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it again, hugging and kissing like the newlyweds they were. “Don’t you think you’ve done enough of that already?” Staci’s eyes fell to Shannon’s slightly extended belly.
    â€œI can never get enough of my baby,” Marcus said, before kissing Shannon again.
    Staci dismissed them with a wave of her hand and went into the kitchen only to find Brian and Lashay huddled at the sink. Finally, she walked into the den where Derrick sat. He was so engrossed in the basketball game he didn’t notice her come in.
    â€œWhat’s the score?” she asked, then scooted next to him.
    â€œSeventy-nine to sixty-five, Kings.”
    When his arm didn’t automatically rest on her shoulder, she leaned closer into him. Still nothing. Desperate for some type of affection, she exhaled loudly and took his hand in hers.
    â€Staci, did you want something?”
    She finally had his attention, but before she could answer, Marcus and Brian came into the den and booted her out.
    â€œWhy don’t you run along into kitchen with the womenfolk?” Brian teased.
    â€œThat’s right. A woman’s place is in the kitchen during basketball season,” Marcus added.
    â€œAnd football and baseball seasons,” Brian tagged on.
    â€œFine!” Staci rolled her eyes at Derrick. “There’s nothing cooking out here anyway.”
    Now of all times, Derrick decided to say something. He always agreed with whatever Marcus and Brian said, like he didn’t have a mind of his own. Staci hated that.
    â€œAll right, little woman, run along before I bend you over my knee and tame you,” Derrick warned.
    â€œPlease do,” Staci purred, before she went into the kitchen.
    Derrick grinned, but she hoped he didn’t miss her real meaning. Staci was becoming more frustrated and irritated with his lack of consistency. If he thought after the other night she understood enough to tolerate his distant behavior, he was sorely mistaken. She loved him, but at the moment, she didn’t like him very much.

Chapter 7
    Sunday morning Staci found herself on the second row of True Worship Ministries, alone. Derrick opted to go golfing instead of attending church service. Staci prayed all the way to church for Derrick. It was not like him to miss five Sundays in a row for no apparent reason. When she questioned him about it, he brushed off her concerns.
    â€œI don’t have to go to church every Sunday to be saved,” is what he told her.
    â€œI know that, but you don’t even pray or read your Bible anymore,” she countered.
    â€œI may not pray as much, but I do pray. Unlike you, God understands my heart.”
    Derrick’s put-down struck a nerve. “If you would share your heart with me, maybe I would understand! But you won’t talk to me!”
    Derrick slammed the refrigerator door shut and left her standing alone in the kitchen.
    Now, in the midst of praise and worship, she regretted losing her temper. Derrick needed to be in church. When his spiritual life was on track, he was a different person. He was still introverted, but not nearly as withdrawn. Every major mistake he’d made in his life was committed after he’d slacked up in his walk with God. Including the time when he and Staci were weak and convinced themselves it was all right for them to have premarital sex.
    Hurriedly, she wiped the corners of her eyes and hoped no one, especially her family, would ask her about Derrick’s absence. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t fully enjoy praise and worship. She was too worried about the future of her marriage.
    Today, Pastor Reggie, who was also her uncle, took his text from Numbers 23:19.
    â€œDon’t abort what God has told you. Even when everything and everyone seems to be against you, hold on to what God has spoken to you.”
    I know you told me Derrick is my ordained mate, Staci conversed with God .
    â€œNo matter how long it