The Devil Made Me Do It by Colette R. Harrell Read Free Book Online

“Simone, I’m out for the rest of the day.”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Simone replied saccharine sweet with a goofy smile.
    Esther walked away, but listened as Simone used the office phone and dialed a friend. She surmised that, as usual, Simone’s cell was low on minutes, and she was taking advantage of the opportunity for some juicy, uninterrupted gossip. What she didn’t know was the topic: the office bad boy, John.
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    Esther started her Lexus and slid on her shades. She thought about her sister’s phone call and burst out laughing. “My sister is a trip, Ms. 411.” She pressed the praise station on her satellite radio.
    Phyllis was private investigator-like nosy. She would listen in to conversations, even when she didn’t know the parties involved. Her information was better than The View’s hot topics. As a bored housewife, she needed to get out of the house and find something to do.
    Esther wondered who would take Reverend Gregory’s place. She hoped it wasn’t Elder Shaw. He had a good heart, but he would put wood to sleep. Maybe elder was like the Apostle Paul who could write better than he spoke. The last time Elder Shaw preached, Sister Joseph’s visiting grandson snored so loud that an usher had to tap him awake. When the usher hit the young man’s shoulder, he jumped straight up out of his seat and moaned, “I’m getting up now, Mama.”
    The whole congregation laughed, even Elder Shaw, and praise the Lord, he hadn’t been assigned to preach since. Esther smiled at the memory.
    â€œWell, I do hope it’s someone good.” She sighed and turned up the radio’s volume to counter the melancholy feeling threatening to take her over.
    Gospel music blaring, her mind churning, Esther almost missed the sound of a siren riffing through her solo praise time. She glanced in her rearview mirror and saw a Detroit police squad car dead-on her bumper, its lights signaling her to pull over.
    Esther grimaced and wondered her infraction. “No no no,” she pleaded seeking heavenly intervention.
    A tap on her window and a large hand with clean blunt nails signaled for her to roll it down. Esther touched the window’s button, while reaching into her purse for her wallet.
    She jumped when an authoritative voice thundered, “Take your hand out of your purse, ma’am. Place them both on your steering wheel.”
    Esther swallowed and complied, gripping the wheel until her hands cramped from the effort. “Sir, I was getting my driver’s license. I—”
    The officer bent over to peer into her window and Esther’s words sat on her tongue confused. His uniform faded away, and Esther’s mind registered that Prince Charming had stepped out of her imagination and was riding around the city of Detroit giving out tickets instead of glass slippers.
    His eyes met hers and enlarged at the instant attraction. She watched as those eyes turned three different shades, as he methodically shook it off. “You made a rolling stop, ma’am.”
    Esther shook her head. “Sir, I did stop.” She tilted her head through the window and reached out her hand in greeting. “Hello, I’m Esther.”
    The officer stepped back, looking into her eyes. She returned his stare, afraid to blink and miss something his eyes were conveying. The corner of his mouth slanted into a lopsided grin, and she breathed in relief. She hadn’t had a date in more than a year. He tipped his hat. “I’m Officer Lawton Redding, Ms. Esther. In the future, make sure you actually stop at the stop sign. You drive safely.”
    He headed back to his car, and though disappointed, Esther still drooled in her rearview mirror. “Thank you, Lord, for me not getting a ticket. And the wonderful view. You do all things well.” She hummed as she continued home, dreaming about what could have been. By the time she arrived,