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Authors: Wanda B. Campbell

BOOK: Silver Lining
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Chapter 18
S
tarla had read the ten digits so many times she could recite them backward. Ten years ago, when her father's widow gave her the number, Starla had promised to use it. She hadn't meant for it to take so long. At both the funeral and repast, Starla heard story after story and even more praises for Deacon James Howard. Up until then she didn't know her father had attended church. He didn't when he lived with her. Starla couldn't remember her father ever mentioning God; he didn't even pray over his food.
The warm stories everyone shared made her feel proud, then angry. The fuzzy memories Starla had seemed irrelevant. The tall, cinnamon-complexioned man with wavy black hair she remembered wasn't the same mild-mannered, respected deacon everyone raved about. The James Howard she knew was boisterous and full of energy. He was exciting, adventurous, and the most loving person she knew. Not one day went by that he didn't come home and kiss her before he kissed her mother. When he brought flowers home for Yvonne, he also presented some to Starla. Identical to the James Howard these strangers described, the father she knew was always a man of his word.
If her dad promised to take her somewhere, they went. If he vowed to buy her a new doll on Friday, after receiving his paycheck from his job at a uniform delivery company, James would do just that. The only time James didn't keep his word was when he threatened to spank her. To Starla's contentment, James could never bring himself to hurt his only child.
“Why did you leave?” Starla asked the worn piece of paper again, and, as always, there wasn't a response. Starla bowed her head in prayer.
Father, please grant me the strength to follow through with this. Prepare my heart to handle whatever information I discover. And, God, give me the strength to forgive my father for leaving me and my mother.
Starla took a deep breath and removed the cordless phone from its base. She'd just finished with the area code when the doorbell sounded.
“Mommy, somebody's at the door!” Montel yelled from the living room.
Starla replaced the unit and headed downstairs, pondering who was on the other side of the door intruding on private time. Leon had begun training the boys to “take care” of their mother, so before Starla opened the door, the boys stood on each side of her.
“Lewis, what are you doing here?”
This time it was Jaylen who had diarrhea of the mouth. He pointed to the roses in Lewis's hand. “My daddy already gave her some.”
“Jaylen!” Starla scolded.
“Oh. Really?” Lewis asked the unsuspecting three-year-old, but big brother Montel answered.
“And he's moving back home, so you can't come here anymore.”
“Montel, Jaylen, go to your room, now!” Starla pointed toward the staircase. The boys slowly walked away, each intermittently looking back at Lewis. “Ugh, them Scott genes,” she mumbled before directing her attention to Lewis. “Lewis, come in and have a seat.”
“Are you sure it's okay with your security guards?” Lewis teased.
“Positive,” Starla assured him.
“These were for you.” He handed her the yellow roses.
“Thank you, Lewis, but the boys are correct. Leon and I have reconciled.”
Lewis leisurely placed the scented beauties on the coffee table and sat on the loveseat. “Is that why you haven't returned my calls or attended church these past weeks?”
Starla sat across from him on the couch. “I have been attending services with Leon. As for your calls, I don't think it's appropriate for us to spend time together on the phone or otherwise, considering your proposition.”
Lewis remained cool. “Starla, I thought you agreed to seriously consider my proposal. I thought you wanted a stable environment for you and the boys.”
Starla leaned forward, placing her elbows on her knees. “Lewis, I know you don't understand and I don't expect you to. I earnestly considered your proposal and all the things you could offer me and the boys. When it comes to possessions, you win hands down. But I love Leon, nothing can ever change that. I'd rather struggle with him than live a life of luxury with someone I don't love.”
“What about your boys? Is it fair to make them struggle?” Starla could tell he was losing his cool by the way his voice inflected.
“Lewis, my boys are fine. They love and adore their father, just as much as I do.” Starla sighed. “Leon loves his family so much, he'd give his life for us without hesitation. You can't replace that kind of love with material possessions.”
“Yet Leon replaced it with alcohol without hesitation,” Lewis reminded her. “He loved you so much that he left you unprotected and homeless for a bottle.”
A vision of her father flashed before her, and Starla blinked back tears. “Lewis, what you're saying is the truth; there's nothing I can say to change those facts. However, those facts don't change how I feel.” Starla stood, indicating the conversation was over.
“Maybe you should pray about this some more,” he suggested, and stood.
Starla smiled. “I have prayed. That's how I know this is right.”
Lewis moved closer. “I prayed too, and that's how I know you and I are meant to be.” In one maneuver, Lewis pressed her to him and kissed her. Starla wasn't able to push him away before the boys grabbed Lewis's legs. Jaylen punched him in the groin and Montel latched on to his thigh with his teeth. Neither of them had heard the boys creep back down the stairs.
“Ouch!” Lewis released Starla and pushed the boys off of him.
Recognizing the fear in her babies, Starla finished the job they started. “Don't you ever put your hands on me or my boys! Now get out!” she ordered after kneeing Lewis in the groin.
Lewis, bent over and gasping for air, slowly made his way to the door. “St . . . Starla, wait. We need to talk.”
“I'm going to tell my daddy!” Montel screamed after dumping Lewis's flowers into the garbage.
“Montel, hush! Lewis, out!” Starla ordered.
“Starla, you know I would never hurt you or the boys,” Lewis grunted through clenched teeth.
“Lewis, all I know is that there is no way I'd ever choose you over my husband. I don't know what god you've been praying to, but it certainly isn't the true and living God. Please don't call me or come here again,” Starla ordered before she slammed the door in his face. No sooner had she locked the door than the boys ran to her. “Are you all right?” she asked after hugging each of them.
“Yes. I can't wait to tell Daddy you know how to fight.” Montel grinned. Starla laughed and Jaylen picked up the cordless handset.
“Jaylen, what are you doing?” Starla asked.
“I'm calling Daddy.”
Starla promptly snatched the phone from her youngest protector and replaced it on the base. “Boys, have a seat. I'm going to teach you a game called ‘let's keep Daddy out of jail.' Then I have a very important call to make.”
Chapter 19
M
arlissa took total advantage of having the insurance office all to herself. The reprieve was temporary; Mr. Atkins was scheduled to return in an hour. There would be just enough time for her to eat a bagged lunch, use the restroom, and call Starla for another lesson. Marlissa started on her turkey sandwich first.
Thus far, every one of Starla's lessons had yielded success. Kevin nearly fell off balance upon coming home two nights ago and finding new bedding and a hot, candlelit bubble bath waiting for him. Marlissa considered Starla's suggestion that she join Kevin, but that would have been a bit too aggressive. Kevin enjoyed his treat in the master bath alone.
“I could get used to this,” Kevin said with his head lying in her lap as she massaged his temples later after dinner. Marlissa assumed he was referring to the motion of her fingers. Kevin switched positions on the couch and gathered Marlissa to him, and in no time fell asleep.
Marlissa bit into the caramel rice cake and giggled out loud. In place of a day at the spa, she went grocery shopping with the money Kevin had given her. Out of habit, when he returned home, Kevin reached into the wire basket for a snack as he sorted through the mail. His face twisted when he realized the chips and peanuts were gone. The only items in the fruit basket were fruit. He opened the cookie jar and grunted. His favorite round snacks had been replaced with much bigger and tasteless assorted rice cakes. Kevin didn't argue with Marlissa about monitoring his sugar intake. “Just keep me supplied with this sugar,” he had said, and then kissed her.
Marlissa didn't have a problem with that at all. In fact, she wanted to give him much more than sugar. She just didn't know how to bring up the subject of sex without asking him to commit to reconciliation. Since telling him about her violation, Kevin seemed to have softened a lot. He constantly held her when they were together, which was often. Too often, Marlissa thought, for them to still be in limbo. Marlissa spent so much time with him that she hadn't had time to look for a one-bedroom apartment.
They ate dinner together and went to church and Bible Study together. Marlissa spent the night a couple of times tucked underneath his arms. It seemed as though Kevin didn't want her out of his presence, but he never once mentioned the divorce or her moving back in. Kevin didn't voice his feelings toward her, either, but she felt them every time he held her and kissed her.
Marlissa, too absorbed with thoughts of Kevin, wasn't aware that she no longer had the office all to herself. She practically choked upon hearing her name.
“Marlissa.”
Marlissa stared at the woman standing in front of her. With only inches separating them, she cautiously greeted her adversary with a nod in place of the customary smile and handshake. “Hello, Pastor Jennings. Mr. Atkins isn't in at this time. Come back later this afternoon. I'm sure he'll be able to squeeze you in.”
Pastor Jennings leaned over the desk, making the space between them even smaller. “I didn't come here to discuss insurance. I came here to see you.” Marlissa flinched and Pastor Jennings smiled. “Are you intimidated ?”
Marlissa took a deep breath and tried to draw in as much oxygen as possible before Pastor Jennings's negative energy took over. “What can I do for you?” she asked, knowing the answer.
Pastor Jennings planted her fist on the desk and knocked over Marlissa's nameplate. “Stay away from my son. Divorce him like a good girl, and run along to find someone else's life to ruin.” Pastor Jennings didn't smile or blink.
Marlissa didn't understand why, after all this time, Pastor Jennings's words still pierced her. She was used to the venom, but today she refused to allow her mother-in-law the privilege of controlling her emotions. Marlissa abruptly stood. The action caused Pastor Jennings to pull back.
“Pastor Jennings, I am not ruining
my
husband's life. If Kevin and I divorce, it will be
our
decision, not yours!”
It took a moment for Pastor Jennings to organize her next statement; she hadn't anticipated Marlissa standing up to her.
“You are ruining his life. Kevin barely communicates with me now and he hasn't been to church in weeks.” She glared at her. “You're seducing and enticing him away from God,” Pastor Jennings delivered through clenched teeth.
“Pastor Jennings.” Marlissa paused. “And I use the title loosely. I haven't enticed Kevin into anything. By choice, Kevin sits next to me every Sunday at service and every Wednesday night at Bible Study. We pray and read the Bible together.” This time Marlissa leaned into Pastor Jennings's space. “If Kevin's not speaking to you, it could be because you're always trying to run his life.”
Pastor Jennings took a step back. “I am his mother. I have a right to protect him! I—”
Marlissa cut her off. “Just what are you protecting him from? What do you think I'm going to do to him?”
“The same thing worldly women like you always do. Manipulate him with your body then use him until all his money and dignity are gone. Just like before.”
Marlissa folded her arms. “You have me mixed up with someone else. I admit I hurt Kevin in the past, but I never used him. I love him way too much for that.”
“Marlissa, there's a big difference between love and lust.” Pastor Jennings smirked. “Kevin will soon learn the difference, and you'll be out with the trash where you belong.”
All of a sudden Marlissa felt empowered. A bravado she'd never experienced before ignited in her belly and permeated throughout her being. She walked around the desk and stood toe-to-toe with Pastor Jennings. “I know the difference better than you think, but I don't have to prove that to you. I don't have to validate your off-base opinions of me, but what I will do is remind you of the facts.” Marlissa held up her forefinger. “First, I am not a ‘worldly' woman, as you put it. I am a child of God.” Marlissa added another finger. “Second, I am not Kevin's woman, I am his wife. I don't have to manipulate him with my body; he can have it anytime he wants.” Marlissa added one last finger. “I love Kevin and I intend to remain Mrs. Kevin Jennings until the day I die. My goal is to be
everything
he needs and I don't care what you or anyone else thinks about it.” Marlissa walked to the office door and held it open. “Have a good day, mother-in-law.”
Pastor Jennings was appalled. “I know you're not throwing me out!”
“No, Pastor Jennings, I am hoping you will act like a church lady and leave gracefully.”
Pastor Jennings stomped past Marlissa, mumbling something incomprehensible. After closing the door, Marlissa shook her head. If she didn't know any better, she would have sworn she heard Pastor Jennings curse.
Marlissa didn't have a chance to sit down before her cell phone rang. It was Kevin. “Hey, gorgeous.”
“What's wrong? Your voice is lacking its usual spunk.”
“Nothing, now.” Marlissa decided against burdening Kevin with the details about his mother's visit. “How did the surgeries go?”
“God did it again, but I need intercession for this afternoon's clinic. Mother Scott has an appointment.” Kevin laughed. “And you know she's going to be late and throw me off schedule.”
“Where do you want to meet for dinner?”
“Baby, I forgot to tell you, I'm meeting with Tyson and Leon this evening.”
Marlissa smacked her lips. “Now I have to take a back seat to Tyson and Leon?”
“Marlissa Jennings, you will never ride in the back seat as long as I'm driving.”
What does that mean?
she wondered, but asked instead, “Do I have to save you a seat at Bible Study?”
“You don't have to, but it will save me the hassle of physically tossing someone out of my spot.” Kevin chuckled, but she knew he was very serious.
“You would physically inflict harm in the house of God just to be close to me?” Marlissa mused.
The commotion outside his office door distracted him. “Oh, Lord,” Kevin mumbled upon recognizing Reyna's and Mother Scott's voices. “Marlissa, something's come up. I'll see you tonight.”
“Is everything all right?” It was Marlissa's turn to be concerned.
“I hope so, but pray anyway.” Before Marlissa could ask what to pray for, the line went dead.
 
 
Kevin opened his office door and couldn't believe his eyes. Mother Scott was an hour early for her appointment, and Reyna, who didn't have an appointment, was dressed in a mini-skirt holding a picnic basket. He didn't bother with a greeting.
“Lower your voices. This is a hospital and my place of business,” Kevin scolded. “Now get in here before I call security and have both of you thrown out.”
The women scowled at one another as they walked past Kevin, but didn't say a word until they were safely inside Kevin's office.
“Would someone like to tell me what's going on?” he barked after closing the door behind them.
“That's what I would like to know!” Mother Scott took the lead. “I came here on time for once and find you've been cheating on my baby. I know the Lord told me to get over here for a reason.”
“What?” As usual, Kevin couldn't follow Mother Scott's train of thought.
“Kevin, don't listen to her!” Reyna jumped in. “I was just bringing you lunch.”
“Reyna, I told you—”
“You're offering a lot more than lunch in that outfit,” Mother Scott continued as if Kevin hadn't said a word. “And when I greeted you on the elevator, you said you were meeting your fiancé for lunch. Don't try to change the story now.”
“I don't need to explain anything to you. It isn't any of your business who I spend my time with!”
“Reyna!” Kevin attempted to jump in, but failed again.
“If I take that basket and beat you upside the head with it, I bet you'll start explaining.”
Kevin took the basket from Reyna, just in case Mother Scott made good on the threat.
“Kevin, tell me the truth right now. Are you cheating on Marlissa with this woman? Is she your fiancée or not?” Mother Scott demanded.
Reyna pointed in her face. “I told you our relationship is none of your business!”
“Enough!” Kevin slammed the basket on the desk. “Both of you sit down now and don't say another word.” Kevin watched as both women moved their mouths to speak, then decided to refrain. Mother Scott and Reyna slowly crept to the two chairs facing Kevin's desk, but neither wanted to be the one to sit down first.
“Now!” Kevin's roar caused the two foes to promptly plop into the seats.
Kevin remained standing, and massaged his forehead. “Reyna, this is the last time I am going to tell you not to come here uninvited. The next time you show up, I'm going to call security. This is also the last time I'm going to explain to you that I am not interested in a relationship with you. Not now, not in the future, not even in the afterlife.” Mother Scott chuckled at that comment. Kevin grimaced at her, and then continued. “Reyna, do you understand what I am saying to you?”
“But your mother said—”
“Reyna, forget what my mother said and listen to me,” Kevin said, pointing at himself.
Mother Scott grunted. “Child, you don't need an eye doctor, you need one of those doctors who do those brain scans in that big machine. Your light is on but there's still a vacancy sign hanging out front.”
“Mother Scott, that's enough,” Kevin warned. “A minute ago you were acting just as childish as she was.” He smirked. “A prayer warrior, threatening to beat her with a picnic basket.”
“I was just trying to look out for my baby.”
Kevin couldn't believe that Mother Scott had the audacity to roll her eyes at him. “Mother, you have nothing to worry about.” Kevin directed his next statement to them both. “Under no circumstances will I tolerate this display of juvenile, not to mention non-Christian, behavior that I just witnessed in my place of business. In addition to reporting you to security, Mother Scott, I will also stop seeing you as a patient if this happens again. Do you both understand?”
“Yes,” they mumbled almost in unison.
“Good-bye, Reyna.” Kevin stood and handed her back the basket. Before starting for the door, he turned to Mother Scott. “You stay here. I'll see you during lunch, because if I let you go, you will return an hour later than your scheduled time.”
Mother Scott rolled her eyes again. “I ain't worried about no scheduled time. I follow the time the Lord gives me.”
Kevin started to respond, but figured,
What's the use?

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