurant distracted her. Her eyes met the eyes of one of the men in the group. He was laughing with his mouth wide open. He saw her looking at him and he stopped laughing. She quickly reverted to reading her book. She could feel him staring at her as she tried to concentrate on her book. Each time she looked up, she could see him peering at her. She squirmed in her seat, uncomfortable at the man's attention. Looking at her watch she became impatient, wondering how long it would be before her food arrived.

“Excuse me.” She looked up at the tall caramel-skinned man who stood before her. It was the man from the table. “Do you have the time?”

She saw the large watch on his wrist.
Time for you to get away from my table.
No one in the group had a watch that was working? Or could it be the bootleg Rolex he was wearing was not working?

“I apologize for interrupting you. Looks like a good book.”

“It is. Your watch broken?”

He looked at his wrist as if it was the first time he noticed the watch on his arm. His lips curved in a crooked smile. “I just got in from Singapore. My watch is set for that time.”

He was trying too hard. She gave him the time to get him away from her table. “It's eight-twelve.”

“Thank you. You alone?” he said, standing with his hands slightly pushed into the front pockets of his jeans.

“No, I'm waiting for my husband.” Misha slipped her left hand under the table, hoping he did not notice she was not wearing a ring.

“Oh. Well, thank you for the time.”

“No problem.”

It wasn't exactly a lie. She was waiting for her husband. She would have to use that line again. It could get rid of a man fast. She went back to reading her book in peace until the waitress arrived.

The waitress placed the plate piled high with ribs, potato salad, and baked beans on the table in front of Misha. “He looks better in person,” she said.

“He? Who?” Misha asked curiously.

“That guy you were talking to. You don't know who that is?” The waitress poured water into the glass on the table.

“No. He was trying to pick me up. I told him I was married.”

“I wish he would try to pick me up. I would go anywhere with him. That man is fine.”

Misha looked over at the table. He was still looking at her. “Are we talking about the same person? You mean that light-skinned guy sitting at the table with all those people?”

“Yeah. You don't know who that is? Girl, that's Bernard Taylor, the gospel singer.”

“Who is that? I never heard of him.”

“You're kidding right? Bernard Taylor?” She began softly singing a song. Misha shook her head no. She didn't recognize the song. “You never heard of that? He's won Grammys. Didn't you see him on the Stellar Awards?”

“I don't like awards shows. Besides, I don't have time to listen to a lot of gospel music. He couldn't be all that famous. I never heard of him.”

“If I were you, I would let him take me wherever he wanted to go. I better get back to work. You need anything else?”

“No. I'm fine.” Misha looked over at the table just as two of the guys sitting with him turned to look at her. She felt more uncomfortable. She decided to ask the waitress for a carry-out box. She couldn't enjoy her ribs with all those people staring at her. Besides, the unwanted attention made her nervous. She hoped she could make it to her car without incident. Should she ask the restaurant manager to walk her to her car? She shook her head at the thought. She would be fine. She was parked just outside the restaurant on the curb. She asked the waitress for a box, pushed her food into it. She paid for her meal and left the restaurant.

When she reached her car, she heard someone trying to get her attention. She turned around, prepared to kick and run, when she saw it was Bernard Taylor with two guys following him. Misha's heart raced. She pressed the unlock button on her car and picked up her step to get to it.

She had pulled the car door open when he reached her. The two guys waited on the sidewalk. All her defenses were up and she was about to press the alarm on her car keys when he started talking to her, apologizing for startling her and promising to do her no harm. Misha cautiously listened to him, standing with one foot in her car. Just because he was famous did not mean he wasn't crazy. Besides he had two other guys with him and they were big and looked mean.

“Miss, I'm sorry to bother you again. We're new in town and we need directions to the High Museum.”

“It's closed now. What is it you really want?” This guy did not know how to approach anyone. Why was he bothering her? She looked at him.
A famous gospel singer?
He did not look like one. His skin was so light one would think he was white, which is unusual for a gospel artist. His striped shirt was not tucked in his jeans and he was wearing a pair of bobos. His clothing looked so cheap he almost looked like a bum.

“I guess I look stupid. What's your name?” He smiled. His white teeth with a slight overbite glistened in the lights from the restaurant.

“Look, mister. I'm very uncomfortable right now. Who are those guys?” She nodded in the direction of the men standing idly on the sidewalk.

He looked back at the two men pretending not to watch them. “Those guys? They're harmless unless something funny's going on.”

“Funny? I've got to go.” Misha dipped into the driver's seat of her car and locked her door. Bernard tapped on the window. She slightly rolled down the window.

“No, wait. What's your name?”

Misha placed her food and purse on the front passenger seat. “The waitress told me you were famous or something. I'm sorry but I've never heard of you. But I'm going to let you in on a life-changing secret. Once you hear this, you will never be the same. It will make you look at the world in a different light. What I'm about to tell you will revolutionize your life.”