The First Lady

By Shanaye Hughley

What profits a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?

Charlotte Foster knows this all to well, growing up in church. She never imagined that one day she would not be looking up to the pulpit, but sitting in it - as the First Lady. But things are not what they seem . On the outside she had everything any woman could want. She has a handsome successful husband, four beautiful children, a elegant home, and lots of money . There's just one little problem - she's still not happy. She’s suffocating living under the mask of being - the First Lady.

Will Charlotte ever find the key to happiness? Or will she find herself face to face with the Devil himself leading to a bloody conclusion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9780359033348

Book preview

The First Lady

THE FIRST LADY

__________

Shanaye Hughley

Shanaye Hughley

Copyright © 2018 by Shanaye Hughley

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the author.

ISBN 978-1-5136-3362-6

Dedication

To her…..my first Lady.

And the coffee that kept me fueled through the long nights along with my favorite jerk, Lord knows without your late-night companionship this book might not have been possible. To my parents - Anita Hughley and the late Howard Thompson, my Dear and loving Grandparents Walter & Naomi Hughley, and the entire Hughley family.

And last but never the least, you, the reader, thank you! 

Chapter One -

The Ultimate Price

It was a seemingly normal Sunday in the still of the morning, where Charlotte usually found most of her peace. She was basking in her alone time.  The quiet before the storm when the family would fill the atmosphere preparing themselves for the routine of heading to church for Sunday morning worship. There was a part of her that wished she could spend all day in the serenity of this moment, as she read the bible and sipped her tea.  Sunday, however, meant one thing for their family – church. The church was not just a place they went; it was who they were.  Charlotte Foster knew what was expected because she was the first lady.

For the past 16 years, she’d been married to Elijah Foster, the senior pastor at New Horizon Church. Pastor Elijah was known as a good, God-fearing man. He was brilliant and charismatic.  His preaching was dynamic, and people would say he could preach the church house down. It was his passion and love for God that made her fall in love with him 16 years earlier.  She was young then and immediately became smitten by his hunger and drive to be Christlike. These were the same qualities that drew others to him and made him one of the most prominent preachers in Houston.  It seemed like overnight they were standing as overseers of a mega church with a building that seated 20,000 people. The church was blossoming, and it had a ripple effect on their personal lives.  They were blessed and had the lavish lifestyle to prove it.

The first family lived in a 20,000-sq. ft. European style home.  It looked like it belonged on the cover of a magazine with the huge, triple-height, marble-and-glass foyer. An elegant formal living room and dining room.  A professional-grade kitchen extensively equipped to make any chef’s mouth water.  They made good use of their home, hosting gatherings and parties for the elite to impress everyone.  The second floor housed the master suite.  A master suite is usually the most serene place for the woman of the house, providing her with a place to relax and unwind.  However, Charlotte still found the most solace at the dining room table - looking out the bay window at the lake.  Water had a calming effect on her and gave her a sense of peace in an otherwise very hectic life. Yes, everything in her life was lavish. She had room-sized closets filled with designer labels; Versace, Gucci, Armani, Louis Vuitton.  They treated themselves to trips around the world.  They drove the finest vehicles -  a BMW, Mercedes, and a Bentley.  Her four children attended the most prestigious private school in the state.   Who could ask for anything more?  It would seem from the outside that she should just be praising God and counting her blessings.   Life is never that simple; her life certainly was far from simple.  There is a price to pay for this type of lifestyle, and she was paying the ultimate price. 

Charlotte may have overlooked a lot of things due to her beginnings.  She defined church by her home church - Friendship Baptist.  It only seated about 50 people consisting of close-knit families. Friendship was always grounded in a orthodox protocol – holiness came first. Bishop, the pastor of Friendship, was only in the business of winning souls - period!  The members became family, and there was a lot of love. Charlotte’s mother was a single mother, so the small family atmosphere at Friendship was exactly what she needed for her and her daughter.  She found herself growing stronger under Bishop’s teaching, and as a bonus, the first family became the much-needed help she needed with her daughter so she could maintain a full-time job.

Charlotte loved those times when her mom had to work, and she would be with the first family at their home.  Looking back, their four-bedroom home was tiny compared to her house today, but as a child, it seemed like a mansion compared to the small two-bedroom apartment she and her mother shared.  Lady Mary was always baking something that filled the house with the sweetest aromas.  Bishop spent a lot of time out tending to the members or in his office studying the Bible, but somehow, he always found time to catch one of the children and throw them in the air or tickle them as they passed by.  Family dinner was very important to him.  It was also where the children learned protocol and etiquette.  Lady Mary would bring the girls into the kitchen with her to prepare the table and plates while Bishop and the boys sat waiting.  The girls learned that it was a Christian woman’s job to serve the men.  They weren’t allowed to grumble or complain because a good Christian woman always did it with a smile on her face.  Lady Mary was beautiful, and she was the picture of grace – Charlotte wanted to be just like her.

Charlotte’s extended time with the first family also meant she would meet a lot of visiting ministers and musicians that they would host in their home.  Lady Mary taught Charlotte and her daughter how to be good little hostesses tending to their guest needs.  A visiting drummer was staying in the home.  He asked Charlotte if he could have a glass of water.  She ran to the kitchen, got the water and brought it to him in his room.  She was surprised when he quickly shut the door, and the little girl soon found herself on the bed struggling under the older stronger man.  Just as he reached under her skirt to pull down her panties, he was startled when he heard Lady Mary call upstairs.

Kim and Charlotte, don’t make me come up there and get you!  I told you girls, it’s time to start cooking dinner.

He put his hand over her mouth and said, Don’t even think about telling anyone what happened, they’re not going to believe you anyway.  He jumped up, opened the door and the shocked little girl left the room.

It seemed like a normal family dinner.  The first family sat down with Charlotte, who was a regular, and the visiting musician.  Bishop couldn’t help but feel like something wasn’t right.    His attention kept turning to little Charlotte. The child was always smiling and full of light – but tonight she barely lifted her head up from her plate.  He knew something was wrong and was determined to get to the bottom of it. Charlotte was in the kitchen with the other children washing dishes after dinner when lady Mary walked in, Charlotte dear – Bishop wants to see you in his office, she said.  Charlotte nervously dried her hands and headed to the office.

Charlotte walked into the office and stood by the door.  Yes, Sir., she said.

Come closer child. The Bishop urged.  As she walked closer, the man reached out and placed the little girl on his lap.  Charlotte, I’m not going to ask you if you are okay because I know you are not.  You are such a joy, and I love the way you light up a room – but something has taken away your light.  It’s my job to keep your light shining.  What stole your light child?.  Charlotte felt safe with this big, strong man as he held her close to his chest.  Tears began to stream down her face as she told him about the encounter she had with the musician that afternoon.  Bishop’s heart broke as he heard about the horror that took place under his roof.  He hugged Charlotte tight and promised her, You are safe now I promise I will ALWAYS protect you as long as I live.  He gently put the little girl down, kissed her on the forehead, and said, Now go upstairs and play in Kim’s room, keep the door closed until I come get you both.

The girls were playing in the room when they could hear a commotion.  They looked out the window to see a suitcase go flying out the front door.  Seconds later they saw the visiting musician go flying onto the front lawn. They heard Bishop yell, If I weren’t a man of God – I would kill you! Nobody hurts my girl!  Kim stood at the window puzzled, thinking the musician hadn’t hurt her, so why was her father so mad?  Charlotte stood there in amazement, thinking this must be what it felt like to have a father.  A man to stand up for you and protect you.  Her relationship with Bishop changed that day, and she started calling him Bishop Daddy, a title he happily accepted.

Bishop Daddy took Charlotte under his wings like she was his child.  He kept her close making sure she wanted for nothing and tended to her spiritual needs.  He would even have her accompany him sometimes when he traveled so she could sing for him before he preached.  He bragged to everyone that she had the voice of an angel and the face to match.  Kim, Bishop’s daughter, joked that he loved Charlotte more than he loved his blood daughter.  She and Charlotte remained close friends.  The time had finally come for Charlotte to leave home. She received a full ride scholarship to the University of Texas.  Bishop Daddy was so proud of her.  Kim did not receive a scholarship but decided she would follow Charlotte to UT.  Bishop Daddy made the girls promise him one thing – they would always go to Sunday Worship service.  Charlotte loved Bishop Daddy, and she would keep her word. 

Charlotte was in her junior year of college when she went to Sunday morning service at her church. Her roommate Kim, wouldn’t get out of bed again – but Charlotte was determined to keep her promise.  After praise and worship, Pastor announced that the Word was going to be brought forth by a visiting minister – Minister Elijah Foster.  Charlotte had to admit to herself – this brother was fine!  Elijah was about 6’2, with caramel skin, broad shoulders, and a well-groomed goatee.  It only got better that as he started preaching the Word, he sounded like a younger version of Bishop Daddy.  She tried to stay focused on the message and not stare, but it was hard to do.  After service, Charlotte noticed the flock of women that surrounded the young minister and was making her way out the door.  She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around to see the Pastor.

Good Morning Pastor, she said.

Good Morning Sister Hart, he replied.

Is there something I can do for you, sir?

It’s not me, Sister.  Minister Foster wanted to speak with you.  Would you mind meeting with him in my office?

Sure, No problem.  Charlotte answered, trying to hide her excitement.  The meeting with Minister Foster was brief, as he was quite tired after preaching.  He asked her for her number so they could go on a proper date.  She obliged and looked forward to seeing him again.  They would spend the week talking on the phone and getting to know each other better.  Every conversation heightened Charlotte’s excitement for the day when she would finally get to see him again.

There was a knock on the door, and when Kim answered it, she couldn’t believe her eyes.  Charlotte told her that she was going out with the minister that preached at the church on Sunday.  She expected to see a short, pot belly, balding nerd.  Instead, she was looking at the Black Adonis. 

Damn, I chose the wrong Sunday to skip church, she said.  Come in; I’m Kim, Charlotte’s roommate.

Nice to meet you, Kim., Elijah said.

Charlotte walked out ready to go on her date with Elijah.  Elijah’s eyes lit up with delight at her beauty.

Charlotte, why does it seem like you always get all the good stuff?, Kim joked.

Bye girl!, Charlotte laughed as she and Elijah left for their date.

Young Elijah was so full of fresh ideas and excited about starting his ministry and as Charlotte listened she wanted to be right by his side. He promised her the world. All she had to do was follow his lead.  She introduced him to Bishop Daddy and Lady Mary, excited by the prospects of following in their footsteps.  Her mother was also excited to meet him, hoping he would give her daughter a lot of what she couldn’t.  She was overjoyed when Elijah proposed and beamed as Bishop Daddy walked her up the aisle.  He toasted them at their wedding reception by saying, To my favorite daughter and new son, who will go further in ministry than I ever dreamed.  She was heartbroken two years later when Bishop Daddy passed away, but was determined to fulfill that toast.  She didn’t know everything about ministry, so she couldn’t count the real cost of making that a reality.

She would soon learn what it would cost her for the glitz and glamour of being a megachurch first lady.  Lurking behind the scenes was: the depression, the unrealistic expectations church members put on you, the loneliness, the deceit, the lies, and the pain behind the pulpit.  The pain she tried to cover up with $3000-dollar suits.  The pain she couldn’t outrun in $2000-dollar shoes.  The pain she couldn’t erase with makeup or perfume.  The pain began to get the best of her, and she was burnt out.  She was dying inside, but on the outside, their whole life had become the ministry.  She had her fair share of superficial relationships in the church.  They were good people, but she could never confide in them.  It seemed whenever she tried that she instantly regretted it.   She had two close friends, but they all had their own lives. She soon realized that as a first lady, having friends in your church was not possible.  Women getting close always seemed to be followed by the revelation of an ulterior motive.  She would find out after confiding in these women, whatever she told them was being talked about amongst the members or other first ladies from affiliate churches.  Gossip was gossip - and the church seemed to be full of the hottest tea.   Charlotte was a people-pleaser by nature, and she was not prepared to handle the constant deception inside the church. She began to isolate herself socially and emotionally as much as she could, while still trying to fulfill her first lady duties.  She needed something, something new - something outside of the church.

Charlotte felt overwhelmed by the need for a real friend.  She wanted someone she could confide in and know it was safe. She needed to share with someone the secrets she kept hidden deep inside that she felt she couldn’t share with even her close friends.  There were so many dark secrets that they started to take her to a dark place.  She felt low and broken.  Yes, she knew that she was supposed to pray.  However, no matter how much she prayed, her human side still felt pain.   She knew she was blessing others in her role as the First lady, but who was the woman behind the role.  She was losing that woman and began to resent the ministry and her husband for her disappearance.  She realized the man she once