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box of tissue from her uncle.
    Julia spoke gently. “Staci, he is the head of the house, but the head can’t turn without the neck, and the neck supports the head. Right now, you’re stronger than Derrick spiritually, but when he accepts himself for the powerful man he is, you won’t have to worry about fighting.”
    Staci remained quiet.
    â€œStop focusing on what’s wrong. Focus on the good things. Focus on what you love about him and build on that.”
    Maybe her aunt was right. Maybe if she stopped complaining and just waited patiently for Derrick to come to his senses things would change. What did she have to lose?

    When Derrick came home late that evening she didn’t ask him where he’d been or what he had been doing. She simply asked if he wanted something to eat. When he said no, she didn’t complain about how she’d spent most of the afternoon cooking dinner. She didn’t say anything except good night and went to bed.
    That went on for a whole month. She didn’t say much to him, and he didn’t say much to her. She still cooked and made sure he had everything he needed, but at night, she cried herself to sleep. Derrick didn’t seem to notice that every day she withdrew further and further away from him. If he did notice, he didn’t mention it.

Chapter 8
    â€œGood morning, beautiful.” Derrick strolled into the kitchen bright-eyed and grinning.
    Staci looked around the kitchen to see who he was talking to.
    â€œCome on, I haven’t been that bad, have I?” he asked after he kissed her on the cheek.
    â€œYes, you have,” Staci answered after taking a sip of her tea, totally unmoved by his touch. She took note of his tailored suit and adjusted his tie for him. “What are you so happy about?”
    â€œI have a very important meeting this morning,” he paused, “that I can’t tell you about until later.”
    â€œOf course, you can’t,” Staci smirked and walked to the double sink to rinse her breakfast dishes.
    Derrick stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “How about I tell you all about it over dinner tonight? I’ll even cook, or if you want, we can go out.”
    Staci turned to face him with eyes laced in defeat. “Derrick, it doesn’t matter anymore. It’s your life, and you can see whomever, go wherever, and do whatever you want.”
    He watched her somberly climb the stairs but didn’t go after her. If he wanted her to know how much he loved and appreciated her, he didn’t show it. The small gap between them had grown enormously, but he made no effort to bridge the gap. For now, his agenda took precedence.

    Staci was shocked, to say the least, to see Derrick’s SUV in the driveway upon returning home midday to change clothes after an accident at work.
    â€œDerrick?” she called as she stepped into the living room. When he didn’t respond, she quickly climbed the stairs to their bedroom. She selected a new ensemble and began changing.
    â€œDerrick? What are you doing in here?” She finally saw him seated on the side of the bathtub. When he held his head up to answer her, his facial expression was one of confusion and despair. When he didn’t answer her, she asked again. “Derrick, what are you doing home this time of day?”
    â€œI didn’t know there were time restraints on when a man can be in his own house.” His brash tone shocked her, and she took a step backward.
    â€œI’m just surprised to see you, that’s all.” Staci studied his face. “Derrick, is something wrong?”
    â€œWhat do you think? Of course, there’s something wrong with me. I’m not from the perfect family like you are.”
    Slowly, Staci zipped her skirt and tried to control her temper. “Derrick, what does my family have to do with your bad attitude?”
    He just stared at her with cold