Games by Wanda B. Campbell Page B

right.” Brian sat Josiah down and left the office.
    Halfway through Praise & Worship, Brian spotted Shannon walking down the far right aisle.  He couldn’t believe what she’d worn to church. He never understood why some women liked to wear skimpy clothing in the wintertime and then try to keep warm with an oversized winter coat. 
    Shannon looked like she was headed to a nightclub instead of Sunday church service. The black V-neck tank dress barely came halfway to her thighs. Even from where he sat, Brian could tell she wasn’t wearing a bra by the deep cut down the front of her dress. The black straps from her shoes wrapped around her bare ankles added to the nightlife look. She must have gotten a new weave, because instead of black, her hair was golden which Brian considered too light for her dark-brown complexion. Brian watched, embarrassed, as Shannon argued with an usher about finding her a seat up close. When Brian finally made eye contact with her, Shannon folded her arms and glared at him.  With Shay’s latest rejection of him still fresh, Brian didn’t have the energy to worry about Shannon’s attitude. He ignored her for the rest of the service.
     
    ***
    “I’m a guest of Brian Pennington and I’m supposed to be seated up front,” Shannon barked at the usher.
    “Miss, I would seat you closer, but you are inappropriately dressed. If you would like to wear your overcoat for the duration of service, I’d be happy to seat you up front,” the female usher responded firmly. 
    “Why would I wear my overcoat while I’m inside?” Shannon fumed. When she realized that she wasn’t going to get anywhere with the usher, she rolled her eyes and sat down on the fifth row.
    After the choir’s second selection, the congregation stood as Pastor Julia Pennington stepped to the podium. She began by praying. Shannon was impressed with how “religious” Julia looked in her ministry attire. Shannon perceived that Julia took preaching seriously and she prayed like she really knew God. She didn’t look or sound at all like the millionaire she was and that bothered Shannon. Besides her five-carat wedding ring, she didn’t even have on any flashy jewelry. “When I become a millionaire everyone’s going to know it, from my hair all the way down to my feet,” Shannon mumbled as Julia began her sermon titled, “Overcoming Evil Desires.”
    Shannon didn’t pay attention to the sermon Pastor Julia preached. She hadn’t come to church to hear anything about evil desires. She came for one purpose only and that was to draw Brian into her and secure herself a meal ticket.  In the few days she’d spent talking with him, she had learned just about everything there was to know about him. She knew all of his favorite foods, colors, places to go and even his favorite movies. She knew his ambitions, likes and dislikes. There were only two walls she hadn’t managed to penetrate yet. One was his commitment to God and the church. No matter how hard she tried, Shannon couldn’t get him to talk about this Shay person. That bothered her, because Shannon liked to know as much as possible about the competition. 
    As soon as service ended, Shannon sashayed to the front of the sanctuary and stood directly next to the church mother, Mother Elsie, in search of her prey. 
    “Baby, did you forget its wintertime?” Mother Elsie asked as she took in Shannon’s attire.
    “Excuse me, but you don’t know me well enough to make comments about my clothing.” Shannon rolled her eyes and neck at the elderly mother.
    Mother Elsie stood her ground. “I’m not commenting about your clothing, I’m commenting about your lack of clothing. You’re right I don’t know you well, because if I did, you would have never walked in here looking like you’re on your way to a street corner. Have more respect for yourself and put some clothes on next time.” With that Mother Elsie walked away and greeted two ministers.
    Shannon dismissed the