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

her father suggested.
    Tears rolled down her cheeks. She loved her daddy for always wanting to protect her. “I would, Daddy, but I have a lot of work to do with this expansion.” She really wanted to stay around just in case Derrick returned.
    â€œDerrick will know where to find you,” her father responded.
    â€œI think you should spend some time with Mom.” Marcus’s opinion confirmed her father’s suggestion.
    â€œBesides,” Carey continued, “Marcus is the CEO. He’s home now. Let him run his own company for a few days.”
    Her father was right. If Derrick did have a change of heart, the first place he would check would be her parents. And Staci really didn’t want to stay in that big house all alone. The six-bedroom house wasn’t meant to be lived in alone.
    â€œI’ll see you in a little bit.” After her brothers left, Staci went upstairs to pack, all the while praying Derrick would come back or at least call. An hour later and without any word from him, she set the alarm, locked the house, then left.

Chapter 10
    Staci pulled into her parent’s estate and found her father waiting outside in the circular driveway for her. Fresh tears threatened to fall. Carey Simone was her hero, always there to rescue her. Before Staci turned the engine off, he was at the car door waiting to open it for her.
    â€œEverything is going to be fine, baby girl,” he said as he held her in his strong arms after she stepped from the car.
    She buried her face in his shirt. “Promise, Daddy?”
    â€œI promise. With God’s help, you’ll make it through this, and you’ll be stronger because of it,” Carey answered, then led his only daughter into the house.
    Staci followed the onion and celery aroma into the kitchen where Alaina stood preparing homemade chicken soup. As far back as Staci could remember, Alaina used the soup to soothe any pain. “Hi, Mommy.”
    Alaina laid the ladle on the spoon rest and welcomed her daughter into her arms. There was something about Alaina’s mothering arms that made Staci want to cry all over again and have her mother wipe her tears, but Staci didn’t cry because that would have made Alaina cry too. It had always been that way. If Staci cried, Alaina cried.
    â€œWhy don’t you go upstairs to your old room and take a hot bath. You’ll feel better after some aromatherapy. I’ll bring you some soup later.”
    â€œThanks, Mommy.” Staci slowly walked down the hall and up the winding staircase to the room she once called hers. Carey followed close behind with her suitcase.
    â€œRemember, baby girl, everything is going to work out,” Carey said before leaving after placing her bag on the queen-sized bed. Staci wished she shared her father’s confidence. She wondered what the words, everything will work out , really meant. Did it mean everything would work out with Derrick, or did it mean without him?
    â€œThank you, Mommy,” Staci whispered after she closed the door to her former room. Her mother had thought of everything. Aromatherapy candles burned and soft music floated from the CD player. Inside the bathroom was an assortment of bath oils and salts and, of course, a pack of Handi Wipes. For as far back as Staci could remember, Alaina always kept a pack of Handi Wipes with her for everything from dirty hands to public restrooms.
    While hot foam filled the tub, Staci slowly undressed. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and nearly tripped and hit her head.
    â€œOh my God!” she said as she took in her reflection. Her eyes were red and swollen. Brown streaks stained her face from the many tears she’d shed. Her lips looked ashy, and her shoulder-length hair was twisted into what looked like a knot. Good thing she had the hair texture that would soften in water, making it easier to comb through.
    Once in the tub, the hot water and fragrant smells did