After I arrived home and put my groceries in the refrigerator, I called Amos. I could’ve called anyone else, but I knew Amos would set my nerves back right. Unfortunately, he didn’t answer so I busied myself by doing my usual Saturday afternoon activities. I cleaned the house a bit more than usual since I had Porgy around.
All the while I vacuumed I thought about Pat and what could’ve upset her. Pat talked to William when he came to visit Louise, just hours before his death. The next day, I noticed Pat having an animated conversation with Ms. Saunders. Being a nurse, Pat saw to the most intimate details about her patients. Was she showing concern about Louise’s welfare in the wake of William’s death or was there something else bothering Pat? Did the new director think Pat speaking up was not a good thing?
I guess realistically I could see Pat quitting out of frustration if she was not receiving support. I knew Pat was about getting to the truth. She wouldn’t abandon or leave an issue alone. I truly hope she was somewhere thinking about what to do and would reach out to me again. It was the part about never hearing from her that had been worrying me all afternoon. I knew worrying didn’t do a bit of good, but I’d had uneasiness in my spirit for a whole week. It was hard to shake.
After I cleaned to my heart’s content, I curled up on my couch with my bible. The next day would be Sunday so I turned my thoughts to reviewing the Sunday School lesson. The reading was from a familiar passage in Acts chapter nine where Paul, known originally as Saul, was knocked down blind on his way to Damascus. The funny thing was Saul was on his way to persecute followers of Jesus and Jesus stopped him cold on his journey. I’d always liked reading the book of Acts and seeing how God could turn anyone around.
The lessons reminded me of Pat’s turn around over the past seven years from heroin addict to caring nurse. I was a bit ashamed, but I hadn’t thought about whether or not William had also gone through a life changing experience. The way he came back in town and placed Louise in the nursing home, I had my doubts. Though he appeared to look handsome and put together on the outside, I couldn’t be too sure what was going on the inside.
Before heading to bed, I tried calling Amos again. It occurred to me if Louise was still next door and something was on her mind, she would’ve been calling me and vice versa.
“Hello, Eugeena?”
“Now how did you know it was me?”
“Caller ID.”
“Oh.” I knew that.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes and no.” I filled Amos in on my Saturday and then waited for his comments.
“Don’t worry about, Pat. She probably needed to blow off steam. You need to be taking care of yourself. This week has been challenging for you.”
“Amos, I don’t think I’ve ever felt this helpless.”
“I’m going to tell you something my wife used to tell me.”
That made me curious. “Okay?”
“Let God handle it.”
I had to smile. One because Amos had given me the very advice I needed to hear. With both of us being widowed, we only on certain occasions brought up our deceased spouses. I asked, “Did you listen to her advice, Amos?”
He chuckled. “Most of the time I didn’t and I have a feeling you may be just as hard-headed.” His voice turned serious. “Believe me, you will drive yourself crazy trying to figure out people. I had too many cases that really drove me to wonder about the human race. It can be depressing.”
“You’re not kidding and as a former detective, I know you know more than anybody. Are you going to church in the morning?”
“No. I have something that I need to take care of tomorrow.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t you worry about it. You get some rest, Eugeena. Answers will come when it’s time.”
“I know you’re right. Goodnight, Amos.”
“Goodnight, Eugeena.”
I felt a bit better. But I knew what would really help me sleep. I sank to my knees and prayed specifically for protection for Pat. Lord, you know what Pat has been through and you know her heart. Please bring her back safely to us.
On Sunday morning when I stepped inside Missionary Baptist Church, I immediately noticed the Brown sisters were missing. It was almost ten o’clock. Since the twins had a key, they often opened the church doors making them the first arrivals at church each Sunday. No one owned a church, but Willie Mae and Annie Mae pretty much kept reign over most of the church boards including the usher board. I really expected them to greet me in their own special way when I entered the vestibule.
I walked down the aisle of the sanctuary, thinking it was so quiet without the twins chattering on about a non-issue from the back of the church. When I reached the middle of the aisle, I heard my name. I turned to see Pastor George Jones walking toward me.
Like most of the younger people at church, I’d watched Pastor Jones grow up under the leadership of our previous pastor and his father, Tennessee Jones. Pastor Jones wiped his brow with a handkerchief before asking, “Sister Eugeena, how are you this morning?”
“Not too good, Pastor. Have you heard from the Browns?”
Pastor Jones was tall and massive in size. While he appeared calm, I noticed his eyes were not. He didn’t look directly at me. “I talked to Sister Annie Mae this morning. Sister Willie Mae isn’t doing too well. You know I’ve never known either sister to be sick.”
I exclaimed, “Well I can’t blame them. They’re worried sick about Sister Pat.”
“I know, it’s upsetting, but I told them it’s only been a few days. We can only pray that Pat will return safely. Now I have a favor to ask of you. Since Sister Pat isn’t here, would you mind taking over her Sunday School class this morning?”
I hesitated for just a moment because I knew Pat taught the middle school class. I looked at the pastor. “If that’s what you need me to do.”
Pastor Jones patted my shoulder. “I know you’re the best one for the job. Thank you, Sister Eugeena.”
I was glad I reviewed the Sunday School lesson. When I entered the classroom, there were only five students in Pat’s Sunday School class and they all stared at me as though I was some alien. A young woman who wore her hair in braids asked, “Is Ms. Pat going to be here today?”
The sadness in her face dampened my spirits just a little. I swallowed, “Not today, honey, but we’re going to have some fun like Ms. Pat would want us too.”
Sunday School passed quickly and I enjoyed being around the teens although I could tell they missed Pat. That spoke volumes to me about the kind of person Pat was if the young people were looking forward to her teaching.
Not seeing the twins sitting in their special corner, where no one else dared to sit was a little unsettling. Despite the missing Brown family, I appreciated Pastor Jones’ word, “Do not despair.” We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair. 2 Corinthians 4:8
After I arrived home, I changed out of my church clothes and then picked up the phone. I had to know what was going on with the Browns.
“Hello. Pat?” Willie Mae sounded worn down and as if she anticipated hearing her daughter’s voice instead of mine.
I was so sorry to disappoint. “Willie Mae, it’s Eugeena. I noticed you and Annie Mae were missing from church today. No word on Pat?”
Willie Mae sighed deeply into the phone. “No, I’m afraid not.” Willie was quiet for a second, before continuing. “Annie thinks she’s regressed.”
“Pat was disappointed about the way things were going with her job, but your daughter was not willing to go back to drugs. She really cared for her patients.”
“I know,” Willie Mae sniffled. “When I woke up the next morning and realized Pat had not come back home, I knew I shouldn’t have argued with her. I should have listened to her.”
“Willie Mae, Pat left me some voicemails. I never got a chance to ever get back in touch with her. I think Pat was trying to tell me something about the nursing home and Louise. Is it possible that Pat gave you a hint about what was bothering her?”
Willie Mae said, “She told me the new director had fired some of the nurses, really accusing people of things they had not done. Pat was afraid she was next because she was always speaking her mind. I told her she needed to keep her mouth closed.”
I really wished I could have heard the conversation Pat had with Ms. Saunders. What did Pat have on her mind? I tuned back into Willie Mae and realized I missed something she had said. “Willie Mae, did you just say Pat left to go somewhere on Thursday. Where was she going?”
“I believe she was going back to the nursing home.”
“This was on Thursday when you last saw her. At what time?”
“She left before noon, I think.”
That was strange. When I talked to that Lexi girl, she’d said Pat hadn’t been back to work since Wednesday. So did Pat ever make it to the nursing home on Thursday after arguing with her mother?
I wanted to question Willie Mae more, but my front doorbell rang. I looked at the clock. Who was that? My first thought was Amos, but since he was so mysterious about what he was up to I figured we were skipping Sunday dinner today.
“Willie Mae, someone is at my door. You and Annie Mae don’t worry. Pat will be fine and we’re going to get down to the bottom of what’s going on at that nursing home.”
I said goodbye to Willie Mae and shuffled over to the door.
When I peeked through the peep hole, I can say I was pleased to see the tall, lanky young man at the door. It had been some time since I’ve had a surprise visit from him.