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like my problems may be just beginning.

 
    Chapter Seven
    Camille
    I can’t believe Dionne threw that house flipping thing up in my face.  She knows that my issues with Bryan are totally off limits.  Not everyone decided to marry a rich music executive who cheats.  And not everyone was able to go to medical school.  I wanted a man of God.  Which is why I’m sitting at this tiny metal desk in an office no bigger than a closet, approving church requisitions and making a tiny paycheck.
    “Sister James, are you almost done with the check for the Nurse’s Guild?  They wanted to go shopping for the food for their gala today.”
    I look up from a stack of papers at Brother Leon Taylor.  His tone is all business, but he is grinning from ear to ear.  When he was younger, I’m sure he was a lady killer with his smooth dark skin and still muscular physique. Who am I kidding?  He’s probably still killing the ladies in this congregation! 
    I nod and move a few papers around until I see the envelope with the check in it.  “Here it is, Brother Leon.  Tell them I’ m so sorry for the delay.  I stepped out of the office for a while.”
    “Did you get lunch while you were out?  I can bring you back a sandwich if you want.”
    I raise my perfectly arched eyebrows.  Why do I get the impression that Leon is flirting with me?  I know he’s just asking if I want food, but it’s the way he asking.  I touch my stomach as it growls.  I am hungry.  I didn’t get to eat at Busy Bee’s, and I’ve got the rest of the afternoon to be here. 
    “Thank you so much!  Any kind of chicken sandwich would be perfect.”
    I grab my purse to look for money and Leon puts one hand up.  “It’s on me, Sister James.”
    “Stop being silly!  I’ve got it,” I say as I dig for my wallet.
    “Let a man be a man for a change.  I want to buy you something to eat, because you are a thick woman, and I like you thick.  Can’t have you wasting away.”
    My jaw drops and I am awkwardly silent for a few long moments.  Then, Leon smiles again.
    “Was that too much Sister James?  Please forgive me.  I sure don’t want you or your husband getting mad with me.”
    “How could we be mad at you?  Well, I might get a little angry if I don’t get something in my stomach soon.”
    “I’ll be back in a few, lady!”
    Leon winks at me on his way out of my office and I burst into a flurry of giggles.  I guess I still have a little something.  Leon thinks I’m attractive and wants to buy me food!  I feel a brand new bunch of giggles begin.
    The laughter stops suddenly when Bryan pokes his head into my office.  I actually feel my eyebrows come together in a frown. 
    “Camille, make sure you come straight home after work this evening.  I want to sit down and talk about the budget.”
    I swallow hard.  I have been avoiding this conversation for weeks.  Bryan went to some financial freedom class and he is determined for us to live the fabulous life without him getting a job outside of the church.
    “What is there to talk about?  As long as the bills are paid we’re fine.”
    He lifts and eyebrow and folds his arms across his growing midsection.  When did that potbelly get there?  He needs to hit the gym.  Looks like we’re both thick.
    “The bills are barely paid, and that’s not okay.  We need to do better and we can.”
    “Sure, Bryan.  I was planning on coming straight home anyway.”
    It’s not like I have anything to do.  It is bingo night down at the VFW hall, but I’m sure Bryan would not approve of that, so home is pretty much the only place I have to go.
    “Okay, I will see you later on.  I just want to tell you that I’m proud of you for getting help with your gambling addiction.  God is going to bless you for that, and our marriage.”
    I’m almost one hundred percent sure the smile I’m trying to give looks just like a grimace.  I have no gambling addiction.  And now that I think about it, I