ReShonda Tate Billingsley - Everybody Say Amen

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright 2007 by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available

ISBN-10: 1-4165-3876-3

ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-3876-9

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For my grandmothersthe roots that have allowed me to grow

Acknowledgments

I am so blessed. And of course I have to first give praises to God, who just keeps on blessing me and helps me achieve and realize things others only dream about.

I look at how far Ive come in this literary journey and I know that I wouldnt have done it without the love, support, and encouragement of my husband, Dr. Miron Billingsley. Thank you for helping me realize my dream; know that Im right there as you work to realize yours.

To my babiesMya Simone and Morgan Camille. I began this journey when you were in the womb. Now, you are the fuel that keeps me moving along this road. Know that everything I doI do for you. If you could just learn to be okay with people taking Mommys books. Mya, my proudest moment was when you wrote your first book so you could be just like Mommy.

To my mother, NancyIve come a long way from the four-page letters that I used to write to you in high school to express myself. Thank you for struggling to give us a better life. You laid the foundation. I cant wait until I can repay you (I can hear you nowI cant wait for you to repay me, either.).

Tanishamore than ever, you and Mom helped me get this book done by taking the girls so I could make it do what it do. Thank you for being a Jill-of-all-trades. Keep pushing my books and you just might get that new car yet. (Why is it when relatives think youre doing all right, they want you to buy them something majora house, a car? Whatever happened to Can you buy me a new pair of shoes?But I digress.)

To two of my very best friends, Jaimi Canady and Raquelle Lewisthank you for always being there for me, supporting all of my dreams, and not mistaking my lack of time for a lack of love. Jaimi, you told me you always felt God had a higher calling for me. Ive found it.

To Pat Speed Writer Tucker Wilson. I could spend the next ten pages thanking you for all youve done for methe hours and hours of conversations; you keeping me grounded and sane with everything from the TV station to the literary industry. There are very few people in this world I know I can call at the drop of a dime about anything and theyre there. Youre one of them. I told you your time was coming. Now do your thang.

To my wonderful, spectacular, fabulous, phenomenal, dynamic (former) editor, Selena James (can you tell I have mad love for her?). Thank you so much for nurturing me on this literary journey and listening with a straight face as I brainstormed endless ideas that sometimes I know had you wanting to say, Get real. To Brigitte Smith and Maggie Crawford, thank you so much for picking up where Selena left off and working tirelessly to ensure that this would be the best book it could be. Special thanks also to Louise Burke, Melissa Gram-stead, and the sales team. And to everyone else at Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books, thank you for believing in my work. The skys the limit.

You know I have to give a huge, huge thanks to my agent, Sara Camilli, who is always looking out for me and believed in me way back when.

To my boys at the J-O-B, Fox 26 News: Ray Williams, Charles Hobson, Ray Ramirez, Torrey Walker, Joe McGinty, Isiah Carey (check out his blog at carey2.blogspot.com), Rodney Pearson, and Xavier Kirts. (Xavier, keep the faithyour lotto numbers will come in.) To my spiritual/business advisor, Deacon Todd Smith. Man, I cant thank you enough for helping me keep my head up when I felt beat down. You were there as I wrote this book, helping me to stay focused on the bigger picture and to remember above all else, rely on God when life gets you down. You are more than just a colleague. Youre a friend. See you at Starbucks to broker those big deals.

To the real First Ladies who let me pick their brains and who talked to me about how a real woman of God should act: Luela Walker (my First Lady), Vonda Edwards, Mia Wright, Doris Childress, Doris Ratcliffe, and Kayla Simmons.

To the ministers who provide inspiration (the good stuff) for my stories: Rev. Harvey Walker (my pastor), Rev. Mark Edwards, Rev. Moses Woodruff, Jr., Rev. Terrence Johnson, Rev. KirbyJon Caldwell, Rev. Robert Childress, Bishop T. D. Jakes, Bishop Eddie Long, Rev. Remus Wright.

Thanks also to the authors who never hesitate to help a sister out: King The world aint ready for me Jihad (keep your head up), Victoria Christopher Murray, Nina Foxx, Norma Jarrett, Jacqueline Thomas, Sheila Dansby Harvey, James Guittard, Carl Weber, Eric Pete, and Zane and the Strebor Family. Much love also to the other ladies of Femme Fantastik (Lori, Carmen, Trisha, and Wendy).

Now, let me get to the part that I know is going to get me in trouble because I know Ill leave someone out. But here goes

Thanks so much, as always, to my sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., especially the Houston area chapters, including my ownMu Kappa Omegaand my sisters chapter, Chi Omicron Omega; and to my girls who were there for me when I was making $5 an hour as an anchor in Port ArthurKim Wright, Clemelia Richardson, Finisha Waits, Beverly Davis, Leslie Mouton, and Trina McReynolds.