Sex in the Sanctuary by Lutishia Lovely

meantime, this Hope girl has come in like gang busters, and it seems like every time you look up at the church, there she is. And she is a pretty girl.”
    “One of many with stars in their eyes every time they look at King.”
    “Maybe it’s just admiration.”
    “Maybe it’s just infatuation.”
    Mama chuckled. “Tai, I’m gonna give you some advice that you haven’t asked for. Don’t fear something into happening. King is your husband, and in the name of Jesus, it’s gonna stay that way. You, in the meantime, need to get with God and find out what you’re supposed to be doing for Him. ”
    Mama Max shifted in her chair. “I also know you’ve been feeling down on yourself for gaining weight. And I’m one to talk with my big butt spread all over your love seat here, but you could drop a pound or two.”
    “Now, look,” Tai began, walking over to the love seat and plopping down beside Mama. Mama reached out her hand and placed it on Tai’s arm to stop her response.
    “Darling, I love you no matter what size you are, and I know King does, too. It just might make you feel better, more confident, that’s all. You know Mama Max loves you. I’m only trying to help. And I’m not thinking you should do this alone.”
    “And just who do you suggest should do this with me?” Tai asked, grinning broadly.
    Mama Max just pointed to herself, and smiled.
     
    The Full Workout Fitness Center was one of the newest exercise facilities that the suburb of Overland Park, Kansas, had to offer. Not only did it have every type of equipment known to man, but there was also a full line of workout classes including regular aerobics, step aerobics and water aerobics in their Olympic-sized swimming pool. There was kickboxing and Tae-bo. There was yoga, jujitsu, karate and tai chi. On the other side of the building was a full-line spa complete with a variety of massages and body treatments, a hair and nail salon and juice bar. The center was relatively quiet but still busy for a weekday, with a group of twenty or so women milling about, waiting for some type of aerobics class to begin, and others spread out on the various fitnessequipment. A way-too-cheery employee with a perfect smile, size four body and flawless face literally sang out her greeting as Tai approached the counter.
    “Welcome to the Full Workout Fitness Center. My name is Daphne. How may we help you become the best body you can be?”
    Tai suppressed a wide range of sarcastic responses to say politely, “I’m interested in starting an exercise program to lose weight.”
    “Well, you’ve come to the right place!” Daphne continued in her singsong voice that in another time and place may have been nice but was presently grating Tai’s next-to-last nerve. “We’ve got a variety of programs available to fit just about any need one wanting to become physically fit could have. In addition, we have a nutritionist and full-time psychologist on staff to balance your exercise program with healthy eating habits and a positive mental focus.”
    Tai stifled a laugh as she remembered who this woman reminded her of, one of the robotic Stepford wives.
    “What I’d like to do,” the robot named Daphne continued, “is give you a tour of the facility, explain our programs to you and when we’re finished, have you answer a questionnaire that will help us place you in a regimen that will best suit your needs and goals.” Daphne-robot bounced from behind the counter, grabbed a clipboard, then turned and with a dazzling smile back at Tai said, “Right this way, please.” Another employee behind the counter nodded encouragement as Tai turned to begin the tour.
    An hour, a smoothie and a manicure/pedicure later, Tai left the land of physical fitness behind, actually feeling better having joined. She’d decided on a beginner’s program since it had been a while since she’d exercised, and also with Mama Max in mind, that included water aerobics and calenetics, a series of