“Thank you,” she hugged her.
“Okay, I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
Kyla sat down and watched the monitor. It was difficult to relax because her stomach was tied up in knots. She got up and started pacing back and forth. Toward the end of service she went into the restroom and checked her makeup and clothes. She wanted to make sure nothing was poking out that wasn’t supposed to. She didn’t want to make a bad first impression.
The sound of the door opening startled her. “Kyla, are you ready?” DeeDee asked.
She took a deep breath. “About as ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
“What about the dogs?”
“Give me the leashes. I’ll take them and we’ll stand out in the lobby.”
“Are you sure?”
“Honey, if anyone says anything, I’ll tell them Mike said it was okay.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
They rode the elevator down to the first floor and hurried over to the main sanctuary. DeeDee introduced Kyla to the committee working with the New Members and got her checked in. She arranged for her to be the last one. She fell in line with the other members and inched her way to the receiving line. She looked to her right and saw her parents and nodded to her mother to distract Sean. As she approached Mike he smiled and placed the microphone up to her mouth.
“Kyla James,” she spoke loud and clear. The sound of her mother cheering stood out. Mike shook her hand and she went down the line shaking the hands of all the members on the Executive Board welcoming her. She turned and walked down the aisle and out to the lobby. Her parents and Sean got up and quickly ran out to greet her. She took a deep breath.
“That wasn’t so bad was it?” DeeDee asked as she hugged her.
“I have never been so nervous.”
“Don’t look now, but I think there are some people looking for you.”
She turned around and her mother threw her arms around her. “Baby girl,” with tears streaming down her
face. She held her tight.
“Nadine, let me in.” Percy wrapped his arms around both of them and kissed Kyla on the forehead. “I am so proud of you.”
“Thank you Daddy.”
“Nadine…Nadine…Nadine…let her go. Get Winnie and Simon and we’ll meet you at the car.” Percy grabbed Nadine by the hand and walked outside.
“Sean.”
He stood still not saying anything. “Why…why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.
“I…”
“Kyla,” she turned around when DeeDee called her name. “Don’t forget your bag and Bible.”
“Thank you.”
“You knew about this?” Sean asked DeeDee.
She looked at Kyla before answering. “Yes. Mike and I have been counseling her.” She hugged Kyla and whispered. “He’ll be fine. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Thanks.”
“Kyla!” Trina shouted as she came out of church. She threw her arms around her. “I am so happy for you. How dare you keep this a secret!”