Chapter 47

            "Praise the Lord for George and Shawanda," Aaron added.  "if it hadn't been for her singing and preaching, our evangelistic outreach wouldn't have been what it was,” he announced.

            "You're so right," Judy added.  "But of course I'm sure the sister would much rather give the glory to God and the praise to the Lord where it rightly belongs."

            Shawanda shot a quick glance at Judy annoyed at how quickly and easily she had redirected Aaron's brief exaltation of how she had been used.

            "You're so right, Judy,"  Shawanda countered.  "I realize that without Jesus none of us can do anything.  So I thank my God for what He did through us all tonight."

            Judy grabbed a cloth, put some left over pieces of ice in it, and went to tend to George's bruised jaw.

            Shawanda saw the gesture for what it obviously was: an attempt to fondle over the man and say without saying, "I know how to take care of you."

            "I'm out of here," Shawanda answered. 

            "Let me walk you over to your car."  George suggested.

            "Never mind, I can see you're otherwise occupied."  She responded as she looked and nodded toward Judy.

            Juanita observed it all and was somewhat amused.  "I don't think either one of them realizes," she thought, "that George wants them both.  There's no reason to compete, he wants it all!"

            After reaching the house, the three began to make cups of tea, as it had become their ritual.  Once made, Juanita announced, "I'll take mine upstairs.  Judy, would you mind looking at George's jaw once more?"  She said as she winked at Judy to let her know she was giving her the chance to be alone with him.

            Judy wasted no time in beginning to subtly put forth her best points while undermining Shawanda's  "I think it's sweet that that young lady is maintaining her virginity."  She began.  "But, of course, that also means she might lack the experience of how to really pleasure a man."

            George was no dunce and realized what she was doing but used the opportunity to ask a question of his own.  "If," he began slowly, "If God had you to marry me, do you think you could keep me satisfied and pleasured?"  He asked working her own words back into the question.

            Judy looked at him seductively through half closed eyes and whispered as she slowly drew her face close to his.  "Without a doubt, honey, without a doubt."  With that she kissed him gently on the lips, gave him a quick hug, and jumped up and walked toward the door of the kitchen.  As she did, she swayed her hips and paused briefly before exiting, glancing over her shoulder to see if he was watching.  He was.

            As George entered his bedroom, he noticed that Juanita was sitting in bed reading a book.  "I think she's ready to marry you, if you're ready."  She said without glancing up.

            "The real question," he countered, "is whether you're ready."  He stated flatly.

            "George," she said as she looked up at him.  "You've been headed this direction for a while, I suppose I'm as ready as I am ever going to be."

            "Good, then I'll ask her tomorrow," he said as he watched her very closely to see if there'd be any reaction.

            "Fine," was Juanita's only answer as she returned to her reading.  She was trying her best not to be jealous, still she didn't know how she would react, the first time she knew he was making love to her.

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            As George came downstairs, he smelled his favorite breakfast cooking.  It was comprised of French toast, sausage patties, and eggs over easy with coffee and orange juice.  But Juanita was sleeping in late, so who's cooking, he thought.  As he turned the corner and entered the kitchen, he saw Judy dressed in a shiny, silky, black house coat that was closed with a tied belt.  Since the lower portion split opened as she walked he would see a glimpse of her thighs and calves and noticed that she was wearing high heels.  Her hair and makeup were done to perfection and the scent of perfume mingled with the breakfast odors.

            George could easily surmise that this picture she presented was for his benefit.  He grabbed her around the waist swinging her around to face him and pulled her close to him as he looked deep into her pale blue eyes.  "Ms. Judy Chandler," he whispered, "will you be my second wife?"

            Judy blushed, looked down and then up again.  she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, before answering as if that wasn't answer enough.  Then she whispered into his ear.  "You know I will."

            He was pleased with her answer and yet he wondered how he'd break the news to Shawanda and ask her the same thing as well.