“Come in.” Kevin stepped aside for Tyson to pass.
Tyson stopped midstride when he saw Reyna. For a split second his mouth gaped, then twisted. “Uh, I didn’t know you had company. Do you want me to wait in the car?”
“That won’t be necessary. Reyna was just leaving,” Kevin answered, but Reyna still didn’t respond. Finally, Kevin left her standing there, and returned to his bedroom for his wallet and a splash of Marlissa’s favorite cologne.
Tyson was surprised to see Reyna, especially the way she was dressed. The entire time he’d known Reyna, he’d never seen her legs. Today she wore a skirt that stopped just above the knee, and instead of her usual black and browns, Reyna had chosen canary yellow. She also sported a new hairstyle and makeup as well.
“Reyna, take my advice and leave Kevin alone. Chasing after him will only leave you with a broken heart. I know what Pastor Jennings says, but Kevin is a grown man and he knows who he wants. You can’t make him want you.” Reyna gazed at Tyson. “To be honest, I don’t think you really want him. I think you want him because Pastor Jennings has fed that desire to you. Learn to hear the voice of God for yourself and live the life He has planned for you. Not what someone has dictated to you.”
When Kevin returned, Tyson was standing in the foyer alone. “How did you get her to leave?” Kevin asked.
“I took her by the hand and walked her to the car.” Tyson smiled, but both knew that Reyna’s obsession wasn’t a laughing matter.
“I feel sorry for her,” Kevin admitted. “And part of it is my fault, I should have nipped this in the bud a long time ago. To make matters worse, if Marlissa hadn’t returned, I could have ruined both of our lives by using her to replace my boo.”
Tyson cocked his head. “Your boo? Your relationship with Marlissa must be progressing well.”
Kevin smiled. “For the most part things are good. We still have a long way to go, but so far I am satisfied with the progress.”
“Do you regret your decision about the divorce?”
Kevin set the alarm before locking the door. “No. I love her.”
Marlissa spotted Kevin’s SUV the second it entered the parking lot at Lake Chabot. Acting like she hadn’t seen him in years, Marlissa ran across the picnic area and through the parking lot, and grabbed his neck before he was completely out of the vehicle.
“Hey, handsome.” She complimented him on his sweat suit after kissing him. “I missed you.”
“You’re doing wonders for my ego, you just saw me last night.” The two kissed again.
“Looks like you’ve gotten over your fear of pit bulls,” Tyson said, walking around the SUV with a half smile.
Marlissa released Kevin and hugged Tyson. “They turned out to be toothless Chihuahuas. Just like you are when you’re not wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase.”
“What are you guys talking about?” Kevin wanted to know.
“That’s our little secret,” Tyson answered, and whispered in Marlissa’s ear. “I’m glad you took my advice.”
Marlissa smiled at both Kevin and Tyson. “Thanks so much for coming to my church picnic. It really means a lot to me.”
“No problem.” Kevin smiled, but she didn’t kiss him again.
Mother Scott’s voice traveled across the picnic area and through the parking lot. “Kevin!”
“Lord, help me,” Kevin prayed, holding Marlissa’s hand, maneuvering around parked cars. Tyson followed.
Before they made it to Mother Scott, little Montel approached. “Auntie Marlissa, is that your boyfriend?”
“Montel!” Starla grabbed her outspoken son by the hand. “I’m sorry, girl, this boy says whatever comes to mind.”
“Just like his daddy,” Leon added, walking up and greeting Kevin and Tyson.
Mother Scott couldn’t wait any longer; she made her way through the crowded picnic area to her favorite doctor. “Hey, Kevin, I knew you would make it. Come on, let me introduce you around.” She then noticed Tyson. “Who are you?”
“Mother, this is my friend, Tyson Stokes,” Kevin answered.
Mother Scott narrowed her eyes at Tyson. “Are you a doctor too?”
“No, Mother, I’m an attorney.”
In one smooth motion, Mother Scott squeezed between them and interlocked an arm around Kevin and Tyson. “Come on, I want you all to meet some people.” She called over her shoulder. “Marlissa, make them a plate. Be sure to give them some of the potato salad in the red bowl, that’s the one I made.”
“Where is she going?” Marlissa asked Leon.
“In five minutes my mother will have the entire congregation lined up for free medical and legal advice.”
“I don’t doubt it.” Marlissa watched for a moment, then did as she was told and went to fix Kevin and Tyson something to eat.
Leon knew his mother well. Mother Scott proudly introduced Kevin and Tyson to every member in the church and the visitors, making sure to announce they were a doctor and a lawyer. To the single women, she also added that Kevin was Marlissa’s husband. Most of the congregation had figured as much by Kevin’s frequent visits to Restoration Ministries, but Mother Scott made sure they understood he was off-limits.
“Hello, Kevin.” First Lady Drake walked up.
Mother Scott was still mad about First Lady teasing her. “I can call him Kevin because we’re family, but to you he’s Dr. Jennings,” Mother Scott said, then rolled her eyes.
“Marlissa is my baby too. Now stop rolling your eyes before your one good eye rolls out of its socket.”
“Drake, you better stop talking about me. I have a lawyer now, and Tyson would represent me for free just in case I find myself on trial for murder.”
Tyson laughed. “I like these people already.”
“Don’t take us seriously, we love each other to death; we’re prayer partners, you know,” First Lady Drake assured Tyson.
“These two prayer warriors can pray the devil out of anybody. I am living proof,” Marlissa commented, finally joining them with plates in tow.
“Thank you.” Tyson relieved her of the smaller of the two plates. Marlissa then squeezed next to Kevin.
“If we weren’t in public I’d sit you on my lap,” Kevin mumbled before feeding her a spoonful of Mother Scott’s potato salad. “You know you’re wearing that dress.” He was referring to the lime green dress that subtly accented her figure. Marlissa was too busy blushing to notice that Pastor Drake had approached the picnic table.
“Hello, Kevin, Marlissa,” Pastor Drake greeted them.
Kevin almost didn’t recognize the pastor now that he was dressed in a sweat suit similar to his own, and a baseball cap. Today Pastor Drake didn’t resemble a pastor at all; out here he dressed like any other man. Interesting, Kevin thought. Pastor Jennings didn’t leave the house for a trip to the grocery store unless she was adorned in a suit of some kind. “You have to always look the part.” That’s what she said the one time the church went horseback riding. Pastor Jennings showed up wearing a long-sleeved blouse and ankle-length skirt, complete with two-inch heels. She did tie a red scarf around her neck for the occasion.
“Hello, Pastor Drake,” they answered, then introduced Tyson.
“I hope you’re enjoying yourself.” Pastor Drake’s question was directed to Kevin. He didn’t need to ask Marlissa if she was having fun, since she was still blushing from Kevin’s flirtations.
“I am.” Kevin smiled, then turned to his wife. “The food is good and the company is exceptional.”
“I bet it is!” Pastor roared. “You do know that there are over one hundred individuals besides Marlissa out here, don’t you?”
“Yes, but she’s the one I . . .” Kevin regained control of his emotions before he spilled his feelings in public. “She’s the reason I’m here.”
Tyson didn’t miss the almost slip, and Kevin suspected Pastor Drake didn’t either. They both stared at him with expectancy. Apparently, Marlissa did, because she was still blushing.
<
br /> Pastor Drake invited Tyson and Kevin to join him in a game of dominos against the deacons and they quickly accepted the challenge. Marlissa went to find Starla and Mother Scott.
“I’m so sorry about Montel,” Starla said. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“I was only embarrassed because I didn’t know how to answer his question,” Marlissa admitted.
“Why not? They way the two of you are carrying on, papa will be begging mama to come home soon,” Starla teased.
“I could say the same thing about you.” Marlissa arched her eyebrows.
Starla’s hands flew to her hips. “What has that big-mouthed husband of mine told you?”
“Nothing.” Marlissa paused and Starla blew a sigh of relief. “But Montel said he can hear his mommy and daddy wrestling at nighttime.”
“Ugh! That boy!” Starla fumed.
“Don’t be mad at him. You and Leon shouldn’t be wrestling anyway.”
“Mother, we are married,” Starla reminded her mother-in-law.
“Then stop playing and act like it. Married people are supposed to live together. If you can’t get along under the same roof, you shouldn’t be wrestling in them sheets.” Mother Scott let her unsolicited opinion sink in before adding, “Now, baby, that’s your and Leon’s business. I ain’t going to stick my nose in it, but you might want to train that big-mouthed grandson of mine that what happens at home stays at home.” She turned to Marlissa. “I like the good doctor, but you make sure you get the ring and the house back before you start wrestling.”
“You have nothing to worry about, Mother,” Marlissa answered quickly before Mother Scott went off on a tangent. “The good doctor won’t step into the ring unless he’s committed.” She grabbed Starla by the arm. “Come on, let’s check on the boys.” They trotted off before Mother Scott could form her next sentence.
“Thanks, girl,” Starla said once they were out of earshot.
“I missed you.” Kevin approached Marlissa from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist. Marlissa spun around before he could kiss her cheek. Her eyes were laced with fear.
“I’m sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” Reading the fear in her eyes, Kevin took two steps back.
“I didn’t hear you come up.” Marlissa relaxed, but Kevin was still apprehensive. He waited for her to approach him before shaking the memories from the past that instantly flashed before his eyes.
“Where’s Tyson?” she asked, looking over his shoulder.
“He’s fishing with Leon and some other guys.” Lake Chabot was known for its trout and catfish, as well as its panoramic views of the Bay Area. Kevin slowly came back to the present. “Want to go for a walk with me?” Marlissa’s answer was to interlock her arm with his, and they slowly began walking.
They didn’t talk; it wasn’t necessary. The trees rustling in the soft breeze and the birds chirping on the branches above their heads spoke for them. Nature expressed their sentiments. A quarter mile into the trail, Kevin held her hand, but not before kissing it. Marlissa, now more assertive than she ever imagined possible, took Kevin’s hand and led him to a rock big enough for the two of them. Once he was seated, Marlissa proceeded to kiss him senseless.
“Where did that come from?” Kevin looked as though he was dazed.
“Here,” Marlissa answered, placing his hand over her heart. “I love you, Kevin.”
Kevin pressed her as close to him as humanly possible. He moved his mouth to say the words, but Marlissa jumped backward. Kevin’s cell phone was vibrating.
“I’m sorry.” He checked the number. Without answering the call, Kevin replaced the phone on his clip and reached for Marlissa. “Where were we?”
Instead of receiving his affections, she asked, “Was that Reyna?”
Kevin had never lied to Marlissa and he wasn’t going to start now. “Yes.”
Marlissa exhaled deeply, then chose her words carefully. “Kevin, earlier you accused me of being jealous of Reyna. Should I be?”
“No.”
“Really? Then why does she call you and visit you? Are you in a relationship with her?”
“No.”
“Were you?” she persisted. “She’s not chasing you without cause.”
Kevin closed his eyes; it was his turn to exhale. Marlissa took that as his answer, and turned her back to him. “Did you sleep with her or anyone else?”
“No.” Kevin turned her to face him and took her hands in his, but Marlissa refused eye contact, opting to watch two squirrels chase each other around a nearby tree stump. “Honestly, I did entertain the idea of a relationship with Reyna, even marriage. But that was only because I was trying to fill the void you left in my life.”
The statement caught Marlissa off guard. “Are you trying to say it’s my fault Reyna thinks she’s going to be the next Mrs. Jennings?”
“What I am saying is I was hurting and missing you. Yes, I did lead her on, but I have since made it clear to her that I am not interested in her, period. Unfortunately, neither she nor my mother believes me. I hope you do.”
Marlissa repositioned herself between his legs and placed her arms around his neck. “I believe you.” She sealed her answer with a kiss so intoxicating that Kevin could have sworn he was drunk. “Do you believe I am a different person now?”
“Oh yeah.” He attempted another kiss, but his phone vibrated again, and he assumed it was Reyna. “What!” he answered without checking the caller ID.
“Y’all have been gone a long time.” It was Mother Scott. “Come on back here before y’all start a wrestling match.”
Kevin stared into the phone. “Huh?”
“You heard what I said. Get back here now.” The line went dead.
“I don’t know who is worse, Mother Scott or my mother,” Kevin declared after relaying Mother Scott’s message to Marlissa.
“Trust me, your mother is on a whole different level,” Marlissa replied without bothering to explain the message to Kevin. He didn’t understand until they returned to the picnic area and Mother Scott walked up to him and inspected the lower part of his pants. Tyson and Leon came just in time to hear Kevin ask, “Mother, what are you checking for?” He was truly puzzled by her peculiar behavior.
“Grass stains,” Mother answered, then went on to inspect Marlissa’s hair.
Kevin couldn’t help but laugh along with everyone else, but now he also had a new revelation. Mother Scott may have been in the early stages of glaucoma, but her spiritual vision was 20/20.
“Can I see you tonight?” Kevin asked Marlissa while they walked back to his SUV. “We need to talk.”
“Okay.” Marlissa was excited. Kevin had spent the day with her and still wanted more. “Do you want to come by the apartment or meet at Starbucks?”
Kevin electronically unlocked the door for Tyson. Before climbing inside, Tyson hugged Marlissa. “I enjoyed myself today; thanks for inviting me. You’re right. I do need to lighten up, but just a little.” Just that quick, Tyson was serious again. “Take care of my boy.”
Marlissa returned her attention to Kevin. “Where do you want to meet?”
“At the house. We can watch the fireworks from the A’s game out on the deck.”
Marlissa swallowed hard. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. You still know where it is, don’t you?”
“Of course,” she whispered. Marlissa didn’t know what to make of Kevin inviting her into the home they once shared. Her apprehension nearly made him want to withdraw the invitation.
“I’ll see you in an hour.” Kevin lightly kissed her cheek, then joined Tyson inside the SUV.
Chapter 16
“The boys are sound asleep,” Leon announced upon returning to the living area of Starla’s townhouse. Knowing that the boys would be asleep before reaching the freeway, Leon came home with Starla to assist her with carrying the boys into the house. He offered to bathe them and tuck them in while she rested. Starla readily accepted and remained on the couch in d
eep thought. It was time to stop straddling the fence and make a decision.
“I’m leaving now.” Leon kissed her cheek, then started for the door.
Starla reached for him and urged him to sit down next to her.
Leon assumed something was on her mind; she’d been acting strange ever since leaving the park. The second he sat down, Starla cuddled next to him. Whatever was on her mind was major, of that Leon was certain. Leon kissed her forehead and waited for his wife to speak.
“I liked the way we were today,” she began. “You, me, the boys; we were a family again. I miss that.”
“Me too.” Leon brushed her braids off her face.
“I’ve enjoyed attending church as a family these past weeks. Actually, I think I like your church better than mine. I just love watching you dance in the Spirit.”
“I like watching you dance, too.” Leon smiled.
“I’ve been thinking about what’s most important to me and I have made some decisions about my life. There are some loose ends I need to tie up in order to move forward with our marriage.”
Leon closed his eyes and held his breath, then waited for her next statement.
“It’s time you gave Marlissa your thirty-day notice to vacate. It’s time for you to come home.”
Leon exhaled and gripped Starla tightly. “Are you sure?”
Starla raised her head to his. “Yes. I love you and I want our family back. The boys need their father and I need my husband. I need my friend.”
“Why thirty days? I can move in tomorrow.”
Starla laughed, then kissed him. “I figured you would say that, but I have some things I need to take care of, and so do you. When you do return home, I don’t want any obstacles in our way.”
“I can take care of everything I need to right here with you and the boys,” Leon insisted.
“You have your licensing exam next week and you need a quiet place to study. You won’t get that here with two boys running around and with me jumping your bones. I don’t want anything to interfere with you reviving Star Construction. You’re well on your way with that new truck you purchased.”
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