Silver Lining by Wanda B. Campbell Read Free Book Online Page A

the lobby, Marlissa turned to wave good-bye, but Kevin was already gone.
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    â€œHurry up, brat, it’s time to go to church.” Leon banged on Marlissa’s door on his way to service.
    â€œI’m coming, just let me grab my stuff,” Marlissa yelled back.
    By the time Marlissa made her “CP Time” entrance, Leon was already at church and yelling his agreement with the preacher’s topic. This was their routine: Marlissa and Leon went to church every Wednesday and Friday morning at 7:00 on the local gospel network right in their living room. The services were so uplifting, many times Marlissa would have to throw her towel at the screen and yell, “You better say that!” or dance in the Spirit. Today it was Leon’s turn.
    â€œCome on now!” he roared as the bishop said something about instead of judging your brother, you should pray for him. “We need to raise that man an offering,” Leon joked on his way into the kitchen for his morning bowl of cereal, once service was over.
    â€œThe bishop’s offering will have to wait, I need to get to work.” Marlissa fished a glass from the dishwasher and placed it on the counter. “Speaking of work, guess who gave me a ride home from work last night?”
    â€œYour husband,” Leon answered, and handed her the cranberry juice.
    â€œYou mean soon-to-be ex-husband. How did you know?” Marlissa seemed surprised that he knew.
    â€œBecause I am a male and I know how males operate. He’s checking you out.”
    Marlissa waited until Leon swallowed before asking, “What do you mean?”
    â€œHe’s doing the same thing to you that Starla’s doing to me. Kevin is trying to see if your change is legit. That’s why he keeps showing up when you least expect it; he’s trying to see if it’s real.”
    Marlissa shook her head. “He’s already made up his mind to divorce me. Why would he care?”
    Leon lifted his bowl and slurped the remaining milk before answering. “He doesn’t want a divorce; he loves you. I saw it Sunday at church. He watched you more than he watched Pastor Drake. Trust me, he wants a divorce about as much as Starla does.”
    â€œThen why won’t he say something?”
    Leon placed his arm on her shoulder and sighed. “The same reason Starla won’t let me move back home yet. You hurt him and he doesn’t know if he can trust you again.”
    Marlissa let the words digest. Was it possible that Kevin still cared for her? Last night the hardness in his eyes appeared to have softened a little, and that would explain why he’d made up an excuse to stop by Macy’s, which was totally out of the way. But the fact remained that the divorce proceedings were moving forward and he still hadn’t acknowledged her apology.
    â€œAt least you and Starla are making progress,” Marlissa stated.
    â€œShe’s allowing me to see the boys as often as I want now without supervision.” Leon smiled.
    Marlissa twisted her lips. “That explains the hickey on your neck and the lipstick stain on your jacket,” Marlissa teased. “Your boys must really enjoy being with you.”
    Leon laughed when he looked down at his jacket. He hadn’t noticed the outline of Starla’s lips until Marlissa mentioned it. He hesitated momentarily then cleaned his jacket.
    â€œI’m really happy for you,” Marlissa called after him before he walked out the door.
    â€œMe too.”
    Three hours later Marlissa looked up from the monitor at the insurance office to find Tyson Stokes standing on the other side of the customer counter in what was no doubt an $800 suit. Tyson’s pale complexion and stout physique gave him a strong resemblance to Fred Hammond. The only things Tyson lacked as a man were a sense of humor and the ability to relax.
    â€œHello, Mrs. Jennings,” Tyson greeted her.
    â€œTyson, do