An Easter to Remember

“Oh, my God. Did we get the potatoes?” Zahara asked her cousin, Tameika, in a panic.  

“Of course, we did.”

“We’d better be sure because I’ll be fit to be tied if I get home and they’re not in one of the  bags.” Zahara dug through the mountain of groceries in her buggy, moving milk, seafood, cereal, a huge chocolate Easter bunny, a ham, and other assorted items out of the way.

They were standing in a long line at Sam’s Club. It seemed everybody had the same bright idea to wait until the day before Easter to go shopping for Easter dinner.

“Do you see them?” Tameika asked.

“Hold on. Don’t you see I’m looking?”

“I could have sworn we put them in there,” Tameika added as she placed her hand on her bountiful hip and tapped her cheek with the other hand.

“Okay, all is well with the world, and no need for the nuclear codes. Here they are,” Zahara said as she held up the 5 lb. bag of Idaho’s Best, the way Mufasa held up Simba in The Lion King. “Whew, that was close.”

“I’m telling you because they may not have had any more if we had to come back,” Tameika said.

“They wouldn’t have,” interjected a lady standing in front of them wearing a red T-shirt with the logo and name of a Tball Team, The Little Riverside Rockets. “I saw the lady who picked up the last bag. She almost got knocked on the head by the cane of an indignant senior citizen. The senior was ready to brawl because that youngin’ took the last bag of potatoes.”

“What!” said Zahara. “Now that would have gone viral in a matter of minutes if I were back there because I record everything.”

Tameika smacked her lips and bobbed her head in agreement.

The lady in the red T-shirt laughed.

“Now that the missing potatoes scare is behind me, what’s up with these lines?” Zahara asked.

“I only have a few items. You’re welcome to go in front of me if you’d like,” said the red T-shirt lady.

“That’s so thoughtful, but we’re fine. Thank you, though,” said Tameika.

“It’s no problem. It’s not like I have anywhere to rush off to. My granddaughter lives with my estranged son in Denver, so I won’t get to see her in all her Easter glory or watch her participate in an Easter Egg Hunt, or anything, for that matter. My daughter-in-law, who sometimes takes pity on me, sent me this T-shirt. My granddaughter plays Tball.”

“Ooh, that’s terrible. I’m so sorry you won’t get a chance to see her.”

“Yeah, me too,” Tameika added sympathetically.

“Thank you both.” By this time, the lady in the red T-shirt had taken a handkerchief from her purse and was dabbing at the tears forming in her eyes. “Parenting is not easy. It’s the toughest job in the world. I think I spoiled my only child and son; let me correct that, I know I spoiled my son. I spoiled him to the core. When I finally had the courage to start saying “No” and demanding that he stand on his own two feet, it was too late. He moved to Denver, cut me off, and uses my granddaughter as a pawn to hurt me. He wouldn’t even let me be there for her birth.” She continued dabbing her eyes.

“That’s awful,” said Tameika.

“Why don’t you join us tomorrow?” Zahara suggested. “We have service at 11 am, dinner after that, followed by the grandmother of all Easter Egg Hunts. We actually have two Easter Egg Hunts: one for the little kids and one for the big kids, the adults. It’s a lot of fun.”

“It really is,” said Tameika, smiling warmly in hopes of convincing their new, heartbroken friend to join them.

“Although a handful of people do go overboard with their competitive spirits. Deaconness Blossom dislocated her shoulder last year when she threw herself on the last egg like it was a grenade, beating out her long-time rival Deaconness Hayworth. Remember that, Meika?” she asked, tossing her head back and laughing.

“Girl, howww could I possibly forget?” Tameika answered, giggling along with Zahara.

“I’m ashamed to say I haven’t been to church in a long time. Al and I, that’s my husband, he passed away six years ago, used to go every Sunday. I don’t think I’m up to it right now. But I appreciate the invitation.”

“Well, just join us for dinner and the Easter Egg Hunts then. Plus, you’ll have a chance to taste my world-famous potato salad. It’s the bomb-diggity. com, isn’t it, Meika?

“Show ya’ right.”

“What’s your number?” Zahara asked. “I’ll text you the address. If you come, you come. No pressure. And, by the way, what’s your name?”

“Evelyn, and my # is 555-1212.”

“Got it,” Zahara punched the keys on her cellphone, entering Evelyn’s number.”

Pointing to her chest, Tameika said, “I’m Tameika.” Then, pointing at Zahara, she said, “And that’s my crazy cousin Zahara. It’s so nice to meet you, Ms. Evelyn.”

Easter Afternoon

“I just pulled up in your church’s parking lot. Wow, it’s crowded. I can’t believe I found a parking spot at all. Where are you?” Evelyn texted Zahara.

“Yayyy, I’m so glad you could make it, Ms. Evelyn. Come to the picnic tables behind the church. I’m wearing an orange sundress. You can’t miss me!:-)” Zahara texted back.

“Okay. I’m wearing a white ruffled blouse, black skirt, and a light pink straw hat.”

Zahara sent a “thumbs up” emoji.

“There she is!” Zahara said excitedly, waving her arms wildly as Evelyn rounded the corner of the church building.

Evelyn gently waved.

Zahara and Tameika rushed to greet her like happy kids running into an amusement park.

Tameika took one of Evelyn’s arms, and Zahara linked her arm through the other as they escorted Evelyn to the festivities. The first stop was to meet their esteemed Senior Pastor, Michael J. Bennett, Jr.

“Ms. Evelyn,” said Zahara, “this is our very single, widower of 5 years, gold standard of a man, Pastor Michael J. Bennett, Jr. We do miss our former First Lady, Gladys Bennett, God rest her blessed soul.” They both made the sign of the cross over their hearts.

“Pastor,” said Tameika, “this is Ms. Evelyn. We met her at Sam’s Club yesterday.”

Pastor’s and Ms. Evelyn’s eyes locked, just as they had 30 years ago when they were high school sweethearts.

“Evelyn?” a stunned Pastor Bennett asked softly.

“Michael?” Evelyn whispered.

“You know each other?” Tameika and Zahara blurted out at the same time.

Both Pastor and Evelyn were speechless. They nodded in perfect unison in response to the question.

Tameika’s mouth opened wide like a six-lane superhighway. Zahara’s closed tight like a winter-insulated window. Exchanging glances, they knew instinctively that they needed to excuse themselves.

They walked away, leaning into each other for support.

Tameika happily mumbled, “Oh my God. Can you believe this? I think Sam’s Club was a divine set-up.”  

“Cuz,” Zahara said, “I have a feeling that this is going to be an Easter to remember.”

“Show ya right!”

The End

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