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Authors: Wanda B. Campbell

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BOOK: Silver Lining
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When he turned down her street, Reyna said, “I am sorry to inconvenience you. I didn't know Pastor Jennings would send you to bail me out.”
Tyson parked and killed the engine before turning to her. Reyna still wouldn't allow him to see her face, shielding it with her hand.
“Reyna, I haven't spoken with Pastor Jennings since I started visiting Restoration Ministries over a month ago. Kevin called this morning and told me what happened. He is the one who sent me to make sure everything was in order. He's not pressing charges, but he is hoping that now you'll leave him alone.”
Reyna winced, but not from the pain. The realization that Pastor Jennings didn't care enough about her to send help penetrated her gut deeper than Marlissa's karate kick.
Tyson walked around to the passenger's side, but before assisting Reyna out of the vehicle, he offered her some words of advice. “Reyna, I think some time away from people, Pastor Jennings included, and alone with God will open your eyes to what's really going on with your life. I think you should pray about your relationship with Pastor Jennings. You should also associate yourself with other Christians. Trust me, Reyna, there's nothing like experiencing the real liberty that comes from the believing in Jesus Christ. I'm so glad I met Pastor Drake at that picnic and accepted his invitation to visit the church. I've learned so much to help me grow in such a short period of time.”
Tyson's words resounded in Reyna's head all day. He was just as right today as he had been on Memorial Day. She didn't know who she was or what made her happy. Reyna had walked in Pastor Jennings's shadow for so long, she couldn't even think for herself. Reyna had taken the slogan, “What would Jesus do?” and changed it to “What would Pastor Jennings do?”
Before turning in for the night, Reyna checked for voice messages. Pastor Jennings still hadn't called.
Chapter 25
F
rom the archway, Kevin observed the back of Marlissa's head. For the third consecutive night she had left him alone in bed during the middle of the night, preferring the cushions of the sofa over the firmness of his body. Marlissa didn't know that Kevin had knitted himself to her so that he literally couldn't sleep without her next to him. Marlissa had unknowingly robbed him of what he needed to be alert for the task awaiting him in the operating room in just three short hours. That's not what worried him, though. Kevin was more concerned about why Marlissa was slowing withdrawing from him, and if she would eventually run away again.
The first night Kevin didn't think much of her change of venue. Marlissa had returned to bed in just under an hour and resumed her position under his arm. Last night she stayed away longer, almost two hours, but upon returning she offered Kevin her back. Tonight it had been three hours, and, based on the blanket covering her, Kevin guessed he would spend the rest of the dark hours alone. He was so terrified of being rejected again; tonight he used their playtime to try to convey a message to her.
Kevin methodically and deliberately loved every inch of her. Using all of his skills, Kevin attempted to permanently sear her senses with him to the point where she needed him like she needed oxygen. He wanted to plant a need in her that only he could feed. When she shuddered in tears, he thought he had succeeded.
Using his crutch, Kevin walked over to the couch and hovered above her. He'd assumed she was sleeping, but Marlissa was wide awake, staring at the blank big-screen TV.
“'Lissa, are you all right?”
Slowly she sat upright, and offered him a slight smile before answering, “I will be.”
“Why are you out here?” Kevin sat down next to her and placed his arm around her shoulder, then kissed her on the forehead.
“Couldn't sleep,” Marlissa answered honestly. Their earlier playtime had left her too emotionally spent to the point where she didn't know if she would ever be able to sleep again. She had connected with Kevin so intimately that she completely surrendered the essence of herself to him. The tears she shed afterward weren't the usual tears of fulfillment. Tonight Marlissa's raw emotions wouldn't allow her to deny the truth any longer: she loved Kevin too much to let him go. If the reconciliation wasn't successful, mentally she wouldn't survive.
Thoughts of life without Kevin were what had drawn her into the den and compelled her to sit and stare at nothing for the past three nights. Marlissa was trying to prepare for the inevitable. By the calendar, the divorce should have been final in the next week or so, and Kevin didn't seem concerned at all. The only thing to pique his interest was the gala scheduled for the following evening.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Marlissa shook her head from side to side. “Not now, you need some rest.”
Kevin gazed down at her intensely, wishing he could read her mind. Was she plotting her getaway? Had her feelings for him changed? Was she tired of him? Had he made a mistake by getting involved with her again? Those questions and more bombarded his mind and caused his chest muscles to constrict.
“Mind if I stay here with you?” His vulnerability wouldn't allow him to be alone. He had to be next to her, to feel her and make sure she didn't completely slip away from him.
Marlissa's answer was to lay her head against his chest. With Kevin's strong arms securely wrapped around her body, Marlissa stopped fretting long enough to fall asleep. Only after Kevin was positive sleep had overtaken her did he allow himself to drift off without loosening his hold on her.
Chapter 26
I
t was a miracle that Marlissa applied the liquid eyeliner without smearing it and giving an illusion of having a black eye. She didn't recall being this nervous on her wedding day. For her, tonight's gala was just as important. It was the first time she and Kevin would be seen together outside of casual dinners and church. It was the first time they would be addressed publicly in a professional setting as Dr. and Mrs. Jennings, and, with Kevin receiving an award, Marlissa wanted to look perfect. She'd spent Saturday morning receiving head-to-toe body treatments, primping and primming for the occasion. Marlissa enjoyed a facial, manicure, and pedicure, and suffered through a painful eyebrow waxing. At the hair salon, she decided at the last minute to wear her hair pinned up, leaving a few loose curls dangling. Everything was in order; now all she had to do was apply her makeup correctly.
As she outlined her lips and filled in the lip color, Marlissa sat at the vanity and quietly admired her work before she inserted the diamond tear-drop earrings Kevin had given her for her birthday two weeks ago. She then headed to the walk-in closet for the four-inch black beaded slingbacks that matched perfectly with her dress; a treat from Kevin on a shopping trip to Nordstrom. Moments later, while she admired the finished product in the full-length mirror, Kevin walked up from behind and kissed her neck.
“You're beautiful,” he whispered. “What can I do to win you?”
Marlissa blushed and inspected his giant muscular frame through the mirrored glass. The black Georgio Armani tuxedo with gold cummerbund was tailored perfectly for his large, well-developed upper torso. “Thanks, gorgeous, but please don't kiss me like that again.”
Kevin's defenses immediately shot up, and possessively his arm went around her waist as his lips found her neck again. “What? You gave me permission to kiss you anytime I want, remember?”
Marlissa moaned before verbally responding. “You do have permission, but if you keep doing that, we won't make it to the gala. It took me over twenty minutes to find the right shade to cover your other markings.” She'd finally gotten those hickies she desired.
Kevin responded by moving his hands slowly down the sides of her body. “We can be late, it's not like we don't have reserved seating.”
Marlissa decided to burst his ego. “True, but you wouldn't look right arriving in a wheelchair and stuttering.” Kevin ceased his hand movements and frowned. Marlissa answered his next question before he could voice it. “When I get through with you, not only will you be unable to walk, you won't know your own name. When you accept the award, the only words coming from your mouth will be ‘my sweet 'Lissa.'” Marlissa imitated his roar.
Kevin forged shock. “I can't believe you said all that with a straight face. Your ego is bigger than mine.”
“That's because I am telling the truth and you know it.” Smiling, Marlissa turned to face him. “Say my name.”
He pressed her into him. “Frontward or backward? English or Spanish?”
“Too many decisions,” Marlissa whispered, suddenly becoming lost in the seduction his voice promised. “Just kiss me.”
After a delectable feast, Kevin pulled back. “'Lissa, thank you for sharing this moment with me. Your presence really means a lot to me.”
Marlissa wanted him to say more, but he didn't and she wasn't going to push him, not tonight. But very soon he would have to level with her.
“Anytime.” She smiled, and then headed back to the bathroom to refresh her lipstick. It was while painting her bottom lip that Marlissa caught a glimpse of her bare left ring finger. She blinked back tears as thoughts of her wedding band flashed before her. The two-carat marquis cut diamond would go perfectly with her outfit, or any outfit for that matter. But she didn't own it anymore; she had left it behind along with the house keys the day she left. “I'll probably never wear that ring again,” she mumbled, and placed the lipstick into her black beaded purse. Tonight was Kevin's night and Marlissa loved him enough to allow him to enjoy the moment, but tomorrow she would learn exactly where she stood with him.
“Shall we?” Kevin asked from the doorway with his arm extended.
“Lead the way.”
 
 
Marlissa gasped and wondered if Cinderella felt this much excitement on her way to the ball. The white majestic Claremont Resort & Spa tucked away in the Berkeley hills was literally a former castle transformed into a grand hotel. The world-class resort amenities included tennis courts, a 20,000 square-foot state-ofthe-art spa, and 279 plush guest rooms. World travelers and the Bay Area's elite paid nearly $2,000 per night for the royal treatment. Marlissa, like thousands of regular Bay Area residents, had passed the resort hundreds of times wishing for a glimpse inside. Tonight she wouldn't have to wish.
No sooner had Kevin set the gear shift into park than the valet opened the door to the Mercedes. Kevin thought the early summer night was perfect. Not because the sunset sprayed the sky with yellow and burnt orange rays, nor did he attribute the seventy-degree weather to the magnificence. It was all Marlissa; she was simply beautiful. Admiring the provocative shoes as her shapely long legs stepped from the vehicle, Kevin felt an urge to kiss her.
“You're the most beautiful woman here,” Kevin said, after he kissed her hand.
Marlissa giggled. “How do you know that? We haven't gone inside yet.”
“Marlissa Jennings, you're the most beautiful woman anywhere and everywhere all the time.”
“You're mackin'
real
hard tonight.” Marlissa continued giggling as they made their way to the entrance.
Marlissa gasped once again when she stepped through the Victorian double doors. The Claremont was grander than she had imagined. She was immediately drawn to the brilliance above her. Endless rows of crystal chandeliers protruded from the high vaulted ceilings. The luminosity radiated off the cream marble flooring with such opulence, Marlissa felt like taking her shoes off. Near life-sized Victorian paintings telling the resort's history covered the walls. Her inspection was interrupted when the concierge greeted them.
“Good evening, sir.” The concierge addressed Kevin in what Marlissa considered a fake French accent. “How may I direct you?”
Marlissa waited anxiously as the concierge searched the guest list after Kevin handed him his ticket.
“I know you're not nervous,” Kevin whispered in Marlissa's ear upon feeling her tremble.
“Just a little bit,” she admitted.
Before he could respond, a second gentleman approached. “Good evening, Dr. Jennings. If you and your guest will follow me, I'll escort you to your table.”
Guest?
Marlissa thought, but didn't verbally respond. After all, the gentleman wasn't speaking to her. He was speaking to her husband.
“Thank you.” Kevin nodded.
The two of them walked arm in arm into the grand ballroom. Marlissa held her head high and smiled contently as they made their way to the center table at the front of the room, amid smiles and waves from colleagues. Marlissa didn't know anyone, but since Kevin waved, she waved also, not wanting to appear snobbish.
Marlissa's anxiety eased when she saw that Tyson was already seated at Kevin's table. At least she knew someone there other than Kevin and Pastor Jennings. If Pastor Jennings bothered to show, she wouldn't show her true colors in front of Tyson.
“You look good,” Marlissa said to Tyson after he and Kevin exchanged greetings.
“Not as good as you,” Tyson whispered before giving her a hug.
“Watch yourself,” Kevin warned.
“It's good seeing you guys together like this,” Tyson said seriously, and then jokingly said to Kevin, “Man, I don't think I have seen you this clean since your wedding.”
“Man, I don't think I have seen you this dressed up since yesterday,” Kevin replied, referring to the fact that Tyson's wardrobe consisted mainly of tailored suits.
Tyson dismissed the couple's laughter with the wave of his hand at his friends. “Do you think your mother's going to show?”
“I don't know,” Kevin answered honestly. “She hasn't spoken to me since I told her I was leaving her church.”
Marlissa instinctively placed her hand on top of Kevin's. Kevin didn't talk about it much, but she knew his strained relationship with his mother was taking its toll on him.
“Dr. Jennings, congratulations.” Everyone turned to look at an elderly Caucasian couple who arrived at the table.
“Good evening, Dr. Stullman, Mrs. Stullman.” Kevin stood and reached across the table to shake their hands. Kevin turned back to Marlissa and her stomach somersaulted. “Marlissa, Dr. Stullman is the medical director at Sutter, and this is his wife, Gloria.” The couple smiled at Marlissa and Kevin completed the introductions. “This is my date, Marlissa.”
Date?
Marlissa's head reflexively jerked toward Kevin, but he was looking straight ahead and didn't notice. Marlissa quickly gathered her emotions and greeted the Stullmans.
Without missing a beat, Kevin introduced Tyson, who shook Dr. Stullman's hand with a grave look on his face.
Once Kevin was seated again and the Stullmans were gone, he continued chatting as if everything was normal.
Marlissa tried to ignore the gnawing in her stomach, and pasted a smile on as more people approached the table.
That was an honest mistake
, she told herself.
One by one, doctors and administrators, along with their wives or significant others, offered Kevin congratulatory remarks and handshakes. Marlissa continually held her smile in place despite the tightening knot in her stomach. Kevin was too caught up in the euphoria of the moment to notice the color slowly leaving Marlissa's face.
“Who is this lovely lady?” seemed to be the question of the evening.
Kevin repeatedly answered without hesitation, “My date,” or “Marlissa.” The worst came when Marlissa took the liberty of introducing herself as Marlissa Jennings to a middle-aged African American gentleman. She quietly excused herself from the table when the surgeon made a comment to Kevin about how beautiful his sister was and Kevin didn't bother to correct him.
Tyson shook his head and mumbled, “Dummy.”
Marlissa didn't know the bathroom location and didn't care. All she wanted to do was get out of there. At the moment she didn't care if she ever stepped foot inside the Claremont again. In a matter of minutes the white castle had turned into a black dungeon and held her prisoner. It was inside the old walls that she was able to finally see the truth for what it was. The reason Kevin hadn't told her he loved her was because he didn't love her anymore. He loved her catering to his every need and sharing his bed, but in public, she was just a date. He had demoted her from the status of wife down to date. She would have much rather been called a girlfriend; at least that carried some form of commitment. “Is that what we've been doing all this time, dating?” Marlissa grumbled as she reached for the exit door.
Once outside, Marlissa's body trembled as reality slapped her in the face. Her marriage was over, never to be restored. She'd wasted her time and had given her body to a man who didn't love her in return. She'd squandered her time and energy on a man who couldn't or wouldn't forgive her. Outside of the bedroom, she wasn't good enough for the good doctor. Now more than ever, Marlissa wanted a drink.
Inside, Kevin continued greeting his colleagues, but his mind was elsewhere, wondering where Marlissa had vanished to. Occasionally, his eyes scanned the crowded room, but to no avail.
“You never found the right time to have that conversation with Marlissa, did you?” Tyson asked the second they were alone.
Kevin hunched his shoulders and smirked. “Not tonight, man. I want to enjoy this evening.”
“No problem,” Tyson said, and then finished off his iced tea. “Kev, you're my boy. You're an excellent doctor, but when it comes to dealing with your wife, you are four quarters short of a dollar.” Tyson stood on his feet. “I hope tonight feels like heaven to you. I have a strong feeling you're going to learn firsthand what the term ‘hell on earth' means tomorrow.” As another well-wisher approached the table, Tyson went to find Marlissa. He found her outside pacing with her arms folded.
“You should come back inside.”
Marlissa stopped pacing. “Tyson, will you drive me home?”
“Now, Marlissa,” Tyson held his hands up as if to calm her, “I know you're upset, and you should be, but leaving won't help anything,” Tyson reasoned. “You should really come back inside.”
“Why?” Marlissa screamed.
“You're his wife.”
Marlissa pointed to the double doors. “Those people in there don't know that! They don't have any idea Kevin is married to me. You heard him just as clearly as I did, I'm just his date and his sister.” Marlissa's voice broke. “He doesn't care about me anymore.”
BOOK: Silver Lining
7.88Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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