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.�
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“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?
Chapter 20
“Man, I can’t believe my eyes.” Tyson chuckled. “I never thought I would see Kevin Hezekiah Jennings standing over a hot stove. I thought the only thing you knew how to make was cold cereal.”
Kevin was too busy concentrating on the cookbook and stirring the cream sauce to pay Tyson much attention. Tyson leaned on the counter and Kevin exploded.
“Man, be careful! It’s taken me all day to get those rolls to rise and you’re about to smash them.”
Tyson jumped back with his hands raised. “Sorry, man, I didn’t see them.” Kevin grunted at his friend and moved the dough to a safe location. “Man, Marlissa has you jacked up.”
Kevin relaxed at the sound of Marlissa’s name, even smiled. “That’s my baby.”
“It’s good to see you happy again.” Tyson frowned when he pulled a rice cake from the cookie jar. “Ugh, whose bright idea was this?”
“Marlissa said I need to watch my sugar intake.”
“What else does she have you watching, the cooking channel?” Tyson put the rice cake back.
“Man, forget you.” Kevin discarded his friend’s musing. “If I want to cook my wife a special dinner, that’s none of your business.” Kevin checked the oven temperature before placing the salmon inside.
“I guess that means you’ve discussed the divorce with her?” Tyson said, sampling a crab-stuffed mushroom.
“Those are not for you!” Kevin scolded, then asked, “How is it?”
Tyson laughed at his boy, and then took another one. “Not bad. So how did she take the news?”
Kevin rescued the mushrooms before Tyson devoured them. “I haven’t discussed it with her yet.”
“What? Why not?”
Kevin shrugged. “I don’t know if the time is right.”
Tyson threw his hands in the air. “Man, you’re standing in here in an apron and mittens looking like Yan Can Cook on steroids and you don’t know if the time is right?” Tyson shook his head. “You’re crazy.”
“Hey, man, don’t you have somewhere to go or some people to harass or something?” Kevin charged.
“Hey, doc, don’t you have a wife you need to talk to?”
Kevin exhaled deeply. “I don’t need a lawyer, I can handle my wife by myself.”
“Fine, but if you don’t talk to your wife soon, you will need a friend to talk to.”
That was an hour ago and Kevin had long since admitted that Tyson was right; he did need to have a talk with Marlissa about the divorce. Kevin really didn’t understand his reluctance. Their rekindled relationship had blossomed into a love affair that, at moments, stirred him to a point where nothing and no one mattered to him. Marlissa filled his dreams and most of his conscious thoughts. On more than one occasion Kevin had reprimanded himself for daydreaming, trying to recall her scent, her smile, or her touch while examining patients.
Touch: now that was a much-needed addition to their relationship. During their marriage Kevin had spent many days literally starved for the touch of the woman he loved. In the beginning he would voice his need, but Marlissa refused to make the effort, so he stopped. Presently, Marlissa could give lessons on the art of sensual touch. Kevin didn’t know if she was aware, but on several occasions her soft touches had rendered him senseless. And her kisses . . .
“Get a grip,” Kevin reminded himself, and pressed the play button on the CD changer.
He heard the garage door at the precise moment he lit the third candle on the formal dining room table. Marlissa had just unbuttoned her coat when he stepped into the kitchen.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, followed by a hug.
Marlissa thought the hug was tighter and the kiss a little more intense than normal. “I hope you’re not expecting any other visitors tonight.”
“Of course. I am an only child and I don’t like to share.” Kevin still held her.
“Good.” Marlissa stepped back and removed her coat.
“Get a grip,” Kevin mumbled. Marlissa was wearing that tangerine tank dress, his favorite. Kevin promptly received her coat and hung it in the coat closet. “Have a seat in the dining room. Dinner will be served shortly,” he instructed, then swiftly disappeared.
Marlissa followed Kevin’s instructions and walked to the dining room. The display before her left her awestruck. “Honey, did you do all this?” she called over her shoulder.
Kevin approached from behind, but instead of jumping, Marlissa relaxed into his embrace. Kevin expressed appreciation by nibbling on her neck, something he hadn’t done in a long time. “Yes, I cooked and set the table,” he answered between bites. “I made your favorites, stuffed mushrooms, baked salmon, asparagus, baked potato.”
Marlissa didn’t hear the menu; she was too busy praying he would give her a hickey.
“First, I want you to open this.” Kevin had to tell her twice before she was able to comprehend what he’d said and open her eyes. A white box lay in her chair.
Kevin’s arms remained
around her and his lips against her neck as Marlissa opened the tall box.
“Kevin,” Marlissa gasped. “Thank you.” It was the angel she’d admired in the store window on Piedmont Avenue six weeks before when Kevin first unexpectedly showed up at the apartment. “When did you get this?”
“That day after I left you in Starbucks.”
Marlissa suddenly spun around. “I didn’t know you cared back then,” she whispered as tears pooled in her eyes.
Kevin removed the angel from her hands and placed it on the mahogany table. “’Lissa, I never stopped caring about you.” He wiped her cheek, and then reassured her with a kiss that escalated them to a level of passion they’d never experienced. If not for the need for oxygen, they would have continued the voyage. Kevin struggled to regain control. “We should eat now.”
Marlissa recognized the distraction for what it was and agreed. “Do you need some help?”
“No. I think you should stay in here.”
Marlissa reached for him, but this time it was Kevin who retreated. “I’ll be right back.”
Inside the kitchen Kevin was so distracted by his desire for Marlissa that he absentmindedly tried to remove the bread from the oven without an oven mitt. “Ouch!” Kevin shook his hand then ran some cold water to alleviate the burning sensation. While the pain subsided, he battled with his desire to touch Marlissa. Convinced his willpower would win, Keven rejoined Marlissa in the dining room.
“Honey, I can’t believe you did all of this for me,” she said as she watched him spread the feast in front of her. “You must have been in the kitchen all day.” Marlissa meant the compliment, but mainly wanted to redirect her thoughts. At the moment, food was the furthest thing from her mind.
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