Unresolved Issues by Wanda B. Campbell Read Free Book Online Page A

very protective of her.
    The sunken living room was one of Staci’s favorite places, with the marble fireplace and hardwood floor. The sage walls usually gave the room a warm, cozy feel, but now the room felt cold and hollow, like she felt. Derrick’s leaving had left her empty of more than his company. She’d become accustomed to not having his company, but he took her heart with him this time.
    She walked into the kitchen, the same kitchen he’d promised to make her dinner in just hours before. Although she skipped lunch, she wasn’t hungry. She made a cup of chamomile tea. She needed something to help her stop trembling. She was halfway through the first cup when Marcus and Craig walked into the kitchen.
    â€œStaci, what’s going on?” Craig asked, noticing her red, puffy eyes.
    Marcus walked from the kitchen into the living room and back. “Where’s Derrick?”
    â€œHe’s gone,” she whispered.
    â€œGone where?” Marcus pressed.
    â€œI don’t know, but he’s not here. He’s gone.” When Staci broke down, Craig put his arm around her.
    Marcus sat down at the table. “Tell me what happened.”
    It took her awhile, but Staci finally shared with her brothers how her husband had walked out on her. She couldn’t bring herself to tell them that her husband didn’t want her anymore. She just shared that he needed some time.
    Part of Staci was glad Derrick was not there. Despite his smaller size, Marcus would have attacked him. Derrick was his boy. Since the day he married Staci, Marcus considered and treated Derrick like a brother. They shared a bond, but that wouldn’t prevent Marcus from physically harming him for hurting his only sister.
    As if reading his thoughts Staci said, “Marcus, please stay out of this,” then turned to Craig. “Promise me you guys won’t jump Derrick or vandalize his vehicle.” That’s exactly what they had done in their younger days when a guy disrespected their sister.
    â€œOkay, but I might douse him with gasoline and strike a match,” Craig answered seriously. “He’s not so big that he can’t be taken down.”
    â€œPlease, this is hard enough to deal with.” Inwardly, Staci hoped this was all temporary. Derrick said he needed space. Maybe after a couple of nights away, he would come back.
    This time Marcus read her thoughts. “Maybe this separation is only temporary. I know he loves you.”
    Staci couldn’t tell her brother that she didn’t know if Derrick still loved her or not. She hadn’t heard or felt those words in months. “Maybe.” Her faint smile didn’t hold much expectation.
    Before Marcus and Craig left, they made her call their parents and tell them what was going on. “You should talk to Mom,” Craig told her. Staci agreed. She could use the comfort of her mother, but what she really wanted was the arms of the first man she ever loved, her father. She needed him to hold her and tell her she was beautiful and make her feel special again.
    After telling Carey what happened, there was a long silence on the phone. Unlike her brothers, her father grew quiet when angry. She could imagine his fair skin turning a shade of red. It was only after Derrick promised her father he would love his daughter and give her at least the same care and respect Mr. Simone had given her, did Carey give his blessing on their marriage. Carey recognized Derrick’s issues and had voiced his concern, but he also knew his love for Staci was genuine. Carey treated Derrick like a son. He boasted about Derrick’s success just as much as he did Marcus’s and Craig’s. Now, Derrick had disappointed him by leaving his baby girl alone and unprotected. Staci could tell from her father’s grunts that he would deal with her husband man to man, real soon.
    â€œBaby girl, why don’t you come home for a few days?”