The Keepsake (Love at the Crossroads) Read online

  Desi did as she was told. She was grateful that Michael was not the topic of discussion at the table. They chatted about the latest news, Granny’s volunteer efforts and recipes. An hour or so later, with her grandmother riding in the passenger seat, Desi’s next stop was her childhood home.

  As she drove, her mind drifted. What part of Michael’s character had she missed that would soon cause her to join her mother and Tracey’s marital status? She and her sisters weren’t reared in a broken home.

  As a matter of fact, her father had been a good man, father and husband. Her mother said her biggest regret was re-marrying to fill the void her daddy had left. Unfortunately, her stepfather had made a mistake and laid hands on her mother. All it took was one time and that was the last time. Her mother had no qualms about divorcing him and taking her Holland name back. That second marriage, although brief, still had an impact on Desi and her sisters.

  It wasn’t long before she and her grandmother arrived. Her other sister, Halcyon and her toddler were walking through the door behind Desi. Her mother seemed suspicious of the impromptu gathering.

  Sarah Holland opened her arms. “And to what do I owe the pleasure of my mother and two younger daughters’ visit?” Her mother gave kisses and hugs, and then smothered her grandbabies with love. “Desi, where’s my son-in-law?”

  Before she could speak, her grandmother intervened. “That’s why we’re here. Desi has something to tell you.”

  The room began to spin in slow motion as all eyes fell on her. She couldn’t face any of them. Desi exhaled as if she was blowing out a candle—her life. “I’m about ninety percent sure I’m getting a divorce.”

  After Desi told them why, she expected the anarchy that followed her announcement. Tracey was in tears and choked out her words. “I will hurt him for messing over my little sister. I warned him….”

  “Tracey, I’m a big girl. Michael did me a favor. This will be clean cut and I can walk away.” She reached out and tickled one of her little nephews as a distraction. “It seems like we share the same fate. We attract unfaithful men.”

  “At least you two were married. After I moved in with Scott, he was in no hurry to commit, even after Ashanti had come along,” Halcyon paused and her lips trembled. “And I just found out today that I’m pregnant with another baby.” She burst out in tears.

  Everyone rushed to her side except Granny who stood, then jammed her fists on her hips. “The devil is a lie. You’re all strong Black women who will rise above your ashes—if you turn to the Lord. And Desi, don’t let that man turn you away from God. Jesus’ got your next move.” She then pointed at Halcyon. “You aren’t in a committed relationship. Leave the bum. He’ll never marry you. I don’t care if you give him five babies. He don’t appreciate you, chile. Now, I didn’t come over here for no pity party. Let’s have some church!” She eyed everyone to dare and cross her.

  By the time they finished their impromptu prayer meeting, it was late when Desi left to drop her grandmother off.

  “You should go home, baby.”

  Desi gasped. “Granny, did God tell you that I should do that?”

  “No, I’m telling you to go back home and kick him out.” Mischief twinkled in her eyes.

  “I’m not ready to see him. If I could erase the love I thought we shared, I would. But I can’t, and seeing him will only hurt me more.”

  Granny patted Desi’s hand. “You both need counseling. Michael backslid and he needs our prayers just like you.”

  Her grandmother was right. In her own affliction, she had forgotten about Michael’s spiritual state. “‘Night.” Driving away, Desi reflected on what her grandmother had said. They both needed counseling, but for different reasons. Desi wanted out of this marriage.

  CHAPTER ~6~

  Everything happened so fast that Michael’s head was still spinning. Things were starting to turn around for him and only God was responsible for that.

  Despite his pending divorce and his attorney’s advice not to create new debt, update his will, seek professional counseling and other stuff, Michael had a bright spot. His brother not only paid Michael’s franchise fee, Zachary secured the investment loan needed for Michael to own the newest Baer Electronic store. Baer Electronics was ranked among the top two hundred fastest growing businesses in the country.

  Within days, the franchise’s vice president had flown into town and interviewed him. The following day, he offered Michael the store and welcomed him aboard.

  The district manager of the retail phone store had accepted his resignation without question and wished him luck. Awkwardly, Michael sensed that his workers were glad to see him go. That saddened him, but closed a dark chapter in his life. At least he didn’t have to worry about any surprise visits from Brenda Johnson. Although he highly doubted she would want to see him again after the stunt Desi pulled, suing her too. His wife was going for blood.

  Michael didn’t want to focus on the negative. He only wished Desi was by his side to share in the excitement.

  Michael didn’t know why he continued to torture himself by leaving voice messages and sending texts to Desi, but he was determined to fight to the end. So it was no different this time when he called her and, of course, it went straight to voicemail. “Ah, hi, baby, I miss you and I’m hoping these days apart are giving you the space to forgive me.”

  He cut to the chase. “Anyway, I wanted you to know I’m now the proud owner of a Baer Electronics franchise.” He didn’t even say goodbye as he ended the call. Closing his eyes, Michael bowed his head. He didn’t know how long he would be able to survive life without Desi, but one thing was for sure, he refused to yield to the temptation of lust again. He hoped God knew that.

  When you were yet without strength to fight temptation and sinned, remember I died for the ungodly, God whispered Romans 5:6 in his ear.

  “Thank you,” Michael whispered back. God may not speak to him when he wanted, but He seemed to remind him that He was always near to hear and comfort him.

  Two days later, Michael prepared himself to meet his new employees. Because the store was already in the stages of opening, the owner had hired a staff. He welcomed a new work force that knew nothing of his past indiscretions. Yet, the looming divorce dulled his fresh start.

  But Michael didn’t have time to dwell on his misfortune. The superstore was teeming with potential customers and he and his sales team were busy almost the entire time the store was opened. The few times it did slow down, he conjured up Desi’s bright smile before the memory of her wounded look glared at him as she walked out of his life.

  He snapped out of it as more customers entered the store. Michael blinked, then strained his eyes. Swallowing, his heart pounded with excitement. Desi? His wife had cleared the entrance. Her presence beamed. She looked gorgeous and sharply dressed as usual. He made a beeline in her direction.

  He was about within arms’ reach when his assistant store manager intercepted his path and grinned. “Well, hello, pretty lady. What brings you in today?”

  Michael scowled as he went to her side. “Let me introduce my wife, Desi Bishop.”

  “Estranged wife,” she challenged him and lifted a brow as if to dare him to correct her. “And I came to speak with Michael.”

  Byron glanced at Desi’s ring finger that was, to Michael’s disappointment, bare. He gave Michael a smirk that didn’t sit well with him. Evidently, the man didn’t get the hint.

  “Why don’t you see if any staffers need a break?” It wasn’t a question as Michael dismissed his assistant manager. Nudging Desi to the side, he feasted his eyes on the beauty that he had been missing.

  When he tried to steer her outside the building for privacy, she walked ahead as if to keep distance between them.

  As soon as they were out of hearing, Michael didn’t waste any time. “Why? Why did you file for divorce without trying to work it out?”

  Upon closer inspection, he could see the weariness in her eyes that he had caused. Fo
lding her arms, Desi tapped her shoe. “Why did you cheat?”

  “The short pathetic answer is because I let my guard down.” Michael couldn’t stand to see the moisture gather in her eyes, so he reached out to comfort her, but she moved back. “Since you wouldn’t talk to me, I tried to explain everything in my voice messages.”

  Shaking her head, Desi snarled. “I erased them.”

  “Baby—” The vicious look she shot him caused Michael to rephrase his sentence. “Desi, I made a terrible mistake that I will regret the rest of my life. As a Christian, I beg your forgiveness.”

  Desi gritted her teeth. “Don’t go there, Michael Bishop! As a married man, you needed to keep your pants zipped. As for forgiveness, God grants it instantly upon repentance.” She snapped her fingers, then patted her chest. “But for me…” She paused. “It’s a process and it may be a very long one, but eventually I’ll get there.”

  “I don’t want a divorce,” he whispered, again trying to reach for her, but Desi cut her eyes at him again.

  “But you wanted a mistress, a slut, an adulteress. By the way, she got a gift from me, too, so you’ll be a free man soon so you can make the sex legal.”

  “That was a mistake and I broke it off. I won’t sign the papers, Desi. I don’t want to lose the best gift God gave me.”

  “It looks like you wanted an exchange.” Desi went off until she had worked up tears. “I already lost you the day you gave that slut something that didn’t belong to her—your desire, heart and stiff body part.”

  She scowled at him as if she would attack any minute. He had no defense. Michael looked around to see if they had an audience with her shouting. His assistant manager, Byron, had no shame in watching them through the store window. Great. He huffed.

  “Listen, I came here to let you know that I will agree to marriage counseling. But that is no guarantee that I will forgive you any sooner. Right now, I really don’t like you! I’ll text you the date and time that Pastor Reed will see us.” With that, she twirled around and got into her car.

  Michael stepped out of the way in time to save his foot as she zoomed off. He watched as his future disappeared from sight. Reluctantly, he headed back to the showroom.

  “She didn’t look too happy to see you,” Byron said slyly.

  Michael didn’t respond for fear that he would assault the man. He stalked to his office and slammed the door. “Jesus, only You know what the end of this is going to be. But, I could use a preview right about now.”

  CHAPTER ~7~

  Desi drove away a hot mess. Her heart slammed against her chest wall, demanding to be set free. Her extremities began to tingle. She was beginning to hyperventilate.

  Chancing a glance in her rearview mirror, Michael stood rooted in the same spot where she left him. Seeing him face to face after so many weeks apart had her near stroke level and close to a full blown panic attack. His puppy dog expression almost broke her resolve that she no longer could stay in a marriage where trust was gone. “Whew.” She exhaled.

  Finally, Desi made it to the extended stay suites. She downed two aspirins for her pounding headache and climbed under the covers. The next morning, she woke drowsy even though she had slept more than twelve hours. After calling in sick, she collapsed back in her bed and hoped to dream away her problems.

  The day was half gone when she got up to eat and make the dreaded call to her pastor. With a time set, Desi had exactly four days to recover before she would face Michael again in Pastor Reed’s office. She texted him the date and time, then turned off her phone.

  “God, I need a Word from you, a hint or something as to how this is going to play out.” Closing her eyes, she bowed her head and waited for the Lord to speak to her heart or mind. Peeping through the blinds, Desi stared at nothing until she got bored. Reaching for her Bible, she flipped the pages until a passage she highlighted caught her attention.

  1 Corinthians 13:4-7Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; Bears all things, believeth all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

  She stared at the words. “Jesus, I can’t bear this.”

  ***

  Desi made it through the rest of the work week despite the whispers from her coworkers about her marital status. Of course, it didn’t help that she no longer wore her beautiful wedding ring, but it had lost its value. On the day of the counseling session, Desi called her grandmother for prayer.

  “I’m scared, Granny,” she heard herself confess something that she had been fighting to admit.

  “Why, sweetie pie?”

  “Because I love him and he’s not worthy of my love. And I’m mad at him for betraying me.”

  “Remember, none of us were worthy of God’s love until He hung on that cross for our sins. But you can’t move on without forgiveness whether you stay with Michael or walk away like you have every right to do.”

  “Stay?” She turned her nose up at the thought of him kissing, hugging and making love—no having hot sex—with someone who didn’t wear his ring. “That’s not possible.” Desi swiped at a tear.

  “Then God has a man out there that will be a double blessing. Let’s pray. Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, my grandbaby is hurting. Please comfort her at this crossroad in her life. Please help her to forgive so she can move on and receive the blessings You have stored up for her, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

  “Amen,” she whispered and took a deep breath. “Thank you, Granny. I love you.”

  Once they disconnected, Desi repaired her makeup and scrutinized her appearance in the mirror. She wanted to flaunt her assets in her husband’s face to show him what he willingly gave up. Yes, it was petty, and vain, but that was the only ammunition she had to get back at him. An hour later, Desi walked into Pastor Reed’s office. Michael was already there. He stood when she entered. She didn’t bother to acknowledge him as she took a seat in the opposite twin chair in front of their pastor’s desk. She didn’t have to look at Michael to be aware of his presence. Every pore on her body seemed on guard.

  Desi refused to glance Michael’s way. She didn’t care that he was wearing her favorite cologne. Where it would normally have aroused her to be near her husband, it did the reverse. It stirred emotions of anger and betrayal after learning of Michael’s affair.

  Pastor Reed got her attention. “Before we get started, let us pray. Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for the cross and the victory in every situation…,” he petitioned the Lord on their behalf with depth and fervor before finally saying amen.

  Inhaling deeply, Desi slowly released her air. She linked her fingers in hope of restraining her hands from shaking. Lord, help me to get through this—please.

  “Sister Bishop, let’s begin with you, since you called and requested this meeting.”

  Nodding, Desi cut her eyes at her husband. Despite his handsome features, she was no longer attracted to him. “Pastor, I don’t know this man. He’s contaminated our marriage and defiled our bed. Honestly, I don’t know why I’m here because we’ve both made our decision.” Don’t cry, don’t cry, she coaxed herself.

  “He chose who he wanted to sleep with and I choose to sleep alone. Although I said my vows until death do we part with all my love in my heart for him, I’ve already filed a petition for a divorce and sued his mistress for criminal conversation, having sex with a married man.” Her heart ached to even whisper such offense. “I didn’t get married as a prerequisite to file for a divorce…”

  She didn’t realize a tear dropped until Pastor Reed gathered a few tissues and handed them to her. Desi sniffed and thanked him, and choked out, “But God knew that man didn’t love me and would disrespect our marriage and gave me an exit clause—”

  “Now, wait a minute,” Michael cut her off.

  Whipping her neck, Desi practically sna
rled at him, causing Michael to shift his muscular body in the chair. He rubbed his head, a clear sign that he was at a loss for words. She folded her arms, prepared to wait him out.

  “First of all, I love my wife…”

  “Ha! Don’t ever say that again,” Desi snapped. “I guarantee that you didn’t remember my name when you were having sex with that whoremonger, Brenda Johnson.” Her outburst shut him down, but she didn’t feel victorious about it.

  “Desi, you have no idea how sorry I am.”

  “No, I don’t.” She was fuming as she balled her fists.

  Pastor Reed intervened. “Sister Bishop, I sympathize with your feelings of betrayal and hurt.” He turned to Michael. “Brother Bishop, are these accusations your wife has made against you true?”

  “Yes,” Michael said in a low voice.

  That one word brought back memories of the moment of truth when she confronted him and that simple three-letter word complicated her life.

  “How did the affair start?”

  Desi had seen the pictures the investigator had taken of him and the home wrecker hugging, kissing and undressing as they closed her front door. She was feeling nauseous just thinking about it.

  “First, let me say that I meant my vows and I love my wife.”

  Humph. Desi folded her arms and stared him down. Ooh, how she wanted to step out of her Holy Ghost and go ghetto on him.

  Michael gave his version of what happened. “Did you hear warnings from the Holy Ghost?” Pastor Reed asked.

  Michael bowed his head. “If God whispered, I ignored it. While waiting for our food, she asked if I was married and I said yes. I bragged on my wife as a signal that I loved my wife.” His brown eyes pleaded with her. “She returned one more time and then was waiting for me one night when I closed the store.”

  “Unless you’re color blind, you should have seen red flags all over this woman. I can’t believe you were that gullible, weak and stu—”

  As she was about to unload her ammunition, Pastor Reed asked her to let him finish. “When did you have sex with this woman?”