It was difficult for me to have a comeback to those words. Difficult for me to continue the argument about women going after him when he’d made it clear (by his words and actions) that none of that matter. So why was I focused on this? What I’d said was true — I wasn’t the jealous type. But my other words were true as well — I was tired; this had become a daily thing. But what could we do? As long as Jeremy and I remained committed to each other, none of it mattered, I guessed.

I sighed. “Then, there’s nothing else to say.”

“You’re right. There isn’t anything else. Not once God has spoken.”

I said, “I know you love me and I don’t want to play the jealous, insecure wife. That is not me. I just don’t want to find myself in a situation where I will have to beat a hoe.”

He leaned back at first, and then released a howl of laughter that shook the walls. “Did you really just say that?”

“I did.” My words made me giggle, too. “And I meant it,” I added with attitude. “Don’t make the Barry Farm outta me.”

“Barry Farm?” He laughed again. “Please, you grew up in upper Northwest, went to private school and probably never even drove past Barry Farm.”

“I’m just saying. Don’t let the proper home training fool you.”

“Oh that proper home training has never fooled me. Not the way you are in our bedroom.” Pulling me back into his arms, he said, “Now can you do me a favor?” He pressed his lips against my neck and I leaned back giving him access. “Can you....” His tongue tickled my neck and I moaned. “Make your....” Now, his tongue trailed up to my earlobe. “Meeting short? So that we can get home and I can get a little of that proper home lovin’?”

I sighed. I loved this man so much. Moving my lips to his, I answered him with a kiss. One of those kisses that, like from the beginning, reached down into my soul.

Jeremy was right. We were a great example of what God had joined together, no man or woman would be able to put asunder.

And so it was.

Chapter 11

Tyesha Gray squirmed as I buttoned the three buttons on her camel-colored jacket.

“Mrs. Williams, why I gotta wear this?” she whined.

“Because you’re going on a job interview and that,” I said, pointing to the mini multi-colored sweater dress she had on when she arrived at my house, “won’t do. And the proper way to say that is ‘why do I have to wear this’. Not why I gotta. Grammar is important, sweetie. Remember what you’ve learned in the classes.” I paused as I stepped back. “Now turn around.”

With my hands on her shoulders, I shifted Tyesha to face the mirror. Dru adjusted it against the wall so that Tyesha could see her full figure and the smile that beamed from her was like sunshine at noon.