The List by Sherri L. Lewis Page B

with me next week. It’s a special meeting they do every year, and it always gets rave reviews. The topic is ‘Things Your Momma Should Have Told You About Marriage.’ They invite guest speakers from other churches in the city, and it’s usually packed out. You guys gotta come with me.” Angela was almost begging.
    â€œSounds interesting. I can think of hundreds of things I wish my momma had told me before she pushed me to get married,” I said. “I’ll go.” I tossed the chopsticks and got up to get a fork from the kitchen. I was too hungry to be playing with some wood sticks.
    Lisa nodded. “I’m in. When I get married, I ain’t ever trying to get divorced, so I’m trying to learn everything I can.”
    â€œIf you ever get married . . .” Nicole said under her breath.
    Lisa smirked. “So, you going, Nicki? You never know, God may work a miracle and quickly heal your evil heart. You might be closer to marriage than you think.”
    Nicole rolled her eyes. “No way. Did anything I just said indicate that I have any desire to be a part of the desperate and lonely club?”
    â€œNicole,” Vanessa and Lisa said together.
    â€œPlease, Nicole. Please go with us,” Angela pleaded.
    Nicole rolled her eyes and let out a sharp breath. “I hate it when you do that, Angela. You know I can’t say no to you.”
    Angela clapped her hands together. “Good. We’re all in then.”

five
    I stood outside our church, New Destiny Christian Center, waiting for Nicole. She was running late as usual. No way I was going into a meeting of the desperate and lonely club without her. I finally saw her Mercedes convertible drive up. She whipped into a parking space and rushed out of the car.
    â€œSorry, girl. Had this stupid meeting that didn’t want to end. Had to fake cramps to get out of it.”
    I laughed and followed her into the church building. When we entered the large sanctuary, we saw Angela seated at the front. She must have been watching for us, because she immediately smiled and waved for us to come up to sit with her.
    â€œDang, now we gotta look real desperate and lonely,” Nicole said, as we tipped down to the front trying to be inconspicuous, since the program had already started.
    Angela reached over to squeeze our hands and mouthed, “I’m glad you guys came. Lisa’s on her way.”
    Our first lady, Stephanie Jackson, was already on stage, seated with four other women in comfortable-looking armchairs surrounding a coffee table—all particularly set up for our discussion tonight. I guess that, and the fact that they were all casually dressed in jeans, was supposed to make us all feel comfortable. First Lady continued speaking, “For some reason, when you’re single, marriage is this perfect magical paradise women fantasize about. We want to present the reality of marriage—things you should know before you say, ‘I do.’ I don’t want any one of you to ever say, ‘Nobody ever told me marriage was like this.’ Let me introduce to you tonight’s guests.”
    She held the hand of the woman sitting next to her. “As most of you know, this is my best friend of many years, Stacia Bennett. She co-pastors with her husband at our sister church, Light of the World. She joins us every year, and as you know, she always tells it like it t-i-is .”
    Everyone cheered as Pastor Bennett waved at the audience. First Lady held out a hand to the second woman. “This is Cynthia Martin from Grace Church. She’s a long-time friend as well.” She pointed to the last woman. “And this is the newest addition to our panel, Cassandra Peyton.”
    Lisa came down the aisle looking flushed and harried. She slid onto the seat next to Angela. They exchanged a quick hug, and then Lisa reached to squeeze my and Nicole’s hands.
    First Lady Stephanie said,