The Perfect Mistress by Reshonda Tate Billingsley Read Free Book Online Page B

blocks from the church.
    â€œYou must think I’m stupid,” her mother said from the front seat.
    â€œNot now, Joyce,” Vernon said, not taking his eyes off the road.
    â€œWhen then?”
    â€œWhen we’re not in front of the children,” he said through gritted teeth.
    Lauren and Julian were sitting in the backseat. Julian was playing on a handheld game, blocking out their impending fight. Lauren never knew if her brother did that on purpose or if that was his escape mechanism, but she always watched her parents with bated breath.
    â€œI can’t believe you can’t keep your hoes in check,” her mother snapped.
    â€œI don’t have any hoes,” Vernon replied, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “And we’re not going to talk about this now.”
    â€œWho is she, Vernon?”
    â€œShe’s a client,” he replied.
    â€œYou think I’m stupid. That’s what it is. You think I’m a fool. But you know, I’d think I was a fool, too, since my fool behind keeps taking your cheating ass back.”
    â€œWould you. Just. Shut. Up?”
    Her mother reached over and smacked him on the side of his head nearest her. It caused him to swerve and Lauren froze in terror, wondering if her father was going to turn around and slap her back. But instead he navigated the car off to the side of the road. He got out, walked over to the passenger side, and pulled her out of the car.
    â€œHave you lost your damn mind?” he screamed, slamming the car door. “Don’t you ever put your hands on me.”
    They continued to fight, argue, and scream. And Julian continued to play his game.
    Tears ran down Lauren’s cheeks at the way her parents were going at it. Finally, her father threw up his hands and came back around the back of the car. When he opened his door, and Lauren saw her mother still standing outside, her heart dropped. That made Julian look up, too.
    â€œPut your seat belts on!” her dad snapped to them as he started the car. That was strange because no one had been worried about a seat belt when they pulled away from the church.
    Julian looked out the window at their mother screaming and crying and finally spoke up. “Dad, we’re not leaving Mom here, are we?”
    â€œYour mother is having a meltdown and I’m not about to deal with that mess.” He started to pull out.
    â€œWe can’t leave Mom!” Julian cried.
    â€œYou that worried about her, get out and walk home with her,” her father snapped, slamming on the brakes.
    Julian glared at the back of her father’s head. It’s like the older Julian got, the more he couldn’t stand their father. The two of them argued all of the time. This time, though, Julian didn’t say a word as he slowly opened the door and got out of the car. Meanwhile, Lauren sat in silence.
    â€œYou going, too?” Vernon yelled. He took a deep breath and said, “Or are you still Daddy’s girl and rolling with me?”
    Lauren looked through the rear window at her crying mother. Julian was hugging her, trying to comfort her. It was a sad sight. But Lauren didn’t want her father to be alone. That’s what she was always afraid of, him going off alone and leaving them. “I’m going with you, Daddy.”

F orsaking all others.
    Joyce wasn’t sure why that portion of her marriage vows flashed through her mind at this very moment. No, she knew exactly why. She needed the reminder as she stared at the six-foot-three, two-hundred-pound man who looked like Denzel Washington’s little brother and was standing at her door.
    â€œHello, Mrs. Robinson,” he said. When she didn’t respond he said, “It’s me, Norman Martin.”
    Norman was the man who had sold them their life insurance policy. But he’d been an overweight nerd with dreadlocks.
    â€œWow. Norman?” she said, still dumbfounded at what was