The Bride Experiment by Mimi Jefferson Page B

would make her forget about what she and James had almost done on it. Every time she walked past her sofa, it reminded her of James Sr. She adjusted and readjusted the new pillows, hoping something would stop his muscular silhouette from appearing in her mind.
    It was pointless. She gave up after she glanced at the clock. It was only fifteen minutes before her friends would start to arrive for their weekly Bible Study. The salmon canapés were chilling in the refrigerator and the chicken satay was already on the table. When they had their meetings, her friends expected to eat, and eat well. Joan made sure she didn’t disappoint them.
    She looked around the room again to make sure there were no signs of anything that might offend her friends. There was no wine, or wineglasses, or even a steamy romance novel. Then she put out the vase her friend Lila had bought her. The vase was hideous, but Lila thought it was beautiful, so Joan put it out when Lila was around. Joan then spread her Bibles and Christian literature around. Her friends expected this of her. She had to be strong for them. She had to at least look like she had it together. When they were gone, then she could be herself.
    Joan passed her journal on her way to the kitchen. She had yet to talk to God about the incident with James. When she was brushing her teeth, it came up. As she was mindlessly waiting for a traffic light, it came up. While she was ironing her son’s shirts, it came up. Yet, Joan pushed it down. She was an excellent Bible student, familiar with all the scriptures related to sexual sin. She knew what God had to say, and right now, she wasn’t ready to recall it.
    What did God expect her to do? Wasn’t it natural for her to have sexual energy? Would one night with James really be that bad? Yes, being a single celibate Christian had worked for a while, but now it was no longer working. What if God wanted her to be single forever? What if there was never going to be a husband?
    Not one man had approached her in weeks. No wonder she was such easy prey for James Sr. She thought it would be okay if she filled her days with working in the bakery, and filled her nights with numerous activities. She and her son had a full calendar. On Mondays, they would have their special little date of going to a restaurant and watching a movie together. On Tuesdays, James Jr. had karate and Joan had kickboxing. On Wednesday, they went to Bible Study. Thursdays were spent helping out in the community at the neighborhood recreation center, and on Fridays, James Jr. was off to spend the weekend with his dad or his grandparents. She had recurring appointments at the hair salon and nail shop at the same time.
    Weekends were spent with her friends. Joan was so tired of spending every weekend with her friends, she could scream. For once, she wanted to be able to say she had to miss this or that outing because some strong, employed, handsome, well-adjusted, Christian gentleman had asked her out for coffee. But here it was—another Saturday night—and all she had to look forward to was Tisha, Lila, and Janet.
    Lila was the first to arrive, as usual. “Hey, girl.” Lila walked in the room and turned around in a circle. Joan clapped as Lila did an imaginary catwalk sashay down Joan’s hardwood floors. Lila was almost down to her goal weight, and she didn’t need anybody to tell her she looked fabulous in her red sundress and strappy black sandals. Her natural hair was in two-strand twists that hung right below her neck. Two years ago, she was overweight, insecure, and jobless, but one certainly couldn’t tell by looking at her now.
    Joan smiled after Lila stopped pretending to be “America’s next top model.”
    â€œYou look wonderful! Who are those sandals by? I must get myself a pair.”
    â€œSanfrann. They were on sale last week. I got a pair in black and in dark brown.”
    Joan pointed to her own ensemble of cotton