ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 165

    Harmony of Faith Baptist Church was more packed than it usually was on Sundays for the fairly dull and tedious sermons of the elderly Reverend Cyrus Simms but this was a very special and solemn occasion. Today the family, friends ,  coworkers and neighbors of Jonah John Simms all gathered to mourn his tragic early passing and celebrate his life in his home going service.

The church was packed to the old wooden rafters with many dark suited and dressed people who sniffled and fanned themselves as they stood or sat swaying side to side as the burgundy gowned choir sung just beyond the simple wooden casket in which a peacefully smiling Jonah in a tight blue suit and white button down shirt and red tie rested with his big hands folded across his chest demurely.

" Jonah ! ," Nettie Jean screamed in her long black dress and equally long flowing veil as she threw herself upon his casket front. "Don't leave us ! Jonah! "

The actual widow LuLu sighed with a deadly glare aimed at her sister as she sat in the front row on the left side next to her embarrassed sons Jimmy and Sol , her father Bubba Joe who was trying to discreetly fart away his bean burrito breakfast without being detected and Bubba Joe's " lady friend" Nance Glover who was up on her feet singing off key with the choir and clapping her hands.

" I'm going to bury her next to Jonah," she mumbled. Bubba Joe shifted in his seat on the pew and looked at her , saying in a loud whisper," Cut baby gal some slack, LuLu Mae , she's with a bun in the oven. " LuLu smirked,"Probably some trash she found in some damn honky tonk. "

" Mom , please," Sol whispered with his eyes closed tight , wishing he was in school right now. 

Jimmy shook his head and thought about Jamal's kiss instead.

" It'll be all right, Ms. Benson," Vance Chesterfield Jr. said crisply as he patted her on her back tenderly as he escorted her back to her seat beside Nance.

On the right side of the church in the front row sat the Simms family ; Jonah's mother Alberta , his brother Marcus and his sister Beulah with her husband DuWayne Wade and their five children ; all of whom glared directly at LuLu and her family.

Mother Simms shook her head and fanned herself heavily. " Disgraceful. And, look at the box she chose for my baby. Cheap tacky girl. "

Marcus shook his head. " Those children are not Jonah's. He should have went on the Rebel show. "

Beulah leaned over to whisper in her husband's ear," I told Jonah that White woman would be the ruin of him. Didn't I ? And , she kept messing up our name. Salmon, my rump ! "

DuWayne nodded and wondered how long before they could go eat.

Cyrus Simms approached the tall pulpit and nodded at the choir. " Thank you, choir , thank you, thank you ! That was some fine singing ! I know my boy is enjoying that from a beautiful cloud in heaven. Yes , indeed ! "

From the back of the church Spencer sat in his wheelchair with Miracle on his lap clapping her hands merrily. Spencer furrowed his brow as he whispered to Aiden beside him ," I really don't think he's on a cloud today. "

Aiden tried to ignore the very big and mean looking Black woman in the front that kept glaring back at them occasionally. He whispered back ," I wonder how soon we can leave. After all , we did send flowers. "

Winston, next to Aiden , whispered urgently," We can't leave early. Especially not Spencer. Community service events like this are very important in any political campaign. This is an excellent way to get out and about meeting and greeting. It's a long shot but I wonder if the church would make a donation to the campaign. "

Aiden and Spencer looked at Winston in disbelief.

Miracle clapped more.

Nettie Jean wailed louder.